(Begins May 4 - Ends May 11)
Read Ender's Game, Chapters 5 and 6, and respond to these questions:
Chapter 5
1) What kinds of strategies does Ender learn from watching the older boys play computer games in the game room? What are some of the weaknesses that the older boys demonstrate?
2) Do computer games train people to think like computers?
3) Throughout the book, Ender encounters a series of systems put in place by the adults. In chapter 5, he learns how to “play” at least one of these systems. Which system does he master, and to what benefit?
Chapter 6
There are two major games (game-like scenarios) explored in this chapter. One takes place in the battle room, and one takes place during Ender’s “Free Play” time.
1) What is different about the nature of reality in the battleroom? What issues arise due to these differences? What possibilities also arise? Have you ever faced these issues in computer/console game? How might we push these issues and possibilities in a new direction?
2) What kind of game is “Free Play”? What do you think of Ender’s responses to the guessing game?
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Chapter 5:
ReplyDeleteSome strategy that Ender is able to learn was to clear his mind and gain control of himself, displaying his mental acuity and strength of will. It is with such skill he is able to discern the strategy of the computer games that the older boys play rather than the straightforward thinking that the older boys did when playing the game.
I am partial to the idea that computer games train people to think like computers, mainly because there is a limitation on what a computer game can give in comparison to the real world. If one would play a computer game, they are limited to think within the boundries of that computer game. But if they were to take a similar sort of situation in reality, there would be a lot more options and they would think more organically. But at the same time, these said computer games can also be branched from reality to test the players thoughts on such organic ideas.
One of the systems that Ender is put through is a system testing his ability to detach himself, to be able to have a controlled mind to be able to lead. At the beginning of the chapter, Graff and another adult discuss his isolation, and throughout the chapter, Ender develops and displays such brilliant psychological moves, that he is able to do so while still being able to make friends.
Chapter 6:
Within this battleroom, gravity is nulled; it is hard to move around. Ender and Alai quickly experiment with their suits to move around and also find out different abilities they can do with it. There has been situations in cmoputer/console games where I had difficulty moving and had to figure out my own way of getting around. Not being able to move within a game is cumbersome, since a lot of games are based on said strategic movement or placement.
"Free Play" is a kind of mind game. I think that Ender's response to the guessing game was legitimate. It would seem that he is constantly being put into situations that force him to do such actions, and I think that is what Graff is aiming for. I think his response to the game was a violent, but necessary, choice, displaying that Ender can do what is needed to be done, even though he does not want to, but has to.
- Leslie
Chapter 5
ReplyDelete1) He learned their play styles, and or tactics. How they moved. They were impatient, and over confident. Under estimating their opponents.
2) I don't think computers train people to think like computers. Perhaps to mimic certain orders, or functions.
3) He learns to use the desks communication system to his advantage, in this case posing as Bernard, and making him the fool.
Chapter 6
1) Gravity changes a lot about what we know about physics until you experience it first hand. The issues relate to their movements, and future alliances between individuals.
Yes, there are a few games that explore zero gravity situations. In the same way that Ender has to learn his movements, you must re learn how to play a shooter for example.
2) At first glance a guessing game, however, if you continue to play by the stated rules you will always lose. It's a more of a mental test, or mind game, your supposed to cheat, or find a way around the problem. Think outside the box. In war, there are no rules. Ender does as expected, goes beyond a typical solution.
Chapter 5:
ReplyDelete1) Ender learns not only how the game is played, but how people play it. Ender is bright, and he quickly discovers how one should react, the mistakes the boys are making, and how to take advantage of them. When he actually plays the game, he thinks creatively, using the game in ways the boys have not seen before.
2) They can, but humans don’t naturally think like computers. That’s why games and system create a good learning environment – because rules and structure give freedom for creative and inventive thinking to take place. Just because people are playing with or against a computer does not mean that their thinking will mirror that of the system.
3) Ender masters the computer email server system that all the boys have access to. He figures out how to create his own usernames in the system, making them appear as he wishes. He uses this to publicly mock Bernard, who was antagonizing and humiliating him. It doesn’t take Ender long to socially isolate Bernard from most of his followers.
Chapter 6:
1) In the battle room, it is a zero gravity environment, so movement and physics must be relearned for proper navigation and combat. On one hand, it’s harder to stay near a single surface, and calculate movement over longer periods of time, but once you learn the mechanics of it, it allows for movement in x, y, and z – an additional extra dimension of freedom. Games frequently use the concept of zero gravity. I think there is some possibility for creating unique game experiences by adapting the idea to much of the new camera technology coming out for consoles, like Natal and Move. Zero gravity is used a bit in games, but traditional controller schemes can often make it difficult to control the y-axis (height), because they are built to support linear x-z movement.
