Wednesday, April 29, 2009

Mental Health From Video Games

New computer video games used to improve self-esteem and reduce stress.
A group of computer video game developers where impress by the success of Nintendo's "Brain Age" and felt they should produce a stream of games that help with the psychological growth of the mind.
The are planning creating a game called "DS Therapy" for the Nintendo DS that goes through asking question that range from money to your love life to stimulate your mind and measure it on a daily bases.
Another game "Mind Habits Booster" is designed to help people feel good about themselves. It help to address insecurity and stress by having player picking repeatedly smiling, approving face from a list of frowning faces to help people look for acceptance and ignore rejection.
"A study conducted by West Virginia University and supported by Konami Digital Entertainment claimed that consistent usage of the “Dance Dance Revolution” game “improved the health, attitudes and behaviors of participating children.”"
Researcher at Rochester University conducted a survey which they found that many children play computer video games for basic psychological needs such as achievement, freedom and a connection to others.
An example of the positive results from computer game play is Mary Jane Zamora, 50 from Redondo Beach, California whom is recovering from a fight with breast cancer. She uses such games as virtual golf, bowling and tennis on Nintendo's Wii console system to help build up her strength and agility.
So not all computer video games are focused on violence and destruction, some actually do help the human physce and build self-esteem in its players.

Sunday, April 26, 2009

Cool Playstation 2 Games

Do you remember the really cool video games that started it all? I'm talking about those classics from the 80s. We had the ever-popular Pac-Man, Asteroids, and Centipede. Those things were really fun to play in cutting-edge technology to be sure. I thought playing pitfall on my Atari was about as cool as it can get. Man, was I wrong. It's got a whole lot better.
The quality of PlayStation 2 games that are available now are mind blowing. The storylines and graphics are incompatible. It's nonstop adventure. For example, check out some of the more recent playstation 2 games. Wow, what a difference from the old-school Atari. I mean, the game depths alone are amazing. People around the world enjoy these new-age playstation 2 games on a daily basis. Do you have the latest ones?
Do you have PS2? It's incredible how popular it has become, but it doesn't surprise me. I was astounded when this console came out. The big pitch didn't only concern the playstation 2 games, but also the DVD option. Your PS2 can also be used as a DVD player to play any of your favorite movies. Folks loved this convenient option. Suddenly they didn't need to purchase a DVD player. It was an all-in-one deal. Not a bad deal at all.
I can remember being at my uncle's house to check out his PS2 and his new playstation 2 games. I hadn't really paid much attention to video games since my days with Nintendo so I was really blown away at the realistic graphics and hot sound effects. These new playstation 2 games are incredibly lifelike. It's so far removed from those simple Atari figures that we cut our teeth with. No more stick men. There was everything from martial arts games to sports games to adventure games. I fell in love with the playstation 2 games.
Millions of children across America fire up their playstation 2 games every day and escape into their fantasy world. They can even compete with other players had to head, and battle the bad guys for as long as their parents will let them.
One of the great benefits of the PS2 is the versatility. Regardless if you had a PS1, you can play all those old games on your PS2 as well. How cool is that? If you're on the lookout for new playstation 2 games, you can browse your local Best Buy and Target stores, or just go online and have them delivered right to your door. On the Internet you can buy used PlayStation 2 games for a fraction of their original costs. With the world at your fingertips, you will surely find that playstation 2 game that will keep you on the edge of your seat for many hours to come.

