Super Gaming: 2013

Observing level design in Gauntlet

I’m an old school gamer and, occasionally, I like to play NES cartridges from the 80’s. One of my favorite titles from this time is Gauntlet.

Gauntlet (1985, Atari Games) is a fantasy-themed hack and slash game, originally created for arcade with versions for NES, Master System, Mega Drive and other consoles. In the NES version, players could select among four playable characters: Thor the barbarian, Merlin the Wizard, Thyra the Valkyrie, or Questor the elvish archer. Gauntlet’s levels are full of orcs, spectres, skeletons, treasure chests and other classic elements from medieval Role Playing Games.

Each character has unique abilities, powers and weaknesses. So, it’s possible to explore different ways playing the game solo or combining different powers with a friend on the second joystick.

The gameplay is set within a series of top-down, third person perspective mazes where the goal is to find and scape through the exit in every stage. The video below shows Gauntlet’s mechanics.

Despite the simple interface and limited resources of this time, Gauntlet is a good example of level design management. The game has 100 stages and each of them is unique and works with the limited boundaries of the TV screen. The game uses the player’s memory with complicated mazes and has a life meter that works as a time pressure component.

The 100 stages are divided among five worlds, each one with special technical features. In Gauntlet it’s possible to see a well-constructed difficult/learning curve by passing the stages. The game hybridises the levels with the mechanics to offer the player a positive experience.

In this context it’s possible to say, “games consist of stages, or levels. As the player progresses through a game, the levels generally increase in difficulty and the story develops. The designer must create a series of challenges for the player as he progresses through a level. This means that the design of individual levels is closely linked to the design of the game mechanics” (THOMPSON; BERBANK-GREEN; CUSWORTH: 2007: p.93).

I think it’s important to analyze ideas from the past to establish new connections today. The beginning of the 80’s is a perfect frame to observe some conditions that are patterns of today’s gaming industry.

Reference:

THOMPSON, Jim; BERBANK-GREEN, Barnaby; CUSWORTH, Nic. Game Design: principles, practice, and tecniques - the ultimate guide for the aspiring game designer. New Jersey: Wiley, 2007

Gaming experience and social network: how games can be funnier with RAPTR

In this post, let's figure out how to engage an audience in a deeper entertainment experience using a digital social network. I’m taking about RAPTR, a social networking website and instant messenger, targeted towards video game players launched September 3rd, 2008. The site allows users/players to import their Xbox Live, PlayStation Network, and Steam accounts. It also includes other features such as trophies and achievements tracking, and this is a point to highlight in our discussion.

With RAPTR, you can compare your in-game statistics, level of engagement and collection of trophies/achievements in a wide mode. This is possible because RAPTR allows users to explore/connect a world broader than the console network.

As an example for this post I’ll use the game “Batman: Arkham Origins”, that I started to play recently. When the playing experience starts, automatically the game appears in your RAPTR dashboard with your level of engagement and list of achievements. The most interesting feature of the system is the possibility to view your performance against other players of the same game. In the image below we can see these features and the ranking on the bottom side (I’m 5th in the ranking, but I'm working to get a better position.).

With social networks like RAPTR we can have a parallel contest involving a large number of players fighting for symbolic rewards and ranking. In other words, it sounds like a game inside the game and it’s important for publishers to stay alert with this kind of social tool. In this scenario, companies also need to understand how to survive in times of media fragmentation defined by Lord and Velez (2013: 223) as the “increasing availability and consumption of different types of media across channels”.

Among the players, to be well-ranked in a gamer ecosystem is a very important reward and an essential component of social capital construction. As Santaella (2013: 43) says, by creating a profile on the social networks, people start to respond and act as if this profile were an extension of the self. Like an extra presence of what constitutes their identity. These profiles become flags that represent the people who hold them.

In this context we define social network sites in the words of Boyd and Ellison (2007) as web-based services that allow individuals to (1) construct a public or semi-public profile within a bounded system, (2) articulate a list of other users with whom they share a connection, and (3) view and traverse their list of connections and those made by others within the system. The nature and nomenclature of these connections may vary from site to site.

The new generation of consoles promises interactions involving increasingly sophisticated games and social networking. Definitely, this is a matter for further discussion and deserves more attention.

Now on to your opinion.

Note: Unlike “Batman: Arkham Asylum” (Rocksteady Studios, 2009) and “Batman: Arkham City” (Rocksteady Studios, 2011), this game will not be developed by Rocksteady Studios. Warner Bros. Games Montréal, co-developer of “Batman: Arkham City - Armored Edition”, created Arkham Origins, with additional development by Splash Damage for the game's multiplayer feature. Check the trailer below:

Go gamers!

References:

BOYD, D. M., & ELLLINSON, N. B. Social network sites: definition, history, and scholarship. Journal of Computer-Mediated Communication, 13(1), article 11, 2007. URL: http://jcmc.indiana.edu/vol13/issue1/boyd.ellison.html (last access: August, 2013)

LORD, B.; VELEZ, R. Converge: transforming business at the intersection between marketing and technology. Hoboken, NJ: Wiley & Sons, 2013.

SANTAELLA, L. Intersubjetividade nas redes digitais: repercussões na educação. IN: PRIMO, A. (org). Interações em rede. Porto Alegre: Sulina, p. 2013.

Thanksgiving Safety Tips for Pets !

Thanksgiving in the United States is next Thursday. Yiiippppeeeee ! Everyone loves Thanksgiving.

Friends and family around the dinner table loaded with lots of goodies. Sharing stories, catching up with what's happening and just lots of love and good cheer.

And if you are like me.. my dog is sitting right next to my feet at the dinner table waiting for some yummy goodies also. If you have cats, I am pretty sure they are eyeing you just waiting for someone to drop something or walk away from their plates... LOL !

But, there are some items that can make pets sick during the Thanksgiving holidays, so here are some safety tips for your pets during this wonderful time.

For more information regarding safety pet tips, please go to: www.aspca.org.

Turkey:
If you decide to give your pet some turkey, please make sure it is boneless and well-cooked. Do not feed raw or undercooked turkey. Just like people, they can get salmonella poisoning.

Sage:
Everyone loves using Sage when making stuffing. This particular herb, along with many others, can cause gastrointestinal upset and central nervous depression to pets if eaten in large quantities. Cats are especially sensitive to certain essential oils.

Bread Dough:
Do not feed your pets raw bread dough. When this is ingested by an animal, his/her body heat causes the dough to rise in his/her stomach. As it expands, your pet may vomit, experience severe abdominal pain and bloating. This could become a life-threatening issue, requiring surgery.

Cake:
Please try and keep your pets out of the cake batter. If it includes raw eggs, they could get salmonella poisoning.

