Post on 28-Jan-2015
description
Gaming and Libraries
Presented by
Tyler E. Rousseau
The New Face/s of Gamers
Gamers are no longer a stereotype
• Gamers include both genders
• Gamers include all ages
• Gamers include all financial backgrounds
• Gaming is an official a past time
Attitudes of Gamers
Gamers are social creatures
Gamers are civic minded
Gamers are politically diverse
Gamers have many ‘outside’ interests
Gamers can health conscious
Just How Big is Gaming?
In just the United States
• 2007 sales reached $18.8 billion
• In 2007, the top 3 consoles sold over 28 Million in hardware
• The top ten selling games of 2007 totaled over 27 million
• There are approximately 111 million consoles being used in the United States
Why the Gaming Explosion?
• The technology boom
• The rise of the Internet and wi-fi
• Casual Gaming market is born
• It turns out girls like games
• Video games ‘evolved’
• Gaming gets social
• Gamers grew up (but didn’t really)
Where People Game
• PC
• Internet
• Console
• Handhelds
• Cell phones
Types of Gamer- Casual
Do not necessarily own a console
• Play less time-intensive games or play them in small increments
• Like simplicity in games
• Buy less few video games
Types of Gamers- Midcore
Own a console and/or PC
• Play time-intensive games
• Play more than 7 hours a week
• Well read in video games
• Commit to storylines but do not feel the need to always finish a game
Types of Gamer- Hardcore
• Have more than one console and/or PC
• Consider gaming their primary hobby/past time
• Spend upwards of 20+ hours per week playing games
• Play games thoroughly and multiple times
• Will spend what it takes to get game
Currently popular consoles
• Nintendo DS
• Nintendo Wii
• Xbox 360
• Playstation 2
• Playstation 3
• Playstation Portable (PSP)
So What’s the Big Deal?
What does this mean for gaming companies, politically?
What is the ‘can of worms’ and what is spilling out?
Genres of Games• Action/Adventure• Shooter• Fighting• Racing• Sims• Sports• Puzzle • Music• MMOs• Minigames
Myths About GamingVideo games have led to an epidemic in youth violence
• Evidence links violence in video games to aggression
• Children are the primary market for video games• Girls do not play video games• There is no educational purpose to video games• Video games are socially isolating• Most video games are rated Mature
Facts about Gaming
Gaming can be good• Gaming can be bad• Not all games are for kids• There is a limit• Games provide opportunities• Gaming has a large audience• Gaming can keep a person’s mind sharp• Games can be educational
Educational aspects in gaming
• Literacy
• Spatial
• Reasoning
• Logic
• Real-world applications
• Encourages the Scientific Method
How to host a party
• Tournament
• Demo
• Potpourri
• Round Table
• Premiere
Considerations for party/tournament
• Game ratings• “Official Ref”• Time Limit or limiting entrants• Console v. player ratio• Have other activities• Food• Physical space (noise and room)• Sponsors• Prizes/Awards• Displays• Promote!
Picking the right game for a tournament or party
• Multiplayer
• Consider time investment
• Learning curve
• Rating
• Age appropriateness
• Consider the gamer you’re targeting
Making a gaming program for the library
Considerations for Building a Video Game Collection
– Consoles– Funds– Selection– Ratings– Product Safety
Collections… consoles
• Find what your patrons are playing
• Find what potential patrons would want
• Consider longevity of console
• Street Cred vs. reviews
• Just games or consoles as well?
Collections Funds
– Requires a sincere investment– Requires annual funds– Consider ‘jello fund’– Replacement costs
Collections… selection
– Requires knowledgeable selectors– Get your gaming community involved– Needs to current and fresh– What about ILLs
Collections… product safety
– Where are you going to shelf the games– Loaning period– Housing the peripherals– Check in and check out procedures– Fines for overdue and non-returns
Keeping Up with Games
– www.ign.com– www.gamestop.com– Fanboy Blogs– “Official” console sites
– EGM (Electronic Gaming Monthly)– Game Informer Magazine