Thursday, February 1, 2007

The Modern MMORPG

The massively multiplayer online genre is relatively new. Games such as World of Warcraft offer things that players could previously only dream of. The game's scope, complexity, and variety of options dwarf everything that has come before. The monthly fee based structure gives companies the financial base to continue development, expanding existing games with more content, higher levels, and added complexity. Keeping these games fresh is the greatest challenge faced by mmorpg designers.

When a new mmorpg comes out, the sheer volume of content in front of a player can seem overwhelming. Time invested leads to incremental gains in resources, represented generally by improvements in various abilities and the quality of available gear. Players will progress through content at varying rates, depending on how much time they spend and what parts of the game they enjoy. Eventually, generally after several months of play, a significant portion of the player base will begin to exhaust the content of a game. This often coincides with the release of newer games that compete for player's attention. Given that most players can only find the time and/or money to support one mmorpg habit, this can lead to attrition of your highest involvement players. It is somewhat of a contradiction that the intensity with which a player approaches a game also determines how quickly he will exhaust available content.

We pause here a moment to discuss the fallacy of the "casual" player. Much is made of this type on various message boards, particularly how they are underserved by the designers of one mmorpg or another in favor of "hardcore" players. The reality is, as always, much more complex. First, there are not two separate but equal camps of gamer. Like any social phenomenon intensity of play exists on a continuum. One player may log on for a few hours one night a week while another does little else. The majority of players, however, are somewhere in between. Think of a bell curve (perhaps one slanted somewhat toward the plays too much end, but that's a topic for another week.) Secondly, even if there were a large audience of casual players at the extreme low end of the continuum they wouldn't need additional content. By their very definition, they can never hope to move through a game with the scope of any modern mmorpg at its inception, much less move on to additional areas afterward. Development, then, is rightly focused on providing content to those players who are most, if not all, of the way done with everything previously released.

The basis for competition between mmorpgs is both feature based and experiential. Every mmorpg has a customer base they wish to keep. They would also like to acquire some number of customers from other mmorpgs as well as a share of new customers. Competition for new customers is basically like normal game competition. Gamers compare games based on graphical and audio features, playability, and thematic considerations. Competing with other games for your own customers, however, is markedly different. A player likely has a large amount of time and money invested in their game of choice and may have built up a significant social base within the game world. This represents a significant competitive advantage, almost to the degree that the features of other games don't matter as much as satisfaction with the current game. If players can be convinced that there will continue to be new interesting things to do, particularly things that are meaningfully different from previous content, then they will stay simply because of the cost of switching.

http://add-articles.com/Article/The-Modern-MMORPG/3620

The X Box 360 Gaming Revolution

The Xbox 360 is one of the most important products for Microsoft this year and it has your living room squarely in its sights. It has even been described as the second coming of Sega's Dreamcast! This new Xbox is smaller than the original and its wireless features, along with its stylishly concave shape, make it fit nicely into the living room, a very welcome change from the standard X Box. In fact, it’s about 20% smaller than the original and the console can either rest on its end or on its side. The sides are “sucked in” and the power button is oversized and surrounded by a ring of glowing green light. Finally, the color of the console is a soft white, compared to the harsh black color of the original that really made it stand out.

As far as the technology the X Box incorporates, all of its hardware is custom-made from the ground up. It also features a custom graphics chip designed by NVIDIA, which is not entirely dissimilar to the GeForce 3. This graphics chip is the most powerful of any other game console. As you may know, graphics-intense applications such as video games are in fact mathematically-intense applications so the graphics chip of a game console can perform is of crucial importance to the gaming performance it can deliver. In fact, the whole purpose of graphics chips is to aid in the mathematical computations so if for example a circle needs to be drawn, the processor passes the circle’s center and radius to the graphics chip and the graphics chip does all the computations, rather than have the processor create the circle’s surface pixel by pixel. What the X Box does is delivering PC-level processing power to your living room. Far more than a game console, the X Box 360 is in fact, a total media center.

