Joystiq http://www.joystiq.com Joystiq http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/http://www.joystiq.com/media/feedlogo.gif Joystiq http://www.joystiq.com en-us Copyright 2013 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[Rice University offers course on Old Norse mythology, Skyrim]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/10/20/rice-university-offers-course-on-old-norse-mythology-skyrim/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/10/20/rice-university-offers-course-on-old-norse-mythology-skyrim/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/10/20/rice-university-offers-course-on-old-norse-mythology-skyrim/#comments Look, you don't need an expensive piece of paper from some institution to know that you're the Dohvakiin. You know it, we know it, the guy you yelled at until he died knows it -- that's all that really matters in the long run. But, if for some reason you did want to expand your knowledge of the ancient legends behind your ancient legend, Rice University has you covered.

"Scandinavian Fantasy Worlds: Old Norse Sagas and Skyrim" is a new course at Rice University in Houston, TX, which "introduces students to fantasy as both psychological concept and driving force in gamer culture" by having students "read selections from Old Norse and Old Icelandic sagas (in translation) as they play different quests within Skyrim."

As you can imagine, enrollment availability is limited to actual, bona fide students at Rice University. Additionally, the class is only available this semester, which is sad considering that beating Skyrim will most likely take longer than passing the course.

JoystiqRice University offers course on Old Norse mythology, Skyrim originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 20 Oct 2012 13:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>classcollegeelder-scrolls-5microsoftpcplaystationps3RICErice-universityskyrimstudythe-elder-scrolls-v-skyrimuniversityxboxSat, 20 Oct 2012 13:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Former NCAA athletes' lawsuit against EA is so on]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/18/former-ncaa-athletes-lawsuit-against-ea-is-so-on/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/18/former-ncaa-athletes-lawsuit-against-ea-is-so-on/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/18/former-ncaa-athletes-lawsuit-against-ea-is-so-on/#comments ImageEA's request to dismiss a class action lawsuit from former NCAA athletes has been denied, meaning the trial will movie forward and EA stands to lose more than $1 billion if found at fault.

The former NCAA athletes claim EA conspired with the NCAA and the CLC to have players sign away their likenesses and names to be used in video games without compensation. The players allege that in order to participate in NCAA sports they were required to sign a form allowing EA their likenesses in games, even after their college sports careers ended.

The federal judge previously dismissed other claims in the lawsuit, but denied EA's attempt to have an antitrust claim thrown out.

EA is facing more than a few lawsuits at the moment, but it did recently settle a two-year-old lawsuit with Activision, with as-yet undisclosed concessions from either side.

JoystiqFormer NCAA athletes' lawsuit against EA is so on originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 18 May 2012 19:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>athletesclccollegedsEAElectronic-Artslawsuitlegalmadden-nfl-12microsoftncaanintendoplaystationps3pspsonysuewiixboxFri, 18 May 2012 19:45:00 EST<![CDATA[Buy a PC for college, get the Xbox 360 you actually want for free]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/18/buy-a-pc-for-college-get-the-xbox-360-you-actually-want-for-fre/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/18/buy-a-pc-for-college-get-the-xbox-360-you-actually-want-for-fre/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/18/buy-a-pc-for-college-get-the-xbox-360-you-actually-want-for-fre/#comments Starting May 20 in "participating" US retailers and today in their Canadian equivalents, college students have the opportunity to get a free 4GB Xbox 360 with purchase of certain Windows 7-based PCs. Microsoft didn't announce specific models, but you can ask at the retailer instead of blindly assuming you'll get a free Xbox. Don't forget to bring your student ID.

"Together, a Windows 7-based PC and an Xbox 360 console provide students the functionality they need for school while also helping them stay connected to friends and family far away," Microsoft noted in the announcement, giving students a hint as to the angle they should use to make an Xbox 360 sound like a totally necessary, responsible thing to have for college.

