Guide to Games

Some of these games are played through a web browser or other Internet interface. The rest of the games are available on PC/Windows and Mac/iOS systems: you are expected to play these versions of the games. If the game is available on another platform (such as iPad, Nintendo DS, Xbox), it is your responsibility to ensure that you are playing a version of the game identical to the one available on PC or Mac. (Note the links to the games on the Information page page point to the versions of the games we will be studying.)

BioShock

Finish the game. (I believe the game ends at chapter 16, but I haven't yet finished playing it!)

Bloons Tower Defense 5

Complete at least two beginner tracks on Medium difficulty and at least one intermediate track on Easy difficulty.

Minecraft

Play in single player, survival mode, difficulty set to easy or anything harder. Ideally, you should get to the End, but at least get to the Nether. You should attain the following achievements:

• Getting Wood
• Benchmarking
• Taking Inventory
• Time to Strike!
• Monster Hunter
• Cow Tipper
• Time to Farm!
• Bake Bread
• The Lie
• Time to Mine!
• Getting an Upgrade
• Hot Topic
• Acquire Hardware
• DIAMONDS!
• We Need to Go Deeper

Pac-Man

Play for a little while: eat, eat, eat.

Plants vs Zombies

Complete level 5-10 (and watch the music video).

Portal

Complete the main game by completing all 19 test chambers (the Heartbreaker achievement on Steam).

Portal 2

Complete the main game by completing all 9 chapters (the Lunacy achievement on Steam).

Robot Unicorn Attack

Play until you are sick of it.

Spore

Evolve at least one cell to achieve the Space stage of the game. (Perhaps I'll add tasks at the Space stage: t.b.a.)

Thomas Was Alone

Finish the game (the Thomas Was Not Alone achievement on Steam)

World of Warcraft

It is recommended that you play in the Normal realm type (Player vs Environment), though you are welcome to play in any of the three other realm types. Create a new character of any type (race and class) and play until that character is level 20 (though feel free to go higher, if you want). It is recommended that you create an additional one or two characters of different races and classes and play at least a few levels as the other characters to get a sense of the diversity of the character abilities and game story.