Nintendo Wii Why Its Perfect For The Holidays

There are definitely two major reasons why the new and much-awaited Nintendo Wii is just simply perfect for the Holidays. For one, it’s launching and initial release into the gaming market could not have come at a better time. It will be released in the U.S. gaming market on November 19 and on December 2 for the Japanese market. It is just about the same time as the release of the new the Sony PS3 which gives the gaming customer - who is on the look out for a new video gaming console - the right time and chance to test two options at about the same time. Therefore, as a customer, you get the better gaming console of your choice.

The timely release of the Nintendo Wii is also perfect as gifts and presents for the Holidays. It is not unknown to many that some gamers are kids and teens who can not really afford to buy their own gaming consoles. Now, parents can have a little something to bargain their kids’ behavior – even if only until Christmas - with. Now, parents can have something to give their little gamers for the Holidays. The Nintendo Wii will cost only about $250 in the United States gaming market and about $213 in the Japanese market.

So what is there to expect from the Nintendo Wii? There will be software, upon release of Nintendo Wii, with an initial of 16 games in the Nintendo Wii. This will include “Wii Sports,” a package that will have games such as bowling, tennis, boxing and baseball. Nintendo will also be offering classic downloadable games for the entire family to enjoy.

With all these promises in one neat little package of video gaming console called the Nintendo Wii, there is simply no reason why the Nintendo Wii is not perfect for the Holidays!

Hardware Inside Nintendo Wii Reviewed and Explained

Nintendos seventh generation gaming console was code named Revolution. It sought to becoming futuristic and including all conveniences like a wireless controller and Wii remote which has three dimensional functions. The Nintendo Wii also has Wii Connect 24 which can receive messages from the World Wide Web.

Slated for release in the US in mid Nov 2006, the Ninetendo Wii won the Game Critics Award for Best of Show and Best Hardware at the E3 2006. The hardware of the gaming console is state-of-art with the unit being the smallest measuring just 157 mm in height :

• The loading slot is in the front and accepts 12cm optical discs and 8 cms discs from Nintendo’s older console.

• The console will have two USB ports and one SD card slot.

• In Japan the console will have DVD –Video capabilities. A Sonic Solutions Cine Player CE DVD Navigator software engine will be used in consoles to be released in 2007 with DVD-Video functions.

• The Wii remote has accelerometers and infrared detection that enables positioning in 3D space. This means gamers can participate in the game using hand gestures as well as buttons. The controller connects to the Wii console through Bluetooth technology. There are umpteen functions like connectivity to other devices, 4KB non volatile memory and an accelerometer, analog stick and trigger buttons.

• The Wii has a sensor bar that can be positioned such that the Wii remote can be used as an accurate pointing device from a distance of 5 meters. However the sensor bar is sensitive to halogen lights and sunlight affecting its functions.

• The Wii CPU has a processor known as Broadway with a 90nm SOI CMOS process. The Memory of the Wii is 1T-SRAM.

• The Nintendo Wii has 512 MB built-in flash memory that can be expanded using an SD card.

• The Wii has four remote controller slots; one SD memory slot; two USB ports; one sensor bar port ;four Nintendo game cube controller ports; two Nintendo game cube memory card ports; WiFi 802.11.b/g wireless built in ports.

• The Wii can connect to the World Wide Web through the WiFi and USB to Ethernet adaptor.

The CNET editors have rated the Nintendo Wii as an 8 /10. According to experts at CNET the positive is the futuristic controller design with motion-sensitive gameplay options and the Wi-Fi is all set to extend free online services and game play. The Nintendo Wii is the most affordable of all GenX gaming systems. The negative in the Wii is short battery life, no advanced HD graphics or surround sound and inability to play CDs or DVDs.

What Nintendo Wii brings to gaming is an affordable console with motion sensitive controllers and a focus on fun filled gaming.

Ensuring Your Share of Checkers Software

If you are an enthusiastic player of checkers (otherwise known as draughts), it is very likely that you already own a copy of the checkers software. Your version may be purchased or free, depending on the features that come bundled with the software. Even if you are only an occasional player, the free edition should be quite sufficient to satisfy your appetite for a quick game of checkers. On the other hand, for serious gamers like myself, I would prefer to purchase a copy of the checkers software as the additional features are really too hard to resist!

The paid versions are usually better as they do not restrict you to the number of games that you can play, which is often the case in free versions. When you buy the checkers software online, you will have the option of receiving a disk through the mail, or downloading it directly from the manufacturer's web site. If you choose the latter, you will be able to start playing the game as soon as you complete the installation on your computer. This is just one of the many benefits of getting a checkers software on the internet.

In addition, you will be spoilt for choice if you attempt to locate the checkers software online. In recent years, there is an increasing number of gaming websites that offer such software as the market has been growing tremendously. This means that consumers can have more options and can take their time to select one that suits their playing style. It has become a norm for gaming websites to offer trial sessions of their game, to allow the players to test out the software before making their decision to buy. The trial period usually last about 30 days. In most of the cases, the 30 days are sufficient to cause to be addicted to the game. Thus, you will eventually have to subscribe to the paid version in order to fulfill your checkers craving.

There are really no hard and fast rules to getting a copy of the checkers software. It is perfectly alright if you just want to use the trial version to play a quick game of checkers with your friends. Whatever it is, there is only one point that you need to know: the checkers software must be able to suit your playing needs and budget!

Sonys Playstation 3 Double System Launch

When the Microsoft Xbox 360 was released with two different versions, the tactic was debated endlessly regarding the merits of offering consumers a lower-priced bundle with fewer features. Staring a $400 price point in the face probably prompted Microsoft to offer a lower cost package to point to when the Xbox 360’s price was inevitably criticized.

The Playstation 3 will probably blow those arguments out of the water in terms of scale as two versions launch, one console at a price point of $500, the other at a price point of $600. Most of the early adopters of the Xbox 360 opted for the premium bundle and expectations are that the Playstation 3 crowd will be no different.

The two bundles each feature the infamous Blu-ray drive, a Bluetooth-enabled controller and an HDMI port for high definition output from the console. Similarities end there as the basic bundle includes a 20 GB hard drive to that package and calls it a day. Sony has priced that next-generation package at $500, a steep price to get a foot in the door of Sony’s Playstation 3 vision.

Naturally, higher cost comes with more bells and whistles. In the $600 premium bundle, all of the basic bundle's features are included but the hard drive is bumped up to 60 GB, Wi-Fi is built in to the console and an on-board flash card reader is included. While the basic model's hard drive can always be upgraded and a flash card reader can be added later with an adaptor, those upgrades will likely come at a cost higher than the $100 difference between the models.

One point of debate has been Sony's reluctance to include HDMI cables with either bundle, more or less requiring the consumer to purchase the cable to experience the high-definition gaming so central to Sony's marketing strategy for the Playstation 3.

Composite cables can also produce a solid picture, so that might take some of the sting out of the announcement, but the move is still a disconnect from the marketing message describing the ultimate, high-end gaming experience. Sony's specific Playstation 3-branded HDMI cable will retail for $50, but other HDMI cables can be had for less.

To round out the accessory costs of the Playstation 3, the console's special SIXAXIS controller, complete with motion-sensing ability, will retail for $50. A remote specially made for the Playstation 3’s Blu-ray player will retail for $30 and perhaps the most important accessory of all, games, will see a $60 price point for Sony first-party games.

Sony has truly entered a new realm for high cost and it will be up to the Playstation 3 to make consumers and critics alike focus less on the money involved and more on the high-end gaming experience that Sony is trying to achieve. Time will tell whether Sony will emerge the victor.