JoystiqBuy a PC for college, get the Xbox 360 you actually want for free originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 18 May 2012 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>collegemicrosoftpcwindows-7xboxFri, 18 May 2012 12:00:00 EST<![CDATA[ESA reports 300 institutions offering game design classes]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/08/17/esa-reports-300-institutions-offering-game-design-classes/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/08/17/esa-reports-300-institutions-offering-game-design-classes/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/08/17/esa-reports-300-institutions-offering-game-design-classes/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Once again, the number of institutions offering gaming industry-centric courses has seen a significant year-over-year increase. According to a study from the Entertainment Software Association, game design, art and programming courses will be taught in 300 of America's colleges, universities and trade schools during this academic year.

Unsurprisingly, California plays host to a majority of these institutions with 40 in-state schools offering game programs, with New York and Texas trailing behind with 26 and 21 schools, respectively. We guess that's why most games take place in cities like Los Angeles, New York City and Fort Worth. (Wait, you've never played a video game set in Fort Worth? Dude, you need to get with the program.)

JoystiqESA reports 300 institutions offering game design classes originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 17 Aug 2010 03:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>collegeeducationesaschooluniversityTue, 17 Aug 2010 03:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Penny Arcade Scholarship now accepting applications]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/04/19/penny-arcade-scholarship-now-accepting-applications/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/04/19/penny-arcade-scholarship-now-accepting-applications/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/04/19/penny-arcade-scholarship-now-accepting-applications/#comments Wondering what it feels like to be on the receiving end of the benevolence frequently exhibited by the creators of Penny Arcade? If you're a college student with starry-eyed ambitions to change the video game industry for the better, you might be able to bask in the warm light of their generosity by receiving the fourth annual Penny Arcade Scholarship, a $10,000 academic grant set aside for a special student with a GPA over 3.3 and the aforementioned revolutionary aspirations.

Applications for the scholarship are currently being accepted and must be sent in by May 30, along with two letters of recommendation, an academic transcript, an essay on how you plan to change the industry and your photograph, which will only be seen publicly if you're the winner, as displayed on the scholarship's page. It's not like the Penny Arcade guys are basing their decision on prettiness or anything.

[Via GamePolitics]

JoystiqPenny Arcade Scholarship now accepting applications originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 19 Apr 2010 23:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>applicationscollegegrantjerry-holkinsmike-krahulikmoneypenny-arcadepenny-arcade-scholarshipscholarshipschoolMon, 19 Apr 2010 23:00:00 EST<![CDATA[DigiPen expands, increasing graduating class size by a third]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/02/02/digipen-expands-increasing-graduating-class-size-by-a-third/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/02/02/digipen-expands-increasing-graduating-class-size-by-a-third/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/02/02/digipen-expands-increasing-graduating-class-size-by-a-third/#comments
[Image credit: Wade Rockett]
Being a premier college for game developers seeking out bachelor's and master's degrees in mind-bending, DigiPen recently announced plans to expand its campus to a larger location in Redmond, Washington. A 100,000 square-foot ex-Microsoft building will house the expanded facilities -- said to include "tiered-seating auditoriums, classrooms, art studios, electronic labs, a large work area for students to study and collaborate on projects, library, cafeteria with a professional kitchen, student recreation room and a general store" -- and the opening is set to take place as early as this Summer.

Redmond Mayor John Marchione points to the school's financial and culture benefits to the region in the press release, saying, "DigiPen is a tremendous asset to the Redmond community, with considerable contributions to education, the arts and our local economy." The Seattle Times points out that this move brings with it an increase in the school's matriculated roster from 900 to 1,200, bringing DigiPen one small step closer to total global domination.

JoystiqDigiPen expands, increasing graduating class size by a third originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 02 Feb 2010 01:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>collegedigipenexpansiongame-designredmondschooluniversitywashingtonTue, 02 Feb 2010 01:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Miyamoto thinks his college degree wouldn't get him a job at Nintendo today]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/11/23/miyamoto-thinks-his-college-degree-wouldnt-get-him-a-job-at-nin/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/11/23/miyamoto-thinks-his-college-degree-wouldnt-get-him-a-job-at-nin/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/11/23/miyamoto-thinks-his-college-degree-wouldnt-get-him-a-job-at-nin/#comments In the upcoming issue of Edge Magazine, Nintendo's Shigeru Miyamoto discusses a variety of topics with the UK gaming magazine. Develop Online got their hands on a copy of the magazine already, revealing a rather ... revealing quote from the father of Donkey Kong. "Nintendo has become one of those companies that graduates from colleges and good universities really want to work for ... I often say to [Nintendo head] Mr. Iwata: 'If I was applying for a job here today, I, with my actual college degree, would probably not have been employed by Nintendo."

