You are here: Home / Games
Games
Although games are mentioned throughout the class Web site, this page brings all of the class gaming information together in one place, to make it easier to find.
IMPORTANT! Before playing Civilization IV for the class, watch the 5 minute help movie located here: http://pact.uiuc.edu/innismod/tutorial. This movie explains the basic concepts and controls.
IMPORTANT! When playing Civilization IV InnisMod for the class, don't forget to start the class scenario using "SINGLE PLAYER" | "Play a Scenario" | "SPCM 199 InnisMod". You should start at 1950 A.D. and see a message like "100 Turns Left!" in the upper-right corner of the screen. (If you don't play the assignment scenario, you can still complete all of the class assignments, but the game takes much longer to play.)
On the rest of this page: Games and Simulations Used in this Class, Assignments Related to Civ IV, Class Meetings Related to Civ IV, How to Obtain and Play Civ IV,
Civ IV Lab Hours and Locations, How to Play Multiplayer Games, Installing Civ IV on your own computer, Getting Help with Civ IV.
Games and Simulations Used in this Class
Assignments Related to Civ IV
18 Apr (Wed):
BLOG POST: Civilization Lab #1
Class Meetings Related to Civ IV
13 Apr (Fri):
(Lab 11) The Tailenders / Intro to Civilization IV [Section Meeting]
20 Apr (Fri):
(Lab 12) Using Simulations to Test Ideas [Section Meeting]
11 Apr (Wed):
You use it to collaborate (peer production) [Lecture]
2 May (Wed):
Special Event: Serious Games [Lecture]
How to Obtain Civ IV
Help/Handout: How to Obtain and Play Civilization IV for this Class
Download file (PDF, 2 pages)
Civ IV Lab Hours and Locations
The game and mod are installed in "The CivLab": 291 Undergraduate Library (UGL), (Click for Map). If you want in-person help from an instructor, class instructors will be present at the times indicated in brackets.
To use the CivLab, first go to the library desk and check out a boxed copy of the game "Civilization IV" for in-library use, then bring it to room 291.
Week 14:
Sun 4/15 -- 6-9pm [instructor on site: 6-7]
Mon 4/16 -- 6-9pm [instructor on site: 7-9]
Tue 4/17-- 6-9pm [instructor on site: 8-9]
Wed 4/18-- 6-9pm [instructor on site: 6-9] bonus time, this week only
Thu 4/19-- 6-9pm [instructor on site: 6-9] bonus time, this week only
Week 15:
Sun 4/22 -- 6-9pm **
Mon 4/23 -- 6-9pm [instructor on site: 7-9]
Tue 4/24 -- 6-9pm [instructor on site: 8-9]
** = instructor on site cancelled due to low attendance on Sundays
Week 16:
Sun 4/29 -- 6-9pm **
Mon 4/30 -- 6-9pm [instructor on site: 7-9]
Tue 5/1-- 6-9pm [instructor on site: 8-9]
** = instructor on site cancelled due to low attendance on Sundays
In addition, one additional computer reserved for playing Civ IV for this class is available during any hours that the library is open. However, you can only play single-player games on this computer. The undergraduate library hours are: M-Th: 8am-3am; F: 8am-7pm; Sa: 11am-7pm; Su: 1pm-3am. Plan ahead, because someone else might be using this computer!
A computer is also available during office hours, and you can stop by to play the game then with an instructor present to help.
How to Play Multiplayer Games
The CivLab (see above) can be used to play multiplayer games, so feel free to bring friends. This two-page handout explains how to set up multiplayer games.
-
How to Play Multiplayer Games of InnisMod in the Lab (handout)
Download file (PDF, 2 pages)
Installing Civ IV on your own computer
We encourage you to go to the undergraduate library CivLab described above. If you want to try installing the game on your own computer instead, we can't provide you with technical support (although you can post a problem to the discussion board and other students may be able to help). You will need a fairly new computer and a little bit of technical expertise.
IMPORTANT: If you choose to use the game from home, you need to follow ALL of the following steps:
- Obtain the game Civilization IV
- A limited number of Mac and PC DVD-ROM versions of the game are shelved at Undergrad Media Reserves, and they are available on overnight loan. Search the Course Reserves for this class (SPCM 199: Comm Tech and Society), then look for "Sid Meier's civilization IV [electronic resource]" to see if they are checked out. These DVD-ROMs are only available for overnight loan.
- A free downloadable copy of the game are available from the TAs. See: Using STEAM to Install Civ IV on a PC Download file (PDF, 2 pages). These downloadable versions will only work until the end of the semester.
- You can also buy it or borrow it from a friend
- Install the InnisMod from http://pact.uiuc.edu/innismod/download/
- Play the tutorial from http://pact.uiuc.edu/innismod/tutorial/
- Play the game (from the game's main menu) by choosing SINGLE PLAYER | PLAY SCENARIO | SPCM 199 InnisMod
Getting More Help with Civ IV
To get help from peers who have identified themselves as experienced gamers, post a question or problem to the SPCM 199 Online Forum
Go to the CivLab during hours when an instructor is present (or if an instructor is not present, ask someone else in the class very nicely, and they might help you. Group playing is encouraged, just not group writing of the assignments.
A computer is also available during office hours, and you can stop by to play the game then with an instructor present to help. If you cannot make office hours due to a time conflict, we can make an appointment for you.
Call the Ask Matt Staley Service on the phone (or send email).
NOTE that instructors cannot help you with technical problems on your own computer (although peer gamers might -- try the discussion board). We recommend using the library computers. If the library computers are having technical problems, ask the library attendant for help or email the instructors right away.
|
Home +
About +
Schedule +
Readings +
Assignments +
Help/Handouts +
Grades +
Blogs +
Games