Chaos Theory A Gamers Review

“Chaos Theory” is one of the sleuth-based video games in the series of video games provide by Tom Clancy's Splinter cell series of video games. The game has been developed and published by Ubisoft. This game is the third in the series of Splinter Cell series and one of the most intriguing video games that has ever hit the market. As usual the hero is Sam Fisher, the lone splinter from the Splinter Cell of the Third Echelon of black-ops branch of NSA in United States.

The arrival of “Chaos Theory”

Though the game was scheduled to be released in early 2004, it could not be so and was finally released as version compatible to Xbox, Play Station 2, and Game cube as late as in March, 2005. At the same time its version for PC also came out. A few versions meant for the Nintendo DS and Nokia N-Gage were also released. Background music and soundtrack of this video game was composed by Amon Tobin who framed it on Ninja Tune record label. For the cinematic effects of the game, composer Jesper Kyd composed the music. For voice, actor Michael Ironside and Don Jordan lent their voice for Sam Fisher and Lambert, the boss of Sam Fisher respectively. The game earned excessive popularity all over the world and as a result was declared as the game of the year in 2005. The video game was applauded all over the world for its outstanding game play and lively graphics. The graphics in this game of Chaos Theory has made several improvements over the traditional system of the video game that includes both normal mapping and HDR lighting.

Get to know more here: Splinter Cell for PC, Xbox and PS2

The process of Stealth

In the game of Chaos theory, the Stealth mechanics have been refined quite a lot. There is the traditional light bar but the addition is an aural monitor to measure the noises exactly what Sam makes during the operation he undertakes. Because in the endeavors Sam undertakes, it is extremely important that the sound is minimal or else he may be tracked down and eliminated himself. Another alteration that has taken place in the game is the AI detection. In the previous version unconscious or dead bodies were automatically detected and an alarm ringed but now in the newer version they are to be specifically detected and an alarm will have to be ringed. An alarm will be a great help for the enemies to spot Sam and they will be ready for the combat. Two peculiar features that have been added lately to this video game are interesting. The first one is that repeated alarms will not automatically terminate the game. Secondly, for killing civilians, Sam may be heavily chastised by his boss and authorities. Consequentially, his mission scores may reduce to a great extent. The “Chaos Theory” is the first of such games that keeps track of the performance of players during the mission and a summarized report is available at the end of it.

Chaos Theory combat and weaponry

Even for the hand to hand combat, Chaos Theory provides a knife to Sam that can be used for threatening to killing. The attacking prowess is from all sides and not only from behind as in the older version. Even while hanging upside down Sam can choke or strangle his enemy. Pulling people over railings, throwing bodies of the cliff or over railing or pull them over. Though the capability of shooting round the corner is removed, the same is balanced by allowing the gun to be on either side of the body. In the field of weaponry, there are three kits to choose from. The first one is the Redding’s Recommendation kit which provides a fine balance between lethal and non-lethal weapons. The Assault Kit has more ammunition and less non-lethal weapon while the Stealth Kit is just the reverse of the Assault Kit. Then there is the 5.72 mm pistol with OCP which means Optically Channeled Potentiator that can disable electronics for the time being. A green light indicates hitting the target while a red like indicates a miss. The SC-20K modular assault rifle now have multifarious new gadgets like a launcher, under mount shotgun for close range firings and a 20mm sniper scope for long range combat. Non-lethal weaponry is multitude in number and has items like sticky shocker that shocks and numbs all targets. There are also multiple type of grenades and a gas to make the enemy unconscious. On the other hand the enemy prowess has improved too with various new features.

Get to know more here: Splinter Cell Cheats

The New Sony PS3 Gaming Console What Gamers Are Lining Up Along Blocks For

Die-hard gamers and video gaming entrepreneurs have been braving the malls for the much-awaited Sony PS3. Some were successful in grabbing the latest from Sony in the gaming industry while others were not. Sony promised only a 400,000 PS3 units nationwide for its initial introduction into the U.S. market which is quite minimal compared to the number of gamers all over the U.S. It seems the demand for the PS3 are increasing and with the supply decreasing due to production problems as reports say, gamers across U.S. have been lining up and rushing in only to come out empty-handed and disappointed. In an attempt to grab the last few units, some gamers and customers are now even shopping for their Sony PS3s online which is definitely not a bad idea when you think about the long lines for block along brick and mortar video gaming stores.

However, this limited supply and increasing demand of the PS3 has already been predicted. The market’s interest and anticipation has been given enough time to build up with the Sony PS3 coming a half year later than expected.

Some of those waiting in line for the PS3 - that are selling like hotcakes across stores and shops across the U.S. - are actually not only buying these neat gaming console from Sony but are hoping to give them for Christmas gifts. Due to the limited stocks, some customers are also up for reselling their newly-purchased PS3 at a much higher price and gaining profit.

So what can people expect from the new Sony PS3?

Sony PS3 is excellent for gamers with high definition television sets. With Sony PS3’s 1080p, only the clearest resolution is available for the visually-discriminating gamer. An added bonus to the Sony PS3 is also the Blu-Ray Disc Drive that plays DVDs and CDs.

Some gamer reviews have given Sony PS3 a grade lower than what they have given Nintendo’s Wii though. For one, gamers miss the tremor and shaking effect when firing a virtual gun. However, the verdict on the video gaming console war is definitely far from over yet. Sony PS3 has just been released and the video gaming market can definitely wait a year more from the Sony PS3’s launching for more games and innovation. Gamers and Sony loyalists can definitely expect more to come for the Sony PS3.

Sonys Play Station III Dont Have It Dont Worry

At midnight all over the United States people went crazy. For days they had parked themselves outside of stores, on sidewalks, in tent cities for the opportunity to be the first to purchase the new Sony Play Station™. And at midnight the gates were opened and riots ensued, people were trampled and run over, and at least one young man was shot. Was it worth the price? Well some of you talk about the money making opportunities – on-line auctions are news stories with bids for sales exceeding $3000.00 and buy-now’s being listed as much as $8,000.00 for a product that can be bought off the shelf for $500.00. What is the matter with everyone? Can you not wait – do you really have to have it today? Or next week? What would happen if you weren’t actually able to buy it until next year? Would your whole world come crashing down around you? Would you starve to death, die from some horrible disease; lose your job, your family, your home? Let’s get some perspective here, people!!!

And for Sony™, and the retail outlets, where is your responsibility? Ever since the sugar shortage way back when, the marketing geniuses have discovered a way to sell product, no matter what the product, by creating a false shortage. I can remember the rush to grocery stores to buy sugar, because once it was gone, well you might never be able to get sugar again or at least at a reasonable price. And then a miracle happened – sugar became available once the prices rose and the panic ceased. In the meantime, people were fighting in the aisles over a bag of sugar. Then it was the gas shortages – not the most recent one, but back in the 70’s when you had to get gas only on the day designated by the numbers of your license plate. Again fights broke out, panic ensued and then after the prices rose they fell back a “little, little bit” (but never back down to the price before the shortage) so everyone felt relieved and blessed that prices has fallen and gas was plentiful again. Sound familiar. And the Cabbage Patch™ dolls, Tickle Me Elmo™ and so on and so on. Think about it – every year just before Christmas there is one or more “got to have” toy that is in short supply. There have been television shows and movies made about the ventures to capture the “last one”. Only it’s not so funny in real life. People are hurt, spend money they have no business spending, and children’s hearts are broken because they didn’t get this latest hyped toy. I know business is business and we all strive to make money, but where is your social responsibility in all this?

