Steve Kuniak MSEd NCC LPC . BA in Psychology – St. Vincent College – Latrobe PA Masters of Education in Counseling – Duquesne University.

Steve Kuniak MSEd NCC LPC

www.stevekuniak.com

BA in Psychology – St. Vincent College – Latrobe PA

Masters of Education in Counseling – Duquesne University – Pittsburgh PA

Philosophical Doctorate in Counseling (Dissertation Phase) – Duquesne University – Pittsburgh PA

• Doctoral Dissertation: The Gamer Culture: An Exploration of Gamer Archetypes' Relationship with Coping Strengths

• Bachelors Thesis: Instilling Strength: Fantasy Heroes’ Effect on Resiliency

• Possible Benefits of Video Game Play (unpublished research)

First Person Shooters (FPSs)Action (Story) Games / PlatformersSurvival HorrorTurn BasedTower DefenseSandboxesSims (Simulators)Side ScrollersIndie GamesSports GamesRole Playing Games / MMORPGs (Massively Multiplayer Online Role Playing Games)

ESRB – Entertainment Software Ratings Board

EC – Early ChildhoodE – Everyone E10 – Everyone Ages 10 and upT – Teen – Ages 13+M – Mature – Ages 17+AO – Adults OnlyRP – Rating Pending

“Institutions, communication, values, religions, genders, sexual orientations, disabilities, thinking, artistic expressions, and social and interpersonal relationships"

(Baruth and Manning, 2003 p. 9).

Language is a way we identify with one anotherIf we don’t speak the same language . . .

Gamer Language “Leet Speech”Leet = Elite

NoobPwnedAFKLeeroyingBrickedAll your base are belong to us.CampingTry Hards / Hard ScopingFission Mailed

Similar cares and motivations

Micro Aggressions

Comical Hypotheticals

Globally open

Male / Female split53% to 47%(ESA, 2012)

Average Age of a Gamer?Age 30 years (target audience)

Journey was the first video game to have its soundtrack nominated for a Grammy

Minecraft:Xbox Sales surpass $6 MillionFranchise Sales nearly $21 Million

IGN Article dated 3/29/13

In 24 hours:

Halo 2 had net $120 million for its release in 2004Halo 3 had net $170 million for its 2007 releaseHalo Reach $200 million in 2010Call of Duty: Black Ops – $360 million in 2010Halo 4 - $400 million in 2012

Indie Games are unique to this.

Wish Fulfillment

Immersive Experiences

Challenge

Psychological Relief

1. Child born in unassuming home2. Call to adventure / Establishment of Mentor

(Wizard)3. Denial of the call4. Acceptance and Mystical Weapon5. Establishment of Royal Blood6. Arch Nemesis Connection to Hero

- Campbell, 1949

Fitness concerns

Health Issues (DVT)

Lack of Social Skills

Depersonalization / Loss of Touch with Reality

Aggression / Violence

A – Affect

B – Behavior

C – Cognition

Immediate relationship building

Increased Selective Attention

Increased Creativity

Immersive PracticeRelated to Erik Erikson’s MasteryBruno Bettelheim’s Uses of Enchantment

Improved Understanding of Failure and Practice

Doctors using Kinect during Surgeries

Post Surgical use of Gaming

Teacher loses 100 lbs using KinectHuffington Post Article dated June 2013

Gaming used for health – Super Better and Jane McGonigal

Gaming Classrooms (Elizabeth Forward – Game On!)

Portal 2 / Minecraft

Talk with your children about their gamesIn a friendly wayHave discussions about the games meaningFind out what the game means to the player

Don’t presume that “it’s just a game”

Set up boundaries and expectations early

Watch for Warning Signs and Address

Seek out Resources / Educate Yourself

Take breaks 30 minutes to an hour at a time max

Don’t push the boundaries and expectationsIf you’re supposed to turn off the game, turn it off.

Get up, move around, Gaming is not a substitute for physical activity.

Spend time socializing outside of the game

Use gamer etiquette

Gamer DemographicsGamer Personality MeasureCoping StrategiesResiliency

Purpose: To provide an accessible location where individuals who identify as gamers can feel comfortable in seeking support, and that can provide resources to individuals not familiar with gaming.

Community:No restriction on age groups served (may require additional supervision for younger consumers)No restriction on diagnostics

Open community, with option for individual or group services

Funding:Goal is to provide funding through insurance providers – May require supportSeeking grant funding, and private donors Seeking crowdsourcing opportunities

Both of the above are to provide “gamerships”

Services:Individual and group counselingAfter School programmingEducational SeminarsA safe place to interact with peers

SIIM TherapySIIM - Social, Interactive, and Immersive MediaVideo Games, Comic Books, Film, Social Media, etc.

Use of social, interactive, and immersive media to build rapport, and create opportunities for narrative and interactive therapy.

This is an updated method of meeting the “client” where they are.

Geek Therapy Podcast Show – Josué Cardona

Comicspedia – Dr. Patrick O’Connor

Patrick Scott Patterson – Gaming Personality

Game Church – Mikee Bridges

IGN (formerly Imagine Games Network)

Revision 3

Baruth, L. G., & Manning, M. L. (2003). Multicultural counseling and psychotherapy: A lifespan perspective. New Jersey: Merrill Prentice Hall.

Bettelheim, B. (1976). The uses of enchantment. Toronto: Random House of Canada Ltd.

Campbell, J. (1949). The hero with a thousand faces. Princeton, NJ: Princeton University Press.

Campbell, J. (1949). The hero with a thousand faces. Princeton, NJ: Princeton University Press.

IGN Article: Minecraft Saleshttp://www.ign.com/articles/2013/03/29/minecraft-xbox-360-sales-pass-6-million

Huffington Post: Kinect Weight Loss (6/3/13)http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/06/03/i-lost-weight-lisa-thompson_n_3224682.html

ESA Entertainment Software Association (2012). 2012 sales, demographic and usage data: Essential facts about the computer and video game industry.Retrieved from: http://www.theesa.com/facts/pdfs/ESA_Essential_Facts_2012.PDF

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