For the "Adults" in class.

Sonic goes into business.

Butt Monkey AKA Donkey Kong

http://www.donkeykong1.com/

 

1) How would you describe the level of engagement compared to more action oriented games from the same period?

I always tend to loose at "Twitch" games as I call them.   Most of the action games of this era were designed to get the most quarters out of the gamers.   This game is very typical.

2) What role does setting and characterisation play in the game?

Vague if at all.     It could be a farmer climbing rock formations to the UFO anal-probing his buddy, and you would still have the same game mechanics.

3) How do spells, pickups and power-ups assist the game play?

I know later in the game there is a hammer...   I just loose so much at this game, I don't play.  Its where modern games have it all over the arcade era.

Zelda... Da Bomb.

Play Zelda NOW! (source code available.)

1) How would you describe the level of engagement compared to more action oriented games from the same period?

Other action games were out to fast.   Zelda allowed you to wait, take a sip and then go on with the game at your own pace.

2) What role does setting and characterisation play in the game?

Setting holds "Game Mechanic" specific things like the hedges, but also allow for hidden passages in the trees.  Characters in the game are what you would expect in a forest.

3) How do spells, pickups and power-ups assist the game play?

Da Bomb was annoying, even tried to blow it up on purpose with the boss.   The fact that there are always heart upgrades around means that the annoying spiders you missed could still be made up for.

Secondlife...

I have mentioned Secondlife in class, partially because it looks game like, but it is more strictly a toy... but a toy you are ENCOURAGED to make things in.    It is one of the few online activities I have managed to get some small $$s out of as well.

It is relevent to this course in that you can make games WITHIN secondlife, and then sell them.

My Secondlife Page   (Explore the rest of the site at your own risk.)

MainWebsite...
http://SecondLife.com/

Bat-Man (Duh,nua,nua,nua!)

http://batmangamecreator.cartoonnetwork.com/index.html
How would you describe the challenges and actions that make up the game level? 

Once again, knowing what tools/options were available.

What is the camera mode?

3rd Person, Side View.

What is the nature of the user interface (how does the player use the controls to play the game)?

Keyboard. Arrows side movement, and up-arrow jump.

What is the goal of the game?

Collect the gems, then escape. 

Ben10

http://ben10gamecreator.cartoonnetwork.com/
How would you describe the challenges and actions that make up the game level? 

Knowing what options are available, what they do in a limited time designing the level.

What is the camera mode?

3rd Person, Side View.

What is the nature of the user interface (how does the player use the controls to play the game)?

Keyboard.   

What is the goal of the game? 

Get to the exit portal.

CloneWars

http://starwarsgamecreator.cartoonnetwork.com/index.html
How would you describe the challenges and actions that make up the game level? 

Knowing what options are available, what they do in a limited time designing the level.

What is the camera mode?

3rd Person, Top View.

What is the nature of the user interface (how does the player use the controls to play the game)?

Keyboard.   

What is the goal of the game? 

Get to the exit portal.

I, Video Game Part 2

1) What kind of company was Nintendo before it made videogame and videogame consoles?
Plastic Toys/Playing Cards.

 2) What videogame system did it sell before it made its FAMICOM (known in USA as Nintendo Entertainment System)
magnavox odyssey.

 3) Shigeru Miyamoto was not a programmer - what skill set did he bring to the industry?
Artist, Puppeteer, storyteller.

 4) How did the limits of the technology affect the way Mario could be shown?
Limited graphics / processing power.

 5) Why did US retailers think there was no future in home videogame consoles at the time just prior to the NES release in the USA?
Low sales, boring games.

 6) What was assumed to the be the 'next big thing' by electronics manufacturers?
Personal Computer Games.

 7) What did Legend of Zelda bring to gaming that was new?
Power-ups / Upgrades.  Much deeper storyline.    Empathizeble characters.

 8) How did the conservative values of the 1980s (Reagan & Thatcher etc) affect the culture of videogames?
 More self centered games, and video games.

 9) How were the PC games published by Mystery House like King's Quest different from console games?
Graphics.    Text based.   Action Elements.   Storytelling techninques.

10) How did Sega's 16 bit Megadrive system change home console gaming?
Double processing power,

11) How did "Leisure Suit Larry" differ from most genre based games of the period?
Anti-Hero.   Insult-able.   Real-world environments.

12) How is this aspect reflected in many games of today?
More variety and adult games.

13) What is 'motion capture'?
Motion capture is a way to "record" physical actions instead of "puppeting" them. 

14) What is the 'uncanny valley'?
Reaction to realistic human figures with puppeted motions.

DizzyMud

OK. In "The Ancient Times" of computer games, there was something called a MUD (Multi User Dungeon). There were no pretty graphics, and even a very limited colored text set was optional.

You walk into a room, it describes the room, the monsters (called Mobs or Mobiles) and NPC characters, as well as other players. You type KILL GOBLIN, and combat would start. Text flies by, and you type KICK, etc. to influence combat... you get your gold and bonuses.

Anyway, you will have to download a "Client Software" to do this. Almost everyone has a basic terminal software, but eventually you will need the extra features of the client software.

Check out http://www.dizzymud.com/ for a link to the game, and client downloads.