InformationGoddess

3-D & online content were the hallmarks of the press conferences from the Big Three — Sony, Nintendo and Microsoft — at last week’s Electronic Entertainment Expo in Los Angeles, CA.  If you missed the press conferences, you can find links at http://www.delicious.com/informationgoddess29/e3

PlayStation’s new wireless controller system is called the Move, and a system update for it is coming. New titles of interest to libraries may include SingStar Dance for library programming, and Gran Turismo 5 for circulation. Also announced was PlayStation Plus, a new value added content enhancement to PlayStation online, will include exclusive features & digital content, betas and pre-release demos, discounts in the online store, and automatic downloads & patches.

Nintendo announced it’s portable gaming platform is going 3-D: the handheld 3DS will feature 3D gaming, 3D photos, and 3D movies. For the Wii, Wii Party, which allows you to use your Mii to play a variety of mini games (including a balancing challenge) with friends, may be a good contender as a library party game, while Disney Epic Mickey will be one patrons want to take home.

Microsoft’s Project Natal, featuring controller free action, has a new name: Kinect, that will feature video chat and voice commands. A slim Xbox 360 was unveiled, along with announcements about new titles for library programming, like Halo: Reach, and Fable III which might be a good one for take home use. Enhancements to XBox Live include sports coverage.

On Wednesday June 16, participants in the #libgaming Twitter conversation discussed the impact of these–and other–announcements at E3, and the impact of those announcements on video gaming in libraries. The transcript follows.

9:58 AM 8bitlibrary: #libgaming today at 4pmEST! “How will E3’s announcements this week affect your future gaming-in-libraries decisions?” http://bit.ly/bnf0Ag

9:59 AM: JustinLibrarian RT @8bitlibrary: #libgaming today at 4pmEST! “How will E3’s announcements this week affect future gaming-in-libraries?” http://bit.ly/bnf0Ag

10:43 AM infogdss29: If you haven’t seen any E3 coverage, here’s a resource list :) http://delicious.com/informationgoddess29/e3 #libgaming

10:44 AM LizDanforth: Unfortunately I’m going to be on the road then, and can’t make this week’s #libgaming discussion (again)

2:06 PM infogdss29 #libgaming today at 4pmEST! “How will E3’s announcements this week affect your future gaming-in-libraries decisions?” http://bit.ly/bnf0Ag

2:06 PM infogdss29 “How will E3’s announcements this week affect your future gaming-in-libraries decisions?” http://bit.ly/bnf0Ag

3:08 PM JustinLibrarian: In one hour, we start #libgaming on Twitter. The topic can be found here: http://tinyurl.com/24dgkaj ROCK ON!

3:12 PM @JustinLibrarian Wish it wasn’t my night so I could take part in the discussion. So many possible was to improve Library Gaming.

3:32 PM LibrarianJP: I’ll be late to #libgaming, here’s everyone’s homework til i arrive haha RT @infogdss29: E3 coverage resource list http://bit.ly/cenMRU

3:42 PM JustinLibrarian: @MichaelTrout Oh totally sir. We’re doing #libgaming every Wednesday at 4pmEST. You should be there sometime!

3:44 PM GMLGeek: @JustinLibrarian : is #libgaming chat still on for today?

3:48 PM infogdss29: @GMLGeek it is! I’m hosting :) topic: “How will E3’s announcements this week affect your future gaming-in-libraries decisions?” #libgaming

3:53 PM JustinLibrarian: @GMLGeek Heck yes! Starts in 8 minutes. Just follow #libgaming!

3:53 PM JustinLibrarian: @infogdss29 Thanks for hosting #libgaming this week. You rock. I’m off to my own small and brand new gaming program! Will tweet photos!

3:55 PM GMLGeek : I’ve got a tab set up for it in #hootsuite! #libgaming

3:58 PM snicholson: #libgaming Kinect from Microsoft. Pricey, but would allow wall-mounted library gaming with no controllers needed. Solves some problems.

4:02 PM: infogdss29: Welcome to this week’s #libgaming chat! What are your thoughts for the future of video gaming in libraries, based on E3 press conferences?