Though he adds that he "might pick up on [applicants] and try to find out something really different within them which you can't judge just by a college degree," it worries us greatly that today's equivalent of the man who helped to birth some of the game industry's landmark franchises may end up unemployed or even dissuaded from game development altogether. All alone! Without a home! We imagine somewhat like a rolling stone!

... Our apologies. That was quite enough.

JoystiqMiyamoto thinks his college degree wouldn't get him a job at Nintendo today originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 23 Nov 2009 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>collegecollege-degreedonkey-kongDSjobsmiyamotonintendosatoru-iwatashigeru-miyamotoWiiMon, 23 Nov 2009 20:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Crytek hooks up universities with free CryENGINE 3]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/11/19/crytek-hooks-up-universities-with-free-cryengine-3/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/11/19/crytek-hooks-up-universities-with-free-cryengine-3/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/11/19/crytek-hooks-up-universities-with-free-cryengine-3/#comments If you're somebody attending one of the fine institutions that offer game development courses, you could very well find yourself using CryENGINE 3 soon. Crytek recently announced that it would grant free licenses for its purty new development platform to houses of higher education. It's not the first time the company has offered its goods on the arm for universities, as students also got access CryENGINE 2 back in the day.

Just like the cigarette companies, Crytek's goal is to hook 'em while they're young, as R&D manager Ury Zhilinsky hopes that providing the engine free to schools will help students and teachers "become part of our larger CryENGINE community, so they can create their own innovations and train to become the developers of the future." You know, a future with plenty of CryENGINE 3 in it -- at least up until 2012, anyway.

[Thanks, Casey]

JoystiqCrytek hooks up universities with free CryENGINE 3 originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 19 Nov 2009 23:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>collegecryengine-3crytekMicrosoftschooluniversityXbox-360Thu, 19 Nov 2009 23:59:00 EST<![CDATA[ESA: Record number of game development classes offered in U.S.]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/10/01/esa-record-number-of-game-development-classes-offered-in-u-s/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/10/01/esa-record-number-of-game-development-classes-offered-in-u-s/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/10/01/esa-record-number-of-game-development-classes-offered-in-u-s/#comments According to a report recently published by the Entertainment Software Association, colleges in 37 states (and the District of Columbia) currently play host to 254 courses in video game design, art and programming. That may sound like a skimpy sum, but it's up from 200 programs offered last year. We'd tell you what percentage increase that represents, but we didn't take many math courses throughout our collegiate career.

Rich Taylor, ESA's senior vice president of communications and industry affairs, said these figures are indicative of "the importance of the videogames industry, which is well-poised to create additional employment and professional opportunities in the coming years." We just see them as scholastic incubators for the next generation of Schafers, Carmacks and Wrights.

JoystiqESA: Record number of game development classes offered in U.S. originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 01 Oct 2009 03:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>artcollegecoursedesignesaindustryprogrammingrich-taylorschooltrainingThu, 01 Oct 2009 03:30:00 EST<![CDATA[NYU to debut gaming degree program next fall]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/12/11/nyu-to-debut-gaming-degree-program-next-fall/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/12/11/nyu-to-debut-gaming-degree-program-next-fall/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/12/11/nyu-to-debut-gaming-degree-program-next-fall/#commentsFiled under:


Students at New York University may soon study how to make games instead of simply skip class to play them. A first for any college in New York City, beginning next fall NYU will offer "long-term undergraduate and graduate degrees in the research, design and development of digital games."

With around 70 different game design courses planned, the sure to be popular program will likely fill up quick, with only 10 to 12 NYU students allowed to participate in 2009, with additional Master's and certificate programs planned for an even smaller group beginning the following year. So, do you have what it takes to tighten up the graphics on level 3?

[Via Wonderland]

JoystiqNYU to debut gaming degree program next fall originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 11 Dec 2008 10:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>collegedegreegame-designnew-yorknew-york-universitynyutightenupthegrafixThu, 11 Dec 2008 10:45:00 EST<![CDATA[Sony offers PS2/PSP dev kits for education]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/06/06/sony-offers-ps2-psp-dev-kits-for-education/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/06/06/sony-offers-ps2-psp-dev-kits-for-education/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/06/06/sony-offers-ps2-psp-dev-kits-for-education/#commentsFiled under: ,

College game design courses are great for learning how to program games on a PC, but for the most part, getting access to console development tools has meant going to work for a licensed console developer. Sony is looking to change that with it's new PlayStation-edu program, which provides PS2 and PSP development kits for
"computer science and engineering students who want to understand how the hardware works in the PlayStation consoles."

The program isn't a charity -- schools will have to purchase the dev kits from Sony -- but the package comes with demo code, samples, documentation, and access to a support web site and forums. Seems like a good way for Sony to divert student developers' attentions towards their products and away from Nintendo-affiliated Digipen or Microsoft's XNA development tools.

JoystiqSony offers PS2/PSP dev kits for education originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 06 Jun 2008 20:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>academiaclassescollegedev kitdevelopment kitDevelopmentKitDevKiteducationplaystation-eduPS2PSPSonyFri, 06 Jun 2008 20:15:00 EST<![CDATA[Kaplan to train you for the SATs through your DS]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/04/14/kaplan-to-train-you-for-the-sats-through-your-ds/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/04/14/kaplan-to-train-you-for-the-sats-through-your-ds/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/04/14/kaplan-to-train-you-for-the-sats-through-your-ds/#commentsFiled under:



For those of you looking to bone up on your college-level analogies, Kaplan, Inc. has teamed with Aspyr Media to bring you a SAT prep title for the DS. The project is still early in development, so there is no name or screens yet. Sadly, that's about all we have to go on right now.

We must say, the decision to bring such an application to the DS shows (to us, at least) the kind of smarts that would score well on the SATs.

[Via Joystiq]

JoystiqKaplan to train you for the SATs through your DS originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 14 Apr 2008 14:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>aspyraspyr-mediacollegeeducateeducatioedugamingedutainmentkaplansatMon, 14 Apr 2008 14:15:00 EST<![CDATA[Kaplan SAT test prep coming to Nintendo DS]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/04/14/kaplan-sat-test-prep-coming-to-nintendo-ds/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/04/14/kaplan-sat-test-prep-coming-to-nintendo-ds/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/04/14/kaplan-sat-test-prep-coming-to-nintendo-ds/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Kaplan, Inc. has teamed with Aspyr Media to create an SAT prep game for the Nintendo DS, according to Newsweek. Versions are also on their way to PC and Mac, where the test prep software is already fairly common.

The project is early in development and does not yet have a name. Newsweek reports that it was Aspyr who pitched the idea to Kaplan. If this is a success, can we get a DS game to help us understand Special Relativity? Perhaps we can get Professor Layton or perhaps even Wario as our virtual teacher.

JoystiqKaplan SAT test prep coming to Nintendo DS originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 14 Apr 2008 09:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>aspyraspyr-mediacollegeDSeducationedutainmentMacPCsaplansatstudenttest-prepMon, 14 Apr 2008 09:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Bowl organizers pick up Wii for college athletes]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/12/20/bowl-organizers-pick-up-wii-for-college-athletes/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/12/20/bowl-organizers-pick-up-wii-for-college-athletes/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/12/20/bowl-organizers-pick-up-wii-for-college-athletes/#commentsFiled under:

If you've been out on the street like some kind of gumshoe, tracking down leads and putting in face time with store manager after store manager as you hunt down that Wii that certain someone in your life is looking for, you might have someone besides Nintendo to be angry with. Bowl officials responsible for the upcoming college bowl games (championship games) managed to snatch up tons of Wiis as a gift to those participating in these games. It's apparently some kind of effort to promote their games over others.

