Blog #5

Upon reading Jenkins for a second time, and being conscious from start to finish, I realized the game I had planned to analyze (Sims) is given as an example in Jenkins text. I still think this would make for an excellent topic as this game fits the lens of both Jenkins and Helmers, but this has forced me to return to my source for a second choice for a game. When asked if there was a current game that both boys and girls her age (13) enjoy, she instantly replied "LEGO'S Harry Potter Years 1-4." I plan to analyze this game through the lens of Jenkins in that this game succeeds in the move towards a gender neutral play space with its lack of borderwork, yet appeals to both genders. This game I believe fits the lens of Jenkins best, as it creates a playspace for both genders, and does not create a virtual reality as analyzed by Helmers. The games ability to bridge the gender gap is likely due to the series of "Harry Potter" books it is based by J.K. Rowling. The game allows the player to switch between many characters including the main characters Harry, Hermoine, and Ron as they attend Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wisardry and fight the evil Lord Voldermort.  

As for a working thesis for paper two, I plan to use the Gender-Neutral play space this game creates and or provides as my main topic. Through the freindship adventures of Harry, Hermoine and Ron, LEGO'S Harry Potter Years 1-4 bridges the gender gap in a virtual world of wizards and witchcraft and creates a playspace for both boys and girls.

Blog #4

      I will begin by admitting that I am not much of a video game person, and never have been. If anything, my childhood was much like the childhood Jenkins described for himself. I too had a brother whom was 2 years my elder, and we grew up living in town. On most days, we were out of the house at dawn, and didn't return until dark. We had many of the items Jenkins described at our disposal; the empty grass lot for football, local school playgrounds for basketball, and a wooded area for starting small fires. We often found ourselves in trouble when returning home for not beating the street lights (we were to be home before they were on), and once or twice for being escorted home by a local police officer.

      Though I may not play video games and refuse to ask anyone if they would like to be my friend, luckily I have a thirteen year old daughter that enjoys both. Her favorite video game that I watch her tinker with often is "The Sims" by Electronic Arts. I feel this game is aimed at girls, and is a perfect fit for Jenkins title: "The Play Town: Another Space for Girls". This game basically calls for the player to create a town, a home, and a family. This game is exactly what Jenkins is referring to by virtual gender spaces. The new Sims 3 states: Create any Sim you can imagine, control their lives within a living neighborhood, and choose to bless or curse them with all-new karma powers. You can view the Sims games and products at; http://thesims.ea.com/.