4:02 PM infogdss29: @snicholson cuts down on germs and controller theft, for sure! interesting that all 3 platforms have controller free options #libgaming

4:03 PM: ulotrichous: @snicholson also creates some problems; viewing area must be clear of other moving people, and control can be barged into! #libgaming

4:03 PM GameCouch: @infogdss29 More exercise-based programming with all the motion controls. #libgaming

4:05 PM infogdss29: the last 3D movie I saw was Caption Eo-what’s the deal w/ 3D & is that going 2 b a significant gaming experience for our patrons? #libgaming

4:05 PM snicholson: And lookie! It’s Virtual’s Boy’s little baby, the 3DS. I wonder if they will do a game in red and black as a tribute. #libgaming

4:06 PM JustinLibrarian: PS2 Gran Turismo 4 at the #ppl #libgaming http://tweetphoto.com/27539869

4:06 PM snicholson: Libraries have been doing 3D gaming for 150+ years. Those board games are coming right at ya! #libgaming

4:06 PM infogdss29 @GameCouch yes – & it’s interesting that as games get more physical, ESPN steps in to offer sporting event coverage on XBox live #libgaming

4:07 PM wawoodworth: Library video gaming will be an extension of current gaming offerings (eg. board games, card games, etc) #libgaming

4:07 PM GameCouch: @infogdss29 3D will prevent patrons with vision problems/motion sickness from participating. #libgaming

4:07 PM baldwind1976: Interesting the see the actual quality of the 3D technology #libgaming

4:07 PM infogdss29: @GameCouch I can see how ESPN might have appeal for @JustinLibrarian who turned on the World Cup at his library this week :) #libgaming

4:08 PM infogdss29: @ulotrichous @snicholson I’m wondering if the wall-mount helps with the space issue? #libgaming

4:09 PM GameCouch: @infogdss29 also 3D peripherals for the audience will add expense. #libgaming

4:09 PM infogdss29: @snicholson sure! and big games, RPGs, and alternative reality games (ARGs) are immersive by nature :D #libgaming

4:10 PM infogdss29: @wawoodworth definitely! it’s all good :) #libgaming

4:11 PM infogdss29: @GameCouch thanks for thinking of that “barrier” angle – I do a “play at your own risk” release form, now… #libgaming

4:12 PM JustinLibrarian: @snicholson Dude! Virtual Boy rules ! Sort of….. #libgaming Red Alarm!

4:12 PM wawoodworth: Hardest selling point is price, since you can get more board/card games than video games for the same amount of money. #libgaming

4:12 PM MichaelTrout: Having some motion controlled games for the other systems will mean some great graphics mixed w/ the Wii’s fun game play. #libgaming

4:12 PM baldwind1976: Lib gaming as much bout the social experience as the games/consoles themselves, tech that enhances this is interesting #libgaming

4:13 PM wawoodworth: Oh hey, let me actually look at the *whole* topic before further commenting (just saw the E3 part) #libgaming

4:13 PM snicholson: @GameCouch I don’t think 3D games really change that equation – video games already had those barriers. #libgaming

4:13 PM GameCouch: @infogdss29 Wii has been great getting nontradional gamers (like senior) in. I think 3D/excessive motion controls will hurt. #libgaming

4:14 PM infogdss29: @snicholson hee! i’m frustrated by yet another new DS – I can’t afford to keep up :( do libraries buy handhelds! I recommend them #libgaming

4:14 PM infogdss29: @snicholson I get the end of the software release cycle, but this is hardware, and it’s expensive #libgaming

4:15 PM snicholson: A key question for libraries to ask – do libraries want to be the place where patrons can try new games before buying them? #libgaming

4:16 PM GameCouch: @snicholson Reminds me — I need to post my Senior Wii Bowling article! #libgaming

4:17 PM infogdss29: @wawoodworth Ticket to Ride cost as much as a video game – $65 with shipping from the publisher #libgaming

4:17 PM wawoodworth: There is a limit to senior motion, from my experience; it would have to depend on the 3D game and the motions gameplay requires #libgaming

4:17 PM ellenforsyth: @baldwind1976 yes the social is really important, people will even play games they don’t really like, to play with people they do #libgaming

4:18 PM infogdss29: @snicholson goes back to knowing your community, & knowing what type of gaming experience you want to offer – goalsetting! #libgaming

4:18 PM ulotrichous: @snicholson that’s a great question and a frequent derail IMO, but, I don’t think that competing with best buy is a good role for #libgaming

4:19 PM infogdss29: @MichaelTrout I hear some “serious” gamers turn their nose up at Wii offerings, I think PS3 has broadest appeal & best graphics #libgaming

4:19 PM genesis2kx: All the immersive gaming tech eg. Microsoft Kinect aka project natal (xbox 360) will provide a great participatory lib experience #libgaming

4:19 PM ellenforsyth: @infogdss29 and it is about talking with community and asking what they want, and asking different ages of players #libgaming

4:20 PM infogdss29: @ellenforsyth @ulotrichous yes! it’s about the experience, not the games, or hardware, necessarily #libgaming

4:20 PM GameCouch: RIght now #libgaming is covering the librarian response to E3.

