Richard Bartle Visits Metanomics

This Monday, March 10th, 2008, at 11:00AM-12:00PM SLT (2:00-3:00PM EST), Robert Bloomfield and Metanomics will host Richard Bartle, veteran game-maker and author of the first book on the design of MUDs, Designing Virtual Worlds.

This interview will cover how current worlds embody the tenets of his book and analyze the extent to which the current state of virtual worlds reflects the hopes Bartle had for this medium when he co-developed the Multi-User Dungeon.

More information, including background reading and event location information, is available after the jump.

Bartle has written extensively on the policy issues of virtual worlds. Please follow these links for some background reading related to Monday's event:

- For starters, explore Richard Bartle's website and wikipedia page

- His criticism that World of Warcraft delays the development of new virtual worlds can be read here.

- Read the basics on the Bartle Test, then take the test yourself.

As an aside, Bloomfield reported his results here:

SEAK

SEAK players are usually very interested in the the 'total experience' of a virtual world--meeting other people and finding the unique places within it. They don't care much for PVP or leveling, but meeting up with online friends to see new parts of the world is usually fun and exciting.

Breakdown: Achiever 26.67%, Explorer 73.33%, Killer 26.67%, Socializer 73.33%

- Read about applications of the Bartle Test to non-game worlds in an article on Terra Nova by Tomothy Burke, which also includes more on Bartle's take on various policy issues in virtual worlds, including those involving avatar rights, griefing, and intellectual property.

- Bloomfield plans to ask Bartle about academics' ambitions to build virtual worlds as serious games for research and teaching. Bartle has written on this subject on Terra Nova in the past.

- For more on Bartle's view on virtual property, he identifies five pitfalls of virtual property in this 2004 article.

- Bartle has historically been critical of the rising importances of graphics over text and content. For his perspective on voice in multiplayer games, see this link.

- Read Bartle's discussion of the forces that drive game design, and in this context. consider these "bad ideas for games"

- Here is Bartle's take on the 5 most important people in virtual worlds.

Monday's event will take place in the CMP Amphitheatre on CMP Island 1 in Second Life. It will also be filmed and streamed live on SLCN.tv.

If you discover it to be full, however, you can still participate in the event live at any of our event partner locations.

-------EVENT PARTNER LOCATIONS------
Venue: Muse Arena on Muse Isle
Host: JenzZa Misfit
Notes: Muse Isle, established in April 2006, is one of the original live music & art venues in Second Life. They are also the home island for RDV Animations - creators of Rendezvous "Walk, Fly & Swim together " animators. Muse Isle is proud to be an event partner for Metanomics and invites you to join them for engaging chat , laughter & friendship.
SLURL : http://slurl.com/secondlife/Muse%20Isle/164/178/30

Venue: Outreach Amphitheater of the New Media Consortium Educational Community Sims
Host: CDB Barkley
Notes: The New Media Consortium (NMC) is a community of hundreds of leading universities, colleges, museums, and research centers. The NMC stimulates and furthers the exploration and use of new media and technologies for learning and creative expression.
SLurl: http://slurl.com/secondlife/Outreach/87/125/34

Venue: Bayview Amphitheater on Etopia Isle
Host: Williamthewise Goodman
Notes: Etopia Island is Second Life's premier Environmental Eco-Village showcasing Real Life examples of Sustainable Development, Renewable Energy, Organic Living and Authentic Community. View the event in an outdoor setting by the waterfront, then stay to chat with the warm and inviting community.
SLurl: http://slurl.com/secondlife/Etopia%20Island/64/147/27

Venue: ComMeta Convention Center
Host: Katerine Kamachi
Notes: We give our best to enhance Metanomics Sessions with discussions. Mostly German speaking community, international guests welcome!
SLurl: http://slurl.com/secondlife/Pixel%20Expo%20I/255/52/51

Venue: Rockcliffe University
Host: Lovely Encore
SLurl: http://slurl.com/secondlife/Rockcliffe%20I/150/224/69

Venue: Colonia Nova Amphitheatre
Host: Rose Springvale, Public Information Officer, Confederation of Democratic Sims
Notes: All dressed up for winter! Snow! the Alps! Skating! Colonia Nova sim is a low lag sim, modeled after Cologne, Germany under Roman rule, about 53 BCE. The Amphitheatre seats up to 80 avis. Colonia Nova is one of the sims governed by the CDS, Confederation of Democratic Sims, the oldest functioning democracy in SL. Members of the CDS include many lawyers, bankers and experienced SL trendsetters who participate in the discussons following Metanomics presentations in a relaxed atmosphere.
SLurl: http://slurl.com/secondlife/Colonia%20Nova/195/216/44

Venue: The Terrace
Host: HatHead Rickenbacker
Notes: Join us for a live video concert music before the Metanomics event. Streaming live from Toronto, Canada, award-winning musician and entertainer HatHead Rickenbacker performs his unique blend of jazz, blues and groovy electronica - often all the same time!
http://slurl.com/secondlife/HatHead%20II/242/202/25

Venue: Info Island
Host: Corwin Howlett
SLurl: to be distributed

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If you are interested in becoming a Metanomics event partner or wish to update your event partner listing, please contact Curric Vita or Yxes Delacroix in SL.