Gaming and the Internet: A Solution for the Future?

This is a very interesting subject, which I don't believe receives much attention.

In regards to the information age, I believe forum use can in actuality have a huge impact on society, if used correctly. While ideas can be shared in traditional forms, such as newspaper and through public interaction, young adults and children have the "internet age" as part of their everyday life. That said, it is pretty easy to identify that modern societies are headed in the technology-oriented direction. Keeping this in mind, one can only begin to imagine all of the possibilities that the internet can serve. One issue, however, is where it is currently. Presently, anything can be found on the internet, and no validation is necessary. While this freedom of speech is wonderful, it is nice to have some sort of accuracy behind reasoning. I think if a structured forum were to be set up, that illustrated individuals' ideas, then positive changes could come about. For example, instead of just posting random thoughts with little to no explanation, the forum could have guidelines for each post. I believe there are a lot of intelligent and creative ideas circulating within cyberspace, they just need to be brought to the forefront in an apparent manner.
As for game play, some games can help facilitate positive change. However, I don't believe current games do this very much, or at least not to the extent that I'm thinking. For example, if a game were to illustrate in detail certain problems, such as poverty and warfare from a victims point of view, I believe more people would recognize the issues as being realistic.

Q&A/Forum Thoughts

The three questions and answers that I cam up with are as follows:


1.) Do all teams/players have weapons?

A: "All troops are assumed to carry hand weapons."

2.) How does fighting work within Warhamme?

A: “Combat in WAR will be based around the concepts of normal Abilities, Morale Abilities and Tactics. Skills cost ability points, of which each character currently has a pool of 500, which regenerate quickly both in and out of combat.”

3.) What can wizards do when fighting?

A: "Wizards may cast spells when fighting in close combat."


In regards to the forum, I thought that it was well laid out and very easy to use. I've had much experience with forums for hobbies, so this wasn't too difficult. One feature which I always like for forums is to be able to edit your post, right on the main page. I like this because I often find that I may leave out details or having typos that I like to correct.

changes

I found that article on wow influencing the election in Iraq very interesting yet I am not surprised. We live in a very forward thinking world and with that comes how we communicate. If people are desperate to get news out or information they will use any means that is available. Why not hide a message in a game when that game goes around the world and it has access to millions of people who are not mandated. Personally I think that it is a very good way to send a message, who would think to look in a video game for a message able a presidential election that is held around the world? I think that online communication will defiantly change how the world government works. People will be more influenced by the media online and the computer is a huge channel of communication these days.

Future of Online Games?

The video i posted at the top of the page is mainly for laughs. It does however bring up some points we made in week one about the "reality" involved in on-line games and to what extent we consider them real. It also brings back our early discussion about the different layers of experience we can encounter and the attenuated experience we have of the world in general. This video shows yet a further remove from the experience we actually are looking for in the great satirical fashion only The Onion can deliver.

The article to read for tomorrow is pretty light stuff. I thought it was entertaining and so i decided to pass it on. As you guys should be working on your research projects i am keeping the workload light this week. I know you have a few days left before classes start and i also need to prep for my courses. Just be sure to drop in on the forum daily and make a contribution.

Here are the Top Ten ways Online Gaming Will Change the Future

If you need help with your research papers please let me know or go to The Owl at Purdue website. There are a lot of tools and information there for putting a research paper together.

Forum thoughts

This is the first time that i have ever done anything like this, i am completely new to the whole thing. I have enjoyed the last couple of weeks even though it has been a bit hard sometimes keeping up with the posts everyday when i have been working full days but when i learnt how to deal with it it wasnt so bad. I have enjoyed looking at how other people take on the different situations, i would have liked to of had open discussions about things, but i suppose the course isnt really based on that.

Forum Thougts

This has been my first online course so Ive had no previous knowledge of what I was supposed to do or even how to do it, after getting the hang of it, I have to say that I enjoyed reading all the different blogs from everyone on a daily basis, where in class you don't always get every one's take on the issue at hand. Ive also gotten a kick out of Mr.T's quotes of the day!!

Question / Answers

1.How can a player obtain a pet?
The Engineering profession allows players to create combat pets that they will be able to use in battle called "Guardians."
You can also Obtain a pet if you purchase a collectors edition for the Burning Crusade Expansion, or by going to the pet store @blizzard store.

2.How does a player learn a profession?
They can be trained from appropriate professional trainers that can be found in towns,cities and dungeons. Also a player can purchase new recipes and advance skill level. A player must meet certain prerequisites which include skill level in that profession and character level.

3.Is there a realm or zone just for player vs. player?
Wintergrasp is a zone fully dedicated to player vs. player.
http://wow.com