Thursday, February 28, 2008

Video Reflection For Week 7: Interactive Media

Behold as my avatar types on a virtual computer and plays video games inside a video game!



LINKS MENTIONED IN VIDEO

Avril Lavigne "Sk8r Boi" machinima.

Digital storytelling machinima of a Japanese folk tale.

Article about need for game criticism.

An Escapist Magazine feature on "What if everyone could make video games?"


LINKS NOT MENTIONED IN VIDEO:

Example of a machinima webcomic, "Concerned", parodying the game "Half-Life 2". You can find humor anywhere, including in a post-apocalyptic future where humans are enslaved to cruel alien overlords.

Example of a column by The Aberrant Gamer, this time about a character in the Objectivist dystopia featured in the game "Bioshock".

(I like The Aberrant Gamer because she focuses on unconventional games and always has something interesting to say about game design, narrative, and the choices players make in gameplay. I really admire the fact that she takes a hobby she loves so seriously and talks about games and game culture in a way that is meaningful. Even if I haven't played more than half the games she writes about, she does it in a compelling manner that makes me feel like I have.)

Last of all, a direct link to an mp3 of a mashup combining Nirvana's "Smells Like Teen Spirit" with Eric Clapton's "Layla".

2 comments:

Mrs. Stec said...

Thanks for posting this Klara. I have a much better idea of what machinima and mashups are as a result of your posting.

Your point about how expensive machinima extensions can be was interesting. We have seen how advertisers have targeted teens because they are able to get money when they want. I imagine teens are buying the extensions you mentioned. Do you have any idea of how much these cost?

Buying accessories and events for avitars is another example of the commercial side of gaming. Based on my very limited knowledge in this area, I see how enjoyable and addictive this hobby could become.

Also, I agree with your statement that Avril Lavigne's song is enhanced by the video. It adds more of a story to the lyrics of the song, just as illustrations in a book add more to the author's words. That was fun to watch!

Klara Kim said...

I don't know about other games, but for The Sims 2 they're around $30 or $35 each when full price. A young person interested in machinima would have to designate a fairy hefty chunk of their allowance towards video games if they want ALL the content. Or get an after school job :)

I'm glad you liked the Avril Lavigne video, whoever made that is amazing. The machinima one is so good that it's more popular than the real music video on YouTube!