User:FLEM/Crosswords
.experiments
08.02.2022
there must be a way to put a dot or something at the end of words!
Create a grid of whatever size and a list of words.
Shuffle the word list, and then sort the words by longest to shortest.
Place the first and longest word at the upper left most position, 1,1 (vertical or horizontal).
Move onto next word, loop over each letter in the word and each cell in the grid looking for letter to letter matches.
When a match is found, simply add that position to a suggested coordinate list for that word.
Loop over the suggested coordinate list and "score" the word placement based on how many other words it crosses. Scores of 0 indicate either bad placement (adjacent to existing
words) or that there were no word crosses.
Back to step #4 until word list is exhausted.
think about sudoku - check mechanism of backtracing
10.02.2022
the glossary of productive play - VOL1
22.02.2022
FIRST PROTOTYPE OF CROSSWORDS BOOKLET
the idea now is to create a booklet that includes special crosswords to access the content of our readings, a way to play around with crosswords and at the same time learn about gamification, productivity, modding etc..
the booklet will include:
-crosswords
-info points! ("do you want to know more about _____?")
-further reflective questions
-answers to questions to be found in the crosswords
-final glossary of productive play to be included
24.02.2022
Cover of the second prototype
Insides overview of the second prototype
28.02.2022
Prototype for proposal (3)
12.03.2022
the crossword booklet included in the loot box
the crossword booklet in form of post-its
.personal glossary of productive play
https://pzwiki.wdka.nl/mediadesign/Glossary_of_productive_play
.ideas
.content
you can't write letters
you can just write numbers
no scheme to follow
words go diagonally
many definitions same word
parallel crosswords: two next to each other (comparing method)
write the opposite of what the definitions say --> subversion method
- see questions, to be put underneath crosswords to ask for reflection
.shape
type of binding possibilities: double-sided (one side glossary / one side crosswords exercises, see 
)
smaller than a4
.myversionoftheglossary
GAMIFICATION: when the line between pleasure time and labour time starts to blur (competition, exercising more,
efficiency, rationalisation, not for your own profit)
application of game design elements and principles to non-game contexts
increases productivity makes things easier to do, is human motivation
the belief that labour can be fun
is it a tool?
PRODUCTIVE PLAY:
LOOT BOX: a lot of items in a box with a twist as final outcome, a variety of media
an object the user pay for in videogames to make their character look better, to make it easier for them to win the game
the player doesn't know what they're going to get
based on a surprise mechanism
the player pays for it
it's collectable
it's exclusively for you
it's an additional investment
it's exploitative
it's addictive
TO GAMIFY: go back to games using people's craving
SUBVERTING:
APPROPRIATION:
GAMES: adhering to rules, learning about reality without the consequences of reality
mimicking the system in place
computational systems
playable theory
ARTIFICIALITY:
TAYLORISM: scientific management, efficiency
a mechanism to increase productivity
IDEOLOGY: self-consciousness, the set of ideas that naturalises social-constructed beliefs
makes the subordinate class accept a state of alienation without revolting
are images, concepts, representations
is a structure imposed on the majority of humans?
social relations and processes are appropriated by individuals, hidden under common sense, that makes them valid and mystified
is profoundly unconscious (Althusser)
as a reaction to society changes
LABOUR: alienated work, not having control over the entire process of creating a product
DISPOSITIF:
FALSE CONSCIOUSNESS:
MAGIC CIRCLE:
ANTI-GAMIFICATION: artists that criticise ludic ideology by subverting the use of games
example: users can't interact/have minimal interaction/don't obtain anything by gaming
VIDEOGAMES: reproductive technology
ENTERTAINMENT: is the prolongation of work under late capitalism
POPULAR CULTURE: commercial, make a profit, it reflects popular dreams
associated with the manipulation of the culture of the people
what people do
forms and traditions which have their roots in the social and material conditions of a particular class
ADDICTION: uncontrollable use
non-chemical addiction
compulsive engagement in a rewarding experience despite serious repercussions
HOOK-HABIT-HOBBY: the process that gets the player into the game and makes it addictive (ice-breaker with a good deal)
IKEA EFFECT: something a user put a lot of effort, time, into. The added value people give to what they created, to the
attachment they have to what they made with their hands
ANCHORING: influencing users by attracting them towards a reference point (anchor). for example, attract them with a big
discount: the reference point is the starting point price, that was lowered. it doesn't matter if the price is still
really high. the fact that it's a discount is the only important point.
SOCIAL PROOF: the socially acceptable method/way of behaving should be paying
RESPONSIBILITY: the agency the game is giving to the users while taking decisions in a game. example: choose between three boxes.
