Video Games and Reader's Advisory

From Playstation to Page:
Video Games and Reader’s Advisory

From Playstation to Page
Maggie Hommel
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Christie Chandler-Stahl
Evanston Public Library
Amber Creger
Chicago Public Library

Appeal Characteristics
Pacing
Characterization
Story Line
Frame
Saricks, Joyce. Reader’s Advisory Service in the Public Library, 2005.

Genres: Action-Adventure
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2N1TJP1cxmo

Genre: Action-Adventure
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=69EBDlnDw2k

Mirror’s Edge
EA , 2008
rated Teen

Uncharted 2
Naughty Dog, 2009
rated Teen

Pacing: Fast
Characterization:
First-person perspective
Story Line:Fairly developed, involves mission, quest, war
Frame: Fantasy world, impending danger
Star Wars: Force Unleashed

Broadest category
Often most popular with males
Can be violent
Sub genres:
Survival Horror
Platform
First Person Shooters
Fighting Games

Action-Adventure Book Selections
Fast paced is key
Challenging situations, survival, war
First person perspective

Genres: RPGs
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UTVzJZCVVV4

Genres: RPGs
Fable 2
Microsoft, 2008
rated Mature

Genres: RPGs
Pacing: Slower, 100
hours of play
Characterization:Player assumes identity, character develops over time
Story Line:Series of challenges or quest leading to a goal
Frame: Fantasy and magic, sometimes medieval, elaborate world

Genres: RPGs
Elaborate world-building
Character development over time
Epic – long term storytelling
Sub genres:
MMORPGs
Action RPGs
Tabletop RPGs

RPG Book Selections
Epic Fantasy
Series
Strong characters and world building

Genres: Simulation
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eKBgXJeQp_c

Genres: Simulation
Sims 3
EA, 2009
rated Teen

Genres: Simulation

Genres: Simulation
Pacing: Slow, exploration,
non-linear
Characterization:Social aspect, player manipulates game from outside
Story Line: Achievement is goal, story created by player
Frame: Realistic, sometimes historic

Simulation Book Suggestions
Informational or realistic books
Romance / relationships
Military history and strategy

Genres: Sports
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MoCjNb8e0_s

Genres: Sports
Madden 2010
EA Sports, 2009
rated Everyone

Genres: Sports

Genres: Sports
Pacing: Fast-paced,
competition driven
Characterization:
Little to none
Story Line: Game is storyline
Frame: Simulates real people and teams, as realistic as possible

Sports Book Suggestions
Don’t assume sports fiction
Realistic, fact-based

Genres: Puzzle / Rhythm
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DlIiaGkSFYo

Pacing: Fast or slow
depending on game, skill level
Characterization:
Usually none; player plays as self
Story Line: Little story – chain of puzzles rather than larger goal
Frame: simple graphics, setting

Puzzle / Rhythm Book Suggestions
Mysteries
Books with puzzle elements