/Users/andrea/_magisterarbeit/korpus/clean/trainkorpus/20/file6.html NN ----------------------------------------- : the DT international JJ journal NN of IN computer NN game NN research NN volume NN 1 CD , , issue NN 1 CD July NP 2001 CD home NN about IN archive NP Gonzalo NP Frasca NP holds VVZ a DT Master NP Degree NP in IN Information NP Design NP and CC Technology NP . SENT His PP$ research NN interests NNS focus VVP on IN videogame JJ design NN theory NN and CC cultural JJ studies NNS . SENT He PP has VHZ worked VVN for IN Hewlett NP Packard NP and CC CNN NP , , where WRB he PP was VBD Editor NN of IN Science NP and CC Technology NP at IN CNNenEspa NP ol NNS . SENT com NN . SENT Currently RB , , he PP spends VVZ his PP$ days NNS and CC some DT nights NNS playing VVG on IN his PP$ computer NN at IN the DT Cartoon NN Network NN , , where WRB he PP works VVZ as IN a DT videogame JJ designer NN . SENT He PP has VHZ recently RB finished VVD his PP$ MA NN thesis NN Videogames NP of IN the DT Oppressed VVN . SENT Videogames NNS as IN a DT means NN of IN critical JJ thinking NN and CC debate NN , , that WDT was VBD presented VVN at IN the DT Georgia NP Institute NP of IN Technology NP under IN the DT supervision NN of IN Dr NP . SENT Janet NP Murray NP . SENT The DT full JJ text NN is VBZ available JJ at IN www NP . SENT jacaranda NN . SENT org NP frasca NP The NP Sims NP . SENT Grandmothers NNS are VBP cooler JJR than IN trolls NNS by IN Gonzalo NP Frasca NP I PP must MD confess VV something NN that WDT may MD end VV my PP$ career NN as IN a DT videogame JJ reviewer NN for IN good JJ . SENT I PP cannot NN stand NN Tolkien NP . SENT While IN I PP never RB read VVP any DT of IN his PP$ books NNS , , I PP hated VVD him PP as RB soon RB as IN I PP installed VVD The DT Hobbit NP , , an DT adventure NN game NN from IN the DT early JJ eighties NNS on IN my PP$ Sinclair NP ZX NP Spectrum NP . SENT The DT problem NN is VBZ that IN I PP do VVP not RB only RB despise VV Tolkien NP , , but CC the DT fantasy NN genre NN in IN general NN . SENT My PP$ heresy NN goes VVZ even RB further JJR . SENT I PP do VVP not RB even RB like IN Star NP Wars NPS . SENT Now RB that IN you PP know VVP my PP$ little JJ dirty JJ secret NN , , you PP will MD understand VV why WRB I PP find VVP most JJS fantasy NN related JJ videogames NNS quite RB boring JJ . SENT I PP have VHP always RB preferred JJ stories NNS about IN human JJ affairs NNS and CC social JJ issues NNS to TO magic JJ spells NNS and CC mean VV dragons NNS . SENT This DT is VBZ why WRB I PP always RB salute NN any DT attempt NN to TO bring VV human JJ characters NNS to TO videogames NNS . SENT With IN such PDT a DT bias NN , , it PP is VBZ obvious JJ that IN I PP had VHD great JJ expectations NNS about IN The DT Sims NP . SENT But CC even RB before IN I PP start VVP this DT review NN , , let VV me PP spoil VV its PP$ conclusion NN to TO you PP . SENT it PP does VVZ not RB matter VV that IN much RB if IN The DT Sims NP is VBZ a DT great JJ game NN or CC not RB . SENT The DT Sims NP is VBZ a DT landmark NN in IN videogame JJ history NN because IN it PP has VHZ opened VVN a DT Pandora's NP box NN by IN replacing VVG the DT usual JJ troll NN and CC sci NN fi NN monster NN with IN plain JJ humans NNS . SENT And CC guess VV what WP . SENT Grandmothers NNS and CC store NN clerks NNS are VBP