MANIPULATION:
ACCESSIBILITY:
MODDING: player-driven modification of a computer game
unpaid gamers, players/consumers
PARASITE: noise in an informatic system
biological infiltration within a larger body
rats in a kitchen
to eat next to
part of the process of mutation
POACHING: on the property of others
GIFT-ECONOMY: a system of obligations incurred by giving and lending
OPEN-WORLD: open-ended artificial space in games, non-structural but with optional linear missions
SANDBOX: emphasize world building
GAMEPLAY: constructed, programmed moves towards a goal or mission
PLAY MATERIAL: changeable components of a game
FAN CULTURE
FREETIME: leisure practices included in humans' lives
LEISURE TIME: person's free-time activities
freedom to choose how to use your time
PLAY: an activity done during leisure time
TEMPORALITY: experienced time/lived time, what you receive by doing some activity?
INTERSECTIONALITY: the interplay of oppressive systems within a culture
your leisure time steals other people's leisure time
LEISURE CLASS: the economic ruling class, that is more present in consumption than production
.questions
just because it's gamified doesn't mean it's not working?
what is the border between game and reality?
can everything be turned into a game? // can play make people accept work?
is gamification an ideology?
if gifts serve to profit more, are they still gifts?
does gamification have any use/value? is it more desirable than traditional ideological systems (ex: catholicism)?
are people just manipulated? do they live in a permanent state of false consciousness?
how does cultural consumption change from the past to the present?
how do society and games change together?
is escaping reality the solution?
is gamification positive?
is work always negative?
is productivity always negative?
what's the booster for an ideology?
are modders co-developers?
who is the parasite? the player infecting the body of the corporate's host? OR the corporate fed by the free labour of the player?
is modding a hobby or a job?
does leisure needs to be "well-done"? healthy? productive?
what do you think is leisure?
.thematics
Ideology
Loot Box
Productivity And Leisure
Modding And Videogames World
Predatory Schemes In Videogames
.the crossword experience during the launch
.the idea
The idea emerged to reflect on some of our main topics (slow-thinking, delayed rewarding, gamification processes, competition, individuality, productive environment) in a gamified way.
The player is invited to:
1. complete a puzzle to create a word, so play a game to get access to a drink, instead of having a need and satisfying it immediately. It is a critic of loot boxes philosophy and serves to slow the pace down because the players can't get the drink immediately (delayed-reward and slow-thinking). In addition, by the end of the event, the public will have produced a collective work, a big crossword made by everyone in the room.
2. to share their drinks with someone and not just "pay for themselves". It's a way to create interaction and criticise the videogames world that produces a lot of individuality and competition. Instead, this method invites the player to embrace collectivity and inclusivity. TBD / almost deleted
The clock goes faster when more people get in to, by the end of the event, access the loot box.
The crossword definitions are solved faster when more people get in (and take something from the bar) to, by the end of the event, access the loot box.
The crossword has been chosen because it's a very simple game, that everyone, of every age or culture or social status, could know. It's an accessible and simple and funny way to interact with these complex topics. The players present at the launch will experience the collective crossword and will go out at the end of the evening with a better knowledge of the topics.
.the materials
the complete productive play glossary crossword, printed on a big piece of paper and hung on a cork panel --> changed to a vinyl print to have on the tables of the bar + split up in 5 crosswords that we can take out 2 then 2 then 1 at the end
the definitions printed on squared pieces of paper that the players can take and complete the word by using the letters provided --> changed to same but the definitions will be given to the player at the entrance in form of rolled paper with a bow (see below)
the letters split up in different squared pieces of paper//post-its blocks, positioned on a table where everyone can access --> changed to a marker to directly write on the crosswords
pins to pin the letters --> changed to deleted
a token made of plexiglass that the player will receive when completing one word of the glossary (solution to avoid continuous back and forth from bar to crossword, possibility for more people to play) --> changed to deleted BUT the player will still be able to get a nice plexiglass keyring in form of letters that reminds the crossword from a bowl near the exit of the game
Keychain for launch day
.the experience explained
When a player enters FNP, they will find the wall filled with productive play glossary definitions and a note next to the bar that explicitly asks the player to "get the token first" (remind of "get the receipt at the counter first, present in bars and cafés"). To obtain a token, the player is invited to compose one word from our glossary and pin the letters to create a collective crossword. When the word is composed, the player will receive a plexiglass token with something written on (TBD), to go to the bar and receive their drinks. This can be done at every moment of the evening and how many times the player wants, just by going back to the table and composing a new word.
changed to
When a player enters the Playing Room (The Bar Fage Not Pound), they will find someone waiting for them. An xpuber will explain them what the experience will look like (see Experience Protocol)
.the bar experience
When the token has been obtained, the player will order at the bar and will be given 3 drinks at the same time instead of just one. The idea is to get help from other people, to share the drinks and have a chat.