4:20 PM MichaelTrout: 3D & Motion are novelty & not the true heart of gaming but is a good way to improve & expand the experience for who wants it. #libgaming

4:21 PM baldwind1976: @ulotrichous Agreed.. love to have a budget to play that role but just can’t.. have to be selective in WHICH new games to get #libgaming

4:21 PM snicholson: The lack of precision of Wii controls helps make it a more of a system for casual gamers to compete against srs_gamerz. #libgaming

4:21 PM infogdss29: @wawoodworth there are workarounds, i.e. someone can hold the Wii controller and the audience will direct what to press #libgaming Wed Jun 16 16:21:43 2010

4:21 PM ellenforsyth: @genesis2kx it will help people see libraries as an integrated whole, not separated into books, dvds, games, but part of a whole #libgaming

4:21 PM wawoodworth: @MichaelTrout “not the true heart of gaming”? So, what exactly is the ‘true heart of gaming’? Dangerous statement, imo. #libgaming

4:22 PM cranburypl: @MichaelTrout And libraries can be a place to expand the gaming experience and to their ability embrace this role #libgaming

4:22 PM snicholson: For other media books and movies, most libraries strive to meet interest for new popular titles. How are games different? #libgaming

4:22 PM ulotrichous: Here’s one way to play “trend or fad”: if not for the Wii’s market position, would Kinect or PS Move exist? I don’t think so. #libgaming

4:22 PM bookslover: Choosing which games to get depends on LOT on policy too. We can’t get anything above T rating #libgaming

4:22 PM snicholson: For other media books and movies, most libraries strive to meet interest for new popular titles. How are games different? #libgaming

4:23 PM wawoodworth: @infogdss29 Not with my group, I think. They are active, but have their limits (range of motion, mainly) #libgaming

4:23 PM baldwind1976: @infogdss29 True… did a senior program where they held controller and peers guided their choices with the wiimote.. #libgaming

4:24 PM snicholson: @wawoodworth The true heart of gaming looks like a large cheeto. #libgaming

4:25 PM infogdss29: @snicholson there is a popular materials argument to be made… #libgaming

4:25 PM wawoodworth: @snicholson I can’t eat cheetos. How about a dorito? #libgaming

4:25 PM GMLGeek: what bookslover said is true here also #libgaming

4:27 PM snicholson: @wawoodworth Now you are just getting silly. :) Doritos are at the heart of Colbert’s 2008 presidential campaign, not gaming! #libgaming

4:27 PM infogdss29: @snicholson orange & crunchy? :D #libgaming

4:27 PM bookslover: @GMLGeek My teens give a face when I tell them, “no, we can’t get you Halo.” #libgaming

4:27 PM GMLGeek: Our seniors as a whole are very conservative around here as well, gotta keep that in mind when choosing for them. #libgaming

4:28 PM infogdss29: @bookslover are you feeling like a lot of the highlight games in the E3 press conference would be policy violations? #libgamin

4:28 PM GMLGeek: @bookslover Mine too. Halo doesn’t deserve the rating it has, imo #libgaming

4:28 PM wawoodworth: @snicholson Fine, find a non-cheese snack that agrees with you. =P #libgaming

4:29 PM GMLGeek: Join us — follow #libgaming for librarian discussions of all things game in Libraries!

4:30 PM infogdss29: last week we chatted about connecting with publishers & marketers; I was struck by PlayStation’s Coke partnership… #libgaming

4:30 PM ulotrichous @GMLGeek @bookslover my best line when Halo comes up: “Id love to do it, but I don’t want someone’s mom to shut us down, do you?” #libgaming

4:30 PM infogdss29: They are advertising games on 130 million packages – I wondered, how does that compare with library visits? … #libgaming

4:31 PM snicholson: I hold out hope for Wii Party to provide a good library gaming experience (like Smooth Moves). #libgaming

4:31 PM infogdss29: @GameCouch dug up a stat for me: 1.40 BILLION visits to public libraries alone, in 2007. http://bit.ly/910E8D #libgaming

4:31 PM GMLGeek: We had an ‘adults’ game night last week. Played Modern Warfare 2 on the XBOX 360 (got pwnt) and loved every minute of it! #libgaming

4:32 PM bookslover: @infogdss29 I haven’t seen all of the titles, but I’ve noticed the hot ones coming out are rated M. #libgaming

4:32 PM GMLGeek: Normally, it’s teens & tweens, so nothing worse than T. Adults, though, and anything but AO is allowed! #libgaming

