Its not often that I really "unplug". If you consider that my life (my job, my personal interests, even this blog) is so techno-centric, thats probably not a very big surprise.
As such, my trip to China was the first time in probably about 2 years (the last time I left the country) that I have left the cell phone, the internet, social networking, and of course, my beloved video games at home.
Though it might be tempting, it would be inaccurate to assume that just because I left the toys at home, my trip to China was devoid of the influences of technology. Bedtime was accompanied with CNN, which, thanks to Richard Quest, has reaffirmed my belief that no matter what you're talking about, its made better with an overpowering British accent (and outrageously large teeth). In a mind blowing scenario, I heard the final score of the Superbowl from an American businessman with a satellite phone... while hiking along the Great Wall of China. Movies have long since been a part of international flights, but new to me were 20 stations of XM satellite radio. And better still, real time GPS tracking that allowed you to watch your flight in progress (complete with exterior temperature, altitude, distance traveled, and ETA read outs). Giddyup.
But perhaps the most interesting example of technology sneaking into my vacation came, in all places, in the back of a cab ...
My sister and I had just landed in Shanghai, and needed to get a taxi for the 20 minute (i.e. hour and 30 minute) ride from the airport to our hotel. When combined, the two Stubbs siblings are a force of ridiculous to be reckoned with, and require no outside entertainment to keep ourselves amused. But we were tired, a result of travel, waking up early, and the fact that apparently Chinese red bull is not an energy drink. This is the scene - the two of us slumped over in the back of a Shanghai Volkswagen Santana cab, when I noticed a bizarre little screen hanging over the back of the passenger side seat.
A tv in the cab? Thats a nice touch, I thought. Though given that my proficiency with the Chinese language is limited to about 5 phrases, I didnt expect to be able to understand a whole lot. But upon closer inspection, it turned out not to be a television at all. It was a touch screen monitor. A monitor that offered up games. Oh snap. Think that woke me up? =)
Our little cab screen was essential a delivery system for simple, casual, flash based AdverGames - games built to advertise. My personal favorite was sponsored by GE, and essentially involved scrambling to change all the old school light-bulbs in a neighborhood, to longer lasting, more energy efficient, environmentally friendly light-bulbs before the neighborhood went dark. There were also AdverGames from Coca Cola, Pizza Hut (who knew it was popular in China?) and a handful of other notable companies that failed to make a lasting impact on me. And if you werent down with playing games, the magic little screen could cycle through a series of more traditional television style ads.
A few things, if I may:
1) The cab screen idea is sheer brilliance. It filled a time period that might otherwise have been spent daydreaming with a simultaneously entertaining and informative message. And it was, at least in my case, effective. It was an excellent example of creating an opportunity.
2) The design of these games was absolutely critical. Because there was one rather daunting detail I left out - though the games all had directions, they were written exclusively in Chinese. All the buttons. All the menu items. Everything. Did I mention I can't read Chinese?
Thus for me, each game was made or broken by the intuitiveness of its game-play. Some succeeded. Others failed. If the Boards of these companies sat back and assessed the success of these AdverGames, perhaps they are not overly concerned with the illiterate demographic, so maybe I don't count. But then I think about the scant few people I know who actually read directions anyway...
As our own EGC starts to lift off here at Penn State, and questions involving the design of EduGames start to become more and more prevalent, I think this might need to be a lesson I keep close to home.
3) The fun impacts the message. Or put another way, I love referencing this post ;-) There is a reason the GE game sticks out the most to me. There is a reason I was able to understand its message, despite not comprehending anything put pictures. And there is a reason that I remember that the GE game was made by GE. Of all the AdverGames available, it was the most fun. Because it was fun, it was memorable. Because it was memorable it was effective. And perhaps equally as important, it was fun and relevant to the brand in question. Intuitive. Fun. Relevant. The ultimate trifecta for an AdverGame. And dare I say, for an EduGame as well?
4) Life without video games is impossible. Even when I make a conscious effort to go without them, they find me ;-)
So much for unplugging, eh?