way RB cooler JJR than IN gnomes NNS and CC elves NNS . SENT That IN being VBG said VVD let VV me PP tell VV you PP a DT short JJ story NN . SENT In IN October NP 1999 CD , , Andrew NP Stern NP introduced VVD Babyz NP , , his PP$ new JJ product NN , , at IN the DT Digital NP Arts NP and CC Culture NP Conference NP in IN Atlanta NP . SENT This DT was VBD the DT third JJ installment NN of IN a DT series NN that WDT included VVD Catz NP and CC Dogz NP . SENT These DT two CD virtual JJ pets NNS were VBD actually RB quite RB fun NN , , and CC playing VVG with IN them PP was VBD much RB more RBR rewarding JJ than IN doing VVG it PP with IN Tamagotchi NP , , the DT Japanese JJ virtual JJ pet NN that WDT became VVD wildly RB popular JJ in IN the DT mid JJ nineties NNS . SENT The DT artificial JJ intelligence NN behind IN Babyz NP seemed VVD to TO be VB much RB more RBR developed VVN than IN the DT one NN implemented VVN in IN Dogz NP , , but CC maybe RB it PP was VBD just RB that IN people NNS might MD project VV more JJR brainpower NN on IN a DT virtual JJ human NN than IN on IN a DT virtual JJ animal NN . SENT Stern's NP presentation NN went VVD on IN normally RB for IN a DT while NN , , until IN the DT audience NN started VVD asking VVG questions NNS . SENT Suddenly RB , , the DT unexpected JJ happened VVD . SENT The DT questions NNS that IN people NNS were VBD asking VVG were VBD not RB about IN frame NN rates NNS , , levels NNS or CC secret JJ codes NNS , , but CC about RB everyday JJ life NN situations NNS . SENT I PP remember VVP a DT couple NN that WDT was VBD really RB concerned VVN about IN the DT lack NN of IN handicapped JJ virtual JJ babyz NN . SENT Others NNS were VBD a DT bit NN concerned VVN about IN the DT amount NN of IN time NN that IN people NNS wasted VVN playing VVG with IN virtual JJ babies NNS while IN real JJ orphans NNS where WRB starving VVG for IN affect VV . SENT I PP really RB do VVP not RB care VV if IN the DT discussion NN was VBD driven VVN by IN real JJ concern NN or CC political JJ correctness NN . SENT The DT fact NN was VBD that IN a DT game NN about IN humans NNS engaged VVD the DT audience NN to TO take VV a DT critical JJ look NN at IN both CC the DT simulation NN and CC reality NN . SENT While IN this DT kind NN of IN effect NN is VBZ the DT main JJ goal NN of IN artists NNS working VVG in IN other JJ media NNS notably RB Brecht NP and CC Boal NP in IN drama NN , , this DT was VBD the DT first JJ time NN that IN I PP witnessed VVD it PP to TO such PDT a DT degree NN among IN videogame JJ players NNS . SENT It PP seems VVZ that IN as RB soon RB as IN you PP simulate VVP human JJ behavior NN on IN a DT computer NN , , things NNS go VVP awry RB . SENT After IN all DT , , our PP$ culture NN has VHZ several JJ myths NNS to TO remind VV mortals NNS that IN we PP should MD not RB play VV God NP remember VV to TO what WP happened VVD to TO Doctor NP Frankenstein NP after IN he PP crafted VVD his PP$ creature NN . SENT In IN Life NP on IN the DT Screen NP 1995 CD Sherry NP Turkle NP identifies VVZ different JJ kinds NNS of IN reactions NNS towards IN simulation NN . SENT Some DT people NNS are VBP what WP she PP calls VVZ simulation NN deniers NNS . SENT They PP simply RB do VVP not RB accept VV simulations NNS , , probably RB because IN they PP feel VVP that IN any DT simulation NN is VBZ not