Tomer Mor-Barak

Blogpost 6: Secondlife and Emergence

Mon, 03 Oct 2005 11:39:30 -0800

One aspect of emergence that I noticed immediately when I started playing was that the character goals and my goals are the same. The game provides no story or goals, only the structure for players to make their own. For my play style, there is no overarching story, just the story I make through the look of my character and what I want to do with him. I did very little on the line of exploration and chatting, one of the greatest and most unique aspects of the game, yet I still managed to play for many hours. What compelled me for so long, was the look of my character. I went through a few different outfits, a few different faces, a few different hairstyles, and at no point was I bored or not enjoying myself.

Assignment 5: Dark Age of Player Types

Mon, 26 Sep 2005 12:41:11 -0800

For this weeks assignment, I decided to look at the dynamic of player types and how they apply to Dark Age of Camelot. From my perspective, this game is great for all the player types in different ways. As an explorer, you have three completely different factions that each have a different continent to explore. The reward of exploration is to see some pretty beautiful terrain and interesting themes based on the faction. Explore the Norse themed continent and you see unique monsters found in Norse mythology and enemy factions that are based on real factions found in the Norse time period. The terrain itself varies from desert, to lakeside, to mystical looking forest. And best of all, there are quests that send you through the vast continent to see some of these wonderful sites and gain experience or items. The expansion packs even send you through deep and dark catacombs or even to Atlantis. DAOC is an amazing environment for an explorer.

Assignment 4: Lineage 2 and Lambda Moo

Fri, 23 Sep 2005 12:01:19 -0800

For the MMORPG, I played Lineage 2. For Lineage 2, it is clear that my player type is that of the achiever. The only reason I play the game is to have a powerful character. I absolutely enjoy making my character powerful as quickly as I can. The specific server I am on makes it even easier to achieve since Experience and money are dropped at 25X and 35X retail rates respectively. I also marvel at the new and high end equipment that my achievement allows me to buy.

Assignment 3: Counterstrike and Flow

Sun, 11 Sep 2005 17:52:53 -0800

Of all the multiplayer games on the market, Counter-Strike has to be the game that is most likely to cause moments of Flow for me. The way the game is paced makes it inevitable. You spawn in your base with the rest of your team. You all move out as a group and tension builds as you approach the opposing team. You know that you can only take 2 or 3 bullets before dieing so you focus your hands and eyes for the coming battle. The first enemy comes into view. All hell breaks loose as you attempt to be the first one to pull the trigger while both allies and enemies try to do the same. During these moments, nothing else matters but the game. You try to aim for the head and hope that you do not run out of bullets. You glance at the radar to see how the rest of your team is doing while pushing forward or falling back accordingly. In an instant, it can be over and you could be dead wondering how your opponent managed to outshoot you. At this point, all tension washes out of your body as you watch the rest of the round unfold and soon you will find yourself starting the cycle again.

Assignment 2: Puzzle Pirates

Mon, 05 Sep 2005 18:30:23 -0800

For this weeks assignment, I chose to play Puzzle Pirates. As far as social metaphor's go, it felt like playing on a professional sports team where you were always free to choose to play a different position or on a different team . Just like in real life, you were paid to play a position on the team. The better you performed in your position (as part of a crew), the more money you were paid. The better your team as a whole played, the more money everyone would earn.

Assignment 1

Mon, 05 Sep 2005 17:06:39 -0800

Monopoly: When we played Monopoly, it was a frantic and fast paced game due to the time constraints. Until most of the properties on the board were purchased, the social dynamic was simple. You rolled the dice and then decided whether you bought the property or not. If you took too long doing either, people would inquire politely ("PASS THE DICE!!!"). After enough of the properties were purchased, vigorous and liberal trading began. If someone had a property you needed for a monopoly, a hasty trade was set up giving both players a monopoly. Little time was available for banter and socializing because of the 20 minute constraint in class.
Normally, Monopolly is a game with a leisurely pace. Players take their time rolling the dice, buying property and trading. Since there is time to consider and offer trades, complex alliances can be formed as well.