I began my search of games by browsing through the online Computer & Video Games Archive of The University of Michigan. With an overwhelming list of video games, I had to narrow down my search. I wanted to select a game that had an adventurous story line and would hold my interest throughout the semester but would not be excessively violent. I turned to one of my best friends from summer camp, Taylor Wayne, whom I consider a video game enthusiast for help. With knowledge of my requirements, personality and passion for adventures Taylor advised me to research a short list of games for each system. The video game that I have chosen to play this semester is called Sly 3: Honor Among Thieves.

“The game begins with Sly and an undisclosed band of thieves infiltrating Kaine Island, a safeguarded land mass owned by the mysterious Dr. M. The island is the home to the legendary Cooper Vault, where the Coopers over countless generations have hidden their fortunes pilfered in their lives of crime. According to family legend, only a "true Cooper" can open the Vault, though M has been trying for years to crack the Vault, with no success. After sneaking onto the Island and opening the Vault, the plan goes awry when Dr. M confronts Sly, attacking him while controlling a large, mutated monster. The events leading up to the heist are revealed as Sly's life flashes before his eyes.” Wikipedia

Sly 3:Honor Among Thieves is all about working together as a team to accomplish a common goal. With an anticipated release, Sly 3 was made available in stores in late September of 2005. Sly, a raccoon thieve, is the main character. My first time playing I was immediately enthralled with the graphics and music. I am literally freaking out when I look at the screen; the graphics are incredible. I cannot believe that someone was capable of drawing the characters and sly community. Although my roommates were not so happy, I kept the sound on full blast while playing. It keeps me motivated to play the game for a long period of time. The music changes as you move through different parts of the game. When finally reaching the top of the mound-like structure, the music speeds up and becomes more intense. I’m frantically trying to sneak around the edges of the mound in order to not get shot at. All of my attention is focused on the game and away from surrounding distractions. I fall down, I die. I GOT ANOTHER CHANCE!! I try again, and this time I am able to avoid getting hit and make it out safety.

Gee’s design principle states “ learning about and coming to appreciate design and design principles is core to the learning experience.” I have noted that the design and set up of the game is absolutely amazing. The story line of sly’s life and the animations involved make it so you do not have think about how the game was put together. The graphics as I stated before really put your mind at ease and let you believe that this virtual world could be real.

Two more of gee’s principles : multiple routes principle and situated meaning principle are seen in the game. The multiple routes principle is that there are multiple ways to make progress or move ahead. This allows learning how to make choices, rely on their own strengths and styles of learning and problem solving, while also exploring alternative styles. The situated meaning principle states that the meanings of signs (words, actions, objects, artifacts, symbols, texts, etc) are situated in embodied experience. There are clues in the game, such as the glowing light purple color on the ground. I didn’t know at first what this meant, but I slowly realized that this was a clue. The glowing ground meant that I was going the correct way. I have found that there are multiple ways that I can control sly to get to the top. He does not need to take the same path every time. i found this frustrating at first because I like things that are more straight forward, but I am finally getting the hang of it. We’ll see where I end up next time!