2012 In Video Gaming: 10 Games to Wait For

Year 2011 has been very good for a gamer, possibly the best in a long time. We had Littlebigplanet 2, Killzone 3, Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim, Uncharted 3 and the list goes on. The year 2012 will see many original video games, as well as the release of numerous sequels to already successful franchises. Here are ten titles to wait for in 2012.

1. Kingdoms of Amalur: Reckoning

This upcoming single-player RPG developed by 38 studios has all the potential to be a success. The game universe is created by fantasy author R.A. Salvatore and responsible for the artwork has been no other than Todd McFarlane (Creator of Spawn). Taking God of War and marrying it with Oblivion is a BIG promise (one made by Curt Schilling), but we will see does the game live up with the hype. Oh and btw Claudia Black (you know.. Morrigan) is doing some voice acting.

2. Torchlight II

Supposedly being bigger and better than the original game, Torchlight II features overland areas with multiple hub towns, and a longer campaign. New features are heard to be included as well such as time of day cycles, weather and renewed user interface. Players can now also customize their appearance with choice of gender, face, and hair style. We are eager ready for this new hack-and-slash rpg. PC, MAC

3. Final Fantasy XIII-2

Claiming to fix the problem fans hated in Final Fantasy XIII, read: linearity, the game continues five years after the events of FFXIII. The game claims to add freedom, new towns, and improvements to the (already excellent) battle-system. Glorious world design, excellent combat and strong storytelling: These are the things look for in Final Fantasy XIII-2. PS3, XBOX360

4. Ni no Kuni: Wrath of the White Witch

We love eye candy and interesting stories. A game which combines both, is surely welcomed. If you already haven't heard: Ni No Kuni: Wrath of the White Witch is a game developed by LEVEL-5 with Animation by Studio Ghibli. The title surely has the potential to be a keeper. PS3, 3DS

5. The Last Guardian

What can Team Ico can offer us this time? If you loved Ico or the Shadow of Colossus there is no need for explanation because it is something good. Unfortunately, The Last Guardian has been a title people have just been waiting... and waiting.. and waiting with most recent news being Yoshifusa Hayama, The Last Guardian's executive producer, leaving the studio to develop some Facebook games!!! The Last Guardian is a third-person perspective game that combines action-adventure and puzzle elements. PS3

6. Uncharted: Golden Abyss

Uncharted: Golden Abyss is the first Uncharted prequel and first Uncharted title on handheld devices, meaning Sony's upcoming PlayStation Vita. We will see how the Uncovering of the dark secret behind the 400-year-old massacre of a Spanish expedition goes on PS Vitas OLED screen. PlayStation Vita.

7. The Last of Us

We don't know much about this title yet, since it was just recently released. Resembling I am Legend, the game has astonishing graphics and developer team which no doubt can deliver a real adventure. If Uncharted meets Enslaved in this game, consider me sold. Even with so little detail, this game might already be the most hyped PS3 game for the following year. PS3

8. GTA V

GTA V, the latest installment in the Grand Theft Auto series and another GTA that is set in Los Santos, San Andreas! The game looks awesome so far and will most likely deliver what is to be expected.

9. Borderlands 2

Gearbox's shoot and loot game looks better than ever. The first Borderlands was purely an awesome game. Building upon the gameplay elements of its predecessor, Borderlands 2 features all-new characters, skills, environments, enemies, weapons and equipment, which come together in a crafted story. PC, PS3, XBOX360

10. Mass Effect 3

Earth has been taken, the galaxy is on the verge of total annihilation, and you are the only one who can stop them. This probably is the game everybody is waiting for. Mass Effect 2 was the best sci-fi RPG I've ever played. So get ready to follow YOUR story of Commander Shepard in Mass Effect 3, if you have the save-game files for Mass Effect and Mass Effect 2. If you don't.. I suggest you leave home now and don't come back without those earlier Mass Effects.

Trailers for games to wait for 10 Games to wait for can be found here.

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I am editor-in-chief and a webmaster at Bag of Games. I have always been captivated with games, be it console, board, card or any types of games. It is only fair that I share my honest thoughts and reviews about them.

I Have Seen The Future Of Video Gaming

I have seen the future of video gaming and it is 3D. This revelation came to me in an around about way since I am not an avid gamer, but I have been battling a four month addiction to Nazi Zombies. An addiction that is somewhat puzzling since I have played quite a few computer games before, going all the way back to Atari and Pac-Man. I have also played such games as Legend of Zelda, Crysis and Call of Duty, the popular game developed by Treyarch. Mostly role-playing games where you have to gun or sword your way to victory, but none of these games have so obsessed my time like NZ has done. Hitler's revenge I guess.

So when the latest COD Black Ops was offered up, truth be told, I bought it more for the Zombie side dish, rather than the main course. However, when I popped the disc into my PlayStation 3, the game came up in 3D on my new Samsung 46 Inch 240hz HD 3D TV. I was so surprised because nowhere on the game package was anything mentioned about it being in 3D. I have since re-checked the package and there's no mention of the game being in 3D - invisible marketing perhaps?

Once I started playing Call of Duty in crisp full HD 3D, that's when my revelation came to me. This is definitely the future of computer gaming, if it isn't already. Some of the sequences were so awe inspiring, the only word that comes to mind is "WOW". Even that doesn't give the 3D experience justice, doubt if any words could accurately explain what I was seeing and feeling. Jumping, rappelling, ricocheting, shooting... your way through some of those scenes was simply mind blowing and well... a revelation.

Without a doubt, 3D is the future of video gaming.

Actually, it was one of the sequences of running/fighting on the Kowloon Rooftop, which gave me an actual tactile experience so real, you forget that you're actually playing a computer game and not experiencing this in person. Maybe I am getting a little too carried away, or had too many of those holidays spirits while I was playing the game, but still I have never experienced a game like Black Ops before, never.

Nor have I experienced 3D like this before, not in the silly 3D horror movies of the 70's, not in the Terminator 2 show in Orlando, not in the 3D Piranha movie I saw last summer. Not by a long shot.

Now the 3D was not perfect on my system, unless you're looking directly at the TV, there was some small ghosting of the images which definitely tells you you're watching a 3D image. It also made me realize that while 3D has been around for ages and has improved greatly, especially in recent years. However, the technology, both in filming and reproducing of the images, still has a way to go before it becomes perfect. It is like watching the first color movies of the early 40's and 50's and comparing them to the color movies of today.

While watching the recent FIFA 2010 World cup Blu-ray, I could see where some of the 3D sequences such as the street scenes of the children playing soccer and the staged commentators... these came across as more controlled and better presented than the actual football games, although even those where well worth watching in 3D. In other words, 3D and 3D technology still has a long way to go before all the bugs are ironed out. If they can get rid of those awkward glasses, the system would really be perfected. However, I still believe 3D technology has a little ways to go before it will win the popularity and acceptance that HD or High Resolution has accomplished.

Still, in video gaming, 3D images adds so much to the gaming experience - there's no stopping it. The awkward glasses will slow down the upcoming revolution but it will not stop it. As more and more games and 3D content becomes available, full HD 3D will become the next viewing standard for TVs and gaming consoles.

Now, you will have to excuse me, I have just turned the power on and there are bloody monkeys crawling down the walls in full glorious 3D!

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...
The author has a keen interest in all things laptop and runs an online Laptop Guide featuring the latest top gaming notebooks: gaming laptops

For more information on 3D Gaming Laptops Click Here: 3d gaming laptops

Copyright Titus Hoskins. This article may be freely distributed if this resource box stays attached.

