Posts Tagged ‘gaming’

  • 03 Oct

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    Downloadable Video Game Content – The Pros and Cons

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    By TJ Michaels

    The emergence of next generation video games consoles like the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 have also garnered increased popularity for a mechanism of acquiring extra gameplay features. Originally brought onto the scene in a more limited capacity by the original Xbox and Sega’s Dreamcast, downloadable content (DLC) is becoming implemented more and more to ensure that the gaming experience no longer ends after completing the missions placed on the original $50-60 disc. For many games, a plethora of extended material exists that gamers can receive through an Xbox Live subscription, PlayStation Network connection and even Nintendo’s Wii Shop Channel.

    As with anything, both benefits and pitfalls exist when it comes to DLC. Listed below are just some of the pros and cons that come along with DLC in the video game industry.

    Pros:

    Get more out of your games: The lifespan of games ended upon completion of the missions on the original disc before DLC came into play. Even if a game has good replay value, there was generally just so much a gamer could do with the game as it was on the cartridge or disc. However, the ability to download more characters, levels, episodes and various other in-game materials extends the lifespan and enjoyability of a game by hours. Extra songs can be purchased for Rock Band and Guitar Hero titles. Additional wrestlers and costumes can be downloaded onto THQ’s hit WWE Smackdown vs. RAW series. The game does not just end with what has been placed on the original disc.

    Some DLC is actually free: While much of the worthwhile content provided through download will cost a pretty penny, which is not the case with everything. In fact, there are several features that are free and serve as nice bonuses. LittleBigPlanet offers various Sackboy characters through the PlayStation Store at no cost to the gamer. Various Track Packs for Guitar Hero are similarly available for free. Even demos, which have largely always been free, can now be downloaded through these services and often result in more customers purchasing the full title, as was the case when UFC Unleashed 2009 turned quite a few heads with its demo.

    Cons:

    There is a cost to most worthwhile DLC: For the features that are not free, there is a sizable financial commitment required on top of the $50-60 you spend on the actual game. For Xbox 360 specifically, there is even a charge for the subscription that just gives gamers the ability to download bonus content. Many games hold back certain material from the original release for the sole purpose of making it charged DLC down the road. By the time you have accumulated all the added features, you are investment in a game can go from $60 to somewhere in the $80-100 range.

    Not downloading content can put you behind other players: Video games are just naturally competitive. However, they are no longer that way with just individual gamers. Now players as a whole are measured on GamerScores and Trophies, which increase a player’s rating based achievements made throughout games. DLC offers these similar incentives and a gamer may find it necessary to spend more money on these extra features in order to keep up with the rest of the gaming community.

  • 01 Oct

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    Why Do We Love Computer Games?

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    By Amelia Walker
    21st century is an era of new technologies, experiments, modifications, explorations and discoveries. In today’s world children love playing games on their computers, televisions or play stations rather than going out and playing with their friends. Technology has changed everything for man, the way we live, the way we dress, the way we eat and even the way we survive.

    In this article my main focus is on computer games and how they have changed the life of teenagers or even children no less than fives years of age. So, now let us together find out the Top Reasons for loving computer games more than anything else.

    1. Easy accessibility of Computer games
    It is often said that computer games are very easily accessible. In today’s’ word almost everyone has a computer or a lap top with internet facility. This makes it easier for us to download new games and play them during leisure time or as and when desired. One does not need to wait for friends or have a playground.

    2. Virtual world is loved by everyone
    Computer games take us to a virtual world which is hard for us to imagine in our real world. In this virtual world we can do almost anything that is impossible for us to perform in our daily lives. It is a whole new world of mysteries, fights, mythology, fun, adventure and education. You can even choose the games according to your own interest and tastes. Some may prefer sports while others may prefer knowledgeable games or the funny ones.

    3. Games give us challenges
    Almost every game that you play on your computer or play station has levels which you need to qualify in order to win it. This gives us a sense of challenge and achievement. Sometimes games which are played with multiplayer helps us to interact and complete in order bring out the best in us.

    4. Helps in a creating a whole new world
    Computer games can easily be created with new advance technologies. The things that you can not achieve in your real life can be easily be done while you are in that virtual world, you can become rich beyond your dream, powerful enough to kill everyone or intelligent enough to destroy anyone, this is all possible in the world of computer games.

    5. They are interesting and enjoyable
    Unlike the real life games, pc games are more interesting. They have strategies and puzzles which we need to solve in order to proceed to the next level. You can play thousands of games involving different subjects and situations, which surely gives a sense of pleasurable to all the people who are engaged in playing these games.

    Computer games open up a whole new world in front of us which is beyond our wildest dreams. They fulfill our wants and desires to do something different and enter a world where nothing is impossible. So, these are the top reasons why we love computer games.

  • 27 Sep

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    Three Professional Tips to Get a Video Game Testing Job

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    In the game testing industry, things pretty much happen behind closed doors. People go in and once they got a job they start disclosing less and less and soon they feel as if that video game testing job was made for them and only for them. They soon forget just how hard it was to get noticed and they leave others believing not anyone can get a video game testing job.

    But some game testers take the time to offer free advice to new comers. Some important inside tips are stated below.

    Tip 1: Always be available to e-mails and try to answer within the hour, even if it’s a personalized auto-reply for the game producing company. If you are lucky enough to get a response to your resume, be sure you are not the only one inquired for the video game testing job, so time is of essence.

    Tip 2: Try to become a free tester for online games, try to get involved in the development of an online multiplayer game server and actively react with the community. They get all these info into a resume you send toward a big gaming company, when looking for a video games testing job.

    Tip 3: There is no age limit for video game testing jobs. You can be as young or as old as can be. And there’s no education requirement in games testing, but you need to be good at what you do. You don’t need school diplomas to prove your skills, but those skills have to be there, closely followed by an increased spirit of observation.