The theory is that seizures can be triggered by playing very near to the television screen. Big television screens also increase the chances of seizures as against the smaller sets. The best position when playing is to sit as far back as possible from the screen. Similarly, staring at the flashing screen continuously for hours can put a parson at high risk for seizures. Therefore, it’s best to limit the playing time of children; impose breaks to allow their eyes to rest even for a while.

Other than the possibility of seizures, you also need to be concerned with the severe headaches, blurred vision, twitching eyes, and convulsions. These may be brought about by the non-stop exposure to the vivid graphics flashing on the screen. If you suffer from motion sickness, it is highly likely for you to experience the same sensations when you play the Wii. This is due to the simulated movements by the fast changing screen graphics of certain games.

Another thing that concerns many is the potential addiction to playing video games. The Wii games offer so much fun and challenges so in a way you can’t blame those who spend countless hours playing Wii. However, playing Wii games require many repetitive motions over a long time that can take its toll on the wrists, hands, and fingers. It is common to hear avid players complain of their painful thumbs or stiff fingers.

You can avoid many aches and discomfort by setting a daily time limit on your play with the Wii. You must also be alert for the early symptoms of numbness in your hands and fingers. You might also experience burning sensations. When this happens, you should immediately stop your game and go for a long break to prevent it from worsening.

You may be interested in the interactive games but make sure to clear your immediate area before playing with your Nintendo Wii. Make enough space for you to move around during the game. You can get hurt if you accidentally hit objects or even other people. Check if your constant movements won’t result into things falling off the shelves or off the walls and onto you.

And most important of all, make sure that you are fit and able to engage in interactive Nintendo Wii games. Some movements can be so intensive you could suffer from a muscle pull or some other injury if you’re not fit enough. It is a good idea to stretch and do some warm ups before playing to avoid injuries. You should also stretch after playing to allow your muscles stiffened from playing to relax and normalize. If you have a heart condition, seek clearance from your doctor before playing the rigorous types of Wii games.

Through it all, expect to have fun while playing with your Wii. Just be mindful of the safety issues that have been raised in the foregoing paragraphs and take the appropriate steps to avert the related risks. Be conscious of how long you’ve been playing the game and learn to take a break every now and then. If you happen to experience health problems, do not hesitate to see a doctor. For all you know, those problems that manifest while you’re playing may be due to an underlying condition so seek medical help early to keep your health issues in check.

By playing with handheld controllers and devices, gamers improve the movements in their hands. This allows them to perform small tasks with their hands better than those without video game experience, says the American Psychological Association. Researchers have found that surgeons who have played video games in their life have a better time using their hands while working on patients.

Better Problem-Solving

Most games have elements of puzzles and problem solving, even when they are not labeled as a ‘puzzle game’. With regular use of puzzles in games, players will have better problem-solving skills over the years. These skills can then be used in other aspects of life, including in school and work.

Technical Prowess

According to Steven Johnson of Discover Magazine, children who start playing video games at a young age show advanced technical prowess as they get older. With early access to technology, children are increasing their success as adults. They often have an easier time gaining a career because of their technical abilities.

Positive Effects Over Life Span

Researchers have found that playing video games can produce positive effects for players over their lifetime, according to the American Psychological Association. Adults with early experience in video games have found improvements in their life later on. While dexterity, problem solving and technical prowess may be enhanced while playing games, these skills are improved for a long time afterward as well.

The Difference in Video Game Content

Some video games have more of a positive effect than others. Researchers found that people who play strictly violent games were more hostile in other aspects of their life. They also found that those who played social games were less likely to get in a fight. Mixing different styles of games can have the best effect. If a teenager or adult plans to play a violent game, they should make sure to play other kinds of games as well.

Playing video games can be a much better option than other forms of entertainment. For instance, those watching television use their brain far less than those who play video games. When given a choice, parents should seriously weigh the options between passive television or active, educational games.

References:

American Psychological Association, (2008, August 17). Playing video games offers learning across life span, say studies. Retrieved July 21, 2009, from APA Online Web site: apa.org/releases/videogamesC08.html

Johnson, Steven (2005, July 24). Your brain on video games. Discover Magazine, July 2005, Retrieved July 21, 2009, from discovermagazine.com/2005/jul/brain-on-video-games

Story: “Guybrush Threepwood?! That’s the stupidest name I’ve ever heard!”