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Sony Teases New Mobile Gaming Console

Hot on the heels of Nintendo's illustrious unveiling of their new 3DS console, Sony has decided to take the lid off of ONE of their upcoming mobile platforms. It's been whispered about behind Sony corporate booths at tradeshows, and murmurs of it can be heard bouncing through the aisles of your local mall from the lips of the nerd soothsayers that roll around in the Sony Style Store chanting 'PlayStation Phone' in tongues.

Well, this IS the PlayStation phone, at least the closest we're going to get to one for a while, and it's Sony Ericsson's new XPERIA R800i. It's a more or less typical looking handset upon first glance. It's got a volume toggle on the side, charging and headphone ports, logos where you'd expect them, and a 854x480 pixel multitouch display. But, slide the screen up and you're looking at essentially a flattened dual shock controller, sans one set of shoulder buttons. The iconic 4-button pad is still there, as is the d-pad, and the dual control sticks have been replaced with two round touch pads.

According to initial tests, it seems to have enough power under the hood to handle 3D rendering with as much grace as any other competitor and more so, particularly because of its ample 512 megabytes of system memory. It's an Android handset, a fact that's clear enough once you notice the four Android hotkeys at the bottom of the screen. It's running a modified version of the Android platform for now, changed to feature some healthy sprinklings of PlayStation flavors. It will be able to run any game you can imagine from the Android App store, and there are sure to be plenty of third party games developed for a mobile device with 'PlayStation' in its name. What's more, the open Android platform makes finding decent emulators a snap, so you can play Super Mario World on the virtual Super Nintendo running on your Sony PlayStation Phone and stand there boggled by the staggering marvels you're experiencing.

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Written by Theodore Price

Sony Teases New Mobile Gaming Console

Hot on the heels of Nintendo's illustrious unveiling of their new 3DS console, Sony has decided to take the lid off of ONE of their upcoming mobile platforms. It's been whispered about behind Sony corporate booths at tradeshows, and murmurs of it can be heard bouncing through the aisles of your local mall from the lips of the nerd soothsayers that roll around in the Sony Style Store chanting 'PlayStation Phone' in tongues.

Well, this IS the PlayStation phone, at least the closest we're going to get to one for a while, and it's Sony Ericsson's new XPERIA R800i. It's a more or less typical looking handset upon first glance. It's got a volume toggle on the side, charging and headphone ports, logos where you'd expect them, and a 854x480 pixel multitouch display. But, slide the screen up and you're looking at essentially a flattened dual shock controller, sans one set of shoulder buttons. The iconic 4-button pad is still there, as is the d-pad, and the dual control sticks have been replaced with two round touch pads.

According to initial tests, it seems to have enough power under the hood to handle 3D rendering with as much grace as any other competitor and more so, particularly because of its ample 512 megabytes of system memory. It's an Android handset, a fact that's clear enough once you notice the four Android hotkeys at the bottom of the screen. It's running a modified version of the Android platform for now, changed to feature some healthy sprinklings of PlayStation flavors. It will be able to run any game you can imagine from the Android App store, and there are sure to be plenty of third party games developed for a mobile device with 'PlayStation' in its name. What's more, the open Android platform makes finding decent emulators a snap, so you can play Super Mario World on the virtual Super Nintendo running on your Sony PlayStation Phone and stand there boggled by the staggering marvels you're experiencing.

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Written by Theodore Price

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Cartridge-Based Gaming Limits Innovation in Nintendo DS Learning Games

I've been writing often, lately, about educational games, especially Nintendo DS learning games. Most of my research has had a common thread of truth: it's a difficult medium to work in. According to industry sources, most learning games marketed towards kids never see the light of day, and the ones that do make it out of the planning phases can be a bit of a gamble for their studios. Especially, as is the case for many recent games, the teams who lack the backing of a major label. Major label = assured distribution.

Problem is, the major labels don't necessarily want to innovate. They don't often want to chance the market's willingness to accept a new ideas, foreign or unfamiliar gameplay, or, really: anything that isn't guaranteed to make a certain percentage of profit. It's understandable; they're publicly-traded companies, for crying out loud. Of course they're built to play it safe. DS learning games are a tough sell to begin with, these companies seem to say. Why swing for the fences when we've got a guaranteed base hit?

Well, that's true. But there are game makers out there, right this very second, who're toiling in obscurity, putting the finishing touches on the next Katamari Damacy. Ah, says the company, the Katamari example. For every Katamari, they say, there're three or four games you never hear about that fail miserably on the market. And Katamari wasn't even a DS learning game!

Also true. So, then - the problem isn't squarely on the shoulders of these monolithic gaming corporations. It seems the handheld gaming device industry deserves much of the blame.

Unfortunately, most of the gaming innovation I'm seeing is limited to the Internet. It's as if Indie game makers are sticking to personal computers, Flash games, and internet distribution, with the hope that they can attract a grassroots groundswell, maybe get noticed by one of the aforementioned big-name companies, and try to work for change within the system.

Without major changes withing the handheld gaming device industry, the Nintendo DS and its fleet of DS learning games will be in danger of running aground against the improved software distribution system of multiple-use devices like the iPhone. Here, at least, game makers can self-produce and release games to the market without the current logistical and production restraints of the cartridge-based gaming world. I fear for the Nintendo DS's survivability. For as many things as the Sony PSP got wrong, their recent switch to digital distribution is right. They just came to it too late - no one wants to re-buy games they already own.

The handheld gaming world is changing, and I hope that Nintendo helps lead that transition. I'd like to see a similar amount of fun DS learning games on the 3DS, but, by sticking with cartridge-based production, they're hurting their customers, smaller game producers, and ultimately, themselves.

Of course, in the meantime, we have some amazing games coming out. And the pre-existing DS learning game library is formidable, fairly deep, and has plenty of hidden gems. Nintendo needs to reevaluate its cartridge-based gaming platform for its upcoming Nintendo 3DS, lest they lose yet more ground to other handheld devices.

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William is a parent and a New York straphanger. His kid is already on the way to becoming a gamer who sometimes needs a little "gentle encouragement" to play his Nintendo DS learning game, even the ones the little guy picked out, himself. William misses the days of Sonic and Mario when they'd only go from left-to-right, rather than 360 degrees.

Looking Into Classic Gaming With the Xbox 360 Virtual Arcade

Microsoft are constantly endeavoring to make their Xbox Live experience as fun and interactive as possible for existing gamers and newcomers to the system. As the possibilities broaden, Microsoft are able to include many great features online, such as Twitter, Sky and Netfix. One of the great and exciting upcoming projects is Xbox 360 virtual arcade, which is gathering much excitement from gamers.

Microsoft are building upon the ability to play retro games online by developing their new Xbox 360 virtual arcade. The intention is to re-introduce certain titles which many veteran and nostalgic gamers would like to revisit. Whilst many of these games may seem simplistic or even comical to the gamers of today, microsoft believe that many of them are still great titles worth looking into.

Some of the titles planned for this venture include such classics as Rocket Knight, Centipede, Streets of Rage and even the classic Asteroids. These games will mean the world to those users who grew up on them, and offer a nice aside to the bigger games of the day. The Xbox 360 virtual arcade even offers users their very own interactive arcade space. When a player buys one of these classic titles, they can position it anywhere in their arcade, and they even appear as the classic arcade cabinets!

Finally, Microsoft's new feature is fully interactive, so gamers can invite their friends to visit and play in their own arcade. Voice chat is fully included along with avatars, leaderboards, multiplayer functions and more. In exchange for your Microsoft points you can craft your very own Xbox virtual arcade, and enjoy some classic games with your friends!