Sony™ if you really are going to release an additional 750,000 units before year end as all the news broadcasts are reporting, then why push the buttons for this panic? For a little “free advertising” thru the hype that only lasts a day or two at the most? If you truly had a product worth the splash then you wouldn’t have to resort to cheap tactics. And the retail outlets, how can you justify these riot prone events just to make a few sales which you would have made anyways. I don’t know who is fooled more by the marketing schemes – the stores or the consumer. You are in the business of selling to the individual, of finding ways to make shopping satisfying to your customers, you should know better.

And for you consumers – stand up and don’t be duped by these marketing schemes. And while we are at it – how about not spending every cent we have on the newest, greatest gadget. They all go down in price as soon as the next one makes the scene – who’s the fool the guy who waits and saves money or the one who has to be the first on the block and pays many times over?

Profitable Review For Xbox 360 Vs PlayStation 3 Today

The PlayStation or the Xbox: which will win? It is one of the greatest rivalries of the gaming world, and the latest round - Playstation 3 vs. Xbox 360 - will soon be upon us. The PlayStation 3 will start launching this November nationally at US territories and some other countries, some months after the Xbox. The advantage on that front goes to the Xbox.

But the PlayStation 3 has a lot going for it, and the buzz it has been building up is outstanding. Sony is already shipping hundreds of thousands of units - an initial release of 400,000, with more than twice that number by the end of the year. It is very likely that all of these will sell out, as everybody scrambles to see what they can do with the PlayStation 3. Meanwhile, the Xbox 360 has a head start of almost a year, and has built up an impressive line of games.

The advantage on games does not go entirely to the Xbox, though. Sony already has a stunning line-up of PlayStation 3 games - at least 27 of them are in the works, and many of these will be available from the launch date. Games for the PlayStation 3 include Need for Speed: Carbon, Resistance: Fall of Man, Ridge Racer 7, and Fatal Inertia. Even before its release, the PlayStation 3 triumphed at the Tokyo Game Show, as several PlayStation 3 games were given awards. In addition, the PlayStation 3 will be able to run all games built for the PlayStation 2.

The PlayStation 3 has another trick up its sleeve - what is being described as user created content. That is, the PlayStation 3 promises to bring some gamers out of their passivity, and empower them to add new features to the coming console. This should appeal to PC Gamers, who are used to the joys of mudding, and creating new levels and environments for games. Sony hopes that they will transfer their talents and enthusiasm to the PlayStation 3. Microsoft typically takes a much less enthusiastic view of user-created content, and the Xbox has very limited capacity in that regard- at least in our many of our reviews.

The Xbox and the PlayStation 3 both have online services, but these are quite different in style. With the Xbox, everything is tied closely into the Microsoft empire through the medium of Xbox Live. Sony has taken a more hands-off approach, and it seems there will be the option for gamers to choose one of several online services. It will be possible to play tournaments online through the PlayStation 3.

Who will win this battle? In the short term, the PlayStation 3 will likely win the Christmas sales battle - provided Sony can ship enough units to keep up with demand. But that is simply because they are the new kid on the block. In the longer term, expect sales of the two consoles to be fairly similar - and impressively high in both cases, perhaps between 20 million and 30 million each over the next few years. And whoever claims triumph in the console battle, the gamers will win, being able to play the two most advanced consoles ever created. In the battle of the Xbox vs. the PlayStation 3, we all win.

Xbox Vs PlayStation History Of The Rivalry

The current rivalry between the Xbox 360 and the coming PlayStation 3 is just the latest battle in the exciting leadership war that began in 2001, when Microsoft introduced the original Xbox into the console market. The PlayStation was the reigning champion of the console market. It had dominated since the mid-90s. The original PlayStation sold some hundred million units, a staggering figure at the time.

By the end of the 1990s Microsoft was worried about what is in our perspective the prospect of the PlayStation encroaching in the console market. Hence Xbox, was and still is a bid to win back territory for Microsoft in many of our gaming views. While Xbox might have been the new kid on the block, it had the might of all Bill Gates empire behind it. Before the Xbox, Microsoft had already ported Windows CE to the Sega Dreamcast, giving them experience in the console market.

More importantly, they had some of the best programming teams on the planet. One of their original plan, if not their main plan for this long-time distribution for the Xbox, focused heavily on integrating it with other Microsoft products, for example by including DirectX technology. The battle is about much more than just the console market. Sony and Microsoft are looking forward to a time of increasing integration of different electronic devices within the home. Consoles are increasingly becoming conduits for Internet access, for playing music, and even for personal computing.

Sony could be using the PlayStation 3 to push the Blu-ray disc format. In the past, it has come up with the PSX, intended as a multi-purpose device, able to record and play videos as well as being a gaming console. Microsoft, for its part, is putting a lot of weight on the Xbox Live online service, which we can expect to see expanding massively over the coming years. The continuing delays in shipping Windows Vista - the next incarnation of Microsoft PC operating system - has dampened the impact of linking it with the Xbox. Once Vista is released, we could expect to see a stronger focus on linking the Xbox 360 to a PC running Vista.

In short, everything is becoming interconnected, and the exciting console leadership war is at the very center of this battle. Whoever can dominate this market will have the say over how the digital homes of the future are laid out - and will be able to profit massively as a result. The stakes are high in the rivalry between PlayStation and Xbox. It is just an exciting rivalry to keep watching over the years to come, for sure.

Nintendo Wii Remote Controller

Nintendo is setting out to make waves in the video gaming world with the addition of the Nintendo Wii into the family of consoles for the video game giant. Not just by putting a new name or updating the graphic capability is Nintendo looking to make a splash with the Wii, but by making a change in the way we play the games from top to bottom. You will have the chance to leave messages for family members on specific days or send text messages to friends’ right from the console, but that is not where the Wii hangs its hat. No, Nintendo is setting itself apart from the rest of the industry with the Wii’s new remote controller.

There is no shortage of video game veterans who remember the annoying, and nightmarish, recurring figure in the Nintendo original game “Duck Hunt” who would appear when you were struggling. That downright mean and vindictive dog would pop up and laugh when you continued to miss the birds that kept coming faster and faster as you continued to miss. It was the gun! The gun didn’t work and the aim was poor at best, you just knew it! If only Nintendo Wii was around at that time you would have been able to avoid that horrible dog, or at least wouldn’t have had to blame him for so much of your pain.

With the emergence of the Nintendo Wii the gaming world will get to experience a remote controller with motion detection technology that puts you right in the game. Think of it as the opportunity for you to finally become one of those funny looking figures in a Nintendo game, only without the annoying appearance of that dog. Seriously, what you need to know is that if the game calls for swinging, like a golf club, then you hold the controller in your hand and swing to hit the ball, then Nintendo takes over.

The controller sends a signal to the sensor bar that you put up in front of the television from up to 30 feet from the bar. Think of this fact if you are considering what the best gaming console may be for your child during this holiday season, with Nintendo Wii your child will actually get a little physical exercise while being able to play a game in the comfort of your living room. Don’t believe me? You try playing tennis on the Nintendo Wii, it is shockingly close to playing on a real court, and you just better have your powerful backhand ready to go!

With your controller you control your character’s movements along with the action that you are doing in the actual game. Whether you are skating, playing tennis, or swimming with Sponge Bob throughout Bikini Bottom, you will control every aspect of your player by moving just as he or she does in virtual gaming paradise!

Wii Wins

So, we got our grubby little hands on a Wii yesterday, and I have to admit that I'm very impressed.