Saturday, April 25, 2009

The Art Of Video Game Design

Beginning in 1979, video games slowly started to invade homes and occupy young children and adults alike. The first video game was created in Japan and it has evolved greatly over the years. Video games have not only become a hobby for young children, but they have become an obsession for young adults. Individuals are constantly in competition with one another to have the latest and greatest video game. They also race one another to conquer all the levels of the most challenging games. With individuals constantly looking for new challenges, the area of video game design has increased in popularity.Children are becoming fascinated with video games at a younger age. To prevent them from becoming zombies in front of the television, video game design companies are incorporation education, as well as physical activity to most of their video games. Games such as V-tech and Leap Frog use colors, numbers and words to educate young children on how to read and count. One recent game that has revolutionized the video game industry is Nintendo's Wii. This game console uses video games to incorporate physical activity. Game users are required to use their physical skills to complete tasks such as fishing, bowling and tennis. While these games aim to educate and increase physical activity among youth, there are still traditional games on the market that simply aim to entertain.What once started as a recreational activity, video gaming has now become a sport to some people. There are actually tournaments around the world where individuals compete against one another in the latest video games. Individuals also create teams to compete against individuals from all different countries. While most people think individuals play these games for fun, it is actually a very competitive sport. Individuals train for months, even years to master the skills need to conquer a game. They study each video game design and try to learn all the tricks and special features of each game. Individuals are not competing for bragging rights. Some tournaments offer prizes in excess of $500,000, proving that these games are not to be taken lightly.With the increased popularity of video game tournaments and leisure activities, the career field of video game design is in high demand of qualified candidates. Colleges all over the country offer programs to teach students about video games and how to design them. Courses include work in graphic design, script writing and drawing. Classes are also offered in a variety of different specialties aimed to make individuals marketable in a variety of different fields. Students learn essential computer skills such as Photoshop, animation and cinematography. However, these computer skills are also important skills in different career fields, therefore opening numerous opportunities to graduates in this specific programUpon completion of a video game design program, students can work for numerous different companies. Design companies are constantly looking for fresh thinkers and creative individuals to take their video games to new levels. Students in design programs learn how to conceptualize, design and plan animations and video games. They also learn how to produce and evolve character models and design levels in video games. Along with these important video game skills, students also learn marketing, business and entertainment law to make them a well-rounded candidate.With a video game design degree, students can not only use their imaginations to create games, but they can also manage the production of games or be a critic with the skills they learn through this particular program. What was once thought of as simply entertainment has become an increasing popular industry.

Wednesday, April 22, 2009

Playstation 2 Video Games - Top 3 Games For Children

How many times has your children come home from school talking about a new video game he/she heard about from their friends? We are in a generation where things like Playstation 2 video games have never been bigger, but where do you draw the line? When do you tell your kids, "No, you can't play that game." It's a hard decision to make, especially when they are influenced in school by others.
It makes it even harder on us to give you reviews because different ages constitute certain games that can be tolerated. Think of it as taking your kids to the movies. If they are 5-10 years old are you going to take them to see a rated R movie? Most likely not, and the same discipline should be set for Playstation 2 video games.
So we decided to give you some of the top Playstation 2 video games in each category so you can get better control on your children's games at home. Some even go as far as sitting down and talking with their kids about the situation. It is a good idea, especially if they go to a friends house, where the availability of inappropriate games for their age can be played.
For those of you who are new to Playstation 2 video games, they have ratings for each game with a letter on the box. E is for Everyone, T is for Teen, and M is for Mature. Common sense will show you what is and what isn't appropriate for your children's ages. However, the categories here make it a little easier.
The E rated games doesn't just mean they are Sponge Bob Square Pants Playstation 2 video games or Dora the Explorer. It could mean Madden 08' or any other sports games. The best for the age appropriate games are those that go from the movie screen to your game consoles. Ones like Madagascar, Cars, Meet the Robinsons, and other movies where adults have already seen the outcomes.
T for Teen movies revolve games that have a little more graphic details like WWE Smackdown vs. RAW where hurting someone else, and less clothing is more evident. Then things where death comes into play, without the graphic gore. Games like the Final Fantasy collection that takes months to complete, but magic and sword fighting is required to reach the end of the game.
M for Mature are those games that only adults can really understand with a lot more gore and sexual narratives. The killing is graphic in games like Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas where shooting police officers and picking up prostitutes is the way the game is played. Other popular games like Metal Gear and the God of War series are also rated M for the way people are killed and the overall strategy of the game.
Hopefully, now you realize that finding Playstation 2 video games suitable for your children depends on several factors. How old they are and what you want them to be able to view are the most important aspects of purchasing video games for them. It may not completely fix an ongoing issue of children playing inappropriate games, but you have to start somewhere to try to control it.