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Rich Thorp has muscular thumbs from years of full-on gaming. You can find out more about Xbox 360 games, new consoles and much more from his extensive writing.

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Online Gaming May Become Legalized in United States

In the United States, John Pappas is moving the mountains. He is pushing the million members of Poker Players Alliance to lobby for the legislation to make online gambling legalized in the US. The Executive Director of the Poker Players Alliance through his fellow members is supporting the HR2267 the legislation made by Congressman Barney Frank to control and levy Internet gaming. The committee vote on the legislation can happen as early as February 2010. Papas did not hide his ambitions when he said in no unclear terms that this legislation will be crucial for the Poker Players Alliance and the entire poker community. He asked members to rise up to the occasion and make their voices heard.

In the past also the initiatives of the PPA to support online gaming has been influential to support HR2267 and this time also it is no different. Papas asked players of the alliance and the poker community to reach out to Congressmen and express their support for the bill. According to Pappas, this is first time that there will be a vote on legalizing online gaming in the United States. He said that bipartisan support is required to make this bill a success and urged members to alert their Congressmen on the upcoming vote. On the other end Congressmen Barney Frank has seen more success on the bill in the first two weeks of January. The good news is that two politicians, New York Democrat Eliot Engel and Charlie Melancon, a Democrat from Los Angeles supported the "The Internet Gambling Regulation, Consumer Protection and Enforcement Act of 2009". This has increased the number of Congressmen endorsing the proposal to 65. More needs to be done and John Papas is leaving no stone unturned to ensure that online poker and gaming gets legalized in the country.

The bill was up for hearing in early December but without any mark-up as Congressmen debated the step. Papas said that the next big step would be the mark-up and his group has targeted the Congressmen who can support the legislation and is lobbying with them for a favorable outcome. If a mark-up does take place there could be a debate on HR2267 followed by a House vote which would ultimately push the bill favorably. Papas notes that the biggest challenge at this moment is the fear that partisan politics does not act against the bill. If that happens, it will be a setback for online gaming in the country. Barney Frank has scored another point when he and other Congressmen successfully delayed the implementation of the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act (UIGEA) till June 1st 2010. This will give enough time for those in favor of HR2267 to move ahead and maneuver in favor of the bill.

The UIGEA was passed in a late night session just before the election recess in 2006 as a 'must pass' security bill. Hopefully with the delay in implementation of the Act will give time to online gambling industry to propose their point favorably in front of the Government.

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Vince Van Horn is the Vice President of Access Corp a company which provides turnkey services for online gaming entrepreneurs. Access Corp has 2 websites which provide all information required for online gaming entrepreneurs to start their own operations. The sites are http://www.pokersitecentral.com/ and http://www.gamblingbusiness.info/.

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Psyko 5.1 Gaming PC Headset

By this time you might be reading lots of reviews and sites that give you update about latest electronics product of the market. Here is one such product you will love to avail either for you or for you close ones. Read more information about Psyko 5.1 PC Gaming Headset. This electronic gadget is not designed as a headphone rather it is designed as a gaming headset. With this head set you can have 3D effect that you can get in any of your room system. It includes 5 speakers in the bridge with a sub-woofer located at each ear. This headset system is ideal for any teen-ager gift as with the most up-coming PC games this will go hand to hand. This can be a best combination for any of your PC game. This can be also defined as Psyko's audio gaming PC headset.

This head set is created with a user friendly technology that enables any gamer to hear the exact sound coming from which direction while in game. Well, before any more discussion about this electronics gadget, it should be mentioned here that though this head set is not designed as usual audio headphone, it does not means that it cannot be used as a regular one, rather it will work the same or more better way then the regular head phone.

The head from Psyko has highly unique aesthetic quality. This entire headset is made up with transparent plastic and can be adjustable according to your need. The ears of the head set can be adjusted easily and it supports you in removing microphone as the microphone is also removable. Psyko 5.1 PC Gaming headset need to get connected with earphone that gets hooking up with the amp that you plug into the wall or multi-plug unit. You can adjust the volume as the amp supports adjustable volume and bass. All you need is to have a set-up of 5.1 surround sound.

Since this an up-coming gadget it may cost you little more expensive. But one thing you should remember while buying that this can be a last pair of head phone you are availing because this ultimate head set is going to serve you for a long time. If this is for your friend, you are going to get heartiest thanks as this upcoming gadget is going to give your friend the ultimate gaming effect for the first time. If you are planning for a game in your Christmas or New Year's gift and are ready to pay cash for that, then this can be an ideal gift for the person.

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The Roots of Online Multiplayer Gaming

Recently, I was talking to some friends about an upcoming MMO release, and it dawned on me how far the online gaming industry has really progressed since its founding.

I remember playing free online games years ago, namely on a website called Bonus. I will never forget dialing up (respect for the old school 56k) on my parent's computer and checking it out. It was one of the most valuable of the hidden internet gems that populated the late 90s. This website offered a multitude of games geared particularly towards preteens. I distinctly remember some really cool, simple games that seem harder and harder to find in the modern age of MMORPGs and fast paced first person shooters. These games kept me occupied for hours after school. It was not until a couple years later that this free gaming phenomenon really took hold on the net.

One game that stands out above all of the others in my memory is Battlefield. Battlefield was an online tank game that was revolutionary for its day. Bonus got this one right, indirectly creating an industry that would later learn how to profit from free gaming in ways Bonus never imagined. Battlefield was unique because it was entirely user based. You competed directly in a massively multiplayer environment against others. The gameplay remained simple and at the same time cutting edge in the gaming era of the late 1990s. I continued to play this game into my late teens and early twenties, following the community that shared my feelings of sentiment towards it. Because the game was based purely on player interaction and competition, a community had formed and sustained the life of the game long after Bonus shut down its main website. When Bonus finally filed bankruptcy in 2008, the community it left behind persisted. Battlefield was the first of a long line of games that induced user loyalty by capitalizing, albeit in this case accidentally, on the social aspect of online interaction through gaming. Unfortunately, Bonus's failure to realize the value of social platforming was its biggest mistake.

Today, developer giants like Blizzard and Square Enix dominate the world of online multiplayer gaming with subscription based, rich content role playing games. These developers have capitalized on the craze, implementing subscription based services with multiple outlets for social interaction and competition. However, a new kind of game has begun to reemerge as an answer to big developer domination and subscription abuse. These games are free to play, implementing ad based and itemized revenue models to fuel growth and development, leaving little to no cost for the everyday user to cover. Despite this return to founding principles, it seems that the world of online multiplayer gaming has become entirely dominated by MMORPGs. What happened to fast action games like those developed by the former gaming website Bonus and other small startups that featured pure online multiplayer environments and action-packed anticipation and reaction? Are they forever lost to the folds of history, or is there another stage of revival in the world of online gaming that has yet to be realized?

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Recently, a new game very similar to Bonus's Battlefield called uTanks was released. Through uTanks, modern internet gamers can experience a bit of the past, a retro flavor found nowhere else in the online gaming world. If you are interested in making a pilgrimage to the roots of online gaming, I encourage you to take a look at the uTanks homepage for yourself at http://www.utanks.com.

by Andrew T. Morgan

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History & Marketing of the Nintendo Wii Gaming Console System

The Wii video game console released by Nintendo. As a seventh-generation console, the Wii primarily was to go against Microsoft's Xbox 360 and Sony's PlayStation 3. Nintendo states that its console targets a bigger range of people. As of December 31, 2008 the Wii sales overshot both the play station 3 and Xbox 360.

A great feature of the console is WiiConnect24, which enables it to receive messages and updates over the Internet.

