GoG. The Meta-Panel

Giovanni CarusoG|A|M|E - The Italian Journal of Game Studies

DiGRA Conference 2013, Atlanta (GA, USA), Aug. 29, 2013

Aug. 28, 2013Me at the sea...

NOTE TO SELF

Don’t show th

is pic

TO START“The project originates from the hypothesis that it is possible to talk about and critique video games and their related themes by adopting their own forms, mechanics and languages.”

1. RECURRING CONDITIONS

A meta (self-reflexive)level

An intended critical aim (certain degree of)

An oppositional level (to recognize the meta-level)

A parody of game mechanics/dynamics

2. THE CHALLENGE

CRITICAL Any declared

OPPOSITION with the “real practices” of a game studio management

OVER-SIMPLIFICATIONof practices

METAA game made by a game studio that simulate the management of a game studio

THE MIMETIC CRITICAL LEVEL

No declared critical aim (apparently)

• Proceduralist Readings• Intendend/Unintended

meanings• The role of the player

Proceduralist Readings: How to find meaning in games with graphical logicsMike Treanor, Bobby Schweizer, Ian Bogost, Michael Mateas

THE CENTRALITY OF THE ENCYCLOPEDIA

Encyclopedia or the cultural values the game carries on.

Player contributions

MechanicsDynamicsThemesAestetics

Encyclopedia or the cultural values the player carries on during the play session

Introduction to Game StudiesFrans Mayra

THE CORPUS

SIMULATO

R

GameDev Story (Kairosoft, 2010, iOS)

Manage your own game company and try to create a million-selling game in this unique simulation.

Features the ability to develop your company's own game console, plus a system for changing your staff members' professions.

Hire talented people and train them to develop their skills.

As your staff gets more experience, you will unlock a wider array of game genres and content to develop. Try to find the most popular combinations and develop for the latest platform!Your staff members can have a variety of game-related professions, from programmer to sound engineer.

Work hard and you may reach the top of the video game industry!

DESIGN (choices, costs and points)

‣new game, contract, sequel, console development (16 to 64bit)

‣platforms (market share / license fee): choose existing / buy new license

‣genres (skill, popularity, cost): table, rpg, sim rpg, adventure, trivia, puzzle, educational, to be unlocked...

‣themes/type (skill, popularity, cost): pirate, animal, robot, historical, ninja, to be unlocked...

‣directions (cost): normal, speed, quality, research, budget+

‣direction points: cuteness, realism, approachability, niche appeal, simplicity, innovation, game world, polish

ALLOCATE / MANAGE RESOURCES (skill, costs and research data per time)

‣design: scenario, graphics, sounds

‣debug and deploy (fun, creativity, graphics, sounds, bugs)

‣reviews (videogames magazine): set popularity to sell copies

‣advertising (from magazines to the lunar surface)

EVENTS

‣ fiscal year and salary, new console presentation, gamedex, fan base growth / decrease, game review, annual game awards.

‣ Special items offer (Fun boost, Creativity boost, Graphics boost, Sound boost, Bug Spray, Self-help book, Dead Bull, Career Change Manual)

STAFF

Hire: word of mouth, magazine ad, online d, vocational school, open house, hollywood agend)

Professionals: coder, writer, designer, sound engineer, planner, gamer, director, producers, hardware engineer, hacker

Skills: programming, scenario, graphics, sound

Train: paying for stroll, reading, movie, anime, game, jogging, pinball, meditate, concert, net surf, museum, college, lab study, short trips, long trip

Level-up (up to lv.5): using research data to boost skills and salary

Fire

MARKET & ADVERTISINGMagazine Ads, Online Ads, Radio Ads, Demo Distribution, Marching Band, TV Ads, Animal Costumes, TV Sponsorship, Racecar Sponsorship, Card Game Contest, Blimp Sponsorship, Lunar Writing

GameDev Story Production scheme

CRITICAL Any declared

OPPOSITION with the “real practices” of a game studio management

OVER-SIMPLIFICATIONof practices

METAA game made by a game studio that simulates the management of a game studio

GameDev Story

GlobalGame Jam Simulator (Brace Yourself Games!, 2013)

This game simulates being the organizer of a local instance of the Global Game Jam! As the organizer becomes overworked, his/her heart rate rises, which has repercussions. Make your jam the biggest in the world to win! Fastest win I've heard of so far is 2018. Can you do better?

IT’S TIME TO PREPARE FOR GCJ 2013! YOU HAVE 10 MONTHS REMAINING. CHOOSE AN ACTION:

1) Improver your social Networking2) Improve your Industry Contacts3) Improve your Charisma

4) Round up some volunteers5) Find sponsors with money6) Find sponsor with swag

7) Buy food8) Buy coffee9) Buy equipment0) Buy promotional materials

A) Work on the jam’s themeB) Secure a venue

CURRENT STATUSVolunteers:Money:Swag:Food:Coffee:Equipment:Jam Awareness:Theme Awesomenewss:Venue:

THE ORGANIZERHero: Location:

Social Networking:Industry Contacts:Charisma:

1) Reroll!2) Accept this HERO

GLOBAL GAME JAM 2013 IS UNDERWAY HERE IN MILWAUKEE WITH ORGANIZER ...! The theme of this jam is ... The crowd roars with unanimous approval!

YOU HAVE 10 TIME UNITS REMAINING. CHOOSE AN ACTION:

1) Rest!2) Distribute 0 swag3) Ask a volunteers to distribute ... swag4) Inject coffee into 0 team5) Ask volunteers to inject coffee into 0 team(s)6) Deploy 0 food7) Ask volunteers to deploy 0 food

8) Deal with a broken chair9) Deal with a broken table0) Get wifi back online!A) Get power back online!B) Save your swag from the flood!

CURRENT STATUSOrganizer heart rate: 70bpm:Games completed so far this jam: Volunteers remaining:Swag remaining:Coffee remaining:Food remaining:Deployed food:Equipment: [type]: Attendance:

Global Game Jam Organization scheme

Global Game Jam Simulator

CRITICAL Any declared (even if in this case elements such the context of production could led to a some degree of critical intention)

OPPOSITION with the “real practices” of running a GGJ local section (less about coding...more about the panic)

OVER-SIMPLIFICATIONof practices via choices and (stressful) events

METAA game made during the GGJ2013 to simulate the experience of running a GGJ local section

3. FINDINGS

Always has a meta (self-reflexive)level

May have not a declared critical aim

May rely on parody of practices (rather than just game conventions)

May have an oppositional level built in contrast with practices (rather than just game conventions)

Could leave to the player the production of critical messages

QUESTIONDo GoGs really exist?

Thanks. Giovanni Caruso*G|A|M|E - The Italian Journal of Game Studies

t. : @nrgigae. : nrgiga@gmail.com

DiGRA Conference 2013, Atlanta (GA, USA), Aug. 29, 2013

*No professional audio device has been used to record the voice of the panelist.