Week 4 Assignment #1

In gaming literacies there are a few important gaming elements that are essential for a literate game player such as: text, visual-graphic elements, audio elements, game goals, game rules, and scenario design.

1. What gaming elements provide users the learning content and how? (Refer to the journal article page 4).

•  Text: Through the text of the game the players are able to understand the rules, purpose, and function of the game. The players are able to identify the main idea of the game through the text. The text can be presented in a multitude of ways; one way can be through a dialog box. The dialog box my present the rules of the game, feedback, or narrate the story.

•  Visual-graphic elements: The player must learn to identify what the graphics and animation represents in the game. The players must also be able to identify one player’s perspective from another. Research has discovered that video gamers are able to processing visual search tasks with much ease.

• Audio elements: Audio elements allow the player to comprehend more information through listening and speaking. The players are able to interact, communicate, and hold conversations with other players.

2. What is the goal of the game?

Every game may vary, having a different set of goals in each game. However in order to achieve these goals the player must have the knowledge to solve a specific set of problems. These goals allow the player to acquire and retain knowledge they have learned from the game.

3. What are rules of playing this game?

The rules of playing a game and the goal of the game go hand in hand. In order to achieve the goal of the game the players must come up with different strategies that fit into the rules of the game. Players often learn the rules from the beginning of the game through some sort of tutorial.

 4. Does this game have any scenario design? (Refer to the journal article page 5.) If yes, is this a fabricated or embedded in curriculum-related content?

There are three types of gaming scenario designs: no embedded scenario, fabricated scenario design, and a scenario design embedded in curriculum-related content.

• No embedded scenarios such as puzzle games can allow players to strengthen their strategy abilities and reasoning abilities. 

• Fabricated scenario design games are flexible scenarios that the game designer has made up for the players. This scenario relates to players’ behavioral change, social networking, mental health, or self-concept.

• Scenario design embedded in curriculum-related content allows players to be familiar with the scenario design in order to excel and improve their performance. This type of game allows the player to study the scenario design and becomes more knowledgeable about that subject. I feel that games such as these are more successful and meaningful to students when they are learning about a specific subject. It not only motivates the students but also captures their interest in the subject matter. 

Draw4Play 4 (http://www.shockwave.com)

1. What gaming elements provide users the learning content and how? (Refer to the journal article page 4).

Text: The text simply explains the objective of the game. The player must college the keys in order to move onto the next level. The player can use tools such as a spray can to create lines to jump on to collect the key.

Visual-graphic elements: The visual-graphics show you the how the player moves throughout the game and easily displays what tools are needed to achieve the goal in order to move on to the next level.

Audio elements: The audio playing throughout the game is music to match the scene.

2. What is the goal of the game?

The player must college the keys in order to move onto the next level without falling.

3. What are rules of playing this game?

The player can use the tools above such as the spray can and eraser to help the character collect the keys and open the door without falling.

4. Does this game have any scenario design? (Refer to the journal article page 5.) If yes, is this a fabricated or embedded in curriculum-related content?

This game does have a scenario design, which is embedded in the curriculum-related content. Each scenario changes as the player moves onto the next level.