The Wii is Nintendo's fifth console, it able to play all official Game Cube games. Nintendo first spoke of the console at E3 2004 and later unveiled the system at E3 2005.

The console was first known as "Revolution" until April 27, 2006, the Nintendo Style Guide refers to the console as "simply Wii, not Nintendo Wii", and making it the first home console Nintendo has marketed outside of Japan without the company name in its trademark. While "Wiis" is a commonly used as the name of the console, Nintendo has stated that the official way of saying it would be "Wii systems" or "Wii consoles. Since its launch, sales of the console have been higher than Xbox 360 and ps3. According to the NPD Group, the Wii sold more units in the United States than the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 combined in the first half of 2007. The sales are even larger in the Japanese market, Japan currently the highest sales. In Australia, the Wii blew away the record sells of Xbox 360 to make it the fastest selling games console in Australian history. Nintendo hopes to target a bigger range with console than that of others in the seventh generation. At a press talks for the upcoming Nintendo DS game Dragon Quest IX Satoru Iwata stated "We're not thinking about going into a battle with Sony, but about how many people we can get to play games. The thing we're thinking about most is not portable systems, consoles but rather how we can attract new people to play games."

This was shown in Nintendo's series of television ads in North America, as well as Internet ads. The ad wording is "Wii would like to play" and "Experience a new way to play." These ads ran starting November 15, 2006 and cost over $200 million. The marketing has proved to be successful. People as old as 103 have been reported to be playing the Wii. The real beauty of the Wii is how simple it is to play. All the games are easy to use and allow people of all ages to play. This was another marketing tactic that really worked out well. Trying to make people that don't game into gamers. To build a stronger market long term so that when they have more games or another system people will still have memories and link that to their next system purchase. The Wii also has games for the more hardcore gamers. Nintendo understands that people are not concerned about graphics or power but rather gameplay. People just want to play games that are fun. That is why people play games. Getting to technical only takes away from the true point of gaming which is entrainment. The original Nintendo for example had simple games and such has a huge following. Nintendo on eBay can go up to 100 dollars easily. Showing the demand and proving that it is never about graphics but rather about the entrainment value. I own a ps3 and never play it because the games are not enjoyable to me. I can player older games and have a lot more fun. If that is a case then clearly Nintendo has the right idea of what consumers' demands and interests lay.

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Shaun Stevens Vintage Computer Manuals
Atari, Nintendo, Colecovision, Commdore, Badger
Ubuntu Beginner Linux Resource Center Online - "I may learn Linux before I die"

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The Evolution of Gaming

From Warcraft to Final Fantasy to the upcoming Warhammer Online, games are slowly evolving from play/win mode to play/play mode, where the game never ends and the fun is in the social aspects and the process you use to better yourself. These Massive Multiplayer Online Role Playing Games, or MMORPGs, are prime examples of gaming and social life combining to create the most popular pseudo-universes in the world.

WoW

World of Warcraft is the old example. While there are goals and levels, the game technically never ends. People from countries all over the planet play the World of Warcraft regularly, playing the game on a daily basis and completing quests and socializing with others. But World of Warcraft was based on an older game, "Warcraft" that already had its own computer presence.

Warhammer Online

Today, even non-computer games are turning to MMORPG platforms. Warhammer Online, scheduled to be released in September of 2008, is based on an offline, computer-less game known as Warhammer, that takes place with dice, miniature sculptures/characters, and a tabletop. That game was incredibly popular throughout the world, featuring over 8 different editions, hundreds of characters and rules, and a complexity that made the table top become its own world. But table tops have limitations. You cannot create new rules or quests on the fly. You cannot choose where to go at your leisure and most of all you cannot socialize. The game was designed for people that enjoyed playing competitive games alone with strict guidelines. Warhammer Online allows them to change that. By taking Warhammer online, the company can turn the universe into something far more dynamic. They can come up with quests that require teams or goals that take weeks to accomplish. They can make the game as complex or simple as they want and negate all of the limitations of the table top.

Most importantly, Warhammer Online has the ability to be a new universe that every day people can enjoy regularly, without requiring another player is around to compete with and without requiring every "piece" be properly located on the table. Warhammer Online is the next in a series of games that plan on taking advantage of the MMORPG craze. Assuming Warhammer Online achieves the same success as World of Warcraft, assume that many other offline games are likely to go the same route in the future. Warhammer Online is taking the first step towards the future of all games. One can only wonder where it will lead in the future.

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Stephen Fredricks is an MMO expert and the author of five different guides for games such as World of Warcraft. His newest guide, a comprehensive guide for Warhammer Online will be released in just a few short weeks at TheWarhammerGuide.com.

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Best Gaming Laptops Of 2011

Maybe it can be said of any year, but 2011 has been extremely important for gaming laptops. We saw the improvement in overall processing power with the introduction of second generation Intel Quad-Core (Sandy Bridge) processors. Not only more powerful, but these processors are supposed to be more graphically intelligent, switching power where/when it's needed, which means you have better battery life. In addition, we saw the introduction of faster GPUs such as the Nvidia GeForce GTX 580M and AMD Radeon HD 6990M - paving the way for DirectX 11 graphics.

Now when considering the best gaming laptops of 2011, some consideration should be given to the different versions of Clevo-based laptops, such as the Clevo x7200 modified by the big name Boutique makers like Falcon Northwest, Sager, Origin, Rockdirect... but as many experts have pointed out, these are overpriced and usually come with one or more inferior design flaw such as crappy keyboards or simply less value for the money you have to spend. Instead, here's a short list of a few gaming notebooks you should consider before you make your final choice.

The criteria for picking these powerful laptops can usually be summed up along the following features or specs:

1 - powerful discrete or dedicated graphics card(s) with its own fast video memory

2 - fast high performance processor(s)

3 - plenty of RAM and a full HD 1080p display

Plus, many gamers like to have a Blu-ray Optical Drive to fully round out their ideal gamer's laptop. With all these factors in mind, here are some of the best gaming laptops of 2011. (Prices may change without notice - shop around and you will find many of these laptops at cheaper prices than listed here.)

Alienware M18x - Starting Price $1,999

Alienware always produces some of the best gaming laptops on the planet and the Alienware M18x doesn't disappoint. The powerful i7 2920XM (Overclocked Turbo Boost to 4.0GHz 8MB cache) processor is just for starters. The basic version comes with 1.5GB GDDR5 Nvidia GeForce GTX 460M but those gamers with money to spare can upgrade via SLI to dual 2GB GDDR5 NVIDIA GeForce GTX 580M. Regular model comes with 4GB of Dual Channel DDR3 at 1333MHz but you can upgrade to a ridiculous 32GB of RAM. For the hard drive(s) you have plenty of options... all the way up to 1 TB 7200RPM Solid State Hybrid. The M18x also comes with dual layer Blu-ray Reader and has just been further empowered by the Bigfoot Killer Wireless Adapters.

Solid gaming laptop with plenty of options and features. Some find the over-the-top custom design a bit too flashy, but the components underneath all that flash does deliver the goods. Fastest gaming system you will get in a laptop at the moment.

Toshiba Qosmio X775-3DV78 - Starting Price $1,900

While many people don't necessarily associate Toshiba with gaming, their high-end Qosmio series of performance laptops do deserve some respect and your consideration if you're in a market for a gaming laptop. Especially, the top of line models like the Qosmio X775-3DV78, which has been described by some as "ugly as sin" but still sport some of the most impressive specs for a 3D enabled gaming laptop. Empowered with the Intel Quad Core i7-2630QM processor and the new GeForce GTX 560M with 1.5GB GDDR5 memory - this machine can handle most modern games.

