Reposted on new blog at http://dynamitochondria.blogspot.com/2009/10/pervasive-games.html.
The topic of pervasive games caught my attention a few months ago when I picked up a copy of Pervasive Games: Theory and Design from the bookstore. I wasn't two chapters into the book before I had a bunch of game ideas, including one with a game design document that's practically writing itself. Needless to say, I recommend this book.
The authors have a blog called, logically enough, Pervasive Games: Theory and Design. Like many blogs, it's got a lot of "Real Life" mixed in with the topical posts, but I've really enjoyed reading it. While you're out, check this one. The "LA" in "PLAY" is more about play than games, but it's about getting out and playing in public, and there's plenty of gaming material in their archive. Fun with thought provoking moments.
I never really got into LARPing; my tabletop pen & paper gaming experiences are immersive enough for me, thanks. But I had a lot of fun playing Killer in college, especially in "covert" games where part of the goal is to remain unnoticed by anyone not playing the game. Today's ubiquitously connected mobile devices let us take that idea to whole new levels. Want to play a Western-themed game with shootouts and barroom brawls, except that you and your opponents are scattered through the restaurant quietly choosing your targets and blazing away via your smart phones? Me too. I successfully resisted buying an expensive mobile phone for years, contented with whatever came free with my contract, but now I've got my eye on a G1 and the Android SDK. Pray for my soul.
Thanks for the shout-out Dave! I had the time of my life playing Killer in college; our schemes to ferret out our victims got pretty elaborate. My barber was part of the game so I couldn't get a hair cut for a while. Suffice it to say, things got hairy.
ReplyDeleteLook forward to visiting your blog again in the future!