Adventures at the Game Developers Conference
I arrived at the GDC to find I'd already established quite a presence as the 50 foot giant red-haired avatar head at the bottom of the escalator in the North Building at the Moscone Center. It was a bit of a surprise to find myself there, and more will be said about that at another time; for now, I want to mention the important stuff.
This was a wonderful opportunity to meet some of the most interesting and brilliant folks involved in all aspects of the gaming/VR industry as well as intriguing and innovative people searching for career and networking opportunities. I must have spoken with close to 100 people a day while we were present, however this seems insignificant when I consider the thousands and thousands of people I saw bustling around in every direction. I value each person I met and yet regret I didn't meet more. I've gotta start sorting and categorizing these business cards quickly!
As a therapist one of my particular fascinations lies in further defining healthy game play and I can say I had the most fun sitting in the round table discussion on two occasions with Dimitri Williams discussing "game addiction." Since I seem to writing a book on that topic with Neils Clark (I'm honored Neils), this was of particular interest - and I'll write more once I'm home and out of our charming-but-too-small hotel room. Perhaps one of the most important things I heard from several game development sources was how seriously the big companies are taking the issue of potential governmental regulations to restrict excessive game play (China was mentioned on several occasions) and are now taking steps to make subtle alterations in game structure so that players can accomplish something productive while playing with less of a time sink. It would be nice to think that this is motivated by concern for the psychological, physical, and familial health of their player base. That would be really, really nice wouldn't it?
There's a lot I'm curious about, and a lot of people I'll be following up with regarding issues I heard discussed.
4 comments:
I may be way off base here, and I’m only responding to part of the story, as I haven’t heard everything that has transpired.
It’s hard for me to believe that there could ever be regulated game play. Take your hardcore gamer and tell him/her that they can only play for a certain amount of time now due to new regulations. They are going to find hacks and other ways around the system. Also the industry would loose a lot of money; the customer is not going to pay the same amount for say half the amount of time to play. There are so many variables and factors to consider. I honestly feel too that the excessive gamer enjoys the actual time sink as well. It really won’t matter if they make tasks any quicker, they will still find and do other things. That’s why some are gaming in the first place is to escape reality and the longer they can stay away from reality the happier they think they are. I don’t really feel that there is much you can do for the hardcore gamer as far as the new regulations. On the other hand, healthy game play could start at a relatively young age as to not become excessive.
I look forward to hearing more about the convention and the 50’ you!
I think you've had some close personal experience with someone who cannot self-monitor in any way. Some people simply can't play games in a "normal" way, and if they don't stop gaming their lives remain out-of-control.
You're right. There is no outside force that can successfully control an adult who will not control him/herself.
Thanks for writing.
i saw a video interview that took place at GDC. it was quite intresting.
orignaly i was on youtube glancing around at some videos like this
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jQyjAF_vqso&eurl=http%3A%2F%2Fds%2Eqj%2Enet%2F
yah in your interview it kind of focused a bit on online relationships. and all i can say about that is you get less decept from a online mmo then you do from a social site. like say myspace.com .
anyways i am a gaming adict of a non online kind of game. but "bemani" basicly dancing music games. its to the point where buying arcade style controllers isnt enough. but i end up spending all the cash on hand on ddr anytime i am neer a machene. i stoped listening to amarican music and only listen to music from the game. or from similer types of music. but its not all that bad i mean i still have a job and socialize. and i maybe 25 and have verry little dating experence. but i am doing my best to try and find love. anyways i am not the sort to hit on online girls on mmos. and i did learn a lession to ask for a girls age. kind of a mix up with a 12 year old online once that lied about her age and when i went to pick her up for our "date" i drove her directly home and talked to her dad... *sigh* havent had the guy pretending to be a girl yet. but the internet is a diffrent place then irl.
anyways if you want to chat or somthing sometime feel free
No Name Trowa Barton
myspace.com/nntb
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