Ludology.org

It's not about the polygons

CNET.com reports on GDC Europe.

Online video games are the newest form of social comment

It's good to see that -slowly- games are dearing into muddier waters and people are realizing it. Still, there is a long road ahead. Here's an excellent article by Clive Thompson. His last paragraph perfectly describes my gaming ideals: "These games aren't trying to get you hooked or make your thumbs sore. They're trying to make you think."
In addition to the article, you will find great links to political games -specially Al Quaidamon, a Pokémon-like game where you deal with a prisoner of war (Thanks Marcelo Massat!).

Weird is the word

A Shockwave-based game with an unusual educational edge:http://www.planetprostate.com/ (Thanks William Huber!).

Jenkins on being fragged on TV

This is an interesting article by Henry Jenkins on how the game/violence "debate" works on American television. He makes several good points and he clearly depicts how difficult is to engage on a critical debate over issues that are important to both players and parents. I still find amazing that he describes games as a "storytelling medium" but, hey, that's a whole different debate (On Salon.com via Gignews)

Janet Murray teaching games this semester

Game Design as a Cultural Practice is Janet Murray's new course for the fall semester at IDT in Georgia Tech.

Gamestudies slashdotted Part II

Will Wright's interview is one of the "themes du jour" at slashdot.

Call me Mario

Would you legally change your name to the one of a game character? Acclaim thinks you might and they are willing to pay for it (Updated. Thanks Ed).

Business 2.0 on virtual worlds

Read the article here (via game-culture/Stefan Champailler).

Game On 2002

Game On 2002's website has been updated. Deadlines for submission are August 30 and September 15th.

DAC CFP

DAC's Call for Papers is finally out. 500 word abstracts should be submitted before September 15th, 2002.