4:32 PM ellenforsyth: #libgaming you might be interested in seminar taking place next week – details here http://tiny.cc/7unzl

4:33 PM bookslover: @ulotrichous That is an awesome reply! #libgaming

4:33 PM infogdss29 @snicholson I wrote down Wii Party (minigames for your Mii) , and SingStar Dance for PS3, as titles with library potential #libgaming

4:34 PM infogdss29: If you’re just joining us, we’re talking about the impact of announcements at E3 on the future of video gaming in libraries #libgaming

4:35 PM GMLGeek: Do any of you let your gamers make their own Miis? #libgaming

4:35 PM baldwind1976: @bookslover Most of the good ones are :( #libgaming

4:37 PM baldwind1976: @GMLGeek I do, but not during tournaments, only during open play when if its kinda dead.. no hrd and fast rule #libgaming

4:37 PM wawoodworth: @GMLGeek No, because it takes too long. #libgaming

4:37 PM GMLGeek: @baldwind1976 Me too. Just wanting to gauge ‘the industry’ a bit :) #libgaming

4:38 PM infogdss29: Does anyone pay for a subscription to Xbox Live at their library? Any thoughts about PlayStation Plus? #libgaming

4:39 PM infogdss29: @GMLGeek if there are other gaming stations – it’s time intensive, and works best as it’s own program IMHO #libgaming

4:40 PM ulotrichous @infogdss29 it depends on what demos and games it winds up including access to; could be a good deal to keep new content coming #libgaming

4:40 PM GMLGeek: @infogdss29 No Xbox Live here. Deemed too expensive by management. Go figure! #libgaming

4:40 PM bookslover: @baldwind1976 All too true & some of them aren’t that bad for more older kids, but we can’t play/buy them #libgaming

4:40 PM snicholson: Some of the best gaming values on the Xbox are downloadable titles, and they fit great in library gaming programs. #libgaming

4:40 PM ulotrichous: @infogdss29 but as a PS3 owner I am completely underwhelmed by the PSN Plus value proposition. =) #libgaming

4:41 PM bookslover: @GMLGeek Makign their own Mii takes way, way, way too much time as fun as it is #libgaming

4:42 PM VikiG: Does anyone have practical experience of integrating video games into academic library? #libgaming

4:43 PM infogdss29: @ulotrichous yeah me too – just keep making it free, pls kthx #libgaming

4:43 PM GMLGeek: Xbox Live would be a great fit, especially with the DLC for lots of games, but too conservative in the management area #libgaming

4:44 PM snicholson: @VikiG There are models for doing that. What’s critical is that you make gaming decisions that support the goal of the library. #libgaming

4:44 PM infogdss29: @bookslover yeah – it’s important to keep in mind the average age of the gamer, is well, adult :) 35 & rising #libgaming

4:44 PM JF_Cusson: We don’t pay for Xbox live, but sometimes kids and staff bring their own xbox with downloadable game in #libgaming

4:45 PM ulotrichous: @VikiG you need to talk to @davereadscomics, featured today here: http://bit.ly/dq2YqZ Awesome collection at UM Library. #libgaming

4:46 PM researchquest: @VikiG are you trying to build a collection, support a subject field, create user events, or something else? What are the goals?? #libgaming

4:46 PM bookslover: @infogdss29 I know it. I’m a newbie gamer and over 35! #libgaming

4:47 PM JF_Cusson: Anybody have Mature titles in his collection ? What do you do with them ? Any problem with the kids under 17 ? #libgaming

4:47 PM JustinLibrarian: Just played chess vs a ten at the first @PortlandPLTeens game night. I destroyed him. #libgaming

4:47 PM infogdss29: @VikiG UIUC is a model for gaming in academic libraries: http://librarygamingtoolkit.org/uiuc.html #libgaming

4:48 PM infogdss29: @GMLGeek how long before it all goes to DLC? and then what? :() #libgaming

4:50 PM snicholson: @JF_Cusson Why not treat M games the same as R-rated movies? We already have ways of dealing with media. #libgaming

4:50 PM GMLGeek @JustinLibrarian Meanie! #libgaming

4:50 PM infogdss29: @VikiG I also recommend talking to @researchquest :) #libgaming

4:53 PM JF_Cusson: @snicholson But kids don’t want to watch R-rated movie as much as they want to play Call of duty or Halo, that’s my problem ! #libgaming

4:53 PM infogdss29: @JF_Cusson that’s a good question for the LibGaming email discussion group! http://groups.google.com/group/libgaming/ #libgaming

4:53 PM JustinLibrarian: Let’s play scrabble at the #library! #libgaming. http://tweetphoto.com/27545296

