Archive for the ‘Gaming Articles’ Category

Honey Queen Deluxe iPhone Game Review

Friday, July 16th, 2010

Honey Queen Deluxe is an excellent iPhone game for people that experience a decrease in their math skills. Most people besides accountants and physicists actually use their math since “normal” people only use their math skills for counting the grocery bill, estimating the tip after dinner or calculate the amount of miles driven every day. This iphoneiPhone game developed by VanKurt Industries can definitely sharpen the most basic to the advance math skills.

Basically, the goal of the game is to find the specific number or adding various numbers located inside the honey comb that matches the number seen above the bee hive inside a honey jar. Players are required to crunch numbers quickly and their ability to add and subtract is put to the test. With every correct answer, players are given points based on their creativity in producing the specific number and their quickness or time efficiency. As an example, other than choosing the two most obvious numbers to match the number within the honey jar, it is recommended to multiply several numbers or add the two highest numbers with the correct answer. When you progress through the game the sum of numbers becomes larger and the combinations become not too obvious. Challenged with a hive with a large amount of numbers, players are required to think quickly for the correct answer. Players will definitely be addicted to this game but some may feel frustration if you cannot think quickly enough. Players will notice that their math skills improve every time they play this game. The results of your improvements can also be seen in the player’s scores. Players will notice that their scores may be quite so during the first time they play but will have a better score several games later.

Players will experience a feeling of accomplishment other than improving their math skills. Other than that the game’s instructions are quite direct and simple. Also, the layout of the game is very user friendly. The game’s graphics are beautiful with a nostalgic playfulness to it without the very childish. Players will not get bored at the colorful honeycombs that are presented in this game. Players will notice leaves gently falling from a tree, a bee smiling with a golden crown, and a funny orange yellowish honey comb to play on. When players select the correct number combination, an explosion of stars appear from the honey combs that were selected. Players are also rewarded with funny catch phrases such as “nice” or “cool”. On the other hand, if you produce the wrong number the game states “Oh no!” These specific catch phrases make players experience a connection to the game, adding an extra feature to the game besides adding numbers.

The game’s soundtrack is quite soothing and fun making it very addictive and keeps the player engaged to it. The end of the game players are shown a screen with their total scores and are given several stars depending on their results. Players are even capable to present their high scores online. In the beginning most players will experience scores and they may find it inadequate to publish online.

This game is quite fun with a very high replay value plus it is quite beneficial for people who would like to brush up on their math skills. With just a few games players will definitely notice an increase in their abilities to crunch numbers.

Addiction to Gaming

Friday, July 2nd, 2010

Addictions to gadgets and certain hobbies is certainly not a new phenomenon. In the culture that we live today, it is easy to become fanatical about several things. As the world becomes increasingly globalized, we spend a great amount of time on computers interacting with colleagues and peers all over the world. When we are connected to the World Wide Web constantly, it is natural that we feel more comfortable in a virtual space rather than the real one.

gaming-addictionGames as a whole are addictive in nature. There is always the anticipation of what is going to happen next, how far we can go, and the ‘just one more game’ syndrome. It then increases to such a level that it interferes with normal life.

The addiction is often psychological and is comparable to addiction to gambling and is compulsive in temperament. The symptoms are frequently similar to that of drug abuse. If the gamer tries to leave the habit, he/she experiences withdrawal symptoms the same way.

Professional in the field of mental health claim that these fantasy worlds give people a place to hide in if they cannot cope with the real world and its demands. It the game gets too difficult, you can always restart it or turn it off. We can only wish for these options in real life. Also, the complexity compels them and makes a play on their problem solving ability, drawing them further inside.

This disorder is monitored mainly in teenagers and young adults and the gender it affects the most is male. Many of these growing boys can identify with the virtual characters be because of their macho display and hope to model themselves over them. They are everything they hope to be: strong, powerful, and able to make their own path. Also, discussing the latest games and secret moves is the topic of discussion in many teens and open an avenue for children to become ‘cool’ and accepted into their peer group. Many friendships begin with the borrowing of the latest part of a popular game. But, if one becomes too engaged in gaming, the same friends might slip away.

The hardest part of this addiction is acknowledging it. You know there is a problem if the child or adult feels happier in a virtual world. There is a great gap that exists in his/her life that the individual is trying to fill. Real society may be confronting them with issues that they are incapable of solving and for this they need therapy.

While gaming can be an acceptable past time for many children, timely parental intervention can help in developing this syndrome. Also, parents can easily identify early signs of addiction and wean children away. This becomes a difficult when it is an adult whose has the problem and he/she lives alone. In this case, friends must come to rescue and be there for them.

Experts do admit that games offer unique puzzles that can strengthen solving abilities, but like all things, they need to be used within limits.

