Can you believe that it's already been a whole entire year since the Nintendo Wii was released? In fact, at the time of this writing, it has now been officially more than one year! Feels like just yesterday, doesn't it? Although the Wii has been out for more than a year, it doesn't officially make it the oldest "next-gen" system. That spot actually belongs to the Xbox 360, which in comparison, is over two years old. The incredible thing about the Nintendo console is it's undeniable success, and how fast it's achieved it. To give you an idea of the measure of it's success, although the Xbox 360 was released one year before the Wii, the Wii had officially passed it's sales this year!
The success that this system has seen up to this point, has been completely unprecedented. Even after more than a year, you would still have trouble finding this console in the stores - After a whole year! As soon as the system is put on store-shelves, there's someone there to snatch it right up! Because of the hectic demand for the console, it may not seem to practical too purchase the system in person, unless of course you don't mind playing the potential "chase and catch" game. If you do though, then shopping online for the popular video game system may be your best bet of grabbing it. So, over the course of the year, the Wii has been in high-demand, and there are no signs of it slowing down. Although this may not be great news for consumers that are looking to purchase the system, it most certainly is great news for the consoles manufacturer, Nintendo.
Until recently, video games in general have been geared more towards the "hardcore gamer", leaving little room for those casual games that might entice people with less interest in video games to give it a try. The great thing about the system though, is that it essentially bridges that gap. It brings together both hardcore and casual gamers alike. Wii sports, a game packaged with the Nintendo console, has you swinging your arms, and moving your body. Instead of using complicated button combinations to play a game of tennis for example, with the Wii, all that is required of you is the motion or swing of the controller, making it easy for people of all ages to enjoy.
Just because the Wii may seem to be simple in controls doesn't mean that you can't play games that are more complicated. The console provides titles for both the hardcore and casual gamers. Those that have played games for several years will quickly warm up to titles like Super Mario Galaxy, The Legend Of Zelda, Red Steel, Call Of Duty, and the list goes on. Just the opposite, those that are new to the gaming scene will find fun in games like Wii Sports, Wii play, Big Brain Academy, Wii Fit, and the list goes on and on. Looking at the systems software library, it's not hard to notice the diversity of games, thus making it easier for consumers of all ages to find what they like.
The reason for Wii's massive success is because it has managed to reach audiences beyond those that have normally been playing games. It has simplified controls, yet at the same time is using cutting-edge technology. The software available has expanded beyond titles that are available for the hardcore gamers only. It has games that can be played online at no additional cost. Most importantly though, it's user-friendly. It's these combinations, and more, that have made the Wii the must-have video game system for more than a year.
Showing posts with label videogames. Show all posts
Showing posts with label videogames. Show all posts
Wednesday, September 28, 2011
Tuesday, September 27, 2011
Nintendo Wii - All The News About It
The new Wii is the fifth home video game console from Nintendo. This gaming device is the direct successor to the Nintendo GameCube and targets a broader demographic than that of the Xbox 360 by Microsoft and PlayStation3 by Sony. The game console comes with the distinguishing feature of a wireless controller, the Wii Remote, which can be used as a handheld pointing device and is able to detect acceleration in three dimensions. Another feature is the WiiConnect24, which enables it to receive messages and updates over the Internet in a standby mode.
Nintendo first announced the entry of the Wii console at the 2004 E3 press conference the system and later unveiled it in the 2005 E3. The console was known by the code name of "Revolution" until April 27, 2006. But later, it was changed to the Wii. It was the first home console Nintendo had marketed outside of Japan. Nintendo announced the launching of the console on September 14, 2006. The company announced that the majority of the 2006 shipments would be allotted to the Americas, while the 33 titles would be available in the 2006 launch window. Nintendo also announced the release of the console in South Korea by the beginning of 2008.
