Welcome to Video Game class: help!

[smithy1234]

Hello everyone, I'm hoping to get some links to articles related to the argument of "Games can be art" or Game Theory being used in actual video games or maybe even some books discussing those topics.

This is because I was approached by my teacher to help build a bibliography for a new class being introduced into the college I go to, which is based on the study of games. I told him that I'm part of a large gaming community who could help out AKA you guys

Do you think a class like this could work out? If so what would be some interesting subjects to talk about?

 

[Dan E]

Okay I first ask for the name of the class, or maybe more specifics of what the class will be on.

 

[smithy1234]

It's going to be a communications class based on games, students will have to make a film or other visual project to present to the class on the subject of video games as an art form or game theory or the psychology of games, anything game related that would make an interesting presentation.

 

[Dan E]

It's going to be a communications class based on games, students will have to make a film or other visual project to present to the class on the subject of video games as an art form or game theory or the psychology of games, anything game related that would make an interesting presentation.

hmm well it's a communication class based on games, presentation on either video games as an art form, game theory, or psychology of games. This sounds interesting but from what you just said it all sounds like multiple classes and not just one. I'm not saying its not a good idea, it is a great idea, just that maybe your idea should be expanded a bit. Like make those three topics into their own class that is put into getting a certain art degree or something similar. I'm also in college and from scanning my college catalog of classes many of those topics are sort of their own class.

 

[Dan E]

Psychology itself is a class i am taking right now and greatly believe should be taken because of how much it can help game creators with story, game-play, art direction, and anybody else for that matter.

 

[smithy1234]

How the class will work is that students will be told about the basic theme of games and the different directions you could go on making a film about games. Then the students themselves would seek out the proper material to learn more about the subject.

For example, if I'm a student I go to this class and listen to a lecture for about an hour about the current things which are being discussed regarding games like game theory or games as an art form. Then I would be encouraged to choose a topic about games and create a film based on that subject.

The purpose of the teacher and the bibliography is to introduce students to the interesting things about games or video games then allow the students to seek out more information on those subjects by themselves. If this were a class that was 80% lecture or in class material then you would certainly be right, there's no way a class could cover game theory and the arguments for games as art, game theory ALONE would take forever to even touch the surface.

 

[Dan E]

Ah okay so this is pick what you want to learn, do it yourself, and present your findings class. That sounds like fun, except i can't make videos, I don't even own a proper camcorder. I fail in this area lol.

 

[Dan E]

You know when Extra Credits gets more video's the lecture could be just to watch like 20 of the videos and choose a topic which is probably the coolest way figure out what interests you considering they are very insightful on their topics and have greatly influenced some of my college work by showing me a different perspective I wouldn't have thought of previously.

 

[Heart of Darkness]

This book doesn't apply strictly to games, but give The Art of Interactive Design by Chris Crawford a spin. The biggest thing the book has to offer to how games are art is how interactivity should work: a cyclical process of speaking, listening, and thinking between two actors.

 

[Dan E]

Just found this and thought it was really interesting. It talks about anonymity of people and how they act with being anonymous.
http://www.gamepro.com/article/features/217085/the-psychology-of-anonymity/