Slashdot Mirror
What Big Brother Teaches Us About Game Design
Thanks to Skotos.net for their article discussing why the TV show Big Brother 4 is an example of good game design, and what we can learn from it. It's pointed out that "a group of n/2 (rounded down) + 1 people can dominate the game", if well-organized, but "the producers of Big Brother have made changes which dramatically reduce the power of a majority", including the ability to veto potential evictees. But it's argued the jury of previously evicted players voting on the final two contestants means "...if you backstab someone or betray them, even if it gets you further in the game, it could prevent you from winning." Is there a perfect strategy for winning Big Brother, and if not, is the concept of "unworthy winners" dissatisfying?
the author concludes that the best player never wins, but someone playing second place does if he does not backstab too much...this is exactly the same in real life ! We slashdotters know many underachievers from high school who ended up richer and happier than us ! Life is unfair, maybe because of that social element which makes people dislike and eventually disadvantage you if you are too good and/or too ruthless. The catch is then that one has to be a very good hypocrite in order to hide that.
Google passes Turing test : see my journal
We've just started seeing Big Brother (US) in the UK for the first time, and the differences are startling.
In the UK game (which is becoming increasingly 'gimmicked'), the housemates are nominated by the other housemates, and the three with the most votes go to a public vote. Generally it's about public perceptions from the outside, and the press (mostly tabloids) tend to pick someone to support. There have been some interesting accusations of 'vote stuffing' in the past.
In the American version, it's closed voting and alliances are encouraged to provide voting blocks. This is a complete change to the UK version, and partially turned me off because of the constant bitching, but it's essentially a high-pressure political environment compared with the slightly more cooperative model of Big Brother UK.
Oddly Draconis
Too cynical to live, too stubborn to die.
Actually, I'm a lot more interested in this type of story, than those dealing with 'fantastic news about New Game X, or Evil Company Y'. The number of responses may not be overly high, because it's not considered "sensational", but that really doesn't bother me. It's a useful bit of info to me, anyway, and that's why I read games./. Post numbers don't necessarily determine the quality of an entry.
-T
Again, this is worth mentioning - you can prevent the subpage games stories from appearing on your page by turning off 'collapse sections' in your preferences. You'll still see the important, mainpage ones.
There are less posts on the games posts because you don't see these posts on the main Slashdot front page as default - we realize they may be a little specialized in terms of interest.
I watched the first "Survivor" with great interest. Thought it was fascinating. Great concept. Lots of fun. Waited with great anticipation for the finale.
And then that psycho Machievellian POS won.
I haven't watched any of the cut-throat reality shows since. I think they're downright evil.
*Morons can go with their ordinary lives watching actors pretending to be morons going with their ordinary lives (paradox abound)
*It is possible to create a show with the lowest production values and still make millions with it just by adding the motto: its entertaining because its real!
*A lot of people can't recognize bad acting and writting when they see it. (bad acting sensing impaired?)
*A significant part of the popullation in the US(and just about everywhere this show is a "hit") is in fact, lets be honest: not very smart.
*The "Big Brother house kit" shall simply contain a set of small cameras easy to hid in your neighbors house. Of course your neighbor should be warned he will be taped, and giving a poor written script (contained in the package) so he can at least try to be entertaining. You also should be prepared when your neighbor gets his "Big Brother house kit." maybe its time to get some lingerie
*You should prepare to be tortured by this show, its millions of clones and iterations which contain such important, thrilling and breath taking scenes such as "people having breakfast", "people using the bathroom", "people sleeping", "people sitting in their asses talking nonsense" and most specially "people you couldnt give a damn about storming about who should be out of your tv set (hint: all of them!)".
Entertainment at its best!
Go ahead MOD my day!
More opinions here
Isn't this what the board game Diplomacy is all about?