Computer Games

Computer Games

Over the last decade the line between computer games and video games has blurred extensively Today the terms are nearly synonymous for most people but some insist on maintaining a separation between the distinct styles of gaming The major gaming platforms are arcade machines computers and game consoles What are the differences
Arcade machines Arcade machines are standalone gaming machines that include the computer chips dedicated to running the games large displays and all of the controls for operating the game Also known as coinops these game machines are found in arcades and other public places where gamers can pay to play each round of a game
Video game consoles are gaming platforms designed for home use Often they are designed to be hooked to a television for display but some portable game consoles have their own builtin displays Like arcade machines video game consoles are controlled by computer chips that operate the games arcade games,buy computer games,cheap computer games,cheap pc games,discount video games,free computer games,free video games,online computer games,ps2 video games,used video games,video game consoles,video game systems,xbox 360,xbox games However unlike most arcade machines which are each dedicated to a single game consoles can play a variety of different games The games may be purchased separately and are stored on different media like CDs DVDs and cartridges also known as ROMs
Of course modern game consoles are becoming more multipurpose Many of the newest generation of gaming consoles allows users to access the Internet at least for online gaming listen to MP3s and watch DVD movies
While all video arcade and computer games depend on chips to operate computers in the gaming arena are generally defined as a complete system that can do operations other than gaming For example someone may use their home PC for Internet surfing word processing banking and listening to music as well as playing World of Warcraft Bejeweled or that old standby Mine Sweeper So what is the real difference between computer games and video games In early days the games that were released for console machines were known as video games and those released for computer systems were known as computer games However many games today are released across platform so they are available for many console systems as well as computers In addition early computer games took advantage of the peripherals that were available to computer users such as the keyboard and mouse then later the Internet Early video games took advantage of their console peripherals optimizing their twitch action play for hand controllers with buttons and dpads However today you can buy nearly any peripheral for any gaming system you can access online multiplayer games from even handheld consoles and the lines continue to blur Of course many computer games can be accessed online and even played for free In the 80s and 90s some genres such as Role Playing Games RPGs were far more popular on computers than on consoles and many players associated twitch shooters and action platform games with the platforms that hooked to TVs However today many RPGs are successfully sold on consoles and multiplayer action shooters have reigned supreme on the Personal Computer. Today the most successful games such as Madden NFL 2006 and Grand Theft Auto San Andreas whether you call them computer games or video games are found on several platforms

Game Consoles

A game console is a piece of equipment used to play video game roms and cassettes The types of games consoles are Playstation Playstation 2 Microsoft XBox Sega Dreamcast Nintendo 64 Nintendo Gamecube Nintendo Gameboy Nintendo Gameboy Advanced and Nintendo Gameboy Advanced SP
What are Video Game Roms Accessories AboundVideo game roms are the discs that contain the various games needed to play on the games consoles With some of the older game consoles like Nintendo 64 the video game is on a cassette instead of a cdrom
The Video game roms and cassettes for these game console manufacturers are Playstation Playstation 2 Microsoft XBox Sega Dreamcast Nintendo 64 Nintendo Gamecube Nintendo Gameboy Nintendo Gameboy Advanced and Nintendo Gameboy Advanced SP. A simple yet very practical kit for the Intellivision is a product called Injoy A Stick from Laskey Video Distributing Following very simple instructions on the package you swap the Intellivision direction disk for a replacement disk that also has a joystick in the center Injoy A Stick will cost under $10 per pair The unit has two action buttons one at the upper left corner of the base and one at the top of the joystickselect one with a slide switch on the base Other models to come include a deluxe version with a larger base a redball type joystick and a trackball controller Adapters will also be available for Odyssey2 and several home computers Selecting software for your existing system is more difficult because individual tastes come into play as in records or movies But whether you are an arcade freak a fantasy role player a sports nut a family cartridge devotee or a handeye coordinator expert there are plenty of cartridges to go around Try to play the games before you buy them Read the instructions if they are available to make sure the game has the challenging elements you want or is fun for the whole family as the case may be Games Consoles and Video Games Roms comes in a range of different prices You can find many discounts in Games Consoles and Video Games Roms from as little as Rs 800 to over Rs 2400 Of course price ranges for game consoles and video game roms generally depend on the manufacturers Some of the more popular or best selling Video Game Roms out right now There are many video games out but some of the best selling and highest rated games are Grand Theft Auto Vice City NFL 2K3 Tony Hawks Pro Skater 4 Tiger Woods PGA Tour 2003 Rise of Nations The Lord of the Rings The Return of the King Enter the Matrix Metal Gear Solid 3 Snake Eater Tom Clancys Ghost Recon Island Thunder MVP Baseball 2003 Grand Turismo 4 Final Fantasy X2 and many more.

