[game_preservation] Descriptive terms for Video Games

[Gibson, David]

I think we can all agree with Andrew on this one. The Library of Congress has been very slow on the uptake when it comes to these issues and has only just begun exploring the use of faceted searching. Unfortunately, we're still at the mercy of the MARC format. Hopefully not for much longer....

- Dave

David Gibson
Processing Technician
M/B/RS - Packard Campus for Audio Visual Conservation
Moving Image Section
(202) 707-6349
dgib at loc.gov

From: game_preservation-bounces at igda.org [mailto:game_preservation-bounces at igda.org] On Behalf Of Andrew Armstrong
Sent: Saturday, June 11, 2011 4:42 PM
To: IGDA Game Preservation SIG
Subject: Re: [game_preservation] Descriptive terms for Video Games

Oh I agree absolutely Andrew; library systems existed before we had easy to use electronic based databases, multiple categories should be the norm.

Andrew

On 11/06/2011 21:29, Andrew Perti wrote:
It's my contention that we have to completely redefine categorization techniques for video games.  Many games span several genres and placing any given game under a single subject heading by way of a "personal judgment call" is quite limiting.  Using a single genre may have been necessary for physical cataloging and library systems to account for research and accessibility.  We are now in a digital era and I feel as though a multifaceted approach is something that we all need to explore.



Andrew Perti

Founder | Seattle Interactive Media Museum

andrew.perti at thesimm.org<mailto:andrew.perti at thesimm.org> | www.thesimm.org<http://www.thesimm.org>

Mobile: 518 653-5864

On 6/11/2011 1:12 PM, Andrew Armstrong wrote:
I found it hilarious to think that everything can be slotted in a 2d wheel; like Pirates! and so many others, things simply can be of multiple categories - they don't have to fit a nice neat pie chart! :)

If it's serious, Journalists sure do want to make it hard on themselves don't they?

Andrew

On 11/06/2011 02:32, Rowan Kaiser wrote:
I'm not sure what's wrong with calling Survival Horror "Action-Exploration." But I find it more interesting as an attempt to standardize all games within a conceptual framework. Given what a mess conventional genres are - go on, label Sid Meier's Pirates! - any attempt with a finished product is noble.


Rowan
On Fri, Jun 10, 2011 at 6:26 PM, Jim Leonard <trixter at oldskool.org<mailto:trixter at oldskool.org>> wrote:
That looks like it was done for comedic effect.  If not, then it has some odd choices, like Survival Horror being predominantly "Action-Exploration"?  And Driving being "Action-Exploration-Conflict"?


On 6/10/2011 12:49 PM, Rowan Kaiser wrote:
Another interesting resource might be the Escapist's Genre Wheel, which
is quite clever although I'm not sure it jumps out as being more than that:

http://www.escapistmagazine.com/articles/view/issues/issue_283/8400-Introducing-The-Escapists-Genre-Wheel

On Fri, Jun 10, 2011 at 7:37 AM, Pugh, Richard <rpugh at loc.gov<mailto:rpugh at loc.gov>
<mailto:rpugh at loc.gov<mailto:rpugh at loc.gov>>> wrote:

   Greetings all!

   Thank you for your suggestions; I'll be looking into them later this
   today.  Some of you asked for additional information on our project.

   Generally these terms will be used in a subject or genre heading
   style.  That is, when one searches the catalog by subject or genre,
   these headings will be referenced.  For good or ill, these terms
   will be treated the same way as standard LCSH or LCGFH terms.  As
   such, we're looking for descriptors like "First person action" or
   "Real time strategy;" terms that identify what a game "is" rather
   than what it's about.  For that, we can usually find a workable
   LCSH; emphasis on "usually."  Genres are a different story.

   As Mr. Handy pointed out, the LC model is not necessarily the best
   one.  In this case that's probably true.  However, NAVCC is part of
   LC, so we must use an LC-style approach.  Internal politics are
   involved.  Need I say more...?

   We're hoping that if we can build a thesaurus that is "LCSH
   compatible," the powers that be will accept it.  Even so, we're
   expecting some resistance, because the use of non-LC terms (even
   ones from well-established thesauri), is actively discouraged, no
   matter what the circumstances.  We're facing an uphill battle, but
   we'll do the best we can.

   One list we've been looking at is the one from Allgame:

   http://www.allgame.com/genres.php

   Perhaps if we combine this with concepts covered in the other lists,
   we'll have a working base.  I'm tinkering with the Allgame list at
   the moment, and it has promise.  I'll let you know how it turns out.

   Richard J. Pugh
   Motion Picture, Broadcast, & Recorded Sound Division
   National Audio-Visual Conservation Center, Library of Congress
   (202) 707-6636<tel:%28202%29%20707-6636> <tel:%28202%29%20707-6636> / rpugh at loc.gov<mailto:rpugh at loc.gov>
   <mailto:rpugh at loc.gov<mailto:rpugh at loc.gov>>
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--
Jim Leonard (trixter at oldskool.org<mailto:trixter at oldskool.org>)            http://www.oldskool.org/
Check out some trippy MindCandy at        http://www.mindcandydvd.com/
A child borne of the home computer wars:  http://trixter.oldskool.org/
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