Thursday, January 31, 2008
2008 Texas Teen Read! Manual: Game On! TTR.08
"The Texas Teens Read! Advisory Committee selected the theme Game On! TTR.08 for the first Texas Teens Read! and nominated artist Rod Espinosa to design the manual."
Sunday, January 27, 2008
Nintendo Donates 21 Wii's
Norman Oder, Library Journal, 1/25/08
"Nintendo has decided to donate 21 of the popular games (valued at $250 each) to encourage library gaming. The recipients are the Alpena County Library, MI; the Free Library of Philadelphia; the Pasco County Library, FL; Ann Arbor District Library, MI; the New York Public Library; and the American Library Association (ALA), which will use its Wii at various events to promote library gaming initiatives."
"Nintendo has decided to donate 21 of the popular games (valued at $250 each) to encourage library gaming. The recipients are the Alpena County Library, MI; the Free Library of Philadelphia; the Pasco County Library, FL; Ann Arbor District Library, MI; the New York Public Library; and the American Library Association (ALA), which will use its Wii at various events to promote library gaming initiatives."
Tuesday, January 22, 2008
Your Input Needed on GLLS2008 Location!
forwarded from Jenny Levine, The Shifted Librarian and ALA Strategy Guide
"We're at the point where we can finally pick a location for the 2008 ALA TechSource Gaming, Learning, and Libraries Symposium, but the pickings aren't as good as we'd hoped for. Recognizing that we can't please everyone all of the time, I'd love your input on the choices we do have.
More background and info at
http://gaminglearningandlibraries.ning.com/forum/topic/showid=917484%3ATopic%3A3024
(http://tinyurl.com/3dzlp3). Please respond there or to jlevine AT ala DOT org).
DO NOT REPLY HERE! Please reply on the GLLS2008 Ning Site.
"We're at the point where we can finally pick a location for the 2008 ALA TechSource Gaming, Learning, and Libraries Symposium, but the pickings aren't as good as we'd hoped for. Recognizing that we can't please everyone all of the time, I'd love your input on the choices we do have.
More background and info at
http://gaminglearningandlibraries.ning.com/forum/topic/showid=917484%3ATopic%3A3024
(http://tinyurl.com/3dzlp3). Please respond there or to jlevine AT ala DOT org).
DO NOT REPLY HERE! Please reply on the GLLS2008 Ning Site.
Thursday, January 17, 2008
Games and Gaming Member Initiative Group-ALA
On January 16th, the ALA Council approved the formation of the Games and Gaming Member Initiative Group. The charge for the group, is:
To engage those interested in games and gaming activities in libraries and to collaborate with ALA units to support gaming initiatives and programs across the Association. Games, as defined in their broadest sense to include traditional and modern board, card, video, mobile, computer, live-action, roleplaying and miniature games, and gaming activities, including planning and running gaming programs, providing games for informal play, developing a game collection, creating games, development of information and other literacies through games and partnering with other community organizations to support gaming, will be topics for professional exploration. This group is open to all
members.
Scott Nicholson (srnichol at syr.edu), associate professor at the Syracuse University School of Information Studies and director of the Library Game Lab of Syracuse, appeared before the ALA Committee on Organization on January 15th as a Designated Organizer with a petition with 149 member signatures to request that the group be started as a channel to bring together librarians of all types to talk about tabletop and digital games.
The Member Initiative Group structure is designed for new topics and creates an ALA organization that lives for 3 years. After that time, if the group is flourishing, it can apply to become part of the ALA's permanent organizational structure as a Round Table. ALA will be creating a discussion forum, blog, wiki, and other methods for the group to begin discussions shortly. More information about the Library Game Lab of Syracuse and updates on the Games and Gaming MIG will be posted here.
To engage those interested in games and gaming activities in libraries and to collaborate with ALA units to support gaming initiatives and programs across the Association. Games, as defined in their broadest sense to include traditional and modern board, card, video, mobile, computer, live-action, roleplaying and miniature games, and gaming activities, including planning and running gaming programs, providing games for informal play, developing a game collection, creating games, development of information and other literacies through games and partnering with other community organizations to support gaming, will be topics for professional exploration. This group is open to all
members.
Scott Nicholson (srnichol at syr.edu), associate professor at the Syracuse University School of Information Studies and director of the Library Game Lab of Syracuse, appeared before the ALA Committee on Organization on January 15th as a Designated Organizer with a petition with 149 member signatures to request that the group be started as a channel to bring together librarians of all types to talk about tabletop and digital games.
The Member Initiative Group structure is designed for new topics and creates an ALA organization that lives for 3 years. After that time, if the group is flourishing, it can apply to become part of the ALA's permanent organizational structure as a Round Table. ALA will be creating a discussion forum, blog, wiki, and other methods for the group to begin discussions shortly. More information about the Library Game Lab of Syracuse and updates on the Games and Gaming MIG will be posted here.