Video Game

Video Game

There are thousands of games on the market for video game consoles and thats not even counting PC games So how does one decide how to choose the best titles For starters if youre giving a gift find out what sort of system the person has Buying video games can become an addicting process Video game makers are in a constant battle to create the most exciting and creative games for all types of players From action games to family games you will be sure to find a game that will engage and challenge your creativity
If you are purchasing a video game for a child you should definitely consider video game ratings E rated games are usually quite tame with little to no violence An E10 video game is suitable for children above the age of ten
T games are for those 13 and older Avoid games that are labeled MA for mature or AO for adults only Also consult the parents wishes as some teen games may have mild cartoonish violence that the parents find unobjectionable
When you cant be sure never purchase a used game Return policies on new games usually allow one to exchange unopened games for others Alternately you could purchase a gift certificate so the person can chose a video game for him or herself Most new video games cost between 1800 to 2250 INR
One of the worst things you can do as a consumer is to buy games especially if they are not new from a local retail outlet Most of the games within these stores are overpriced even after you factor in the discount that you will get from the advertised sale price or the savings through the stores discount card If you have too then its best to buy a game from the preowned section Preowned games are generally in good condition and cost 20 % less then their counterparts just remember to inspect the game box for any missing game manuals and the game disc for scratches
Of great importance when purchasing a video game is whether the video game will play with yours or someone elses gaming system Major gaming systems include the Nintendo Game Cube the Playstation 2 the XBox and of course a video game can also be purchased for play on the computer Most games are labeled with the appropriate game system If you are looking for a computer video game be certain that your computer has the correct memory and system requirements or the game is useless For example if you have a Mac computer read the fine print on the back of the cover to be certain your computer meets the minimum system requirements or is even usable on the Mac
If you are trying out a new system the Internet has terrific sites with video game reviews so you can select the type of game that will be most appealing to you As well there are video game review magazines that can guide you toward a good choice Solicit reviews from friends who are avid gamers as they will also be an excellent resource Most of the current systems are several years old Both Nintendo and Play station will soon release new gaming machines but older machines mean more game choice Some of the oldest games for a system may be the best ones to choose
Many companies resell used games which translates to less expense to the consumer Usually video games that are resold are of good quality though they may be missing instruction manuals Price difference is significant with most used games selling for half the price of new games So before advancing 2250 INR for a new game check to see if you can get the game used Even stores like the Internet offer used games for reduced prices

Cell Phone Games

Cell Phone Games

One of the newest platforms for the video game is the cell phone As mobiles use more advanced technology they pack more computer processing power In addition the new phones have larger displays in order to allow users to use the address book global positioning photography PDA text messaging and web browsing capabilities that are becoming standard on mobile devices All of these things have given people more to do with their phones than just download new ring tones
Game developers are taking advantage of the enhancements on handsets and are making new and advanced cell phone video games Sure early generations of cellular phones had games but they were like the earliest console video games little more than dots and dashes Todays games however are as advanced as the ones on popular portable consolesmModern mobiles have full color displays fast game play and even multiplayer capabilities Even people who were not traditional gamers are discovering gaming on their phones Part of the reason is that they already have it since a cell phone game is often either free or only a few dollars people are willing to make the minimal investment to try the games In addition since you always have your phone the games are there whenever you have a free moment Riding on the bus Waiting in a long line at the bank Stood up by your date Whip out your phone and kill some time with a game on your phone You can even download new games from wherever you are so if you are bored it can be the ideal solution to keep you occupied

Often manufacturers or service providers also known as carriers offer free games with your phone purchase Other games can be downloaded for free or purchased for play Much like other online games some mobile phone video games require a one time purchase and others are subscription based

Most cellular phones that can play video games are enabled with either BREW or J2ME technology If your phone has Internet access you should be able to download and play games on it To find games for your phone search for your phone model and the word games Of course the best way to find out if a game will play on your phone is to access games through your service provider

Choosing the right video games for kids can be quite a challenge especially if youre a concerned parent who wants to provide your child with a game that theyll enjoy while at the same time ensuring that the content is appropriate for a young person of that particular age group For example more violent games like Mortal Kombat are perfectly suitable for a young adult but it might not be such a good idea to provide 7yearold Billy with that particular blood bath Video games for kids can get controversial but if you look carefully there are countless gems out there that are both appropriate and fun Contrary to popular belief your childs brain will not rot if they partake in a video game or two In fact video games for kids are designed to be educational making the process of learning the alphabet mathematics logic reasoning puzzle solving and strategizing fun Children typically have short attention spans so it is important to help keep their interest and there are tons of video games out there that teach concentration look at the image above At the same time you have to be careful which video games you provide your child Some may not be appropriate while others are perfectly suitable Thats where the ESRB comes into play It is unrealistic to rely on the video game industry to solely release titles that are appropriate for all age groups especially considering that the average video game player is between 25 and 35 years old This target demographic yearns for more complex offerings and oftentimes these types of games come with sexual or violent themes In this way it is up to the parents to do the parenting and not the video game industry at large The single best way to determine whether a particular title is appropriate for your child is to check the ESRB rating printed on the front cover of the game This rating much like movie ratings will indicate whether there is questionable content within There are currently six levels