Powerful gaming rig with true 3D and full 1080p display with Blu-ray and Harman-Kardon stereo speakers. Give the Qosmio X775 more than a passing glance in your search for a gaming laptop - you won't regret it.

Asus G73SW-3DE - Starting Price $1,999

Most gamers have heard of Asus and their popular ROG (Republic of Gamers) series of laptops. The Asus G73SW-3DE with its Sandy Bridge Intel Core i7-2630QM 2.0GHz with Turbo Boost up to 2.9GHz processor and 8 GB of memory is no exception. Further powered with the Nvidia GTX 460M Graphics with 1.5GB GDDR5 and large storage sporting a 1TB (500G 7200RPM + 4G SSD x2) HDD. Fleshed out with full 1080p LED 17.3-Inch Display, including 3D at 120HZ and Blu-ray drive.

Running quiet and cool, the Asus G73SW-3DE should be on everyone's list, since it can play just about anything thrown at it. Solid choice for a great gaming laptop.

MSI GT780DXR - Starting Price $1,999

The MSI (Micro-Star International) company has been around for over 25 years and has a long history for producing very innovative products over the years. Their GT780 series of high-performance laptops have been especially noticed by gamers. The MSI GT780DXR sports the Intel i7-2630QM (2 GHZ) Processor with 16 GB of RAM and dedicated NVIDIA GeForce GTX 570M graphics with 1.5GB of fast DDR5 VRAM. In addition, you have the 17.3" Full HD 1920 x 1080 display, "One-Touch Overclocking" and "MSI Turbo Drive Engine (TDE) Technology", and MSI cooler boost technology.

Powerful DirectX 11 gaming with impressive performance numbers such as the record 12,475 points in the 3DMark Vantage run-through. Another solid contender for your gaming notebook of choice.

HP Envy 17 3D - Starting Price $1,599

This one is for the old gamers who still remember the Envy gaming rigs before it was taken over by Hewlett-Packard. Granted 3D may not be your cup of tea, but this HP Envy 17 can still give just as impressive 2D numbers with its Intel Core i7-720QM (1.6 GHz) CPU, 6 GB of RAM and powerful ATI Mobility Radeon HD 5850 graphics. Throw in a full HD 1080p display combined with a Beats Audio system with a Blu-ray drive and you have all the components for a great gaming laptop. Other great features include ATI's EyeFinity multiple monitor system, HMDI outputs and 3.0 USB port.

It may not have all the firepower of some of the other gaming laptops listed above, but the HP Envy 17 3D will be less expensive and offers good value for your money. Another worthwhile consideration to add to your list.

There you have it, five top rated gaming laptops of 2011 and the upcoming years. Check out these machines if you're in the market for a gaming laptop, they are definitely worth your consideration if not your dollars.

Happy Gaming!

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...
The author has a keen interest in all things laptop and runs an online Laptop Guide featuring the latest top gaming notebooks: gaming laptops For more information on 3D Gaming Laptops Click Here: 3d gaming laptops Copyright Titus Hoskins. This article may be freely distributed if this resource box stays attached.

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Gaming Bliss in Online Game Rental

When I was younger I remember being disappointed countless times by empty shelves at my local video game rental store. I would arrive anticipating playing the latest title only to be turned away because they were out of copies. Local rental stores simply do not have the square footage or budget to overstock their shelves with every hot new release that hits the gaming world. Fortunately for me and thousands of other gaming enthusiasts around the country we don't have to worry about that anymore. Online game rental services have reshaped game rental for the better, and there's no looking back. The benefits that come with renting video games online include lower price, better availability, and speedier service.

There's no need to spend $60 on a title you've never played, and there's no need to drive all over town looking for a copy to rent. Online game rental services offer plans as low as $10 a month for unlimited game rental (1 game at a time), up to around $40 a month (5 games at a time). Talk about a no brainer, you can spend $60 on a chance game that you may not even like, or spend $10 and try out multiple games. It gets better. If you enjoy the games you are trying you can contact your provider and purchase it on the spot, usually for a reduced amount. The games come to you.

With online game rental you have the ability to choose from over 6000 titles, from a vast array of systems. You don't have to worry about games being out of stock, and you don't have to worry about a lack of selection when you rent video games online. Most of these companies even offer an amazing selection of handheld games if you want to try out new and upcoming titles on your DS or PSP. You can choose from over 6000+ video games that are shipped directly to your house with no late fees or from a couple wire racks at your local rental store. It seems like an easy choice.

Concerned about playing that brand new release the day it's out? No worries there. As with local video game stores like Gamestop, online game rental companies like Gamefly receive games from publishers days before street release. This means that if you have selected your desired game on your list, they will ship it out to you so you can be playing that brand new title immediately. When you get bored of whatever game or games you are currently playing, send them back and the provider will immediately send you the next game on your list. It's almost like having your personal video game butler.

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Doug Preston maintains a website on online game rental [http://www.online-game-rental-reviewer.com] where you can learn more about its benefits, and read featured reviews on a few of the companies who offer the service.

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The Future Of 3-D And Social Media Video Gaming

Will we be rocking games in 3D? Will we all purchase through the internet? Where does the future lie?

Don't worry, the gaming industry is in no mood to leave your living room so soon. It's not astounding to see the market expansion. Games at present are more reality based and one enjoys playing with more fun. The industry works on the mantra of more games, more fun, more sales. At times the question arises what might the future look like? No matter how advance technology becomes, certain aspects of gaming will remain intact.

No matter how advanced your game is you always need an opponent to make it exciting. The emergence of clans is just a token of what will happen when it becomes mainstream. Professional league games will definitely entertain millions of its fans one day.

Game developers are not only capitalizing games that involve hands but all 5 senses. So it can be said in near future games will be created that can be seen, heard, tasted and even smelt. Today you only use sense of sight and hearing but in upcoming years you are going to play games beyond a simple screen and speakers.

It is also predicted that future technology will revolutionize by switching from typical monitors and TVs to flat screens. Once this device is created, standardized and mass produced it will provide highest levels of realism needed to attract gamers to the e-gaming playground.

With Ethereal technologies, groundwork has been laid for new visual display revolution. Without the use of glasses the volumetric imaging system let gamers to enjoy the real 3D effect while gaming. At present games 3D are highly preferred over 2D graphics and game developers are involved in revolutionizing 3D games into real holographic display device that provides more amusement to the gamers.

Like said earlier, with future advancements gamers are not only going to hear the effects but will also feel the shock waves of that game. Rumblefx is the best example of this, Rumblefx headphones are designed to produce shocks and vibrations during a game.

It's a universal law the thing that is cost effective and inexpensive is highly attained by masses. Gaming and computer consoles are affordable at present, if you believe this statement future games are surely going to be sold with reasonable price tags. Games in future are going to be extremely advanced, well equipped with latest technology and will be reasonable as long as you compare the prices with its technology.

You can generate your own avatars, models, maps like the way you do today. Obviously the 3D holography file will contain more in-depth specifications and detailed characteristics. You will love to customize your own game with lots of variety in it.

Since children are more into e-games rather than going into real playground and for this reason game developers have added educational essence to their games. In that very account gamers learn while enjoying their games. In future this essence is going to play a vital role. Future games will be designed according to the basic learning and education of then children. When the educational support will be incorporated with powerful tool of e-gaming entertainment, the didactic and instructive power of games will be realized.

