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The Magic Circle and The Primary Schemas

The Magic Circle and The Primary Schemas. Assigned readings: Chapters 9 and 10 (Rules of Play Book). Dr. H é ctor Mu ñ oz-Avila. Boundaries of a Game. When does a game begin and end? Games create their own time and space You are “glued” into the playing experience; time “flies”

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The Magic Circle and The Primary Schemas

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  1. The Magic Circle andThe Primary Schemas • Assigned readings: • Chapters 9 and 10 (Rules of Play Book) Dr. Héctor Muñoz-Avila

  2. Boundaries of a Game • When does a game begin and end? • Games create their own time and space • You are “glued” into the playing experience; time “flies” • Is it clear when games begin and end? • And for Digital games? • Magic circle: frame of game; Separates (connects) “reality” of game and “real life” • Games create their own time and space • Not only RTS games where time is an explicit concept in the game

  3. Boundaries • Boundaries of play versus game (non-digital) • What is the difference? • Same question but now for digital media. Games have formal rules!

  4. Why “Magic” • Chess can be seen as a: • Decoration in a living room • Gaming experience • Pieces arrangement • In a game, objects and behaviors are well defined • Within the magic circle, rules have authority • We learn this since childhood

  5. Open and Closed Systems • Games as open and closed systems • Dimensions of system: • Formal • Experiential • Cultural levels • Games as: • rules • play: example of both open and closed? • culture

  6. Lusory Attitude • Captures what the magic circle represents for the player • Long monopoly game • Willingness to accept unnecessary obstacles: • In “real world” is an irrational thing to do • In games is necessary to do • Examples? • Lusory atitude implies not just accepting the rules • But playing the game is an end by itself

  7. A Conceptual Framework for Games • Possible classification: by type (RPG, RTS,…) • Do you see any problems with this? • Instead we are going to use schemas • Schemas act as reduced descriptions of aspects of an object or event • Primary Schemas: • Rules (formal) • Play (experiential) • Culture (context)

  8. Material • Motivation • Outcome • … Rules: Formal Schemas • Rules are a key characteristic of games • Rules are formal schemas • They constitute the inner organization of games • Discussion: Chess • Differences between two games of Chess • Commonalities?

  9. Social • Narrative • Pride • … Play: Experiential Schema • We consider the relation rules-system • Delivers a particular experience of Play • What kinds of experiences? • In play experiences are made explicit

  10. Cultural: Contextual Schema • Shared systems of value and meaning • Effects of culture in games • Example? • How games affect culture • Example? • Military pyramid reflected in game • Chess is part of our culture

  11. Guidelines for Test on Tuesday • Covers all of Unit 1 (Preface and Chapters 1 to 10) • Closed book, no notes and no calculator! • Questions will ascertain your understanding of the concepts covered (in class or book) so far • Most concepts have a straightforward interpretation which I expect you to know • For some situations our interpretations might be different (mine versus yours) • As long as you can sustained those interpretations in your write-up based on the concept descriptions, you are ok • Be as clear as possible; demonstrate these concepts

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