Tyler Sigman writes at Gamasutra about how to use propabity theory to inform game design in Plundering the Seas of Probability: So it occurred to me that Longship had some good examples of applied probability theory in game design. So I’ve decided to share the design process I used for some of the game mechanics,Continue reading ““Plundering the Seas of Probability” by Tyler Sigman”
Author Archives: lankoski
Ad Hominem
The article Definition of Videogames1, which I commented earlier, reminded me of a discussion about defining games at Digra 2007 conference. When I mentioned Wittgentein2 critique on definitions based on necessary and sufficient conditions, I got a reply that dismissed Wittgenstein critique, because he changed his mind. The presented argument, he changed his mind, isContinue reading “Ad Hominem”
“Definition of Videogames” by Grant Tavinor
In the volume 6 of Contemporary Aesthetics, Grand Tavinor takes on task to define videogames. He accepts that “videogames cannot be defined by a simple necessary and sufficient condition definition of videogamess”.1 He proposes that a video game can be defined by disjunctive definition (e.g., X is a game if A or B). His proposalContinue reading ““Definition of Videogames” by Grant Tavinor”
Blog Back Online
My blog has been inaccessible due to issues of domain name change at TAIK a few days. Now, the blog is back online, and hopefully remains so.
Audio Mostly Proceedings
Audio Mostly Conference proceedings is available at http://www.audiomostly.com/programme/Proceeding_AM07_Web.pdf. The proceedings contains Inger Ekman’s paper on sound design for our The Song of North game. There are also at least two other papers on games that I need to check: Farnell, Andy James. Procudural game audio using Pure Data; Berndt, Axel; Hartmann, Knut. Strategies for NarrativeContinue reading “Audio Mostly Proceedings”
“Media effects on minors” by Salokoski & Mustonen
A Report Media effects on minors – review of international research and practices of media education and regulation (Salokoski & Mustonen) has been recently published. Sonja Kangas has already made some insightful comments on it. I choose to comment the report from the other point view, as I find some premises and facts in theContinue reading ““Media effects on minors” by Salokoski & Mustonen”
Trigger Happy
Steven Poole’s book Trigger Happy is downloadable at his site for limited time. The book is worthy to read.
Character-Based Game Design
Laramée has written small piece on character-based game design. He writes: A [player] character is only interesting if: He or she wants something badly; And he or she can’t get it without a struggle. And Spend as much time giving motivations to your bad guys as to your heroes! An insightful but really short peace.Continue reading “Character-Based Game Design”
CfP: Philosophy of Computer Games
We hereby invite scholars in any field who take a professional interest in the phenomenon of computer games to submit papers to the international conference “The Philosophy of Computer Games 2008”, to be held in Potsdam, Germany, on May 8-10, 2008. Further details at: http://www.gamephilosophy.org/
Gameplay Design Patterns for Social Networks and Conflicts
Petri Lankoski Media Lab University of Art and Design Helsinki Staffan Björk Interaction Design Collegium Chalmers University of Technology & Göteborg University In GDTW2007 Proceedings Fifth International Game Design and Technology Workshop and Conference Liverpool John Moores University, UK 14–15 November 2007 ABSTRACT This paper explores how games can be designed to make the socialContinue reading “Gameplay Design Patterns for Social Networks and Conflicts”
Petri Lankoski 