Role-Playing Game Theory and What I Learned

This blog will include a finalized version of the research which I completed in regard to Role-Playing Game Theory. I have added this research to the RPGT Wikipedia article page and will therefore link that in this post as well. Fantasy or role playing games are an ever expanding phenomenon which stake no particular claim to boundaries. Role playing games come in an immense array of various types and categories which we will briefly delve into; the first of which being the traditional table top RPG. These games, or more specifically, “(TFRPG), has its historical basis in miniature war gaming” (Williams, Hendricks, and Winkler pg. 3). When using the term “miniature war gaming” we undoubtedly refer to games like Warhammer 40K which is played on a table top with miniature figures. The battles unfold by rolling dice, using rulers, tokens and various other devices to perform a wide array of desired actions. The second RPG to be analyzed is known as CSG or collectible strategy game. This type of RPG has a much broader context than that of a TFRPG due to the fact that it draws elements from both types of RPG’s. A CSG is defined as “a setting and a system, but the setting resides in the background, while the system is integrally tied to some of the collectible material artifacts, such as cards, miniature figures, paper dice, pre-formed plastic constructibles and even pinback buttons.” (Williams, Hendricks, and Winkler pg. 5). These types of games are played using special attributes which are associated with the particular collectible being used. You can place these collectibles in an attack or defensive position, role dice to perform a specific action and much more. Note that this type of RPG is typically associated with CCG or collectible card games (Ex. Magic the Gathering). The final type of RPG to be discussed appeared around the 1970’s and is known as OVCG or Online Video and Computer Game. OVCG’s are defined as RPG’s that “ require either a personal computer or gaming console in addition to gaming software, rather than source books, cards, or dice” (Williams, Hendricks, and Winkler pg. 6). Note that OVCG’s did not truly reach their pinnacle until the 1990’s when the ability to play games cooperatively via large networked servers became available. Current examples of these types of games are World of Warcraft (Blizzard), Rift (Trion Worlds), SWOTOR or Star Wars: The old Republic (LUCASARTS, BioWare and EA) and Atlantica online (Nexon).[1]

Williams, P., Hendricks, S., & Winkler, K. (2006). Essays
on reality, identity and experience in fantasy
games. Jefferson, North Carolina: McFarland &
Company, Inc Retrieved from http://books.google.com/books?
hl=en&lr=&id=i7UBWz6LBK4C&oi=fnd&pg=PA19&dq=role
""playing game theory&ots=YIs5Cci6IY&sig=vLzlRWNWvTqRI12m9zV9M9kFeU0

Role-playing game theory

The Benefits of Skype

Skype is an amazingly useful tool with numerous useful and effective functions. In this blog I will list some of those features which I find most useful. Before we move forward however I would like to briefly define what Skype is. Skype is, in its purist form, a tool which allows users from all around the globe to communicate via a visual or audio connection. Now that “what Skype is” has been defined we can move onto why it’s useful. Firstly Skype can be used to conduct meetings for a wide variety of purposes including school and business consequently forgoing the need to travel to a particular destination. This in turn saves time and money allowing individuals to be more productive and efficient. The last function I will discuss is not related to the software in a technical sense but rather monetarily. Skype is, in case some people don’t know, free to anyone who chooses to download it; it simply requires you to register an account and you may use the service freely.

Moodle and Security?

Moodle is an extraordinarily interesting tool which can be used to cost effectively host Online courses/modules. In working with Moodle throughout this semester I find myself asking the question “where is the security”? When I say “Where is the security” I am referring to the fact that Moodle is an open source application and consequently more susceptible to security threats than non-open source software. The documentation I have found in regard to Moodle’s security deficiencies is more addressed at “what you should do in case of system intrusion” and not “what’s being done to prevent it”. It would seem to me that before Moodle can be fully trusted by educators it needs to revamp its security standards. If anyone has any comments on this please feel free to post them bellow.

Project Charters and Having Them Signed

This is going to be a very short blog on the importance of getting a client signature on a project charter. This semester one of the teams I am on was tasked with researching an event management system which was to be implemented at a local business. The project started out slow from the get go and was plagued with numerous delays on both the project team side and client side. Toward the end of the semester our group met with the client to obtain approval on the software which was to be researched. Our charter was supposed to be signed during this meeting but was unfortunately forgotten about and scheduled to be signed at a later date. The following day we received news that an event management system would not be compatible with how this company conducts business. Consequently the project was set back several weeks and all of our previous research had to be scrapped. If the charter had been signed from the get go all of that could have been avoided and we could have simply submitted our previous research.

Wikipedia Article and the Communities Response

This semester one of my classes was assigned to research a Wikipedia article which related in some way to E-learning, further research the topic and improve upon it. It is a common misconception among some individuals that the Wikipedia community is difficult to break into and, if new, changes proposed to an article may be shot down. However my team and I were able to easily submit changes and find acceptance from the community. Due to this fact I have decided to give some brief pointers which I believe are essential in integrating yourself into a particular Wikipedia community. The first tip I would like to discuss is research; research is key in the understanding and comprehension of any subject, the same is similar in regard to Wikipedia. If you attempt to make changes without researching the topic then your changes will be immediately denied. The second pointer is documentation; documentation is imperative in regard to the proposal of changes. Any changes you would like to make must be thoroughly referenced or your proposed changes will be denied until they are referenced. The final tip is courtesy. When I say courtesy, I am referring to the submission of your proposed changes to the talk page prior to your actual implementation. If you disregard this step your changes will most likely be removed and/or the community will be aggravated with your lack of respect.

PMI and My Experience

Earlier this year I was instructed by one of my professors to become a member of PMI (Project Management Institute). Following my registration I was called upon to work one of their many luncheons; the following is a brief reflection on what I took away from the experience. When I arrived on the day of the luncheon me, and one of my good friends, was immediately put to work signing members into the conference room where the meeting was being held. My feelings toward the meeting at this point where rather lackluster, I kept thinking “Nothing of any benefit is going to happen” and looking back, that could not have been further from the truth. As the meeting progressed I was able to make my way into the conference room where individual speakers where presenting various techniques used in PM. As I continued to listen I absorbed numerous techniques for managing projects which can only be learned through years of experience. The moral of the story is if you ever find yourself in the position to join PMI and attend a luncheon do not let it pass you by, you may be pleasantly surprised at what you’ll find.

"The Future of E-Learning"

After reading the discussion located at URL: elearningindustry.com I was left with a rather bad taste on my pallet. Throughout the article most of the responses focused on particular types of technology, or, outlandish futuristic dreams with holograms. In my experience the technology that will be in place 5 years from now is rarely what you, or, the industry predicts it will be. Rather in 5 years I see a significantly more integrated HE learning environment. In this environment you will see a more blended learning experience with both in class and online instruction. Online resources and tools will be more closely used within the classroom and more online classes will be available. As to what technology will be used to greater facilitate these online environments, I can not say. However what we can say is that the physical classroom and online classroom will become one in the same over time.