A reason why video games are hard to give up

"It's our contention that the psychological 'pull' of games is largely due to their capacity to engender feelings of autonomy, competence, and relatedness," says Ryan. The researchers believe that some video games not only motivate further play but "also can be experienced as enhancing psychological wellness, at least short-term," he says.

Video Gamers Join in a Child Charity

By J. Peter Freire, New York Times, 12/27/06
"The young patients at Seattle Children’s Hospital awoke this Christmas Day to gifts from a sprawling culture not frequently associated with charity: video gamers."

Using Games and Simulations for Engaged Learning

Consortium for School Networking (CoSN) conference, March 27, 2007, SanFrancisco. "The 2007 International Symposium is focused on the compelling issue of the role that games, simulations and similar software will play in schools and other educational venues. Gaming and other interactive software primarily exists in the commercial/consumer markets, yet many educators believe they hold the potential to powerfully engage learners, particularly at the primary and secondary education level."

Nintendo Games Online

From the Bartlesville Public Library blog
VirtualNES: A virtual Nintendo Entertainment system with 550 games.

'Left Behind' Video Game Draws Fire

by Laura Sydell, NPR, 12/24/06
"A video game based on the popular "Left Behind" series of Christian novels draw criticism. The game allows players to be tempted by the forces of evil, convert others to Christianity... or even kill them." Listen to the podcast here.

Video Games for the Vision Impaired

by Amy Standen, NPR, 12/24/06
Audio games from such companies as audiogames.net are talked about in this podcast.

Girl Gamer Makes a Killing

by James Lee, Wired News, 12/22/06
Meet Bonnie "Xena" Burton, a 15-year-old professional gamer, who is one of fourteen gaming coaches at Gaming-Lessons.com

GTA-who knew?

"Top 10 things you never knew about Grand Theft Auto (because you're not brainy enough)"

Michigan pays fees to video game industry

Video Game Voters Network
"The State of Michigan must pay the video game industry $182,349 in attorney's fees and costs as a result of successful litigation challenging an unconstitutional effort to enact a law banning the sale or rental of violent video games to minors. . ."

Wii Wriststrap Recall

December 15, 2006

Important Information Concerning Wii Remote wrist straps


Dear Nintendo Customer,

We wish to advise you that Nintendo announced today that we are offering free replacement Wii Remote wrist straps to consumers. These straps are thicker than the original wrist straps provided at launch.

Your customers can seek replacement wrist straps in two ways:

• Contact a 1-800 number: 1-800-859-4519

• Visit our website at www.support.nintendo.com

We also wanted to let you know that all Wii Remotes packaged with Wii Hardware in your inventory should already have the new, thicker wrist straps attached.

Wii Remote Accessories shipped by Nintendo to retail on or after December 18 also should include the new, thicker wrist strap.

If you have any questions, please contact your Nintendo Account Manager.


Sincerely,
Nintendo of America Inc.

John Moore
Director of Channel Marketing


HA. Knew it was better to wait...

Games + Learning + Society

Call for Papers. Third annual conference will be held, July 12-13, 2007. Madison, WI.

"Sponsored by the University of Wisconsin-Madison School of Education and the Academic ADL Co-Lab, the GLS Conference fosters substantive discussion and collaboration among academics, designers, and educators interested in how game technologies – commercial games and others – can enhance learning, culture, and education."

Proposals due February 15, 2007

IBM encouraging kids to pursue careers

by Debra Lau Whelan, School Library Journal, 12/13/2006
"IBM recently invited middle school students to its headquarters in New York to check out how video games are made."

ALA TechSource Gaming in Libraries Symposium

Save the Date! July 22-24, 2007

More info on the ALA TechSource blog. Man, those TechSource people ROCK!

YALSA Teen Gaming Discussion Group Meeting-Midwinter

Please join us!
YALSA’s Teen Gaming Discussion Group
W Hotel Seattle, 1112 4th Ave., Studio 8
Saturday, January 20, 1:30pm-3:30pm

While the focus will be on tabletop games, bring all your gaming questions, and share your programming stories!

Can't attend but still want to participate or listen in? Join us in Second Life Open Air Auditorum, Coordinates 126, 81, 33, or via Skype (kellyc411 or informationgoddess29) where the meeting will be broadcast live.

Check for updates, other gaming related Midwinter programs, and gaming events in Seattle on the ALA Midwinter wiki. Consider posting information about the YALSA Gaming Discussion group on your personal blog or state library listservs.

Any gaming related ALA conference programs or Seattle gaming resources, consider posting on the ALA Midwinter Wki or YALSA's Teen Tech Week Wiki.

MMOG Stats!

Forwarded from Nick Yee

A new issue of The Daedalus Project is now available at:
http://www.nickyee.com/daedalus/

Also, several new surveys are available for current MMORPG players. You can participate at: http://www.nickyee.com/mmorpg/

As the number of MMOs and MMO portals increase, your help in publicizing the link to the current surveys goes a long ways in sustaining this line of research. Any help is much appreciated.

Wii, Lose two pants size in one week

Ryan Mercer, was interviewed by Forbes, as a wii player who is loosing weight by playing the Wii. He plays for an hour and a half a day and has been loosing weight from playing all of the games on the wii. One comment that he makes is that even non gamers are attracted to the Wii.

So if you haven't had a chance to play with the Wii I encourage you to demo in a store or buy your own.

"I want to go from a Mario to a Luigi"-Ryan Mercer

Survey of what teens what for Christmas

Business Wire, 11/21/06
"TeenSpot & Gorilla Nation survey unwraps pricy holiday presents. . ."

Unconstitutional Video Game Law Struck Down-Louisiana

11/30/06, Video Game Voters Network
"Ninth Decision in Six Years Finds Video Games to be Protected Under the First Amendment."