From Microblogging to “Microgaming:” Is Twitter the New Gaming Platform?

Most tweeple know how challenging it can be to say what you want in 140 characters or less, but these kinds of constraints are exactly what give Twitter a unique advantage in the gaming industry. In the Playing with 140 Characters: Designing Games for Twitter Games panel today at SXSW 2010, game designers Eric Zimmerman, Colleen Macklin, John Sharp, and Michael Edwards talked about some amazing developments in what might soon be called “microgaming.” Beginning with an actual interactive game with colored note cards in the audience, the panelists talked about basic game principles such as rules and structure, limitations, and systems. And while these principles are common in any game, they can easily apply to Twitter’s platform. For example, Twitter already employs “rules” and “limitations” like being able to DM only those people who are mutually following one another, and it is a system with many moving “parts” like @replies or links.

With its unique structure, some pretty interesting games are already being formed for Twitter. Here’s a video of Colleen talking about the two categories of Twitter games and some examples:

more about “Twitter Games“, posted with vodpod

Simpler, more casual minigames like Twivial and Twitbrain allow users to participate at their leisure, while other MMOs (massive multiplayer games) like King of Pop, 140 Blood, Spymaster, and Twirdie (Twitter golf!) might require more participation and interactivity, as well as more incentives to play.

Are Foursquare and Gowalla Really Games?
This new platform is opening up the idea of what a game really is. Even applications like Foursquare and Gowalla are considered “games” because they create challenge, game incentives, and interaction. Here, Colleen talks about Foursquare and compares it to Gowalla:

more about “What is Foursquare?“, posted with vodpod

Currently, these panelists and other game designers are trying to incorporate multimedia into Twitter gaming, and there still are many directions to go. RPGs, more data-based games, and Twitter-native games are just a few of the ideas that were discussed today. Do you play Twitter games? If so, which ones? If not, do you think you would ever play one? What are some potential concerns that might arise?

Burnie Burns at SXSW 2010

Today at SXSW 2010, Scott Thomas interviewed Burnie Burns, creator of Red vs. Blue, and founder of Rooster Teeth Productions. We caught him in his Austin office this afternoon and talked about his newest projects, machinima, gaming, and the interactive gaming industry.

more about “Burnie Burns at SXSW 2010“, posted with vodpod

But I Still Love Technology…Always & Forever

I really can not wait for SXSW Interactive this year. After having an amazing time last year blogging the festival with Cindy’s class, I became very interested in the tech world. We were able to meet many of the panelists and attendees, party at the Web Awards and learn about new technologies that have inspired us and challenged us to do more with less.

Last semester, I got an internship with SXSWi which is actually still continuing until the festival is over. Thus, I will be working hard with SXSW and helping them with whatever they need, bringing a whole different dynamic to my experience.

Seeing all the behind-the-scenes work that goes into each panel, each person and each event that happens during the week has allowed me to get excited about so many different aspects of the festival. But I think what I’m most looking forward to (besides the Chris Anderson keynote with Guy Kawasaki) is seeing B.J. Novak on the panel “Comedy on Television and the Web.” Because I have a broadcast background, I am very interested in TV’s move to the internet and video on the web, and The Office is my favorite show on television right now (next to The Bachelor, obviously). Their webisodes have always cracked me up. Along with that, I’m definitely going to Gary Vaynerchuk’s panel called “Video Blogging: Turning Wine into Gold.“

Some other events that I will try my hardest not to miss would be panels “Gaming as a Gateway Drug: Getting Girls Interested in Technology” with our very own Dee Kapila and Cindy Royal, “Oooh, That’s Clever! (Unnatural Experiments in Web Design)” and “User Generated Content: State of the Union.” Also, the Core Conversation “Whitehouse.gov 2.0: Upgrading to Open Source Government” looks pretty interesting.

I also didn’t get a chance last year to attend ScreenBurn or the Trade Show. I’m sure this year I will definitely get my fill of that craziness I’ve been hearing all about. Hence, some advice for anyone that’s new: go to as many different events as possible. Don’t just go to panels – attend Core Conversations, go to book readings, hit up Accelerator even if you have no idea what it’s going to be like, go to events that discuss technologies you’ve never heard of, don’t be afraid to talk to other nerds. What do you have to lose?

So much to look forward to, and so much to get ready for!

Preview: Are Women Taken More Seriously On The Web?

Some women bloggers feel they lose prestige online.  Does credibility on the Web depend on gender or content?  If you are looking to gain inspiration and guidance to the female blogosphere make sure to catch this panel, Are Women Taken More Seriously On the Web?  during the SXSW Interactive Conference. Blagica Bottigliero of Bsolutions, Karen Chu of Playfirst Inc., Laura Roederof Roeder Studios LLC, and Carly Kocurek, a doctoral candidate at the University of Texas, will lead this bold discussion about women’s presence on the Web. These panelists provide in-depth knowledge in social media, gaming, online marketing and journalism.  I have great expectations for this panel, and personally believe that women have the power to be confident online journalists.  The panel will take place Monday, March 16 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. in Room C.