Games and Gaming #38: Console Gaming

I visited the "nostalgic" game site and signed up for a free account. Then, I played Pacman. It amused me because my dad was awesome at playing this game. As a child, I had the old-school Nintendo (gray box, red letters saying "NES"). Mom and I bought the Nintendo version of Pacman. Dad said it wasn't the same without the joystick. Then, we bought a joystick for him. So, the online version of Pacman left me wondering, "How much would my dad enjoy this without the joystick?" Yet, I found it simple. It was like riding the proverbial bike. I already knew to avoid the ghosts and to eat the crums and fruit to stay alive. While I drew on my memory to play, I think it would still take very little for a player new to game to have fun with it.

Talking with one of my coworkers, I think the Wii system is awesome. Many of us at our library branch have been talking about the Wii aerobics. While I haven't tried it . . . yet, I find it fascinating. However, the Wii would be a great draw to the library. It is not sedentary and I think that is very important. I have done some stuff with the DDR and I have liked it. I do believe, though, a Wii would address more than physical coordination. Thus, the Wii receives my vote.

Games and Gaming #37: Get Your Game On @ The Library

I read the New York Times article: "Taking Play Seriously at the Public Library With Young Video Gamers." When I was in school, teachers would often set up review sessions in the form of "Jeopardy." Games can help players develop strategies and reinforce knowledge and memory.

Having worked in libraries for a few years during the twenty-first century, I've seen that game playing in libraries is inevitable. Also, many libraries have in-house use board games. Online gaming isn't much of a leap from this. If offering games systems such as Wii and DDR will better orient the public with its very own libraries, then I'm all for it. However, some things still must be determined. Otherwise, why not?

I tried my hand at Carnegie Mellon University Libraries' library-related games. I tested both the "Within Range" and "I'll Get It." I found both of these games to be realistic and easy. While I understand why "Within Range" (the place the books in collection code order) used Library of Congress, a version implementing Dewey would have been great. The "I'll Get It" game where a library worker pulls books to fill customers' requests was very realistic.

Library professionals can really do a lot with games. Already teachers understand how much students benefit from review games. Imagine how much this can assist library users in life? Games will grow along with their users.

Games and Gaming #36: The Wide World of Online Role Playing Games

As requested, I gave Runescape a try. After I created the character BrowniePts, I learned how to move around, chop wood, build fires, and cook. This was pretty simple for me. The screen shot here shows me asking Master Chef, Lev (as in levened?) how to bake bread. At the bottom is a close up of BrowniePts' face. The figure in green talking to the guy sporting the chef's hat is a full shot of BrowniePts. She's wearing a skirt and blouse and sensible shoes. BrowniePts wears green, my favorite color. Like me, she asks questions until she understands what she needs to do. Eventually, BrowniePts learns not to burn the shrimp. It's a good thing BrowniePts likes shrimp!

Games and Gaming #35: Games? In the Library?

I have always leaned towards what has been called "edutainment." Games are great learning tools. Some games develop hand-eye coordination (DDR, Game Cube, etc) while others help players brush up on facts.

A little while back, I tried out FreeRice.com and I truly enjoyed it. FreeRice tests players on vocabulary. The reward for selecting the correct synonym is a donation of 20 grains of rice to the UN World Food Program. Another one I've found is FreeFlour.com. FreeFlour works similarly to FreeRice, but gives flour for knowing geographical information. I really enjoyed playing both of these games. I consider both of these games win-win situations.