Thursday, January 03, 2008
Monday, December 31, 2007
Video Games Make History in 2007
12/31/07, BBC News
"The last 12 months have been one of the best years in video game history, both critically and commercially." Judges pick out the best games of the year.
"The last 12 months have been one of the best years in video game history, both critically and commercially." Judges pick out the best games of the year.
Thursday, December 27, 2007
Help Form an ALA Games and Gaming Member Interest Group
Please take a moment to show your support for Scott Nicholson's initiative to start a Gaming and Gamer Member Interest Group of ALA!
Petition online at http://www.boardgameswithscott.com/ggmig.pdf
Print, sign, get your friends to sign, and mail to the address on the form - ASAP!
Monday, December 24, 2007
Literary Festival in Second Life
Stay tuned to the literary festival in Second Life and Teen Second Life to be held on Saturday, February 2 from 4am PST until 6pm PST. Games such as scavenger hunts with literary clues and solve the murder mystery game will be part of the events. Next planning meeting scheduled is Sunday, January 6 at 12p PST. IM Teofila Matova or BlueWings Hayek for a teleport. Join the googlegroup here.
Video Game Voters Network and Facebook
Video Game Voters Network 12/20/07
"The Video Game Voters Network (VGVN) is committed to raising awareness of the fight against video game regulation where ever we can. That's why we've launched a Facebook page, to help spread the word in this increasingly popular social networking site."
"The Video Game Voters Network (VGVN) is committed to raising awareness of the fight against video game regulation where ever we can. That's why we've launched a Facebook page, to help spread the word in this increasingly popular social networking site."
Member Interest Group on Games and Gaming
Scott Nicholson is interested in starting an ALA Member Interest Group on Games and Gaming.
The group's charge is:
To engage those interested in games and gaming activities in libraries and to collaborate with ALA units to support gaming initiatives and programs across the Association. Games, as defined in their broadest sense to include traditional and modern board, card, video, mobile, computer, live-action, roleplaying and miniature games, and gaming activities, including planning and running gaming programs, providing games for informal play, developing a game collection, creating games, development of information and other literacies through games and partnering with other community organizations to support gaming, will be topics for professional exploration. This group is open to all members.
100 signatures of ALA members are needed here in the next few weeks.
The group's charge is:
To engage those interested in games and gaming activities in libraries and to collaborate with ALA units to support gaming initiatives and programs across the Association. Games, as defined in their broadest sense to include traditional and modern board, card, video, mobile, computer, live-action, roleplaying and miniature games, and gaming activities, including planning and running gaming programs, providing games for informal play, developing a game collection, creating games, development of information and other literacies through games and partnering with other community organizations to support gaming, will be topics for professional exploration. This group is open to all members.
100 signatures of ALA members are needed here in the next few weeks.
Monday, December 17, 2007
Create Your Own Avatar! Contest
There is still time to enter YALSA's Create Your Own Avatar Contest. Contest submissions will be unveiled at YALSA's 3rd Annual Gaming Extravaganza. Attendees at the Extravaganza will vote on the entries and the winner will be announced during the event. Even if you don't have the chance to attend the Extravaganza you can still enter. In other words attendance at the Extravaganza is not required in order to enter.
The winner will receive $100 in books and will be interviewed for a YALSA article and press release.
For more information on the contest and to learn how to enter read the Create Your Own Avatar Contest Guideline available at http://www.ala.org/ala/yalsa/avatar.pdf.
The winner will receive $100 in books and will be interviewed for a YALSA article and press release.
For more information on the contest and to learn how to enter read the Create Your Own Avatar Contest Guideline available at http://www.ala.org/ala/yalsa/avatar.pdf.
Thursday, December 13, 2007
YALSA Offers Mini-Grants for Teen Tech Week!
The Young Adult Library Services Association is offering, thanks to sponsor Wizards of the Coast, TWENTY grants of $450 + promotional materials for Teen Tech Week (March 2008) programs! Want to buy a console for your teen room, and lack the money? Enroll half a dozen kids in a Youth Digital Arts Cyber School class? Buy land in Teen Second Life? COnsider applying!
Details at http://www.ala.org/ala/yalsa/teentechweek/ttw08/contests/contests.cfm
Details at http://www.ala.org/ala/yalsa/teentechweek/ttw08/contests/contests.cfm
Wednesday, December 12, 2007
w00t!
Merriam-Webster's word of the year is "w00t!" Further proof that gaming is ubiquitous and invading pop culture. Full article at:
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20071211/ap_on_re_us/word_of_the_year
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20071211/ap_on_re_us/word_of_the_year
Monday, November 19, 2007
Rise of the Videogame
This Wednesday, Nov. 21 starts the first of the five part series by the Discovery Channel on The Rise of the Videogame
Level one:
The video game started not with a bang, but with a ping. Where did simple games like Pong and PacMan come from? And how did these global phenomenons usher in the videogame revolution?