So how exactly is that PC-level power integrated in what looks like a game console? Well, first of all, it uses MTEC technology to liquid cool the hardware, so as to avoid noisy fans. CoolIT, the vendor of X Box 360 cooling system claims it’s a unique solution that gives more stable performance and better temperatures. The X Box also has a built-in hard drive used to save games and download goodies off of Xbox Live. As you might have guessed, it also features an Ethernet connection port which gives it built-in broadband capability. It also supports wireless connectivity for up to 4 different controllers. The controllers can actually act as full remote controls and turn the X Box on and off. Apart from that, the device also has three USB ports and three memory slots, with memory units starting at 64MB.

As far as what games you can play on the X Box 360, Electronic Arts announced the largest commitment in its history to Xbox 360. Other key industry publishers announced that there are more than 160 X Box 360 games already in development! These new X Box 360 games, Microsoft says, will be making better use of the X Box 360’s advanced video and audio capabilities. It also seems that while PS3 games will be at around $80, X Box 360 games are at around $50! Currently, most X Box 360 games are ports from the standard xbox and don’t fully utilize the console’s advanced capabilities. Even the first crop of X Box 360 games is expected not to take full advantage of some of X Box 360’s features.

http://add-articles.com/Article/The-X-Box-360-Gaming-Revolution/3475

Mass Casters With Flying Planes

In Warcraft, one of the best strategies for humans are mass caster. Combined with blizzard, stormbolt and thunder clap it can annihilate virtually all opposition.

Against ghoul, I sort of like storm bolt though. Storm bolt kills the enemy one at a time. Combined with bash, you can keep a metamorph demon hunter dizzy for the whole battle.

However, this strategy has one weakness. What about if enemies use a lot of air unit?

Mountain king is always my last hero. Meanwhile, I always sacrifice a peasant or two to check out what enemies are building. If enemies are building a lot air units, it's time to beef up your troops with flying machine.

Combination of flying machines, which is an anti air counter, with mass casters are awesome.

The sorceres can slow or even polymorph many expensive unit. while your flying machines attack the annoying hypogrhyp raider.

Can this be countered? One guy beat me up with a lot of hypogrhyp riders and chimera. That's the only way I know how to beat it.

I can combine this strategy with double expansion strategy. However, I find it more useful not to build expansion.

So, quickly build altar, farm, and make peasants untill your food is 18. Build lumber mill and tower.

Then upgrade your town hall. Harass enemies if necessary. You can use water elemental or blizzard.

If there fountain of manna you can use both blizzard and water elemental.

Then build priests, sorceres, and paladin. Quickly upgrade your town hall to castle.

Scout with your peasants. Check out his enemies. If it's ground unit, keep pumping out casters. If it's flying, then quickly build blacksmith and 2-3 workshops.

http://add-articles.com/Article/Mass-Casters-With-Flying-Planes/1510

Wednesday, January 31, 2007

Do Not Buy A Wii PS3 Or Xbox 360 Until You Read This Article

It has been a crazy holiday season once again. Three mainstream gaming systems have hit the stands and are flying off the shelves at amazing speeds. Of course I'm talking about the Playstation 3, Xbox 360, and the Nintendo Wii. All 3 are great consoles and have great potential, but one definitely stands above the rest.

Let's take a closer look at the three systems.

The Playstation 3 offers the best graphics of the 3 consoles hands down. The technology enlisted to create this machine is nothing short of extra ordinary. The Ps3 uses a Cell Broadband Engine to deliver the most amazing graphics I have ever seen in a video game console. Also it's Blue-Ray-DVD is the latest generation of DVD readers that boasts the highest resolution of any DVD format on the market. The HDMI (High-Definition Multimedia Interface) allows you to enjoy the highest performance in HD on either an HD TV or conventional TVs. You also have the choice of on board hard drive, either 20GB or 60GB for ease of storing information for fast and easy access. In addition the PSP can be plugged into the PS3 to exchange movies, photos, or music. The PS3 will also run all PS1, PS2, CDs, and DVDs. For graphics this is the best system available.

