Lost to the Ages: Looking back on the game "Myst" on its 20th anniversary

Use textual evidence ("they say") to answer the following questions:

• Which TV series is Myst compared to? How is it that Myst "irrevocably changed its medium?"
• Which other games dominated the adventure game genre in the 1990s? How did Myst compare?
• What is "the most important mark [Myst] made?" Why does the author claim that "without Myst, there's no Grand Theft Auto V or Assassin's Creed?"
• How did the creators respond to the questions about demographics? For whom did the Millers create Myst?
• Can the medium (video games) support stories and characters in the same way that a film or novel does?
• Why have multi-player shooters like Halo and Half-Life become "king?"
• What is the role of "truth" in art? Why are open-world games so popular today?

Bonus question: Which game overtook Myst as the number one selling game of all time? 

As far as length goes, I'm just looking to see that you've been thoughtful with your answers, have answered them with integrity, and have used evidence from the text to answer.

Happy thinking!

Are Video Games Racist?

Are Games Racist?

This is a link to the online article analyzing racial diversity in modern video games.

It's an interesting watch.

How Have Videogames Changed Over Time?

LT: I can determine two or more central ideas of the text.
LT: I can identify important innovators in the videogame genre.

Read this article online. Videos are attached, you you will need headphones.

The 25 Greatest Breakthroughs in Videogame History

Directions: Identify two one important innovators or innovations that have changed/altered/advanced the videogame genre. Print out at least three valid sources, read, and annotate (use your palate).

Write a short researched-based informational piece that answers the following questions:

• Who?
• What?
• When?
• Where?
• Why?
• How?

Begin your piece of writing with something like

_______________________ was an innovation/innovator that/who advanced the video game genre by doing _____________________.

Zork Continued

Monday!

LT: I can explain Zork's contribution to the genre of video gaming.
LT: I can identify three elements of a video game critique.
_________________________________________________________________________________

Take out a pencil/pen/crayon and a piece of paper OR use a Microsoft Word OR Goodledoc.

Read the article Text Adventure: Zork Creators Honored with Pioneer Award.

Do a bit of your own research. What is the vision/mission of Wired magazine?
 
Using/citing textual evidence, explain who Lebling and Blank are. Why are they receiving an award? What contribution have they made to the video game genre? How was their work "groundbreaking?"

_________________________________________________________________________________

Read this player's review of Zork. Citing textual evidence, identify at least three elements of a video game review/critique. What did you like about this review? What confused you? What do you have questions about?  

For example:

In Flashman85's review of Zork 1, he discusses three specific aspects of the game: graphics, text interface, and inventory. In paragraph two, Flashman85 discusses the absence of graphics and how this may be "bothersome" to some viewers. Though he recognizes that some players "shouldn't be playing adventure games in the first place," he encourages the majority of players to engage with the elaborate description and to use imagination to enjoy the game.

*You can use my beginning as a scaffold, but don't forget to address the other two elements. 

Database of IF Games

Infocom Games (Text-Based)

What is Story? How do Videogames Work as Story?

LT: I can explain key elements of a story.
LT: I can define interactive narrative.
LT: I can compare and contrast print narrative and interactive fiction.

Welcome!

1. Your first visit should be to the People's Republic of Interactive Fiction website.  Here you will find a plethora of information about interactive fiction. Look to the left side of the screen and locate the link to "A Beginner's Guide to Interactive Fiction." In your journal (#1) jot down some notes that help you both define and discuss interactive fiction.

2. Game day! Let's play some interactive fiction. Zork is a text-based game with a rich storyline/narrative. It was written in the 1970s, but is still relevant as a critical thinking game. It provides you with little information and your task is to use your brains (not brawn) to maneuver through the world.

Several versions of Zork/Dungeon exist on the web. I like this one because we can save our games.


Visit: Zork

Type: login <username> <password>  *just type the letters and numbers, not the symbols

WRITE DOWN YOUR USERNAME AND PASSWORD

You will be able to save the game and login for next class.

 Have fun!