Too Much of Anything:
It is okay to offer your pets small amounts of cooked turkey, maybe some mashed potatoes or even a small lick of pumpkin pie, but don't overdo it. Just like people, this could cause a very upset stomach, diarrrhea or even worse, an inflammatory condition of the pancreas called pancreatitis. The best thing you can do for your pets is just keep them on their normal food during the holidays.

One of the things you can do to keep your pets entertained while you are having dinner and socializing with your friends and family, is to get them a Kong filled with pet treats or a Nylabone.

We, at Snaggle Foot Dog Walks and Pet Care - Round Lake, would like to wish everyone (people and pets) a very very Happy Thanksgiving!!

What is a game?

Researchers of gaming studies field are always discussing this subject. One thing is certain: there’s no absolute answer for this question. A game can be defined in many ways and videogames – specifically – become so complex platforms that is very difficult to reach one single idea about “what is a game”.

The good point is: there are lots of good visions about it. In an excellent presentation made at DiGRA’13 keynote named “The Ambiguity of Game Studies: Observations on the Collective Process of Inventing a New Discipline” the author Janet Murray discusses (among other things) what is a game.

The graph below, from the book “First Person" shows one (of many) interpretations of this subject:

I strongly recommend the complete reading of this presentation. You can find the slides HERE.

Virus Sickening and Even Killing Dogs !

As the Owner/President of Snaggle Foot Dog Walks and Pet Care in Round Lake, Illinois, I am always trying to be aware of what is going on with pet health.

This particular news story is frightening to me because it is happening in the midwest which is where I live. There seems to be an outbreak of a virus going around which is sickening and even killing dogs. Below I have some information regarding this new virus called Circovirus.

Some of the things pet owners can do if they want is to avoid places like kennels, doggie day care or dog parks at least for a while and keep your eyes and ears open to how this virus is progressing. Some alternatives to this would be inhome pet care.

However, just because some of the dogs that have contracted this virus were at a doggie day care does not mean it is prevalent in these types of environments, it is just something that they are throwing out there as it is possible that putting a lot of dogs in one type of environment is a way to contract diseases. Just like child day care.. if one child gets sick, a lot of other children can get sick also.

The following information was reported by Steve Dale, at Chicagonow.com.

The Ohio Department of Agriculture received the first confirmation of a case of the virus in one of these dogs. More testing of samples from the other seven dogs who have gotten sick in the state is ongoing. It's too soon to know if they all had the same disease.

Of the eight dogs who have had the severe illness over the past few weeks, four have died. Symptoms included vasculitis (which is a destruction of the body’s blood vessels), severe vomiting, bloody diarrhea, fluid buildup around the lungs, as well as rapid heart rate and weakness. Four cases were first reported in the Cincinnati area, followed by four in Canal Fulton, near Canton.

Ohio State pathologists have sent samples taken from the ill and dead dogs to a lab at the University of California-Davis to test them for circovirus. A one-year-old beagle with circovirus died in California in the spring, and the school’s lab has the equipment to test for the virus, which had not previously been diagnosed in dogs but is common in pigs.

A study detailing the California case was released in April in the Centers for Disease Control’s online journal “Emerging Infectious Diseases.”

Dr. Melanie Butera, a veterinarian at Elm Ridge Animal Hospital in Canal Fulton, treated all four of the Akron-area dogs, who were extremely ill with very similar symptoms, she said. The two worst cases came in collapsed and weak, with high heart rates and fluid around their lungs. One of the dogs died. All were around under five years and older than puppies. Oddly, all the dogs came in ill at about the same time, though none of the owners knew one another.

Veterinarians in the Cincinnati area who treated the four dogs sent samples to Ohio State University’s College of Veterinary Medicine for testing, said public relations director Melissa Weber. Tests for salmonella and other obvious causes of the illnesses came back negative, she said, and the ODA is awaiting further test results.

The department has not received any additional calls from the Cincinnati area since that time. Health officials and veterinarians said that early intervention and proactive treatment seems to be more successful than those who waited, even if it means visiting an emergency clinic.

Still, there is no reason to panic. Even dogs experiencing the described symptoms likely have an another explanation for their illness.

We all want our pets to be healthy so the best thing a pet parent can do is watch out for any signs of illness in your dog and get them to your vet as soon as possible. It may not be Circovirus but getting them treated for any illness is what we, as pet parents, should always do for them !

Using fear as narrative in video games: origins

In the last few years we had lots of iconic survival horror games launched around the world for video game consoles. Just to give a few examples, we can bring to our discussion Silent Hill 4: The Room (Playstation 2, 2004), Slender (Parsec Productions, 2012) and Alan Wake (Microsoft Game Studios, 2010). All these games are very scary and possess sophisticated features in their narratives but it’s important to look to the past to understand the origins of horror in video games.

One of the first horror narratives in video game was used in an Atari game named Haunted House (Atari, 1982). With very limited interface and resources, the game creates a classic horror movie atmosphere with a house full of bats, phantoms and traps. The player commands a pair of eyes in the dark trying to find pieces of an ancient ark.

You can check a game play video below:

The game is very simple and there’s a fundamental detail that puts the player inside the gaming reality: the illustration on the cover of the box. The drawing dialogues with the player about the ambient of the game, and it’s possible to understand better the game mechanics (a good text about this subject could be found here).

Recreating game mechanics

One important thing about game design is the ability to learn from games. The act of creating a repertory full of different references and mechanics is fundamental for the work of a game designer.

With great knowledge of these points it is possible to recreate game mechanics. To demonstrate this, I will use as an example in this post a game that I created: ÁLMOK.

ÁLMOK is a card game for 2 to 4 players that uses an oneiric world as a scenario. Players need to find combinations of dreams to escape from a nightmare dimension.

The game mechanics were based in the classic memory game, with some modifications. In the original memory game, the idea is to find a pair of equal images, but in ÁLMOK, the players need to find three of a kind. After a player finds a “combo” of three cards, he or she earns a special coloured gem. Each gem has a special power (like discard cards from the table, see hidden cards, etc.) that could be used in the turn of a player.

So, in essence, it’s a memory game, but we have some “turbo” modifications.

The game is played with a 64 deck of cards in a 8x8 grid that offers a major challenge for the player’s mind.

Ceilikan Games launched the game in Brazil in February 2013. The art made by me and ÁLMOK means “dreams” in Hungarian language.

At this moment, I’m working on a translation into English for the rules and a print and play version to make available for download to non-Portuguese speakers. Wait for news!

Why dogs are important during therapy and rehab !

My mom had a stroke almost 3 weeks ago and is now undergoing rehab. One of the things she keeps asking is "how is Snickers"? That is her little mini dachshund and she misses her dearly. So because she is in a rehab facility that allows pets, we bring her little doggie when we can.

This got me thinking about how important animals are for therapy. There are a lot of therapy pets out there but the most important pet to a loved one is their own pet. But, if the person who is undergoing therapy does not have a pet, having a therapy pet stop by may not be a bad thing.