2) Free Play is a completely open, interactive game that functions less on specific rules and guidelines, but is open to any user input at all. There isn’t a clear objective, it’s based more on exploration, and your ability to do as you like is linked to how creative you are as a gamer. Ender was creative enough to ignore the two responses he was given to the giants guessing game, and made his own path by instead killing the giant.
ch 5
ReplyDelete1) Ender learned how the game itself was played, but also how to play those who were playing it. The older boys displayed many weaknesses, like overconfidence and not thinking through their actions.
2) As it relates the the older boys in the game room, I do believe they were conditioned to think like computers while playing the games.
3)Ender mastered the communication system within the schools desks. He was able to use this skill to make Bernard look stupid, and their by gaining a friend.
ch 6
1)In the battle room it's zero gravity, so Ender must reorient himself to the differences in physical movement. Once master, the zero gravity can be used in many ways to over come an opponent. The best example I can think of for my experience with zero gravity in a game is Dead Space. I found it very difficult to maneuver in the zero gravity sections while also trying to fight a horde of enimes.
2)The "free play" game Ender plays is a psychologically profiling game that gives the player scenarios and is open to the players every input. Ender had to go beyond his two options when it came to the giant's table level of the game. While the outcome of that level was very violent, Ender succeeded and managed to get past where he had been stuck.
Chapter 5
ReplyDelete1. Ender basically learns the a pattern that is being played within the game, a pattern the older boys do not notice. The fact that Ender has the ability to mentally detach himself from his emotions, he able to look at the big picture. The boys were just playing to play and became overconfident of their game skills instead of just figuring out how the game actually worked. It was a weakness Ender noticed while they were playing the game.
2. I don't think computers train people how to think like computers. The human mind is way too complex for even a computer to try to mimic. If anything people are trying to train computers to think like a human.
3. Ender easily learned how use the school's communication system by sending messages making Bernard lose his respect in the launch group as a result of this Ender gains a few friends.
Chapter 6
1. Zero Gravity is what is different in the battle room. The other boys are having trouble to move around and adjust to the zero gravity. Ender and Alai used the fact that the other boys can not move around as much as they can and freeze all of the other boys. Camera angles in games can be considered zero gravity since you can move the camera in many different perspective. It enables you to make the right moves based on clearing your vision. If the camera angles are off then it's going to be difficult to move your character around a stage. I also experienced zero gravity on stages within a game and I must say even then it's hard to move the character around without spinning over and over again.
2. Free Play is basically a cut throat strategy game where you can break the rules to insure your survival in the game. Ender's frustrated reposes to the game is natural. There have been many times where a game has angered me because it seemed impossible to beat a certain stage or boss. Though I don't know if I would have killed the Giant to get through, considering this game is a training game. Like Ender, it would have bothered me too.
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ReplyDelete1. The adults have put a security system in place for the launchie’s desks. Its purposefully put in place so that the name roster and messaging system can easily be hacked and so Ender learns to use this to get back at Bernard for being a bully. When Ender effectively embarrasses Bernard this causes dissention among his “gang” which enables Ender to befriend Alai.
ReplyDelete1. The difference in the battle room it is a zero gravity environment. The issue that arises is that the boys don’t know yet how to control their movement in that environment. A possibility that arises is that there is no reference for direction. Any direction is down which Ender uses to his advantage.
2. Free play is a kind of game that tests the boys tactics and sees how they respond to a constantly changing environment. Ender effectively beats the guessing game by breaking the rules when he kicks the glasses over and then plays the game on his own terms. I think Ender adapted very well to the situation. He knew no matter how he played the giants game, he would lose. Knowing that, he doesnt play the giants game putting him in control of the situation.
Karinza
ReplyDeleteCH5
1)Ender learns strategies that teach him to think on his toes. Skills that enable him to recognize patterns and maneuver around AI. The primary weakness the older boys present is their inability to think like a boy whilst competing against another, as opposed to a computer.
2)No.
3)Ender learns how to manipulate the messaging system. He masters this in order to fight a war using other means than physical, which benefits his reputation.
CH6
1) The battle room lacks gravity. This obviously causes orientation/movement problems. The possibilities of utilizing every direction and mastering one's own agility arose, though. I most definitely have faced these issues in games, but I don't really think I have really played around with the mechanics enough to know of any distinct possibilities.
2) Free Play is tactical. Very, very tactical, in that Ender has to be on his toes.I think Ender's response was appropriate and logically sound in the attempt to advance.