In preparation for Discussion Friday #8 (which happens on Oct. 22), each student will play no fewer than two sandbox games. Because sandbox games develop as they are played, students should spend at least two hours with each game (not all of that time has to be spent in one session).

After getting experience with sandbox games, each student must post a critical comment of approximately 500 words. Students must select games from the list below (some of which are available at Sharky's or available for check out from me) or independently find sandbox games.

• Animal Crossing: City Folk
• Grand Theft Auto IV (Sharky's)
• Crackdown (Sharky's on reserve)
• Fallout 3 (check out)
• The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion
• Red Dead Redemption
• InFamous
• Prototype
• Scribblenauts
• Phun
• Dwarf Fortress
• Minecraft

Submit your comment below after critically considering issues surrounding your sandbox game experiences, such as:

• How one or more of our readings inform your experiences
• The differences among different games
• What differentiates sandbox games from other games you have played for this class or independently
• How the protagonists of different sandbox games are depicted, and how this connects with cultural issues
• The affordances and limitations of sandbox games

The preceding prompts may help you focus your thoughts, but feel free to take your discussion in any productive direction you wish. I look forward to reading your work and discussing it in class.