By J.A. Rueda
Why is so much technology in new consoles not used to provide fun to the player? Fun can be based on simple concepts enabled by simple electronics such as Mr. Ralph Baer's Odissey and Mr. Nolan Bushnell's Pong, vintage 1966 and 1972 respectively.
A few days ago, I discovered a Pong type game for the Nintendo Wii as part of the Wii Play game. This game reminded me of one of the universal principles of design, the Law of Economy (Ockham’s Razor): Simple is Better. Brain Age for the Nintendo DS is another example of the application of the same universal principle of design.
Many games have great art and great stories, but with so much computer power available to the designer, it seems that often the emphasis is in the art and story, not on fun.
Mr. Raph Koster (Sony Online Entertainment, EverQuest) reminded me that “real fun comes from challenges that are always at the margin of our ability” in his book Theory of Fun. I found that a 2007 version of the 1972 Pong played with the Wii controller provides such challenge and it is fun.
Why are some video games so frustrating? I'll ponder this question while I play some more "Pong" on the Wii...
Sunday, March 4, 2007
Saturday, March 3, 2007
Serious Games in Manitoba
ICTAM Event Calendar
Wednesday, 7th March 2007 at 9:00am
Location: Delta Hotel, 350 St. Mary Avenue, Winnipeg
RSVP: By March 5, 2007 to Nancy at (204) 233-2902 or nancyz@shaw.ca
Title: Serious Gaming
Description:
Presentation: Serious Gaming
You are invited to a presentation on Serious Games by Joe Biglin, co-founder of Breakaway Games Ltd and an information session on government procurement in the United States by Carrie Coogan representing FedSources. C.J. Scott, Trade Commissioner at The Canadian Embassy in Washington will talk about the Trade Commissioner Service, the core services they offer free of charge for Canadian business, and how they can fit with Manitoba companies' market strategy. C.J. will also give a market overview for the area and highlight opportunities for Canadian ICT companies.
Back to Fortune Cat Games Studio Home Page
Wednesday, 7th March 2007 at 9:00am
Location: Delta Hotel, 350 St. Mary Avenue, Winnipeg
RSVP: By March 5, 2007 to Nancy at (204) 233-2902 or nancyz@shaw.ca
Title: Serious Gaming
Description:
Presentation: Serious Gaming
You are invited to a presentation on Serious Games by Joe Biglin, co-founder of Breakaway Games Ltd and an information session on government procurement in the United States by Carrie Coogan representing FedSources. C.J. Scott, Trade Commissioner at The Canadian Embassy in Washington will talk about the Trade Commissioner Service, the core services they offer free of charge for Canadian business, and how they can fit with Manitoba companies' market strategy. C.J. will also give a market overview for the area and highlight opportunities for Canadian ICT companies.
Back to Fortune Cat Games Studio Home Page
Thursday, March 1, 2007
Which came first, the film or the video game?
Check the panel discussion on this topic at the NSI FilmExchange Calendar.
March 3, 2007
9:30 to 11:00 a.m., The Club Room
The Fort Garry Hotel
222 Broadway
Winnipeg
Panelists include Victor Lucas (Electric Playground), Brooke Burgess (Budget Monks) and Shane Neville (Relic Entertainment)
Back to Fortune Cat Games Studio Home Page
March 3, 2007
9:30 to 11:00 a.m., The Club Room
The Fort Garry Hotel
222 Broadway
Winnipeg
Panelists include Victor Lucas (Electric Playground), Brooke Burgess (Budget Monks) and Shane Neville (Relic Entertainment)
Back to Fortune Cat Games Studio Home Page
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