Of course, I'm not impressed with the raw horsepower (as Microsoft and Sony soundly thrash the Wii in that department). Instead, I'm more impressed with the overall product: it's sleek, elegant, well presented, and a joy to behold.

Now, I'm not going to bore you with everything you've already read about the Wii (yes, the controller is cool, the console is really small, and there is a ton of potential to be exploited), but I will bore you with details -- details that give this console that little extra something the Xbox 360 and Playstation 3 just don't have.

• The blue light. Lots of people have talked about it, but you don't actually notice that darn thing. That's because it's always off, unless you insert or remove a disc. It's a very small, yet useful feature. Oh, and it makes friends go "ooh!"
• Rumble on menu items. It's such a small thing to add, since all menu items blow up and shine when your pointer is over them, but there's a small rumble that occurs when you mouse-over a menu item. When I first heard about this feature I scoffed at it, thinking it wasn't important, but now I realize that the feedback actually helps make navigation with the Wii remote easier than it already is.
• Everything is automatic. Some people have complained that you need to do some configuration with the Wii in order to use it properly. In my case, though, I didn't need to set anything up: I just plugged everything in, turned the system on, and started to play Zelda. "It just works" is a great motto.
• Small is the new black. When I saw images of the Wii sensor bar, I almost choked. The darn thing looked humongous in those images. But, now that I've actually held it in the hands, I realize that the sensor bar is a teeny-tiny little thing. In fact, it's smaller than the bezel on the 15 inch monitor I'm writing this article on. It's small enough that it will fit on top of any television set, even those nifty LCD and Plasma displays.
• This thing is beautiful. I'm serious; the Wii is really nice to look at. Sure, it doesn't have that "futuristic shine" but it doesn't need it. The Wii is small, white, and can fit anywhere in any entertainment setup.
• Weak rumble, strong fun. I never realized how much a strong rumble motor sucked until I played The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess, and then picked up my Xbox controller and played a game of Halo 2. The difference was staggering: after playing with the Wii's remote, I found myself having difficulty playing Halo 2, because of the strength of the motor in the Xbox controller. Quite honestly, calling the motor in the Wii remote "weak" isn't fair, instead it should be labeled "strong enough."
• The speaker in the remote. This isn't just a "oh, neat" kind of thing: the speaker in the Wii remote actually helps immerse you in the game you're playing. Sure, the sound quality isn't on par with your uber sound system, but it's "just enough" to make you think you're actually pulling that slingshot back, or reeling in that fish.
• It's quiet, too quiet. The Wii is a quiet thing. Next to the Playstation 3 or Xbox 360, it's downright mute. Yes, you may hear the drive spin when the game loads, but that's about the only thing that console ever makes its presence known.

Overall, the Wii has a lot of polish. OK, maybe the exterior isn't polished to a mirror finish, but the whole package is presented in such a fantastic way that you feel as if this is the Lexus of the game consoles. Sure, the Playstation 3 may be the Ferrari of this console generation, but it's just not as elegant of a ride as its luxury counterpart.

I tip my hat to you, Nintendo. Kudos. You've done extremely well.

Beware Wholesale Playstation 3 Price Scams

It is impossible to get a brand new and virtually not touched PlayStation 3 at a real wholesale price, despite what many scams would have you believe- if wholesale is to be consider 50-90% of the current retail value of the first 2 years of life of the item. If you try to get a PlayStation 3 in this way, the best scenario is that you will most likely get it slightly cheaper than the retail price, but with a lot more hassle and worry.

The worst case is that you might not get your PlayStation 3, and some unscrupulous crook will get your money the easy way. Beware of early sign of supposed wholesale for Playstation 3.

Why? The first answer is simple market economics. The reason wholesale prices get to be low is because of the cost of dealing with individual customers. Any company, which is selling to individuals, will have to encounter these higher costs, and so will not be able to offer wholesale prices in the most likely events. The why of that is simple? Yes indeed, the majority of the wholesalers and distributors play the game of bulk, and only a few get to do business in single these days. These are the facts, but such kind of distributors and wholesalers are still available.

The second reason is the shortage of units of the PlayStation 3. Sony manufacturing center in Japan and China have been unable to produce enough units to flood the market at launch. Anybody who does have access to a wholesale PlayStation 3 has a strong incentive to sell on to a retailer, who will be able to get a good price for them. Finally, Sony exerts control over the pricing of the PlayStation 3 in the US market, as things are slightly different in Japan, where retailers are allowed to set their own prices. They have the legal and economic power to ensure that the PlayStation 3 is sold only for the official prices - that is, $499 for the standard version, and $599 for the premium version.

So, what are all these outlets offering the PlayStation 3 at wholesale prices? Mostly, it is just a marketing gimmick. Some of them may really be wholesalers who are trying to break their agreement with Sony and sell the PlayStation 3 direct to customers. If that is the case, they are likely to be in legal trouble fairly soon, and they are not good people to be trusted with your money as you could also be in headaches as a buyer of such possible scam.

Where do you go if you cannot get the PlayStation 3 at wholesale prices? Look for hidden distributors like most eBay power sellers and online powerhouses do. People who devote their time to wholesale businesses spend countless hours searching for such hidden distributors and single unit sales with such sources. Their prices might seem a lot higher than those of the wholesalers, but in fact some will probably be offering bundles that give you good value for your money most of the time.

You will probably be looking to get extra games and controllers anyway, so why not let shops include them in the package for you? That is the way to get your PlayStation 3, not through the wholesale 50-80% discount scam. For people who breathe and live the wholesale tangible sell- at least for now, it would be impossible to find real wholesale Playstation 3 in brand new conditions and definitely in my 7 years of experience online and with my disclaimer point of view that is, importantly.

Nintendo Wii vs PlayStation 3 PS3

While both just released worldwide, there is already a great deal of discussion between those who side with Sony on the video game wars and those who side with Nintendo. These games have obviously not begun just yet, but you should be excited to learn just what is possible with both the PlayStation 3 and Nintendo Wii consoles.

While Nintendo has a great reputation and history in the video gaming industry, it has also taken criticism recently for falling behind in the video game arms race that calls for more power and realism. Sony has taken off in the video gaming world and the Nintendo Wii matches up with the PS3 just like this:

* With PlayStation 3, Sony is all set to introduce not only one of the biggest and best gaming consoles in the world today and possibly forever, but they are also releasing a system that demands a plethora of cash to possess. With the prices for the various PS3’s falling between $499 and $699 you are looking at the prospect of missing next month’s mortgage payment. However, Nintendo Wii has come right out of the box with guns a blazin’ to get into these wars with the nice price of $249. There is no alternative packages or upgrades, $249 is it!

* While both companies are certainly innovators in this respect, it remains to be seen if the Nintendo Wii or Sony PlayStation 3 has the best version of motion detection controllers. The Nintendo Wii does require a small sensor bar in front of your television before playing to help with the motion detection, while the PlayStation is ready to play without anything extra. This sounds like an easy choice, but once the controllers are even at purchased and signed on, the Nintendo Wii controller will outstretch the PlayStation 3 by just a tad in distance.

* Sony is obviously a maker of televisions, media players, television, and movies so it stands to reason that their major video gaming console is aimed at adults. Video games with the PlayStation 3 are of an adult nature with scantily clad women and people looking to shoot other people at any moment. However, the Nintendo Wii offers a more wholesome and family-friendly experience with their games. If Wii is right for your children, don’t bat an eye, they will love it!

*PlayStation 3 is set to offer an online community where gamers can compete against one another or download previous versions of PS1 and PS2 games. This is similar to Nintendo allowing Wii users to download old Nintendo games at their choosing.