Here is some information on pet therapy dogs if you would like to use one during a family members' rehab.

The information I am sharing with you comes from the following website: http://www.disabled-world.com/disability/serviceanimals/therapy-dogs.php. Use this information if you need to find therapy dogs in your area.

The Value of Therapy Dog Visits:
Therapy Dog and Handler teams are all unique and provide people with exceptional opportunities for therapeutic contact. Only dogs that are registered with an organization are considered to be Therapy Dogs. Coyotes, Wolves, coyote hybrids, or wolf hybrids are not permitted to become Therapy Dogs becomes they cannot be verified as immune against rabies.

Therapy Dogs are not required to know any tricks, although a number of Handlers have taught their Dogs some such as how to wave or shake hands as a way to start conversations with the people they are there to serve; or to make them smile. Routines that teach Dogs obedience may also be used to start conversations, with well-trained Dogs excelling at say, standing still while a person either pets them or brushes them. Each Therapy Dog and Handler team is familiar with their means of interacting with others and provides unique and wonderful therapeutic contact.

Recognition of the value of using animals in the healing process has been around for a very long time. In a variety of types of health care facilities, visits from Therapy Dogs have demonstrated an increase in the calmness, happiness, and overall emotional well-being of people who have come in contact with them. Studies have been pursued that have demonstrated a decrease in both the stress levels and blood pressure of people during visits by Therapy Dogs. These Dogs give residents, staff members, and visitors a break from regular daily routines, loneliness, and illness.

What is the Definition of Pet Therapy Activities?
Therapy Dogs and their Handlers visit schools, nursing homes, libraries, hospitals, and other facilities where people would benefit from interactions with the Dogs. During a visit with a Therapy Dog, people are invited to interact with the Dog through petting them or stroking them. Some people might want to brush the dog, while other people may simply wish to look at it.

Smaller Dogs may be ones that people can hold in bed or on their laps, with permission. Other Therapy Dogs perform simple tricks; others might perform obedience routines for the pleasure of the person they are there to serve. Some people like to walk or use their wheelchair or adaptive equipment next to the Dog. Handlers might throw a toy for the Dog to fetch, or play games with the Dog and the person to enhance the therapeutic contact. The presence of the Dog helps people to take their minds off of problems.

Do Therapy Dogs Wear Vests?
While some Therapy Dogs do wear vests identifying them, many of these Dogs do not. Some Therapy Dogs wear vests while they are hallways; for example, but take them off in rooms while they interact with people.

Therapy Dogs are Dogs that are meant to be petted and a vest can cut down on the area of the Dog's coat that is exposed.

Therapy Dogs might also wear a Bandanna identifying them as a Dog used for therapeutic purposes, or an identification tag. They may have a flat buckle collar, or a form of simple harness. A Therapy Dog Handler might carry an identification card for the Dog.

From a health safety perspective, Therapy Dogs must have a checkup with their veterinarian each year, as well as mandatory rabies vaccinations. Each Therapy Dog needs to have received an initial series of Hepatitis, Distemper, and Parvovirus vaccinations as well. They need to have a negative fecal examination each year. All Therapy Dogs must have a negative Heartworm test every year if they are not on a preventative medication. Even if they are on a preventative Heartworm medication, the Dog must have a negative Heartworm test every-other year.

There are a number of organizations that certify Therapy Dogs. Many of these organizations are available on a State-by-State basis. Therapy Dogs are not required to be ADAA certified and provide incredibly valuable services to People with Disabilities, Seniors, Children, and Veterans.

I really wanted to share this information because of my mom and how I could see how seeing her doggie had such a positive affect on her rehab. I hope this helps you with your family member who may need help !

Are Iguanas a good choice for a pet?

So, this weekend at Snaggle Foot Dog Walks and Pet Care, we have our very first Iguana that we are taking care of. His name is Maxwell and he is about 3 feet long. Since we were going to be taking care of him, I decided to do a little research on them and that had me thinking about whether Iguanas are a good choice for a pet.

So I did some more research and found that yes, they can be good pets, however, there is some information every potential Iguana pet owner should know before purchasing their new Iguana.

So below is some information about Iguanas. Hopefully this will help in your decision on whether to get one as a pet or not.

Iguanas can grow to 5-6 feet long.
Iguanas must be fed a variety of dark leafy greens, with some fruits and veggies added for variety.
Iguanas need 2 types of light lamps.. a heat light and a UVB light. The UVB light helps them process calcium in their diet. Without it, they can develop metabolic bone disease and die. Also, the UVB light tube should be replaced every 6 months.
Iguanas cannot process animal protein... never feed them any type of animal protein. They are herbivores and require dark leafy greens, vegetables and fruits.
Iguanas need a very large cage with height for climbing. They are tree dwelling animals and their environment should match what their "natural" environment would be. An adult iguana requires a cage that is at least 6 feet tall, 5 feet long and about 3 feet deep.
Iguanas prefer not to share their areas with other iguanas. They are solitary animals and two or more in a cage can cause dominance issues. Also it is not a good idea to cage different specifies in the same cage. So don't add any turtles or any other reptiles in your iguanas cage.
Make sure you find a veterinarian that specializes in reptiles. They do need vet care just like any other animal. A once per year visit to the vet is recommended.
You can get salmonella from an Iguana, so make sure you keep their enclosure clean and wash your hands after handling him/her.
Iguanas do have teeth and can hurt you or your family if you are ever bitten.
Iguanas do not make good pets for children. They grow very large and it takes a lot of time and work to tame/socialize your Iguana.
If you do purchase an Iguana and you don't want him anymore, PLEASE do not "set him free" he/she will most likely die in the wild.

If you are thinking about getting an Iguana as a pet, PLEASE, do your research first to make sure you are ready to take care of him/her. They are living breathing animals and they need you to take care of them so if you can't, please do not get one.

Top Ten Tips for Boardgame Designers

Good stuff from the Dice Tower site. Tom Vasel, Zee Garcia, and Sam Healey give advice to aspiring boardgame designers. Have fun!

Recap for everybody:

10. Do your Research;
9. You will not make much money;
8. No one is going to steal your brilliant idea;
7. Be inspired by other game, do not just copy them;
6. Match your theme with the game mechanics;
5. Listen to developer and publisher, they want your game to succeed;
4. Streamline your game, remove unnecessary aspects (keep it fun);
3. Listen to your play testers, but don't design by committee (it's your game);
2. Design the game your way, there is no "one way" to do it;
1. Play test your game along the way! (use honest people who aren't afraid to hurt your feelings).

Jerky Treats making pets sick !

Well, this story is now back in the news. This is not really new news though. This horrible situation has been going on for quite some time. The jerky treats that are made in China have been killing dogs and cats in the US for a while now. It is an awful story and it is now going around again.

