I've never really been into "gaming". Sure, I hopped onto the Candy Crush bandwagon back when it was popular but that's the extent to my gaming expertise. But why did I get into Candy Crush in the first place? Because the app was connected to my Facebook account, and allowed me to get competitive and interact with my Facebook friends to see what level we were all on.
This concept of participation has been described by Raessens (2005) as a way to "characterise not only the specificity of computer games but also the media culture that has formed around them". And this "media culture" and need for interactivity and participation can be seen everywhere from mobile phones and apps, to social media and the blogosphere.
A recent example of a non gaming participatory media culture that is taking the world by storm would be the app Tinder. Launched last year and with an estimated 500,000 users, Tinder connects your Facebook page to the app, then allows you to search for users near by. With Tinder you have the ability to reject or like people due to their photos which are synced from their Facebook accounts, then when two are "mutually matched" can interact with one another. This app has taken online dating and interactivity to the next level. With the ability to connect to others Facebook pages and interact with those who have an interest with you and you with them. The success of Tinder has already lead to weddings and according to the creator Sean Rad there are quite a few celebrities that use the app too. Although I don't participate in the app I can't avoid the numerous stories that are floating around on the internet about it and the revolution that is Tinder.
Although computer gaming is a popular medium for interaction and connectivity, there are thousands of other platforms for like minded individuals to connect and participate with one another.
Tinder: the app that helps you meet people for sex | Life and style | The Guardian . 2013. Available at:http://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/shortcuts/2013/aug/16/tinder-app-meet-people-sex-celebrities.
Tinder: 5 Reasons The Dating App Works For Women. 2013.Available at:http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/07/03/tinder-women-reasons-it-works_n_3541428.html.
Raessens, J 2005, ‘Computer games as participatory media culture’, Handbook of computer game studies 2005, MIT Press, Cambridge, Mass, pp. 373-388
 |
| So addictive... Source: www.heyzap.com |
 |
| Tinder App Source: www.ryot.org - |
Hey Emma!
ReplyDeleteI really enjoyed your blog topic this week! It was a fun read and really kept me engaged. Just like you, i haven't really been an avid gamer, however i don't think i would pass up the chance to play Mario Kart!. I can clearly see that you understand the concept of participation in the media culture, and that there are so many other platforms for connectivity and interaction to occur between individuals . Great read! keep it up.
Good read, Emma. The speed of uptake for the Tinder app highlights the role of technology in globalisation, and is a great example of the circuit of culture. People who list themselves on Tinder participate in the thoughtful production of their identity and managed presentation of the self. The ‘rules’ of the game regulate the play and all users are both producers and consumers – it’s an example of prosumption.
ReplyDeleteJust a note on your referencing – for articles from newspapers (and online news sites), you should cite the author’s name and date, and the publication title as well, not just the article title and URL.
Hi Emma, good blog post. I liked your exploration of Tinder as part of a participatory media culture and it is obvious that you have a firm grasp on the concept. I agree with Mary-Anne in that Tinder is a perfect example of prosumption and reveals this crazy cycle that links to so many platforms we identify ourselves with. It may have been interesting to explore the concept of globalisation further in this piece to enhance Tinder’s influence in such a short space of time (despite it (I hope) being just a fun fad app and not the future of online dating). Well done!
ReplyDeleteHi Emma, I really enjoyed your post for this week. I think most girls are not fond of computer games, but at the same time, we are gamers of video games on smartphone (like Candy Crash). I appreciate you using Tinder as the example to explore participant in the media culture. As I understand it, most of apps on smartphone can be seen as participatory medium. Therefore, your choice of the topic is smart and clearly shows your understanding of concepts from this week. Good job and keep on :]
ReplyDeleteHi Emma… Yes, I am yet another girl that has never been into Gaming either :) But your article really showcases that traditional Games are not the only online interactivity available now. Gaming is one thing, but social engagement is another. Tinder, FB and Candy Crush are all about interacting with each other… and expanding our networks … sometimes globally. You’ve given a good description of Tinder, thanks. I would have liked to have seen your last paragraph expanded a bit more, to illustrate your point on interactivity. But a great read - easy to follow and well written. Thankyou Emma!
ReplyDeleteCheers
Prue
Hi Emma,
ReplyDeleteSame situation here, if it wasn't for Facebook, I probably wouldn't haven't gotten into playing candy crush in the first place. Competitiveness really has a hooked on me.
Your use of Tinder as the example of participatory media is really clever. The interactivity between users surely does take online dating to a different level. As well as plenty other apps that's been emerging recently.
Nice post! ;)
Hi Emma,
ReplyDeleteOnce again, interesting blog post! Firstly, I like how you started off by explaining your own gaming experience, I thought that was very effective in showing how you participated in the culture. Even though tinder and candy crush are not the traditional video games, they are still connected through the social network, Facebook. In this sense we see a new way of participating in the media. I hadn't really known about Tinder, so your explanation was useful and you really linked it back to the context effectively. The only thing I would recommend is that you place your images in the middle of the blog and not at the end! However, good read!
Hi Emma,
ReplyDeleteWell done on your post this week. Your examples of Candy Crush and Tinder were fantastic and your use of tone was humorous and enjoyable to read. Apps such as Tinder are a perfect example of participatory media however I also think you could have presented the connection with Globalisation as the apps rapid expansion in popularity is certainly due to technological Globalisation. Perhaps more of a reference to Raessens writings and a more in-depth look at his definitions could have added more weight to your piece and an expansion on your final paragraph certainly would have tied up your ideas a little better. Fantastic work otherwise
- S
Emma your examples this week fitted the blog criteria perfectly.
ReplyDeleteI have never played any games religiously also, but we forget how tinder and facebook can fall under that category. Facebook initiated a few of my gaming frenzies, and is responsible for and interactivity and connection I have to games. I didn't have a great understanding about tinder before your discussion but you discussion was very insightful and relative!
I think Raessen's pieces could have assisted you more in your writing but overall a really interesting post! Well done!
Hi Emma
ReplyDeleteI really enjoyed reading your blog post. It is short, precise and to the point. You catch your reader from the first sentence and I think that your use of the Tinder-app as an example og a participatory medium is excellent and different and I completely agree. I myself used Grindr as my example I they truly have similar characteristics and qualities. Your description of your own participation in media is great and I liked your concise use of the references.
Em
As a non-gamer myself I enjoyed this piece and how you were able to find other means of linking globalisation to participatory culture. Having not heard of or used Tinder, I found you provided the reader with a reasonable enough level of insight to understand what you were writing about, and still leave the reader in a position to find out more for themselves. This is where a link might have improved this piece, but otherwise, the discussion about the interactivity of social media and the blogosphere, and many other platforms, made this a strong blog piece. Good job
ReplyDeleteHi Emma,
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed your personal account of your experience of games, as it identifies you as a non-gamer even though you have played games, which represents the globalisation of non-traditional, social media-type games. I agree with your statement indicating a growing “need for interactivity and participation”, as it seems people are now juggling countless different social networking accounts, instead of just a single Facebook page. The body of your piece is taken up with your explanation of Tinder, which could have been simply linked to a site and saved you wasting words in an already tight limit. Your photos are good but are placed below the references, meaning I had read the entire piece before noticing them. Overall a nice piece Emma!