If you are still unsure of which system that you should go with then you should visit your local electronics retailer and see if you can play a demo in the store. The comfort and ease of the system could help you make the right choice in regards to the purchase.

How to Set Up a Backgammon Board

A backgammon board game set up is a board that holds twenty-four points. These points are triangles that are on the board and are very important to the game. The game of backgammon is a race of two countries and the checkers are your armies. Each person has 15 checkers that move around a track that is divided into twenty-four daggerlike divisions known as points.

The backgammon board is divided down the center by a partition known as a bar. There is an outer and inner board or table. The inner board is also known as home. The side that is nearest to you is your outer and home tables and the farthest side away from you are your opponent's outer and home board. There is always an arrow that indicates in which direction to play.

If these points were numbered though you won't find it marked on the board. They are frequently referred to during play to describe a move or position. Your 4 points or eight points will always be on your side of the board while your opponent's O will always be on his side of the board.

If you move from your 9 points to your 5 points it will be four spaces, as the bar doesn't count as a space. A move from whites 12 point to your 12 points is one space although it crosses the board to yours. These two points are really next to each other so only it counts as one space.

When the board is set up for play each side has 5 men on his 6 point, three men on his 8 point, five men on his opponents 12 point, and two men known as runners on his opponent's 1 point. These runners will have to travel the full length of the track whereas the other men have shorter distances to go.

Are You Using The PSP Web Browser Capabilities

You will probably be using your Sony PlayStation Portable (PSP) to play all your beloved video games until you are blue in face or bleary in the eyes. It may be used as another avenue to see your favourite music videos. You may even be savvy enough to use it to watch that must see television series that you have recorded to watch during your busy schedule. However, after learning all that, have you also mastered the ability to surf the internet on your Playstation Portable? Did not think so, here is why you should start.

The PSP browser capabilities are not going to be nowhere near as powerful and simple to use as the browsers on your home PC, such as Explorer and Firefox. It will however have no problem in putting your cell phone browser to absolute shame. The PSP browser is truly intended to be a full feature application, meaning that is should show most web pages as they are intended to be seen on your PC, but depending on the coding of the website some may not translate as well and you may need to tinker with these sites.

For anyone that has wireless internet accessibility in their house, will most likely be using a wireless standard of 802.11b or 802.11g, the Sony Playstation Portable utilises the 802.11b to gain access. The console is already preconfigured for this type of use, so all you need to do is enter the network connections of your wireless router. Now you will need to understand the other issues that will get your PSP online.

You may be wondering how you actually use this tiny browser inside your Playstation Portable. Not everyone will understand the finer points of the PSP, so a little tutorial in understanding the internet browser capabilities may be useful. Grab your little piece of electronic heaven in your hands and follow along to learn how to get more from your PSP.

When your first turn on your Playstation Portable you should see a Network logo, in addition to the usual Game, Video, and Music and Photo options. After clicking on the Network option, the PSP automatically boots into the web browser.

The way to enter a website address into your Playstation Portables browser is rather similar to using the keypad on you cellular phone. For instance, the number 3 on your phone corresponds to the letters DEF while one button on your PSP grid will have DEF3. Continue to click until you move down the line of letters and reach the one that your want to use.

The Main buttons to use for navigating a web page are the D-pad and the Square button. The D-pad is used to hover over the page until you find the link your after and the Square button to scroll up and down the page. The Playstation Portable is actually user friendly in that it is not quick to scroll too far since that is a difficult thing to manage at times.

With an option to open up to three separate browser windows at any one time, which can be controlled using the tabs at the top of your browser that allows you to toggle back and forth, enhancing the ease of use of the PSP browser itself. This allow for an easy use of the browser to open different topics at once.

The amazing benefits that the browser and its WiFi capability adds to the Playstation Portable are for those that are looking for an all-in-one entertainment centre for road trips. With the excellent video gaming and viewing capabilities you can entertain yourself for only so long, but with the addition of the internet to log on to in a WiFi friendly hotel, your PSP will offer a totally different entertainment experience.

There are obviously small tricks of the trade that you can learn to make this process a lot quicker and more efficient, but these few tips will help you on your way to mastering your PSP web browser. Take advantage of every use that your PSP offers and use it to the fullest.

How to Play Backgammon

If your interest is leaning towards learning backgammon then you should look for step by step instructions of how to play backgammon to fully enjoy the game you are about to play. The playing of the game of backgammon is very simple and easy to learn but as you advance in your learning you will find that knowing some strategies of the game will come in handy to make you a winner even though your play depends on the roll of the dice. You can find these step by step instructions on the Internet and also strategies that can be used as you proceed with your understanding of the game.

In the game of backgammon the roll of the dice determines the moves. Players roll two dice and have to move the total of these two dice although two stones can be moved on the total. When you roll a double you can move four times that number not just two times. The object of the game is to move your stones to the inner table and then off the board completely hopefully before your opponent does. Each color will move all around the table until all the stones are at home and then you can remove them from the table.

The set up of the stones will show black with two white stones on the first points. The person with white will have two black stones on his/her side. Both of these stones are called runners. On black's side after the two white stones you will see five black stones on the sixth point, three black stones on the eight point and five black stones on the twelfth point. Your side of the board will be exactly the same as the blacks but you will have two black stones where your two white ones are.

Online Video and Computer Gaming as a Catalyst to Positive Social Function

With the advent of the cultural phenomenon known broadly as Online Gaming (encompassing both console and PC gaming), a gradual shift has taken place in the public perception of gaming, as well as it's social impact. Needless to say, with Gross Revenues exceeding Hollywood's Box Office income, video and computer games are here to stay.

Having been long reviled by teachers and sociologists as a negative influence, technology has caught up with human social needs. MMORPG's (Massively Multiplayer Online Role Playing Games) such as EverQuest, rather than dungeons of video game isolation, have become virtual Pubs, 'where everybody knows your username'. University of Wisconsin/Madison Speech Communication professor, Dmitri Williams, argues that online games are becoming a "third place", outside of home and work for informal socialization and the formation of "relationships of status and solidarity."

Over the last few years, Williams has published a number of studies that have challenged the common and mostly negative beliefs about game playing. "In other words," Williams said, "spending time in these social games helps people meet others not like them, even if it doesn't always lead to strong friendships. That kind of social horizon-broadening has been sorely lacking in American society for decades."

In 2003, the Media Analysis Labotatory of Simon Fraser University implemented an in-depth survey entitled, 'Online Gaming as Emergent Social Media'. Their findings support Williams' assertions. Gaming technologies have evolved to a point requiring players to cooperate with, and assist each other, for their own survival... a social component often missing in day to day existence, but very apparent to the ancestors who built the very concepts of our civilization.

The US Army is very familiar with the use of gaming to train the player in a mindset, that the team is more important than the individual. In fact, two commercially available video games, America's Army and Full Spectrum Warrior, were virtually produced by the Army, illustrating a culture shift in the Military Philosophy... veering away from the view of soldiers as cannon fodder, and reinforcing their current image branding of the Army as a high-tech, professional workplace.

This is demonstrated clearly by the mission objectives in Full Spectrum Warrior, where the player leads a team of soldiers into battle, and is responsible for their safety through leadership and intelligent tactical deployment. To underscore this responsibility, the loss of even one soldier, means: 'Game Over'.

Due to their interactive nature, Gaming as a tool of teaching, is being discovered by pioneers like Neuron Farm, a research based educational software company dedicated to the creation of quality Web-based applications to increase literacy.

