If you have any experience with Intramural Computer Gaming (i.e., specifically: the use of computer games in an intramural competitive play environment, sponsored by or embraced in any way by the public education system), PLEASE POST ABOUT IT. THIS IS MY PASSION (play for the sake of play, but with hidden agendas of teaching team play, personal accountability, etc.)

I think this is a great idea, Tramp. 

The closest thing I’ve seen about this is contests using Dance Dance Revolution. It’s great fun and highly competitive.

I would love this to happen - especially with an academic bent. Imagine kids playing civilization competitively?! So cool….

Dance Revolution, the “rock band” group (read “team”) multiplayer things, and ALL of the Wii games are great integrations of “computer gaming” and “physical activity”.

HOLD THAT THOUGHT (I’ll return to this in a moment).

One natural bridge between the “educational bent” and computer games already exists within the humanities sector (Really glad you brought this up, Bill, because I’ve had this answer prepared and waiting for someone to open it up for discussion).

RETURN NOW TO THE INITIAL STATEMENT, ABOVE, re: physical activity.

Something, I’d be interested in seeing as a “next step” for educational use would be a way to have electical “sound pick up” devices (stick-on microphones which allow acoustic instruments to be plugged into electrical amplifiers) added to concert band instruments. This would dramatically expand the potential for the Guitar Hero genre of games (imagine being able to look at your “clarinet score” on a computer screen and have it show you when you hit wrong notes and such—then, imagine the whole concert band having that).

Also (and this one touches me close—probably closer than any other—to home, because of my years of community theater participation), one of the most “addictive” (per your Gaming for Gamers video clip over here) games on the ‘Net—EverQuest (often affectionately called EverCrack, due to its addictive, total immersion qualities)—is a prime target for embracing among the Theater Arts sector. Why a “target for embracing by this sector”? Because in the theater arts, the actor who can best immerse himself into his character is… well… the best actor. I mean… that’s the whole idea of acting… and that’s the whole idea behind the entire roleplaying genre of games (EverQuest being only a single of many possible). BUT,....

It currently lacks physical activity. It’s still a member of the “sedentary” game segment (sit at a console to play). Which brings me around to what I would love to see ... and that’s the “Wii” version of roleplaying games, but not just with a single (or even two) handheld device… rather, with a full-out set of “total immersion gear”: gloves (instead of a barbell without the bells), a visor (for fully independent visual experience), earphones, and… finally… instead of a “dance mat” (per Dance Revolution), and outdoor area (such as public parks and such) wired with wifi/bluetooth sensors and such… so you actually “go out” to kill some monsters (or whatever the theme requires). You and your friends actually “go to the park” to play, just like in the “good ol’ days” of “pure imagination” (cops and robbers, cowboys and indians, etc.), except NOW it is fully computer enhanced. A sort of cross between MMORPGs, the Wii, and Laser Tag.

The equipment for this type of gaming all already exists, the gaming companies just haven’t yet started writing for these things as a “standard platform”.

One potential interim step between the status quo and my aforementioned fantasy is the use of projection monitors to create a means for transforming these (console) games into spectator activities. Consider, for example, taking a group of equal level characters to a relatively consistent in-game spawn location to compare skill abilities (solo, duo, trio, larger groups), while also allowing parents and classmates to watch as spectators via a projection monitor in the school auditorium.

I have a fertile imagination… and an eye on the future.

I know a schoolteacher who has done some gaming-related educational activities with some middle-school-aged kids. I’ve pointed out to him that his situation is RIPE for the creation of some kind of intramural gaming activities. I’ve entered into a conversation with him and former MU* developer; together, we’re developing a vague outline of some potential activities around which a MUD Club might be formed (and from which other Clubs can be formed by borrowing from the accumulated experiences of the first, and so on and so forth… and furthermore, from which intramural gaming should naturally evolve). Who knows, maybe he’ll see this message and add a comment.

Wish us luck