Another e-gaming trend which is more likely to gain popularity and advancement in near future is SOCIAL GAMING. Social gaming is an idea of placing games like Farmville, Mafia Wars, and Restaurant City in social networking sites like Facebook etc. However another social gaming category involves players from all over the world to interact and play. Whichever way you wish to look at social gaming it is here to stay. So e-gaming in social gaming is predicted to expand and capture several gamers of present era.

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Brian is a freelance tech writer and avid screenwriter who works with a lot of cool gadgets and technology. Visit his website, http://www.ScreenwritingBasics.com to receive free screenplay writing help and filmmaking career advice.

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Cartridge-Based Gaming Limits Innovation in Nintendo DS Learning Games

I've been writing often, lately, about educational games, especially Nintendo DS learning games. Most of my research has had a common thread of truth: it's a difficult medium to work in. According to industry sources, most learning games marketed towards kids never see the light of day, and the ones that do make it out of the planning phases can be a bit of a gamble for their studios. Especially, as is the case for many recent games, the teams who lack the backing of a major label. Major label = assured distribution.

Problem is, the major labels don't necessarily want to innovate. They don't often want to chance the market's willingness to accept a new ideas, foreign or unfamiliar gameplay, or, really: anything that isn't guaranteed to make a certain percentage of profit. It's understandable; they're publicly-traded companies, for crying out loud. Of course they're built to play it safe. DS learning games are a tough sell to begin with, these companies seem to say. Why swing for the fences when we've got a guaranteed base hit?

Well, that's true. But there are game makers out there, right this very second, who're toiling in obscurity, putting the finishing touches on the next Katamari Damacy. Ah, says the company, the Katamari example. For every Katamari, they say, there're three or four games you never hear about that fail miserably on the market. And Katamari wasn't even a DS learning game!

Also true. So, then - the problem isn't squarely on the shoulders of these monolithic gaming corporations. It seems the handheld gaming device industry deserves much of the blame.

Unfortunately, most of the gaming innovation I'm seeing is limited to the Internet. It's as if Indie game makers are sticking to personal computers, Flash games, and internet distribution, with the hope that they can attract a grassroots groundswell, maybe get noticed by one of the aforementioned big-name companies, and try to work for change within the system.

Without major changes withing the handheld gaming device industry, the Nintendo DS and its fleet of DS learning games will be in danger of running aground against the improved software distribution system of multiple-use devices like the iPhone. Here, at least, game makers can self-produce and release games to the market without the current logistical and production restraints of the cartridge-based gaming world. I fear for the Nintendo DS's survivability. For as many things as the Sony PSP got wrong, their recent switch to digital distribution is right. They just came to it too late - no one wants to re-buy games they already own.

The handheld gaming world is changing, and I hope that Nintendo helps lead that transition. I'd like to see a similar amount of fun DS learning games on the 3DS, but, by sticking with cartridge-based production, they're hurting their customers, smaller game producers, and ultimately, themselves.

Of course, in the meantime, we have some amazing games coming out. And the pre-existing DS learning game library is formidable, fairly deep, and has plenty of hidden gems. Nintendo needs to reevaluate its cartridge-based gaming platform for its upcoming Nintendo 3DS, lest they lose yet more ground to other handheld devices.

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William is a parent and a New York straphanger. His kid is already on the way to becoming a gamer who sometimes needs a little "gentle encouragement" to play his Nintendo DS learning game, even the ones the little guy picked out, himself. William misses the days of Sonic and Mario when they'd only go from left-to-right, rather than 360 degrees.

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One Man's Computer Gaming Odyssey

My experience in - and passion for - computer gaming

A Computer-Gaming Odyssey

The early years

Computer gaming has been an interest of mine ever since I was a young child. This article is part-reminiscence; part history - tracing the development of gaming culture over the decades.

My youthful experiences - in the 1980s - included playing Pac-man on some of the early Atari models, to playing the early installations in the legendary Ultima, Wizardry and Bard's Tale Series on my beloved Apple //c. While the Ultima series was comprised mostly of two dimensional tiles, the early Bard's Tale and Wizardry titles involved a rudimentary grid-based first person view.

The graphics - by today's standards - could be described simplistic at best.

Over the years game designers sought continually to to extract more and more from the limited potential of Apple II and Commodore 64 personal computers. (Although I do not include, here, the IIGS)

Bard's Tale 3 'The Thief of Fate' - was perhaps the most impessive title to emerge for the Apple II- not long before the line was abandoned to concentrate instead on Apple's Macintosh series.

For its time, 'Bard's Tale 3' provided a sprawling game world, and devilish, maze-like dungeons. Given the extraordinary limits of the Apple // line of personal computers, the musical score of the Bard's Tale titles was lively and 'pleasantly catching.' It comprised the 'pinnacle' of what could be achieved with the limited 128 kB Apple // c frame.

Hand-held electronic games were also popular for the time. Popularity at school rested at lest partly on possession of such titles as 'Frogger', 'Scrambler', 'Burger Time', 'Donkey Kong' and others.

I even recall my mother staying up late at night: entranced by my Pacman hand--held electronic game. Even then, gaming was not 'just for the kids'.

Computer role-playing games, however, were always my favourite - and they still are.

At the time - of course - no one had even heard of 'Massively Multiplayer' games OR of the internet.

Some of my favourite memories of my youth include days I spent at my local libaray, playing the quiz game 'Millionwaire', wagering 5 1/4 inch floppy disks on who would be winner. Back then, amongst enthusiasts, there was a real sense of community.

Looking back, now, it is hard for younger gamers to envisage the joy which my friends and I knew - despite what today would seem to be rudimentary graphics and sound.

And while those of my generation may have 'moved on' in our expectations for modern day gaming, I personally enjoy occasionally reminiscing about 'a simpler age' - now so long ago.

into the 1990s

As 'time marched on' - into the 1990s - I found myself turning to the PC as the Apple //c 'passed into history'. The advent of VGA - and then SVGA - graphics while I was in secondary school - marked a milestone - and the quality of the gaming experience improved markedly also.

It was then, also, during this transitional phase - that the 'Gold Box' series of Dungeons and Dragons games set the standard. The ever-renewable D&D franchise would serve developers well for many years to come. Even within this series, the difference was marked between the original titles - which had been available on the //c - and those which made the most of the-then groundbreaking SVGA graphics.

To this point, also, Computer Roleplaying Games were mainly charcterised by 'turn based' rather than 'real time' combat. But the 1990s were to see a paradigm shift to 'pause and play' or 'real-time' combat.

Meanwhile, the later installations in the Ultima series boasted interactivity which - for the time - caused the series to 'stand out from the crowd'. I can still remember the 'buzz' I felt from making bread in Ultima VI: and even cooking it in an oven. Trivial by today's standards, such 'touches' added character to the Ultima franchise.

This was also the 'coming of age' of the real-time-strategy genre. Dune II, and 'Command and Conquer' in particular - set a basic template that was to be remodelled and improved upon - time after time.

The same might also be said of the first-person-shooters - which during the 1990s included such titles as Doom and Wolfenstein 3D. These titles 'spread like wildfire in this the 'heyday' of 'shareware', and again provided a standard template which was later to be refined and expanded to include Player versus Player action.

The advent of multiplayer and online gaming - into the new Millenium

In good time first-person shooter gaming, as well as the real time strategy genre - were to evolve to the point where player versus player gaming became a lucrative 'sport'. Today, Quake 4, Starcraft, Warcraft III - and other titles - are played competitively - often with thousands of dollars at stake.

Into the late 1990s, the computer role-playing franchise expanded to provide for online, and massively multiplayer gaming. Ultima Online comprised one of those original titles: just as the internet was 'taking off'; but while broadband was still rare.

