#blog 5

[d-1artstudent]

Origami with Light and Shadow- Kumi Yamashita

Origami is known as a the traditional Japanese art of paper folding, exploding in popularity roughly in 18th century Japan. The earliest hint of origami being mentioned in history is debated to be in a poem created in 1680, referencing origami butterflies. Given the profusion of interest in origami, instruction manuals were quickly created in the late 18th century. Throughout the centuries, creations such as the fortune teller and crane grew immensely popular, soon evolving to be symbolic forms of good luck.

The art of origami has always been a calming one to me, even as far back as elementary school. What intrigued me notably about Yamashita’s work was the use of minimalism in a typically thorough art form such as origami. Origami typically utilizes 10-12 basic folds, yet Yamashita didn’t provide a single one, only adding the slightest creases to her paper. Despite this, with the added medium of light/ shadows, Yamashita was able to provide a degree of realism through silhouettes. Rather than folding the paper to culminate into its own creation, she instead chose the unorthodox choice of mimicking the facial structure of men who she would observe. The complex balance of lighting, creases and perspective angle of the viewer intrigues me to no end.

[digimediasourcesandsignificance]

Blog 5: Strategies of Realism: Immersion in Open Worlds

When it comes to the realist gaming, the interplay between detailed world building and the medium is often one of the themes that hold it together, it’s there in “Red Dead Redemption 2” for example. But it is the cutting edge of graphics, character animations and even AI driven behaviors that give Rockstar Games' open world the life it needs. Every little detail is a cue to making the game feel alive from swaying trees from a passing breeze to NPCs joining each other for unscripted interactions. It allows players to hunt, fish, explore the world, or watch nature just go its own way, with animals migrating, towns bustling to new acts, each making the world feel increasingly real.

The creation of a believable, immersive environment has close affinity to Ferdinand de Saussure’s idea of semiotics, especially the signifier and the signified, something similar to this (Sørensen & Thellefsen, 2022). In the game, 'signifiers' such as swaying trees, and what NPcs do, help to paint a picture of a believable world and, the 'signified', is the mental concept or experience of realism. Together, these together form a system of signs who’s meaning the game produces and reinforces with realism.

It is unscripted event where birds rotate in circular motion.So there is dead corpse nearby.

Realism, however, isn’t without its bounds — specifically, in games like Red Dead Redemption 2. By scripted events, got some extreme interruption or, with some of the occasional technical glitch, a reminder that the world they're playing in is, after all, an artificial construct. For the instance, NPCs can be dynamically reactive to the player actions, but if they need to complete certain mission objectives, or part of a narrative driven story – then the player is forced into a pre-determined way by which breaks their illusion for an whole freedom. This reflects Jean Baudrillard’s idea of hyperreality, in which the boundaries between reality and simulacrum merge into an environment that “is more real than real.” The Players become hyperreal as they lose themselves to a world of meticulous design in “Red Dead Redemption 2” that is completely fictional but feels very real. The interplay of this reality with its highly crafted simulation in the digital sphere encourages both greater sense of immersion and a subversive interrogation of realism as such, an urge of creating its way by the myriad of variants under this reality’s dominant simulation.

Conclusion

The exploration of realism in Red Dead Redemption 2 is all the more relevant here, since it demonstrates the degree to which a reliable design and narrative systems can be combined to explore new depths against the limits of digital media. From this I’ve learned how attention to detail and world-building can facilitate emotional and intellectual engagement, and in turn facilitate a better experience of media artifacts. And I feel these learnings can be transferred over to my own creative practice in terms of a way to create space/environment or narrative that provide audience with immersion. When the designing interactive experiences or analyzing media artifacts, each component must be balanced between realism and creative freedom, which will guide how I design stories, interactivity, or other forms of media work.

References

Baudrillard, J. (1981). Simulacra and Simulation. University of Michigan Press.

Sørensen, B., & Thellefsen, T. (2022). Ferdinand de Saussure in Contemporary Semiotics. Language and Semiotic Studies, 8(1), 1–5. https://doi.org/10.1515/lass-2022-080101

[hazzzzzzman]

Are gaming communities becoming a toxic environment for certain people?

Introduction

The promise of fellowship shared passion, and collaboration often coexists with a darker underbelly: toxicity, in the vast digital expanse of gaming communities. While these communities provide opportunities for connection and entertainment, they have also become breeding grounds for toxicity, creating hostile environments for certain groups, particularly women, LGBTQ+ people, and marginalized gamers. Gaming has always been perceived to be played by males. According to Ambi et al (2020), They conduct a survey to collect data by surveying the respondents. The study included 476 respondents aged 18 to 37 years old and discovered that the majority of those who identify as gamers are men, white, and generally younger than those who do not. Except for the fact that they were white, the results were deemed significant. The study thus demonstrates that the general demographic and group of people who identify as gamers are young males, which is critical information for the respondents.