From Galarneau and Zibit's excellent treatise:

Online Games for 21st Century Skills

"As foreseen by visionaries in the 20th century, mastery of the dynamic processes that underpin the acquisition and manipulation of knowledge is quickly becoming a critical capability in the 21st century. Our formal educational systems do not tend to facilitate the development of these capabilities, yet people of all ages are developing them via a variety of digitally-mediated mechanisms. Online games offer one area of exploration for spontaneously-occurring phenomena that represent the natural development of such literacy... Peering through the window of the present into the future, we present a view that envisioning change means taking a long look at what is working now, regardless of whether that activity is taking place in a formal setting or within entertainment-based worlds where the skills are mandatory to mastery, but learned incidentally through play."

"...a long look at what is working now."

For the author, that began the first time he saw a 50 yr old father and his teen-age son, grinning from ear to ear, and posing for photos with the Halo 2 tournament trophy they had won together as a team. Online gaming is here to stay.

Gregory Wolfe aka Reclaimer is a former State Department Protective Service Agent, Executive and VIP bodyguard.

Online Games the New Thing in Gaming

Over the couple years, we’ve been bumped with online games ads, emails and links. What happened with everybody, and why are people thrilled with online gaming?

Several types of online games are available for public; I will try below to describe a few of them. Online games are of 2 types: multiplayer online games, and single player online games. The first type is played on web servers, allowing people to interact with each other, and, on the other hand, single player online games are played alone, on games archives.

Multiplayer online games are:

• MMORPG: known as MMORPGs also, comes from massively multiplayer online role-playing games. Is one of the most common type of multiplayer online games.
• MMOFPS: comes from massively multiplayer online first person shooter.
• MMORTS : comes from massively multiplayer online real-time strategy.
• MMOTG: comes from massively multiplayer online tycoon games.
• MMOSG: comes from massively multiplayer online strategy games.
• MMMOG: comes from massively multiplayer mobile online games.

There are of course other types of multiplayer online games that are derived from the above ones.

The other category of online games are the single player ones. I said that they can be played on online arcades. Several types of single player online games exist, but of the most common type is the flash arcade.

On such a website you need only your browser to be able to play the games and of course, Macromedia Flash Player installed. Those games are categorized depending on type on action, arcade, sports, shooting, puzzle and casino. Each player is awarded with points, depending on number of games played. Top players are displayed on the main page. A nice source for free online games is MaxArcader.com, a flash games arcade with almost 1500 games.

Games To Encourage Thinking Skills

There is no doubt about it, using computer games is a great way to encourage children to expand their realm of thinking. Your options for entertaining your child may seem numbered. Many people allow their children to spend quite a bit of time in front of the television. But, what good does that do? If you want them to learn something while they are zoned out, you are completely lost. But, if you flip on the computer, download a great game, you may actually be able to encourage them to learn more and you will encourage good thinking skills as well.

Thinking is not something that everyone can do well. Now, we are referring here to the thought process that goes along with solving problems. For many children, this is something they struggle with. Mom or Dad always takes care of the problems. If something isn't right, just call mom or dad. Even on the television, that is full of real life and imaginary "problems" that need to be solved, there is no encouragement for children to come up with the solution. What happens then? They just sit and watch and let someone else handle the problem.

But, what happens when they are older or in a situation where they have to solve the problem at hand? Do they know how to analyze their thoughts, ideas, and to find the right solution? Many don't. But, if you would like your child to be the one who does know how to flip the switch on and solve the problem, consider allowing them to sit in front of the computer as opposed to the television.

Okay, so too much time in front of the computer isn't much better, but there are ways to you make what time you do allow them to sit at the computer to be good times. This is you simply need to maximize what they are doing. There are several good games out there that can be used to stimulate thinking in children. For many people, this is the perfect way to go to encourage children to learn how to solve problems without letting them in on it! Yes, because games are fun, the child will not fight you on playing them. Much unlike a lesson plan, this way seems to encourage children to come back to the game time and time again, therefore getting the experiences they need to learn a thing or two.

But, what are these games? What are the options that are out there for your child? There are many games, and although we will only talk about a few here, find ones that will work well with your child. What are his or her likes and dislikes? Sports? Television characters? Perhaps they enjoy space or under water adventures. Search out those games that will intrigue them as well as encourage them to think.

Some to consider include Big Thinkers Kindergarten and the series of Freddi Fish Adventures as well as many other games specifically for children. These are mainly for younger children, but you'll find many more for older children as well. In fact, consider giving your older kids more puzzle related games to help them along this course as well.

When you give your child the gift of being a problem solver, they will work through the situations that happen to them, big and small, without fear of not knowing how to handle them. They will be more likely to do well in the real world then. What's more is that you can feel good about all that time they spend in front of the tube (even though it's the computer not the television!)

A Parents Guide to Online Gaming Part 2

In part one we talked about online gaming and your children, including FPS games and exposure to violent content. We wrap up this series by talking about RTS games, MMORPGs and the additional threats of addiction and social predators.

RTS stands for Real Time Strategy. Strategy because these games generally take a much larger perspective, casting the player as a general or commander of an army or even the leader of a civilization rather than as a single person. Real Time because the action moves forward whether the player acts or not. The alternative to Real Time is turn-based strategy, where each player moves in turn, taking whatever time they need. Turn based games tend to have deeper strategic components and complex non-military progressions that make them less popular with children. RTS games are a relatively benign genre, as they abstract the violence and conflict out to at least the unit level, removing much of the graphic gore found in FPS games and reducing it to numbers and lost units. They also tend to have complicated decision structures, making playing them a good exercise in critical thinking. Those same quick, complex decisions make this type of game difficult to look away from, particularly if the player is competing online where there may not be a pause button. Due to the less graphic content, this type of game doesn't require as intense parental scrutiny as some others may, but it's a good idea at least to casually observe a game and possibly to learn what the loading screen looks like so you can tell when "Just a minute" means "I'm in the middle of something," and when it means "I just don't want to do whatever you want me to do."

MMORPG stands for Massively Multiplayer Online Role-Playing Game. They are descended from older, single player, RPGS. In this context, an RPG is a game that tells an evolving story using characters defined by various skills, attributes, and professions. The Massively Multiplayer part of the name comes from the fact that there can be upwards of several thousand players in a game world that may have surface area to rival small states. It is difficult to express how large and complicated these games can be. Accept that your children will talk about things you don't understand, often about equipment or items they've acquired or battles they've fought. Put on your best "That's nice dear" face and let it go. While it never hurts to try out the games your children play, you wont get nearly as much benefit from logging on to a MMORPG for a bit to see what its like, as they require a sizeable time investment to even get a feel for what's going on.

That time investment gives rise to one of the biggest problems with MMORPGs. A gaming writer once suggested that MMORPG should be pronounced Morgue, because once you go in, you never come out. If your children are starting to get heavily into this type of game, watch how they spend their time. The game will always present something new to do, some greater hill to climb, and it can be easy to get caught up. Talk with your kids, make sure they know the limits on how much of their time they can spend playing, and what they need to get done first. That said; understand that they are often going to be playing the game with other people, to whom they may have made some degree of commitment. Be flexible and use your judgment when deciding whether to let them keep playing. Generally, it's better not to let them start if you aren't sure then to try to get them to stop once they've begun. Lean toward get your homework done first over quit in time to get your homework done.