So, to keep any more pets from getting ill or dying, here is the information you need to know about these jerky treats! If everyone would take the time to read this information and stop feeding their pets these treats, there will be no more deaths.. so please share this story with everyone you know!

So, here is the information directly from the FDA website. I am sharing this on my blog so everyone will have this information.

If you would like additional information please visit the FDA website: http://www.fda.gov/ForConsumers/ConsumerUpdates/ucm371413.htm

If you have a dog or cat that became ill after eating jerky pet treats, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) would like to hear from you or your veterinarian.

The agency has repeatedly issued alerts to consumers about reports it has received concerning jerky pet treat-related illnesses involving 3,600 dogs and 10 cats in the U.S. since 2007. Approximately 580 of those pets have died.

To date, FDA’s Center for Veterinary Medicine (CVM) has conducted more than 1,200 tests, visited jerky pet treat manufacturers in China and collaborated with colleagues in academia, industry, state labs and foreign governments. Yet the exact cause of the illnesses remains elusive.

To gather even more information, FDA is reaching out to licensed veterinarians and pet owners across the country. "This is one of the most elusive and mysterious outbreaks we've encountered," says CVM Director Bernadette Dunham, DVM, Ph.D. "Our beloved four-legged companions deserve our best effort, and we are giving it."

In a letter addressing U.S. licensed veterinarians, FDA lists what information is needed for labs testing treats and investigating illness and death associated with the treats. In some cases, veterinarians will be asked to provide blood, urine and tissue samples from their patients for further analysis. FDA will request written permission from pet owners and will cover the costs, including shipping, of any tests it requests.

Meanwhile, a consumer fact sheet will accompany the letter to veterinarians so they can alert consumers to the problem and remind them that treats are not essential to a balanced diet. The fact sheet also explains to consumers how they can help FDA's investigation by reporting potential jerky pet treat-related illnesses online or by calling the FDA Consumer Complaint Coordinator for their state.

What to Look Out For

Within hours of eating treats sold as jerky tenders or strips made of chicken, duck, sweet potatoes and/or dried fruit, some pets have exhibited decreased appetite, decreased activity, vomiting, diarrhea (sometimes with blood or mucus), increased water consumption, and/or increased urination.

Severe cases have involved kidney failure, gastrointestinal bleeding, and a rare kidney disorder. About 60 percent of cases involved gastrointestinal illness, and about 30 percent involved kidney and urinary systems.

The remaining cases reported various symptoms, such as collapse, convulsions or skin issues.

Most of the jerky treats implicated have been made in China. Manufacturers of pet foods are not required by U.S. law to state the country of origin for each ingredient in their products.

A number of jerky pet treat products were removed from the market in January 2013 after a New York State lab reported finding evidence of up to six drugs in certain jerky pet treats made in China. While the levels of these drugs were very low and it's unlikely that they caused the illnesses, FDA noted a decrease in reports of jerky-suspected illnesses after the products were removed from the market. FDA believes that the number of reports may have declined simply because fewer jerky treats were available.

Meanwhile, the agency urges pet owners to be cautious about providing jerky treats. If you do provide them and your pet becomes sick, stop the treats immediately, consider seeing your veterinarian, and save any remaining treats and the packaging for possible testing.

What FDA Is Doing

More than 1,200 jerky pet treat samples have been tested since 2011 for a variety of chemical and microbiological contaminants, from antibiotics to metals, pesticides and Salmonella. DNA testing has also been conducted, along with tests for nutritional composition.

In addition to continuing to test jerky pet treat samples within FDA labs, the agency is working with the Veterinary Laboratory Investigation and Response Network (Vet-LIRN), an FDA-coordinated network of government and veterinary diagnostic laboratories across the U.S. and Canada.

Inspections of the facilities in China that manufacture jerky products associated with some of the highest numbers of pet illness reports did not identify the cause of illness. However, they did identify additional paths of investigation, such as the supply chain of some ingredients in the treats. Although FDA inspectors have found no evidence identifying the cause of the spate of illnesses, they did find that one firm used falsified receiving documents for glycerin, a jerky ingredient. Chinese authorities informed FDA that they had seized products at the firm and suspended its exports.

To identify the root cause of this problem, FDA is meeting regularly with regulators in China to share findings. The agency also plans to host Chinese scientists at its veterinary research facility to increase scientific cooperation.

FDA has also reached out to U.S. pet food firms seeking further collaboration on scientific issues and data sharing, and has contracted with diagnostic labs.

"Our fervent hope as animal lovers," says Dunham, "is that we will soon find the cause of—and put a stop to—these illnesses."

So, please when shopping for treats for your cat or dog, remember this blog and make sure you check the information before you buy these treats.

Beyond Two Souls

I put away GTA V (for a while) to start playing BEYOND TWO SOULS (2013), that is the new interactive drama action-adventure video game for PlayStation, developed by French publisher Quantic Dream.

In the publisher’s site is the plot of the game: “Born with a connection to a mysterious entity (named Aiden) with incredible powers, Jodie was different. In an adventure spanning 15 years of her life, your actions will determine Jodie's fate as she faces extraordinary challenges, danger, and heart wrenching loss on a journey to discover the truth of who she is. Beyond promises an emotionally-charged journey unlike any video game before.”

As the publisher's previous project, HEAVY RAIN (2009), in BEYOND TWO SOULS the player is invited to experience a kind of a movie with special commands. The game works in what we can call “decision trees” and the narrative is driven by choices the player makes.

The idea of these “decision trees” is to offer the players some choices to create uncertainty and unpredictability among the narrative. Sometimes you have time to choose what to do, sometimes there’s time pressure to choose one way and at moments you have to choose some actions just to add charming flavour to the universe of the game.

To create a perfect balance between game and interactive movie, Quantic Dream brings real famous actors to the production, and you can see Willem Dafoe and Ellen Page acting side by side, but in a different interface. It’s not new; we have lots of games with famous real actors, but BEYOND TWO SOULS brings a new experience in using this cast to create the atmosphere of the game. Check the trailer below:

The narrative is the main point of the game and in BEYOND TWO SOULS players have a chance to use a second screen experience downloading an special app in mobile phone that gives some complement interaction to the story. The connection between different narrative elements give to the game a unique kind of experience.

As Dille and Platten (2007, p.52) remind us, there are a pallet of media elements (voice, sound effects, music, cinematic, text, graphics, commands, etc.) to tell a gaming story. The authors also say “think of them as story elements. Don’t forget – story in video game is anything that helps you immerse yourself into the game-playing experience. Story isn’t just characters and dialogue. An interface element can be a storytelling device”.

In the last year, we saw many games with a focus on the narrative and I’m very excited with the evolution that kind of game will have in the generation of consoles.

Now on to your opinion.

