I have been considering engaging in an ethnographic study of Wii play within my house. My girlfriend and I do not yet own a Wii, but have been considering purchasing one for a while. Neither of us has played a Wii before and the only console that we have played together is the DS, which is rarely used; especially in two player mode. The study would focus on my girlfriend and I as well as friends/relatives that come to visit us. If the setup that I am going to outline were to be optimized and proved to be viable/successful it may be possible to include other Wii play within the study - at the iglab for example.

I used today to take some of these ideas and begin to formulate more formal but still initial plans. I am planning to use a setup that records several aspects of the game play that takes place. I plan to use a digital video camera positioned on top of or behind the television facing outwards towards those using the Wii. I am intending to capture not only physical movement resulting from playing with the console but also facial expression, interaction with others engaging in play as well as any dialog that occurs.

A second recording device (VHS or DVD) would record the AV output of the Wii, this should be relatively easy to set up but I can see that syncing with the other video recording may be fairly time consuming. Economic constraints determine the technology that I can use to record the play that takes place; tape striping could solve syncing problems but this needs further investigation. The aim of recording the Wii AV output is to offer material references for any interesting occurrences or specific incidents analysed once the period of material collection has ceased.

I would like these recording devices to start automatically with the powering-up of the Wii, although I am not sure if I have the technical ability to make this happen. Automatic recording of both the Wii AV output as well as the images of those engaging in play would allow for more spontaneous play to take place. It would not be necessary to switch on the recording equipment, which I predict may have an adverse effect on the ritual of Wii play that emerges. Automatic recording would also allow for

The digital recording techniques would be complimented by detailed observation and formal recording of occurrences of play. Detailed observation, or commentary on the play that takes place would be recorded within this blog to allow external viewing and comment. A diary that logs the particulars of play that takes place; which game, played by who and for how long would take the form of a simple paper-based form. Time and date synchronisation between all recording methods will be essential. A set period of time in which the study would take place also needs to be decided upon. Space available for video footage may be an issue depending on the amount of blank media that the budget allows for.

There is obviously a lot more work to do here, particularly in the logistics of the recording that will take place, available budget as well as much more consideration regarding the legitimacy of an ethnographic study.