Comments for Words on Play

Comment on Game design lessons: Scrabble and Wordscraper by Barnaby Dawson

Barnaby Dawson — Thu, 26 Nov 2009 17:57:09 +0000

This is interesting. I’ve been thinking of using genetic algorithms to evolve good wordscraper board designs according to certain design criteria. Its a fascinating programming project with more than a little creativity to it. Would be interested to hear your thoughts on what would make a wordscraper board into a good design.

Comment on Games and Food by Andrey Kostyushko

Andrey Kostyushko — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 16:09:21 +0000

Very interesting comparison. Game addiction as gluttony… Nice thoughts!

Comment on Fallout 3: Jazz in the Wasteland by Ricardo

Ricardo — Sun, 22 Nov 2009 19:13:59 +0000

simply put, its the only videogame I have ever seen with real music.
Scypher, it works because the music sounds so good. Seems that nowadays no one knows music anymore. I love jazz, I simply stop walking and just stand near the radio.

Comment on Why is sex fun? by Malcolm

Malcolm — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 02:19:41 +0000

I have taken to using the term 'Ritual', as I think it best captures what the original authors were trying to say. That is, the kind of meditative pleasures that arise from the repetitive and automatic performance of otherwise meaningless actions. 'Immersion' is a slippery term. Designers have identified a number different kinds of immersion, which are related to the different kinds of fun above. They include:

Sensory Immersion. Getting lost in pure sensation, as in the experience of a brilliant piece of cinematography at the movies, or a symphony or a rock concert.
Tactical Immersion. Also know as flow, as when concentrating on a difficult feat of skill at the outer edge of your ability.
Strategic Immersion. Getting lost in your head in a problem solving task. Common to computer scientists.
Narrative Immersion. Getting lost in the story and your own imagination, as in a great novel.
Role-play Immersion. Getting caught up in a character while acting. 'Becoming' the character.

It would be interesting to link this work to psychological literature on altered states of conciousness.

Comment on Why is sex fun? by J

Wed, 18 Nov 2009 21:44:44 +0000

Submission (I prefer Meditation) – Game as mindless pastime

This might easily refer to that feeling of being “in the zone” where your conscious mind takes a back seat to the subconscious and the muscle memory. In BDSM, it’s referred to as “sub-space” but the kink isn’t required for that to happen.

“Meditation” is likely the best term.

Comment on Books: Emergence by Malcolm

Malcolm — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 06:08:05 +0000

For an interesting example of emergent gameplay, check out Urban Dead:

http://playthisthing.com/urban-dead-0

Comment on The Big Triangle by Game Retail Store » GameSetLinks: Seventy Nine Reasons…

Game Retail Store » GameSetLinks: Seventy Nine Reasons… — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 07:56:33 +0000

[...] The Big Triangle « Words on Play “Oo, game mechanic triangles – fun!” [...]

Comment on The Big Triangle by KoS

KoS — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 22:12:09 +0000

Sorry, forgot to leave a link

http://k–o–s.blogspot.com/2009/10/big-triangle.html

Comment on The Big Triangle by KoS

KoS — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 22:10:29 +0000

Hello, Malcolm.

This is interesting observation.

If you don’t mind, I translated you post (not literally) and published in my blog.

Comment on The Secret Books of Game Design by The Big Triangle « Words on Play

The Big Triangle « Words on Play — Mon, 12 Oct 2009 01:30:20 +0000

[...] McCloud’s Big Triangle. For those unfamiliar with it (and if this is you, you should go read Understanding Comics right now), it is a depiction of the continuum of artistic styles between realistic, iconic and [...]