Since its launch, Nintendo Wii recorded a high rise in the monthly sale of the console beating its competitors across the globe. According to the NPD Group, the Nintendo Wii sold more units in North America than the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 combined in the first half of 2007, which was a record in gaming console history. Nintendo also enjoys a large market share in the Japanese market, where it currently leads in total sales, having outsold both consoles by factors of 2:1 to 6:1 nearly every week from its launch until November 2007. The sale of the Nintendo Wii in Australia also created history by overtaking its competitors.
Nintendo first announced the entry of the Wii console at the 2004 E3 press conference the system and later unveiled it in the 2005 E3. The console was known by the code name of "Revolution" until April 27, 2006. But later, it was changed to the Wii. It was the first home console Nintendo had marketed outside of Japan. Nintendo announced the launching of the console on September 14, 2006. The company announced that the majority of the 2006 shipments would be allotted to the Americas, while the 33 titles would be available in the 2006 launch window. Nintendo also announced the release of the console in South Korea by the beginning of 2008.
Since its launch, Nintendo Wii recorded a high rise in the monthly sale of the console beating its competitors across the globe. According to the NPD Group, the Nintendo Wii sold more units in North America than the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 combined in the first half of 2007, which was a record in gaming console history. Nintendo also enjoys a large market share in the Japanese market, where it currently leads in total sales, having outsold both consoles by factors of 2:1 to 6:1 nearly every week from its launch until November 2007. The sale of the Nintendo Wii in Australia also created history by overtaking its competitors.
Monday, September 5, 2011
Mobile Gaming Explained
If you're not familiar with mobile games, you will be soon because this is the next big area of growth expected in the billion dollar gaming market. A mobile game is a computer software game played on a mobile phone. Mobile games are usually downloaded via the mobile operator's network, but in some cases games are also loaded into the mobile handsets when purchased, or via infrared connection, Bluetooth or memory card. Mobile games are developed using technologies such as DoCoMo's DoJa, Sun's J2ME, Qualcomm's BREW (Binary Runtime for Wireless) or Infusio's ExEn (Execution Environment). Other platforms are also available, but not as common.
The different platforms
BREW is the more powerful technology, giving, as it does, complete control of the handset and complete access to its functionality. However this unchecked power could be dangerous, and for this reason BREW development process is tailored mainly towards recognised software vendors. While the BREW SDK (Software Development Kit) is freely available, running software on real mobile hardware (as opposed to the provided emulator) requires a digital signature which can only be generated with tools issued by a handful of parties, namely mobile content providers and Qualcomm themselves. Even then, the game will only work on test enabled devices. To be downloadable on regular phones the software must be checked, tested and given approval by Qualcomm via their TRUE BREW Testing programme.
Java (aka "J2ME" / "Java ME" / "Java 2 Micro Edition") runs atop a Virtual Machine (called the KVM) which allows reasonable, but not complete, access to the functionality of the underlying phone. This extra layer of software provides a solid barrier of protection which seeks to limit damage from erroneous or malicious software. It also allows Java software to move freely between different types of phone (and other mobile device) containing radically different electronic components, without modification. The price that is paid is a modest decrease in the potential speed of the game and the inability to utilise the entire functionality of a phone (as Java software can only do what this middle-man layer supports.)
Because of this extra security and compatibility, it is usually a quite simple process to write and distribute Java mobile applications, including games, to a wide range of phones. Usually all that is needed is a freely available Java Development Kit for creating Java software itself, the accompanying Java ME tools (known as the Java Wireless Toolkit) for packaging and testing mobile software, and space on a web server (web site) to host the resulting application once it is ready for public release.
Current limitations of mobile games
Mobile games tend to be small in scope and often rely on good gameplay over flashy graphics, due to the lack of processing power of the client devices. One major problem for developers and publishers of mobile games is describing a game in such detail that it gives the customer enough information to make a purchasing decision. Currently, mobile games are sold through network carriers and operators portals, meaning there are only a few lines of text and perhaps a screenshot of the game to entice the customer. There is a reliance on powerful brands and licences such as Tomb Raider or Colin McRae, a racing game. There is also the use of well-known and established play patterns, meaning game play mechanics that are instantly recognizable in games like Tetris, Space Invaders or Poker. Both these strategies are used to entice mobile gamers to purchase games for a fee when a limited amount of additonal information is provided by the wireless carrier, who typically acts as a third party hosting the game.
