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

2. Boundaries of a Game When a game begins and ends? –Games create their own time and space You are “glued” into the playing experience; time “flies” Is it always clear when a non-digital game begins and ends?non-digital game –and for digital games? Magic circle: frame of game; separates (connects) “reality” of game and “real life” –Games create their own time and space (Not to be confused with RTS games where times is an explicit concept in the game)

3. Boundaries Boundaries of play versus non-digital game –Where does one ends and the other begins? Same question but now for digital media.  Games have formal rules that define their boundaries  But these boundaries can be loose Nintendo warriors

4. Why “Magic” Chess can be seen as a: –Decoration in a living room –In contrast to 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

5. Open and Closed Systems Games as open and closed systems –Dimensions of system: Formal Experiential Cultural –Games as: rules play: example of both open and closed? culture

6. Lusory Attitude Captures what the magic circle represents for the player –Long monopoly game, WOW raid Willingness to accept unnecessary obstacles: –In “real world” it is an irrational thing to do –In games we are willing to accept these obstacles Examples? Parody Lusory attitude implies not just accepting the rules –Playing the game is an end by itself

7. A Conceptual Framework for Analyzing Games How about by genre (RPG, RTS,…)? –Do you see any problems with this? Instead we are going to use schemas –Schemas act as reduced descriptions of aspects of an object or event Primary Schemas: –Rules (formal) –Play (experiential) –Culture (context) Embedded (mission  campaing) Knowledge (archer  range unit) Variables (information – fog of war) Abstract (small skirmish vs. large battle. Video 4:17)Video

8. 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 …

9. 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 Pride …

10. Cultural: Contextual Schema Shared systems of value and meaning Effects of culture in games –Example? How games affect culture –Example? Social pyramid

11. Guidelines for Test on Monday Covers all of Unit 1 (Preface and Chapters 1 to 10) plus all topics covered in class 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 sustained those interpretations in your write-up and demonstrate that you know the concepts, you are ok –Be as clear as possible; demonstrate your knowledge of the concepts