Gamasutra Expert Blogs: From Implications of AR To Why 'Gamification' Must Die

[In highlights from Gamasutra's Expert Blogs, industry notables write about diverse topics, including the notion of games as art, the implications of augmented reality, and why we should abandon 'gamification' as a buzzword.] In our weekly Best of Expert Blogs column, we showcase notable pieces of writing from members of the game development community who maintain Expert Blogs on Gamasutra. Member Blogs -- also highlighted weekly -- can be maintained by any registered Gamasutra user, while the invitation-only Expert Blogs are written by development professionals with a wealth of experience to share. We hope that both sections can provide useful and interesting viewpoints on our industry. For more information about the blogs, check out the latest official posting guidelines. Here are the top blogs for the week: This Week's Standout Expert Blogs - Stop Debating "Games As Art" (Evan Jones) For years, developers and industry critics have argued over whether games qualify as art. Evan Jones, however, suggests such debate will not change anyone's opinion, and that the games should speak for themselves. - Media Versus Customer: Who To Believe? (Neil Schneider) 3D Technology has only become more and more prevalent over the last few years, though the technology has not been met with unanimous acceptance. Neil Schneider points out the ways in which the media portrays stereoscopic tech, and how developers have made use of it in their games. - Through the Looking Glass: How The 3DS Can Transform Gaming In The Outside World ( Christopher Totten) While the 3DS built its reputation on its stereoscopic display, Christopher Totten argues that the handheld truly shines thanks to its augmented reality features, which could have significant implications for the industry moving forward. - The Financial Life (And Death) Of An East European Gold Farm (Richard Heeks) Richard Heeks provides a look at the financial history of an Eastern European MMO gold farm, detailing the rise and fall of a group that made a living off of in-game currency. - What We Would Gain By Losing The Word ‘Gamification’ (Christian McCrea) Christian McCrea notes that the definition of 'gamification' has become muddled, and in order to fully understand the ideas behind the concept, we should abandon the word altogether.