Three of the national championship games will award participants from the schools with Nintendo's latest console. That comes to about 750 total consoles being gifted. That's no small number to scoff at, if we may say so.

[Via Go Nintendo]

JoystiqBowl organizers pick up Wii for college athletes originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 20 Dec 2007 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bcscollegefootballgiftThu, 20 Dec 2007 20:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Today's most epic music video: Cal marching band's gaming medley]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/11/15/todays-most-epic-music-video-cal-marching-bands-gaming-medley/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/11/15/todays-most-epic-music-video-cal-marching-bands-gaming-medley/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/11/15/todays-most-epic-music-video-cal-marching-bands-gaming-medley/#commentsFiled under: ,

Facing off against Washington State, the University of California, Berkeley's Golden Bears needed to show their might, their strength, and their willingness to perform a fatality if given a chance. During their half-time show, Cal's marching band performed a medley of video game songs, complete with gaming-themed drills (i.e. the band forms a giant Triforce and Master Sword while playing music The Legend of Zelda).

Keep an ear out for Zelda, Mortal Kombat, and various Mario tunes, among others. The Golden Bears went on to defeat Washington State 20-17, thus ending their three-game losing streak. Video is embedded after the break.

Continue reading Today's most epic music video: Cal marching band's gaming medley

JoystiqToday's most epic music video: Cal marching band's gaming medley originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 15 Nov 2007 01:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>collegehottestvideolinkmarching-bandmariomortal-kombatmortalkombatmusiczeldaThu, 15 Nov 2007 01:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Study: Video games affect studying time; Us: *gasp*]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/09/19/study-video-games-affect-studying-time-us-gasp/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/09/19/study-video-games-affect-studying-time-us-gasp/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/09/19/study-video-games-affect-studying-time-us-gasp/#commentsFiled under:


A study found that students who had a video game player to distract them in college studied 40 minutes less and it translated to a first-semester drop of 0.241 points on a 4.0 scale. The study by two professors at Univ. of Western Ontario and Berea College wasn't looking at video games, just the effects of studying on grades. The study had 210 subjects and gathered information by having them fill out "time-use diaries."

The study says that students who had a roommate bring a game console to school showed a substantial drop in time spent studying. These students did "not exhibit different levels of class attendance, partying, study efficiency or paid employment - all factors that also could affect grades ... This means that the lower grades of students whose roommates brought video games can be attributed to the fact that these students studied less." The simple lesson to walk away from this is that if you're going to play video games, make sure it doesn't affect your study time. That's it, lesson learned.

JoystiqStudy: Video games affect studying time; Us: *gasp* originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 19 Sep 2007 16:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>collegegpagradesreportstudyWed, 19 Sep 2007 16:58:00 EST<![CDATA[College librarians urged to think like gamers, play more games]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/06/25/college-librarians-urged-to-think-like-gamers-play-more-games/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/06/25/college-librarians-urged-to-think-like-gamers-play-more-games/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/06/25/college-librarians-urged-to-think-like-gamers-play-more-games/#commentsFiled under:

librarian
During the annual meeting of the American Library Association, a packed room of crusty academic librarians received some new-fashioned advice: Play more video games. Speakers urged fellow bookworms to bridge the divide between today's students ('digital natives') and themselves ('digital immigrants') by playing games, developing organizational systems that don't require training to use ("We should never read before we play"), and hosting after-hours LAN parties. Solutions remained conceptual, and attendees were encouraged to return to the murky depths of their university stacks and start experimenting.

This just in... three undergraduate students are thought to be missing after entering a mysterious green pipe; installed in the east wing of Yale University Library early Monday morning. A handwritten note taped to the pipe reads: To Level 8-1. Elsewhere, a University of Texas sophomore claims to have encountered a spike-shelled, fire-spewing creature guarding the school's Rare Book archive, though she later admitted to ingesting a large mushroom found stashed behind some Mycology texts. When asked why she ate the mushroom, the young woman said she was told it would help her reach the books on the top shelf. A campus official noted that librarians had recently removed all stepladders from the premises.