--> changed to ... TBD
.the connection with the content of the loot box
The plexiglass token is a reference to the actual material of the box: the players will be able to touch the material that the loot box is made of and keep it for themselves as a little souvenir of the evening (I believe that the people that come should have something more than who didn't come)
The game is a reference to the crosswords as well as an overview of the productive play glossary, that will be found inside the loot box and represents the research part of our project.
The post-its/squared pieces of paper act as a go-between the content and the players, and obviously share the values and reasons why post-its have been chosen as the mean for this project.
.how is it going to be positioned in the space?
.the protocol
! NEED a protocol to simplify the use of the crosswords during the launch --> A methodology to be used so that xpubers are not going to freak out during the event!
Materials in the hands of xpubers to use if they are in care of the Crossword Station:
- Solutions Sheet for every crossword, with title, words, definitions.
- Alternative Solutions Sheet that includes alternative definitions/information/hints to give to the player.
- Experience Protocol (what follows probably) that includes:
1. Explanation of the experience to give at the entrance/print on the walls
2. On how to use the definition (practical explanation)
3. Theoretical explanation?
.Explanation of the experience to give at the entrance/print on the walls
1. pick a definition (random?) --> why not playing on this choice to emphasize the player's responsibility?
Rolled definition memo note with bow
2. On how to use the definition (practical explanation)
go to the table
find the crossword your definition is part of
look for the position of the word you have to guess
if you don't know the word, don't worry!
3. Theoretical explanation?
.Explanation of the experience to give at the bar/Crossword Station
"Hello player *AvatarName*,
I welcome you in Fage Not Pound, a bar where leisure and productivity start to blur.
Have you ever thought that a bar is a place where people go to work, but also to meet up with friends, relax, take a break?
At our bar, we offer our visitors an exclusive experience: Productive Play!
Productive Play means
This is not a normal crossword, so do not expect to be able to solve all the definitions in the same way, following typical crossword methodologies.
The aim of this game we offer here at Fage Not Pound is a bit different. The definitions are part of our research, part of a Glossary we have produced
.FAQ
1. what happens if a player does not know the word?
- Find someone to help you in the room.. someone you know, or you don't!
- Give some more info taken from the Alternative Solutions Sheet
Crossword Imaginary Grid Game inside the box
.instructions sheet for the Crossword Imaginary Grid Game
Dear player... The Crossword Imaginary Grid Game found you for a reason.
-The aim of this game is to create a crossword grid with your hands and explore a part of the Glossary of Productive Play (and hopefully have some fun on the way!) Take some time (will this game make your time leisure or productive?), place the pieces on a surface, on a wall, on your bed, on your cat's body.. and start playing!
-Inside, I prepared for you the DEFINITIONS of the words and GRID-SQUARES to recreate the grid. To recreate the grid, follow the following scheme for every content category:
[Crossword imaginary grid structure]
- I know it might sound complicated, but I promise you that you will understand how to make it work while playing. There are three things you have to keep attention to while creating the grid: 1. One code (e.g. B7), composed of a letter and a number that define the position in the imaginary grid. Position these as the first step! 2. In addition to the code that indicates the starting point of the word, the definitions papers will also contain the clues to solve the crossword. 3. A content category that gathers all the definitions that are part of the same crossword (e.g. Ideology). But maybe you can play around with this..
-If you don't know the word, don't stress yourself out: these crosswords are meant to teach while having fun.. yes, you heard that well, you are experiencing Productive Play! Enjoy this time you are taking for yourself.. it's okay not to finish it, it's okay to give up, it's okay to still be happy with it. And if you are really unsatisfied, just call some friends and have some fun together!
- If you want some more.. check our website for more content! And remember, these are just instructions not to get lost. But it's okay to get lost. Remember to get lost sometimes.
.which one to include?
There is no space for all the memo notes so I can't include them all. The choice is pending towards the Loot Box one, and the Productivity and Leisure.
The rest will be included on the website to be printed and played. Hopefully.
.396
Prototype
396 memo notes are too many
Trying out the game at PNF
Trying out the game at PNF
.bibliography
https://medium.com/@vanacorec/backtracking-and-crossword-puzzles-4abe195166f9