College Days for Kids 2008

Art & Science of Video Games

• Introduction [ 0 - 5 ]
• Do You Play? [ 5 - 10 ]
• Basic Game Design [ 10 - 15 ]
• Stories Create Culture [ 15 - 20 ]
• How Video Games Work [ 20 - 25 ]
• Arguments About Videogames [ 25 - 30 ]
• Negative Effects [ 30 - 35 ]
• Video Games as Art [ 35 - 40 ]
• Careers in Video Games [ 40 - 50 ]
• Conclusion [ 50 - 60 ]

Permission Form & Questions

Part 2

Introduction: Video Games Rock

Games allow us to be & do exciting, scary, &/or wonderful things -- to have experiences beyond our normal lives

Games are more personal & more interactive than almost any other kind of designed experience

Games remind us that challenge can be fun

Games remind us that it's cool to be smart

Do You Play?

Basic Game Design

What makes a good video game?

Good gameplay: "a series of interesting choices" (Will Wright)

• ...series...
• ...interesting...
• ...choices...

Skill vs. Chance

Many designers aim for balance

• Chance can make a game more surprising, unique, &/or you can play it again
  • But too much chance can make a game seem random
• Skill can make you feel more satisfied with success, because you earned it
  • But if you simply don't have enough skill, you won't have fun

Some video games adapt based on your skill.

Challenges & Rewards

Some Types of Challenges

• Hand-eye coordination & reflexes
• Perception & pattern recognition
• Puzzle-solving
• Leadership & teamwork

Storytelling

Setting

• World
• Technology
• Culture

Character

• Background
• Personality
• Strengths & weaknesses
• Identifying with a character

Challenges (Example: Quest)

Plot is character. (Aristotle)

Stories Create Culture

How Video Games Work

Input/Output (I/O)

Computer Player

• Controller, keyboard, mouse, dance pad, guitar, light gun, bongo drums, camera, Wiimote, cell phone, etc.
• Screen, speakers, vibration, meters, numbers, text, etc.

I/O can be a big part of the experience

• Example: controller vs. bongo drums

Simulation

Simplified versions or models of complex things

• Can be bigger, smaller, faster, &/or slower
• Can fast forward, rewind, &/or reset

Simulation is the "sim" in The Sims

Simulated physics are a big part of action & first-person shooter games

Simulation is a big part of sports & racing games

Artificial "Intelligence"

Computers can't think in the way humans can

Characters in video games use conditionals & states to "think"

Example #1

1. If ( Enemy Spotted)
   1. Then ( Attack Enemy)
2. If ( Friend Hurt )
   1. Then ( Heal Friend )

Example #2

1. If ( Friend Hurt )
   1. Then ( Heal Friend )
2. If ( Enemy Spotted)
   1. Then ( Attack Enemy )

Arguments About Video Games

Negative Effects

Why are some people worried about video games?

People are trying to pass laws to restrict who can buy video games.

Video Games as Art

Are video games art?

Art is more than a product or an experience

• Art expresses ideas / communicates messages
• Art can change how we think &/or how we see the world

Few video games are very good art.

Part of the problem:

• Most video games are made by young white men
• Many developers & publishers focus on 18-25 year old men

So, many video games:

• Simple
• Violent
• Sexist
• Racist

Try this:

• Think of a movie you really like. How much is the main character like you?
• Now think of a person you know who doesn't play video games. Can you think of a game with a character like that person?

Careers in Video Games

What are some jobs in the business of video games?

• Programming
• Art & Graphics
• Design
• Sound & Music (including voice acting)
• Writing (including stories & dialog)
• Management
• Marketing
• Playtesting & Quality Control (many people start here)
• Retail (e.g., Game Crazy, GameStop)
• Journalism (including reviews)
• Research (me!)

Tips for Getting a Job in Games

Study these subjects

• Math (especially algebra, geometry, & trigonometry)
• Science (especially biology & physics)
• Computer programming
• Art
• Business

Try creating games

• Levels
• Mods
• Non-video games (e.g., board games, card games)

Most video games are created by teams of dozens or hundreds of people.

Develop teamwork & organization skills.

Play lots of video games

• Different kinds of games
• Good games & bad games
• Popular games & award-winning games
• Single-player, multiplayer, & online
• Competitive & cooperative

Don't just play... think! Think about the choices the creators made: setting, characters, story, art & graphics, sound & music, marketing, etc.

Understanding good game design is the most important skill. (That's why creating non-video games will help you create better video games.)

One person may only be responsible for a small part of a game, but...

• You can still contribute ideas
• So you should be able to see the big picture

If you really want a job in video games...

You will probably have to live in one of the cities where most video games are created:

• Vancouver (Canada)
• Seattle (Washington)
• San Francisco (California)

(Try looking up the address of a company whose games you like. Where are they?)

But there are many people creating games in other cities, too!

• Many people create and sell games through the Internet, and then it doesn't matter where you live.
• A lot of people at the University of Wisconsin Madison create and study video games.

Conclusion: 30+ Years, & Yet...

We have only just started.

There are many different exciting, scary, &/or wonderful experiences in the world

• More people are playing video games
• Different kinds of people are playing video games
• Different people want different experiences

At the heart of every great video game is an unusual, special, powerful idea.

What are your ideas?

For Next Time

We'll create two movies:

• What makes a good video game?
• Why are some people worried about video games?

Bring:

• The box for your favorite video game. (Don't bring the game!) Be ready to explain why it's a good game.
• Your parent/guardian's signature and your answers to the questions.

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