Recent innovations in mobile games include Singleplayer, Multiplayer and 3D graphics. Virtual love games belong to both of singleplayer and multiplayer games. Multiplayer games are quickly finding an audience, as players find the ability to play against other people, a natural extension of their mobile phone’s connectivity.
The different platforms
BREW is the more powerful technology, giving, as it does, complete control of the handset and complete access to its functionality. However this unchecked power could be dangerous, and for this reason BREW development process is tailored mainly towards recognised software vendors. While the BREW SDK (Software Development Kit) is freely available, running software on real mobile hardware (as opposed to the provided emulator) requires a digital signature which can only be generated with tools issued by a handful of parties, namely mobile content providers and Qualcomm themselves. Even then, the game will only work on test enabled devices. To be downloadable on regular phones the software must be checked, tested and given approval by Qualcomm via their TRUE BREW Testing programme.
Java (aka "J2ME" / "Java ME" / "Java 2 Micro Edition") runs atop a Virtual Machine (called the KVM) which allows reasonable, but not complete, access to the functionality of the underlying phone. This extra layer of software provides a solid barrier of protection which seeks to limit damage from erroneous or malicious software. It also allows Java software to move freely between different types of phone (and other mobile device) containing radically different electronic components, without modification. The price that is paid is a modest decrease in the potential speed of the game and the inability to utilise the entire functionality of a phone (as Java software can only do what this middle-man layer supports.)
Because of this extra security and compatibility, it is usually a quite simple process to write and distribute Java mobile applications, including games, to a wide range of phones. Usually all that is needed is a freely available Java Development Kit for creating Java software itself, the accompanying Java ME tools (known as the Java Wireless Toolkit) for packaging and testing mobile software, and space on a web server (web site) to host the resulting application once it is ready for public release.
Current limitations of mobile games
Mobile games tend to be small in scope and often rely on good gameplay over flashy graphics, due to the lack of processing power of the client devices. One major problem for developers and publishers of mobile games is describing a game in such detail that it gives the customer enough information to make a purchasing decision. Currently, mobile games are sold through network carriers and operators portals, meaning there are only a few lines of text and perhaps a screenshot of the game to entice the customer. There is a reliance on powerful brands and licences such as Tomb Raider or Colin McRae, a racing game. There is also the use of well-known and established play patterns, meaning game play mechanics that are instantly recognizable in games like Tetris, Space Invaders or Poker. Both these strategies are used to entice mobile gamers to purchase games for a fee when a limited amount of additonal information is provided by the wireless carrier, who typically acts as a third party hosting the game.
Recent innovations in mobile games include Singleplayer, Multiplayer and 3D graphics. Virtual love games belong to both of singleplayer and multiplayer games. Multiplayer games are quickly finding an audience, as players find the ability to play against other people, a natural extension of their mobile phone’s connectivity.
Saturday, May 7, 2011
How The Games Of Today Give Us A Glimpse Of Future Gaming Technology
I think games in the future will be even more realistic then the games we already have with our Xbox 360s and Play Station 3s. Microsoft and Sony will more than likely come out with something even more insane like a virtual game or something and that would be the game of the century. To have a virtual game that you put on but still used an Xbox or Play Station and you played shooting games like you play online today. I think that would be the best game to come out ever.
If you just thought about what we have now and just think about we will have in the future you should be amazed because with graphics and games getting so much more finer in quality and look it going to be a good future.