Reference:

DILLE, Flint; PLATTEN, John Zuur. The ultimate guide to video game writing and design. New York: Skip Press, 2007

Welcome to our newest Snaggle Foot Round Lake Team Member

Just wanted to take a moment and introduce Valerie to all of you. She will be starting with us on Monday 10/21.

Valerie is a life long dog enthusiast. She and her husband Joe are Volunteer Puppy Raisers for Canine Companions for Independence. Valerie began volunteering with Canine Companions in 2001 after being temporarily disabled from Lyme's Disease.

Her website, http://www.choicesfundraising.com, features blogs and events about a variety of charities.

Valerie is also an accomplished quilter and has made many quilts for charity.

I met Valerie a few months ago through a mutual friend and got to know her and her "service puppy in training" West. I attended a breast cancer fund raiser with Valerie a while back and it was fun to watch her service puppy in training in action. It takes 2 years to train a service dog so it is a wonderful gift that Valerie and her husband Joe give to people with disabilities.

Also kind of fun that we actually know some of the same people that I went to high school with. LOL !

I am very excited to haver her on our team.

Welcome aboard Valerie !

The History of Video Game Consoles

A very entertaining documentary full of good references. Enjoy.

Go gamers!

The new generation

Ludic interfaces are leading and intertwining landmarks of contemporary culture. In the last thirty years or so, gaming culture has become a major trend. From videogame consoles connected to the internet to playing traditional board games, people are increasingly experiencing the field of entertainment.

The contemporary multiplatform environment, with so many connections to different devices, becomes a privileged ambient for the wide use of gaming language.

The new category of mass self-communication (CASTELLS 2009) poses further challenges to understanding current modes of sociability and consumption inside this field. As Castells says (2009:135), the great amount of content access by multiple platforms - digital TV, tablets, smartphones, video games etc. - offered to the public is one essential characteristic of global communication in the digital age. In this digital scenario, many governments, citizens, business groups and entertainment companies have begun to explore the advantages and have started to integrate these multiple platforms in their everyday communication processes.

Why mention all this? The new generation of consoles that will be arriving in the end of the year is a mirror of this process. The Xbox One and The Playstation 4 will surely create new ways of selling entertainment. Not only through the high sophisticated games, but integrating the gaming experience in an ecosystem with television, internet, voice command and social media.

We have many languages involved in this process, but undoubtedly the language of entertainment has a very important role in this context. It’s still early to make predictions, but I bet we will have a significant revolution in the way to make entertainment with this new generation of consoles.

PS: I played Xbox One and Playstation 4 at F.R.O.G congress 2013! Awesome experience.

References:

CASTELLS, M. Communication power. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2009.

Snaggle Foot Round Lake

F.R.O.G (Future and Reality of Gaming) Congress - Vienna, September 2013

Last week I was at Vienna (Austria) presenting a poster at the F.R.O.G (Future and Reality of Gaming) congress. Awesome keynotes and fantastic content in three days full of games in this beautiful city.

Vienna’s annual Games Conference offers an open and international platform for leading game studies researchers and scholars, game designers, researchers and scholars from various other fields, education professionals, and gamers from around the world. The main objective of FROG13 was to explore the “Context Matters” in regard to questions of player communities, challenging or problematic play settings, game theory and development, impact of games and cultural facets of play.

And now I would like to share the content that I presented at the congress. I hope you enjoy.

ECOLOGICAL CONCEPTS IN A BOARD GAME: How to discuss serious causes using ludic interfaces

Author: MsC. Vicente Martin Mastrocola (ESPM/Brazil)
E-mail: vincevader@gmail.com

MINI-ABSTRACT

In this presentation we seek to analyze the use of game mechanics for serious causes. We discuss, using a brazilian board game named Climate Game, how we can use a playful and ludic interface to cast a message for a serious cause and how a game could work with ideas about global warming in a fun/educational way. In this context, we use the idea of magic circle proposed by Johan Huizinga, author of the book Homo Ludens, in which the author explains how a physical space could be a place for playing, meaning and experience.

In this presentation we also discuss the impact of a ludic interface in the mediatic scenario, the gaming culture and how important it can be for the contemporary world.

SLIDES

TEXT

Homo Ludens, entertainment and games

First of all, the notion of homo ludens, introduced by the dutch historian Johan Huizinga, is the conceptual backbone for this work, where we seek to analyze the use of game mechanics, ludic concepts, and game thinking applied to a brazilian board game with ecological theme named Climate Game. This game uses a playful and ludic interface to cast a message for a serious cause, and works with ideas about global warming in a fun/educational way.

In his book "Homo Ludens" (1955) Huizinga discusses the possibility that playing is the primary formative element in human culture. The author also presents the idea of the magic circle, one important subject for our discussion.

As described by Adams and Rollings (2009, p.8), Huizinga did not use the term as a generic name for the concept: his text refers to the actual playground, or a physical space for playing, meaning and experience. As the authors says, inside the magic circle, real-world events have special meanings. In the real world you kick a ball into a net but in the magic circle you score a goal.

Huizinga (1955, page 10) wrote that the arena, the card-table, the stage, the screen, etc, are all function playgrounds. They are all temporary worlds within the ordinary world, dedicated to the performance of an act apart.

As Ehrmann says (1968, p.55) in an antropology of play, the latest cannot be defined by isolating it on the basis of its relationship to an a priori reality and culture. To define play is, at the same time and in the same movement, to define reality and culture.

The Climate Game

The Climate Game is a production from a brazilian company named Games For Business that works in the area of serious games, that, following the thoughts of Nick Iuppa and Terry Borst (2007), may be explained as games with a professional, educational or pedagogical use. Climate Game is a game that challenges its players to save the world from global warming. This game is both of competition and cooperation. It promotes competition because the player who emits no carbonic gas at all wins. But the integrated work of all the other participants is essential in order not to exceed the gas limits of the greenhouse effect.

Therefore, participants have lots of puzzles to solve together and, as Juul says (2005, p.8) games are usually well-structured problems, and this has led them to be used in several other fields.

This kind of game will not transform a player into a specialist in ecology or in global warming, but it can reinforce important concepts about the planet’s health. This game can teach basic ideas and stimulate the players to search for more information about the theme.

By this brief overview we can conclude that game mechanics can be a meaningful space for significative experiences. It seems that these ideas are essential to study and understand the gaming universe and the impacts of the game culture in the contemporary world.

Poster

REFERENCES

ADAMS, Ernest; ROLLINGS, Andrew. Fundamentals of Game Design. New Jersey: Pearson Prentice Hall, 2009

EHRMANN, Jacques. Homo Ludens Revisited. Yale French Studies, No 41. Game, Play, Literature (1968). pp. 31-57. (click here for download)

HUIZINGA, Johan. Homo Ludens: A Study of the Play-Element in Culture. Boston: The Beacon Press, 1955.