Images from nicotinenews.blogspot.com and ngaus.org
As such, my trip to China was the first time in probably about 2 years (the last time I left the country) that I have left the cell phone, the internet, social networking, and of course, my beloved video games at home.
Though it might be tempting, it would be inaccurate to assume that just because I left the toys at home, my trip to China was devoid of the influences of technology. Bedtime was accompanied with CNN, which, thanks to Richard Quest, has reaffirmed my belief that no matter what you're talking about, its made better with an overpowering British accent (and outrageously large teeth). In a mind blowing scenario, I heard the final score of the Superbowl from an American businessman with a satellite phone... while hiking along the Great Wall of China. Movies have long since been a part of international flights, but new to me were 20 stations of XM satellite radio. And better still, real time GPS tracking that allowed you to watch your flight in progress (complete with exterior temperature, altitude, distance traveled, and ETA read outs). Giddyup.But perhaps the most interesting example of technology sneaking into my vacation came, in all places, in the back of a cab ...
My sister and I had just landed in Shanghai, and needed to get a taxi for the 20 minute (i.e. hour and 30 minute) ride from the airport to our hotel. When combined, the two Stubbs siblings are a force of ridiculous to be reckoned with, and require no outside entertainment to keep ourselves amused. But we were tired, a result of travel, waking up early, and the fact that apparently Chinese red bull is not an energy drink. This is the scene - the two of us slumped over in the back of a Shanghai Volkswagen Santana cab, when I noticed a bizarre little screen hanging over the back of the passenger side seat.
A tv in the cab? Thats a nice touch, I thought. Though given that my proficiency with the Chinese language is limited to about 5 phrases, I didnt expect to be able to understand a whole lot. But upon closer inspection, it turned out not to be a television at all. It was a touch screen monitor. A monitor that offered up games. Oh snap. Think that woke me up? =)
Our little cab screen was essential a delivery system for simple, casual, flash based AdverGames - games built to advertise. My personal favorite was sponsored by GE, and essentially involved scrambling to change all the old school light-bulbs in a neighborhood, to longer lasting, more energy efficient, environmentally friendly light-bulbs before the neighborhood went dark. There were also AdverGames from Coca Cola, Pizza Hut (who knew it was popular in China?) and a handful of other notable companies that failed to make a lasting impact on me. And if you werent down with playing games, the magic little screen could cycle through a series of more traditional television style ads.A few things, if I may:
1) The cab screen idea is sheer brilliance. It filled a time period that might otherwise have been spent daydreaming with a simultaneously entertaining and informative message. And it was, at least in my case, effective. It was an excellent example of creating an opportunity.
2) The design of these games was absolutely critical. Because there was one rather daunting detail I left out - though the games all had directions, they were written exclusively in Chinese. All the buttons. All the menu items. Everything. Did I mention I can't read Chinese?
Thus for me, each game was made or broken by the intuitiveness of its game-play. Some succeeded. Others failed. If the Boards of these companies sat back and assessed the success of these AdverGames, perhaps they are not overly concerned with the illiterate demographic, so maybe I don't count. But then I think about the scant few people I know who actually read directions anyway...
As our own EGC starts to lift off here at Penn State, and questions involving the design of EduGames start to become more and more prevalent, I think this might need to be a lesson I keep close to home.
3) The fun impacts the message. Or put another way, I love referencing this post ;-) There is a reason the GE game sticks out the most to me. There is a reason I was able to understand its message, despite not comprehending anything put pictures. And there is a reason that I remember that the GE game was made by GE. Of all the AdverGames available, it was the most fun. Because it was fun, it was memorable. Because it was memorable it was effective. And perhaps equally as important, it was fun and relevant to the brand in question. Intuitive. Fun. Relevant. The ultimate trifecta for an AdverGame. And dare I say, for an EduGame as well?
4) Life without video games is impossible. Even when I make a conscious effort to go without them, they find me ;-)
So much for unplugging, eh?
Images from nicotinenews.blogspot.com and ngaus.org
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