[Via /.]

JoystiqCollege librarians urged to think like gamers, play more games originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 25 Jun 2007 21:53:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>collegeeducationlibrarianlibraryMon, 25 Jun 2007 21:53:00 EST<![CDATA[Video games: the most important part of college]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/05/15/video-games-the-most-important-part-of-college/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/05/15/video-games-the-most-important-part-of-college/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/05/15/video-games-the-most-important-part-of-college/#commentsFiled under: ,

Sure, college is a great place to learn about life and everything, but where does most of that learning really come from? Once you take away the classes you slept through, the boy/girlfriend that you never listened to, and the parties you were too drunk to remember, the only remaining answer is the obvious one. That's right: video games!

At least one college professor realized this essential fact and crafted his commencement speech to the graduating class of Bloomsburg University around the theme of lessons from video games. The speech name drops everything from Carmen Sandiego to Halo 2 in selling the lifelong lessons of gaming, including resilience, problem solving and teamwork.

Sure, some of the analogies to life are a bit labored, and the whole thing reads like the author has only a passing familiarity with games. Still, it's nice to see someone using a commencement address to acknowledge what is no doubt the most important part of college for many graduates. And hey, it beats some guy droning on and on about sunscreen.

JoystiqVideo games: the most important part of college originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 15 May 2007 18:25:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bloomsburgcollegecommencementeducationlearninglessonslifetranininguniversityTue, 15 May 2007 18:25:00 EST<![CDATA[University professor uses Halo to teach Homer]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/04/16/university-professor-uses-halo-to-teach-homer/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/04/16/university-professor-uses-halo-to-teach-homer/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/04/16/university-professor-uses-halo-to-teach-homer/#commentsFiled under: ,

UConn associate professor Roger Travis thinks that video games can be an important learning tool -- and not just lame-ass edutainment, but real video games. Like Halo. Travis draws parallels between the legendary FPS and epic literature like the Aeneid: "Both Halo and the Aeneid tell a story about a more-than-human hero defeating enemies who would be too much for ordinary people like us - enemies who nevertheless bear an important resemblance to the ones we and the Romans face in our respective presents."

Uh-huh. UConn students, if this guy starts saying the Konami Code was inspired by The Hero With A Thousand Faces, you should probably consider transferring to a more academically demanding school.

JoystiqUniversity professor uses Halo to teach Homer originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 16 Apr 2007 11:55:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>aeneidcollegeepic literatureEpicLiteraturehero with a thousand facesHeroWithAThousandFacesiliadroger travisRogerTravisuconnMon, 16 Apr 2007 11:55:00 EST<![CDATA[Harvard club gets all snooty about games]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/04/10/harvard-club-gets-all-snooty-about-games/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/04/10/harvard-club-gets-all-snooty-about-games/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/04/10/harvard-club-gets-all-snooty-about-games/#commentsFiled under: ,

The Harvard Crimson has the story about the recently created Harvard Interactive Media Group, a fancy-sounding club that makes talking about video games into a legitimate extracurricular gathering as only the Ivy League can. Member Alexander Li says the group started simply as a way to find more Civilization IV players on campus, but has since split into four scholarly subgroups that all endeavor "to explore the form and impact of interactive media" according to their mission statement.

There are plans for an academic review and a theory-soaked colloquium, but not everything is super-serious -- the group managed to attract 100 students to a gaming tournament in March. Nice to see these academic types haven't forgotten that games are meant to be played, not just talked about.

Previously: Rhode Island's gaming convention and the college gaming scene

JoystiqHarvard club gets all snooty about games originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 10 Apr 2007 18:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>academiccollegeharvardHIMGinteractiveinteractive mediaInteractiveMediareviewscholarlyuniversityTue, 10 Apr 2007 18:59:00 EST<![CDATA[DS Daily: Your MOM likes video games]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/03/27/ds-daily-your-mom-likes-video-games/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/03/27/ds-daily-your-mom-likes-video-games/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/03/27/ds-daily-your-mom-likes-video-games/#commentsFiled under:

She does. I've seen her.And she might! Thanks to the alluring and radical power of the DS. How many of you guys have been searching for your DS high and low for a rousing game of Metroid Prime: Hunters, only to find your mother or sister locked away in their rooms caring for their virtual canines? How about Animal Crossing, Electroplankton, or even more traditional fare?

