Dear followers,
my apologies that I have not updated this blog in a long time, but I did not have access to Internet this past week.
I am still working on the first part of my thesis, which is about video games. I already mentioned that I was researching the different video game genres (see previous post), but I am also investigating other criteria to divide video games into different categories, such as: audience, purpose, visuals, platforms, complexity...
You could ask why it is so important to explain all these different classifications and the answer is simple: because most teachers have never heard about them. They do not play video games and have no clue about all the different types that exist.
One of the main reasons why I am writing my thesis is to provide more information to teachers about video games and how they can contribute to (culture) education. I can't immediately start explaining the various advantages and uses of video games in education, without first thoroughly explaining the phenomenon "video games".
This explanation is taking more time as expected, but it is very interesting material to investigate.
One of the following weeks, I will have an appointment with my mentor to discuss my progress. After this appointment I will have a clearer view on the expectations that my mentor has and I will be able to work more frequently on my thesis (which will result in more updates here).
Kind regards Cools Jeroen
Sunday 18 September 2011
Monday 5 September 2011
Working on my thesis: update 1.
Hello to anyone who is interested,
I am currently working on the first part of my thesis. It will be focussed on "video games" (not yet on culture or education) and some of the topics I am currently researching are: what exactly is a video game? ; what types of games exist? ; a short history of the medium video games ; the impact of games on our current society ; ...
This part is already taking a lot of time to complete. Especially defining exactly what a video game is has more elements / challenges to it than I originally thought.
Today I researched "video game genres". I found out that there is a lot of vague, confusing and dynamic terminology about this subject. After some investigation I found a very useful classification system, devised by the editors of escapistmagazine.com: the Escapist's Genre Wheel (*) .
It is very useful to classify existing and future games and video game genres.
The classification system is based on two axes: action - strategy and exploration - conflict. These are the core gameplay elements of every game or genre. To find out more about this system you can visit the creators' website (link at the bottom).
This system has helped me a lot because it offers a definite classification of existing games and genres. If I use a term during my these that involves video game genres, every reader will know what I am talking about. The arbitrary labels and terms that are so widespread, will not be a problem in my thesis.
If you have any recommendations for the other subjects, you can always leave a comment. Thank you!
My apologies for the slow updates, but I am currently very busy. I will try to update more often in the future.
Kind regards,
Cools Jeroen
(*): http://www.escapistmagazine.com/articles/view/issues/issue_283/8400-Introducing-The-Escapist-s-Genre-Wheel
I am currently working on the first part of my thesis. It will be focussed on "video games" (not yet on culture or education) and some of the topics I am currently researching are: what exactly is a video game? ; what types of games exist? ; a short history of the medium video games ; the impact of games on our current society ; ...
This part is already taking a lot of time to complete. Especially defining exactly what a video game is has more elements / challenges to it than I originally thought.
Today I researched "video game genres". I found out that there is a lot of vague, confusing and dynamic terminology about this subject. After some investigation I found a very useful classification system, devised by the editors of escapistmagazine.com: the Escapist's Genre Wheel (*) .
It is very useful to classify existing and future games and video game genres.
The classification system is based on two axes: action - strategy and exploration - conflict. These are the core gameplay elements of every game or genre. To find out more about this system you can visit the creators' website (link at the bottom).
This system has helped me a lot because it offers a definite classification of existing games and genres. If I use a term during my these that involves video game genres, every reader will know what I am talking about. The arbitrary labels and terms that are so widespread, will not be a problem in my thesis.
If you have any recommendations for the other subjects, you can always leave a comment. Thank you!
My apologies for the slow updates, but I am currently very busy. I will try to update more often in the future.
Kind regards,
Cools Jeroen
(*): http://www.escapistmagazine.com/articles/view/issues/issue_283/8400-Introducing-The-Escapist-s-Genre-Wheel
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