The document discusses different types of virtual worlds and games. It defines magic circles as temporary worlds within the ordinary world dedicated to an act apart. Games are described as voluntary attempts to overcome unnecessary obstacles. Specific games and virtual worlds mentioned include golf, Second Life, karaoke, Rock Band, and Pictionary. The concept of magic portals is introduced as temporary worlds dedicated to bettering their transient populations.

1. From Magic Circles To
Magic Portals
Dr Jim Purbrick BarCamp Brighton 2011

2. Magic Circles
“Temporary worlds within the ordinary
world, dedicated to the performance of an
act apart” Johan Huizinga

3. Game
“Playing a game is the voluntary attempt to
overcome unnecessary obstacles” Bernard
Suits

4. Golf
“What makes golf a game is that you willingly
agree to stand really far away from each hole
and swing at the ball with a club” Jane
McGonigal

5. Virtual Worlds
“The membrane that encloses virtual
worlds” Edward Castronova

6. The Hero’s Journey
“People go there as part of a hero's journey
- a means of self-discovery” Richard Bartle

7. Gamer Regret
“A sudden, horrifying sense of emptiness
when we muse on all the other things we
could have done with our game time” Clive
Thompson

8. Second Life
A magic circle
A sandbox
A culture of creativity
No goals or unnecessary obstacles

9. Karaoke
A magic circle around a social occasion
rather than a game

10. Rock Band
Cooperative karaoke with explicit scoring

11. Pictionary
Encouraging creative artistic composition to
solve puzzles

12. Creatarr
Unnecessary obstacles
Encouraging creative composition
Casual participation
Judged by the community
Collaborative and higher level creation
Web based

13. Magic Portals
Temporary worlds within the ordinary
world, dedicated to the betterment of their
transient populations

14. Further Reading
Katie Salen and Eric Zimmerman, Rules of
Play: Game Design Fundamentals
Edward Castronova, Synthetic Worlds: The
Business and Culture of Online Games
Jane McGonigal, Reality is Broken

15. Thank You!
http://jimpurbrick.com
@JimPurbrick