RB a DT completely RB accurate JJ representation NN of IN the DT system NN that WDT is VBZ being VBG modeled VVN . SENT Little JJ computer NN people NNS When WRB I PP was VBD about RB 10 CD years NNS old JJ , , I PP went VVD to TO a DT friend's JJ garage NN and CC discovered VVD a DT quite RB disturbing JJ scenario NN . SENT the DT whole JJ place NN was VBD taken VVN over RP by IN an DT enormous JJ model NN featuring VVG four CD electric JJ trains NNS , , with IN cool JJ details NNS such JJ as IN small JJ houses NNS and CC even RB a DT little JJ plastic NN dog NN . SENT I PP never RB got VVD the DT chance NN to TO see VV the DT locomotives NNS working VVG , , since IN the DT owner NN , , my PP$ friend's NNS dad NN , , was VBD never RB around RB and CC for IN some DT reason NN , , children NNS simply RB can MD not RB play VV with IN grown VVN up's NNS toys NNS . SENT Maybe RB it PP was VBD because RB of IN this DT is VBZ that IN I PP spent VVD as IN much JJ time NN as IN I PP could MD just RB watching VVG the DT model NN and CC imagining VVG every DT single JJ possible JJ detail NN of IN that DT fantastic JJ world NN . SENT For IN an DT external JJ observer NN , , it PP is VBZ impossible JJ to TO understand VV why WRB a DT grown VVN up RP would MD spend VV hours NNS just RB watching VVG trains NNS going VVG around RP . SENT But CC , , of IN course NN , , that WDT misses VVZ the DT whole JJ point NN . SENT Will NP Wright NP , , The DT Sim's NP designer NN , , has VHZ mentioned VVN in IN several JJ interviews NNS that IN his PP$ main JJ design NN strategy NN was VBD influenced VVN by IN Scott NP McCloud's NP Understanding NN Comics NNS , , particularly RB the DT section NN when WRB McCloud NP explains VVZ how WRB the DT reader NN fills VVZ in IN the DT gaps NNS of IN what WP happens VVZ between IN each DT panel NN of IN the DT illustrated VVN story NN . SENT Because IN of IN this DT , , Sims NP speak VVP gibberish NN , , and CC dream NN and CC converse NN by IN using VVG icons NNS rather RB than IN words NNS . SENT Unlike IN other JJ failed VVN attempts NNS to TO realistically RB simulate VVP human JJ life NN and CC language NN , , Wright NP came VVD up RP with IN an DT elegant JJ solution NN that IN not RB only JJ works NNS but CC also RB encourages VVZ the DT players NNS to TO project VV their PP$ thoughts NNS on IN the DT cute JJ little JJ computer NN people NNS . SENT However RB , , it PP is VBZ important JJ not RB to TO project VV too RB much RB onto IN the DT game NN . SENT The DT Sims NP is VBZ not RB as RB much JJ about IN human JJ relationships NNS as IN it PP is VBZ about RB life NN administration NN . SENT While IN the DT game NN deals NNS with IN pleasing VVG your PP$ friends NNS or CC cheating NN on IN your PP$ partner NN with IN your PP$ neighbour NN , , the DT main JJ activities NNS remain VVP managing VVG money NN , , unclogging VVG toilets NNS and CC doing VVG a DT lot NN of IN cleaning NN . SENT This DT is VBZ probably RB the DT reason NN that WDT made VVD me PP stop VV playing VVG , , after IN a DT whole JJ week NN of IN not RB being VBG able JJ to TO turn VV the DT computer NN off RP and CC appraising VVG my PP$ acquaintances NNS in IN terms NNS of IN neat JJ , , outgoing JJ , , active JJ , , playful JJ and CC nice JJ . SENT Certainly RB , , it PP was VBD quite RB ironic JJ that IN I PP spent VVD