01 Social Games

Question 1

Name two scientific methodologies that ludologists may use! Name four scientific fields
that make contributions to ludology!

Answer 1

Scientific methodologies:
- Empirical
- Design Science (engineering)
- Deductive (mathematical)
Scientific fields:
- Psychology
- Sociology
- Socio-psychology
- Informatics
- Computer science + engineering
- Mathematics
- Economy
- Arts
- Art history
- History

Question 2

Name four characteristics of “play”

Answer 2

• Free activity
• Outside “ordinary” life/not serious, but absorbing the player
• No material interests
• Own boundaries of time and space
• Fixed rules
• Promotes formation of social groupings
• Make-believe of a second reality

Question 3

Salen and Zimmerman state:” Games are a susbet of play. Play is an element of agmes”. Briefly discuss the meaning and difficulties of that definition!

Answer 3

• Playful or doing ludic activities, a game focuses on the player who by following
  rules experiences the system via play
  
  • Difficulty: The borders between game and play are blurred.

Question 4

Salen and Zimmerman define: “A game is a system in which players engage in an artificial conflict, defined by rules, that result in quantifiable outcome!

Discuss the limits of this definition!

Answer 4

• The definition leads to borderline cases that are broadly considered games but
  may not be considered a game by Salen and Zimmermans definition.
• No artificial conflict: Minecraft
• Loose rules: Pen&Paper roleplaying
• No quantifiable outcome: MMORPGs, Minecraft

Question 5

Give your own definition of “Game Mechanics”!

Answer 5

• Actions, behavior and control mechanisms available for players to change game
  element states.
• The mechanics support overall gameplay dynamics (together with games
  content)

Question 6

Briefly characterize Casual Games as one of four types of games discussed!

Answer 6

• Instant play, easy to learn
• Quick play, do not require much time to play to get pleasure
• Common play, address a vast majority of player types

Question 7

Name and briefly characterize two classes of Casual Games!

Answer 7

• Browser games
• Social networking games: played on social networking platforms (Farmville)
• Mimetic games: take game-play out of virtual game space to the players real world space (Wii Sports, Guitar Hero, Kinect)

Question 8

What are advantages when characterizing game genres in terms of elements of game mechanics compared to characterizing game genres in terms of ludological genre frameworks?

Answer 8

Ludological genre framework critique:
* Not timeless, formal criteria missing
* Mostly driven from existing games (extensional), not intensional
* Tree-based classifications: too rigid (in terms of mixed genres)
Genre in terms of mechanics:
* Similar to ludological genre frameworks
* Genres == sets of game mechanics
* Additive: new mechanics can be added without changing older parts
* New genres easy: new combinations/sets

Question 9

Maslov’s Need Hierarchy contains the levels “Physiological, Safety, Belonging-Love, Self-Esteem, Self-Actualization”. Which levels do Games and Social Media contribute to? Give a brief explanation!

Answer 9

• Games: finally clearing a level/boss/X you tried repeatedly boosts your self esteem
• Social Media: Getting a like or seeing someone post similar thoughts on a topic to yours helps with your belonging-love