@derekrobertson's...

Neil Gaiman's Coraline: a new narrative driven game for learning?

I was spending some time today finalising some of my new projects at the Consolarium for this year when I decided to have a final look at recent and forthcoming releases for all major games consoles. Lots of great stuff coming up but one title that really caught my imagination is the game of the film of the book by Neil Gaiman called Coraline. Now, For those of you into your graphic novels then you'll recognise Gaiman's name from Sandman. I've also read another of his books called Neverwhere which was bizarre and surreal but eminently readable so Coraline is now on my list for purchase this Saturday.

Anyway, although the release date is January 2009 it seems that it just can't be got yet! No sign of it at all on any of the major retailers sites. AS soon as it comes out a copy will be in my hands because I think that this has potential. Have a look and check out the black button eyes in the 'other people'...

In terms of bridging that gap between games and quality narrative I feel that this title might have something real to offer. It might be the case that the game and the book could be studied in tandem? Is this an approach that might work and even bring a new dimension into understanding and relating to the characters and plot? There is also the aesthetic of the stop-motion nature of the movie and the beautiful design which is most similar to The Nightmare before Christmas. Just think what something like I Can Animate by Kudlian could offer learnrs here: making their very own Coraline-esque short movie stop-motion animations. So much to offer here I think that this could be a new must try for schools.

The clips available so far online really look stunning and the short snippets, as well as the game trailer video clip, that I've seen have really made me want to stray into and getv lost in the narrative and mystery of Coraline's 'other world'. This short clip is quite disconcerting, particulalry when you're the last one downstairs and it makes me think that ther suspense that this book/game presents might just give it that edge for it work within an S1/S2 scenario! Will be more sure once I've read the book.

I think there is real scope for suspending learners disbelief with this resource and for taking them to this 'other world' when in class..where their creativity can be inspired by both the story/writing and the aesthetic of the movie adaptation. I'm sure the game will also help encourage and excite those involved. Looking forward to getting my eyes and hands on it.

BBC's new ARG: Lost Penny

I see that Lost Penny by the BBC is now up and running. I have heard a bit about this alternate reality game and it sounded and now looks really interesting and involving. However, I can't access the clips etc whilst I'm here in Melbourne! I'm out of the BBC's region it seems :-(

If anyone wishes to follow the game and get involved in solving th mysteries and questions that arise in Lost Penny then please let me know how it is going. I'll be way behind by the time I get back to Scotland.

Marvelous free resources from Marvel Comics...

I was at a school in Falkirk recently and they were using Phoenix Wright for the Nintendo DS in their English Language class. I have long been of the opinion that games such as Phoenix Wright and other games such as Hotel Dusk: Room 215  could be used to encourage imaginative and creative language tasks in reading writing, talking and listening. Coupled with an application such as 'Comic Life' (now available for PC)then there is you have a very powerful combination to engage and motivate writing in particular.

For teachers interested in this approach you may be interested to know that Marvel Comics are offering free access to a selection of online comics featuring a variety of Super Heroes for a limited period. Along with graphic novels many of these comics not only encourage reading but they very often, if not always, offer social commentary or even explore more complex themes and issues in quite a substantial way.

Anyway, who was your favourite Super Hero? Wonder Woman was always my favourite superhero-especially when she twirled and used her golden bracelets to deflect bullets from would be assassins!

Phoenix Wright in the classroom

I have just taken delivery of two new releases for the DS that are very much in the narrative driven mystery novel genre. These are:

1. Phoenix Wright: Justice for all
2. Mystery Detective (Known as Touch detective outside the UK)

Can't wait to get into the new Phoenix Wright game so I could try grappling with the new Psyche Lock techniques that some witnesses use to stop you from getting to the truth.

Similarly, the Mystery Detective game looks a real treat in terms of the graphics and the feel of the game. I am looking forward to engaging with the narrative to see how complex it may be and how well written it is.

I also have on order Hotel Dusk: Room 215 which comes out this month. This looks as though it may offer real leaps in terms of quality of the writing and plot levels. Really excited about seeing this and to consider how we may be able to use it with learners.

In the meantime I am about to undertake an LTS Consolarium based project with a teacher at Meldrum Academy in Aberdeenshire. We will be using the DS and the game Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney. I had my own ideas about  this could be used in class but the teacher has come up with a whole different approach that looks very interesting indeed. She wants to use this to investigate persuasive writing! Again. I'll keep you posted about how things develop with this.

If anyone else is using these games as contexts for learning then please let me know. I'd love to hear about how you are using them.