The Xbox 360 is another great system. The technology in the Xbox 360 is much like a computer, Surprise! Built by Microsoft it's easy to understand that Xbox 360 is largely built toward those that game online. The core of the system boasts a 512 MB shared system/video RAM, a custom, symmetrical, three-core CPU with each core running at 3.2Ghz; and a custom-built ATI Graphics processor with unified shader technology. Also a 20 gig hard drive (not in the core pack) to save your games, You can also download previous Xbox titles straight from the internet. Throw in wireless controllers, headset, and Ethernet capability and your all set for some serious online gaming. This is a great system all in all, the best online support, Xbox live (Xbox' online community) and the best computer support makes the Xbox 360 a force to be reckoned with.

Finally the Nintendo Wii. Nintendo has done it again. Nintendo has long been known for changing the gaming world. With the new controller system for the Wii, Nintendo is dominating the market once again. Nintendo has used an infrared system to make the user interface wireless. You have to move your hands to swing your sword in Zelda, swing both hands to box, and make a bowling motion to bowl in the Wii Sports game. This is an amazing interface. While playing with my kids a couple nights ago, I actually started to break a sweat playing tennis. In a world where video games have made us lazy Nintendo has really made it fun to get a little workout after work or school. This game console actually pulls you into the game, making you the hero or athlete you have always wanted to be. The console sits next to the TV, not floating around the floor to get kicked or stepped on. The sensor bar lives on top of the TV and picks up your movements and displays the result of your physical actions on the screen. The Nintendo Wii is simply an amazing system. The graphics so far aren't jaw dropping, but the user interface more than makes up for it.

To sum it all up:

We loved all 3 systems. The Playstation was a little more expensive than we liked and the lack of games currently available made the PS3 our least favorite, although it's an amazing system. The Xbox was also a great system, but we didn't feel like anything too new was introduced with the Xbox 360, seemed more just a newer model of the Xbox. Better graphics and great internet abilities, but not #1 this year. For our money the Nintendo Wii took the trophy. With a small price tag, and the best user interface innovation we have ever seen the Wii is the one to own.

http://add-articles.com/Article/Do-Not-Buy-A-Wii--PS3--Or-Xbox-360-Until-You-Read-This-Article/70421

God of War 2

God of War II is a sequel of the revolutionary God of War game, developed by the SCEA (Sony Computer Entertainment America Inc.) team. The game will be available for Sony Playstation 2 and Playstation 3.

In this sequel the bad man Kratos will be back, and will be fighting with beasts like three-headed dog cerebus, one-eyed giant cyclops and the flying gryphon. Kratos will also be seen riding on the eagle griffon. The God of war II is set in Greece & has better looks and appeal than its predecessor. The game will be easily accessible to anyone who has played the original game, as the sequel many of the gameplay qualities of the original game.

The gameplay will take the same approach as the game's story and build off of the original-game's mechanics by including new ways to murder your foes, as well as all-new mechanics such as the flying levels seen in the trailers all over the Internet. In building the sequel, the team is aiming to avoid the duplicacy by making the game a proper follow-up to the original God of War, and the story picks up where the original left off. Kratos, a newly minted god, will be dealing with his new stature in life and the headaches that come with it. Unlike any winner, the life of a new god, especially one in the Greek pantheon, isn't a whirlwind of photo opportunities and public appearances. As anyone who has read Greek mythology can tell you, a god's life on Olympus is where everyone is trying to figure out how to jack everyone around them. Though this way of life doesn't do much to help Kratos find the peace that's evaded him in his life, it does make for a nice game premise. While the entire story hasn't been revealed yet, what has been revealed so far is that Kratos finds himself on a quest to change his destiny, which will send him on a spree across land, sea, and air. And based on the trailer that's been released, it will involve a whole lot of killing.

