Hoyahoy neighbourinos,

This weeks lecture was great. Jason Nelson did the first half of the lecture and talked to us about Internet Art. He has his own website www.secrettechnology.com which has an amazing array of net art that he designed. I thought the art was amazing and even alienating at times - but overall very clever and original. After that we began a movie called eXistenZ. I think its set in the near future and is about these modern video games. Anyway, i will let you know more next week.

So now i am in the tute and we have been learning about 3D worlds and socialising on the internet - and i have been very busy customising my avatar - to look just like me.....hehehe, or not. Its a much hotter version of me - but stop your sniggering because its my second life and i'll do what i want...

It reminds me a lot of the game the Sims - and its just as easy to get sucked in. I've been going through the tutorial so far - learning the ropes, and after that im going to meet some cyber friends. Woot!

Till next week -

Emily

The delights of Video Gaming

Why hello there,

Hope everyone had a grand Easter Holiday. This week in New Communication Tech we studied Video Games - Arcade, Consoles, computer games, Multi-User Domains and Massively Multi-User Online Games. We were looking at the study of Video Games, questioning whether Video Games could be studied as a form of Media as are films, Radio and TV. In my personal opinion; if films are considered media; Video Games should be allowed the same title. Whether for entertainment or to tell a story - Video Games seem to fit into the same category.

Within the study of Video Gaming; we were further learning of Narratology and Ludology. Narratology is the study of Video games from the perspective of them being stories or literary works. It questions their ability to be read as texts. Ludology is the study of the game play element of Video Gaming. It further explains that the story elements in video games are there for decoration only.

I guess if i had a choice to study either of the above, my choice would be Ludology. I think that Video Games are moreso for entertainment than narrative aspects. Looking at older games such as...oh say - Pacman (probably the oldest game i could think of being a less-frequent video gamer), i find that there is very little narrative in such a game. I too think that Video games have evolved for the purpose of their entertainment; and are doing a lot of damage for it.

I must admit that i have partaken in the Computer game called 'The Sims.' There was a certain enjoyment of earning heaps of money and buying new furniture for your simolen house, (for me particularly, I am without question as materialistic as they come,) however, i found it to be a big time-waster. I was sucked-in. I havent played it for some time now because i have come to the realization that i should start living my own life rather than creating a virtual one.

Then there's my brother. He is completely sucked in to World of Warcraft - a Massively Multi-User Online Game (MMOG). And - by the way i see no narrative aspect to this game. It appears to be a game in which the higher level you are the more people you can beat, or the more armour and accessories you can buy. I just don't see the point. But he can sit there for hours and just be consumed. I guess its also like it's own little virtual world, where you can interact with other users and have a jolly ol' time; but it will never interest me.

Anywho, i think i have rambled enough for now, and i have an essay to think about - which i think i will base on the negative aspects of Video games - go figure.

Till next we meet,

Emily.