Author Archives: Kelly Boudreau

Bad Apple Syndrom: Is it all bad? After making my last post on death penalties in games, my topic skewed a little towards the people who – for some – ruin a game. They go by many names – PK’ers, griefers etc., the bad apple syndrom has been around for a long time (well beforeContinue reading “Bad Apple Syndrom: Is it all bad? After making …”

Death Penalties The death penalty in video games has been an ongoing topic in game studies for a while now. There has been a healthy thread among like-minded thinkers over at Terra Nova about PermaDeath. Its raison d’etre and effects are discussed, with some interesting points. This morning, we had the chance to feel andContinue reading “Death Penalties The death penalty in video game…”

Virtual Nostalgia Over the last 5 years, i have been playing Velixious in Everquest as my primary alter ego. The tall, buxom barbarian with black braided locks, dark eyes and slight brushing of freckles has been my primary self to many who know me in Norrath. When i moved over to Dark ages of Camelot,Continue reading “Virtual Nostalgia Over the last 5 years, i have…”

Political Sociology I am reading Hannah Arendt again, (The Human Condition) for my poli sci final exam, and as i read through it, i keep asking myself where is the political aspect that my professor continuously goes on about when he states (over and over again) “For Arendt, its all political” .. it might beContinue reading “Political Sociology I am reading Hannah Arendt …”

Where did the weekend go?? Ahh the joys of a new game. 15 hours on saturday and a good 9 today (since i kept getting booted by the server, then being forced to spend 20 minutes trying to log back in…. hope they fix that when the game goes live – and people are payingContinue reading “Where did the weekend go?? Ahh the joys of a ne…”

Fun & Frustration: Work & Play I have been toiling away at Lineage 2 for a few weeks now… only recently have i had the chance to play the game as it should (10 hours straight at a time that is!). There are a few things that i want to say about the game fromContinue reading “Fun & Frustration: Work & Play I have been toil…”

Dreamin’ While procrastinating studying for my ethnolinguistics exam last night, i stumbled upon this link at one of my frequently visited blogs, Ludology.org. While thinking of my [weak] avatar paper, and the culture mapping work i’ve been doing with my professor, i am tempted to submit an abstract, if anything but the sheer stress ofContinue reading “Dreamin’ While procrastinating studying for my …”

Stepping into Spring I dont just mean all the doggy doo leftover from winter! Made some color changes – no more winter drab grey …

End of Term All papers are written, and now the studying for three exams – the most i’ve ever had in one semester let me tell you!! I just finished a paper on Jean Baudrillard’s concept of hyperreality – I argued that it is post post modern. Which isnt all that new per se, butContinue reading “End of Term All papers are written, and now the…”

Bits of Theory Throughout the school year, i have been struggling with writing cohesive and properly structured papers that deal with issues, that at times, feel 10 feet above my head. I brought my political science paper to my contemporary social theory professor, who has pretty much been my mentor this year, for commentary andContinue reading “Bits of Theory Throughout the school year, i ha…”