Saturday, April 18, 2009

Are Video Games Good For You?

Oh of course, most kids would much rather play video games than go outside and of course, do their homework and perhaps that is why children are becoming smarter in this day and age. Believe it or not, video games build your intelligence, it's a proven fact. When a child or anyone else plays a video game, they are giving their brain a pretty good workout and at the same time, they are exercising their thumbs with the joystick.
Children are navigating their way through a virtual world that is mysterious. In video games, kids have to figure out the rules of the game and the goals they need to achieve to learn. For hours, the kids work at solving puzzles that are nested within these games. Yep, today's culture is defiantly making us smarter. "Telescoping" it is called. Gamers have to deal with their immediate problems while they keep their long-term goals in their mind. "Probing." Probing is referring to the strategic thinking and complex problem solving of video games.
Playing a video game is a parallel to working on a science problem. Gamers are just like students in a laboratory, they must come up with that hypothesis. For example, they have to find the quest in WoW." With this, they engage in action by hunting for that quest and completing it. The gamers will be discovering if their hypothesis is true or false. If they are not able to complete this quest, then they will be revising their hypothesis. Playing video games is a fundamental to learning.
In conclusion...there is nothing wrong with playing video games. We could just go back to the old days, take video games and all that away and stop using your brain. Think about it: Run around in a park or exercise the brain...

Tuesday, April 7, 2009

Are Video Games Good For You?

Oh of course, most kids would much rather play video games than go outside and of course, do their homework and perhaps that is why children are becoming smarter in this day and age. Believe it or not, video games build your intelligence, it's a proven fact. When a child or anyone else plays a video game, they are giving their brain a pretty good workout and at the same time, they are exercising their thumbs with the joystick.
Children are navigating their way through a virtual world that is mysterious. In video games, kids have to figure out the rules of the game and the goals they need to achieve to learn. For hours, the kids work at solving puzzles that are nested within these games. Yep, today's culture is defiantly making us smarter. "Telescoping" it is called. Gamers have to deal with their immediate problems while they keep their long-term goals in their mind. "Probing." Probing is referring to the strategic thinking and complex problem solving of video games.
Playing a video game is a parallel to working on a science problem. Gamers are just like students in a laboratory, they must come up with that hypothesis. For example, they have to find the quest in WoW." With this, they engage in action by hunting for that quest and completing it. The gamers will be discovering if their hypothesis is true or false. If they are not able to complete this quest, then they will be revising their hypothesis. Playing video games is a fundamental to learning.
In conclusion...there is nothing wrong with playing video games. We could just go back to the old days, take video games and all that away and stop using your brain. Think about it: Run around in a park or exercise the brain...
The Author of this article would like for you to check this site out http://gamersrevenue.webs.com/ as you will be able to watch videos of games. Also, check out the blog that is on the site as the moderator will be able to ask any questions you may have. If you have a question, then feel free to ask.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?

Saturday, April 4, 2009

Video Game Demographics

Video game demographics involve the study of video gaming habits of people of various ages. It requires a variety of primary and secondary research techniques such as telephone and personal interviews, analysis of market surveys, trade journals, and company literature.
The demographics of video game players and the related studies reveal that video gaming is mainly an adult-oriented form of entertainment! Video games are played extensively by both men and women too. Almost 60% of the Americans play video games.
Demographic is the common name for population studies. Video game demographics involve the analysis of different demographic variables such as how many people are playing video games, age of the average gamer, gender of the gamers, what they play and how video gaming affects television viewing. Recent studies show that people have accepted video games as an important entertainment medium.
According to video game demographics, 39% of people who play computer and video games are women. Forty percent of online gamers are also women. Thirty five percent of game players are usually under eighteen years, and 65% of game players are over eighteen years old. The average age of a video game player is 18 years old. Video games are widely used by 18 to 34 year old people. People in this age range spend more time in playing video games than watching the television.
Video game industries make the most of video game demographics. They identify the characteristics of their customers using this. The information provided by video game demographics can be used to enhance the quality of their service.