Ultima Online, in particular, was marked -originally by an uncontrolled 'Player versus Player' (PvP) element. This allowance for 'Player Killers' (PKs) greatly reduced the enjoyability of the game. Later developers were to learn from this - and provide 'PvP' under more controlled circumstances - often only with mutual consent.

Also the late 1990s saw the rise of such 'first person' titles as 'Everquest'. For some time the 'Everquest' franchise 'ruled supreme' - comprising the standard by which games of the genre were measured.

But come the mid '2000s' Blizzard's "World of Warcraft' (WoW) erupted onto the scene: providing new opportunities for (consensual) PvP combat, lush environments, rewarding multiplayer, and appealing animations.

WoW also struck 'the right balance' in instances of player death - with the resultant penalty not being so onerous as to seriously compromise gameplay.

World of Warcraft's beautifully-rendered animation - cartoon-like - with no pretense of realism - featured as one factor behind the game's appeal and longevity. This also might be seen as one factor behind Blizzard's eclipse of the 'Everquest II' title - which failed to capitalise on its forerunner's success.

Perhaps the only weakness of WoW - and other Massively Multiplayer Roleplaying Games (MMORPGs) - is the tendency for gameplay to be reduced to a 'grind''. There is only so much fun players can glean from 'camping out' for spawns.

Despite this, as of 2009 the World of Warcraft franchise continues to be enjoyed by millions of gamers: with two major expansions having been released: and possibly with more to come.

Opportunities for meaningful PvP is also important for many. Epic overarching storylines are also desirable: and comprised a central feature of Lord of the Rings Online (LOTRO) - perhaps the best MMORPG of 2007.

Most importantly - a player should never be lost for something to do. Hours of 'grinding' simply are not good enough.

Other recent competitors of WoW include 'Dungeons and Dragons Online', and "Warhammer Online'.

'Dungeons and Dragons Online' - in particular - encourages co-operative rather than solo gameplay. Such are the class designs that they complement each other.

Upcoming titles planned for release this year (2009) include 'The Old Republic' (based in the Star Wars universe) and 'Stargate Worlds'.

Amongst all this, Industry watchers are left to speculate as to who will one day usurp the 'WoW' crown. The challenge for MMORPG developers is to balance options for single and multiplayer co-operative play, while minimising the all-too-familar 'grind'.

Looking back: single player gaming - late 1990s to the present day...

The late 1990s and early '2000s' saw more breakthroughs in the depth and complexity of first person shooters, computer roleplaying games, and real-time strategy.

We will close, however, with a final consideration of the CRPG genre.

This period was marked especially by the 'Baldur's Gate' series; as well as the 'Icewind Dale' titles, and the masterful 'Planescape Torment'. Bioware's 'Infinity Engine' provided lush graphic backgrounds, accompanied by moving musical scores and deep, immersive and epic plotlines. Adaptable as ever, the Dungeons and Dragons franchise was brought to a new generation. Despite a massive fan base, though, the Infinity Engine line was abandoned before its time - and the much-awaited 'Baldur's Gate III' never emerged.

The 'Fallout' series, meanwhile, provided a gritty third person and turn-based gaming experience. Its post-apocalyptic themes developed such a solid following that - in 2008 - Fallout 3 was one of the most anticipated titles of the year.

Diablo I & Diablo II also emerged through this period - marking a new age of 'action RPGs': and heralding a new age of 'co-operative' online multiplayer gaming. The series is notable for its deeply atmospheric music, and for its dark and foreboding environments.

So popular - and resilient - has the series been, that even now - almost ten years since Diablo II, veteran gamers are eagerly awaiting the new instalment. Diablo III looks set to comprise one of the best-selling CRPG titles for 2009.

Other recent impressive titles include Elder Scrolls IV 'Oblivion', Bioware's 'Neverwinter Nights' series, the 'Knights of the Old Republic' (KOTOR) series.

Neverwinter Nights I & II provided a 'makeover' for the Dungeons and Dragons franchise - with expansive opportunities for user-created content and customisation.

'Oblivion', meanwhile, provided for an immersive world, with a plethora of individual characters - each with their own quirks, voice recorded dialogue, and routines. Oblivion's graphics were ground-breaking for the time - and have left industry watchers to speculate: what next for the Elder Scrolls franchise? Many suppose a new instalment will emerge in 2010.

Meanwhile, The 'Knights of the Old Republic' series, (also by Bioware), introduced players to a Star Wars universe set several thousand years before the subject-matter of the original Star Wars universe.

Finally, the KOTOR series (I&II) featured epic storylines; detailed character development system, immersive game play, weapon and armour customisation, and spectacular combat animations. Such elements comprise solid fundamentals which might be borrowed from in 'The Old Republic' when it is released some time in 2009-2010.

In conclusion

2009 is set to be a most interesting year. Aside from what we have considered already in this feature, there is a mass of titles in production - many for release this year.

Red Alert 3 was one of the best real-time strategy titles of 2008: offering challenging multiplayer combat, with innovative and often humorous story lines and units. 2009 will see another instalment in this series: 'Red Alert - Uprising'. Undoubtedly for some this expansion will find its way onto the 'must-have' list.

Mass Effect II, Dragon Age, Guild Wars II and Star Trek Online, meanwhile, will likely be amongst the most popular in their respective genres.

Twenty years ago virtually no-one could have foreseen the evolution of games genres and computer technology that has unfolded since.

Regardless - looking to the future - who knows what awaits?

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Tristan Ewins is an experienced freelance writer and blogger based in Melbourne, Australia. He specialises in PC Gaming, as well as political and social commentary. He has been writing for 'On Line Opinion' for several years, and blogs at the 'Blogger' blogs: 'PC Gaming Forum' and 'Left Focus'.

see: http://pcgamingforum.blogspot.com

Interested parties are welcome to contact Tristan with proposals for casual writing work:

tristane@bigpond.net.au

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Get Your Gaming News

The gaming industry is a huge multi-billion-dollar a year sector of the world economy. There are makers of gaming consoles, designers of games, retail outlets, and so many new innovations in technology happening so fast that it's impossible to keep up with it all.

There is a lot of media coverage of the different players in the gaming industry. That's not surprising, since there are so many devoted fans of the different consoles, and so many gaming fanatics who enjoy playing new games and updated versions of older games.

It's real easy to start digging into the Internet sources of gaming industry news. For starters, you can search in any search engine for "gaming news" or similar search term. The trouble with that approach is that you get so many results in the list that is returned, that it's very time-consuming to look at more than a few sites that way.

Following is a short list of five websites where you can get started digging into gaming news, perhaps with a site that suits your style or special interests.

Gametab lists the recent news articles from a wide range of gaming news websites. Categories are the different websites themselves. You can find lists of latest releases and latest news, reviews by platform, and you can participate in their forums.

N4G is a nice source of diverse news from various sources, categorized neatly so you can easily zero in on Xbox 360, PS3, Wii, or other console or platform. They also have categories for industry news, dev news, tech, and week's hottest news.

Joystiq is a site that serves up news in the style of a blog, so it has a more relaxed and personal feel than some of the other news sites. The focus is mainly on games themselves, and the postings are categorized in a fairly usable form via a platform-specific menu.

1up covers news and gossip, and is constantly updated. The focus on mainly on gaming company related news. However, you can also find a wide range of video game reviews and previews on their site. One way to keep up with upcoming games is to check their "Launch Centers" section. And a Cheats section may be of interest to those who want to find some game shortcuts.

Gamesarefun (or GAF) is a news site that does not provide updates as often as some of the others. However, an interesting feature is a video game database. This isn't a complete listing of all games ever made, but it sure can help you find some details on a game that you have been wondering about for awhile. GAF also has a cheats section and forums that you can browse.

