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My name is Jesper Juul, and I am a Ludologist [researcher of the design, meaning, culture, and politics of games]. This is my blog on game research and other important things.
Frankly I’m not 114% convinced by their argument Jesper.
To be absolutely sure, all those flimsy game manuals should be replaced by hardback copies of ‘The Road’ by Cormac McCarthy. Specifically to encourage (mood) lighting of some small (volumetric) apocalyptic fires but also to facilitate the symbolic burning of books in ritual appeasement of the then dominant evil A.I. technological monotheistic digital entity that these games spawned in the first place. You can also hollow it out to put a key in it.
What do I win ? and when are we planning the event ? Any apocalypse merchandise going ? there has to be some black tee-shirts left ?
I think the guy who points out that most kids will become mutants in the forthcoming apocalypse had it right.
Not everyone is going to get to be a Vault Dweller. Most of us will probably end up as bad guys… and that’s where video game ‘training’ kicks in. I know, for example, that standing near barrels full of flammable liquid – while tempting – is probably not a great idea. I know that leaving my ammo lying around will inevitably work against me. I will probably have to actively avoid developing an unsavory characteristic (cannibalism, etc) so people won’t have a moral high ground from which to snipe me in my face.
These are basic safety and environmental design tips that anyone can use when setting up their own post-Armageddon lair.
I think it’s also important to be aware that bad guys just aren’t created equal – the ideal seems to be the final boss in a scenario that nobody ever completes. Perhaps now is the time to start entertaining some evil scheme of world domination as this increases the chance of becoming the boss.