Translations

When I spoke with Dr. Bowen she was very excited about my project. I really respect her and I am very happy she likes it. Off the cuff she mentioned a few things which could expand the project, but I think they may need to wait until a further date due to time constraints.

We discussed commercial games and what they teach us. She thinks it would be very interesting to have the game in many forms - role playing, video, and as a board game. We also talked a great deal about packaging - that is to say having a dialog with packaged games sold in stores. How they appeal to consumers and what the games teach the players.

I am concerned about how my message would translate across each platform. Prior to ever considering making a game I have played games. For me games are successful when the game does not get in the way of the game. This is a huge concern for me in terms of design because if you notice the game in a way that takes you out of your experience with it there is more work to be done. I mention this because I would not be able to use the same rule set if I made also a board game and a video game of Death Receptionist.

I think her points will be filed away and thought about post BFA Show when I am working on creating the other versions. I do like the idea of having the game in three completely different forms. There is something interesting about each one:
1. role playing: interaction between the players is the best way to mimic that which is happening in real space.
2. board game: just the idea of dealing with such a heavy subject, but playing it out with little cheap plastic pieces
3. video game: not sure if I would make it multi player, most likely would have it be single player with the computer generating the outcome. this is interesting to me because there is no emotion being brought to the game from the side of the computer. How would that effect the game and the player experience??

Side note: Dore and I also discussed blurring the boundary between humans and animals. What does it mean to be asked whether or not you are going to euthanize your friend??

Death Receptionist DR: Game; Installation

Over the course of the past semester I have been developing a game which I hope will dig deep into one aspect of my life: my day job. For the past twelve years I have been working as a receptionist in veterinary medicine. As with everyone in this profession I deal a lot with life and death situations. I stand by and lend what support I can to people making difficult decisions - decisions that deal with the cost of a life.

Death Receptionist DR is a pseudo role playing game which aims to engage its players emotionally, educationally, and through experience. I feel that games as a medium to convey a message are high underutilized by artists. Though there are examples of Indie Game Designers doing this such as Anna Anthropy, Brenda Brathwaite, Cactus, and Jason Rohrer to name a few.

I have elected to show this piece for my BFA Show - a requirement for graduating from the Digital Media Program [CADRE Laboratory for New Media] at San Jose State University.

Thus far I have created the initial game document [though it needs revision] and have had conversations with multiple professionals in various fields including game design, new media, and art history. Hopefully I will also be able to discuss my ideas with spacial and sociology folks.

The conversations I have had sparked many ideas that I will be incorporating into the piece. Moving forward will be additional play testing and alterations of the game itself, package design, and installation design. In addition, I will be researching ways to further blur the boundary between humans and animals.

It's Official

Today I turned in my proposal paperwork. It was titled "Death Recpetionist DR"
The overall concept that I proposed was an installation, performance, and game.
I have chosen James Morgan and Steve Durie as my advisers to the project.

I have a lot of work to do for this project, but I think it will definitely be worth it in the end. I have so many ideas and directions to take it. I need to discuss things with my advisers and with my peers.

Things to consider:
1. How to flesh out the installation
2. How to best display the game
3. Will there be video?
4. Will there be sound? What sound?
5. How do I make it both serious yet somewhat light hearted without depreciating the reality of the situation?
6. Posters? Pamphlets? Distribution of information?

BFA Death Receptionist?

Over the past few couple of weeks I have been play testing my Death Receptionist game. It has gotten mostly good feedback. In fact, many have recommended that I pair the game with a performance in the gallery for my BFA show. I'm not completely convinced that it is BFA show worthy, but that will be determined at a hopefully sooner rather than later date.