Well that's the short list. There are definitely a lot more gaming news sites out there, and they are easy to find using the method described above. So dig into these sites for your "gaming news fix" and have fun reading.

To see this article PLUS the list of gaming news sites as clickable web links, visit us here:
http://onlinewarstrategygame.com/get-your-gaming-news.html.

Be sure to bookmark our site at http://OnlineWarStrategyGame.com so you can keep up with gaming news, tips, timely advice, and hot downloads!

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Love Gaming? Learn Why You Need Gaming News

The video gaming industry is really a huge sector in the overall economy, with tens of billions of dollars per year. Due to the fact it is such a crucial and also expanding industry, there's a large amount of news produced regarding it. There are tons of competitors involved, from individuals earning money simply by providing capital or even managing licensing, to the people that design and produce the games, to people included in development of hardware, to the people helping with distribution, and lastly for the customers. You possibly can take a wander down the section of just about any retail store which carries magazines, and you will probably come across no less than 2-3 magazines about the industry.

The gaming news coverage is usually a person's way to obtain know-how that could allow you to improve your equipment along with how you play. This is one way you'll be able to take advantage of the consistent news, despite your current gaming skill. One of many ways to begin getting gaming news is usually to take a visit to the nearby game store. Game Stop as well as Game Crazy certainly is a few the most popular retailers which have the industry's magazines. Most of these publications can provide you with a bunch of info on the newest releases of new titles, and also you may review the price ranges of both games as well as gaming devices.

Numerous magazines could possibly be centered on one particular company's items. The Game Informer, on the other hand, covers reviews as well as news regarding every one of the many titles and systems. In that magazine you will find details for PC, PlayStation 3, Nintendo DS, PSP (PlayStation Portable), along with much more.

The magazines really are a way to obtain industry news, to be able to tell you what is hot and also what exactly is certainly not. You will find there's a large amount of connections involving advertising and mainstream media focus. Immediately after getting brought up in the five o'clock news, sales of a video game can easily experience a sharp surge with sales.

Gaming news sources can certainly notify everyone regarding fresh and competitive gaming companies before you decide to purchase items. Often activities in diverse areas of the world may affect the market industry, since there are lots of organizations which sponsor awards pertaining to video games as well as gaming items. You can also look deep to determine what is influencing the market industry that you are part of.

Whenever you go to one of the nearby game stores, make sure you ask questions. The folks which work inside most of these stores could let you know about awesome things going on or perhaps upcoming game releases available with special prices. As well they might be able to inform you of gaming activities that you could go to and even attend. Look around at the posters, signs, and also other types of printed ads inside stores, as well.

Media companies for instance all those connecting people to satellite, cable, as well as additional news or Online resources can certainly have an effect on the game industry with their actions. Leaks of details or even videos will often give valuable information regarding upcoming games or events. These along with other types of intriguing news are available in the game magazines. Apart from Game Informer, some other magazines you might want to consider will be Computer Games Magazine, GamePro, as well as GameSlice. You will find homes for most of these magazines on the net as well. By simply keeping up along with game industry news, you'll be able to greatly enhance your fun of your gaming interest.

As far as online sites and blogs there are a number of online gaming news sites and blogs. These web sites can inform you of new game releases; games reviews, and give gaming gear and games away for free. Now who does not like a free game or a free Xbox 360 console? Now days the best place is to look online for most of your gaming news, as is all readily available at the tip of your fingertips.

For more gaming news and gaming information, including game reviews visit http://raging-nerd.com/

Matthew Flanagan is an avid gamer and article writer about the gaming industry. He has had experience writing in the gaming industry for 4 years now. He loves the gaming industry and staying on top of gaming news.

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How to Create Additional Income From Online Gaming

Do you believe that you have what it takes to test and improve on new or existing games? Would you like to have all the myths and lies explained as well as being taught how to get in contact with those companies that are actively seeking player? of all skill levels to test new and upcoming games before they even hit the shelves?

Well look no further...

"Common Myths"

1. Only experienced Gamers are called upon to test and evaluate games!

This is only true of certain types of games such as Browser based internet games as a high level of technical knowledge will be required for troubleshooting purposes, otherwise gamers of all experience levels are required to give companies accurate feedback across a broad spectrum of their target demographic.

2. There is too much competition for these positions!

Whilst there is definitely a lot of interest in these positions there is still an AMAZING shortage of gamers who are either available or have an interest in testing certain games as most gamers are likely to wish to test only those games that fall within the genre of their particular gaming interests.

3. There isn't enough work to generate a decent income from doing this!

DO NOT BE FOOLED!!!! These positions are not "JOBS" in the ordinary sense of the word. In fact these positions can be more likened to Starting your own business. If you need a "BOSS" telling you how to spend your workday or when to clock in and out then theses positions are not for you. If you are going to sit around waiting for companies to contact you whenever they have a game that you might or might not be interested in then this is not the position for you. You will be required to actively source these opportunities for yourself until you are well enough known within the testing community.

Don't worry... there are places that you can look to find these opportunities if you do your research properly.

If you are interested in taking a look at some of my research please visit: gamers-lives.info [http://gamers-lives.info]

upcoming games

The Importance of Immersion in Gaming

Games are probably the ultimate form of escapism. They have an element of interactivity that no other medium has, and that gives them the potential to really bring the player into a world they can participate in. This kind of immersion is what sets games apart from films or books.

It's disappointing to see how often developers get it wrong.

You'll get developers who think realism is all you need to immerse a player. They think that if the graphics all look like real life that the player will think it is. They couldn't be more wrong. Things need to behave realistically too. It doesn't matter how life-like your setting is, if the characters don't move or respond to your actions naturally, you might as well not have bothered. It works for films like Avatar because they have real people acting out a script, not automated characters that need to adapt to everything the player does.

Controls are another area where developers have tried and failed to achieve immersion. Motion controls, such as the Wii remote and the upcoming Playstation Move seem like a good idea at first: players imitate the actions they want to perform in game with the controllers. But, in reality, it just makes the controls awkward and frustrating. Motions only superficially resemble the actions and without some form of physical feedback, swinging a controller will not feel like hitting something with a sword. Ideally, with controls, you want the player to be able to think about what they want to do in the game and just do it. This is more than possible with just simple buttons. Gimmicky motion controls are not needed.

Voice acting can make or break a game's immersiveness. Unfortunately, voice acting is usually an afterthought and the actors aren't given much context, just some lines to read out. A line that sounds odd in context can throw you out of the experience. Actors for films need to know the context and their motivation to give a good performance, so why aren't more developers giving their voice actors the same privileges?

I have seen games do it right, though, and they should be praised for it! Recent Call of Duty games have been very immersive, with smooth controls and situation that put your character in a sort of "controllable helplessness". Your character will be in a situation where they can't move, you can still look around (and shoot stuff if you still have your gun). It's a simple trick, but just by not taking control away from the player, you avoid breaking the game's flow, making the tense moments all the more impressive.

The climbing and free-running in the Assassin's Creed games is also deserving of mention. There's no repetitive button tapping, just hold down one button and point where you want to go. Your character just takes the appropriate action to climb, vault or swing over what's in the way. They've programmed it marvellously so that you get a sense of the freedom you have to go anywhere, whatever walls or obstacles obstruct your path. You can just get lost in the city.

If you can lose yourself in a game like that, you know you're having fun! Immersion separates games from films and it's also what separates an average game from a great game!

Upcoming games I am interested in:

Call of Duty: Black Ops

Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood

upcoming games