Meet Guybrush Threepwood. He wants to be a mighty pirate. Of course, no one ever accomplished their life’s greatest ambitions without meeting a rogue’s gallery of quirky weirdos and solving a variety of item-based puzzles–at least, no one I’m familiar with.

Monkey Island’s story eschews heart-breaking drama and philosophical waxing for a simple and charming tale that’s animated by the eccentrics that you’ll meet at every turn, from a fast-talking, plaid-wearing used-boat salesman to a well-spoken trio of cannibals. The writing is the stuff of legends, and has truly withstood the test of time; the humour is just as relevant in 2009 as it was in 1990. It doesn’t hinge on contemporary celebrities and pop-culture jokes to elicit chuckles; it instead presents one ridiculous situation after another in a wholly compelling manner.

Gameplay:

Do you like puzzles that involve skilful and inventive manipulation of cooking pots and rubber chickens that have pulleys in the middle? If so, this is the game that has spoken to you from your dreams. Gameplay in SoMI: SE revolves entirely around overcoming obstacles that challenge your creativity and tenacity. You’ll eventually learn to throw common sense as you know it into the nearest incinerator and instead adapt your grey matter to a far more useful “What would Guybrush do?” mindset. Some puzzles are more intuitive than others, but they’re all well-designed; their solutions make perfect sense in their own twisted ways, and the tingling feeling of satisfaction you’ll get when you have your “Eureka!” moment is without peer.

Fortunately for those who are in it for the humour and not the mental kinks (you are not to be blamed), there is a hint system–new to this remake–that you can call upon to prod you in the right direction whenever you feel as though you’re about ready to slip into despair. There’s also the fact that, like all LucasArts adventures, dying a terrible death or becoming permanently stuck by misusing an item are nigh-impossible. That’s not to say you can’t die if you really put your mind to it, though. . .

Graphics: High-definition? In MY Monkey Island!?

Fear not, retro lovers; SoMI: SE remains faithful to its predecessor in every way. In fact, it was built right on top of The Secret of Monkey Island, and you can see proof of that in the comically stiff animations that imitate the sprites of 1990 perfectly. But there’s no need to take anyone’s word for it: at the mere click of a button, you can swap between the new visuals and the old at your leisure, even in mid-conversation. This is a truly cool feature that was also used in another recent Xbox Live Arcade remake, R-Type Dimensions. Of course, it would be remiss not to mention the obvious work that went into the new graphics, which are colourful, charming, and add new details to give the exotic locales an extra bit of personality. The simplistic beauty of the original art has a charm of its own, too, so the swap-on-the-fly system makes the experience fun for all tastes.

Music N’ Sound: Ear-piercing reggae never sounded so good.

The other aspect of SoMI:SE that has received a new-millennium update is the sound. The most obvious change here is the addition of voice acting, and it’s provided by a cast of voice actors that really know their stuff, from Rob Paulsen to Cam Clarke. Even if you don’t recognize the names, the voices are bound to ring a bell or two; these folks are no strangers to bringing beloved characters to life. The music also received its fair share of love and care; it was sometimes difficult to hear the original’s music without turning up your speakers a few extra notches, but this remake’s remixes stand out nicely and provide a wonderful accompaniment to the Caribbean hijinks. Those who prefer the original tunes, however, will be happy to know that switching the graphics to their original beauty does the music the same courtesy.

Added Value:

The thing about puzzle-driven adventure games: you beat them once, and you know how to beat them again with minimal effort. However, SoMI:SE is not completely devoid of incentives for a revisiting. There are plenty of dialogue options, and you certainly won’t be seeing them all in a single playthrough, so a second run lets you discover even more of the game’s treasure trove of jokes. There are also two possible endings to see, and, of course, achievements to strive for if you’re playing the XBLA version. The real reason you’d want to pay another visit to Monkey Island, though, is similar to the reason you watch your favourite movie time and time again; you just can’t get enough of it.

Conclusion, in Q&A format:

Q: Why might SoMI:SE not be my tankard of grog?
A: If you’re in the market for heated, thumb-blistering action, approach with caution. Monkey Island’s gameplay is built entirely around the idea of solving bizarre, head-scratching puzzles. It certainly isn’t an impossibility that the game’s humour will manage to win you over, but be sure to try the demo before you buy. Sadly, the demo doesn’t give you the opportunity to solve any of the game’s puzzles, but at least you can get an idea as to whether or not you’ll be getting your money’s worth of laughter.

Q: Why is SoMI:SE worth going ape over?

