Created by: Eduardo Sanchez, Lowell Villanueva, Joseph Miller
jmillergame100.blogspot.com
ELSanchez31003.blogspot.com
Game Objective: Score as many points as you can by stacking pawns on top of the king and knocking down his loyal and confused subjects.
Gameplay time average
Default setup time: 2 mins
Rounds: 1 min
Rules: Players place one King in the very center of the Chess board. Arrange all pieces (except the other King and Pawns) around the board. Players take turns stacking pawns of their color on top of the King to make an alternating color pattern. Once the tower falls, players count how many pawns were stacked on top of the King and add bonus points for any of the King's subjects knocked over.
Queen: 5 points
Knights: 4 points
Bishops: 3 points
Rooks: 2 points
Pawns stacked: 1 point each
Play Turn Example:
Friday, January 28, 2011
Legend of Zelda: Seeds of Darkness
Answers to questions based on: http://www.dan-dare.org/FreeFun/Games/ZeldaDarkness.htm
1) How would you describe the level of engagement compared to more action oriented games from the same period?
This game felt more action oriented than usual Legend of Zelda games. You're immediately thrust into the forest with a bomb behind you and a goal in mind. This game definitely relies on past experience with the series. Having to protect yourself and the bomb gave it a different experience, because Link usually runs around Hyrule alone, never having to worry too much about protecting something else in actual battle.
2) What role does setting and characterisation play in the game?
The intro immediately gives you your goal. Based on past Legend of Zelda experiences, the game places you into a familiar role as the selfless hero. It's come to be expected; Link is destined to do heroic stuff. Keeping the game confined to the forest feels like a limitation on space more than anything. The cliffhanger ending gives the player a sense that this adventure was just a small taste of what is to come.
3) How do spells, pickups and power-ups assist the game play?
The pickups (hearts) actually made me reluctant to seek them out. The possibility of a trap was always there, and these traps turned out to be more dangerous than they appear. This changed my style of play into a more cautious, defensive style. I avoided as much damage as possible during my trek to the boss. I simply did not want to risk unearthing a trap and coming out negative in terms of health.
1) How would you describe the level of engagement compared to more action oriented games from the same period?
This game felt more action oriented than usual Legend of Zelda games. You're immediately thrust into the forest with a bomb behind you and a goal in mind. This game definitely relies on past experience with the series. Having to protect yourself and the bomb gave it a different experience, because Link usually runs around Hyrule alone, never having to worry too much about protecting something else in actual battle.
2) What role does setting and characterisation play in the game?
The intro immediately gives you your goal. Based on past Legend of Zelda experiences, the game places you into a familiar role as the selfless hero. It's come to be expected; Link is destined to do heroic stuff. Keeping the game confined to the forest feels like a limitation on space more than anything. The cliffhanger ending gives the player a sense that this adventure was just a small taste of what is to come.
3) How do spells, pickups and power-ups assist the game play?
The pickups (hearts) actually made me reluctant to seek them out. The possibility of a trap was always there, and these traps turned out to be more dangerous than they appear. This changed my style of play into a more cautious, defensive style. I avoided as much damage as possible during my trek to the boss. I simply did not want to risk unearthing a trap and coming out negative in terms of health.
"I, Videogame" ep. 2
Responses to questions for part 2 of "I, Videogame".
1) What kind of company was Nintendo before it made videogame and videogame consoles?
Toy maker.
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 and storyteller.
4) How did the limits of the technology affect the way Mario could be shown?
The characters had to be small to fit on the screen. Mario's defining features were actually brought about because of the limits of graphics. The mustache was there because they couldn't render a mouth. A hat covered his head to hide hair. The big nose was an easily identified feature. The red jumpsuit also helped to make Mario stand out.
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?
The companies, due to the recent crash of the video game industry, moved into other ventures.
6) What was assumed to the be the 'next big thing' by electronics manufacturers?
Personal computers.
7) What did Legend of Zelda bring to gaming that was new?
Role playing elements, a soundtrack, and classic story elements combined with video game action made Legend of Zelda an enormous hit.
