1. Homework
Take your favorite non-digital game (e.g., monopoly). Make a critical analysis for that game with respect to these traits (you might want to read the book first to understand these traits better)
Trait 1 : immediate but narrow interactivity
Trait 2: Information manipulation
Trait 3: Automated complex systems
Trait 4: Networked communication

2. The Magic Circle and The Primary Schemas
Assigned readings:
Chapters 9 and 10 (Rules of Play Book)
Dr. Héctor Muñoz-Avila

3. Boundaries Boundaries of play versus game (for non-digital games)
What is the difference?
Same question but now for digital media
Games have formal rules!
can you “play” in digital media without playing the game?
can you “play” in a game without playing the game?

4. Boundaries of a Game When does a game begin and end?
Games create their own time and space
You are “glued” into the playing experience; time “flies”
Is it clear when non-digital games begin and end?
And for Digital games?
Magic circle: frame of game play; Separates (connects) “reality” of game and “real life”

5. Why “Magic” Chess can be seen as a: Decoration in a living room
Gaming experience
Pieces arrangement
In a game, objects and behaviors are well defined
Within the magic circle, rules have authority
We learn this since childhood

6. Open and Closed Systems
Games as open and closed systems
Dimensions of system:
Formal
Experiential
Cultural levels
Games as:
rules
play: example of open and closed for the same game?
culture

7. Lusory Attitude
Captures what the magic circle represents for the player
Long monopoly game
Willingness to accept unnecessary obstacles:
In “real world” is an irrational thing to do
In games is necessary to do
Examples?
Lusory attitude implies not just accepting the rules
But playing the game is an end by itself

8. A Conceptual Framework for Games
Possible classification: by type (RPG, RTS,…)
Do you see any problems with this?
Instead we are going to use schemas
Schemas act as summary (rather then exhaustive) descriptions of aspects of an object or event
Primary Schemas:
Rules (formal)
Play (experiential)
Culture (context)

9. Rules: Formal Schemas Rules are a key characteristic of games
Rules are formal schemas
They constitute the inner organization of games
Discussion: Chess
Differences between two games of Chess
Commonalities?
Material
Motivation
Outcome
Medium
The rules!

10. Play: Experiential Schema
We consider the relation rules-system
Delivers a particular experience of Play
What kinds of experiences?
In play experiences are made explicit
Social
Narrative
Pleasure: flow theory …

11. Cultural: Contextual Schema
Shared systems of value and meaning
Effects of culture in games
Example?
How games affect culture
Example of context: OK in one country, banned in another one
Sometimes players age is part of the context
Social classes reflected in game
Chess is part of our culture

12. END of UNIT 1

13. Guidelines for Test on Tuesday Feb. 24
Covers all of Unit 1 (Preface and Chapters 1 to 10)
Also covers all topics discussed in class not in the book
Such as Finite State Machines and the “side tracks”
Closed book, no notes and no calculator!
Questions will ascertain your understanding of the concepts covered (in class or book) so far
Most concepts have a straightforward interpretation which I expect you to know
For some situations our interpretations might be different (mine versus yours)
As long as you can explain those interpretations in your write-up based on the concept’s original description, you are ok
Be as clear as possible; demonstrate that you know the original descriptions