Wednesday, April 1, 2009

Wandering Willows Game Review

Most of the time when seasoned casual gamers hear of the company called PlayFirst, the name is always associated with time management "Dash" games. But aside from this, they are also known for bringing very innovative games like Chocolatier and Dream Chronicles into the casual gaming scene. Wandering Willows is one such innovation. And this time, PlayFirst again offers a gameplay never before seen on their roster of recent casual offerings.
The story of the game starts with the hero riding a hot air balloon above a vast expanse of sea. Unfortunately, the balloon blew up and he found himself stranded on an island filled with weird looking creatures and a few normal looking citizens. The people are happily striving and the animals are tame, and the island almost looks like heaven on earth. However, he still longs to go back home, and that's where you come in as you help him find a way to fix his balloon with the help of his new island friends.
In Wandering Willows, you'll soon learn that you won't be getting any help for free. You have many goals in the game but the main idea is for you to help other people with their predicaments until such time that you'll be able to take one step closer into repairing your balloon. All the time, you'll be accompanied with your very own pet as you command it to dig mounds, climb trees and charm other animals in order to collect your supplies.
Not all of the tasks are given to your pet though, since all of the more complicated stuff like planting crops, cooking food and making outfits remain to be your own responsibility. Of course, you'll also have to keep in mind the feeding of your pet as well as training and leveling his abilities in order to fulfill more challenging tasks on later levels. And if you don't want your initial pet anymore, you can always exchange him for a better one by breeding other species in the pet stable.

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I'M DRAMATIST ADEWALE ADEBAMBO. I WAS BORN SOME YEARS AGO IN LAGOS NIGERIA,I WAS EDUCATED AT THE PRESTIGIOUS NEW TOWN PRIMARY SCHOOL AND IFAKO COMPREHENSIVE HIGH SCHOOL, ALL IN LAGOS. I'M A GRADUATE OF IYABO OYAWALE'S E-WEALTH TRAINING CENTRE AND THE CIRCLE OF STARS THEATRE. I LOVE TO MEET NEW PEOPLE ALMOST EVERY HOUR OF MY DAYS. I LIKE PEOPLE THAT BELIEVE IN GOD NO MATTER HOW DEVASTATING THEIR SITUATION MAY BE. MY HOBBIES ARE: ACTING,READING AND TRAVELLING, BUT OF RECENT I FELL INLOVE WITH THE COMPUTER AND THAT'S WHY I BECAME A PRODUCT OF THE E-WEALTH TRAINING CENTRE. MAY BE YOU SHOULD VISIT, http://adebamboontheweb.blogspot.com http://adebambo-humanbehaviour.blogspot.com http://librarybookshome.blogspot.com http://playstationbase.blogspot.com I BELIEVE BEING A BLOGGER IS ANOTHER MEANS OF TEACHING OTHERS WHAT YOU KNOW AND PROBABLY WHAT THEY DO NOT KNOW. PART OF MY TEACHING LIVE AND REAL STORIES OF LIFE IS WHAT MADE ME TO GET THE TOP JOB OF THE DRAMATIC AND CULTURAL CLUB OF MY SCHOOL IN MY DAYS. I'M ALSO A MEMBER OF FACEBOOK,NAIJAPALS,NAIJANETWARRIORS,URBANCHAT.COM AND A HOST OF OTHERS.