Swfln Get Your Game On!

Get Your Game On: Video Gaming @ the Library Instructor: Beth Gallaway [email_address] A SWFLN Workshop Fall 2007

Introductions
Name
Library
Position
What games do you play?

What is a Game?
GAME: activity engaged in for diversion or amusement; synonym: see FUN
VIDEO GAME: an electronic game played by means of images on a video screen and often emphasizing fast action
Merriam-Webster Online. http://www.m-w.com

Game Components
Console/Playing Device
PC, Xbox, Playstation, Nintendo
Screen or Monitor
Controller
mouse, joystick, keyboard, peripheral device
Power Source
Game
CD-Rom, cartridge, digital

Game Play Devices
Xbox
Playstation
Nintendo
PC

Game Controllers
Keyboard
Mouse
Mat
Guitar
Steering Wheel
Drum
Joystick
Camera
Controllers

Game Screens
Monitor
Television
Projector/Screen

Ways to Play Video Games
At an Arcade
On a PC or Mac
On a Plug ‘n’ Play Device
On a Mobile Device
On a Handheld Device
On a Console

Arcade Games

Plug ‘n’ Play
Plugs into your TV
Play begins immediately

PC/Mac Gaming
Computer with a hard drive
PC or Mac Platform

Console Gaming Devices
Video Game Charts. http://www.vgcharts.org . October 6, 2007

Handheld Gaming Devices Video Game Charts. http://www.vgcharts.org. October 6, 2007

Console Gaming Devices

Mobile Gaming Devices
Mobile gaming is expected to quadruple to 11.2 billion by 2010

For Discussion: What Are Some Benefits of Games?

Why Games at the Library? Games …
Are just like books, they are just another new format
Are the medium of choice for the millennial generation
Meet developmental needs of teens
Build adolescents developmental assets
Are literary
Reinforce new literacies

Gaming = literacy
Environmental print
signage
labels
maps
Reading about the game
instructions
walkthroughs
Writing about the game
forums
websites
Chat:
“ WTS, Mageweave cloth, 15g”

“ Leet” & 4 // 3 I2 5 G A M E R S

Gaming is the medium of choice for the millennial generation

Gaming by the Numbers: An Interactive Quiz

1. What is the average age of a gamer? * Entertainment Software Association. Top 10 Facts. http://www.theesa.com/facts/top_10_facts.php 33

2. What % of teens report playing games online*? * Pew Internet & American Life Project. Teens and Technology, July 2005. 81 %

3. What percent of people over 50 play games?* * Entertainment Software Association. Top 10 Facts. http://www.theesa.com/facts/top_10_facts.php 24% 24 %

4. What % of gamers are female? * Entertainment Software Association. Top 10 Facts. http://www.theesa.com/facts/top_10_facts.php 38%

5. How much money did computer & video game sales gross in 2005?* $7.6 Billion * Entertainment Software Association. Top 10 Facts. http://www.theesa.com/facts/top_10_facts.php

6. What % of gamers play on handhelds? * Entertainment Software Association. Top 10 Facts. http://www.theesa.com/facts/top_10_facts.php 32 %

7. What percentage of games sold in 2005 were rated M?* * Entertainment Software Association. Top 10 Facts. http://www.theesa.com/facts/top_10_facts.php 15%

8. X% fewer mistakes are made by laproscopic surgeons.* 37% * James C. Rosser, Jr, MD; Paul J. Lynch, MD; Laurie Cuddihy, MD; Douglas A. Gentile, PhD; Jonathan Klonsky, MD; Ronald Merrell, MD. “The Impact of Video Games on Training Surgeons in the 21st Century.” Beth Israel Medical Center, Iowa State University. Arch Surg. 2007;142:181-186. . Accessed October 8, 2007.

9. Laproscopic surgery is completed X% faster by surgeons who play video games.* 27% * James C. Rosser, Jr, MD; Paul J. Lynch, MD; Laurie Cuddihy, MD; Douglas A. Gentile, PhD; Jonathan Klonsky, MD; Ronald Merrell, MD. “The Impact of Video Games on Training Surgeons in the 21st Century.” Beth Israel Medical Center, Iowa State University. Arch Surg. 2007;142:181-186. . Accessed October 8, 2007.

