News

Hate Will Bring Us Together

A ridiculous study conducted by a group of stupid Slovenian and British researchers has scientifically proven that the more negative a discussion thread is the more active it will be. What a load of bullshit.


June 24, 2010
In Real Life

Science Finds Courage In The Human Brain

General George Patton said that “Courage is fear holding on a minute longer.” Now scientists may have found a way to stimulate courage, pinpointing the portion of the brain that helps humans conquer their fears.


June 9, 2010
In Real Life

How Does This Story Make You Feel?

Don’t make us ask Canada. A group of scientists in Canada is developing a software program that will evaluate the biological responses of internet users, giving us insight into how the internet makes us feel.


December 10, 2007
News

The Four Keys Revisited – Emotion and Games

I don’t always agree with what Chris Bateman has to say over at his Only A Game, but I generally find his (occasional) lengthy commentary on video games to be quite interesting. This week, he was tackling some aspects of Nicole Lazzaro’s Four Keys model, which has to do with “unlocking” emotion in games without relying on story (a popular subject, to be sure). It’s a lengthy piece, but pretty fascinating if you’re interested in game design, regardless of whether you agree with his conclusions or not. Bateman frequently seems concerned with the divide between casual gamers and what he terms ‘gamer hobbyists’ (that would be the more dedicated market) and how it impacts the industry: