My video essay Circuits will be visiting State of Play, a conference on the academic study of computer games at Northumbria University on 28 and 29 January 2004.

and

ScreenPlay Weekend 2004 Play With Your Mind

February 28-29, 2004, at Broadway Cinema, Nottingham, UK

In the paper "Conditions of Engagement in Game Simulations: Contexts of Gender, Culture and Age" by Noble/Ruiz/Destefano/Mintz (to be found in the conference proceedings from Level Up 2003), the authors refer to an experiment where scientists ("Noble & Noble") have examined "interactions among males and females that focused on the outcomes of confrontations over popular toys in a preschool classrom". The following passage is worth citing, in the name of science:

"While most confrontations were of the straightforward grab and run variety, a significant number speak directly to a possible difference in the social realities of males and females. On occasion the children would resort to verbal threats. Males would threaten to beat up the target, and possibly recruit their friends to beat them up too. Females would threaten other females that they would not be their friend any more and would recruit their friends to do likewise."

Sorry, in the previous posting the link to the actual article in The Baltimore Sun fell out - and also now after two weeks the full text costs 3 dollars....

Slashdot games points to this article, which gives some quite useful information about a modern version of the play/war symbiosis. I particularly like this sober, matter-of fact style piece of information given on the webpages of Breakaway (a company that makes games as well as training simulators for various users, especially the military):

"BreakAway’s latest visualization tool generates accurate, synthetic urban environments within 24 hours using satellite data. The resulting terrain can then be used to create tactical simulations for en route training that can be played on a consumer off the shelf (COTS) XBOX™ console. This technology allows for cost effective tactical planning and terrain familiarization, of any location, when relevant satellite data is available." 

This is nothing less than absolutely marvellous. Imagine playing around in virtual versions of any location on the planet - on 24-hour delivery! All the fun we could have. I even have the hardware required. Only problem is I have limited access to 'relevant satellite data'. Anyone who could help me out? Henry Kissinger?

Hey - this seems like a good idea. The Dovey household reports disastrous purchase of X Box counterstrike - too boring for me even to bother to learn -run run bang bang - hardly an advert for the triumph of modding - moreover this version only lets you multi play with system link not on one console - Boo to Bill. On the other hand the fiendishlu complex Stat Wars Kinights of the Republic continues to get a lot of play by the 15 yr old in my life and Conflict Desert Storm still works for Ella (9) and me as we battle our way SAS style through the desert. Having domne lots of work with the company that makes it I can really appreciate the simplicity of the interface. Will soon be starting work editing transcripts of production study with Pivotal Games. Just about to sit down and make notes on Kline et al's 'Digital Play' which is the best book on games/culture/political economy. Starting to plan chapter on games industry and thinking distantly about chapter on genre. Have any of you read Morgenstern and Von Neumann's Theory of Games and Economic Behaviour ?

Played Super Mario Kart: Double Dash at my brother's. Jo loved it and is getting it for his birthday later this month. We've had to (just had to) buy three new joypads too to make the most of it. It's definitely the game for the next gameCUBE (it supports 8 players). Eyetoy a perfect party game... is that an invitation Helen? Mark: I haven't read Caillois' essay and have no idea what psychasthenia is! Happy new year!

Happy new year, everyone. i managed to get food poisoning on New Year's Eve, which curtailed celebrations somewhat, but this was an excuse to complete No-One Lives Forever... Also has anyone read Caillois' essay 'Mimicry and Legendary Psychasthenia'? i encountered a reference to it in Elizabeth Grosz's Architecture of the Outside, and it's deeply interesting in terms of psychoanalysis and space. presumably both Seth and Helen have seen this - what do you think about it? Enjoy what's left of the happy holidays, and pity me as i embark on some serious marking soon.

I sustained serious injury playing with my wonderful new Eyetoy!  The perfect party game!  Now mainly playing Ratchet & Clank 2.  (originally to be called 'Going Commando'!)  Hope you are all having a suitably playful time! Helen