Author Archives: lankoski

“Plundering the Seas of Probability” by Tyler Sigman

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”

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”

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”

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”