19 April 2005
Monk Gamers
12 April 2005
The more I read about the NETWORK, the more I feel a fool for decaring myself "not a people person." This whole networking thing online is the same as that whole hob nobbing art community thing that I was exposed to in my visual art degree. I just don't dig that shit. All the small talk and chit chat - how boring. What I seek is more depth. And I wont find depth by just wading around in the shallows. I need to take the plunge and get involved with a site that I really enjoy. One that probes deeply into life's unanswerable questions. Perhaps I need to hook up with some Buddhist monks.
(Note : Would love to cut this next section to another entry but cannot cut & paste in Blogger)
19 April 2005
But then, how to tie this in with the reading material for Virtual Cultures?
This week's lecture by John Banks was about how the end user has become the co-producer. Game players are now demanding a deeper involvement in the actual building of the game, rather than just playing in the virtual environments created by the designers. The distinctions between producer and user are blurring, with more players wanting to create their own environments and objects in these virtual worlds. The game companies are then using the game players to provide feedback about the game and recommending changes, often before the game is even released. Relationships between game companies and game players are growing in a more synergistic way than ever before. Using web forums, game preview websites (http://www.gamespot.com) and email, gamers can work together in building better, taylored, and more sought after products. I am a big fan of this intergrated feedback system where it seems that every-one wins. My main concern, however, is that these "hard core game players" who post to websites often, and seem to be opinion leaders, could possibly end up being exploited. If the game company is relying on these opinion leaders heavily for advice and direction, then shouldn't these key players be paid for their time? My guess is that the helping hardcore would probably be offered a job at the company. I hope that is how things work. If any-one knows of this situation happening, then please let me know. In fact, I might just go look up some stories on this issue now... and post a link!
OK obviously gamers are recognised as worthy contibuters to the gaming industry. There is a whole website dedicated to them! http://www.gamerswithjobs.com/ And YES they get paid!
The more I read about the NETWORK, the more I feel a fool for decaring myself "not a people person." This whole networking thing online is the same as that whole hob nobbing art community thing that I was exposed to in my visual art degree. I just don't dig that shit. All the small talk and chit chat - how boring. What I seek is more depth. And I wont find depth by just wading around in the shallows. I need to take the plunge and get involved with a site that I really enjoy. One that probes deeply into life's unanswerable questions. Perhaps I need to hook up with some Buddhist monks.
(Note : Would love to cut this next section to another entry but cannot cut & paste in Blogger)
19 April 2005
But then, how to tie this in with the reading material for Virtual Cultures?
This week's lecture by John Banks was about how the end user has become the co-producer. Game players are now demanding a deeper involvement in the actual building of the game, rather than just playing in the virtual environments created by the designers. The distinctions between producer and user are blurring, with more players wanting to create their own environments and objects in these virtual worlds. The game companies are then using the game players to provide feedback about the game and recommending changes, often before the game is even released. Relationships between game companies and game players are growing in a more synergistic way than ever before. Using web forums, game preview websites (http://www.gamespot.com) and email, gamers can work together in building better, taylored, and more sought after products. I am a big fan of this intergrated feedback system where it seems that every-one wins. My main concern, however, is that these "hard core game players" who post to websites often, and seem to be opinion leaders, could possibly end up being exploited. If the game company is relying on these opinion leaders heavily for advice and direction, then shouldn't these key players be paid for their time? My guess is that the helping hardcore would probably be offered a job at the company. I hope that is how things work. If any-one knows of this situation happening, then please let me know. In fact, I might just go look up some stories on this issue now... and post a link!
OK obviously gamers are recognised as worthy contibuters to the gaming industry. There is a whole website dedicated to them! http://www.gamerswithjobs.com/ And YES they get paid!