Playing a game with thousands of others will expose your children to a wide variety of people. Most of them will be harmless, some will be helpful and a few will likely come to be good friends. However, there are a select few with malicious intent, just as there are in any large group. The fear here is much like that felt in letting your children use chat rooms or instant messaging service. The good news is that the type of real social predator parents fear are far less likely to in a game world, because the game itself is much more complicated than simply logging on to a chat room. Make sure your kids know that the danger exists, that they shouldn't let anyone know anything more than generalities about whom they are outside the game, that there are bad people in the world. Ask them about their friends online, see what they know about them, watch for the same warning signs you would with any stranger that spends a lot of time with your kids. Again, most players are harmless or better, but you're far better off being informed and watchful than complacent and hopeful.

We've barely touched the surface of the possibilities of online gaming, but hopefully you are better informed about what your children may be doing. Gaming is as good as any hobby and better than many. It has a lot of positive developmental benefits, but as with any activity out of your control there are things to watch for. Make clear, knowledgeable decisions about what's right with your kids and stick to them. In the long run, they'll thank you for it.

Integrate Fun and Learning with Games

Children are always up for a good game. Well, who isn't? Pretend that you are back in school. For the rest of the class period you have two choices as to how you can spend your time. Option #1 is to struggle through endless arithmetic and English worksheets without any feedback except for a stamp that says "Great Job!" Option #2 is to work on the same arithmetic and English content, but on a computer. Yes, you can play a computer game to learn your numbers and verbs. Which option would you choose? Which option would children most likely choose? Option #2 of course!

Using computer software in education is not a new concept. Computer games have been used as a learning tool for the past two decades because they help students with basic skills, logic, problem solving, and various other academic skills. The Oregon Trail was a popular computer game in the 1980's. This game helped students to work on their planning and problem solving skills. If you have ever played that game you might have realized that it was difficult to complete the trail. Everyone in my wagon always died of Cholera.

Parents and educators that are unfamiliar with computer game technology may automatically dismiss the use of computer games for learning. They view computer games as nothing but "shoot 'em up" and mind numbing entertainment. As avid computer gamers we all know that they are way off base. Just think of all the problem solving, logic, and planning that goes into working on a team in a computer game, playing a puzzle, or figuring out a code.

There are computer games that are specifically based around educational learning standards. These games explicitly include counting, grammar, etc. They range from learning software that has a battery of tests to mimic standardized testing to fun, interactive learning games such as Caillou Magic Playhouse. This game allows a child to learn about numbers, patterns, spelling, phonics, and many other skills.

One advantage of using computer games in education is that the student is learning whether they realize it or not. Many children sigh when it is time to work on multiplication, but if you bring out a computer game - poof! They suddenly want to go through their multiplication tables. The computer game presents the same academic material, but makes it fun by integrating colorful animations and cool sounds. Plus, computer games allow for instant feedback and gratification. We have become a society that runs on instant gratification. A computer game can provide this feedback and it can also provide a means of competition. You will be stretched to find a student that wants to "beat" their worksheet, but a child who wants to beat a computer game? You will find them everywhere you look.

Computer games are advertised as forms of entertainment, which they most certainly are, but they are learning avenues as well. Gamers of all ages are learning every time they play a game. For example, there are games that work on your business skills. Games like Lemonade Tycoon and Mall Tycoon are prime examples. You are learning the skills to succeed in a business through simulation. Simulation is how many professionals acquire the skills for their occupation. Even though you are in a computerized environment, you can still come across many different business situations.

Computer software is here to stay. Email will one day override handwritten communication and perhaps games will take over traditional education. Granted games most likely will not take over traditional education, but they should become part of the educational experience. A child is learning while playing a computer game. Their memory and reaction time increases. They are sharpening various parts of their brain. The key is to play a mixture of games that range from pure entertainment to ones that are specifically designed for educational skill sets.

If your child or student is having trouble with math, English or any academic subject, set them up with a computer game. Their interest in learning will soar. Computer games can bring any student that is hesitant about school to learning whether they realize it or not. Computer games make learning fun.

A Parents Guide to Online Gaming Part 1

The internet touches every aspect of your children's lives. Where you might look up an unknown word in a dictionary, your kids are more likely to use dictionary.com. Where you use the telephone, they use instant messenger. An even greater difference can be found in how they play games. Where the games of their parent's generation may have involved a board, cards, or at their most sophisticated a console system, the games your children play on the net can be far more complex. They mine gold, spread empires, fight dragons and aliens alone or with tens, hundreds, even thousands of their fellow gamers. All of this makes for a confusing mish mash of names, places, jargon and lingo that can leave you with no idea what your kids are actually doing and a vague feeling of uneasiness that some part of it might not be good for them.

What's appropriate for your kids is a decision only you can make. How much violence they are exposed to, how much time they spend in front of a screen and how much contact they have with the faceless strangers so common to the net are all questions you must grapple with and, in the end, decide for your family. While we can't help you make these rough decisions, we can certainly help you get the information you need to understand your children's hobbies better, both to make informed judgments about what they should and should not be doing, and to help you reach into another part of their lives that may have previously seemed like something of a puzzle box.

The Easy Stuff

The simplest type of online game is the sort of Flash or Java driven game that you generally see running inside your web browser. This type of game tends to be relatively simple compared to the stand alone games discussed later. Common examples include Bejeweled, Zuma, and Diner Dash. These games are almost universally single player and have none of the sort of violent or mature content that keeps parents up at night. Were they movies, they would be G Rated, with perhaps the occasional game stretching to PG. If this is the type of game your kids are into then first, be relieved. Then, try the game out. Many of these games can be very enjoyable for even the most casual of players. Some, such as Bookworm, even have genuine educational content. These games can be as much an opportunity for bonding and learning as throwing around a baseball in the backyard, and have the added bonus of being much easier to get your kids to sit down with you and play.

FPSs: Finding Something to Shoot

FPS stands for First Person Shooter. They are First Person in the same since that a story might be. That is, the player sees the world through the eyes of a single character and interacts with the game environment as though he were that character. Shooter comes from the primary goal of most such games, the shooting of whatever happens to be the bad guy. FPS games are among some of the most popular online. Common examples include Doom, Battlefield:1942, and the X-Box game Halo. From a parental perspective, these games can be cause for concern. They vary widely in the amount of realism, degree of violence, language, and general attitude. The only way to get a good idea of the content issues is to watch the particular game. If your kids don't want you watching while they play, then fire up the game yourself sometime when they aren't around. There is a sizeable variation in how violent and how personal FPS content can be from game to game. The single player portion of Halo, for example, has players fighting against alien invaders with largely energy weapons and a minimum of realistic human suffering. In contrast, WWII themed games tend to go out of their way to show realistic violence. Given the subject matter, this is appropriate for the game, but may not be for your kids. Online play presents a potentially greater concern. The goal of online FPS games is almost always killing other players. While some games do have various modes where this is a secondary goal, all of them give the player a gun and encourage him to use it on characters representing other people. Simulated gore and the use of violence against others to achieve goals may be things you don't want your kids exposed to. Again, these are your decisions to make, but we encourage you to make them with as much information as possible. Talk to your kids. Find out what they think, in their words, is going on in the game. Make sure they see the line between what happens in the game and what happens in the real world, between what it's okay to simulate and what it's okay to do. The answers may surprise you. If your children understand the differences, see real violence as deplorable and simulated violence as part of the game then FPS games, even online ones, can be a perfectly healthy way to have fun and let off steam. In the end, it falls on you to make sure that what your child gets out of the game is good for him or her.

Next time, we'll talk about RTS and MMORPG, the two other common types of commercial online game and touch on the twin demons of addiction and predation.

