Poll: What game? Academic research

[Beldaros]

Hello Escapists,

I wasn't sure where to put this topic, but I think this is the right choice.

Anyway, I am looking to conduct an experiment on EFL (english as a foreign language) students in the near future involving video games, I am honestly a teacher, and I am honestly working on this proposal right now. However, I am suffering with game choices and could think of no other place to look than here.

What I reaquire are two games that are very easy to learn how to use. Require absolute minimum tutorial time as this is not what I want to spend in class time explaining. One game has to feature a wide variety of group activities, like most modern shooters. The other has to have a fairly heavy, accurate script. Now I am not as up-to-date with modern game culture as I was in my early 20's so I hope you guys can help me with any suggestions. Please, if you are going to respond, if the game is a little obscure, please tell me what console supports the game and a little about the basic features of the game.

When the proposal is complete, anyone who wants to follow the progress will be able to. The research itself is not likely to be carried out until the summer, but the set-up will be starting ASAP. The games are the least important but neverthless essential part of the experiment.

Thanks for your help.

Aaron Dodd

 

[Mezahmay]

Just a couple questions, in case anyone else is looking to know too. First, would you prefer it feature more text or spoken English? Second, what platform is going to be used? PC or console? If console, which one(s)? I know you said you'd pick the platform to support the game, but from my experience you get more text in PC games, you get good group interactivity using consoles, and good scripts are generally cross-platform since big releases spent more money on their writers.

EDIT: Actually, I have a better idea. You could probably move this thread over to gaming discussion or off-topic discussion. Those forums get a lot more traffic than advice forum does. It might not be a bad idea to just make a brand new one in one of those forums and leave this one up as well, but I think the mods can move threads around for you. Given how short this thread is so far it'd probably be easier to make a brand new thread.

 

[Beldaros]

snip

Thanks, I guess I'll do that, though I always thought they were kind of unhappy with double posts...

In answer to your questions though... I think PC is out of the question, assuming I have someone in the class who hasn't played a game since the era of Tetris, they are not going to be able to get their head around the controls. I haven't decided on the platform per se though, I mean I actually toyed with the idea of PS2 because of financial reasons, but the more I think about it, I should invest in modern consoles to get the best results. As for text or spoken English, ideally I'd like a game with spoken English where (accurate) subtitles can be eneabled.

Thanks for your response.

 

[Mezahmay]

You could probably pick up some Xbox 360s on the cheap. PS2s only exist on the second hand market and games are even less available than the consoles are. You could probably pick up some 360s on the cheap and get something like Mass Effect. Its dialogue options are integral to the play experience (as well as RPG skills, some shooting, etc.) I can't say I'd recommend the first Mass Effect. Perhaps Mass Effect 3. I hear they simplified some of the more "core" game mechanics in those games while retaining pretty much the same quality dialogue. If you get PS3s, then Heavy Rain may be a good option since most of the gameplay is QTEs. The Telltale Walking Dead or The Wolf Among Us games are also minimal gameplay for excellent story telling and dialogue options. Actually yeah, just go with Telltale's The Walking Dead or The Wolf Among Us to eliminate the need to understand complex controls. Hope that helps!