The DS is easier to pick up and play than your elementary school recorder; this causes problems in the DS Fanboy offices when the three butlers and five secretaries all vie for our glossy handhelds.

Ahem.

JoystiqDS Daily: Your MOM likes video games originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 27 Mar 2007 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>AnimalcollegeCrossingDSdsdElectroplanktonmomNintendogssisterstealTue, 27 Mar 2007 09:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Rhode Island's gaming convention and the college gaming scene]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/02/28/rhode-islands-gaming-convention-and-the-college-gaming-scene/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/02/28/rhode-islands-gaming-convention-and-the-college-gaming-scene/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/02/28/rhode-islands-gaming-convention-and-the-college-gaming-scene/#commentsFiled under: , ,

When most people think of gaming conventions, they probably think of major national events like the late great E3, industry confabs like the Game Developers Conference, or even vaguely game-related fanfests like Comic-Con. They probably don't think of more local, personal affairs like the University of Rhode Island's annual gaming convention, which was held for the 16th time this weekend on the campus' Memorial Union.

This is perhaps understandable, as the University's student paper explains the event had somewhat limited attendance due to a lack of advertising. But it's also a shame, in a way, that more people couldn't be persuaded to get together for the con's Guitar Hero II, Halo and Gears of War tournaments.

We know college students play games -- hanging out with your buds and playing Madden or Halo all night is practically a rite of passage on most campuses. What we don't understand is why organized gaming clubs so often struggle to attract widespread interest on campuses that might have thriving clubs for everything from paintball to napping. Despite the common casual interest, most students don't seem to see gaming as something to join together over in an organized club setting.

Or maybe our impressions are off. To our college readers out there: what's the gaming scene like on your campus? Is gaming mainly a personal pastime, or do students often get together to play socially? Let us know in the comments thread below.

JoystiqRhode Island's gaming convention and the college gaming scene originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 28 Feb 2007 16:25:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>campuscollegeconventiongamingPS2rhode islandRhodeIslanduniversity or Rhode IslandUniversityOrRhodeIslandXbox-360Wed, 28 Feb 2007 16:25:00 EST<![CDATA[Mario makes his mark on campus [update 1]]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/02/26/mario-all-strung-out/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/02/26/mario-all-strung-out/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/02/26/mario-all-strung-out/#commentsFiled under: ,


We've seen him as post-it notes and stage plays, but now Mario has been showcased on college campuses as a large collage of shoveled snow. Bridge nine forum poster buzz, a student at the New Jersey Institute of Technology, and some friends spent a night creating Raccoon Mario outside of his dorms. In his words, "when you have about 1500 feet of string, 3 hours, 4 inches of snow, and 7 kids ... and nothing better to do ... "

The design was made via gridding the image in advance, with one person overseeing the grid and coordinating where to scoop out the snow. Mad respect for buzz and his friends.

[Thanks, generica]

Gallery: Mario college prints



[Update 1: we made the incorrect implication that string was involved in anything other than gridding. Corrected description and headline.]

JoystiqMario makes his mark on campus [update 1] originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 26 Feb 2007 19:55:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>collegeculturemarionew jerseyNewJerseyMon, 26 Feb 2007 19:55:00 EST<![CDATA[Kids schooled in Second Life]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2006/11/15/kids-schooled-in-second-life/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/11/15/kids-schooled-in-second-life/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/11/15/kids-schooled-in-second-life/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Kids these days with their online avatars ... Why, when we went to school, we we had to put on clothing and shuffle off to a real classroom. Today's kids are apparently taking classes within Second Life, phoning netting it in from their rooms.

CNN says that more than 60 colleges and other educational institutions hold classes inside Second Life. The article also describes a real sense of community between remote students in the virtual world, almost as if they were sharing an actual classroom.