Getting toxic? Let's talk about it

Toxicity manifests itself in various ways within gaming communities, ranging from straightforward harassment to outright discrimination and exclusion. Misogyny, sexual harassment, and gender-based discrimination are common experiences for women navigating these spaces. Targeted abuse, derogatory language, and objectification all contribute to an environment in which female gamers feel unwelcome, anxious, and unsafe. This toxic environment discourages many women from freely expressing their love of gaming or participating in discussions, robbing these communities of diverse perspectives and talent.

A survey was conducted on 900 women gamers in the US, Germany, and China on their opinions and perceptions towards their behavior and how females are portrayed in video games. One said "A lot of the time I end up playing as male characters in MMORPGs so people don't realize I'm a girl," one woman explained. "We try to hide what we are so people don't flirt with us, send us stuff, send us messages we really don't want, or pictures." It has been reported that the women surveyed express their satisfaction to developers on how females are depicted but are rather disappointed with how they are treated by other gamers (Sinclair 2021). This implies that female audiences are facing quite a few adversaries to fully immersed in the gaming community due to this circumstance.

Minorities?

Representation matters in this age of moving forward as what society perceives hence why inclusion is very crucial in many aspects of life and gaming is definitely one of them. Despite these drawbacks, the number and variety of players is growing. African Americans, Latinx Americans, and Asian Americans are becoming more active in the gaming community. Similarly, these players of color are more likely to play than their white counterparts (Eng 2020). Representation doesn't mean you have to give up on catering to or shaping your player niche. These still remain and designers need to consider them throughout the process but so is cunning with player accessibility in mind. Representation helps us reach and recognize more and different players in our field. However, this desire did not arise without recognition of the negative aspects previously caused by the lack of expressiveness.

In addition to that, the LGBTQ+ community is not perceived well initially when integrating into the gaming communities. There are many political reasons as well as cultural reasons that this group has not been fully or openly represented. Although there are times when few game companies have been trying to push the representation of these minority groups to gain a wider audience, especially the gamers that are in the LGBTQ+ community

PERSONAL TAKE?

I personally think the minority group that is not feeling too comfortable in life gaming deserves the product that can be marketed towards them. I sense no harm in anyone playing a game as everyone should play the game as intended which is to enjoy and fulfill their time. Gaming should not contain the elements of sexism, racism, and overall hate. Gaming is supposedly available for everyone to enjoy. Thus the example of girl gamers should be a norm and not stir up conflicts as well as political issues.

Conclusion

To sum it all up, the toxicity prevalent in gaming communities, particularly towards women, LGBTQ+ individuals, and marginalized gamers, is a multifaceted problem that must be addressed collaboratively. Gaming communities can transform into spaces that celebrate diversity and provide a welcoming and enjoyable experience for all enthusiasts by cultivating a culture of inclusivity, respect, and accountability. Representation is critical in the fight against toxicity. In their creations, game developers should prioritise diverse and authentic representation of women, and other minority groups. Inclusive storytelling that celebrates diversity while avoiding harmful stereotypes not only empowers underrepresented groups but also fosters empathy and understanding among participants.

References

Amby, A., Caluscusan, D., Dublas, J.H., Medina, M. and Tuballa, G., 2020. Analysis of stereotypes: How non-gamers view gamers. Academia. viewed 26 November 2023, <https://d1wqtxts1xzle7.cloudfront.net/62301617/Analyss-of-Stereotypes-how-non-gamers-view-gamers20200307-128480-ha50k8-libre.pdf?1583646102=&response-content-disposition=inline%3B+filename%3DANALYSIS_OF_STEREOTYPES_HOW_NON_GAMERS_V.pdf&Expires=1701093819&Signature=B9eDz0AlblG9HzTMVzUOzCd9~Hqr~2c8anxPrrTY-s2A4J0kwWr57qBfYF38f~98ySQ49TdDPuLl8KAmey-VLUJw5ShSBwA-~I5xBz76w7yCiljVr2VW9x9UvxHGIQnz3qNJCaEGkiDJH1f3qhNIcTowqbjxawIqDVNjS5seLGSFnR-wrVN9OMEtvQUgmEXnlQM~-PeDbjxFpIQIkJ-W3fixh9b3c6lMQh42J8sdy3EPE-J0qS2pmDZvpZD143UCBnCelYCcoWtwlkAjYTMoLl~mFW4NSCOmpfkVVuYfRM72dUhELxk0N9Z9QJp4uBMsYQCOP3p~N45qShgT9RRp-g__&Key-Pair-Id=APKAJLOHF5GGSLRBV4ZA>

