Learn while you play, the Wiki way!

Blog Post: Learn while you play, the Wiki way! Subscribe to this RSS feed

Author: Dave Rudden
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Are you still foolishly playing videogames and searching online encyclopedias separately? The first step to solving your problem may have just presented itself.

I've always wanted to read up on WoW, but my crippling addiction to the game wouldn't allow it.

I like Wikipedia, and its various lookalikes (Wikilikes?). Generally, entries are well-written, and can stand up to almost any dedicated site in terms of providing useful information. Case in point: I've made it a point to check out info on a movie on Wikipedia before IMDB and look up popular games on the site rather than scour five gaming websites with a smattering of info on each.

Unfortunately, when my urge to find out more about an actress or an element of gameplay comes up, I've got to pause said movie or game to learn more about it. In effect, my curiosity about it inherently affects my enjoyment. Thankfully, the folks at Wikia have announced a partnership with PlayXpert that will provide WIkia content in-game via a toolbar that also includes iTunes and Facebook (Facebook?!).

The service has started with MMOs, which is arguably one of the most distraction-friendly genres. Looking at the pics, it seems a bit too cluttered for my tastes (I don't need to know that much info, and seriously, Facebook?!), but the first steps are usually the most awkward, right? Sure, right now you're essentially roaming the site independent of the game, but how far away are we from a future, when you're able to check out contextual, wiki-created information about a character you've just encountered or an item you've just picked up? I can't wait.

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