10. What % of public libraries allow patrons to play computer games?* 82% *Nicholson, Scott. (2007). The Role of Gaming in Libraries: Taking the Pulse. July 2007. http://boardgameswithscott.com/pulse2007.pdf . Accessed October 8, 2007.

11. What % of public libraries circulate video games?* 30% *Nicholson, Scott. (2007). The Role of Gaming in Libraries: Taking the Pulse. July 2007. http://boardgameswithscott.com/pulse2007.pdf . Accessed October 8, 2007.

12. What % of public libraries host video game programs?* 13% *Nicholson, Scott. (2007). The Role of Gaming in Libraries: Taking the Pulse. July 2007. http://boardgameswithscott.com/pulse2007.pdf . Accessed October 8, 2007.

What Developmental Needs/Assets Are Being Met?

Gaming Meets Developmental Needs of Young Adolescents
Positive social interaction with adults & peers
Structure and clear limits
Physical activity
Creative expression
Competence and achievement
Meaningful participation in families, school, communities
Opportunities for self-definition
NMSA. NMSA Research Summaries. Young Adolescents Developmental Needs (1996) http://www.nmsa.org/Research/ResearchSummaries/Summary5/tabid/257/Default.aspx

Gaming Builds Developmental Assets of Adolescents
Support
Empowerment
Boundaries & Expectations
Constructive Use of Time
Commitment to Learning
Positive Values
Social Competencies
Positive Identity
The Search Institute. http://www.search-institute.org

What Developmental Needs/Assets Are Being Met?

Does This Sound Like Any Gamers You Know?
Social
Competitive
Wired
Self-aware
Always On
Heroic
Multi-taskers
Global
Collaborative
Risk Takers
Beck, John and Mitchell Wade. Got Game: How the Gamer Generation is Reshaping Business Forever . Harvard Business School Press, 2004.

Learning Principles in Games*
Risk –taking in a “safe” environment
Rewards practice
Use of affinity groups
Probing cycles
Situated meaning
Self-knowledge
Identity formation
*** Gee, James Paul. What Video Games Have to Teach Us About Learning and Literacy . Palgrave McMillan, 2003

Gaming Reinforces New Literacies
Exposing knowledge
Employing information
Expressing ideas compellingly
Ethics on the Internet
Warlick, David. ”The New Literacies.” Scholastic Administrator. Mar-Apr2005 http://www.scholastic.com/administrator/marapr05/articles.asp?article= newlit

1. Exposing Knowledge
Find information
Understand and explain found information regardless of its format
Evaluate information
Organize information

Runescape

Ways Games Expose Knowledge

2. Employing Information
Computation
Measurement
Analysis
Application

Estimating
Basic arithmetic
Averages
Statistics
Lemonade Stand

Let's Try Set Game!

3. Expressing Ideas Compellingly
Mechanics matter
Creativity & efficiency highly rated
Text, images, audio, and video are used to express ideas in many digital formats

Ways Gamers Express Ideas Compellingly
Fan Fiction
Machinima
Web Comics
Fan Forums
Clan Websites

FanFiction

Warcraft Tutorial

Ethics on the Internet
Modding – recreating game content
FanFic – writing stories about characters created/owner by someone else
Machina – films/videos created through recording video game play

How Can Libraries Tie Literacy to Gaming?
Use games to do readers advisory
Do gaming collection development
Offer gaming programs

1. Reader’s Advisory to Gamers
INSTEAD OF:
What authors do you like to read?
What are the last 3 books you read and enjoyed?
What did you like about them?
ASK:
What movies do you like?
What TV shows do you watch?
What games do you play?

Reader’s Advisory to Gamers 

Roleplaying/MMORPG Games
Games:
Everquest
Runescape
World of Warcraft
Dark Age of Camelot
Ultima
Characteristics
epic fantasy setting
good vs. evil theme
Suggest?

Historical Sim Games
Games:
Civilization
Caesar
Age of Empires
Oregon Trail
America’s Army
Characteristics
Simulation elements
Historical setting
Alternative history possibility
Suggest?

