[game_edu] Essential Games (was Re: Games in the Library)

[Steve Graham]

Thanks for the feedback, Ian. All good advice and useful for setting up 
such a library.

My interest is different, though. I'm trying to gather input on specific 
games that people believe are "essential playing" for game 
designers/developers. I realize that for different roles one might view 
different games as essential -- that's fine, I'll take recommendations 
for "essential" with or without qualification! I'll even take categories 
of games rather than specific games (for instance, i can imagine someone 
saying "poker" is essential, or maybe "an rpg" as opposed to say "texas 
hold-em" or "Dungeons & Dragons".)

"Essential" is open to individual interpretation as well, but I'm not 
thinking "first", "best", "most popular", or even "most influential". 
Instead, I'm after what games people see as having the most value to 
aspiring game designers/developers, perhaps because of the 
accessibility, importance or clarity of some aspect of game 
design/development which can be seen in the game.

Oh -- and I'm happy with any sort of reply -- a single game is fine (as 
are multiple replies) -- anything you happen to think of, when and as 
convenient. I don't need someone's list of THE games they consider 
essential -- that could be a lot of work! Instead, just whatever games 
come to mind.

Many thanks for any and all recommendations! And, again, feel free to 
email me (skg at dsu.edu) if you'd like and I can aggregate responses to 
the list.

cheers,
skg



On 3/11/2012 2:46 PM, Ian Schreiber wrote:

> Depends on the nature of your program and purpose of the game library.

>

> For example, if you have a game design degree that has students 

> dealing with lots of board games and 2d games, you'll want to have 

> your library stocked with games of those types. If you've got a 3d 

> art/animation degree, then current-gen console and PC games may be the 

> primary focus. If you do a lot of historical game studies, spring for 

> some vintage consoles and games, maybe even some from other areas of 

> the world that never made it to your home country. If the goal is just 

> to have a fun space for students to play (and maybe use that as 

> another bullet point in your brochures to attract new undergrads) then 

> you might be better off with a smaller number of critically-acclaimed 

> games and higher-end flashy hardware to play them on. And so on.

>

> At the very least, start with any games that are "required playing" 

> for any of your courses. Ideally, any game you plan on discussing or 

> examining in any course in the entire curriculum should be in there.

>

> Also note that you should be able to add to the library over time, so 

> I think instead of trying to come up with a comprehensive list of 

> "must have" games, better to concentrate on getting the infrastructure 

> set up: ability to house games, allow checkouts, replace anything that 

> gets damaged/lost/broken/stolen, and have a mechanism for adding new 

> games later. Then, if you discover a game that should be in there, you 

> can add it whenever. (I've even toyed with the idea of charging a "lab 

> fee" for classes that use the game section of the library, and using 

> that fee to purchase new games on a regular basis. Science and 

> engineering classes with lab do this already at many schools. Think of 

> how fast you can build a decent library if you get $25 per student per 

> course in your game program...)

>

> - Ian

>

> ------------------------------------------------------------------------

> *From:* Steve Graham <skudge at gmail.com>

> *To:* IGDA Game Education Listserv <game_edu at igda.org>

> *Sent:* Friday, March 9, 2012 12:41 PM

> *Subject:* Re: [game_edu] Games in the Library

>

> Actually, this raises a question I'd like some (lots!) of feedback on:

>

> What games are *essential* for the library?

>

> Take that however you will, but please let me know what you think! If 

> you don't want to respond publicly or clutter the list with too many 

> responses, email me directly (skg at dsu.edu <mailto:skg at dsu.edu>). I'll 

> aggregate and post any responses I get that don't go directly to the list.

>

> Cheers!

> skg

>

>

> On 3/9/2012 9:05 AM, Jose P. Zagal wrote:

> > ...

> >

> >

> > Obviously, YMMV w/r to which games you think are good/bad, but it's 

> definitely a lot more than only FPS games.

> >

>

> -- steve graham

> associate professor

> computer game design

> dakota state university

> skg at dsu.edu <mailto:skg at dsu.edu>

> 605-480-6603

>

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-- 
steve graham
associate professor
computer game design
dakota state university
skg at dsu.edu
605-480-6603

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