Archive for May, 2008
The Evolution of Online Multiplayer Games
Online multiplayer games are becoming more and more popular in recent years. It doesn’t matter what age group you belong to – players from all ages join these virtual worlds to have fun.
There are many popular games you can choose to join. Some of the more popular games include World of Warcraft, Starcraft, 2029 online, Everquest, and the more recent Evony.
Traditionally, players are required to buy the original CD. Each CD comes with an official activation key. In order to log on to the game servers to start playing, players have to enter the activation key to register an account. Without the official key, a player cannot log on to the game servers.
However, games have started to evolve with the growth of the Internet. Just a few short years ago, a CD is still required because there is no way for a player to download the resource intensive media files with limited bandwidth. As download speed has grown tremendously within a few short years, that need no longer exists. Players can now download huge installation files within minutes and install the games on their computers. They may then launch the game and start connecting to the game servers immediately.
Game developers have also discovered that they can now bypass the traditional distribution channels. In other words, they do not need brick and mortar stores to help them release a game. Everything can be done online.
Evony is a classic example. A player does not have to purchase anything from a retail store. The game acquires new players by advertising online through various advertising channels such as pay per click advertising. The game is free to join, and anyone can create an account and start playing within minutes.
The game continues to be free perpetually. Players are not required to make any purchase to continue playing the game. There is no trial period. So without any games to sell, how does the Company make money?
Evony makes money by selling virtual items to game players. If you are in a hurry to level up so that you can become more competitive in the game, you have to start making purchases. The moment your competitors become stronger, you have very little choice but to spend some money to strengthen your own economy. Otherwise, you’re just a sitting duck waiting to be demolished. You can choose to purchase special items such as weapons. You can also trade with other players and purchase entire accounts!
To a game player, whether it’s an account or a character, it takes time to level up. Level up may take weeks or months and hours and hours of game play. Some players are just too impatient to start from scratch. So they purchase characters or accounts from other players so that they can skip levels and proceed to the more challenging levels.
The better multiplayer gamers are often setup in such a way that the game play encourages players to form alliances. It is not uncommon to see a popular game having hundreds of private guilds. Some are so exclusive that they are by invitation only. Members of the guild help one another to overcome challenges in the game. The entire experience for such games are more fun, interactive, challenging, and enjoyable.
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Play Online Multiplayer Game and online puzzle games.
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Helpful Reviews on the Xbox Game System
The Microsoft Company has just created and released their new game console, which is the Xbox 360. This video game system provides a different entertainment experience to its users. It combines information, innovation, information and entertainment. They introduced the new and innovative video game system in North America, Japan, and Europe in 2006.
The new game console of the Microsoft Company altered the sound and appearance of the games.
It is because the designers in Japan and San Francisco are surrounded by console technology that are very powerful offering a more sophisticated and stylish exterior. The game worlds becomes more realistically alive with its wonderful details as well as the animated characters showing a wider range of emotions adding to the unique video gaming experience of the user. There are various features provided by the Xbox 360. It includes the 16:9, 1080i and 720p resolution, quality movie graphics, enclosed multi-channel sound, and smoother, wider format of the screen.
Fabulous games are offered in arrays by the Xbox 360 game console. The users have an option to access a compelled game-play, choose their opponents, and watch and enjoy videos, photographs, digital music, and other features that was never been experienced before. It illustrates the new gaming system that was created in today’s generation. The Xbox 360 games allow the user to experience and stream high-definition movies and television direct from the Windows Media Center Edition of their computer to their Xbox 360 game systems.
The users can personalize their gaming experiences as well as their systems. Take for instance; they can alter the appearance of their consoles by using interchangeable faces that are available in the market place. By turning on the system, the users can download the skins of the chosen character and additional levels through the live Xbox m
arketplace. There are different faces and skin to choose from that will fit their mood or personality.
The button on the Xbox Guide can allow the users to access Gamer Guide instantly. It is their instant gateway which immediately connects them to movies, music, games, friends, and other contents that are downloadable. The Light Button Ring as well as the Guide Button also connects the users to Xbox Live and digital media. This was considered to be the first global, unified, online game system service. The Guide button can also turn on or turn off the system without exiting.