Sports Games
Games:
Madden Football
NBA Street
Need for Speed
Tiger Woods
Golf
Characteristics
Sports theme
Competition
Suggest?

Strategy & Puzzle Games
Games:
Myst
Tetris
Bejeweled
Where in the World is Carmen San Diego?
Characteristics:
Problem to solve
Logic, math, reasoning
Suggest?

First Person Shooters (FPS)‏
Games:
Doom
Quake
Halo
Characteristics
Warfare
Strategy
Violent
Suggest?

Simulations
Games:
The Sims
The Urbz
Characteristics:
Character driven
Suggest?

Japanese/Manga tie-in
Games:
Katamari Damacy
Final Fantasy
Dragonball Z
Pokemon
Characteristics
Anime style
Japanese culture
Suggest?

Superhero Games
Games:
Spider-Man
Fantastic Four
City of Heros
Characteristics
Heroes/villains setting
Good vs. evil theme
Film tie-ins
Suggest?

Don’t Forget Print Resources for Gamers
Magazines
Strategy guides
Nonfiction about gaming
Fiction with gaming as a plot or subplot

2. Be a Strategy Guide -- Not an Information Maven
Don’t be a level boss
Show, don’t tell
Make it interactive
Get them started with a free-for-all
Ask for a demo of expertise
Be open-minded

3. Embrace Your Inner Technogeek
Upgrade
Get a screen name
You can’t break it
Pilot projects
Read tech news

4. Be Flexible… Embrace Change!
Change the space
Flexible furnishings
Say yes
Go meta
Customize
Change yourself

It’s a stool It’s a table It’s a storage unit

Flexible seating

Video Rockers

5. Immerse Yourself in Pop Culture…
Pop Culture
Hot High Tech
Crossovers

… Especially Video Game Culture
Watch Red Vs. Blue
Read Penny Acade
Read PvP
Set a Google Alert
Subscribe to a gaming podcast or blog
Skim gaming magazines
Pay attention to gaming around you in public spaces

More Ways to Immerse!
Join the LibGaming Google Group
Email discussion for gaming in libraries
Game On! Video Games in Libraries blog
Blog about gaming news of interest to libraries
Join YALSA and the Teen Gaming Interest Group
YALSA interest group dedicated to gaming
Celebrate Teen Tech Week
Annual celebration of teens + technology in libraries, March 4-10, 2007

6. Try Some Games
On the Internet
On a Console

Evaluating Games
Plot
Setting
Character
Graphics
Sound track
Modification/Customization
Uniqueness
________________
Replayability

Asteroids Vector graphics in Asteroids

ZORK Text RPG Zork

Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic

Plot
Unique plot
Compelling story
Creative gameplay
Multiple modes of play

Setting

Realistic Settings CA

Character
Customizable
Diverse
Representation of the player

Graphics and Game Physics
Smooth
Seamless
Realistic
Appropriate

Soundtrack
Music
Speech
Ambient Noise

Support

Collecting Games

Game Policy Questions
Who is the collection for?
What formats will you collect?
What genres will you collect?
What is your selection criteria?
What resources will you use to select?
Where will you purchase from?
Is there a donation policy?
How will the collection be classified/cataloged?
Where will the collection be stored?
How will it be displayed?
What security measures need to be taken?
What is the procedure for materials challenge?

Sample Video Game Policy
Schwarzwalder, Jami. “Video Game Collection Development Policy.” Super Mario Brothers Memorial Public Library. November 2005. http://www.mbmpl.org/vg/?page_id=6 . July 23, 2007.

Purchasing Games
From game stores
Game Stop, EB Games, Game Crazy
From library companies
Baker & Taylor, Thomas Kline/Crimson Multimedia, S&S Worldwide
From retailers
Amazon.com, Comp USA, Best Buy, Circuit City, Wal*Mart
Direct from the publisher
Red Octane
Online
Game Tap, PlayFirst, Direct2Drive, Overdrive

Review Sources
Game Reviews
Magazines
Library Journals
Gaming Websites
“ Family Friendly” Review Sites
Game Awards
Websites
Magazines
Organizations
Networks