A: This game is the ideal remake. It caters to newcomers to the series with a lush and colourful HD presentation, retaining all of the brilliant situations and dialogue that made the original such a timeless classic. It also caters to the purists who just want to relive their fond memories of this jewel from the nineties by allowing them to deluge themselves in nostalgic bliss at the click of a button.

By Curtis Montgomery

Because of the mass appeal of the game, it wasn’t long before rabid fans wanted more. And while Blizzard did release several expansion packs, those couldn’t quell the clamor for a bigger, better StarCraft – what fans really wanted was a sequel. And finally, in May 2007, the development of StarCraft II was announced.

Two and a half years later, though, the game has yet to appear; no definitive release date has been set, as Blizzard insists that meeting quality standards is more important than meeting an arbitrary date. Still, it’s believed StarCraft II will hit stores sometime in the first half of 2010.

Until then, fans will have plenty to dream about, as Blizzard has been releasing information on how the game will play out. Like the original, StarCraft II will feature the Terrans, Zerg and Protoss, though the single-player campaigns will be non-linear, resulting in a more interactive and engaging experience for players. The multiplayer component will be significantly different as well, as it will be more of a focus than in the original game, and the online gaming service Battle.net will be improved with features such as a matchmaking service based on skill. Another new online aspect will be the StarCraft II Marketplace, which will offer, for a small fee, premium maps so players can enjoy a new and different multiplayer experience.

StarCraft II will also be built with a new, advanced graphics engine, providing more realistic cut scenes and high-quality renderings of units and environments. Blizzard has promised more detail in the terrain of maps as well as enhanced effects. The Havok physics engine will also be implemented, offering more robust environmental elements.

There is no doubt that StarCraft II will delight the countless fans eager to get their hands on it; the only question is whether they’ll be able to stand the waiting.

The author of The Ultimate History of Video Games, Steven L. Kent is one of the foremost experts in the field of classic and modern video games. Kent has appeared on various news programs (including the CBS Morning Show and the NBC Nightly News) talking about video games and has had articles published in USA Today, Rolling Stone, RePlay, Wired, Next Generation, and numerous other magazines.

The Basics

Although born in San Diego, California, Kent grew up in Hawaii, where he enjoyed torch fishing, skin diving, surfing, and even a little boxing. He attended college in Utah at Brigham Young University, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in journalism and a master’s degree in communications. Working for the LDS Church, Kent spent 1979-1981 as a Spanish-speaking missionary serving migrant farm workers in southern Idaho. From 1986-1988, Kent was a telemarketer, hawking subscriptions to TV Guide and Inc. Magazine. Despite his formal education, Kent claims that “his most important education came from life.”

Video Game Epiphany

In the acknowledgements section of The Ultimate History of Video Games, Kent relates the story of how he got involved with video games. It was 1972, the year Pong, the world’s first commercially successful coin-op video game, made its debut in the arcades, and Kent’s physical education teacher had taken his class to the local bowling alley in Kalihi, which is on the island of Oahu in Hawaii. While the rest of the class bowled, Kent and the teacher played Pong. Prior to this life-changing experience, Kent had played electromechanical games (his favorite at the time being Night Bomber), but Pong was unlike anything he had ever seen before. After batting the ball back and forth a few times with the rectangular paddles, Kent never looked back.

Breaking In and Hitting The Big Time

In 1993, Kent, living in Seattle at the time, broke into journalism by reviewing three PC games (The Seventh Guest, Alone in the Dark, and Legacy) for the Halloween issue of the Seattle Times. Emboldened by his publishing success (and by the loss of his job at a PR agency), Kent became a full-time freelancer, culminating with The First Quarter: A 25-Year History of Video Games, a self-published, though critically acclaimed book released in 2000. The book was later re-published as The Ultimate History of Video Games by Three Rivers Press, which is a division of Random House. Other game books written by Kent include The Making of Doom 3 and The Making of Final Fantasy: The Spirits Within.

Now Writing…

These days, Kent, the author of the sci-fi novels The Clone Republic, Rogue Clone, and The Clone Betrayal, spends most of his working hours writing fiction.

MX vs. ATV: Reflex; December 1 (Nintendo DS, PlayStation 3, PSP, Xbox 360) – High-stakes racing and death-defying stunts are the name of the game in MX vs. ATV: Reflex, a unique racing game that offers extreme sports fans a chance to ride like their idols. New reflex controls give players more control than ever before, while a new graphics engine will dazzle with unimagined levels of detail. Dual controls enhance the stunt options and a 12-player multiplayer interface guarantees a good time.