4:55 PM snicholson: Plug: Leveling up Library Gaming: A Partnership Perspective Saturday, June 26 – 10:30am – 12 Washington Convention Center -145B #libgaming

4:56 PM GMLGeek: @infogdss29 In 5 yrs will be 1/2 DLC, 10 yrs. all DLC. Rural folks will be left out due to no broadband, gov’t initiatives or no #libgaming

4:56 PM snicholson: Book Signing with Scott Nicholson “Everyone Plays at the Library” Information Today Booth Saturday, June 26, 1-2 pm #libgaming

4:56 PM snicholson: Plug: PLA President’s Program Featuring Will Shortz, Enigmatologist-New York Times Puzzle Master Sunday, June 27, 1 – 2:30 p.m. #libgaming

4:56 PM infogdss29: We’ve got just 5 minutes left – any last thoughts about the future of #libgaming based on PS, Sony, Microsoft & other press events at E3?

4:58 PM GMLGeek: @infogdss29 New motion-based controllerless consoles will come after the kinks get worked out in this round #libgaming

4:58 PM ulotrichous @infogdss29 PA summed it up pretty well today: http://www.penny-arcade.com/comic/ (NSFW) #libgaming

4:59 PM GMLGeek: @infogdss29 Broadband will have to become more ubiquitous for all for the industry to survive as well – MMO games especially! #libgaming

4:59 PM infogdss29: @JF_Cusso Ratchet & Clank games may be a T-teen rated Halo substitute #libgaming

5:00 PM GMLGeek: @ulotrichous LOL!! #libgaming

5:01 PM JF_Cusson: @infogdss29 Ratchet & Clank ? Thanks, I take good note ! #libgaming

5:01 PM infogdss29: @snicholson thx for the PSAs :) several events of interest to gamers at #ALA10 http://connect.ala.org/node/66247 #libgaming

5:03 PM snicholson: I’ve got to agree with Eli. It wasn’t E3. It was Eh3. #libgaming

5:03 PM JF_Cusson: Anybody has DS of PSP for kids to use IN the library ? Is this a good idea ? #libgaming

5:05 PM infogdss29: @GMLGeek it’s coming… someday… http://www.broadband.gov/plan/goals-action-items.html #libgaming

5:04 PM infogdss29: @ulotrichous lol! on that note, thx for participating in the #libgaming convo – if you missed last week, it’s archived: http://bit.ly/dsOcbl

5:05 PM ulotrichous: @JF_Cusson we have a house DS for beginners use a Pokemon events, it can be problematic! KCLS and Sno-Isle both have DS kits. #libgaming

5:07 PM JF_Cusson: @ulotrichous how do you manage their use ? Do kids have to leave a library card or something ? #libgaming

5:07 PM GMLGeek: @infogdss29 Not holding my breath! #libgaming

5:08 PM infogdss29: @JF_Cusson it’s a great easy low cost program – BYOhandheld. I always bring a few to open gaming sessions #libgaming

5:09 PM infogdss29: @JF_Cusson PIerce County does in-house circ of DS unis: http://librarygamingtoolkit.org/pierceds.html #libgaming

5:10 PM infogdss29: @JF_Cussonsome MA Regional Library Systems circ DS kits with 8-10 handhelds for member libraries to borrow #libgaming

5:11 PM JF_Cusson: @infogdss29 we host game night twice a week, but only on console and PC. Never really tought about portable device #libgaming

5:14 PM davereadscomics: Hey look: More fame for me! http://bit.ly/acUP4Y #libgaming #tootingmyownhorn

5:27PM stewartfritz: Would have liked to talk #libgaming today, but I was too busy hosting a gaming program.

6:14 PM VaVeros: RT @ellenforsyth #libgaming you might be interested in seminar taking place next week – details here http://tiny.cc/7unzl

6:33PM VikiG @researchquest: my goals are 1) to use serious games to improve IL skills 2) create user events in a more playful approach #libgaming

8:00PM infogdss29: @stewartfritz please, share your thoughts! the conversation can be ongoing :) #libgaming

JUNE 17
6:55 PM alaannual RT @infogdss29: @snicholson thx for the PSAs :) several events of interest to gamers at #ALA10 http://connect.ala.org/node/66247 #libgaming

JUNE 18
12:28 PM kimberlyhirsh: Backwards design, inquiry learning, and Pokemon: Scenario http://bit.ly/buvd3P #edtech #libgaming

Note: The next #libgaming chat will take place Wednesday June 23 at 4PM EST; a topic is TBA. In the meantime, a further discussion of M-rated video games in libraries is going on at http://groups.google.com/group/libgaming/