Mazes and Labyrinths
What is a maze?
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- A network of paths and hedges designed as a puzzle through which one has to find a way.
What is a labyrinth?
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- A complicated, irregular network of passages or paths in which it is difficult to find one's way; a maze.
Definitions from Oxford Languages - found on Google "define [term]"
Difference between maze and labyrinth?
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Generally, labyrinth and maze colloquially can be used as synonyms. However, the main difference between these two network structures, is that labyrinths have a single continuous path which leads to the centre and mazes have multiple paths which go to different locations.
Brief History of Labyrinths
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Labyrinths have a rich history, dating back all the way to Ancient Greece, where the most famous one was constructed by King Minos of Crete, to hold the Minotaur. "Prehistoric labyrinths are believed to have served as traps for malevolent spirits or as defined paths for ritual dances" (https://www.labyrinthpark.gr/en/history-of-labyrinth).
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Nowadays, labyrinths are used primarily for entertainment and meditation. Labyrinths can be used for "walking meditation". This is where walking in a single winding path from the outer edge towards the centre; relaxes, calms, encourages meditation, self-reflection and stress reduction. (https://www.binghamton.edu/bhealthy/labyrinth.html).
Mazes
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The purposes of mazes are less clear than labyrinths. There are more possibilities - such as getting a prize in a specific location, tracing a path, an attempt to escape and to be a stage/metaphor (http://www.intotheabyss.net/maze-theory/).
Mirror's Edge
Backstory:
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Mirror's Edge is set in a utopian unnamed city, where everything is strictly regulated and controlled by the City regime. The world is under heavy surveillance and as the player you are part of a group called "Runners". Runners are commissioned individuals who try to transmit information without alerting the government.
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The game can be argued as being based on George Orwell's 1984, with subtle hints throughout the game and even having a character quote a phrase from the book itself; "Today's headline, tomorrow's cat litter". Subtle hints are shown through the environment (posters of 3 main companies that have control over the city) and how some of the characters within the story interact with one another. The game also explores women empowerment - as you play in first person as a female character, who is faced with a lot of adversities. Within most modern games, women are over-sexualised, and it is refreshing to have a game which is designed in a way where you don't get to see yourself or other women throughout the game presented in that manner.
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Personally, playing through the game as a character who has their own motives and goals - separate to mine, creates depth both within the game and my connection to the character. I think this is a very interesting point that deserves more attention.
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References:
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Allison, F. (2015). Whose mind is the signal? Focalization in video game narratives. [online] Available at: https://rest.neptune-prod.its.unimelb.edu.au/server/api/core/bitstreams/37904ec4-a3ce-5cad-8004-85d287c05ebf/content [Accessed 12 Oct. 2022].
Backe, H.-J. (n.d.). The Narrative Edge of Gaming. [online] Available at: http://www.hajobacke.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/Backe_Narrative-Edge-of-Gaming_online.pdf [Accessed 12 Oct. 2022].
Ciccoricco, D. (2012). Narrative, Cognition, and the Flow of Mirror’s Edge. [online] Sage Journals. Available at: https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10.1177/1555412012454223?casa_token=ZQLt4TcV7tIAAAAA%3AgNu1rNQ0omt5p9m3FfAfxqKseLR8rBycLLnrUOiUkpx_ZCa-xEXxC3xLrbAVierKQCrn22LrTOw.
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Inclusive Design
From what I understand of this topic; Inclusive Design is a way to approach a product or service, making it suitable and accessible for a wide range of different people. During the process of Inclusive Design, everyone's backgrounds must be accounted for and characteristics that make us different for one another. The aim is to be inclusive of as many different people as possible.
Why does it matter?
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When people are able to personally connect with a game and interact with it, they are more likely to engage with it and its content fully. Conversely, when players are not able to physically play a game, or don't see any characters they are able to connect with, they may feel isolated and miss out on beneficial opportunities.
3 Pillars for universal design
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Give player a way to create something
Promote collaborative play.
Provide a friendly learning curve.
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Within my project, I aim to give the player the option of creating their own journey and pathway through the nuclear power station. However, as for the other 2 principles - I am not able to incorporate them, because my game is single player and designed to be challenging. Unfortunately, that might result in fewer people playing my game due to it being too challenging for them. To try and solve this, I will try and make the controls for movements as easy and fluid as possible, so that the challenge is mostly decision-making quickly - whilst making good choices.
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I think that using a controller that the majority of people are familiar with will allow for easier interaction between the player and the game. Also, if I am able to, I can implement a customise controller option, which grants further accessibility options.
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When it comes to building a connection between the player and the character they're controlling, I can either leave the character fully as an "empty capsule" that the player can project themselves into. Or allow the player to select between different voice options and during gameplay, there will be different grunt noises when jumping etc at the pitch they have selected.
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Sources:
Crossley, Q. (2019). Inclusive Game Design: Key Starting Principles. [online] Filament Games. Available at: https://www.filamentgames.com/blog/inclusive-game-design-key-starting-principles/.
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Games for Change Student Challenge. (n.d.). INCLUSIVE PLAY: DESIGNING GAMES FOR ALL. [online] Available at: https://gamesforchange.org/studentchallenge/nyc/inclusive-play/.
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Keates, S., Clarkson, P.J., Harrison, L.-A. and Robinson, P. (2000). Towards a practical inclusive design approach. Proceedings on the 2000 conference on Universal Usability - CUU ’00. doi:10.1145/355460.355471.
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Komives, S.R., Dugan, J.P., Owen, J.E., Slack, C., Wagner, W. and Programs (NCLP), N.C. of L. (2011). The Handbook for Student Leadership Development. [online] Google Books. John Wiley & Sons. Available at: https://books.google.co.uk/books?hl=en&lr=&id=ooCwTx1fFGwC&oi=fnd&pg=PA157&dq=inclusive+design+principles&ots=NMtDCM0OY4&sig=xwxtYt0lZR4AAmW4yAIktKY7qAU&redir_esc=y#v=onepage&q=inclusive%20design%20principles&f=false.
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Swan, H., Pouncey, I., Pickering, H. and Watson, L. (2022). Inclusive Design Principles. [online] uidl.naswa.org. Available at: https://uidl.naswa.org/handle/20.500.11941/4631.
Fusion and other energy
New sources of energy
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For a long time, scientists have been attempting to find a new sustainable source of energy. A source that generates even more energy than we are able to generate with current means, whilst having less of an impact on the environment. There have been many theoretical studies and some more practical studies conducted. Recently, within the last year, scientists have made a discovery within nuclear fusion.
"Nuclear Fusion involves smashing together light elements to form heavier elements, releasing a huge burst of energy in the process". (the Guardian, 2022). This process naturally occurs within stars and our sun. The benefit of this process is that it generates a huge amount of energy, creates heavier elements and is potentially very sustainable due to being a low-carbon energy source.
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Studies surrounding fusion have existed since the 1950s and have not been successful at replicating the process, due to failing to demonstrate a positive energy gain (this is called ignition). However, 12th December 2022, scientists in California managed to release 2.5MJ of energy after starting with 2.1MJ - which they heated up with lasers.
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Vaughan, A. (2020). UK nuclear fusion reactor will fire up for the first time in 23 years. [online] New Scientist. Available at: https://www.newscientist.com/article/2231341-uk-nuclear-fusion-reactor-will-fire-up-for-the-first-time-in-23-years/.
the Guardian. (2022). Breakthrough in nuclear fusion could mean ‘near-limitless energy’. [online] Available at: https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2022/dec/12/breakthrough-in-nuclear-fusion-could-mean-near-limitless-energy.