Avatar; December 1 (Nintendo DS, PC, PlayStation 3, PSP, Wii, Xbox 360) – Inspired by the feature film, Avatar: The Game gives players the option to fight as either the RDA or the Na’vi, with each side offering customizable weapons and new skills as the game advances. More than 60 weapons and 20 unique skills will help players make most of the interactive environment that features usable vehicles and animals. The battle for the planet of Pandora even rages online with a thrilling multiplayer mode.

The Saboteur; December 8 (PC, PlayStation 3, Xbox 360) – Another historic adventure, The Saboteur is set in Nazi-occupied Paris, where players take to the streets to sabotage the German invaders with the tools and assistance of the French Resistance and British intelligence. Whether it involves blowing up zeppelins, bridges and tanks or infiltrating enemy facilities, nothing is out of question. Players will see the interactive environment change around them depending on how tight or loose the Nazi’s grip on Paris is as a result of their actions.

Guitar Hero Van Halen; December 22 (PlayStation 2, PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, Wii) – The latest installment of the incredibly popular Guitar Hero franchise features 80s rock icons Van Halen. Arena rock will reign this holiday season, with 25 Van Halen songs, including favorite hits such as Jump, Hot for Teacher and Panama. Now is the time to see if you can really shred as you take on legendary Eddie Van Halen solos and 19 guest tracks. The ultimate party band meets the ultimate party game – you can’t beat this.

There are so many new features I don’t know where to start.  First off Metal Gear Solid 3:  Subsistence includes Snake Eater along with the original Metal Gear and Metal Gear:  Solid Snake.  The game play and story is relatively the same.  Snake still uses stealth and deadly weapons to get the job done.  This includes hiding in boxes, covering himself with camouflage and snaking through grass, sneaking past guards, etc.  Weapons include:  guns, rocket launchers, and of course… close quarters combat (CQC).

Next, there are tons of multiplayer modes available online.  Death match and team death match are quite fun.  Capture involves a game like capture the flag, only with a frog piggy bank.  There is also Sneaking Mission where 1 player plays as Snake and 7 play as guardians of a particular item.  Snake has to get the item without being caught by the others.  Lastly, there is Cargo Rescue.  One team must protect and deliver cargo while the other team tries to destroy it.

Some other extras include new levels in the mini game:  Snake vs. Monkey.  There is also a Dual Mode that allows you to battle all of the bosses.  Finally, you can watch all of the game’s movies in the Demo Theater Mode and you can watch some “special” scenes in The Secret Theater.

A new third person view camera is one of the biggest changes as it makes the game quite easier.  No longer must you stop and look around before proceeding.  You can now see your entire surroundings.  The control configuration is still the same as it has been in all of the previous Metal Gears.

The graphics are excellent to look at and the environments are quite detailed.  The soundtrack is also engaging.  Voice acting is superb and the dialogue is actually pretty funny sometimes… if you pay attention.

Metal Gear Solid 3:  Subsistence is available on Playstation 2.  Up to 8 people can play it online.  The game has an ESRB rating of M for mature.  This is because it contains intense violence, sexual themes, blood, gore, and language.

In Burnout:  Revenge, you need to drive downright dirty!  Every car is suitable for you to destroy.  Cause massive accidents during rush hour, bump your rival racers into a wall, and always remember not to dodge traffic…crash into it!

Burnout:  Revenge rewards you for your notty and destructive behavior.  As you play, a revenge meter rises and tracks your progress so that you are suitably rewarded.  You get to choose you vehicle based on 3 car classes:  race, muscle, and crash.  Each car has different specs and capabilities.  When you are rewarded, your car gets stronger and literally transforms!

Since Burnout:  Revenge is literally about destruction, I suppose I should talk about that.  First off, there are hundreds of cars for you to trash.  An all new “car deformation” system has been integrated with 3 times more deformities than the previous edition of the series.  This includes:  paint scratches, tears, dents, dings, and turning cars into flaming balls of steel.  Each level has multiple paths, jumps, choke points, and new open-ended crash junctions…all to provide you with more chances to cause some destruction against other unsuspecting commuters or racing rivals. 

Crashes involve gorgeous cinematic cut scenes.  You will want to cause crashes again and again just to see them.  There are literally hundreds of ways to do this!  It is never the same game twice.

