The idea of Twitch Plays Pokemon is simple. The Twitch stream shows the gameplay (screen), alongside a total timer and list of commands being sent to the game and the author of said command. The social stream (chat window) is where users of Twitch type commands (button presses) that the game should perform given a current action. This concept is fascinating because I could see this tool being used for instructional experiments, both in problem-based learning, collaborative learning, and anchored instruction.

1. Twitch Plays Pokemon:
Collaborative Learning
Opportunities with Video Game
Streaming Services (VGSS)
Eric Sembrat
Georgia State University
April 2014

2. About Me
Eric Scott Sembrat
Web Developer
Ph.D. Candidate
Nerd Extraordinaire
Twitter: @esembrat
Web: ericsembrat.com

3. Game Plan
The State of Gaming
Video Game Streaming Services
What is Twitch.tv?
What is Twitch Plays Pokemon?
Instructional Usage Opportunities
Future Utilizations

4. The State of Gaming

7. Microsoft’s Xbox One
Released Late 2013

10. Sony’s Playstation 4
Released Late 2013

11. Consoles & Streaming
Both consoles can natively stream
gameplay directly to the web through
Twitch.TV.

12. Streaming Services

13. How does streaming work?

14. How does streaming work?

15. How does streaming work?

16. How does streaming work?
Broadcaster

17. How does streaming work?
Broadcaster Distributor

18. How does streaming work?
Broadcaster Distributor Audience

19. What is Twitch?

20. Original Focus

21. Today’s Focus

22. Twitch Plays Pokemon

23. Some Stats

24. Design Basics

25. Design Basics
Gameplay

26. Design Basics
Gameplay
Chat Window

27. Design Basics
Gameplay
Chat Window
Command Queue

28. Design Process
Viewer types in button press

29. Design Process
Viewer types in button press
Streamer computer interprets button
press from chat

30. Design Process
Viewer types in button press
Streamer computer interprets button
press from chat
Computer sends button press to
emulated video game

31. Design Process
Viewer types in button press
Streamer computer interprets button
press from chat
Computer sends button press to
emulated video game
Viewer sees output of command

32. Design Process
Viewer types in button press
Streamer computer interprets button
press from chat
Computer sends button press to
emulated video game
Viewer sees output of command
Tim
e
to
Result:~25-40sec

33. Emulation

34. Emulation
B
A
StartSelect
Up, Down,
Left, Right

35. Instructional Usage Opportunities

36. Applicability to Learning?

37. Applicability to Learning?
Constructivism
Experiential learning through real life
(social) experiences where knowledge
is constructed through shared
artifacts, experiences, and meaning.
Results in creation of a unique sub-
culture.

38. Applicability to Learning?
Game-Based Learning
Surrounding a learning objective
around a video game/simulation-
centric exercise(s).
Inclusion of fantasy elements.

39. Applicability to Learning?
Problem-Based Learning
Learning from the experience of
problem-solving.
Often occurs in groups, based on
existing knowledge, research, and
experimentation.

40. Applicability to Learning?
Anchored Instruction
Placing learners in problem-based
story, where they play an authentic role
to identify a problem and develop
solutions.

41. Applicability to Learning?
Collaborative Learning
Learners self-organize into roles (based
on experiences and knowledge) to
create knowledge and complete a
common task.

42. Applicability to Learning?
Constructivism
Game-Based Learning
Problem-Based Learning
Anchored Instruction
Collaborative Learning
(and so on...)

43. Future Utilizations

44. Considerations for Implementation
Consider the time delay for commands.

45. Considerations for Implementation
Develop & test the server back-end.

46. Considerations for Implementation
Choose video game / simulation wisely.

47. Considerations for Implementation
Determine end-game strategy.

48. Considerations for Implementation
Choose areas of analysis and logging.

49. Questions? Comments?
Twitter: @esembrat
Web: ericsembrat.com