IUPPA, Nick & BORST, Terry. Story and simulations for serious games: tales from the trenches. Burlington: Focal Press, 2007.

JUUL, Jesper. Half-Real: Video Games between Real Rules and Fictional Worlds. USA: MIT Press, 2005.

Climate Game english site >> click here.

What to do when you find an injured bird !

So today while I was walking my dog I saw an injured baby bird flopping around. It is was clearly evident that it could not fly.

Personally, I picked him up and put him in a box but I guess some kids saw the same baby bird a day ago so this poor thing had been flopping and hopping around unable to fly for over a day or so. When I finally brought him into my home, he had quietly passed away. I am sure that poor little baby bird was completely exhausted from his ordeal the last few days. I buried the little bird in my garden and wished him much peace in his next life.

This got me thinking about what to do when you find an injured bird so I started doing some research. So, here is some information in case you too find an injured bird.

If you live in the Lake County Illinois area, you can contact Barnswallow in Wauconda, Illinois.
Phone: 847-487-3606.
Website: http://www.barnswallow.net

It's important to act quickly to contain a bird before it moves out of reach or something harms it.

Place the bird in a clean unwaxed paper bag or cardboard box of appropriate size, with paper toweling flat on the bottom.

Fold the top of the bag down 1 inch, then fold again and secure the top with a paper clip. Secure the lid of the box with tape.

Place the bag or box in a safe, dark, quiet place, away from extreme heat or cold.

DO NOT put food or water in the bag or box.

DO NOT poke holes in the bag or box.

NEVER open the bag or box to check on the bird.

NEVER take a bird that is not in a closed bag or box into a building

As soon as possible, transport the bird to a licensed wildlife rehabilitation center.

Other Rescue Information:

If you cannot pick up and contain the bird, make an attempt to move it to a protected area away from further harm; such as under a bush, or away from the street or sidewalk.

Once the bird is secured in a bag or box, do not be tempted to check on the bird! Opening the bag or box stresses the bird, offers the possibility for escape, and puts the bird at risk for further injury. Escaped birds can become trapped inside a building or be impossible to recapture.

Birds can breathe adequately in a closed unwaxed paper bag or cardboard box. Air holes are not necessary and can allow some birds to escape. Never place birds in plastic bags or containers.

Birds are more likely to stay still and quiet in a darkened environment. Covering the bag or box helps block out light.

Do not try to care for an injured bird yourself. It needs specialized care. It is against federal law to keep a migratory or native bird without specialized training and permits. Contact with wildlife can involve exposure to diseases that can be transmitted from animals to humans. Take any and all precautions to safeguard your health whenever handling birds.

I personally cannot walk past an injured bird and not do anything. If the bird does pass away while in your care, at least you gave that bird a moment's peace and quiet before they moved on.

Player/interactor

In the early days of the videogame industry, PONG could be elected a huge turning point in this scenario. As Cohen (1984, p.17) reminds us, PONG was a tremendous success inside the arcades around the world and many people lined up to play the game.

And it’s important to remember that PONG, in these early years, became also a domestic console and one new component was added in the growing gaming market.

For the first time one person – at home or arcade - started to interact with a screen with real time responses using a controller. In this moment the spectator gained “new powers” and was transformed in something new: an interactor.

As proposed by Murray (1997, p.153) “the interactor is the author of a particular performance within an electronic story system”. In this new ecosystem the interactor would be a kind of spectator who has capacity for agency, understood as the ability to perform significant actions and experience the proposal of a fictional universe.

So, more than simple players, we have a world full of interactors. Today many people are not necessarily playing a game, but interacting with digital platforms that use the ludic language. I think it’s important to think beyond the player and try to observe a more complex piece in this complex stage: the role of the interactor.

References:

COHEN, Scott. Zap: The Rise and Fall of Atari. New York: McGraw-Hill, 1984.

MURRAY, Janet (1997). Hamlet on the Holodeck: The Future of Narrative in Cyberspace. New York: MIT Press, 1997.

Candy, fans and profit

I’m an old school true gamer. I really like to play everything. I can have fun playing The Last of Us in the survivor mode and I can have equal fun playing Zombie Tsunami. One important thing in gaming research is looking at all kinds of games (and players) without prejudice. And this piece is about players, passions, casual games and fans.

Recently I started to play Candy Crush on iPhone. The simple game catches me. Not for the game mechanics (that is nothing new if you’ve played Bejeweled sometime in your life), nor for the thematic/aesthetics (I really don’t like candy) but the game has an excellent idea of business model and how to engage the users in the experience transforming great part of them in fans of Candy Crush.

The video below shows the game mechanics idea and the colourful interface:

King.com – the studio behind Candy Crush - is the largest site for free games online. But “free” requires a good strategy to earn money from other sources and other formats. The most part of King.com games works on a “freemium” model.

Freemium (free + premium) is a business model by which a proprietary product or service (typically a digital offering such as software, media, games or web services) is provided free of charge, but money (premium) is charged for advanced features, functionality, or virtual goods.

In Candy Crush, King.com puts lots of efforts to create a balance between entertainment for players, sharing in social media and selling of virtual goods (extra lives, special powers, etc.). The game offers limited lives to the player and when they are finished the user has two options: 1) wait a few minutes to gather more lives or 2) pay with real money to get new lives (or powers) immediately. The addictive game mechanics create the perfect ecosystem to sell virtual lives and powers that facilitate the journey in the game. Players can also gain new lives sharing Candy Crush features on Facebook (bonus in exchange of advertising).

King.com is trying to create an intense relationship with the players to achieve more profit. More than just users, the company needs fans to grow. As Sandvoss and Harrington (2007) remark, for better or for worse fans tend to engage with their passions not in a rationally detached but in an emotionally involved and invested way.

Jenkins (2006: 41) reinforces this idea about the role of the fan in contemporary participatory culture. Although the author examines television shows and other kinds of fan activity, we believe his ideas may help us make sense of what goes on in the social networking service in question. Let us quote what Jenkins has to say about the way one becomes a fan:

“One becomes a “fan” not by being a regular viewer of a particular program but by translating that viewing into some kind of cultural activity, by sharing feelings and thoughts about the program content with friends, by joining a “community” of other fans who share common interests. For fans, consumption naturally sparks production; reading generates writing, until the terms seem logically inseparable” (…)

As we know, fans have a special role inside social media communities. A community of fans that surrounds a specific platform becomes a fandom, and this audience deserves special attention. A well-structured fandom can become an effective marketing tool for any specific social media platform.

It seems that companies like King.com must understand how to motivate and activate the fandom audiences, as well as how to bring them closer. Meaningful experiences are important in this context because it’s a key for players to spend money inside the game experience. The idea of freemium is surrounded by strategies to engage the player as a fan.

And now let me try to finish the level 89 of Candy Crush.

