This week focused on the evolution and history of the CRPG genre. Big takeaway? That the digital rpg has followed a path of least resistance within the context of system and innovation, and as we might expect, to properly understand the underlying game systems in place in even our most advanced digital games, we must look at the originating mechanic which more often than not can be illustrated via a traditional analog model! In other words our computers do certain things really well - they do complicated math fast and well, they visualize and homogenize experience, and they connect players across vast spaces and time differences. But, we must not forget they also do some things really poorly, like find creative and innovative solutions (the ones that do are the result of creative and innovative people behind the system) and they limit our imagination and in some ways even our very player agency. The right tool for the right job I say! 

Progress Quest here if you want it: http://progressquest.com/
Ongoing HW if you never have:
Play Zork - http://freebies.about.com/od/onlinegames/p/how-to-play-zork.htm
Play a Facebook (Social) Game like Castleville https://zynga.com/play/castleville/

To reiterate: D1 was about comparing your player experience narratively and within a player's perspective of the mechanics. It is now time to dive in deep into the mechanics and even math (eek!) of the systems we have played and yes, the one you are now playing on your own for D2. Read it, run it (on your dog if you have no friends), and analyze it in the context of your very broad base of game knowledge from the class so far. If you have not read the texts (Like 2nd Person) parallel to the discussions as listed on the syllabus, I recommend it - since there is far more detailed info there than we could possibly cover in a mere 2 hours and 45 minutes. That said, Dungeons and Desktops for next week is not one you read, rather a reference book meant to be cited. Those of you doing crpgs for D2 will find that book quite valuable. Also below are the presentations as usual, but the second one has in it a few slides we didn't cover in class as well as my "Simple RPG" solution I use to play with high-schoolers when teaching this stuff to them. If you were to turn this in you would not pass the D3, just so you know. I'll be posting that rubric soon. 

HW:  
1) Begin looking for a tabletop RPG system (not a board-game) you want to do an in-depth review of for D2. Much information about them can be had at http://rpggeek.com/. Remember that it can’t be one of the ones we did at length in class. If you are poor, check out these free game downloads or search for more, but please choose something fairly mainstream with some forum discussion available to you:
http://www.darkshire.net/jhkim/rpg/freerpgs/
http://sillyhatbooks.com/about/games/
http://www.1km1kt.net/cat/rpg
2) Look over the following two web comics and comment about them below:
DM of the Rings (shamusyoung.com)
Darths and Droids (darthsanddroids.net)

Have a great spring break! See below for ice day instructions on turning in your D1 if you haven't already. The D2 assignment details are below! When we get back we will sign up for presentation slots on weeks 12 &13

So much for Monday's class! You can turn in your D1 (and the stuff below) to me as late as WED 3/5 (weather permitting of course) under my office door (or in my hand) without late penalty. Have an ice day. REMINDERS below. 
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Regardless -- Great class this week! The evil has been defeated and the Palantir is safe -- at least until it ends up in the hands of Saruman some centuries later -- Mwa ha ha! 

Next time is where the class shifts towards discussion and presentations. First up is - "RPG theory and models" and "Interactive Story" defined. You should have Second Person section I & II read if you want to sound smart when you say things. 

Remember that D1 is due! You need to turn in 4 or 5 things to me on Monday! 
It's -30xp for late work (SO DON'T DO THAT!)  

1. D&D Character Sheet (Write N/A or None on empty spots so I know you know it's blank.) 
2. Edge of the Empire Character Sheet (Ditto above) 
3. Burning wheel Character Burner AND Character Sheet (And again - Ditto above)  
4. Comparative Analysis Paper (http://www.scribd.com/doc/210133567/ATEC-4373-D1)
5. The Observer form from last week (15xp) for BW (unless you already gave it to me!)   

Since you asked - Regarding length of the paper - I have no requirement for length for this one (but it will likely be about 10 pages double-spaced, 12 point font, times, etc.) because I want you to follow one of the two guides for writing I have given you. This is about structure and content - not length!