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The Seven Kissesof Death

Of Children’s Interactive Media

Carolyn Handler Miller

Dust or MagicNovember 9, 2010

© Carolyn Handler Miller

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The Death Kisses

The dust part of Dust or Magic

My own term Death Kisses:

Common but dangerous pitfalls

Highly seductive To adults: logical,

sensible, intelligent But to kids: repellant!

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Death Kisses: They Are Everywhere!

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Many Kids’ Projects Hopelessly

Infested with Them!

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Learned to Spot Them First Hand

By Writing for Kids Media

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Confirmation: Research for My Book

Multiple Interviews with Developers

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General Characteristics:

Adult perspective of what projects for children should be like

Easy to resort to

Slip into projects when under pressure

Seem very attractive

Based on faulty assumptions

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So, just what are these

Death Kisses???

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#1. Kids Love Anything Sweet

True for food, not entertainment!

Sweetness is adult wishful thinking – want to present happy, sunny world that is all good

But kids know truth: world not really like this!

Sweetness = boring, bland, childish, false

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#2. Give ‘Em What’s Good for ‘Em

The medicinal approach!

Often done with true earnestness, adult zeal

“Smarten ‘em up fast!

Problem: too heavy with pedagogy, too light on fun

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#3. You’ve Just Got To Amuse ‘Em

The “junk food” approach

Cheap on quality, meaningful content

Sells kids short

Fatal assumptions:

Kids can’t tell

Kids just want lots of empty fun

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#4. Always Play It Safe! Yes, we want to

avoid violence & inappropriate content

But that does not mean removing action, conflict, tension!

Too safe = totally boring!

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#5. All Kids Are Created Equal

Democracy is fine in nations, not in kids’ products

Kids vary hugely at different ages; boys & girls not identical

“One size fits all” strategy doesn’t work here

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#6: Explain Everything An adult fear: not being

clear

Faulty assumption: kids can’t figure out things on their own

Leads to drowning kids with words, instructions

Lazy on our part (better ways take work)

Annoying for kids – they enjoy figuring things out

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#7. Make Sure All CharactersAre Wholesome!

Yes, we want positive role models

But too positive and too perfect = dull, bland & lifeless

Characters lack personality, individuality – just “white bread”

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And Now…10 Strategies to

BANISHThe Death Kisses…

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#1. Devise a Way to HOOK Your Players

In other words, build in a compelling mission, goal or challenge (example: Oregon Trail)

Should be

Clear-cut

Easily understandable

Highly desirable

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#2. Inject Meaningful Tension Adds excitement w/o

violence Essence of drama Some techniques:

“The ticking clock” (must succeed at something by certain time, or disaster)

Conflict (opposing characters after same goal)

Challenges to overcome

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#3. Offer Genuine SubstanceKids Hungry for Meaningful Content!

(Example: powerful themes in The Lion King: treachery, murder, courage)

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#4. Create Characters Who Are Multifaceted and Dynamic

Example: Mia (Kutoka Interactive) Not perfect Overly curious Tiny but plucky Gets into trouble Has enemy (Romaine)

Well developed characters provide energy, interest, excitement

Kids can ID with them

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#5. Create System of Rewards Rewards:

Powerful motivators; incentives to keep going

Positive reinforcement Way to measure progress Loss of rewards (or

penalties): possibility adds tension

Can be: a score; words of praise; $; powers; advancement; even jellybeans (as in Toontown Online)

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#6. Make Product Easy To Understand and Use

Classic picture books good model Few words

Ample visuals

In interactive media, good interface design essential Makes for enjoyable

product

Helps avoid lengthy explanations

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#7. Make Product AdjustableTo Child’s Abilities

Provide easy to difficult levels or challenges

Many advantages: Avoids frustrating

beginning players

Keeps more skillful players challenged, involved

Makes product more repeatable

Expands age range of product

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#8. Supply Liberal Doses Of Humor

Humor adds life and color

Makes product fun Caution: kids’ humor NOT same as adult humor Love what’s gross, rude &

offensive (non politically correct!)

Love what’s ridiculously silly, unexpected, absurd

Visual and character humor rather than puns, word play

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#9. Build in Meaningful Interactivity

Player’s “job” should make sense

Players choices should make a difference – have impact

Interactivity should be abundant, keeping player active

Should not be overly repetitive

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#10. Respect Your Audience!(Don’t talk down; understand who they are;

give them something worthwhile)

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Questions?

Please ask now!

Or email me: Carolyn@CarolynMiller.com

Or check out my book