PUBLIC MARKS with tag terranova.blogs.com

Deadline for submission to the second annual Games, Learning & Society (GLS) Conference to be held June 15-16, 2006 in Madison, Wisconsin has been extended to March 3, 2006.

For the third time, Prix Ars Electronica, the foremost international prize for computer-based art, is starting its call for entries for "Digital Communities" projects. The category "Digital Communities" has been a great success in its 2004 and 2005 editions and is singling out for recognition projects of great sociopolitical relevance.

In the past week or so there has been much discussion (e.g. Slashdot) regarding Second Life's use of a corn field as a novel means of punishing misdemeanors.

"Out-of-world sales of gold and other virtual items have been going on since the early days of text-based "multi-user dungeons" and other online spaces, in the late 1970s."

There’s been an interesting backchannel discussion between several TN folks about the numbers of people in various online worlds. Or at least, the numbers publicly claimed and what they might mean.

"I was reflecting upon the differences between turn-based and real-time game worlds. In the summer we started this with "Is Love and War Turn-based?". From love to war the claim then was that the meaning to the pauses between turns was different than compared to, say, the moments in a Real-Time Strategy game, or to the half-hours in MMOG grinds. I too think the meaning of fear is different..."

Link para "emulador" do Oubliette

"Non-profit innovators, game designers and foundations will come together this week to advance the use of videogames for social good."

Python is a programming language often used to script games. Scripts are the bit of code where most game developers romp, it is the stuff separating the 'game engine' from the elves-in-tights that dance across your screen. Scripts make the elves dance and protect (somewhat) developers from the detail of the orcs-turning-creaking-cranks in the game engine.

Below I highlighted a few of the MMO/Online game related presentations at AOIR 6.0. Be forewarned that there are many more related papers. Peruse for yourself and feel free (and encouraged) to add and expand in comments.