Video Games as Art?

The author of 8bitlibrary.com gives his opinion on the recent discussion, debated in various areas of the press, regarding the question, "do video games count as art?"

Join the discussion here.

Boy Scouts & Video Games

Cnet has the scoop on two new Boy Scout awards (a belt loop and an academic pin) relating to video games: "Boy Scouts to get video game awards"

Top 10 Games - Week of Apr. 19th

Here are the top ten games played in the archive last week:

1. Fifa Soccer 10 (Xbox 360)
2. Super Smash Bros. Brawl
3. MAG
4. (tie) Battlefield: Bad Company 2
4. (tie) Super Smash Bros. Melee
6. (tie) Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 (Xbox 360)
6. (tie) Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 (Steam)
6. (tie) NCAA Football 10 (Xbox 360)
9. (tie) Golden Eye 007
9. (tie) Supreme Commander 2

Summer Hours & a Farewell

After today we move to summer hours in the archive: Noon - 7pm, Mon - Fri.

Also, we say goodbye to Sarah Raezler, one of our student workers, who is graduating with her MSI. Congratulations Sarah!

2-Story Rock Band Rocked!

We had a great time Tuesday afternoon at the 2-Story Rock Band event!





The staff of the Video & Performance Studio did a fantastic job setting up the space. In addition to the giant screen behind the performers, there were two large side screens and a monitor screen showing the game, plus two cameras projecting live feeds of the players on large screens as well. With the lighting effects and big sound, it was a Rock Band experience like no other!



Several groups of students came by to rock out. They remarked what a great experience it was. Talent level ranged from newbie to expert, but everyone had fun.





We'll definitely plan on doing it again; we're looking at possibly sometime during fall orientation.



There are more pictures on the CVGA Facebook page. If you are one of the players, contact us at video.games@umich.edu and we can send you a high-quality photo of your group. Also, the staff in the video studio recorded video of all of the performances; if you contact us we can put you in touch with them to get a copy of your performance.

Top Games - Week of Apr. 12th

Here are the top ten games played in the archive last week:

1. Fifa 10 (Xbox 360)
2. Super Smash Bros. Brawl
3. (tie) Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 (Xbox 360)
3. (tie) Super Smash Bros. Melee
5. Golden Eye 007
6. MAG
7. (tie) Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 (Steam)
7. (tie) Halo 3: ODST
7. (tie) Warcraft 3
10. Ratchet and Clank Future: A Crack in Time

Top Games - Week of Apr 5th

Here are the top ten games played in the archive last week:

1. Fifa 10 (Xbox 360)
2. Super Smash Bros. Melee
3. (tie) Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 (Xbox 360)
3. (tie) Halo 3: ODST
5. Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 (Steam)
6. (tie) MAG
6. (tie) Super Smash Bros. Brawl
6. (tie) Tales of Vesperia
9. (tie) Assassin's Creed 2
9. (tie) New Super Mario Bros.

2-Story Rock Band: April 20th

Tuesday, April 20th (the last day of classes), 4-6pm.

2-Story Rock Band in the Duderstadt Center Video & Performance Studio.

Play Rock Band on a giant screen!

Top Games - Week of Mar. 29th

Here are the top ten games played in the archive last week:

1. Final Fantasy XIII
2. Super Smash Bros. Melee
3. (tie) In the Zone 98
3. (tie) Too Human
5. (tie) Assassin's Creed 2
5. (tie) Battlefield: Bad Company 2
5. (tie) Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 (Steam)
5. (tie) Grid
5. (tie) Top Spin
10. Call of Duty World at War

Video Games Studies Guide

We've published a new LibGuide for Video Game Studies. It covers "the academic analysis of various aspects of computer, console, arcade, and Internet games," from both social science and humanities perspectives.

This guide was created by Ben Nanamaker, one of our University Library Associates here at the AAEL.