If the users have broadband connections, then they can access the Live Silver of the Xbox letting them to construct gamer cards, gamer tags, and profiles. They can also talk to other gamers through voice chat, or have a free access of the Live Marketplace. The multiplayer gaming online can be available by upgrading to the Live Gold membership of Xbox.
There are a lot of posted reviews about the Xbox 360 done by experienced gamers. This is helpful if you are planning to purchase one for yourself.
- The physical weight of the Xbox 360 machine will be the first one that will catch your attention. Its designs are small but it weighs like a concrete block. Xbox 360 configuration and desktop systems shows immediate features. It implies that there are more great things that this machine will offer.
- Xbox 360 is considered as a simplified computer without messing on upgrades and patches. You can easily logon to Xbox 360 live and be informed about the things you need to upgrade. It provides easy navigation wherein you can jump in and out of the games easily.
- Loading times are really very impressive. The ace in the Microsoft’s deck is the Xbox live. It is free to use. However, upgrading to the Xbox gold compels a gamer to play online games as well to get a hold of some downloads. In addition, all game has its particular online modes giving different gaming experiences to the users.
- It provides points and ratings with your achievements.
These ratings can be improved by friends, visits, helps, messages, and others. They are after the involvement of the users in playing games to get such rewards. It is a great idea to create a game system which is not only after the money paid by the users or a mere product of modern obsession but also after the advantages offered to its users.
Xbox 360 is really a great system for home entertainment with a lot of things to offer to its users. So, why not try the excellent Xbox 360 and its new features.
About the Author
Learn more about Video game systems at Video Games.
http://www.dotvideogames.com/vg/
Gary Giardina
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Review: “Green Day” Game Is 21st Century Letdown
Who could possibly follow The Beatles? Well… nobody. The folks behind the “Rock Band” video game franchise set the bar so high last year with the highly acclaimed “The Beatles: Rock Band” that almost any follow-up attempt was sure to be a major disappointment. But Green Day was selected as second in line, as the California punk rockers stepped up to the challenge.
Xbox 360 – FREE Microsoft BING Avatar T-shirts MALE and FEMALE
Should You Buy a Nintendo Wii?
I’ve noticed a lot of people asking the question “Should I buy a Nintendo Wii game console?”. Since its release in November 2006, the wii has dominated the current generation console battle, with its combination of a cheap price point, unique control system, and family values. This isn’t to say that the Playstation 3 and Xbox 360 haven’t seen their own successes, but Nintendo seem to have hit a slightly different demographic of consumer, which has lead to an amazing uptake of their console. To determine which console is best for you, requires you to weigh up the current pros and cons of each platform, which hopefully this article will help you out with.
It’s easy to forget that the current generation of consoles has been around a few years now, and the original appeal of each platform has change over the years. Prices have changed, game catalogs have matured, and event he platforms themselves have seen further developments.
Price
Initially the Wii was the cheapest console of the current generation, but this has swapped around a bit recently. The chart below is ordered by UK recommended retail price price ascending, and includes all current versions of each console.
£129.99/$199.99 Xbox 360 Arcade (256MB)
£169.99/$299.99 Xbox 360 Premium (60GB)
£179.99/£249.99 Wii (512MB)
£229.99/$399.99 Xbox 360 Elite (120GB)
£299.99/$399.99 Playstation 3 (80GB)
£339.99/$499.99 Playstation 3 (160GB)
As you can see, the Xbox 360 Arcade is the cheapest game console available, and it undercuts the Wii by and an impressive £50/$50. The biggest downside of the Arcade model is the lack of substantial storage space, so for UK consumers the premium version is slightly more appealing with its 60GB hard drive, and price point which is £10 less than the Wii. You should note that these are only recommended retail prices, so you can most likely get them slightly cheaper if you hunt around various retailers.
The Wii has been in constant short supply since its release, so appears to hold its value significantly better that the other consoles, and is less susceptible to discounted prices. Also unlike the other consoles, the Wii has not seen a single official price reduction since its release, and is expected not to change until the supply finally exceeds demand.
Graphics
The Wii is often described as being based on the last generations hardware, with it having very similar performance to the Nintendo GameCube. Despite this, it’s proved a very easy platform to develop games for, and Nintendo themselves have shown that they can squeeze every last drop of graphics performance out of it, with titles such as Mario Galaxy, and Metroid Prime.
