A Taste of Asia: Food from the Other Side of the World © 00503749 1 2

The Importance of Economic Relations with the Asian Economy Asia is home to one of the fastest growing economies in the world. Relations between the Western powers and Asia will allow the development of new ideas and innovations. At the same time, both East and West have vast marketplaces that economic relationships will make available to both sides. A barrier to these relations is difficulty in understanding and appreciating the vast cultures that stretch through Asia, from Laos to Japan to India. 3

Asia is home to one of the fastest growing economies in the world. Relations between the Western powers and Asia will allow the development of new ideas and innovations. At the same time, both East and West have vast marketplaces that economic relationships will make available to both sides.

A barrier to these relations is difficulty in understanding and appreciating the vast cultures that stretch through Asia, from Laos to Japan to India.

Growth of the Asian Economy as compared to the European Economy and the Economy of the United States 4

The Means to Bridge a Cultural Divide The videogame “A Taste of Asia” © is designed to let players experience an important aspect of Asian cultures: food. Traditional foods play a big role in Asian cultures. Understanding the background and history of a particular style of food is crucial to understanding any Asian culture. 5 6

The videogame “A Taste of Asia” © is designed to let players experience an important aspect of Asian cultures: food.

Traditional foods play a big role in Asian cultures. Understanding the background and history of a particular style of food is crucial to understanding any Asian culture.

The Mechanics of “A Taste of Asia” The player is given a choice of several “templates” for their meals. Templates consist of already chosen ingredients, but the choice of their combination is still up to the player. As well, the player can choose to ignore the template. Combinations of different traditional ingredients produce different flavors and different meals. The player attempts to market their creation in one of many different Asian locales. The success or failure of their creation is dependent on how well it fits into regional tastes and culture.

The player is given a choice of several “templates” for their meals.

Templates consist of already chosen ingredients, but the choice of their combination is still up to the player. As well, the player can choose to ignore the template.

Combinations of different traditional ingredients produce different flavors and different meals.

The player attempts to market their creation in one of many different Asian locales. The success or failure of their creation is dependent on how well it fits into regional tastes and culture.

The Mechanics of “A Taste of Asia” Once the player has successfully marketed their meals, they are given access to even more complex ingredients, as well as presentation methods. There are four levels of ingredients that are available to the player, with the higher three levels only available to the player once they successfully combine the first level of ingredients into marketable meals.

Once the player has successfully marketed their meals, they are given access to even more complex ingredients, as well as presentation methods.

There are four levels of ingredients that are available to the player, with the higher three levels only available to the player once they successfully combine the first level of ingredients into marketable meals.

The Culture behind the Food Each ingredient the player has to choose from has its own background, as well as its traditional use and benefits which are described in detail. Each ingredient is also ranked based on its flavor, benefits to health, and aesthetic appearance. The means of combining each ingredient, as well as “cooking” the meals, are based on traditional methods and developed with traditional cooks. 7 8 Ingredients range from common (rice noodles) to exotic (saffron).

Each ingredient the player has to choose from has its own background, as well as its traditional use and benefits which are described in detail.

Each ingredient is also ranked based on its flavor, benefits to health, and aesthetic appearance.

The means of combining each ingredient, as well as “cooking” the meals, are based on traditional methods and developed with traditional cooks.

The Idea behind the Game The game aims to give a player a glimpse into Asian cultures through many different traditional ingredients, recipe ideas, methods of presentation, and cooking methods. At the same time, trying to market foods in Asian locales gives the player valuable experience in learning how to do business in the various cultures of Asia. 9

The game aims to give a player a glimpse into Asian cultures through many different traditional ingredients, recipe ideas, methods of presentation, and cooking methods.

At the same time, trying to market foods in Asian locales gives the player valuable experience in learning how to do business in the various cultures of Asia.

Summary Economic relations with Asia are very important for growing businesses. Cultural understanding and appreciation is vital for any economic relations. “ A Taste of Asia” © is designed to introduce an understanding of Asian cultures by introducing the player to various kinds of foods from various locales. The player uses various traditional ingredients and preparation methods to create a meal which they must market in various locales of Asia, providing a glimpse into the Asian cultures.

Economic relations with Asia are very important for growing businesses. Cultural understanding and appreciation is vital for any economic relations.

“ A Taste of Asia” © is designed to introduce an understanding of Asian cultures by introducing the player to various kinds of foods from various locales.

The player uses various traditional ingredients and preparation methods to create a meal which they must market in various locales of Asia, providing a glimpse into the Asian cultures.

Picture Credit by Numbers 1. Obtained from: “ http://www.sailusfood.com/2006/11/04/pepper-chicken-curry/ ” on March 2, 2008. 2. Obtained from: “ http://eatdc.wordpress.com/2007/10/04/bethesda-sushi-wars-part-one-matuba/ ” on March 2, 2008. 3. Obtained from: “ http://www.clemson.edu/caah/history/facultypages/EdMoise/ch02shn.html ” on March 2, 2008. 4. Statistics are fictional for the chart. 5. Obtained from: “ http://californiaman500.com/INDEX/cambodia. htm ” on March 2, 2008. 6. Obtained from: “ http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,1626725-1,00.html ” on March 2, 2008. 7. Obtained from: “ http://www.alibaba.com/catalog/10983169/Green_Cardamom.html ” on March 2, 2008. 8. Obtained from: “ http://www.picture-newsletter.com/thaifood/index. htm ” on March 2, 2008. 9. Obtained from: “ http://www.library.northwestern.edu/collections/polisci/international_relations.html ” on March 2, 2008.

1. Obtained from: “ http://www.sailusfood.com/2006/11/04/pepper-chicken-curry/ ” on March 2, 2008.

2. Obtained from: “ http://eatdc.wordpress.com/2007/10/04/bethesda-sushi-wars-part-one-matuba/ ” on March 2, 2008.

3. Obtained from: “ http://www.clemson.edu/caah/history/facultypages/EdMoise/ch02shn.html ” on March 2, 2008.

4. Statistics are fictional for the chart.

5. Obtained from: “ http://californiaman500.com/INDEX/cambodia. htm ” on March 2, 2008.

6. Obtained from: “ http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,1626725-1,00.html ” on March 2, 2008.

7. Obtained from: “ http://www.alibaba.com/catalog/10983169/Green_Cardamom.html ” on March 2, 2008.

8. Obtained from: “ http://www.picture-newsletter.com/thaifood/index. htm ” on March 2, 2008.

9. Obtained from: “ http://www.library.northwestern.edu/collections/polisci/international_relations.html ” on March 2, 2008.