Library Journals
Voice of Youth Advocates (VOYA)
School Library Journal

Magazines
Electronic Gaming Monthly $12.00/yr
Game Informer $19.99/yr
Games For Windows, $12.00/yr
Nintendo Power $19.95/yr
Official Xbox Magazine $24.95/yr
PC Gamer $19.95/yr
PlayStation Monthly (PSM) $10.00/yr

General Interest Magazines
Geek Monthly $19.95/yr
Reader's Digest $24.98/yr
PC Magazine $19.97/yr
Play $17.95/yr
Wired $10.00/yr

Review Sites
IGN
GameRankings
GameSpot
GameSpy

“ Family Friendly” Review Sites
Children's Technology Review
Common Sense Media
Edutaining Kids
Gamer Dad
Parent's Choice

Awards
• IGN Game of the Year (Jan)‏
AIAS Game of the Year (Feb)
• Game Developer’s Choice Awards (Mar)‏
• Game Critics Awards (May)‏
• BAFTA Excellence in Video Games (Oct)
• GameSpot Game of the Year (Dec)‏
• GameSpy G ame of the Year (Dec)‏

Ratings
The Entertainment Software Ratings Board
(ESRB) is a self-regulating body established by the Entertainment Software Association (ESA). ESRB applies and enforces game ratings, advertising and online privacy principles. They are primarily know for evaluating games for violence, sex, language, substance abuse and other characteristics

Collection Management
Storage depends on:
format
staff
space
budget
Theft
start with programs
start small
Troubleshooting
replacement/repair

Theft
Choose secure storage
Build community
Examine circulation policies

Secure Storage
Kwik Cases
Locking Caps
Locking Security Straps

Troubleshooting
Clearly label format
Collections are self weeding collection
Games can be cleaned with rubbing alcohol
Scratches can be removed with cleaning devices for use with CDs & DVDs

Cataloging Issues
Vocabulary/Genre
Sources for game information
System Requirements
Extra content (manual, maps, etc)‏
Compatibility
Bugs
Title screen vs. main menu?

More Cataloging Issues
“ Formally presented information"
Credits
Updates
Mods
Unlockable content?

Best Practices: Collections

Helen McGraw Branch Irondequit (NY) Public Library
Ratings: Games rated E, E10+ and T
Platforms: PS2 and PC
Loan Period: 14 day circ
Late fee: $.25/day
Replacement Fee: Game cost+$5
Genres:
compilations
sports
racing games
platformers
unique and quirky titles

Rockridge Branch, Oakland (CA) Public Library
Ages: 13-18 year olds
Platform: PS2
Loan Period: 7 day free checkout
Late fee: $1/day
Replacement fee: $50
Limits: 2 games per patron; no holds
Genres:
sports
adventure
racing
fighting
shooteers

Core Collections

PC Games for Children
Finding Nemo (Disney/Pixar, 2005)‏
Fisher Price Little People Discovery Games (Vivendi Universal, 2003)
I Spy Spooky Mansion Deluxe (Riverhillsoft, 2005)
Lemony Snicket's A Series of Unfortunate Events: Mini Games (Activision, 2004)
Nancy Drew: White Wolf of Icicle Creek (HerInteractive, 2007)
Rollercoaster Tycoon (Hasbro/InfoGrames, 1999)

PC Games for Teens
Age of Empires (Ensemble Studios/Microsoft, 2002)‏
F-15 (Origin/Janes Combat, 1998)‏
Guild Wars (NCSoft/ArenaNet, 2006)‏
The Lord of the Rings: The Battle for Middle-earth (EA, 2004)‏
Sid Meier’s Pirates! (2K Games, 2005)‏
The Sims 2 (Maxis/EA 2005)‏

PC Games for Adults
Civilization IV (Firaxis/Infogrames, 2005)‏
Medal of Honor: Allied Assault (EA Games, 2002)‏
Space Invaders Anniversary (Empire Interactive, 2003)‏
SWAT 4 (Irrational Games/Vivendi, 2005)‏
Ultimate Mahjongg 20 (ValuSoft Inc.)‏
Unreal (Epic/GT Interactive, 1999)

