1. Presentations Next Class Deadline: e-mail me (e-mail: hem4@lehigh.edu) the powerpoint slides, at noon EST, April 6 th (before next class) No changes will be allowed after this time Powerpoint slides describe your “Analysis of existing game” project We will start presentations on April 6 th (random selection)

2. Presentations Next Class (2) How/who presents is up to you (mix is ok) Estimate time: 20-25 minutes Be selective: concentrate on “cool”, interesting, noteworthy (including “bad”) aspects –But obviously must be a subset of what you wrote in the document Don’t forget to introduce the game. Game clip is ok but not required –Explain why you select this game Questions?

3. Games as Systems of Conflict (Ch. 20)

4. Discussion Point: New Games Movement A game theorist, DeKoven, argues againt competitive games –Competition may bring stress (experiential dimension) Promotes games to have a positive impact in society Classical example: Catch the dragon’s tail

5. Conflict Conflict is intrinsic to every game –Games can be seen as staged conflicts –Player willing to engage in these conflicts because of lusory attitude Conflict emerges from victory conditions –Struggle to achieve victory drives system of conflict Again player is willing to participate in this struggle because of lusory attitude

6. Shapes of Conflict We typically think single player versus single playersingle player versus single player But what other forms of conflict exist ? Conflict can be direct or indirect  Group versus group (example: table soccer)  Single player versus group  Every player for themselves  Single player against system  Single player competing side by side against game  Single player cooperating side by side against game Player interacts directly with other player No direct interaction

7. Shapes of Conflict: Examples Ladders & ShutsComp. CHESS Warcraft player vs player group vs group player vs group FFA player vs system competing vs system Cooperating vs system Direct Indirect X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X

8. Questions for Defining Structure of Conflict We typically think: How many players can play? But what other questions should we ask ?  real time? Turn-based? Simultaneous turn-based?  Is there a high-score list?  cooperative? Competitive?  direct conflict?  players competing for resources?  … Introduces “goals” in open-ended games. Example of games?