Passively Multiplayer Gaming: Surveillance for Fun
The "Vision" track at the GDC is sort of a red-headed stepchild. It's not design, it's not programming, it's... well, it's where the misfits go, in a way; the rebels, the outcasts, the free thinkers. I'm glad it's there, because it's a place where we can be a bit experimental, inviting talks that normally wouldn't fit elsewhere. Lots of times the talks in the vision tracks are by people who don't "belong" in the industry, who are on the fringes or working in cross-disciplinary fields. Or, it's a place for people inside the industry to explore outside a bit, test new ground and research new ideas. And it's people like that who can really shake us up, offer new perspectives, and share insights from the other side of the fence, so to speak.
USC student and long-time blogger and gamer Justin Hall will be presenting his talk, Passively Multiplayer Gaming, based on research he's doing in conjunction with a project for BBC. I can assure you that Justin is never, ever boring!
Passively Multiplayer Gaming: Surveillance for Fun
Speaker: Justin Hall
Track: Vision
Format: 60-minute Poster Sessionl
Session Description
Increasingly, users can score points simply by being productive or distracted on the computer.
Justin Hall presents examples of software outside of "video games" that keeps score: for example, web sites that give experience points to frequent readers. Hall draws a parallel to surveillance-gaming in mainstream video games: Tekuteku Angel Pocket (Nintendo DS) uses a pedometer to track a player's daily footsteps, affecting the weight of onscreen characters.
Hall merges these concepts in his BBC-funded prototype for a "Passively Multiplayer Online Game," a browser-based game that rewards web surfers by "leveling up" their online literacy. Come discuss the increasing potential and inherent risks for user data to drive gameplay and functionality in entertainment and software.
Idea Takeaway
What kinds of games will we play as we live our lives?
Intended Audience
Open to all curious minds.