XBox360 for Children
Cars Mater National (THQ, 2006)‏
FIFA Soccer 08 (Electronic Arts, 2007)‏
Lego Star Wars II (Eidos, Traveller’s Tales, 2007)‏
Harry Potty and the Goblet of Fire (Electronic Arts, 2005)‏
Viva Pinata (Rare LTD, 2006)‏

XBox360 for Teens
Lego Star Wars II: The Original Trilogy (LusasArts, 2007)‏
Guitar Hero II(RedOctane, 2007)‏
Madden NFL 2006 (Electronic Arts, 2005)
Need for Speed Underground (EA, 2003)
Tony Hawk's Underground THUG (Activision/Neversoft, 2003)‏

Xbox360 for Adults
Fable (Microsoft Game Studios/ Big Blue Box, 2004)‏
Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six 3 (Ubisoft, 2003)‏
Call of Duty 2 (Activision/Infinity Ward 2005)
Halo 3 (Bungie, 2007)
Madden NFL 2007 (EA, 2006)
Project Gotham Racing 3 (Microsoft Game Studios/Bizarre Creations, 2005)

PS2 for Children
Crash Bandicoot: The Wrath of Cortex (Traveller's Tales/ Universal Interactive Studios, 2002)
Gran Turismo 4 (Polyphony, 2005)‏
Harry Potter: Quidditch World Cup (EA/ Griptonite Games, 2005)‏
Katamari Damacy (Namco, 2005)

PS2 for Teens
Call of Duty: Finest Hour (Activision, 2004)
DDR Extreme 2 (Konami)‏
Dragon Ball Z: Budokai 3 (Atari, 2004)
Final Fantasy XII (Square Enix, 2006)
Kingdom Hearts (Square Enix/Disney, 2002)
The Incredibles ( THQ, Inc, 2004)
Need for Speed Underground (EA, 2003)

PS2 for Adults
Metal Gear Solid II: Sons of Liberty (Konami, 2001)‏
Mortal Kombat: Armageddon (Midway, 2006)‏
Namco Museum 50th Anniversary Arcade Collection (Namco 2006)‏
Prince of Persia: Sands of Time (Ubisoft, 2006)‏
WWE SmackDown 4! Shut Your Mouth (THQ Inc )

Wii
Animal Crossings (Nintendo, 2006)‏
Big Brain Academy: Wii Degree (Nintendo, 2006)‏
Legend of Zelda (Nintendo, 2006)‏
Rayman Raving Rabbids (Ubisoft, 2006)‏
Super Paper Mario (Nintendo, 2007)‏
Trauma Center: Second Opinion (Nintendo, 2006)‏
Wii Play (Nintendo, 2006)

Digital Downloads for Gamers

Prima Strategy Guides
eGuides in PDF format
504 titles
$12.99 each

Subscription Services

GameTap
GameTap is an online arcade of 900+ video games from Turner
Platform: PC
Cost: $6.95-9.95/month
Accounts: 8 logins per location
Limit: No public performance

GameTap Collection
Atari 2600 (104)
Commodore 64 (55)
Sega Dreamcast (7)‏
Sega Genesis (81)
Intellivision (12)
Windows (377)‏
... and more!

GameTap Membership

Games On Demand: Unlimited
Games on demand: Unlimited Play is a monthly subscription service from Comcast
Platform: PC
Ratings: E 10+ T M
500 titles
Cost: $14.95/month
http://gamesoduser.comcast.net/gamesondemand/unlimited.html

Games On Demand: Kids Play
Games on Demand: Kids Play is a monthly game subscription service from Comcast
Platform: PC
Ratings: EC/E
72 Titles
Cost: $7.95/month
http://gamesoduser.comcast.net/gamesondemand/unlimited.html

PlayFirst
Playfirst is a game site from Viacom with free demos and full versions for sale
Platform: Mac/PC
Ratings: N/A
Cost: $19.95
http://www.playfirst.com/

Direct To Drive
Direct to Drive provides game downloads from IGN.
Platform: PC
Titles:
Ratings E-M
Cost: $20-$49.99
http://www.direct2drive.com

Shockwave Unlimited
Shockwave unlimited provides ad-free access to downloadable games from Atom Entertainment
Platform: PC
Cost: $4.95-$9.95/month