Fans of Kratos all over the world are desperately waiting for the sequel to God of War. The PS2 game is lined for release in the market between February-March 2007.

http://add-articles.com/Article/God-of-War-2/70493

Why do we Gamble

Why do People Gamble?

Gambling is a past-time activity enjoyed by many people. Some play at home with friends and family on special occasions like New Year's Eve and Christmas. Others play for leisure and profit at clubs, casinos and other licensed establishments.

Gambling games vary. At home, people usually play poker, blackjack and other games that involve the use of cards. At casinos, the games on offer will usually include blackjack, roulette, poker, craps, casino war and baccarat. Clubs will generally offer slots and video poker machines.

Peoples' playing habits vary, from those that play on the rare occasion, to those that play every now and then at clubs where they might go to dine or drink with friends. Some people enjoy visiting their local casino on a regular basis.

What draws people to gambling?
For some, gambling is a pleasurable way to pass time and forget about life's pressures and problems. Such people will simply try to play their worries away. Some people are compelled by the thrill of winning and imagine they will win big one day. The risk and potential win can create an adrenalin rush, which keeps them engaged.

To conclude: gambling is a common past time enjoyed by a wide variety of people. It's played in a variety of settings, on a variety of occasions and for a variety of different reasons.

http://add-articles.com/Article/Why-do-we-Gamble-/72377

Online games the miracle of Internet

We all recognize the advantages brought by the Internet. They are almost endless, as the Internet is one of the easiest ways to connect worldwide and play online games. Today, we can find a variety of games online and even join a gaming community, to be a faithful member.

Every year, the online gaming industry is gaining more and more popularity. It has managed to gather players from all the corners of the world as players started to use the World Wide Web as a mean of entertainment.

The first online games appeared in the 1980 and it has traveled a long way since then. Today, the Internet technology has helped to creating amazing and fun games to play, depending on ones preferences. Inventing good online games is a complex process and there is a whole team working behind the creative procedures.

Nowadays, the industry of online games ranges from small games for kids and not only, to complicated strategy games with multi-player options and various levels to go through. As the Internet upgraded its functions, people started to play online games with the help of web artwork such as Flash or Java.

There are various websites offering a wide variety of Java or Flash games. The possibility to play such games online only added up to the popularity of the World Wide Web. It attracted a lot of players and up to this day the Internet revolution when it comes to playing games online still continues.

When one decides to play online games, he/she must find a good, reputable website and check if the source if trustworthy. Otherwise, his/her computer might be infected and cause severe troubles. This is not the case with most of the Java games. The majority of them are played online without having to download and worry for viruses.

The opportunity of playing games online is probably one of the best ways to spend ones spare time and even relax during the work brakes. On the other hand, for some players these games represent no longer a hobby and they pass an incredible amount of time in front of the computer. It is very important to know the limits between passion and addiction.

The gaming industry is taking full advantage of the expansion of the Internet. Without having to put in huge efforts, it has managed to transform in a profitable business as all you require to play is a fairly good PC and a high-speed connection.

The excitement brought by the multitude of online flash games is big. Among the latest technologies used by the Internet, flash has managed to become one of the most popular and help to developing high-quality, fun games to play. Aside from having fun, these games are ideal for increasing ones mental strength.

By choosing a online game portal, you can play lots of games for free. They are available at any moment of the day and they have amazing graphics. You can find games that will help you child learn some basic skills and also more complicated types for adults.

We cannot deny that the Internet has bestowed a lot of gifts upon us. We can use various applications and listen to music, watch the latest films and play the most popular games. By entering online, you can find such a wide range of games that you will be astonished. It all depends on your desire to take advantage from an attractive web experience.

http://add-articles.com/Article/Online-games---the-miracle-of-Internet/72474