many JJ days NNS cleaning VVG my PP$ virtual JJ house NN up RB , , while IN my PP$ own JJ apartment NN was VBD not RB in IN , , to TO put VV it PP in IN a DT nice JJ way NN , , great JJ shape NN . SENT The DT problem NN of IN simulating VVG reality NN is VBZ that IN it PP can MD easily RB become VV too RB real JJ . SENT I PP remember VVP a DT guy NN in IN school NN who WP said VVD that IN he PP did VVD not RB like IN Ultima NN Online JJ because IN , , after IN a DT while NN , , it PP became VVD the DT equivalent NN of IN having VHG a DT lousy JJ job NN . SENT I PP felt VVD similarly RB in IN The DT Sims NP . SENT like IN an DT underpaid JJ virtual JJ house NN maid NN . SENT The DT problem NN is VBZ that IN simulating VVG relationships NNS as IN the DT ones NNS portrayed VVN by IN Chekhov NP is VBZ currently RB impossible JJ , , because RB , , unlike IN The DT Sims NP , , they PP are VBP not RB based VVN just RB on IN actions NNS but CC also RB rely VV heavily RB on IN dialogue NN . SENT Nevertheless RB , , The DT Sims NP is VBZ still RB fun NN enough RB and CC should MD work VV fine NN until IN somebody NN comes VVZ up RP with IN a DT game NN where WRB players NNS could MD go VV through IN the DT process NN of IN divorce NN with IN zillions NNS of IN different JJ wives NNS or CC husbands NNS , , modifying VVG variables NNS such JJ as IN age NN , , number NN of IN children NNS , , economical JJ situation NN or CC causes VVZ for IN divorce NN . SENT I PP bet VVD that IN you PP could MD learn VV more RBR about IN human JJ nature NN from IN such PDT a DT game NN than IN from IN all DT Ingmar NP Bergman NP s PP films NNS . SENT The DT family NN album NN According VVG to TO the DT designers NNS of IN the DT game NN , , the DT family NN album NN is VBZ a DT feature NN that WDT has VHZ evolved VVN in IN an DT unexpected JJ way NN . SENT Originally RB , , it PP was VBD simply RB intended VVN for IN allowing VVG players NNS to TO take VV snapshots NNS of IN particular JJ moments NNS in IN their PP$ Sim's NP lives NNS , , and CC then RB build VV a DT family NN album NN that WDT could MD be VB easily RB published VVN online JJ . SENT What WP the DT designers NNS did VVD not RB anticipate VV was VBD that IN players NNS would MD use VV this DT feature NN to TO craft VV stories NNS starring VVG their PP$ Sims NP . SENT Suddenly RB , , the DT family NN album NN became VVD a DT comic JJ book NN . SENT Most JJS of IN the DT stories NNS are VBP quite RB dull JJ , , but CC there EX are VBP some DT exceptions NNS . SENT If IN you PP want VVP to TO check VV this DT out RP by IN yourself PP , , I PP suggest VVP starting VVG by IN the DT Ventura NP Family NP Album NN . SENT a DT story NN about IN a DT woman NN and CC her PP$ abusive JJ husband NN . SENT Creating VVG these DT family NN album NN stories NNS is VBZ not RB an DT easy JJ task NN . SENT Since IN Sims NP are VBP quite RB autonomous JJ , , the DT author NN has VHZ to TO wait VV until IN she PP gets VVZ the DT right JJ snapshot NN to TO add VV to TO the DT sequence NN , , a DT job NN that WDT can MD be VB very JJ time NN consuming NN . SENT Unlike IN other JJ action NN videogames NNS , , where WRB players NNS record VV their PP$ performances NNS on IN video NN in IN order NN to TO analyze VV or CC show VV off RP their PP$ skills NNS , , the DT family NN album NN storytellers NNS