Just like I said about the virtual game thing you could have that same idea but have just sunglasses to put on and you see everything through the lenses. That would be a lightweight piece to put on yet a whole big bang of game, if you just had that and an Xbox you would be set for playing online. That would be a whole new online experience for most gamers. I wouldn't think that anyone had ever seen anything like that before.
Also people are suggesting that they would like to be able to speak with characters from the game. The whole point of the game is to play not talk is what I think. I think if you want to talk you need to get online and play a game like Counterstrike or Day of Defeat or maybe get on Xbox live and do some Gears of War or Halo 3. That's the type of games that you should want to talk on or to. If you ever go online you will see people talking online a lot and that might motivate you to get involved. It's a lot better to want to talk to other people online then talk to a character in a game that is made to answer questions that you are going to ask unless it has a brain and can speak and think on its own. I don't think something like that would come out for at least another hundred years.
If you are the one to talk then you should just go online or get an Xbox and an Xbox live account and get started playing shooting games online or play some type of role playing game. That's if you want to talk in the game that you are playing. You can still not talk and play online or on any other game. I think playing games online like Madden and sports games are fun and you don't have to talk with other people. Most people do like the idea of being able to talk with each other especially since you can talk with people from all over the world. I don't see why someone would want to talk with a game character in a game.
If you just thought about what we have now and just think about we will have in the future you should be amazed because with graphics and games getting so much more finer in quality and look it going to be a good future.
Just like I said about the virtual game thing you could have that same idea but have just sunglasses to put on and you see everything through the lenses. That would be a lightweight piece to put on yet a whole big bang of game, if you just had that and an Xbox you would be set for playing online. That would be a whole new online experience for most gamers. I wouldn't think that anyone had ever seen anything like that before.
Also people are suggesting that they would like to be able to speak with characters from the game. The whole point of the game is to play not talk is what I think. I think if you want to talk you need to get online and play a game like Counterstrike or Day of Defeat or maybe get on Xbox live and do some Gears of War or Halo 3. That's the type of games that you should want to talk on or to. If you ever go online you will see people talking online a lot and that might motivate you to get involved. It's a lot better to want to talk to other people online then talk to a character in a game that is made to answer questions that you are going to ask unless it has a brain and can speak and think on its own. I don't think something like that would come out for at least another hundred years.
If you are the one to talk then you should just go online or get an Xbox and an Xbox live account and get started playing shooting games online or play some type of role playing game. That's if you want to talk in the game that you are playing. You can still not talk and play online or on any other game. I think playing games online like Madden and sports games are fun and you don't have to talk with other people. Most people do like the idea of being able to talk with each other especially since you can talk with people from all over the world. I don't see why someone would want to talk with a game character in a game.
Saturday, April 16, 2011
Get Paid To Play Online Computer Games By Using Cashback Websites
Out of all the ways of making money online, being paid to play computer games is probably the most exciting concept; how can you get paid to do something which is so entertaining and enjoyable?!
There are hundreds of online gaming websites that allow you to compete against other online players, with the winner receiving a cash prize. It costs a small amount of money every time you play a game, and usually if you win you will receive the other opponents’ entry money as well as your own as a prize fund. Therefore it pays to be good at playing online games!
The best way to go about making money online playing online games is to find a games site that is free to join, and then try and choose a game that you would like to play. Make sure you are able to play for free in practise mode; otherwise you will just end up throwing your money away. Read the game instructions and rules in case you miss out on any bonuses or secrets available, and then spend a few hours practising this game.
When you feel that you can play the game to a high standard, start to challenge other online opponents. If you can, have a look at their top scores for the game you are about to play - just to see how your score compares against theirs. Usually it will cost around 35pence to play a game, with the winner receiving around 65pence (as the online game site will have to take their own cut of the money). If you are doing well and winning lots, try and go up a prize level; some games might cost pound1.50 to enter but will have a prize of pound3 or so. There are some great tournaments on the website too, with entry for pound1 and a prize fund of pound70. If you aren't managing to beat any opponents then I suggest you stop playing for cash, and go back to practise mode.