References:

GRAY, J.; SANDVOSS, C.; HARRINGTON, L. (eds.). Fandom: identities and communities in a mediated world. New York: NYU Press, 2007.

JENKINS, H. Fans, bloggers and gamers: exploring participatory culture. New York: NYU Press, 2006.

King.com official site (link here)

Snaggle Foot Round Lake Pet Sitters & Dog Walkers Receives 2013 Best of Round Lake Award

Press Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Snaggle Foot Round Lake Pet Sitters & Dog Walkers Receives 2013 Best of Round Lake Award

Round Lake Award Program Honors the Achievement

ROUND LAKE August 29, 2013 -- Snaggle Foot Round Lake Pet Sitters & Dog Walkers has been selected for the 2013 Best of Round Lake Award in the Pet Sitter category by the Round Lake Award Program.

Each year, the Round Lake Award Program identifies companies that we believe have achieved exceptional marketing success in their local community and business category. These are local companies that enhance the positive image of small business through service to their customers and our community. These exceptional companies help make the Round Lake area a great place to live, work and play.

Various sources of information were gathered and analyzed to choose the winners in each category. The 2013 Round Lake Award Program focuses on quality, not quantity. Winners are determined based on the information gathered both internally by the Round Lake Award Program and data provided by third parties.

About Round Lake Award Program

The Round Lake Award Program is an annual awards program honoring the achievements and accomplishments of local businesses throughout the Round Lake area. Recognition is given to those companies that have shown the ability to use their best practices and implemented programs to generate competitive advantages and long-term value.

The Round Lake Award Program was established to recognize the best of local businesses in our community. Our organization works exclusively with local business owners, trade groups, professional associations and other business advertising and marketing groups. Our mission is to recognize the small business community's contributions to the U.S. economy.

Senior Dogs: What to expect as your dog ages!

I just celebrated my dog Sebastian turning 13 years old on August 20th. He is showing signs of aging and because of this, I wanted to share what we should be thinking about as our dogs age and what to expect of an aging dog.

Just like people, dogs age and start to develop symptoms of aging. Aging is not a "disease". It is part of their life span just like people.

But like you, I wanted to know what things I should expect.

So here is some information regarding what happens to your doggie as he ages.

What is "old age" for dogs?
The old classic "one human year equals seven dog years" is an easy way to calculate and relate to your dog's age, but isn't the most accurate. Large breed dogs (i.e. Great Danes) are considered a senior at 6 or 7 years of age, whereas small breeds (i.e. toy poodle), aren't considered a senior until their teen years. I have seen more than one poodle in the 18 to 20 year range. There are studies to suggest that certain breeds are more long-lived than others, too.

As a general rule of thumb, a dog who is 7 years or older should be considered middle to senior aged, and a consultation with your vet is in order to determine the best health care maintenance program for your dog as s/he ages. For smaller breed dogs, your vet (in consultation with you) may elect to wait a couple of years before doing any geriatric monitoring.

What things should I expect as he ages?
Slowing down - You may notice that you dog slows down some with aging. This isn't always the case, but look for subtle changes in how s/he gets up, lays down, and uses stairs. Is there any hesitation or stiffness? Does a change in the weather (rainy, cold) make it worse?

Arthritis - is common in dogs as they age, particularly large breeds. Arthritis can occur in any joint, most commonly the legs, neck and back (spine). There are many different medications available to help ease the discomfort of arthritis -- see your vet if you notice any signs of slowing down in your dog.

Graying around the face, muzzle - most dogs commonly show a bit of gray starting at middle age (5-6 years).

Reduced hearing - Is your dog hard to wake up after sleeping or does s/he become startled easily if you approach from behind? Hearing loss or deafness may be a reason for this. There isn't a lot that can be done for age-related hearing loss, but a vet exam should be done first to rule out other medical problems, such as an infection, growth, or foreign body in the ear. If your dog does experience hearing loss, take care to protect him/her from hazards, such as cars and kids that s/he may not hear (or see). Dogs do learn and adapt well using hand signals to come, stay, sit, and so on. It is a good idea to "cross train" your dog early in life to recognize basic hand signals.

Cloudy or "bluish" eyes - As they age, dog's eyes often show a bluish transparent "haze" in the pupil area. This is a normal effect of aging, and the medical term for this is lenticular sclerosis. Vision does not appear to be affected. This is NOT the same as cataracts. Cataracts are white and opaque.

Muscle atrophy - Mild loss of muscle mass, especially the hind legs, may be seen with old age. Be sure to have your vet check this out if any muscle loss is noted.

How can I keep my pet more comfortable in his senior years?
Regular checkups and communication with your vet will ensure that you are doing all that you can medically to help your pet enjoy the senior years. To help your pet at home, here are some pointers:

Provide a comfortable clean bed - there are many "orthopedic" beds available now at pet supply stores to ensure comfortable rest. NOTE: I just recently bought two of these for Sebastian, one for upstairs and one for downstairs.
Provide fresh water daily (note changes in water consumption) and a healthy, age-appropriate diet.
Don't expect too much from your senior dog - s/he may want to run and play Frisbee like the good 'ol times, but go slow -- heat, arthritis, age-related muscle atrophy, and other age-related effects can take their toll.
Ease distractions - senior pets can be easily startled by or become fearful of: kids, loud noises, and general commotion as they age. Conditions such as arthritis can make the dog fearful of getting hurt (or the potential to get hurt) with sudden movements of kids or being stepped on.

If you see these changes happening in your aging dog, it's okay, it is all part of their lifespan. Keep them comfortable and keep loving them. Remember, you made a promise the day you got them that you would love them for the rest of their lives !

New Health Risk for Dogs that have been "Skunked": Heinz-body Anemia

I am one of the lucky pet owners... my dog has never been sprayed by a skunk. But, If you’ve smelled a skunk once, or if your dog has ever been "skunked" it’s hard to forget the odor. In fact, one of my pet sitter's dogs recently got skunked and she said it is awful.

After my sitter's dog got skunked I decided to read up on it.. what it is, what it can do to you and your pet, and the science behind it (I know.. I am a complete nerd)... LOL !

So here is the information I now know about skunks and the new "health risk" recently revealed.

The classic rotten-egg smell is caused by a sulfur compound that is released when an “enemy” comes a little too close for comfort. The skunk’s main line of defense is the two anal glands on either side of its anus. When threatened, the skunk will first hiss and stomp. If the threat continues, the skunk will release its anal glands. Amazingly, skunks can spray up to 15 feet, and with great accuracy.

There are six species of skunks in the northern United States, all of which are easily identified by their black bodies and white stripes — and the nasty smell. Ironically, they have an excellent sense of smell (and hearing), but they cannot see well. They are most active at twilight and nighttime.

What Happens When a Dog Is Skunked?
Usually, a skunked dog immediately starts drooling, squinting, face-rubbing and rolling. The spray can cause conjunctivitis, temporary blindness and vomiting.

