Thoughts/comments on La decima vittima

In this blog post I will be writing my thoughts and comments on the Italian film La Decima Vittima. The film in itself was an interesting concept. Where murder is outlawed yet it is only allowed (and encouraged in some cases) if a member joins the game and sends a warning to the hunted anonymously. After a killer reaches ten kills they can join the elite killing club and gain certain benefits. In the film the mechanics of the game are rather interesting, obviously you are not allowed to kill an innocent by stander as the normal laws of the state are still in place (which makes it interesting when you don't know who your hunter is so there is a huge element of risk as you can still be arrested if you get the wrong person), this means the players have to be extra careful because the risks of the game can back fire greatly on them.

The film and game also become more interesting when in Italy (where the film is based (the game is world wide)) there are increasing regulations on where the players can shoot their guns due to state regulation preventing bystanders from being harmed. There places are, cafes, restaurants, churches and so fourth. his adds challenges to the game making it increasingly difficult for the players to complete their tasks so they have to conger up more ingenious, intricate and creative ways to kill their victims adding twists to the game itself. (Sounds like brave Heart to me (although this came before hand and is a spoof)).

Over all I liked the film as it had a good sense of humour as it make fun of itself and I liked the intricacy and complicity of the rules as this added a challenge to get game in the film. Plus as the film is in Italian I liked how they didn't dub the film even though some of the actors and actresses were English speaking and they used subtitles. I prefer this as it make the film more authentic.

Current reading

I'm currently reading "Don't be a vidiot!". The view in this article is partially out of date but there are still a few elements of truth about lack of imagination in the industry. However there are still plenty of wackey titles to go around that broke the mould. However the only way we have to worry is if the On-live service takes over.

Lazzarro

                          Why are Games Fun?
                                   |                  |
  ACHIEVERS <---HARD fun    EASY fun
                                   |                  |
                                  \/                 \/
    MDA AFFECTED STATES   People Factor  ---> COMPETITIVE

What makes people turn off games?

When the balance of types of players is out of balance, when games become unfair.

My opinion:

Lazzaro has some good points, but there is still a long way to go for our understanding of the topic. However I will agree with the two types of fun and with the people factor as every body can share the experience. But there are some games where there is a balance of beautiful complexity and simplicity to it.

Funativity Notes

Steve Arnolds - "Where's the entertainment in that?" of What is fun?

or What's the Funativity Quotent?

Humans are Driven to PLAY
Through Basic Drives

Survive
Reproduce
Interact
Communication

R.S.S. We have always liked things that are SWEET. (Refined Sugar Syndrome) Back in hunter gather times we would gather berries that tasted sweet so we would eat more of them. But Since the sugar has been refined and concentrated we can get the sweet taste just like that.

NOT NECESSARY A SURVIVAL REASON TO PLAY GAMES.
                                                                                           |
                                                                                          \/
                                                      They are REFINED EXPRESSIONS

Why People play?
|
---> To IMPROVE THEIR SKILLS?

1)

o
+  ---> Always goes to HUNT     EVEN WHEN FULL
^

2)

o
+  ---> ONLY HUNTS when hungry --->Only idles inbetween
^

3)


o
+  ---> ONLY HUNTS when hungry - practising HUNTING / RUNNING FIGHTING.

Which one survives? 3 does because he's found a middle ground to easily and gradually refine his skills safely and so he hunts when needed, but he isn't worn out every time and doesn't muscle waste.

PHYSICAL FUN.

SPORTS. ---> RUNNING AROUND.
                |
                |--->     THREATS


TOOL USE
                        SOCIAL FUN

                        |               |                                  |                              |
                        |               |                                  |                              |
                       \/              \/                                 \/                             \/
               TRADING  STORY TELLING   TEAM WORK     COMMUNITIES        HUMOUR


MENTAL FUN    --->   PATTERN
                                       RECOGNITION

Richard Butty - Players Who Multi User Domains

In the on-line world there are two types of playing styles:

              |                    Action                           Interaction            |
              |                                                                                     |
              |                 Focus on   <--------->  Focussed on            |
              |            The Environment                     Player                 |
              |                                                                                     |
              |--->      HEARTS                       DIAMONDS      <---|
                      PLAYERS WHO             PLAYERS WHO
                          SOCIALISE             LOOK TO ACHIEVE


               PLAYERS WHO IMPOSE       PLAYERS WHO
                         (ON OTHERS)            LOOK TO EXPLORE
                             KILLERS                       EXPLORERS


The tactics are about:

1) Relationships
2) Balance.


My opinion:


I do not agree with everything. Yes in MUDs there are the two types of playing styles however the different types of players are nowhere as clear cut as they are made out to be in this article. For instance Killers some times like to brag to socialisers how to they are at defeating another opponent in the game where as achievers will do so more often but basically the groupings today are no where as clear cut due to comparability with other players and certain built in challenger in modern games.