do VVP not RB focus VV on IN the DT game NN itself PP but CC use VV the DT feature NN as IN a DT narrative JJ tool NN . SENT While IN I PP understand VVP that IN the DT family NN album NN option NN may MD be VB compelling JJ to TO many JJ players NNS . SENT what WP I PP would MD like VV to TO see VV in IN future JJ versions NNS is VBZ a DT feature NN that WDT would MD not RB only RB allow VV to TO create VV narrations NNS , , but CC also RB simulations NNS . SENT In IN other JJ words NNS , , instead RB of IN crafting VVG a DT pre NP chewed VVD narrative NN , , I PP would MD love VV to TO be VB able JJ to TO use VV my PP$ Sims NP to TO create VV a DT small JJ game NN or CC simulation NN that WDT could MD be VB played VVN not RB viewed VVN by IN my PP$ fellow JJ players NNS . SENT Instead RB of IN simply RB telling VVG the DT story NN of IN an DT abusive JJ husband NN , , it PP would MD be VB great JJ if IN I PP could MD define VV the DT rules NNS that WDT govern VVP my PP$ idea NN of IN what WP an DT abusive JJ husband NN is VBZ . SENT I PP would MD then RB let VV him PP free JJ within IN a DT constrained VVN environment NN so IN players NNS could MD experiment NN with IN it PP . SENT Instead RB of IN delivering VVG a DT concrete JJ husband NN , , I PP would MD create VV a DT potentially RB violent JJ husband NN . SENT My PP$ view NN of IN this DT situation NN would MD not RB be VB conveyed VVD through IN a DT series NN of IN descriptions NNS and CC events NNS , , but CC through IN the DT set NN of IN rules NNS that IN I PP selected VVD to TO govern VV my PP$ virtual JJ abuser NN . SENT Actually RB , , it PP would MD be VB great JJ if IN other JJ players NNS , , who WP disagreed VVD with IN my PP$ concept NN of IN abusive JJ husband NN , , could MD modify VV my PP$ code NN and CC post VV their PP$ own JJ versions NNS . SENT Sim NP Ideology NN One NN of IN the DT most RBS controversial JJ features NNS in IN The DT Sims NP is VBZ its PP$ consumerist NN ideology NN . SENT Literally RB , , the DT amount NN of IN virtual JJ friends NNS that IN you PP have VHP depends VVZ on IN the DT amount NN of IN goods NNS that IN you PP own VVP obviously RB , , the DT bigger JJR your PP$ house NN , , the DT better RBR . SENT Nevertheless RB , , I PP met VVD some DT people NNS that WDT firmly RB believe VVP that IN The DT Sims NP is VBZ a DT parody NN and CC , , therefore RB , , it PP is VBZ actually RB a DT critique NN of IN consumerism NN . SENT Personally RB , , I PP disagree VVP . SENT While IN the DT game NN is VBZ definitively RB cartoonish JJ , , I PP am VBP not RB able JJ to TO find VV satire NN within IN it PP . SENT Certainly RB , , the DT game NN may MD be VB making VVG fun NN of IN suburban JJ Americans NNS , , but CC since IN it PP rewards VVZ the DT player NN every DT time NN she PP buys VVZ new JJ stuff NN , , I PP do VVP not RB think VV this DT could MD be VB considered VVN parody NN . SENT This DT takes VVZ us PP to TO the DT fascinating JJ and CC yet RB unexplored JJ realm NN of IN simulation NN rhetoric NN . SENT what WP are VBP the DT characteristics NNS of IN parody NN in IN a DT simulation NN . SENT Is VBZ ergodic JJ parody NN possible JJ at IN all DT . SENT Parody NN is VBZ a DT genre NN that WDT works VVZ well RB in IN representational JJ forms NNS such JJ as IN narrative NN , , but CC I PP am VBP not RB sure JJ if IN there EX is VBZ an DT equivalent NN in IN simulation NN . SENT While IN traditional JJ representation NN just RB mimics VVZ characteristics NNS of IN a DT referent NN , , simulation NN also RB models VVZ its PP$ behaviors NNS . SENT A DT movie NN that WDT makes VVZ fun NN of IN consumerism NN just RB depicts VVZ events NNS that WDT are VBP watched VVN by IN its PP$ audience NN , , but CC a DT simulation NN make VV the DT players NNS perform VVP those DT actions NNS and CC I PP think VVP this DT is VBZ not RB quite RB the DT same JJ . SENT A DT parody NN or CC not RB , , The DT Sims NP is VBZ designed VVN in IN a DT way NN that WDT makes VVZ it PP hard JJ to TO have VH fun NN unless IN you PP buy VVP a DT lot NN of IN stuff NN . SENT One PP has VHZ to TO be VB careful JJ when WRB reviewing VVG simulations NNS . SENT Given VVN the DT current JJ state NN of IN development NN of IN the DT field NN . SENT human JJ and CC social JJ simulation NN is VBZ at IN a DT very RB early JJ stage NN and CC designers NNS must MD trim VV down RP human JJ behavior NN to TO make VV it PP fit VV our PP$ cute JJ little JJ Pentium NP III NP computers NNS . SENT At IN the DT Entertainment NP in IN the DT Interactive NP Age NP conference NN , , Will NP Wright NP claimed VVD that IN while IN he PP believed VVD human JJ nature NN could MD not RB be VB expressed VVN by IN the DT five CD traits NNS that WDT define VV each DT Sim NP neat JJ , , outgoing JJ , , active JJ , , playful JJ and CC nice JJ , , he PP had VHD to TO select VV just RB a DT few JJ characteristics NNS due JJ to TO time NN and CC technical JJ constraints NNS . SENT With IN such PDT a DT limited JJ set NN , , the DT final JJ product NN will MD definitively RB carry VV the DT bias NN of IN the DT selected JJ traits NNS . SENT While IN the DT only JJ objection NN that IN I PP would MD make VV to TO the DT game NN is VBZ its PP$ blatant JJ consumerism NN , , this DT is VBZ not RB The DT Sims NP most RBS important JJ ideological JJ claim NN . SENT The DT Sims NP most RBS powerful JJ statement NN is VBZ that DT human JJ life NN , , both CC on IN its PP$ personal JJ and CC social JJ levels NNS , , can MD be VB simulated JJ . SENT Hopefully RB , , more JJR videogames NNS will MD soon RB be VB staged VVN in IN living VVG rooms NNS and CC bedrooms NNS instead RB of IN in IN a DT galaxy NN , , far RB , , far RB away RB . SENT And CC maybe RB , , just RB maybe RB , , some DT day NN videogame JJ advertisements NNS will MD focus VV more JJR on IN ideas NNS than IN on IN polygon NN counts NNS . SENT I PP am VBP looking VVG forward RB to TO seeing VVG that IN . SENT References NNS Maxis NNS . SENT The DT Sims NP . SENT Electronic JJ Arts NP 2000 CD . SENT Melbourne NP House NP . SENT The DT Hobbit NP ZX NP Spectrum NP version NN . SENT Melbourne NP House NP 1982 CD . SENT Stern NP , , Andrew NP et CC al NP . SENT Babyz NP . SENT PF NP . SENT Magic JJ Mindscape NP 1999 CD . SENT Turkle NP , , Sherry NP . SENT Life NN on IN Screen NP . SENT New NP York NP . SENT Simon NP and CC Schuster NP 1995 CD . SENT Entertainment NN in IN the DT Interactive NP Age NP . SENT Conference NN at IN University NP of IN Southern NP California NP . SENT January NP 20 CD 30 CD 2001 CD . SENT http NN . SENT www JJ . SENT annenberg NP . SENT edu NP interactive JJ age NN To TO the DT top NN of IN the DT page NN