Lecture 4.1: (Post-)colonial Play

In this video prof. dr. Sybille Lammes discusses the common game trope that involves exploration, expansion, exploitation and extermination: conquest/settler strategy games. The way these games use the past either challenges or perpetuates history. Learn more in the video!

Lecture 4.2: Thinking about Boardgame Design

In this lecture Aris talks about boardgames instead of videogames – for once! He explains all the theory and mechanics that are involved in the intricate art of boardgame design.

Let’s Play: Board games!

(Settlers of) Catan

For this week’s play activity you have to play two different games, please play the games in the order presented. First play Catan, either the tabletop version if you or someone you know owns the game or the Steam version provided by the course.

Spirit Island

After completing a game of Catan and reflecting on it you are asked to play Spirit Island, either the tabletop version if you or someone you know owns the game or the Steam version provided by the course.

Read:

Lammes, On the Border: Pleasure of exploration and colonial mastery in civilization III play the world http://www.digra.org/digital-library/publications/on-the-border-pleasure-of-exploration-and-colonial-mastery-in-civilization-iii-play-the-world/ 

Holcomb, The White Box Essays https://img.fireden.net/tg/image/1502/97/1502970153285.pdf

Watch: optional

This week’s livestreamLet’s Play: Sid Meier’s Civilization VI at www.twitch.tv/valuefnd

The Potential of the Past as Playground: Archaeology and Video Games

You can find the link to the talk here: https://stanford.app.box.com/s/96zdz5df2oob3gzufy885jt9hjhx7mwx

Talk starts at 04:00.

Resist Jam


Write: Vignettes

For this week you are asked to prepare three items:

  • A max. 300 word vignette about your experiences on the island of Catan
  • A max. 300 vignette about your experiences on the island of Spirit Island
  • a max. 300 word comparative analysis of these games, making use of the information provided in your vignettes

Please submit all three items in a single post, clearly demarcated by headers. For information on how to write a vignette see the general information of the course.