Host Jack Russell Weinstein visits with Frank Lantz, the director of the New York University Game Center. They discuss the philosophy behind board games, the distinction between physical and digital games, the role of philosophy in game design, the concept of open and closed problems in gaming, the influence of pre-existing relationships with games, and the importance of games as a separate world.
Games should be approached with the same depth and understanding as music, film, and literature.
Developing a critical literacy of games enables conscious choices in the types of gaming experiences desired.
Games offer a stylized and engaging context for exploring instrumental reason and the complexities of human decision-making.
Deep dives
Games as Cultural Art Forms
Games are an often overlooked art form that deserve serious consideration. Similar to music, games encompass a broad spectrum of experiences and emotions. They can range from complex and refined to simple and casual. Just as we analyze and appreciate music, film, and literature, we should approach games with the same depth and understanding. Games offer unique insights into human reasoning and provide a rich medium for cultural expression.
The Importance of Critical Literacy in Gaming
When engaging with games, it is crucial to develop a critical literacy and understanding of the different approaches and experiences they offer. Games can manipulate players' emotions and create compelling narratives, but they can also present transparent systems that allow for exploration and understanding. Recognizing the various ways in which games can operate and affect us enables us to make conscious choices about the types of gaming experiences we want and appreciate.
The Role of Rules and Agency in Games
Games provide a unique medium for individuals to encounter their own agency and exercise their reasoning abilities. By presenting a simplified and rule-based world, games allow players to make decisions, pursue goals, and understand the consequences of their actions. Whether playing a physical game like tennis or immersing oneself in a virtual universe like World of Warcraft, games offer a stylized and engaging context for exploring instrumental reason and the complexities of human decision-making.
The Importance of Systems in Games
Games are a form of art that revolves around systems and rules. They create a stylized and ritualized version of the world, allowing players to immerse themselves in a system and experience its behavior. Games, such as Hungry Hungry Hippos and World of Warcraft, are examples of how games occupy the sweet spot between predictability and unpredictability. They provide players with a partially predictable model of the system, encouraging them to constantly update their predictions and engage with the chaotic and surprising nature of the game.
Games as the Defining Art Form of the 21st Century
Games, especially video games, have the potential to be the defining art form of the 21st century. With their close relationship to computers and software, games offer unique insights into understanding and interacting with complex systems. They allow players to enter into and explore systems, providing them with a deeper understanding of themselves, the world, and the relationships between systems. Games go beyond mere simulation and offer a space for meaningful experiences, where players can move between being fully engrossed in the game and pulling back to reflect and gain perspective on the system.
Host Jack Russell Weinstein visits with Frank Lantz, the director of the New York University Game Center. For over 12 years, Lantz taught game design at NYU's Interactive Telecommunications Program. "His writings on games, technology, and culture have appeared in a variety of publications. In 2012, The New York Times referred to Lantz as a "reigning genius of the mysteries of games" following his design of iPhone puzzle game Drop7." (Wikipedia)
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