8) How did the conservative values of the 1980s (Reagan & Thatcher etc) affect the culture of videogames?
In the 80's, video game entertainment wasn't associated with family life. The older generation was looking for video games as relief from the Cold War. They sought computers for work, not play.
9) How were the PC games published by Mystery House like King's Quest different from console games?
Sierra Online's games were much more focused on story and exploration over action.
10) How did Sega's 16 big Megadrive system change home console gaming?
The higher level of processing power pushed the level of game quality and revitalized the industry.
11) How did "Leisure Suit Larry" differ from most genre based games of the period?
It was the first game to be based on real life and addressed issues people experienced and thought about.
12) How is this aspect reflected in many games of today?
The game market now caters to more mature audiences. Players can sympathize with the protagonists of video games because the settings are more realistic.
13) What is 'motion capture'
The process in which markers are placed on people to record their movements.
14) What is the 'uncanny valley'?
A human's response to a representation of humans. Emotional response to the characters of video games.
1) What kind of company was Nintendo before it made videogame and videogame consoles?
Toy maker.
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 and storyteller.
4) How did the limits of the technology affect the way Mario could be shown?
The characters had to be small to fit on the screen. Mario's defining features were actually brought about because of the limits of graphics. The mustache was there because they couldn't render a mouth. A hat covered his head to hide hair. The big nose was an easily identified feature. The red jumpsuit also helped to make Mario stand out.
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?
The companies, due to the recent crash of the video game industry, moved into other ventures.
6) What was assumed to the be the 'next big thing' by electronics manufacturers?
Personal computers.
7) What did Legend of Zelda bring to gaming that was new?
Role playing elements, a soundtrack, and classic story elements combined with video game action made Legend of Zelda an enormous hit.
8) How did the conservative values of the 1980s (Reagan & Thatcher etc) affect the culture of videogames?
In the 80's, video game entertainment wasn't associated with family life. The older generation was looking for video games as relief from the Cold War. They sought computers for work, not play.
9) How were the PC games published by Mystery House like King's Quest different from console games?
Sierra Online's games were much more focused on story and exploration over action.
10) How did Sega's 16 big Megadrive system change home console gaming?
The higher level of processing power pushed the level of game quality and revitalized the industry.
11) How did "Leisure Suit Larry" differ from most genre based games of the period?
It was the first game to be based on real life and addressed issues people experienced and thought about.
12) How is this aspect reflected in many games of today?
The game market now caters to more mature audiences. Players can sympathize with the protagonists of video games because the settings are more realistic.
13) What is 'motion capture'
The process in which markers are placed on people to record their movements.
14) What is the 'uncanny valley'?
A human's response to a representation of humans. Emotional response to the characters of video games.
Friday, January 21, 2011
"I, Videogame" ep. 1
First week's assignment, questions related to a short movie.
1) Videogames emerged from the culture of the "Cold War" - what does Henry Jenkins from MIT compare the period to in terms of a famous board game?
The Cold War was compared to a global version of the classic board game "Battleship."
2) a) Who was the inventor of the first Video game according to the documentary?
William Higginbotham.
b) What was the name of the game?
Tennis for Two.
3) Steve Russell is credited with the first true computer-based videogame (in terms of its use with the 1961 PDP1 mainframe computer) with SPACEWAR - what popular science fiction book series also influenced him?
Alongside the Space Race between the US and the USSR, the science fiction series "Lensman" influenced Steve Russel.
4) What innovation did Steve Russell's SPACEWAR introduce in terms of input hardware?
The joystick.
5) a) In the anti-war and counterculture period of the 1960s and 1970s, what new home entertainment system let consumers finally control what was being seen on the home television?
The All Purpose Box which became The Magnavox Odyssey.
b) b) Who was its inventor/developer?
Ralph Baer.
6) PONG emerged out of the counterculture spirit of the early 1970s - its natural home was what type of entertainment setting?
A coin operated table in a bar where people were looking for a break.
