Like some of the other posters, I apologize in advance if this is tangential to the class, but I found this to be quite interesting (and if nothing else could be applicable to what we’ve been talking about — the gap between our world versus the secondary world portrayals). Leigh Alexander is a notable writer/reporter in video gaming, and this particular article on Bayonetta refers to some of the controversy she encountered while writing about the game on GamePro. Not only do I recommend perusing those other links, but also the comments on the main article from Sexy Videogameland I posted (they’re long and numerous, but even just scanning them yields quite a bit of interesting debate).

If You Run Out of Ammo, You Can Have Mine

Here’s a site that compiled tons of free role playing games online. Each link leads to the game and also explains a little behind the story of the game.

http://www.gameogre.com/onlinerpgs.htm

An awesome silhouetted flash adventure game, not too long, but really well made. Good soundtrack too.

Little Wheel

Also, two interesting EVE Online articles that are pretty fascinating.

• An analysis of mineral prices in EVE Online written by the economist hired just to keep the huge single shard player supported/supplied/driven economy in check.
• Perhaps the most dastardly gaming scam/hit/crime act ever… committed in the game and entirely within the rules of the game.  Link

I somehow posted this to my UT blog instead of here, odd.

This is kind of a fun little game, albeit simple. Move with the Arrow keys. Its more concept based so you have to do more reading than interacting.

http://wethegiants.thegiftedintrovert.com/

-Nik

A Quick article covering the importance of proper character design as written by Escapist Magazine writer Yahtzee Croshaw. The article goes over different design schemes from games like team fortress, god of war, and the more recent darksiders.

http://www.escapistmagazine.com/articles/view/columns/extra-punctuation/7071-Extra-Punctuation-Darksiders

For those just browsing, the message is overly complex character designs are the lazy man’s excuse for legitimate creativity and solid concept.

Also, I’m not sure just how much this article applies to the class, but I found the read to be very fascinating and enlightening.

http://www.game-ism.com/2008/04/04/still-alive-shes-free/

It is an analysis of GlaDOS from Portal from different aspects of the character such as art design, dialogue, tone, etc.

Granted, it will only be of interest to those who have played Portal, but I’d imagine many in the class have.

Great free game (it’s addicting) to play
click here!

Check out the list of free games and virtual worlds, it’s starting to fill out!

Welcome to Games & Virtual Geography!