This document summarizes a presentation about gaming programs at libraries. It discusses defining games and their benefits for libraries. Ways to serve gamers include reader's advisory, acting as a strategy guide, embracing gaming culture, and trying games. Successful gaming programs involve research, marketing, variety, play opportunities, and evaluation. Examples are provided of model gaming programs at different libraries.

1. Get Your Game On: Gaming @ the Library Presented for Widening Circles by Beth Gallaway September 2008

2. Contact Info! Contact Info: Beth Gallaway [email_address] 603.247.3196 http://informationgoddess.info Slides: Slideshare http://www.slideshare.net/informationgoddess29 Links: http://www.delicious.com/informationgoddess29

3. Workshop Overview Defining games Benefits of games… at the library! Creating a gaming experience: Ways to serve gamers Collecting games Game programs Let’s play some games TONIGHT!

4. What is a Game? GAME: activity engaged in for diversion or amusement; synonym: see FUN VIDEOGAME: 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

5. Game design slides courtesy of Chris Castaldi http://www.echoshard.com

6. Goals What the Player wants to achieve Main goals Winning! Sub-Goals Shiny things Goals Fit the GAME Game design slides courtesy of Chris Castaldi http://www.echoshard.com

7. Obstacles Impeding the player’s progress Impeding the player’s path Feeling of Accomplishment Challenging the player Game design slides courtesy of Chris Castaldi http://www.echoshard.com

8. Tools Tools are what the player use to get to its goal A Sword A Spell A Jump Players need to use them properly Game design slides courtesy of Chris Castaldi http://www.echoshard.com

9. Second Chances The Player’s ability to fail and try again Only once Chance in reality Try again Extra Lives Health Bar Quest for perfection Game design slides courtesy of Chris Castaldi http://www.echoshard.com

10. Learning Player’s Skill and Mastery of the tools they use. Player learns the rules of the game and how to rise above them. Spikes = Death Fire Creatures are immune to fire. Increasing Difficulty Levels become harder and more complicated. Game design slides courtesy of Chris Castaldi http://www.echoshard.com

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

12. Game Play Devices Consoles XBox Playstation Nintendo Handhelds PSP DS PC

13. Console Units Sold VG Charts. http://www.vgchartz.com /

14. 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

15. Game Screens Monitor Television Projector/Screen

16. RCA Cable Inputs

17. RCA Cable Converters

18. 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

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

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

21. Handhelds VG Charts. http://www.vgchartz.com/ .

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

23. For Discussion: What Are Some Benefits of Games?

24. 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.

25. Learning Principles* Risk –tasking 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

26. Why Games at the Library? Games provide opportunity for library as third place Games are just like books, they are just another new format Games are the medium of choice for the millennial generation Games meet developmental needs/build developmental assets of teens Games are literary Games reinforce new literacies Other???

27. Third Place

28. Third (Mc)Place

29. GAMES ARE LIKE BOOKS... THEY ARE JUST A NEW FORMAT

30. GAMING IS THE MEDIUM OF CHOICE FOR THE MILLENNIAL GENERATION A. 1968-1982 B. 1975-1990 C. 1982-2000 D. 1996-PRESENT

31. Gaming is the medium of choice for the millennial generation

32. 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

33. Developmental Assets 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

34. What Developmental Needs or Assets Are Being Met?

35. Gaming = literacy Environmental print Signage Labels Maps Reading about the game Instructions Walkthroughs Writing about the game Forums Websites Chat: “ WTS, Mageweave cloth, 15g”

36. “ Leet” & 4 /\/\ 3 I2 5 G A M E R S

37. Gaming Reinforces New Literacies Exposing knowledge Employing information Expressing ideas compellingly Ethics on the Internet Armstrong Sara, and David Warlick. ”The New Literacies.” Scholastic Administrator. Sep15, 2004. http://www.techlearning.com/story/showArticle.php?articleID=47102021 . June 12, 2008.

