Game On! Developing a game for Library Instruction

Tammy Allgood, Computers in Libraries 2007

Game On! Game On! Developing a game for Library Developing a game for Library InstructionInstruction

Tammy AllgoodTammy AllgoodFletcher LibraryFletcher Library

Arizona State University Arizona State University at the West campusat the West campus

Tammy Allgood, Computers in Libraries 2007

Game Project Team

Project Sponsor: Bee Gallegos, Librarian, Lower Division Coordinator

Project Manager: Tammy Allgood – Digital Delivery and Design Librarian

Game Design Team:Karen Grondin, Library Specialist at ASU at the West campusAaron Rostad, Library Specialist at ASU at the West campusMarisa Duarte, Reference & Instruction Librarian at ASU at the West campus

Developer: Bob Wohl

Tammy Allgood, Computers in Libraries 2007

Why Games?

• Prevalence of video games, particularly among teenagers (2003 Gallop poll reported 69% of teenagers play video games each week)

• Evidence suggests games can enhance problem solving skills

Tammy Allgood, Computers in Libraries 2007

Learning Objectives

Introduce Lower Division students to:• Library as a physical and virtual place• Library Services• Types of resources• Basics of catalog• Differences between types of sources• Reading, understanding, and using citations to

retrieve information

Tammy Allgood, Computers in Libraries 2007

Board Game

• Introduced Fall 2005

• Began as prototype to computer game

• Good learning experience

Tammy Allgood, Computers in Libraries 2007

Tammy Allgood, Computers in Libraries 2007

You need to find articles and background information in order to make a presentation. Which resources are best to use?

a. Web sites you find using Googleb. Books and encyclopediasc. A combination of library resources including journal and newspaper articles and books

Answer: c. A combination of library resources including journal and newspaper articles and books

Your instructor placed some articles on reserve for your class to read. You can:

a. Access them online b. Go to the Circulation Desk to check them outc. Either A or B

Answer: c. Either A or B

Tammy Allgood, Computers in Libraries 2007

“Much better that just a lecture”

“It was fun! I didn’t fall asleep or anything”

“I like the game!! Does Milton Bradley make that one?”

Tammy Allgood, Computers in Libraries 2007

Board Game Comments

• “This was a great way to learn about the library!”

• “Thanks for the great time and the game (although I lost).”

• “The game was intense, a fun way to learn about my ASU West Library.”

• “The workshop was very informative and was also fun with the addition of the game. I feel like I know the library services and layout better.”

Tammy Allgood, Computers in Libraries 2007

Computer Game

• Development - Began Spring 2006• Group – 5 people• Skills - Web development, Flash development,

database design, lower division instruction expertise, extensive research in gaming as an educational tool

• Funding - Financial support from Library Dean, Marilyn Myers, to hire an outside programmer

• Platform - Flash

Tammy Allgood, Computers in Libraries 2007

Documentation

• Project (Business) Plan

• High Concept Document*

• Game Treatment Document*

• Game Script*

* From Andrew Rollings and Ernest Adams on Game Design

Tammy Allgood, Computers in Libraries 2007

High Concept Document

• Premise of the game• Intended audience• Genre• Unique selling points• Target platform• Overall storyline• Example

Tammy Allgood, Computers in Libraries 2007

Game Treatment Document• 10-20 pages• Game overview

– High Concept– Hooks– License– Game play highlights– Technology highlights– Art and Audio highlights– Hardware

• Production details– Budget– Schedule– Competition

• Game world– Back-story– Objective– Characters– Mission

Tammy Allgood, Computers in Libraries 2007

Game Script

• Everything from High Concept and Game Treatment Documents

• Game play outline or flowchart• Design details• Game text• Example:

http://www.designersnotebook.com/Wanna-be/ctaylordesign.zip

Tammy Allgood, Computers in Libraries 2007

Timeline Approximations

• Game play design, storyline decisions, documentation - Five months

• Design - Two months • Character interactions - One month• Information retrieval - Two weeks• Sound creation - Two weeks• Animations - Two weeks• Bug tracking and documentation – One month

Tammy Allgood, Computers in Libraries 2007

Hiring a Programmer• Finding Programmers

– Consulted with Game Design Instructor at the Art Institute International in Phoenix - possible student project?