So far from reading this article on making money online playing computer games you might feel a little short-changed. Obviously anyone can make money online if they are talented enough - they could make thousands of pounds from online betting sites if they are able to successfully predict sporting events, or they could easily make a living playing online poker if they are good enough. This is the same with online gaming; however there is another factor to take in to consideration when deciding whether this is a viable way to make money online: the use of cashback websites.
Cashback websites pay you to make an online transaction directly from their website. A cashback website will consist of thousands of website links, and they are able to track any purchases that you make at any of these websites, and will give you a percentage of cash back as an incentive for you to use their shopping links. You don't only get cash back on shopping made online though. You can earn cashback every time you join an online bookmaker, online poker site or significantly, even an online gaming website. No longer are you making any kind of gamble by playing online games from your own cash; the cashback website will guarantee you around pound10 for joining an online games site.
Now you can join an online gaming site using a cashback website, make a cash deposit at the game site and then play pound10 worth of online games, safe in the knowledge that you will not have lost a penny thanks to the cashback website tracking your activities. You could play pound10 worth of online games and lose every single one, but you will still have made pound10 at the cashback website.
So if you are able to practise for free at the online games site until you can play to a reasonable standard, not only will you not make a loss by joining from a cashback website, but you will hopefully start to win other people's money on the gaming website. This is how you can start to make money online and get paid to play online computer games, using cashback websites.
There are hundreds of online gaming websites that allow you to compete against other online players, with the winner receiving a cash prize. It costs a small amount of money every time you play a game, and usually if you win you will receive the other opponents’ entry money as well as your own as a prize fund. Therefore it pays to be good at playing online games!
The best way to go about making money online playing online games is to find a games site that is free to join, and then try and choose a game that you would like to play. Make sure you are able to play for free in practise mode; otherwise you will just end up throwing your money away. Read the game instructions and rules in case you miss out on any bonuses or secrets available, and then spend a few hours practising this game.
When you feel that you can play the game to a high standard, start to challenge other online opponents. If you can, have a look at their top scores for the game you are about to play - just to see how your score compares against theirs. Usually it will cost around 35pence to play a game, with the winner receiving around 65pence (as the online game site will have to take their own cut of the money). If you are doing well and winning lots, try and go up a prize level; some games might cost pound1.50 to enter but will have a prize of pound3 or so. There are some great tournaments on the website too, with entry for pound1 and a prize fund of pound70. If you aren't managing to beat any opponents then I suggest you stop playing for cash, and go back to practise mode.
So far from reading this article on making money online playing computer games you might feel a little short-changed. Obviously anyone can make money online if they are talented enough - they could make thousands of pounds from online betting sites if they are able to successfully predict sporting events, or they could easily make a living playing online poker if they are good enough. This is the same with online gaming; however there is another factor to take in to consideration when deciding whether this is a viable way to make money online: the use of cashback websites.
Cashback websites pay you to make an online transaction directly from their website. A cashback website will consist of thousands of website links, and they are able to track any purchases that you make at any of these websites, and will give you a percentage of cash back as an incentive for you to use their shopping links. You don't only get cash back on shopping made online though. You can earn cashback every time you join an online bookmaker, online poker site or significantly, even an online gaming website. No longer are you making any kind of gamble by playing online games from your own cash; the cashback website will guarantee you around pound10 for joining an online games site.
Now you can join an online gaming site using a cashback website, make a cash deposit at the game site and then play pound10 worth of online games, safe in the knowledge that you will not have lost a penny thanks to the cashback website tracking your activities. You could play pound10 worth of online games and lose every single one, but you will still have made pound10 at the cashback website.
So if you are able to practise for free at the online games site until you can play to a reasonable standard, not only will you not make a loss by joining from a cashback website, but you will hopefully start to win other people's money on the gaming website. This is how you can start to make money online and get paid to play online computer games, using cashback websites.
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