Eng, D 2020, Representation in games, Medium, viewed 26 November, <https://medium.com/@davengdesign/representation-in-games-eccc9e59e36b>

Sinclair, b 2021, Survey says 59% of women hide gender to avoid harassment while gaming online, GamesIndustryBiz, viewed 26 November 2023, <https://www.gamesindustry.biz/survey-says-59-percent-of-women-hide-gender-to-avoid-harassment-while-gaming-online>

[slumgirlqueen]

Blog 5

After the busyness of the world and what happened in Nihon, I did not write anything for a little bit so that the world would continue to spin. This morning I just want to update you on the progress of the novel. I still have not written anything yet and will wait for a complete two weeks be to done before I start writing again.

However, I have written down notes for fourteen chapters. Not complete notes of course just some plotlines of where the story will go. A little disappointed that I did not jot down any notes yesterday. But that is just an absence of inspiration and delay. But that is how progress is done.

Anyway, given what is happening in the world, I will write to you when it is appropriate. If you do not see me writing anything, it is 'cause I want you to have fun in Israel and Nihon. Catch you later, alligator.

[mukulahujaa]

A theatre festival was held by my school,  when I was in grade 9. Dancers from different countries came to this festival and taught us their national dance forms. I remember, I met a broad range of people there and I was a member of Lithuania’s dance team.

The experience was unique and fun for me because it made me learn about different cultures and foreign languages. Interacting with multi-cultural people was exciting. I had so much fun.

I learned from this experience that I am an outgoing person and can adapt to different situations. It would help me to achieve success in future.

I believe I can use this insight to work in demanding situations as I communicate with both foreign and local people, influence them and inspire them to work for the well-being of the organization

[otrascuestiones]

Blog #5 (19/07/2021)

Catching up.

Hoy me di la vacuna, feliz de vivir en un país donde puedo vacunarme gratis. El proceso fue rápido y lo único que me dio fué sueño.

Así que tuve un día medio letárgico.

Muchas cosas que hacer, las procrastiné todas.

[tasteofeurope-foodie]

Blog #5: Crepes (France)

The dish I prepared is a classic French dessert famously known as crepes which originated from a region in France called Brittany in the 13th century. The crepes I created from a basic online recipe appeared and smelled appetising, which revealed my desired outcome of cooking an evenly shaped crepe. My crepes remind me of the crepes I used to order from an authentic French crepe stall in the Melbourne CBD with my friends.

I was pleased with how my crepes appeared as it was light brown and not too thick, which indicates how I managed not to overcook the crepes in the frying pan. My crepes' texture was soft yet sturdy as it did not tear apart as I folded it and managed to hold the banana slices inside. After adding the melted chocolate spread and the banana slides, the crepes instantly filled the kitchen with a sweet aroma reminiscent of the crepes from an official crêperie.

Eating my dessert made me feel comfort and delight as I regard it as one of my favourite desserts that can easily be modified with different toppings depending on what I choose. When I ate my dish, it reminded me of the times I used to order crepes in the city late at night from an authentic French crepe stall after I would finish a shift at work. This dessert can provoke feelings of nostalgia from past fond memories of eating crepes with my friends.

Photography Sources:

https://www.taste.com.au/recipes/basic-crepes/e4282b90-810c-41a3-ae9f-e4587010bf24

https://www.myfrenchlife.org/2015/08/04/french-crepes-melbourne-petite-creperie/

[karlafrn412]

Gilets Jaunes et la Révolution

Le mouvement de Gilet Jaune d’aujourd’hui est né des mêmes circonstances que la Révolution en 1789. C’est-à-dire que l’origine pour les deux ont commencé avec une crise sociale et financière. Ils sont basée sur le même sentiment du mépris, que la société nous bloque. On peut dire que le mouvement est une continuation de la Révolution en voyant que les deux se sont des révolutions pour le peuple. C’est pour ça que je crois que Madame de Staël aimerait ce mouvement. La grande question de la Révolution et d’aujourd’hui c’est « comment vive dans une société quand nous sommes des individus ? », une question très complexe qui n’a pas seulement une réponse correcte. C’est une obsession de l’unité qui existe dans la culture Français d’aujourd’hui qui donne une méfiance au gilet jaunes car ils ne peuvent pas comprendre leurs différences en opinion. Cette opinion est hérité de la temps de Madame de Staël a propos de la révolte de l’Ancien Régime et un surgit d’individualisme, un fait que Madame de Staël elle-même a réfléchit dans ses écrits.