7) Who does Nolan Bushnell say were generally best at playing the game?
Women.
8) "Space Invaders" emerged in the late 1970s as the first game from Japan.
How did the TAITO production team intensify the emotion of the game using the four-note in-game music theme?
As the invaders got faster, the four notes increased in tempo and created a sense of panic for the player.
9) Steve Moulder reflects that the first arcade games tended to result in the player's defeat. This he argues in turn reflected the view held by many designers during that time that war itself is defeatist.
Has this view changed since that time? Do today's latest games still convey this sense? Why? Why not? (use your own words)
In current times, many games have a lack of limits. Some games simply don't have an end goal, and victory or defeat is defined by the player. Some feature a "New Game+" that challenges the player further. There isn't "defeat" but there isn't "victory" either.
10) Have you ever played any of the games shown in this the first episode of "I, Videogame"? What was your memory of playing it? Where were you, when was it?
Tetris was my first taste of video games. My grandmother forced my mom to buy me a Gameboy and Tetris after I had wandered into a game store as a little kid. I remember wanting the blocks to go up.
1) Videogames emerged from the culture of the "Cold War" - what does Henry Jenkins from MIT compare the period to in terms of a famous board game?
The Cold War was compared to a global version of the classic board game "Battleship."
2) a) Who was the inventor of the first Video game according to the documentary?
William Higginbotham.
b) What was the name of the game?
Tennis for Two.
3) Steve Russell is credited with the first true computer-based videogame (in terms of its use with the 1961 PDP1 mainframe computer) with SPACEWAR - what popular science fiction book series also influenced him?
Alongside the Space Race between the US and the USSR, the science fiction series "Lensman" influenced Steve Russel.
4) What innovation did Steve Russell's SPACEWAR introduce in terms of input hardware?
The joystick.
5) a) In the anti-war and counterculture period of the 1960s and 1970s, what new home entertainment system let consumers finally control what was being seen on the home television?
The All Purpose Box which became The Magnavox Odyssey.
b) b) Who was its inventor/developer?
Ralph Baer.
6) PONG emerged out of the counterculture spirit of the early 1970s - its natural home was what type of entertainment setting?
A coin operated table in a bar where people were looking for a break.
7) Who does Nolan Bushnell say were generally best at playing the game?
Women.
8) "Space Invaders" emerged in the late 1970s as the first game from Japan.
How did the TAITO production team intensify the emotion of the game using the four-note in-game music theme?
As the invaders got faster, the four notes increased in tempo and created a sense of panic for the player.
9) Steve Moulder reflects that the first arcade games tended to result in the player's defeat. This he argues in turn reflected the view held by many designers during that time that war itself is defeatist.
Has this view changed since that time? Do today's latest games still convey this sense? Why? Why not? (use your own words)
In current times, many games have a lack of limits. Some games simply don't have an end goal, and victory or defeat is defined by the player. Some feature a "New Game+" that challenges the player further. There isn't "defeat" but there isn't "victory" either.
10) Have you ever played any of the games shown in this the first episode of "I, Videogame"? What was your memory of playing it? Where were you, when was it?
Tetris was my first taste of video games. My grandmother forced my mom to buy me a Gameboy and Tetris after I had wandered into a game store as a little kid. I remember wanting the blocks to go up.
The Adventue Begins (maybe)
Yeah, that's right, I'm using a blog while my Facebook has no face and its pages remain blank. Take that, social networking!
This is a blog for Game 100, a class I'm not actually a part of yet. And I don't know when
I'll hear the good/bad news. Regardless, here it is. This ought to fill up with all sorts of fun stuff, assuming I get in.
Hope the teacher doesn't mind if I direct a few friends here so I can prove I have something more important to do that be on WoW.
This is a blog for Game 100, a class I'm not actually a part of yet. And I don't know when
I'll hear the good/bad news. Regardless, here it is. This ought to fill up with all sorts of fun stuff, assuming I get in.
Hope the teacher doesn't mind if I direct a few friends here so I can prove I have something more important to do that be on WoW.
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