Unleashing Nostalgia
Emma Fraser's 'Video Games and Playful Media' class explores the past and future of gaming. As part of this study, they hosted a retro gaming event. Dan Vaccaro featured the program online!
The sound most often heard on Monday mornings at the UC Berkeley Library is the barely stifled yawn, or occasionally, the heavy sigh while turning a textbook page.
But on a recent Monday — at 9 a.m., no less — laughter erupted into the hallway outside the Library Makerspace. Inside, the giggling was punctuated by expressions such as “Ahhhhh, so close” and “Oh, my God,” as well as a few exclamations that wouldn’t be appropriate for this story.
What otherworldly power could energize college students at that early hour?
The electric charm of retro video games.
The students’ visit, one of two interactive play sessions held in 190 Doe Library last week, came as part of the popular course “Video Games and Playful Media.” The class introduces students to the study of games, play, and media, and examines the nature of games and their role in society, said Emma Fraser, an assistant teaching professor in media studies and in the Berkeley Center for New Media.
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