Repurposeable Digital Games at the J. Paul Getty Museum

Rebecca Edwards (Education Specialist)

Susan Edwards (Web Writer/Editor)@jolifanta

Business Goals Efficiency

Easy, Scalable + Extendable

Photo by arbyreed on Flickr

Platform game image http://www.freegameaccess.com/mechanic.htmStopwatch image: https://www.flickr.com/photos/purplemattfish/3020016417/Space invaders image: http://joeadonis.deviantart.com/art/Space-Invaders-24812188

What is a game mechanic?

Candyland image: http://www.greenphoenixcoaching.com/2013/08/07/life-lessons-from-candy-land/Tetris image: http://www.geeky-gadgets.com/tetris-curbs-addiction-23-03-2014/Darts image : Richard Matthews https://www.flickr.com/photos/richardofengland/6788829651/

Candyland image http://www.greenphoenixcoaching.com/2013/08/07/life-lessons-from-candy-land/Game of Life image http://rapgenius.com/Jay-rock-checkmate-lyrics#note-664745

What is a repurposeable game mechanic?

What is a repurposeable game mechanic?

Life image: http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51RnTjglA3L.jpg

What is a repurposeable game technology?

• Provides structure• Is modular• No coding or programming required• Has longevity

Repurposeable games at the Getty

GettyGames: Well-known, casual game mechanic

GettyGames: Education goal = close looking

GettyGames: Swap in new images to create new games

GettyGames: Modular, extendable, scalable technology

Content = XMLUser Interface = Flash

GettyGames Repurposed: Los Angeles Zoo

Cons• Editing and creating requires some

technical skill. (There is no content management layer.)

• Programmed using Flash—now virtually obsolete

GettyGames: Summary

Pros• Repurpose well-known games with

Getty-specific content.• It’s scalable

Images: http://www.bubblews.com/news/443636-pros-and-cons-of-changing-to-a-custom-rom

Switch: Two game mechanics

Scavenger hunt + find the differences

Switch Repurpose Content: Swap in images and text

Switch Repurpose Technology: Templates with CMS

Detail Detective

Switch: Examples of future repurposed concepts

Switch

Switch: Summary

Cons• Fixed, linear pathway through

game—not easy to allow branching (but we found this was not ideal anyway)

Pros • Easy to edit game—swap in images

and text via a CMS

• Structure provides guide/model for educators in creating new games

• Builds on prior testing/game experience• Easy to build more games• Easy to add new content• Efficient use of staff time and financial

resources

Conclusions: Benefits of repurposeable digital games

• With different “skins” (e.g. narratives), each game can feel unique feel to the user

• Limits possible variety of game mechanics• Subject matter needs to be addressed within

the confines of the game

Conclusions: Limitations of repurposeable digital games

Conclusions: Some things you can’t repurpose

• Narrative development• Research/familiarity with subject

matter• Image production• Coordination with artwork moves• Testing• Possibly, design

Game development still requires:

Rebecca Edwardsredwards@getty.edu

Susan Edwards sedwards@getty.edu@jolifanta

Thank you.