It’s very obvious that both the Xbox 360 and PS3 have graphics potential way beyond the Wii, and they have already produced some stunning looking games. There isn’t a lot between the two consoles themselves, with cross platform titles looking pretty similar on both bits of hardware. It will still be another year or so before we see the true potential of these consoles, but that’s something to look forward to.
It’s important to note that both the Xbox 360 and PS3 do 1080p hi-def output, which looks great on your massive TV. The wii unfortunately will only do a maximum of 480p, which can’t start looking pretty rubbish on bigger screens. There are many rumours that Nintendo will offer an upgraded version of the Wii at some point, which will correct this limitation.
Controls
As you may know, the Wii has got funky motion controls, which allow the console to detect how you are swinging the controller around, or if you are pointing it a specific direction. It’s certainly not just a gimmick, and can be very effective, although sometimes games do get it wrong. Luckily, the Wii controls are very good and standard style game play, so games designers are not being restricted by it. The controller consists of a remote (WiiMote) and an optional separate analogue stick (Nunchuck), which are connected together by a short cable. The controls themselves are wireless, and include a built in speaker and rumble effects.
The PS3 also boasts motion controls, but they’ve not been implemented as widely or successfully as the Wii Controllers. Both the Xbox 360 and PS3 have quite standard style controllers, and come in both wired and wireless form. All versions of the 360 controller have a rumble feature, and so does the latest version of the PS3 controller.
Games
Each console has it’s own set of exclusive titles which are only available on that specific system. Nintendo have been around a while now, and have some long running franchises such as Mario, Zelda, and Metroid. Sony and Microsoft also have some great exclusives, including Grand Turismo and Killzone for the PS3, and Halo and Gears of War for the 360. It’s important for you to identify any specific titles that you wish to play, and checkout which consoles they are available for.
Online Features
Each console supports a variety of online features, including online play, web browsing, and media downloads. Both the Wii and PS3 are free to play games online, while the 360 requires you pay for their subscription service. Many people consider the online features of the Xbox 360 superior to the PS3 and Wii, although all are quite adequate for online play.
Both the Wii and PS3 have web browsers so that you can access the internet, while the 360 lacks this feature for now.
Download-able content varies between consoles. The Wii allows you to download system updates, applications, retro and indie games. The 360 supports everything that the Wii does, but also includes game demos, and TV/Movie Downloads. Currently the PS3s features are very similar to 360, although movie downloads are only currently available in the US.
Hardware Features
Each console has additional hardware features that may influence your decision when purchasing. The Wii and PS3 come with wireless networking as standard, while the xBox 360 comes with an wired ethernet port, and the option to purchase a separate wireless adapter.
The Wii does not support any formats for playing movies. The PS3 supports Blu-ray and DVD playback, the xBox 360 supports DVD playback, and also the now fairly redundant HD-DVD format via an optional external drive.
The Wii is backwards compatible with most GameCube titles, and even supports GameCube control pads via four ports on the top of the console. Current UK versions of the PS3 only support original Playstation titles, and no longer support PS2 games. The xBox 360 will play a wide selection of original xBox games, but you will require a hard drive to play them.
I’m no audiophile, but it’s useful to note how the 3 consoles support surround sound. The Wii simulates it using Dolby Pro-Logic II through an analogue connection, while the 360 and PS3 both support 5.1 surround sound via digital optical connections. It’s important to note that it really comes down to the games, and how well they are designed to support multiple sounds channels.
Conclusion
There are obviously many factors to consider when buying any console, so it’s not always a straight forward decision. So should you buy a Nintendo Wii? Comparing price and features, you may find that the other consoles are more appealing, but if your interested in the motion control, or Nintendo’s exclusive titles, then the Wii may be for you.
About the Author
Hugh Gallagher is a techie and avid gamer who writes for the Nintendo Wii Game Console Blog.
Sony Motion Controller E3 Tech Demo
E3 2010′s Most Popular Rumors — Will They Happen?
It’s that time of year again. E3 2010 is less than a week away, and we can expect to once again see tons of new announcements and surprises. Of course, some will be more surprising than others, as E3 reveals have a nasty habit of leaking out early in the form of rumors. Not all E3 rumors come true, though — some are elaborate hoaxes, misunderstandings, or otherwise. Below we’ve listed this year …
How to get one month free Xbox Live Membership.