The Most Awaited Games of 2010

Tuesday, June 15th, 2010

Teenagers and young adults all over the world are hooked up to the virtual world in an extraordinary way. They are constantly on the prowl for new games and gadgets. With the kind of facilities at their disposal, they acquire and complete new games in no time and are looking forward to the next challenge.boxart

The list below gives you a comprehensive of some of the most eagerly anticipated games this year.
1) Bayonetta: its sexual content has evoked much curiosity and it’s an innovative step as far as its content is concerned.
2) Golden Sun DS: its last installment came seven years ago. When it debuted, it gained immense popularity. There is much expectation as to how the long awaited installment will be.
3) No More Heroes 2: Desperate Struggle: this game has an eccentric theme and is designed for Nintendo Wii.
4) White Knight Chronicles: this game has amazing graphics and is rich to the eye. Its theme is very similar to that of Harry Potter, a young boy bestowed with super powers.
5) Heavy Rain: this one is for mystery lovers. There is a killer on loose and the most attractive feature of this game is that the gamer can control everything in the game, like a movie director. The graphics are very life like.
6) Star Trek Online: fans of Star Trek are truly never ending. They can now get closer to their icons in this computer game designed for PCs.
7) Darksiders: for those who loved ‘God of War,’ ‘Zelda,’ and ‘Devil May Cry’ will enjoy this game too. The graphics are touted as fabulous and the features are very interesting.
8) Bioshock 2: this game shook the game lovers world with its fantastic subject. It is back with a sequel that guarantees a more exciting storyline.
9) God of War 3: this is for devotees who cannot get enough of Kratos. It is considered one of the best in graphics and action games.
10) Final Fantasy 13: one of the best and popular games to ever come, this one has survived up to thirteen parts. It has more rides, characters, and battles.
11) Dante’s Inferno: this is based on the literary verse that once captured everyone’s imagination. The theme of the game is centered on the journey of Dante and the nine circles of Hell.
12) Lost Planet 2: the previous part had been set in snow and this one has been given the ambience of a lush forest.
13) Red Dead Redemption: this one is a westerner. The hero, John Marston, travels through towns looting banks and hijacking on the way.
14) Alan Wake: this is a psychological thriller based on the character of Alan Wake. The plot involves the disappearance of his wife and a town that haunts him.
15) Prince of Persia: The Forgotten Sands: along with the movie this year comes its game. One of the most popular games to come in early times, it has captured the fascination of gamers with its elaborate depictions of Middle Eastern deserts and castles.

An Introduction to Gaming

Saturday, June 12th, 2010

Gaming today primarily refers to video gaming. It is the biggest by-product of the 121st century. The acceptance and popularity of virtual world is mind boggling. With the advent and spread of the Internet, more and more kinds of gaming have caught up with the world’s population. It is not just teenagers who indulge in gaming, but young adults as well. The amount they are willing to spend on this make-believe world is also large.

The history of video games is goes a long way to back to the traditional board games played by people. They then shifted to computers and then finally to video games. It was really after the Second World War that gaming took a cutting edge turn, technologically speaking. Large corporations and laboratories in universities took up the cause of this kind of entertainment.

The idea of connecting a computer with a television was invented by Ralph Bauer sometime in the early part of 1950’s. In its proper form the first home console that took up the gamer’s imagination was the Atari that came in 1977.
More complex computer games also came along in a big way around this time.

Based on their game-play interaction, video games are classified into the following kinds:
1) Action: true to its name, this game involves quick action, reflexes, and accuracy. It is one the most basic and also the most comprehensive of all the types of gaming available.
2) Shooter: this type of game involves in aiming and shooting. It is always either in the first person or third person perspective. The player utilizes weapons like guns and missiles, among others.
3) Adventure: some of the earliest games crated fell into this genre. They do not necessarily involve violence. There is no plot as such. The gamer has to basically solve puzzles to get ahead. For this, he/she interacts with virtual characters in the game, creates routes, and move ahead. They are basically an amalgamation of mini games.
4) Action-adventure: this combination affords the gamer the opportunity to both kinds of styles in one game. They typically have a long term goal that has to be solves stage by stage using techniques and possessions.
5) Management and construction games: they usually involve building something and expanding, using a set of skills. This may be a city, a store, or something of an equal magnitude. It might also involve setting up a business and carrying it forth. Sometimes, they are more serious and are centered on themes of creating governments too.
6) Life simulation: these are also known as life simulation games. They replicate life like situations and allow the gamer to make choices and move ahead in it. They often involve ecosystems and science.
7) Strategy: this genre is probably the most popular at this stage. It engages the player to think, plan, and execute. Everything is under the control of the gamer and he/she creates ways to move ahead. There is much skill involved in this type. They even have many sequels to them.

Gaming has become such a huge cultural phenomenon that several books and studies on them are available today.