Get Your Game On: Video the Library Instructor: Beth Gallaway An Infopeople Workshop Winter 2007

This Workshop Is Brought to You By the Infopeople Project Infopeople is a federally-funded grant project supported by the California State Library. It provides a wide variety of training to California libraries. Infopeople workshops are offered around the state and are open registration on a first-come, first-served basis. For a complete list of workshops, and for other information about the project, go to the Infopeople website at infopeople.org.

Workshop Overview Defining games Benefits of games… at the library! Defining the gamer Creating the gamer friendly library Collecting games Game programs Let’s play some games!

What is a Game? GAME: activity engaged in for diversion or amusement; synonym: see FUN VIDEO GAME: an electronic game played by means of images on a video screen and often emphasizing fast action Merriam-Webster Online.

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

Game Play Devices Xbox Playstation Nintendo PC

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

Game Screens Monitor Television Projector/Screen

Ways to Play Video Games At an Arcade On a PC or Mac On a Plug ‘n’ Play Device On a Mobile Device On a Handheld Device On a Console

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

PC/Mac Gaming Computer with a hard drive PC or Mac Platform

Console Gaming Devices

Handheld Gaming Devices 32% of households own a handheld device that plays games

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

Why Games at the Library? Games … Are just like books, they are just another new format Are the medium of choice for the millennial generation Meet developmental needs of teens Build adolescents developmental assets Are literary Reinforce new literacy's

Gaming = literacy Environmental print –signage –labels –maps Reading about the game –instructions –walkthroughs Writing about the game –forums –websites Chat: –“WTS, Mageweave cloth, 15g”

Gaming Meets 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)

Gaming Builds Developmental Assets of Adolescents Support Empowerment Boundaries & Expectations Constructive Use of Time Commitment to Learning Positive Values Social Competencies Positive Identity The Search Institute.

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.

Learning Principles in Games* Risk –taking 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

Gaming Reinforces New Literacies Exposing knowledge Employing information Expressing ideas compellingly Ethics on the Internet Warlick, David. ”The New Literacies.” Scholastic Administrator. Mar-Apr

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

2. Employing Information Computation Measurement Analysis Application

Estimating Basic arithmetic Averages Statistics Lemonade Stand

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

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

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

How Can Libraries Serve Gamers? 1.Use games to do readers advisory 2.Be a strategy guide 3.Embrace your inner technogeek 4.Be flexible … embrace change! 5.Immerse yourself in pop culture … especially video game culture 6.Try some games!

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?

Roleplaying/MMORPG Games Games: –Everquest –Runescape –World of Warcraft –Dark Age of Camelot –Ultima Characteristics –epic fantasy setting –good vs. evil theme Suggest?

Simulations Games: –The Sims –The Urbz Characteristics: –Character driven Suggest?

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

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

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

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

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

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

Don’t Forget Print Resources for Gamers 1.Magazines 2.Strategy guides 3.Nonfiction about gaming 4.Fiction with gaming as a plot or subplot

2. Be a Strategy Guide -- Not an Information Maven 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

3. Embrace Your Inner Technogeek Upgrade Get a screen name You can’t break it Pilot projects Read tech news

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

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

… Especially Video Game Culture Watch Red Vs. Blue Read Penny Acade Read PvPPvP Set a Google Alert Subscribe to a gaming podcast or blog Skim gaming magazines Pay attention to gaming around you in public spaces

More Ways to Immerse! Join the LibGaming Google Group – discussion for gaming in libraries Game On! Video Games in Libraries 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 4-10, 2007

6. Try Some Games On the Internet On a Console

Collection Management Storage depends on: –format –staff –space –budget Theft –start with programs –start small Troubleshooting –replacement/repair

Theft Choose secure storage Build community Examine circulation policies

Secure Storage Kwik Cases Locking Caps Locking Security Straps

Troubleshooting Clearly label format Collections are self weeding collection Games can be cleaned with rubbing alcohol Scratches can be removed with cleaning devices for use with CDs & DVDs

Best Practices: Collections in CA Rockridge Branch, Oakland Public Library Ages year olds PS2 games Limit of 2 games per patron. No holds and no renewals. 7 day free checkout $1/day late fee $50 / replacement fee Genres: sports, adventure, racing, fighting, and shooters.

Best Practices: Collections in US Helen McGraw branch of the Irondequoit Public Library Games Rated 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

Evaluating Games Plot +Setting +Character +Graphics +Soundtrack +Modification/Customization +Uniqueness ________________ Replayability

Plot Unique plot Compelling story Creative gameplay Multiple modes of play

Setting Real physics Believable and consistent detail Physically plotable True to life

Character Customizable Diverse Representation of the player

Graphics and Game Physics Smooth Seamless Realistic Appropriate

Soundtrack Music Speech Ambient Noise

Support

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

Exercise #7: What Makes a Good Game?

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

Collection Management Storage depends on: –format –staff –space –budget Theft –start with programs –start small Issues –replacement/repair –resistance

Best Practices: Collections in CA Rockridge Branch, Oakland Public Library Ages year olds PS2 games Limit of 2 games per patron. No holds and no renewals. 7 day free checkout $1/day late fee $50 / replacement fee Genres: sports, adventure, racing, fighting, and shooters.

Best Practices: Collections in US Helen McGraw branch of the Irondequoit Public Library Games Rated 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

What Makes a Successful Gaming Program? 1.Do your homework 2.Provide variety 3.Open up to the community 4.Spread the word 5.Play

Program Tips Choose games appropriate to age group Choose multiplayer games Choose games with short rounds Offer two to three games in conjunction with board or tabletop games

Free Play vs. Tournaments Both are structured Both may include other activities Emphasis is on fun Free play = more casual, self- competitive Tournament = more rules, competitive tone and prizes for winners

Model Gaming Programs: CA 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

Model Gaming Programs: US 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

Evaluations Beth goddess29.comhttp://information goddess29.com