Direct to Drive Bargains

Overdrive
Overdrive has a collection of productivity and arcade games accessible via library card
Platform: PC
Titles: 70
Cost: ???
http://www.overdrive.com/products/dlr/mediaformats/games.asp

Download to Library Computer

StepMania
DDR for your fingers... unless you plug in a USB pad
http://www.stepmania.com/

Snood
Puzzle game... or shooter?
http://www.womgames.com/games /

Games to Bookmark for Children

Apple Corp
Premise: Mr. Potato Head, but with other fruits & vegetables
http://apple-corps.westnet.com/apple_corps.2.html

Fun Brain
Educational games with math, science & reading themes
http://www.funbrain.com/

Girls Go Tech
Girl Scout website with games related to badgework on codes & communication
http://www.girlsgotech.org/games.html

Neopets
Raise a virtual, electronic pet. Highly commercial.
http://www.neopets.com/

WebKinz
Webkinz pets are lovable plush pets that each come with a unique Secret Code. With it, you enter Webkinz World where you care for your virtual pet, answer trivia, earn KinzCash, and play the best kids games on the net!
http://www.webkinz.com/

Games to Bookmark for Teens & Adults

Darfur is Dying
A serious simulation game about genocide. Keep your refugee camp stable in the face of many threats
http://www.darfurisdying.com/

Runescape
Medieval styled MMORGP
http://www.runescape.com/

Kingdom of Loathing
Free and funny turn-based RPG with online chat/group option
http://www.kingdomofloathing.com

IFiction
Archive of over 250 text adventure games, also called Interactive Fiction.
http://www.ifiction.org/

Set Game
Goal: locate 6 set from the 12 cells by selecting 3 cells to create a set
http://www.addictinggames.com

Shockwave
Free online games including arcade games, action games, sports games, puzzle games, flash games and more.
http://www.shockwave.com/home.jsp

Chicktionary
Word Scramble Game
http://www.shockwave.com/gamelanding/chicktionary.jsp

Addicting Games
http://www.addictinggames.com

Bob the Blob
Premise: Bob the Blob is sucked into a 3rd dimension while eating his hamburger. Can you help him escape this world of endless possibilites?
http://www.addictinggames.com/blobbob.html

Bonus
http://www.bonus.com/

Education Arcade
Learning through authentic and engaging play
http://www.educationarcade.org

Games for Change
The Serious Games Initiative is focused on uses for games in exploring management and leadership challenges facing the public sector; games in education, training, health, and public policy.
http://www.gamesforchange.org

Gaia Online
3-D digital community. Play games to earn points to customize your avatar.
http://www.gaiaonline.com

Second Life
3-D virtual world created and owned by it's residents
http://secondlife.com

What Makes a Successful Gaming Program?
Do your homework
Provide variety
Open up to the community
Spread the word
Play!

Choose a Game That is...
Multiplayer
Short Rounds
Rated E or T
Easy to Learn
Challenging to Master
Appealing to a wide demographic

Model Gaming Programs:
Santa Monica Public Library, CA Counterstrike LAN party
After hours program
50 teens lined up around the block to play
After School Zone, Benicia Public Library , CA
Hanging out, snacks and playing games encourages
Kids and teens who have gotten parental consent can play Halo 2 and Ghost Recon on the XBox 360;
Mario Kart and Super Smash Bros. Melee are popular on Gamecube

More Model Gaming Programs
Ann Arbor District Library (MI) Mario Kart, Super Smash Bros, & DDR
Tournaments for all ages
Regular programs
Online community
North Hunterdon High School (NJ)
Student-run game night in the cafeteria

Program Planning
Date/Time/Location
Audience
Style
Games
Food
Prizes

“ Ddr+gutiart hero= fun”
“ Awesome cuz everyone gets along with each other, there’s no waiting in line or nething (sic). Plus guitar hero is a wicked rad game.”

“ I loved ddr”
“ I liked this because there’s too few of the DDR community around. This is a good opportunity to meet people with like interests.”

Evaluations
Beth Gallaway
[email_address]
603.247.3196
del.icio.us/ informationgoddess29/ swfln

Swfln Get Your Game On!

by Beth Gallaway on Oct 25, 2007

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Swfln Get Your Game On! — Presentation Transcript