Challenge Blog: Why You Should Visit Shepherdstown

Have you ever seen those perfect little quaint towns, like you see on the movies and tv? You know the ones that have those swanky little shops, that have the most unique stuff, and they always have that one coffee shop that everyone swears by?

Well, they actually exist. And they're as great as what they're made out to be. Welcome to Shepherdstown, WV. Nestled in the northeast panhandle of West Virginia on the Maryland border, Shepherdstown is exactly the picture of a perfect small town. This comfortable cozy little gem invites a flavor that is all its own. You'll fall in love with the delicious treats of the Shepherdstown Bakery where all kinds of baked goods and coffees are made fresh everyday. And you're never forget the eclectic Lost Dog, talk to Garth and he'll make you the best hot apple cider you've ever had, complete with cinnamon sticks and orange slices.  And on the corner, the Blue Moon Cafe serves the best little gourmet sandwiches with a European flair. And if that doesn't convince you that Shepherdstown is the place to visit, then you have to know that all the businesses depend on each other, and support local growing and farming. Pretty cool, eh? 

And going on right now, is Shepherdstown's annual BooFest, where local businesses participate and engage in everything Halloween. Stop by and check it out! It won't disappoint!

Writing Challenge Blog Voice and Style

Having just fought off the death jaws of a killer grizzly with only his hands and a rusty butter knife, Sampson pulled his kayak out of the brush and into the raging river.

"Sampson! Isn't there a waterfall at the end of the river?" exclaimed his female companion who had taken refuge in the back seat of the vessel. Sampson ripped a part of his shirt with his teeth and tied the scrap around a deep gash on his shoulder. 

"Waterfall? You mean kiddie slide?" He laughed as he dipped his muscled arms into the water and began navigate right into the rapids. 

Board Games and Narrative

Previously in my blog, my discussion toward narrative in gaming been directed towards video games, but this week, I want to explore the direction of narrative in board games. In my experience, the narrative function in board games can be similar to the narrative function in video games.  Not too long ago, I played the board game Munchkin for the first time, which if you haven't played it, is a card-based board game where the players create a character and fight monsters in a cute parody of RPG/ traditional dungeon and dragon-esque games. But I think what makes the game so interesting is that it allows the players to come up with their own narrative based on the random character that is created.  The cards are a variety of different values, anywhere from equipment and armor to steeds and power-ups, all help form the character that you have throughout the game.

This form of gameplay allows the players to create their characters own stories, it allows for emergent behavior in the game, and fosters interplay between each player.

Traditionally, there has been a narrative arc in which board games were based upon,  and though they were loose arcs with room for change and exceptions, most of the games that we are used to playing are usually based around these arcs.

A game design mechanics blogger, Linnaeus illustrates the game arcs in 2 different functions,

- The opening, middle game. and end game
- Income, Engine Building, Conversion

He explains the first function as:

-opening : "activation and coordination" of pieces and forming of a gameplan
- middle game: active combat or "the main struggle" as Linnaeus says
- end game: game slows, final maneuvers that determine the winner

Linnaeus gives some examples of this game style, but I think one of the best examples he gives is chess.

1) Setup of pieces, forming of strategy (Opening)
2) The gameplay, moving pieces, capturing pieces (middle game)
3) Most pieces are out of commission, winding down to the last available moves ( end game)

And the second as:

Income : beginning resources and start up
Engine Building : Using income to build "victory points"
Conversion: Rapid accumulation of "victory points"

I think, the most familiar game we can associate this arc with is Monopoly

Income: Go space, first cash payout ( income)
Engine Building: Buying properties, earning rent, building houses and hotels (engine building)
Conversion:  Buying the most properties, rent accumulation due to multiple rent incomes, hotels and bankruptcy of other players

Though he doesn't that these arcs are a bad thing, he frames them as a generic layout that many other games are made of, where the structure there, and a slightly different narrative laid on top. The end result is always the same and the gameplay to the end is always similar ( as in Monopoly : The player with the most properties/ money wins, doesn't matter the player)

This presents another interesting depth to narrative in games. The more that the players can create their own narrative within the framework correlates to a more desirable game experience.

The Need for Complex Narrative is Growing

Last week in my blog, I discussed the evolution of narrative through gameplay, as in games that let the player discover or create their own story are starting to become the next part in video game evolution. This week I found an article written by gamer-journalist Daniel Clark, who discusses how his need for a complex narrative in a game is starting to trump other facets of gameplay and how this need is starting to become a universal need for many gamers.

Clark notes that the more freedom and the more realistic the outcomes can be such as decisions that are made have consequences, and actions are based in a cause and effect manner. He notes that there is a distinctive change in the styling of narratives in games, "in game design, has seen a distinct shift away from a purely active response (e.g. kill everyone in the room), to more complex webs of cause and effect. Players are given far more choice in what type of order is restored (e.g. selfish gain versus community well-being), and by what means these conditions are met (e.g. through might or diplomacy)."  

Just like all facets of technology, our expectations for games are growing, and with that is the expectation that the line that we put between games and reality is starting to blur. The more that games can mimic and become like real-life, the more we are interested and engaged in them.  At the beginning of this blog series, I asked why narrative was important to the function and success of games, and Clark answers that by saying that narrative adds a break in between modes of mechanical gameplay, and allows a game to not seems to repetitive, boring, or intense. But he also says that narrative is also more than that, "The rise of narrative in gaming has been exactly that – stories created under the auspices of game design, like any other component, tailored to the experience intended."  I think it is interesting to note that it seems that narrative is an integral part of experience.

Clark ends by saying "The fact is, our lives are intricate portraits of human desire; its satisfactions and frustrations, both negligible and immense. When games mimic the agonies and ecstasies of our time on this planet, the depth of experience equals those inspired by any art form."  I think that this is definitely true. There is a rise in popularity of games that allow more free-roam, more human-like interaction within a fantastical or unable to be experience setting? Call of Duty or Elder Scrolls, they appeal to us because we have experiences that would in no other way be possible.

Writing Challenge #4: Titles, Descriptions, Leads

<head> <title> Totally 90s Inline Rollerblade Shop </head>
<meta name= "description" content=" Totally 90s is your one stop shop for the rollerblade and skate gear for men, women, and sports such as hockey and derby! Awesome dude!  ">

Welcome to Totally 90s, dude! We are the awesome new skate shop for rollerblades and inline skating. Just getting started? We carry skates for both men and women. Looking to demonstrate your mad hockey and derby skills? We've got the best deals for the best gear!