EC for Early Childhood Suitable for ages 3 and older No inappropriate material whatsoever but also probably not very fun or enjoyable for older children
E for Everyone Suitable for ages 6 and older The vast majority of games fall into this category They may contain minimal violence or mild language
E10 for Everyone 10 Suitable for ages 10 and older More violence more language and the possibility of infrequent blood or suggestive themes
T for Teen Suitable for ages 13 and older Similar to a movie with a PG13 rating these games may have more violence simulated gambling sexual content and or language Most professional wrestling games for example fall under this category
M for Mature Suitable for 17 and older Parental discretion is highly advised as there may be some rather intense blood and gore Prototypical examples would include Doom Quake and Rainbow Six Many retailers will not sell Mrated games to minors

Xbox Video Game System

Xbox Video Game System

Microsoft first entered the video game console market in the fall of 2001 Early rumors that the software giant was creating a console system first surfaced early in 2000 and in March of 2000 Bill Gates unveiled the first Xbox demo unit In January of 2001 Microsoft showed the first preproduction units Since Playstation 2 was released in 2000 the competition was formidable and game publishers and consumers all wondered which console system would reign in the market So what is inside the Xboxs cool black box As might be expected in a console from Microsoft the Xbox is based on PC technology The Xbox contains an Intel Pentium III processor that runs at a raging 733 megahertz faster than either the Playstation 2 or the Nintendo Gamecube The Xbox also has a very fast custom 3D processor for handling video display an audio system that supports 256 channels and Dolby AC3 encoding and a builtin 8 gig hard drive The Xbox can support up to four players with four separate hand controllers Some other features on the Xbox include a 5x DVD drive that allows movie playback support for broadband connectivity an 8 megabyte removable memory card and HDTV support Between the Xboxs midNovember 2001 launch and January 1 2002 consumers bought one and a half million units of the game system in the United States Microsoft followed the U S release with rollouts in Japan Europe and Australia Initial consumers each purchased an average of three games with their Xbox systems making it one of the most successful video game system launches in history Much of this success may be attributed to the great games that were available at the Xboxs release Microsoft secured exclusives with the following Xbox games for the systems introduction Halo Dead of Alive 3 Fuzion Frenzy Oddworld Munchs Oddysee NFL Fever 2002 and Project Gotham Racing Additional titles that were not exclusive but were available at the systems release included Madden NFL 2002 NASCAR Thunder 2002 Shrek Dark Summit Cel Damage NHL Hitz 2002 NASCAR Heat 2002 TransWorld Surf Test Drive Off Road Wide Open Mad Dash Racing 4x4 Evo 2 and Tony Hawks Pro Skater 2x. By the end of 2004 the Xbox had an installed base of approximately 20 million units While that number is small compared to Playstation 2s installed base of around 80 million units for the same date Xboxs numbers are quite respectable especially considering it was Microsofts first entry into the video game console market Sales of Xbox hardware accessories and games continue strong into 2005

Nintendo DS

Nintendo DS

VideoGamesThe Nintendo DS commonly abbreviated as NDS or simply DS is a handheld gaming device created and released by Nintendo in late 2004 The system departs from the traditional formula of gaming devices and has two screens the lower of which is touch sensitive The DS stands for Dual Screen or Developers System and is intended to urge developers to create more innovative games with the systems creative features The Nintendo DS system has sold over 6 million units as of September 2005

Nintendo has long dominated the handheld video game market with its line of Game Boy systems most recently the Game Boy Advance and Game Boy Advance SP The announcement of a new system came in early 2004 as a shock to the gaming community More shocking was Nintendos promise that the system was not a replacement or successor to the Game Boy series Rather it would be a thirdtier system independent of other handhelds

To set the system apart from the rest of the market Nintendo included a number of unique features on the DS that game developers utilize in many ways

Two Screens The clamshell design of the Nintendo DS features a lid that pivots upward to reveal a second screen vertically parallel to the lower The screens have separate processors and can display different independent scenes or work together to create the illusion of one large playing field
Touch Screen The lower screen on the DS is touchsensitive much like modern PDA systems Using a stylus the included thumb nub other accessories or even fingers gamers have a whole new way to control the games they play The touch screen breaks the traditional button input of gaming machines and allows direct manipulation of onscreen objects
Button Layout The Game Boy Advance features a 4way Dpad Start and Select buttons two shoulder buttons L and R and two face buttons A and B The Nintendo DS copies this layout but adds X and Y buttons that mirror the cross layout of the Dpad
Microphone On the bottom of the system is a small opening that is a microphone Players can interact with their games with their voice A few examples utilized thusfar are recording small clips of speech sounds etc shouting commands or blowing bubbles by breathing into the microphone
Wireless Features In order to play Multiplayer games with several systems Game Boy users had to connect with physical cords to their system The Nintendo DS features wireless Multiplayer with a range of 100 feet Players sitting within this radius can play the same game often with only one copy of the cart