– Posted on local Tech ListServ (http://www.aztechwork.org/)– Flash Game Programming Wiki

(http://fgpwiki.corewatch.net/)– Game creation web sites

• Hiring Programmers– Asked for portfolios from top three candidates– Chose candidate with the most edugaming experience– Top candidate was able to recommend game designer

Tammy Allgood, Computers in Libraries 2007

Deliverables

• Game logo• Game design (map, isometric tiles, building

interiors, characters, icons)• Game skeleton (character walking paths)• Character interactions• Information retrieval systems• Animations

Tammy Allgood, Computers in Libraries 2007

Tammy Allgood, Computers in Libraries 2007

Tammy Allgood, Computers in Libraries 2007

Tammy Allgood, Computers in Libraries 2007

Url to Version 1.0

• http://library.west.asu.edu/game/quarantined/login.cfm or

• http://tinyurl.com/34j4mo

• Username: Tammy

• Password: Allgood

(Good for one week)

Tammy Allgood, Computers in Libraries 2007

Version 1.1• Fix bug – people sometimes get stuck in the library with all the

sources• Moveable windows for backpack and lists• Clickable, selectable text for copy and paste• When full-text or call numbers are saved, the new entry needs to

replace the old citation in the pda• A list of things player needs on game screen. This needs to be

automatically checked off as player gets items – “Mission screen”• All hot spots need to be more apparent • Doorways need to be more evident – maybe get rid of door and

make the way more evident• Red exclamation point above main character needs to be bigger,

last longer and maybe be an arrow

Tammy Allgood, Computers in Libraries 2007

Student Comments - Online Game

• “It was ok”• “The game was kind of interesting because it was a good way to learn rather

than a long class. Also I wish that we had copy and paste.”• “I found this very helpful. Last semester in another course I had people from

the library come in and teach the class about this stuff. But I feel I learned more this time because of the step by step instructions and the game was fun and helpful as well.”

• “I did not get the point of the game. I did not learn anything from it. The instructor explaining everything was better. That is where I learned everything.”

• “I would have found the game more helpful if I knew what i was doing. But overall it was fun. I don't know if I learned anything but it was better then being sitting in class for 45 minutes while the librarians talk. The game needs some improving but it was fun.”

• “Over all the game was interesting. At some point it did get a bit confusing…”

Tammy Allgood, Computers in Libraries 2007

Words of Wisdom for Library Game Developers

• Do your research• Think about starting small• Don’t underestimate time needed for design• Keep the development group small• Project manager should have some understanding of game

development• Follow document requirements found in Rollings and Adams

on Game Design• Don’t underestimate time needed for design• Hire a professional programmer with a educational gaming

portfolio• Don’t underestimate time needed for design

Tammy Allgood, Computers in Libraries 2007

Tammy Allgood, Computers in Libraries 2007

Essential Sources• Games, Learning, and Society Conference. Madison, Wisconsin

• Branston, C. (2006). From game studies to bibliographic gaming:

Libraries tap into the video game culture. Bulletin of the American Society for Information Science & Technology, 32(4), 24-29.

• Makar, J., & Winiarczyk, B. (2004). Macromedia flash MX 2004 game design demystified. Berkeley, CA: Macromedia Press : Peachpit Press.

• Rollings, A., & Adams, E. (2003). Andrew Rollings and Ernest Adams on game design (1st ed. ed.). Indianapolis : New Riders.

• Fletcher Library Game Project Web Site: http://www.west.asu.edu/libcontrib/game/website/