Reading questions:
- how does mary flanagan’s definition of game differ from chris crawford’s as well as the definition crafted by katie salen and eric zimmerman?
- She focuses on the idea that games can be a work of art and a piece of constructive content. Games can be used tyo learn something instead of just playing a game.
- what is an activist game?
- Games that are used to express social or other ethical issues, not just to play a game. There is more benefit to learning the purpose and reasoning of the game rather then just playing.
- go and chess are examples of games that feature “perfect information”, what other games share that feature?
- Uno, Candyland, and Monopoly would count, as all of their info is always available and on the game board.
- why might chance or gambling games hold spiritual or religious importance to ancient cultures?
- Life is also a gamble,so having games be a part of that is still a fact of life, or it could be used as a way to express risk and danger without the same issues.
- when was the earliest battle between government/ religious groups and games? What modern games can you think of that have been banned or demonized?
- I know Cards Against Humanity has had some issues, but really any game thats considered too vulgar or graphic can get banned
- what is a fox game, and what would be a modern example?
- Games that have unequal opponents, D&D can count as this, as one player always has the answers and the other doesnt
- what was the purpose or intent of the game: Mansion of Happiness?
- To encourage people to have these good ideas and dewsries in their hearts, which would encourage them to move on both in life and in the game
- Why do artists from the Fluxus and Surealist movements play games? Why did Surealists believe games might help everyone?
- They feel that games can help people open their eyes to new ideas and opportunities
- Changes in what can signal profound changes in games? How were pinball games reskinned during WW2?
- Changes in life, war, and anything that affects the world can change how games work. Pinball games were made to look like you were shooting and attacking the enemy, with racist images and slurs on it that reflected the US’s opinion during the war
- What statements did Fluxus artists make by reskinning games like monopoly and ping pong?
- They commented that world issues can be “played” and made aware of by the people using these games.
- How are artists like Lilian Ball, Marcel Duchamp, Takako Saito, Yoko Ono, Gabriel Orozco and Ruth Catlowusing war games?
- They make art that challenges and critiques current events, making their art feel war-like
- Why is it important for players to have agency in a critical or serious game?
- Then they can undsertand the game and its purpose, to see how these things are affecting others and how to fix it