This might make us sound old, but we don't quite believe that the quality of the virtual meeting space can approach the real world. But we old-school curmudgeons have never taken a class within Second Life and might be underestimating its power; maybe we'll be telling our grandkids what a real-world school-bell sounded like.

JoystiqKids schooled in Second Life originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 15 Nov 2006 04:05:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>classroomcollegePCschoolSecond LifeSecondLifeWed, 15 Nov 2006 04:05:00 EST<![CDATA[Record your voice on the go]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2006/09/17/record-your-voice-on-the-go/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/09/17/record-your-voice-on-the-go/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/09/17/record-your-voice-on-the-go/#commentsFiled under:


Art's PSP Memo Recorder is a traditional homebrew application that saves audio files recorded using the PSP headset. Imagine how useful this might be, espcially for a college student. For example, you're sitting in class, watching a movie discretely under a textbook, hiding your system from the professor. But wait! He's telling you something that'll be on the midterm! Switch over to this homebrew app, record what he's saying and save your ass from flunking out of college. Sweet!

Of course, you could stop playing those video games and actually start "studying." Nah.

JoystiqRecord your voice on the go originally appeared on Joystiq on Sun, 17 Sep 2006 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>artcollegeheadsetmemo recorderMemoRecorderrecordervirtual tape recorderVirtualTapeRecorderSun, 17 Sep 2006 12:00:00 EST<![CDATA[From gaming teen to virtual entrepreneur: how to cover college tuition [update 1]]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2006/09/06/from-gaming-teen-to-virtual-entrepreneur-how-to-cover-college-t/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/09/06/from-gaming-teen-to-virtual-entrepreneur-how-to-cover-college-t/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/09/06/from-gaming-teen-to-virtual-entrepreneur-how-to-cover-college-t/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Ogulak Da BasherDespite devoting much of the past three years to hunting and mining, Ogulak Da Basher, or Mike, a 17 year-old from Durango, Colorado, rarely breaks a sweat. Ogulak is Mike's Project Entropia avatar who has earned more than $35,000 through hard work in the Entropia Universe, becoming captain of the "ck Coat Killers" hunting society, and creating a potentially lucrative new business model based on Ogulak's mastery of crafting weapon and mining attachments.

The next step in this young virtual entrepreneur's budding career is to donate $12,000 to pay for parts of his siblings' college tuitions. Lovely story, right? But wait, before you go and sign up your future collegiate kin for Entropia accounts, know that MindArk's inspiring tales have a history of being manufactured. Think of Entropia like Poker, you might have fun playing, but chances are, you're spending dough, not making it.

Update: added "Ogulak Da Basher" image.

[Via Terpin Communications press release]

JoystiqFrom gaming teen to virtual entrepreneur: how to cover college tuition [update 1] originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 06 Sep 2006 15:25:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>collegeEntropia UniverseEntropiaUniverseexchange rateExchangeRateincomeMMORPGOgulak Da BasherOgulakDaBasherPCPEDProject Entropia DollarsProjectEntropiaDollarstuitionvirtualWed, 06 Sep 2006 15:25:00 EST<![CDATA[Street Fighter comes indoors and picks up some chalk]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2006/06/06/street-fighter-comes-indoors-and-picks-up-some-chalk/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/06/06/street-fighter-comes-indoors-and-picks-up-some-chalk/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/06/06/street-fighter-comes-indoors-and-picks-up-some-chalk/#commentsFiled under: ,


Need I say more? A couple of college kids decided to apply their Street Fighter obsessed brains to an available blackboard. It's the kind of thing you look at and say to yourself "why didn't I think of that?" I'm sure that a lot of copycat examples will be popping up in the next few days: I can't wait to see someone attempt to capture a Mario level up, or a sticky grenade from Halo, or a terrorist facing off a counter terrorist à la Counter-Strike or... you get the point.

[Via Wonderland]

JoystiqStreet Fighter comes indoors and picks up some chalk originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 06 Jun 2006 16:25:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>BlackboardChalkCollegeCounter-StrikeHaloMarioStreet FighterStreetFighterWonderlandTue, 06 Jun 2006 16:25:00 EST