Strategies...Strategies...

From my choices of game to review, I learned that not all games of a genre are equal. Some are good and some are bad and most are right in the middle. Most importantly I want to create a game that is interesting and informative, which Ayiti did. Survival wasn't so good at doing that. I'd like to learn how to make pop ups and buttons. I liked the animations on both games, and it'd be great to learn how to draw as well as these games have been drawn. I have to figure out why one game worked while another didn't. I think a lot of it is personal taste. I don't like science but I love learning about history and culture, therefore I was predisposed to like Ayiti more. I know then that my game can't please everyone, but how can I make it as interesting as possible to as many people as possible?

Pop Goes The Weasel

So, all last week we got to make our own mini game. It was a really interesting project. It also proved to be kind of difficult, because Flash code is a LOT harder to memorize than HTML. I think in the end the result is also a lot more rewarding though. The best part was really just watching what you created from simple words and commands turn into an actual interactive game. I am not an artist by any stretch of the imagination, so drawing has been quite an interesting task. I really like how the drawing tools are set up, but I'm still not great at using them. I'm hoping there will be some tablets available to use. My mini game was basically Pop Goes The Weasel. The weasel is trying to get the penny, while the monkey is chasing him. Meanwhile, the Jack In The Box is moseying along trying to stop the weasel, too. Every time the monkey or Jack hits the weasel, the score goes down by one, and every time the weasel gets the penny, the score goes up by one. I think it was a pretty good start, but I'm hoping to get a lot better. That's all for now.

I commented on Austin's blog.

Flash Mob!

We just started using Flash. I have to say, I really like it so far. I had a mini-freak out when I made an oval move across the screen, which to most people doesn't seem like a big deal, but hey, you have to start somewhere. I really like how when you code with Flash, it highlights it in a different color to let you know you've entered the code correctly. Actionscript is a little intimidating only because it's like learning another new "language." However, I didn't have trouble with HTML so I'm hoping this goes the same. I love how when you draw with Flash it makes the lines "softer," and rounder which is great since I'm not good at drawing on computers. Now that we're in the swing of things, I hope we move at a pretty fast pace. That's all for now.

I commented on:
Micah

"You Mean Not Everyone That Goes To GeeDub Is A Jerk?!"

We watched a video about the dangers of a single story. I think it really did make me look at the way I judge people. Everyone does it, but we don't even consciously think about it most of the time.

Questions:

1) What does it mean to have a 'single story' about a place or community?

It means to only look at something from one point of view, without hearing all sides of a view, argument, belief, or society, etc.

2) Describe a single story you have heard told about your community. What is missing from that story? How could people learn more about that community?

I can't tell you how many times I've been talking to someone and they ask what school I go to. This is pretty basic, normal info. However, when I say I go to GW, I sometimes get a weird look and an "Oh! Really?" as if they are shocked beyond belief that I'm not some super rich jerk with a ten story house. What a few people who go to other schools don't get is that GW is just like any other high school. We have people from all kinds of cliques and social classes. I think the difference is that they mostly leave each other alone. If people just took the time to hang out with people who go to GeeDub they might understand it, but truly the only way to really "get" it is to go to school here.

4) How could a game let players experience many stories about a place or community? 

I think a game can be really informative and interesting, even as it educates. In order to be fair about this though, the creator has to be objective. If your making a game about politics, you can't put your own opinions in it. If you do, your only giving a single story and not being fair to all sides of a story. This is true no matter what the topic is. However, you have to be age-appropriate with it and make sure it's understandable - what you explain to a 3rd grader about a political leader is not the same as what you explain to a high school senior.

I read Austin's blog!