Conference presentation with Rebecca Edwards at Annual Alliance of Museums annual meeting in Seattle, WA. May 19, 2014

1. Repurposeable Digital Games
at the J. Paul Getty Museum
Rebecca Edwards (Education Specialist)
Susan Edwards (Web Writer/Editor)
@jolifanta

2. Business Goals  Efficiency
Easy, Scalable + Extendable
Photo by arbyreed on Flickr

3. Platform game image http://www.freegameaccess.com/mechanic.htm
Stopwatch image: https://www.flickr.com/photos/purplemattfish/3020016417/
Space invaders image: http://joeadonis.deviantart.com/art/Space-Invaders-24812188
What is a game mechanic?
Candyland image: http://www.greenphoenixcoaching.com/2013/08/07/life-lessons-from-candy-land/
Tetris image: http://www.geeky-gadgets.com/tetris-curbs-addiction-23-03-2014/
Darts image : Richard Matthews https://www.flickr.com/photos/richardofengland/6788829651/

4. Candyland image http://www.greenphoenixcoaching.com/2013/08/07/life-lessons-from-candy-land/
Game of Life image http://rapgenius.com/Jay-rock-checkmate-lyrics#note-664745
What is a repurposeable game mechanic?

5. What is a repurposeable game mechanic?
Life image: http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51RnTjglA3L.jpg

6. What is a repurposeable game technology?
• Provides structure
• Is modular
• No coding or programming required
• Has longevity

7. Repurposeable games at the Getty

8. GettyGames: Well-known, casual game mechanic

9. GettyGames: Education goal = close looking

10. GettyGames: Swap in new images to create new games

11. GettyGames: Modular, extendable, scalable technology
Content = XML
User Interface = Flash

12. GettyGames Repurposed: Los Angeles Zoo

13. Cons
• Editing and creating requires some
technical skill. (There is no content
management layer.)
• Programmed using Flash—now
virtually obsolete
GettyGames: Summary
Pros
• Repurpose well-known games with
Getty-specific content.
• It’s scalable
Images: http://www.bubblews.com/news/443636-pros-and-cons-of-changing-to-a-custom-rom

14. Switch: Two game mechanics
Scavenger hunt + find the differences

15. Switch Repurpose Content: Swap in images and text

16. Switch Repurpose Technology: Templates with CMS

17. Detail Detective
Switch: Examples of future repurposed concepts
Switch

18. Switch: Summary
Cons
• Fixed, linear pathway through
game—not easy to allow
branching (but we found this was not
ideal anyway)
Pros
• Easy to edit game—swap in images
and text via a CMS
• Structure provides guide/model for
educators in creating new games

19. • Builds on prior testing/game experience
• Easy to build more games
• Easy to add new content
• Efficient use of staff time and financial
resources
Conclusions: Benefits of repurposeable digital games
• With different “skins” (e.g.
narratives), each game can feel
unique feel to the user

20. • Limits possible variety of game mechanics
• Subject matter needs to be addressed within
the confines of the game
Conclusions: Limitations of repurposeable digital games

21. Conclusions: Some things you can’t repurpose
• Narrative development
• Research/familiarity with subject
matter
• Image production
• Coordination with artwork moves
• Testing
• Possibly, design
Game development still requires:

22. Rebecca Edwards
redwards@getty.edu
Susan Edwards
sedwards@getty.edu
@jolifanta
Thank you.