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

39. Runescape

40. Ways Games Expose Knowledge

41. 2. Employing Information Computation Measurement Analysis Application

42. Estimating Basic arithmetic Averages Statistics Lemonade Stand

43. EXERCISE # 3: Try Set Game http://www.setgame.com

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

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

46. FanFiction

47. Warcraft Tutorial

48. 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

49. For Discussion: What Are Some Negatives of Games?

50. Gaming by the Numbers

51. 1. What is the average age of the gamer?* *Entertainment Software Association. “Industry Facts. http://www.theesa.com/facts. Accessed June 12, 2008. 35

52. 2. What % of teens report playing games online?* *Pew Internet & American Life Project. Teens, Games and Civics, September 2008. http://pewinternet.org/PPF/r/263/report_display.asp . Accessed September 24, 2008. 97%

53. 3. What % of people over age 50 play games?* *Entertainment Software Association. “Industry Facts. http://www.theesa.com/facts. Accessed June 12, 2008. 26%

54. 4. What % of gamers are female?* *Entertainment Software Association. “Industry Facts. http://www.theesa.com/facts. Accessed June 12, 2008. 40%

55. 5. What % of gamers read on a regular basis? *Entertainment Software Association. “Industry Facts. http://www.theesa.com/facts. Accessed June 12, 2008. 32 % 93%

56. 6. How many billions of dollars did the computer and game sales gross in the US in 2007?* $9.5 billion *Entertainment Software Association. “Industry Facts. http://www.theesa.com/facts. Accessed June 12, 2008.

57. 7. What % of games sold in 2007 were rated M for Mature?* *Entertainment Software Association. “Industry Facts. http://www.theesa.com/facts/. Accessed June 12, 2008. 15%

58. Have you ever played a game rated M for Mature?

59. 8. 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 June 12, 2008.

60. 9. What % of public libraries host videogame programs?* 13% *Nicholson, Scott. (2007). The Role of Gaming in Libraries: Taking the Pulse. July 2007. http://boardgameswithscott.com/pulse2007.pdf . Accessed June 12, 2008.

61. 10. What % of public libraries circulate videogames?* 30% *Nicholson, Scott. (2007). The Role of Gaming in Libraries: Taking the Pulse. July 2007. http://boardgameswithscott.com/pulse2007.pdf . Accessed June 12, 2008.

62. Ways to Serve Gamers Use games to do readers advisory ! Be a strategy guide! Embrace your inner technogeek Be flexible … embrace change! Immerse yourself in pop culture … especially video game culture! Try some games!

63. 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?

64. If You Like City of Heroes

65. Exercise #5: Reader’s Advisory to Gamers Break into groups and discuss characteristics of each genre Add a few titles and authors to recommend to a gamer Objectives: seek similarities in games and books approach a traditional library skill or service from a new angle

66. Roleplaying (RPG) Games Games: Everquest Runescape World of Warcraft Dark Age of Camelot Ultima Characteristics Epic fantasy setting Good vs. evil theme Suggest?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

74. Print Resources for Gamers Magazines Strategy guides Nonfiction about gaming Fiction with gaming as a plot or subplot

75. 2. Be a Strategy Guide 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

76. 3. Get Your Geek On Upgrade Get a screen name You can’t break it Pilot projects Read tech news

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

78. Flexible seating

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

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

81. Especially Videogame Culture! Watch machinima Read gaming webcomics Subscribe to a gaming podcast or blog Skim gaming magazines Pay attention to gaming around you

82. More Ways to Immerse! Join the LibGaming Google Group Email discussion for gaming in libraries ALA Gaming News 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 2008

83. 6. Try Some Games On the Internet On a console On a handheld

84. What Makes a Good Game? Plot Setting Character Graphics Sound track Modification/Customization Support Uniqueness ________________ Replayability

85. For Discussion: W hat Makes a Good Game? Who is this magazine for? What is appealing/unappealing about the magazine? What can you learn from the articles? The ads? The reviews? Other content? What are some indicators of game quality? What magazine might you want to subscribe to?

86. Asteroids Vector graphics in Asteroids

87. ZORK Text RPG Zork

88. Non-Original Games Authenticity to existing story Retold in a creative way Fan Service Text RPG Zork

89. Minigames Bioshock Zelda Text RPG Zork

90. Setting

91. Realistic Settings

92. Character Characteristics Customizable Diverse Representation of the player

93. Mii

94. Game Physics Smooth Realistic Appropriate

95. Graphics Fast Loading Seamless Cinematic

96. Sound Music Speech Ambient Noise

97. Customization Calibration Interface Modding

98. Support

99. Katamari Damacy Unique plot Creative gameplay Multiple modes of play

100. Finding Good Games Game Awards Websites Magazines Organizations Networks Game Reviews Magazines Library Journals Websites

101. Game Awards BAFTA - http://www.bafta.org/ IGN - http://bestof.ign.com Academy of Interactive Arts and Sciences http://www.interactive.org/ GameSpot - http://www.gamespot.com GameSpy - http://goty.gamespy.com Game Developer’s Choice Awards - http://www.gamechoiceawards.com/ Game Critics Awards http://www.gamecriticsawards.com/

102. Print Reviews School Library Journal Voice of Youth Advocates Gaming Magazines Tech Magazines

103. Online Reviews Bub, Andrew. Gamer Dad . http://www.gamingwithchildren.com/ Scalzo, John. Video Game Librarian. http://www.videogamelibrarian.com/ National Institute on Media and the Family. Annual Video Game Report Card http://www.mediafamily.org/

104. Collection Policy Considerations Formats Console PC Internet Subscription Breadth & Depth Genres Styles Age ranges Budget

105. Collection Management Storage depends on: Format Staff Space Budget Theft Start with programs Start small Issues Replacement/Repair Resistance

106. Model Collections Rockridge Ages 13-18 year olds PS2 games 2 games/patron No holds/renewals 7 day free checkout $1/day late fee $50/replacement fee Genres: sports, adventure, racing, fighting, & shooters Helen McGraw E, E10+ and T PS2 and PC games 14 day circ $.25/day late fee game cost+$5/replacement fee Genres: compilations, sports, racing games, platformers, unique and quirky titles

107. What Makes a Successful Gaming Program? Research Marketing Variety Play Evaluate

108. Handheld Program Cell phone clinic PSP Gamefest Nintendo DS Gamefest

109. Model 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

110. Model 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

111. Model Programs Senior Bowling League Multigenerational Outreach Guitar Hero Tournament Winners continue, others do free play Prizes from Red Octane

112. Game Design Ben 10 Alien Force Game Creator http://gamecreator.cartoonnetwork.com/

113. DDR Recipe for Success One console ( $80-$600) 2-4 dance pads ( $20-$300 each) 1 game ( $25-$60) 1 LCD projector ($600-1000) or TV ($100-$2K) 1 one large screen or white wall Activity for waiters Water

114. “ I LOVED DDR” “ Awesome cuz everyone gets along with each other, there’s no waiting in line or nething. Plus guitar hero is wicked rad” “ I liked this because there’s too few of the DDR community around. This is a good opportunity to meet people with like interests.”

115. Now What? Upon your return to the library, what are the next steps? S pecific (detailed! 5W+1H) M easureable (what = success?) A ttainable (what resources do you need to achieve?) R ealistic (benchmarks of progress) T imely! (what’s the time frame?)

116. Evaluations! Contact Info: Beth Gallaway [email_address] 603.247.3196 http://informationgoddess.info

117. Contact Info! Contact Info: Beth Gallaway [email_address] 603.247.3196 http://informationgoddess.info Slides: Slideshare http://www.slideshare.net/informationgoddess29 Links: http://www.delicious.com/informationgoddess29