CSCI 490 - Lab 1
Let's Play!
In this lab, you will take a critical eye to a wide variety of recent video games.
This will help us build a common vocabulary and experiences as a class, and walk you
through the current state of the gaming industry.
Step 1 - Steam and Mobile App Stores
Most games for sale today are distributed digitally, either for mobile devices or in central
stores. Download Steam, a store that lets you
install your purchased games and play them anywhere, and sign up for an account.
Also, get your hands on either an Android or iOS device, you will need to download two
games from either the App Store
or Google Play.
Step 2 - Twitch
There are many venues available for gaining an audience for playing a game. While
most popular with team games like League of Legends, you can broadcast yourself
playing any game at all. Sign up for a twitch.tv channel,
a website that will let you stream content related to gaming.
Step 3 - OBS
One more piece. You have a game store, and a channel, you now need software to let you
broadcast your screen. Download OBS for your system,
which is open, free broadcasting software.
Step 4 - Play Games!
Time to play! Purchase, download and play these 11 games for at least 20 minutes each, so
you get a feel for the gameplay and mechanics.
| Game | Platform | Price |
|---|
| DOTA 2 | Steam | FREE |
| Eufloria | Steam | $15 |
| Every Day the Same Dream | Web | FREE |
| FTL | Steam | $10 |
| LIMBO | Steam | $10 |
| Lollipop 3: Eggs of Doom | Mobile | FREE for Android ($1 on iOS) |
| Plague Inc | Mobile | FREE for Android ($1 on iOS) |
| Portal | Steam | $10 |
| Rockets Rockets Rockets | Steam | $5 |
| Ticket to Ride | Steam | $10 |
| Year Walk | Steam | $6 |
Step 5 - Broadcast
You must broadcast on twitch one of your above 20 minute game run throughs,
preferably one you have not played before. As you broadcast, talk through the experience
for the audience, be sure not to just have a silent head playing a game.
The following two webpages have great advice and steps to getting your broadcast stream
setup with OBS and twitch.tv. Be sure to have the game, and a small video box of yourself
playing the game.
Make sure you are archiving your broadcasts. Archives will be saved for 14 days,
but only if you have selected that option in your twitch settings.
Post a link to your archived twitch broadcast in the discussion board on Moodle.
For example here is a twitch
broadcast of me playing LIMBO to test out my software setup.
Step 6 - Analyze
Analyze each game, using this Google
form. We will be discussing your answers in class on Feb 3 and looking for commonalities.