Bibliographic information:
Newman, G. & Team Garry (2004). Garry’s Mod. England: Facepunch Studios.
Plot Summary:
The plot is your own. Garry’s Mod allows a player to basically do whatever they would like and add elements from different games to build scenes. Most of the elements come from other popular games, but these can be put together to produce something new. The player has multi-fold tasks: to build the scene, to manipulate it, and to interact with the creations. The characters are often imported from other games, as are the props. Props are a big part of Garry’s Mod, there are some that come with the game, but the really good ones are made by fans. The game is almost like a ‘choose your own adventure’ book, only the player also acts the part of the author in many ways. For example, it is possible to have a scene in what resembles the Dutch countryside where Star Wars characters from one video game, and battle aliens from a completely different story; furthermore, it is possible to be aiding one side or the other with a number of weapons and the help of your own anti-terrorist task force from the safety of a floating rowboat. The possibilities for scene development are almost endless.
Critical Evaluation:
Of the games I have reviewed, I was most impressed with this one. Garry’s Mod allows a player to design their own scenes and more or less build a situation upon an already existing background. The graphics are good and the possibilities are endless because new modifications are being devised all of the time. Most of the modifications are made by fans of various games who put the work in to developing the modifications for other players to use. I could not help but feeling that this game was a good deal similar to a director’s course. One has to learn how to set a scene and how certain elements within that scene will interact. In another way, the game is almost like producing a piece of art. I know that the scene that I was able to create was very Dali inspired and was something like the video game graphic version of The Temptation of Saint Anthony. The amount of choice a player has is very attractive and really allows the player to control the amount of violence. This might be a game for gamers and non gamers alike, anyone with an artistic bent should really check it out.
Player’s Annotation:
Use your imagination and a number of modifications to design your own scenes and play the game you want to play.
Information about the production team:
Garry Newman was the chief designer and lead of Team Garry at Facepunch Studios in Walsall, England.
Genre:
Sandbox
Curriculum Ties:
Computers/Art
Gametalking Ideas:
1. Discuss the possibility for creative expression in this game.
2. Focus on the many fan generated modifications out there to use in this game.
3. Discuss the learning aspect of this game and how it could be used in a few subjects.
Player Level/Interest Age:
13+
Challenge Issues:
Violence
Challenge Defense Ideas:
1. Play the game.
2. Be Familiar with the policy of the ALA and your institution.
3. Make a note of the contents of the work and how they fall in with the collection development policy of your institution and the standpoint of the ALA.
4. Gain an awareness of the awards, reviews, and criticisms of the game.
5. Know the process for materials challenges at your library.
Why did you include this game? :
I liked the idea that this game gave a good deal of room for artistic expression and the possibility to create.
Game’s Official Site:
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