Interesting...

... check out this article on the psychology of searching. Do we unwittingly see Google through rose-colored glasses?

Hmmm.

Tapping Networks

Hey folks,

Let's consider this post the *official* place to add you thoughts on how your team can best leverage the power of social networks: computer, personal, mobile, whatever.

One post per team is all that's needed: just work your way through tonite's points (bullets will do just fine) and lay out some ideas of how these theories can be applied to your world-changing idea.

Good luck!

Social Networks Made Easy

In all a pretty decent overview by Christine Rosen - click here. And don't worry - it's not a long read.

Bad Execution of YOUR Idea?

"Hell no!" I hear you say... and yet it could happen. It really, really could.

Based on the five points raised in tonight's lecture, go through your team's idea. Think of how your idea might be badly executed and how you might possibly guard against that.

Please comment on this post with your reply.

The DEFINITIVE Book Post

Hey folks,

If you want some feedback (basic "up" or "down" on your book idea), post the book here as comment and indicate why you think it might be an appropriate fit for the course. Broad topics of interest would include:

• new media
• change management
• idea generation

It's ok if your book is a little, er, evangelical as long as its point is to make the reader *think* in a new way.

... so, yes, before you ask, anything by Karl Marx would be acceptable. ;-)

Class Breakdown

Class 01: Good Ideas Change the World

Kosmo, Napster, Hotmail, eBay, and the Silicon Alley Reporter

Class 02: Bad Execution of Good Ideas Can Also Change the World

GovWorks, Razorfish, TheGlobe, Suite101, and Pseudo

Class 03: The Medium is the Message

Viral marketing and social networks

Class 04: The Gift Economy

User-generation, collaboration and open-source

Class 05: Power from the People

Crowd-sourcing, crowd-hacking and bloggery

Class 06: Why Change the World?

Paying it back, paying it forward and being a mensch

Class 07: Open-house idea lab

Presentation and critique of student projects

Changing the World - Course Description

All too often, the operational requirements and production environments of digital media companies (and schools!) can put too much focus on quantifiable outcomes… especially for people new to the industry. While important as a guidepost, this tendency can sometimes make one forget the potential of digital media to do much more than sell vacuum cleaners online.

This course will take students outside of the production mentality for just a little bit and get them to focus their energy, intentions and ideas of the potential of interactive media to effect meaningful change. The course will cover two main areas of interest: significant movements within new media (like social networking) and the people who made them significant (and how they did so). Students may be surprised to learn that many of these truly groundbreaking innovations were brought to life by people who were not only their age, but had comparable skills.

But most importantly, these people had ideas and understood how digital design could bring them to life. The arc of the student’s experience in this course will be to conceive, define and develop an idea - executable through online techniques – that they believe could truly change the world.

Last Post

Hey folks,

It's been a very enjoyable course (at least from my p.o.v.) and I hope you all have a very good summer. Should you wish to contact me in the future, messages can be sent to matthewtoner (at) gmail dot com.

Very best.

A Last Minute Sound Resource

For those who have been having increasing difficultly finding sounds and music for their game from standard resources (library soundbanks etc.) here is another alternative for you.

Since the only limitation we've placed on 'borrowing' sound/music from existing games has been the actual reference and giving of credit to the original source--turning to existing games is therefore a viable option. SO...for those looking for an extra resource, here is game music archive for you to pillage for your last minute needs.

Zophar's Domain

Most 8-bit, 16-bit platforms are covered here--simply download a file, use the appropriate player/exporting tool and you can essentially export music and sound effects from the games of your choice to a usable wav or mp3 file. So if the theme to Battle Clash is ideal or the pellet-shooting sound from Mega Man X fits the bill...this is your opportunity to 'borrow' it for your purposes.

Of course it's ALWAYS better if you just created your own. ;) But hopefully a way to fill in those last minute audio gaps.

The Future of Downloadable Games

So next week, we'll be ending the term with a bang:

Jim Sink, the BizDev Manager for Backbone Vancouver, will be dropping by to talk about the future of downloadable games. He gave a similar talk at last year's Game Design Expo - here is the synopsis:

"Where we’ve been and where we’re headed: detailed analysis of current trends in downloadable content, different strategies for bringing downloadable games to the marketplace, and how Microsoft, Sony, and Nintendo’s contrasting strategies will change how we buy and sell games. "

Jim's bio is as follows:

"Jim is a game designer and the business development manager for Backbone Entertainment, the most prolific developer for Xbox Live Arcade. He is currently involved with a number of
unannounced Playstation 3 and Xbox 360 downloadable titles. His credits include the Xbox Live
Arcade games Contra, Frogger, Yie Ar Kung Fu and Rush ‘n Attack, as well as Sonic Rivals PSP."

Not to be missed - bring some good questions.