Level two:
In the late '70s, early '80s, video games gained their face. Game creators became more liberated to create more complex video games and icons like Mario and Zelda began to give way to grittier characters. Learn how video game technology has evolved.
Level three:
Video games go 3-D, but the details they capture in the new virtual worlds are both awe-inspiring and disturbingly realistic. Critics begin to question if games are becoming too real, too violent, too addictive. Game designers begin wrestling with ethics.
Level four:
"God Games" begin simulating entire worlds and allow players to experiment with sometimes troubling cause and effect. Artificial intelligence creates lifelike characters and opens up opportunities for new learning tools and for artistic expression.
Level five:
Can a computer game make you cry? Games gain an emotional dimension, interpersonal connection, and Hollywood worthy story lines as they evolve and move onto the Web. What do these virtual world games tell us about the way we live in the 21st century?
Level one:
The video game started not with a bang, but with a ping. Where did simple games like Pong and PacMan come from? And how did these global phenomenons usher in the videogame revolution?
Level two:
In the late '70s, early '80s, video games gained their face. Game creators became more liberated to create more complex video games and icons like Mario and Zelda began to give way to grittier characters. Learn how video game technology has evolved.
Level three:
Video games go 3-D, but the details they capture in the new virtual worlds are both awe-inspiring and disturbingly realistic. Critics begin to question if games are becoming too real, too violent, too addictive. Game designers begin wrestling with ethics.
Level four:
"God Games" begin simulating entire worlds and allow players to experiment with sometimes troubling cause and effect. Artificial intelligence creates lifelike characters and opens up opportunities for new learning tools and for artistic expression.
Level five:
Can a computer game make you cry? Games gain an emotional dimension, interpersonal connection, and Hollywood worthy story lines as they evolve and move onto the Web. What do these virtual world games tell us about the way we live in the 21st century?
Saturday, November 17, 2007
How Violent Video Games are Exemplary Agression Teachers
11/14/07, Science Daily
"Students who played multiple violent video games actually learned through those games to produce greater hostile actions and aggressive behaviors over a span of six months, researchers have found."
"Students who played multiple violent video games actually learned through those games to produce greater hostile actions and aggressive behaviors over a span of six months, researchers have found."
Friday, November 02, 2007
Girl Gaming by Ubisoft
Ubisoft, the developers of Prince of Persia, Rayman, and Beyond Good and Evil, have a new line of games for the DS designed specifically for girls. Each game lets girls explore the things they like to do, and focuses on a related career. You can choose from babysitting, fashion designer, animal doctor, or chef. I've not been able to play these games yet, but I'm curious about your opinions about this.
Do you think that girl gamers will like these games? Would you have played one when you were younger?
If you have a chance ask you teen girls what they think of these games I'm really curious about the reaction girls will have to this.
Do you think that girl gamers will like these games? Would you have played one when you were younger?
If you have a chance ask you teen girls what they think of these games I'm really curious about the reaction girls will have to this.
Friday, October 19, 2007
A new issue of The Daedalus Project is now available
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.
Also, if you run into any errors, typos, or are confused by anything in the surveys, please email me to let me know.
Nick Yee
A new issue of The Daedalus Project is now available at:
http://www.nickyee.com/daedalu
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.
Also, if you run into any errors, typos, or are confused by anything in the surveys, please email me to let me know.
Nick Yee
Monday, October 01, 2007
A quick guide to Gaming and Libraries
iLibrarian
"Here’s a quick guide to some of the resources available related to the gaming in libraries meme."
"Here’s a quick guide to some of the resources available related to the gaming in libraries meme."
Library of Congress to Preserve Virtual Worlds
by Guy Lamolinara, Library of Congress, 8/3/07
"The Preserving Virtual Worlds project will explore methods for preserving digital games and interactive fiction. Major activities will include developing basic standards for metadata and content representation and conducting a series of archiving case studies for early video games, electronic literature and Second Life, an interactive multiplayer game. Second Life content participants include Life to the Second Power, Democracy Island and the International Spaceflight Museum."
"The Preserving Virtual Worlds project will explore methods for preserving digital games and interactive fiction. Major activities will include developing basic standards for metadata and content representation and conducting a series of archiving case studies for early video games, electronic literature and Second Life, an interactive multiplayer game. Second Life content participants include Life to the Second Power, Democracy Island and the International Spaceflight Museum."
Cinema Gamr
Check out this site whose goal is to collect video game cinematics (basically "the in-game generated movie that is used in video games to help tell a story, further a plot, guide a user to view or do something or a way to show of in-game features").
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