The History of Mahjongg

During a recent visit to my parent's house I noticed a solid black briefcase on the kitchen table. I was curious as to what was inside. From it's size, I thought it might be a laptop computer. My mom opened the briefcase to reveal several colorful tiles and game pieces. She informed me that it was her Mahjongg tile set. She plays this ancient Chinese game weekly with her friends.

I am a big fan of playing Mahjongg on the computer. I wondered if there were differences in the rules of my mom's physical board game versus my computer game. There are many differences indeed, just as there are many versions of Mahjongg available. The board version is an intense game of strategy, logic, and planning. My mom plays with three other players and has to work with a partner. The computer version I play is basic in comparison as I just try to match tiles together to remove them from the Mahjongg tile pile.

What is the history of Mahjongg? Mahjongg is an ancient Chinese game that has a debatable origin. There are several theories as to who invented Mahjongg. Some believe that Mahjongg wasn't invented until the middle of the 19th century. Believers of this origin maintain that Mahjongg was based on current Chinese card and domino games.

Others believe that Confucius invented the game around 500 BC. Confucius was known as a great Chinese philosopher. The theory that he started Mahjongg is based upon observation that game piece tiles and popularity relate to his philosophies and travels.

Mahjongg made its way to the United States by the early 20th century. The game was translated into English. In 1937 the National Mah Jongg League was created. The rules of Mahjongg were reviewed and revamped.

Who plays Mahjongg? Mahjongg has had a variety of players. The game requires four players and takes a few hours to play. Therefore, it is an ideal game for parties or special occasions. Players in China have played Mahjongg to celebrate life events.

When Mahjongg became popular in the United States it was primarily played by the Jewish population. Mahjongg is now making its way across all backgrounds and age levels. The physical tile game is familiar to the older generation while the computerized version is bringing in the younger generation.

How do you play Mahjongg? Good question. The answer is that it depends. There are basic rules, but rules tend to vary based on the geographic region. The main goal of the game is to find matching tile suits and complete the 14 to 17 tile set. There are rule books that cover the Western version of the game.

The Mahjongg game that my mom plays is closer to the ancient Chinese version then the computerized version I play. She enjoys the complexity and strategy of Mahjongg as well as the benefit of playing with her good friends.

Mahjongg is an exciting game to try whether you want to play with friends or on your own. I find playing the computer versions both entertaining and relaxing. Many games websites, such as Grandmatrix.com, have several PC versions of Mahjongg available. The different versions are akin to the variety of Mahjongg history, rules, and players around the world. Start your exploration of the Mahjongg variations by searching GrandMatrix under the keyword 'Mahjongg' and you will be well on your way to fun!

Why We Play Games Part 1

There exists some ephemeral quality that separates gamers from the rest of humanity, some thing that makes us, us and them, not us. I've never been able to quite put my finger on it, but it is inescapably there. Today, in hopes of moving closer to that essential quality of gamerosity, we examine part of what makes us tick. In particular, we take a look at what draws different types of gamers to the hobby. Every gamer plays for different reasons, but there are common threads that tie the experience together.

Many gamers are motivated by the challenge a game can present. Success in a game may be governed by any of a wide variety of abilities. A First Person Shooter requires twitch reflexes, a steady hand and the ability to remain calm under pressure. A word puzzle game may require an extensive vocabulary and the ability to rethink the uses of old words, but no measure of speed. A sports simulation might well require an in-depth knowledge of the topic, in addition to arcade skill, but is unlikely to have terribly much concern for linguistic acumen.

The common thread is that all of the games challenge some subset of a player's abilities. This challenge can be a powerful motivator. The Challenge Motivated gamer is drawn to a game that tests their skills, preferably one that tests them to their limits. The gamer may also be motivated by the natural improvement that comes from working at peak. They are driven then, not only to excel, but to improve. Challenge Motivated Gamers thrive whenever a game pushes their skill set of choice, but may be disinterested in games that fall too far away from the target.

Competition is a close cousin of challenge. Many gamers are driven by the need to prove they are the best, to be pitted against their fellows and come out on top. Competition minded gamers range from those looking for a challenge in a fair fight to the sort of win-at-all cost leet speaking infants that give us all a bad name. Competition can be easy to take too far. There is nothing inherently wrong with being driven by competition. To some extent, competition is merely challenge taken to the extreme. It is only when it leads to mistreating your fellow player that it begins to become less a motivation and more an unfortunate personality quirk. Competition Motivated players thrive on those games where they are pitted against one another with the outcome dictated by skill at playing the game. They will often wane in those environments that either require cooperation, such as many MMORPGs, or in games where skill plays a much smaller role, such as in less sophisticated card or dice games.

Next week we will take a look at some other common gamer motivations, including Creativity, Escapism and Social Interaction.

Why We Play Games Part 2

In part one we started to get into the motivation of the gamer. We discussed challenge and its ugly stepsister competition, two of the most common motivators. Today, we look at two more on the way to forming an overall model for what moves us.

Perhaps less common than the first two motivators, creativity is nonetheless an important driving force in the gamer psyche. Though at first gaming doesn't seem like a particularly creative act, what with its formalized rules and structured systems, there is much more room for self expression than one might think. Some games play to this directly through unique presentations or artistic themes. Music games and many of the Sim titles are basically just expressive outlets that happen to be governed by a computerized system of rules. Other creatives find their outlet in multiplayer gaming. The modern MMORPG sports equipment and decorative combinations numbering well into the millions. The Creatively Motivated gamer takes pleasure in designing how their character looks as well as changing how they interact with their environment. Creatively Motivated gamers thrive when outlets are available. Anything involving a high degree of expression, decoration, or a large abstract component draws them. They wilt in gaming environments governed purely by numbers, and in those where presentation is extremely homogeneous.

Though we sometimes don't like to admit it, escapism is a motivation that lives in the heart of every gamer. By design, a game creates an inherently different world. Even games which have as one of their primary goals simulation of some aspect of the real world recast the player into some role they find more exciting than their own. Escaping into the role of adventurer, pilot, quarterback or even zookeeper provides motivation for nearly every gamer. Escapism Motivated gamers seek out games where the environment is rich, comprehensive, real. They thrive in worlds where suspension of disbelief is high, where they can lose themselves in the depth and complexity available to them. They gravitate toward role playing and simulation, environments where the world is rich and believable. They tend to avoid abstract games where the underlying reality is difficult to believe or understand. It is a strange sort of paradox that MMORPGS, with their incredibly deep histories and expansive worlds, are not as attractive to Escapism Motivated gamers as pure RPGs. This effect arises from the multiplayer aspect. Players talking in a public channel about out of game topics or, worse, about the mechanical and numerical aspects of the game world may well ruin the escapists experience and cause them to seek the company of non player characters or others who share their motivation.

Much has been made of the downside of escapism. A gamer who spends too much time in a world not their own can begin to lose touch. This sort of disassociation with reality can, and has, lead to all sorts of problems with work, school and personal relations. This does not mean, however, that escapism is itself an unhealthy thing. It is a basic part of the human experience. The reason we vacation, watch moves, enjoy sporting events or go camping is inherently escapist. As people, we are often unsatisfied with out lot in life. It's natural to seek out activities that allow us to experience something outside of our day to day. Gaming is no different. However, as gamers, we are an oft misunderstood community. We owe it to ourselves and to the world at large both to fight with information, by spreading the positive realities of gaming and gamer culture, and to fight internally against obsession. No matter how good a substitute for the real world a game may seem it is, in the end, only a pastime. Leave it once in a while.

In the final part of this series we get to Social Interaction. Then, we'll move on to some sort of unified theory about all this.