The graphics are just awesome and the soundtrack is as well.  Many real world locations look authentic, such as:  Rome, Detroit, and Tokyo.  The controls are also extremely easy to learn.  You will feel right at home on the road to destruction!

Burnout:  Revenge is newly available on XBOX 360.  The XBOX 360 version has all the new and cool stuff added to it.  Online play is great to play against your friends (or enemies) through XBOX live.  The XBOX and Playstation 2 versions are just as cool without the added features.  Burnout:  Revenge is rated E 10.  This means that the game is suitable for anyone ages 10 and up.  This is because the game features some violence.  (Hello!  Massive car crashes)!

You play with 2 main characters, orphans named Felt and Viese.  One day, earthquakes devastate the world of Eden.  It is up to the orphans to figure out what is wrong and save Eden before it is too late.  Felt gets a hold of a mythical sword called “The Azure Azoth.”  Felt is then called “the Chosen One” and sent to an alternate world called Belkhyde that seems to have some influence on the problems of Eden.  Viese stays on Eden and tries desperately to save it.

During Atelier Iris 2, you alternate between both characters on both worlds.  One is good with the sword while the other is good at synthesizing items.  Both characters have a single item pool so that you can share items between them.  If Felt needs to upgrade his sword, Viese merely needs the materials and instructions to synthesis the items needed and pass it on to Felt.  You no longer need to visit a shop in order to do this, unlike the first Atelier Iris.  This is a very nice change.  Item synthesis is needed to upgrade weapons, create equipment, make potent healing potions, and more.  Travel on both worlds is also nice.  You merely click a point on the map and you are there.

The battle system is different than in the previous edition of Atelier Iris.  Atelier Iris 2 features the new Action Cost Time Battle System.  Here, there is a gauge on the screen.  The closer your character is to the right side on the gauge, the sooner he gets to attack.  Attacks include:  charge attacks, devastating combos, break attacks, and special skills that are executed when the skill gauge rises.

The graphics of Atelier Iris 2 are simple yet colorful. The character models are highly detailed and look quite a bit like anime or cartoons!  The music is different, yet catchy.  Lastly, the controls are easy to master.

Atelier Iris 2 is available for Playstation 2.  It has an ESRB rating of E-10.  This means the game is suitable for any one ages 10 and up.  This is because the game features fantasy violence, mild language, mild suggestive themes, use of alcohol, and use of tobacco.  A strategy guide is available for those of you who want to see all that the game has to offer.

Guild Wars:  Factions takes place on a different continent than the first game.  It is an Asian inspired land called Cantha.  You don’t need to have the first Guild Wars in order to play Guild Wars: Factions.  But it is nice if you do have it because you can travel back and forth between Cantha and Tyria (the land in the first game).  You can play with your previously created character from the first game, or create a new one.

The story takes place 200 years after the Emperor of Cantha is murdered by his supposedly loyal bodyguard, Shiro Tagachi.  A battle ensues after the Emperor’s death and Shiro soon faces his own death.  It is said that his death wail was so full of anger and hate that the sea turned to jade and the forest became petrified.  Now, 200 years later, Shiro’s angry spirit returns to create havoc on the land of Canthu.

The land of Canthu has 2 factions that are at war between each other:  the Kurzicks and the Luxons.  The Kurzicks are highly religious and conservative.  They are made up of artisans and crafters.  The Luxons are a nomadic type people that are always on the move.  They used to dwell in the sea, but since it has been turned to jade, they travel across it on huge walking machines.  They believe only the strong survive.  You must decide which faction you wish be allied with and be at war against the other.

There are many new additions in Guild Wars:  Factions.  First, there are two new professions:  a deadly assassin and a ritualist who can summon dark spirits.  Second, there are over 300 new skills, including 90 new elite skills.  There are also 100 new creatures, 50 new locations, new pets, new weapons, new items, new armor, new guild halls, and new customizable looks for your character creation.

Guild Wars:  Factions has the same controls as the first game so if you have played it before, you will have no problem.  The soundtrack is quite nice to listen to and not too repetitive.  All of the lush environments are highly detailed and colorful.  This is to be expected because of how great the previous game looked.  Expect to be playing long hours for many months.  This game is sure not to bore you.

Guild Wars:  Factions is only available for your PC.  It has an ESRB rating of T for Teen.  This is because the game features the use of alcohol, violence, and suggestive themes.  A strategy guide is available for those of you who need a bit of help.