Rare Reports of Damage to Red Blood Cells

Shedding some new light on the old skunk story, a recent article I just read explains that in rare cases, a skunked dog can get severe anemia and even die from it!

This is a special form of anemia (a low red blood cell count) called Heinz-body anemia. The skunk spray damages the hemoglobin in the red blood cells, the same way acetaminophen (Tylenol), onions and garlic do. This condition only (and rarely) happens in dogs, but interestingly it seems to mostly occur in Japanese dog breeds (e.g., Shiba Inu, Akita and Tosa).

The treatment is called symptomatic and supportive, which means that veterinarians treat the symptoms as they appear.The article I read mentions two dogs with anemia who were reported to the ASPCA toxicology department: a 2-year-old Pharaoh hound and a 5-year-old boxer. The boxer ended up dying from severe anemia. So again, this condition does not happen only in Japanese breeds. Cats are susceptible to this reaction in theory, but no case has been reported.

If the spray got into a pet’s eyes, clean the eyes with plain water and treat vomiting as needed. Don’t neglect the possible other reactions: your pet should be monitored over 72 hours with blood work (a complete blood count, or CBC, to check the red blood cells and a “chemistry”), especially for heavy exposures or multiple sprays. If signs of anemia occur, then your pet will need IV fluids and possibly a blood transfusion.

How to Get Rid of Skunk Smell

One common question that pet owners ask their family vet is, “How can I get rid of skunk smell?” Well, here is a recipe for you, called the Krebaum skunk odor removal formula.*

Ingredients:

1 quart 3 percent hydrogen peroxide
¼ cup baking soda
1-2 tsp liquid dishwashing detergent
Large dogs: add 1 quart lukewarm water

What to do:

Mix the above ingredients fresh.
Apply the formula to your pet, working deeply into the fur. Bathe your pet outdoors!
Let it set for 5 minutes, then rinse with lots of water. Repeat as necessary.
Note: Your pet’s fur — as well as clothing, towels and carpeting — may be bleached by the mixture.
Warning: Do not store the mixture in a closed container! Oxygen needs to escape as it is released by the peroxide.

Personally, I hope you never get "skunked", but if you do, please keep an eye on your pet and if there are any issues, get him or her to your vet immediately.

Is it separation anxiety? What can I do about it?

When my dog was much younger, he hated being left alone. I knew he had separation anxiety but I wasn't sure and I didn't know what to do about it.

He is much older now and does not suffer from this anymore, but I know there are a lot of you out there that may be experiencing this and would like to know what it is and what can you do about it.

This blog is offer some assistance in helping with separation anxiety with your dog. So let's get started.

Dogs with separation anxiety exhibit distress and behavior problems when they're left alone. The most common behaviors include:

Digging and scratching at doors or windows in an attempt to reunite with their owners
Destructive chewing
Howling, barking, and whining
Urination and defecation (even with otherwise housetrained dogs)

Is it separation anxiety?
If most, or all, of the following statements are true about your dog, he may have a separation anxiety problem:

The behavior occurs primarily when he's left alone and typically begins soon after you leave.
He follows you from room to room whenever you're home.
He displays effusive, frantic greeting behaviors.
The behavior occurs whether he's left alone for short or long periods.
He reacts with excitement, depression, or anxiety to your preparations to leave the house.

What causes separation anxiety
It's not fully understood why some dogs suffer from separation anxiety and others don't. But it's important to realize that the destruction and house soiling that often occur with separation anxiety are part of a panic response. Your dog isn't trying to punish you for leaving him alone. Following are some common scenarios that can trigger separation anxiety:

A dog accustomed to constant human companionship is left alone for the first time.
A dog suffers a traumatic event (from his viewpoint), such as time at a shelter or boarding kennel.
There's a change in the family's routine or structure or the loss of a family member or other pet.

How to treat minor separation anxiety

Don't make a big deal out of arrivals and departures. For example, when you arrive home, ignore your dog for the first few minutes then calmly pet him.
Leave your dog with an article of clothing that smells like you, such as an old T-shirt that you've slept in recently.
Establish a safety cue—a word or action that you use every time you leave that tells your dog you'll be back.
Consider using an over-the-counter calming product that may reduce fearfulness in dogs.

How to handle a more severe problem
Use the techniques outlined above along with desensitization training. Teach your dog the sit-stay and down-stay commands using positive reinforcement. This training will help him learn that he can remain calmly and happily in one place while you go to another room.

Create a "safe place" to limit your dog's ability to be destructive. A safe place should:

Confine loosely rather than strictly (a room with a window and distractions rather than total isolation)
Contain busy toys for distraction
Have dirty laundry to lend a calming olfactory cue or other safety cues.

What to do in the meantime
It can take time for your dog to unlearn his panic response to your departures. To help you and your dog cope in the short term, consider the following interim solutions:

Hire a pet sitter/dog walker to come in during the day to give him/her some exercise by walking and playing with your dog.
Ask your veterinarian about drug therapy. A good anti-anxiety drug shouldn't sedate your dog but simply reduce his overall anxiety.
Take your dog to a doggie day care facility when you have to be away.
Take your dog to work with you, if possible.

What won't help

Punishment. Punishment isn't effective for treating separation anxiety and can make the situation worse. The destruction and house soiling that often occur with separation anxiety aren't your dog's revenge for being left alone: they're part of a panic response.
Another dog. Getting your dog a companion usually doesn't help an anxious dog because his anxiety is the result of his separation from you, not just the result of being alone.
Crating. Your dog will still engage in anxiety responses inside a crate, and he may urinate, defecate, howl, or even injure himself in an attempt to escape. Instead, create other kinds of "safe places" as described above.
Radio/TV noise. Leaving the radio or television on won't help (unless the radio or TV is used as a safety cue).
Obedience training. While formal training is always a good idea, separation anxiety isn't the result of disobedience or lack of training; therefore, it won't help this particular issue.

If you still need help, consult a professional animal behavior specialist for assistance in resolving your dog's issues.

Dog Breed Showcase: The beautiful Australian Shepherd

So each month I am going to start showcasing a particular breed of dog. I get a lot of questions from people who are looking to get a dog for their family and are not sure what to get. My advice.. do LOTS of research first.

Each breed is different and requires different needs.

Some are couch potatoes and do great in apartments and some require extensive training and exercise... so make sure BEFORE you get the dog you understand what kind of dog he or she is and what they were bred to do. This way, you won't be surprised when you get home.

Too many pets are abandoned or given to shelters because the owner did not do their research ahead of time and then decided the pet is not right for their family. This is very sad for the animal.

The video below will give you some insight into this particular breed, so watch and see if this dog is right for your family.

Our first showcase dog for August 2013 is.... (drum roll)... the Australian Shepherd. Yay!!