Modeling Reality, Part Two

In designing your own game, you need to have the three content types- linear, cyclical, and open ended. Modularity is an important asset meaning you can customize throughout with just one change. There are drawbacks to having a massively multi-online role playing game (MMORPG) like scheduling, how players “act”, and the fact that it’s not fair to others when one person wants to repeat a certain play over and over again and others are ready to move on.
Simulations will never be exact replicas of reality so it’s good to remember that simulations are made to help people, not to replace them. When designing characters you need to give them a personality so they can represent real people. With all the animation given the characters, you can have probabilities attached so the characters are not predictable. The animations are controlled by graphic engines.
One of the simplest simulation models has locations called “states”. This allows backtracking, allows freedom, and has no time limit.
For the dialogue, precision is necessary. You have to be sure that what one character says matches what was said prior and after. It gets expensive to add dialogue due to the recording times needed.
Ideas can be divided into premises and plans. The premises are then sectioned into either negative, neutral, or positive. The plans are either negative or positive. Added to this is interpersonal dialogue. The dialogue adds up quickly and it’s still tough to add all that needs or wants to be spoken. There is no way that all things that need to be said or want to be said will be said!
Artificial intelligence mimics what humans do in using personal influences (PI). Depending on how you react to another's statement, your “ranking” in the group changes. Also the intelligence level needs to be at the right spot so as not to be so smart that the fun factor is gone nor so dumb for the same reason.
There are a lot of good lessons that can be learned from the bots and their design. For instance, if you don’t have the perfect mix of motivation, ingenuity, and drive, then not much will be accomplished. Being a team player is key.

More on theory

Interacting with others in gaming is what game theory is all about. When we couldn’t interact with each other in Runescape, we went to another source – Angel and the discussion board. With all levels of learning and gaming experience in our group, it was interesting to see how everyone cooperated and helped each other to maneuver around the game and answer questions to help each of us get to the same point in the game. Reaching goals and being told on screen that you’ve completed a task is always a reason for celebration - a pat on the back so to speak. Isn’t that what it’s all about? Compare this game to life and there are many similarities. We work hard, we are rewarded, we continue and do it again. Having things handed to us takes away the fun and intrigue. Having a logical path, or even a not so logical path to follow is what keeps us going along with the rewards along the way. Meeting others along the way is just another plus.

Second Life photos

I've been doing some wandering around in Second Life and making sure that I can find my way home. My hair has stayed on too, which is a good thing! I've been able to create a notecard but haven't figured the scripting out yet. I am finding the Torley Linden videos on youtube very informative so I'm sure I'll figure it out. My avatar does not like to look at the camera at all....how do I change this? I only look the other way and even walk backwards so I don't have to look!

Assessing learning in gaming

How can learning in gaming be measured? There are so many varieties, levels, and types of video games which make it tough to come up with one answer. With some of the games the instant gratification that comes with making the right choice and getting rewarded shows that learning is taking place. In other games, outlasting your enemy means you’ve learned how to battle and stay alive through perseverance and using your memory skills to do the right moves that get you to that end. With games that contain levels, the learning continues with each level by recalling your wrong moves on any earlier levels where you may have failed. How adapt you are shows in the time it takes to move through the game and through the levels and to stay alive in others. I’m not one to play games often – it may be due to my eye hand coordination, my lack of excitement over small advances, or having to start at the beginning due to being killed. I guess this may be a good thing if I want to design my own game because I would have to design it in a way that would keep someone like me interested. What a task – design a game for learning that will work for everyone…is it possible?

Playing Runescape...sort of

This game is not for beginners..unless of course you ask the teens who seem to be able to make sense of all things gaming....I must be showing my age! Last night we were all to meet at 10pm. I was on way before that and just doing my usual running around trying to find things I can pick up or make use of. I got some fishing supplies but was only at level 17 and was told that I needed to be at level 20 in order to fish....(I played today and am at level 20 by completing another task so I can't wait to go fishing later). So I saw two other players from my class in the same world that I was in which was where we were supposed to meet. I only saw their names and did not run into them while traveling around. I think if we can meet up and be given some guidance (by Jason :)) that we might be able to do more things. Like I said, this game is not for beginners, can be very frustrating, and if it's labeled self explanatory, then I'm in big trouble! Perseverance is what I need! And air conditioning...darn it's hot out!

Still learning

I'm still trying to figure out a lot of things, but each time I play I learn something new. Yesterday I picked up a bowl and a jug. Not sure what I'm going to be doing with them, but I have them! There was someone following me around yesterday no matter where I went and he kept trying to give me stuff. He told me they were for free, not trade. I was scared to take the stuff in case it might be bad or something. Maybe I lost a great opportunity...I will never know now! I'm looking forward to our meeting tonight at 10 so we can work as a group. I hope to learn some good stuff!