Mostly the games reflect society rather than address serious social issues. The best they can do is poke fun at stupidity ("Backyard Wrestling" for example). But games have already tried in the past.
Games like Ms. Pacman recognize the need to appeal to both genders back in the 80's. Clothing styles of characters also show this. In fact, the abstract games of the 80's showed great creativity and artistic flair of sorts. Today, the rise of the music game is demonstrating the digital age of music and remixing.
Games have tried to tackle serious social issues. Time Traveller and N.A.R.C. (apologetically) had "Winners Don't Use Drugs" messages overtly in them. And more recently, the ratings system with good intentions while paving the road to Hell attempts to match content to the appropriate age group as a guideline.
So it's there, but it's always been a sort of background thing. I believe the nature of games being entertainment, it'll be hard to put a serious message in.
(I also felt there were a lot of big psycho-babble words in the article that made it a little too unreadable.)
Gameboy changes a lot. Almost every year they bring out a new system. If not a new system, then new colors, brighter screen, whatever.
Gameboy advance was out almost a year when GBA SP came out. I was turned off by GBA because of the hard-to-see screen. The change to SP was probably a necessity.
Almost a year has gone by now, meaning a change in the Gameboy is in order. They're already offering the funky colors. I expect it to be another Gameboy, but they'll have to stop including earlier compatibility.
The folding screen design lends itself to many interesting gaming concepts. "L" shape for a pseudo-3D platform, Inverted "V" shape for a versus game, Flat for a wide-screen-like playfield, and dare I say it, flat with a mirror attachment for cheap 3D color.
The Photos were in the current issue of GMR, currently linked to the EBWorld EDGE club. Under the picture, it said "artists concept only." It was fake, but it wasn't trying to mislead.
In theory, the games with licenses should be easier. Let's say you're a blank slate. Now you're to write a game of commercial quality. How about you have a theme already picked out like Star Wars. Not you suddenly know all of your main characters, your fictional science, your real science, your subplot, your main plots (if you're allowed to use them). Can't use the main plots? Change the characters and settings.
So they should be easier! However, the micromanagement of the license holders and the businessmen giving you "Bible compliance" and deadlines when they don't understand programming at all? There's the problem.
I feel the same way. I always assume a licensed title is just some game engine that has the license "worked in." This is especially with newer movies, since the games come out simultaneously--they couldn't possibly be done in the timeframe of shooting the movie unless very buggy or very generic.
I think e-mail is my #1 reason for stress. It's taking the place of voice conversation and has little to no structure. It's expected that I read and know all of it a work. My inbox has 2000 messages in it.
#2 reason is non-standard interfaces, not being able to find what you want to do and finding 5 ways to do things you don't want. I also include remote controllers, digital cameras, and mobile phones in this category.
#3 reason is high-level OS. Rapidly becoming a "black box," stability is down and software bugs are way up.
#4 is too much distraction. I realize this is my problem, but internet news and quick surfing keep me from my appointed tasks.
With the exception of #4, of all the reasons seem to be related to good computing, database, and OS practices.
I'm not on crack. Target has exclusive Sonic Pinball Party (GBA). Best Buy sold the Rolling Stones DVD "Four Licks" for 3 or 4 months before general release. Toys R Us has a couple of games labelled "Toys R Us EXCLUSIVE!" (can't remember the games, they weren't big ones, that's for sure). Blockbuster rents finished products of games before they can be purchased, like Mortal Kombat 4 or Final Fantasy X.
That's just off the top of my head. If you were to research such things, you would discover that exclusivity contracts (on everything) are common among the big chains.
The editorial is one of sour grapes, because the author either doesn't have the PS2 or he'd much rather have it on a different platform. I'm not sure why he's picking on kill.Switch (sorry, never heard of it) and I-Ninja (sorry, doesn't look adult- or original-enough).
It completely overlooks the fact that the US has all sorts of exclusivity licenses. Some stores, Target, Toys R Us, and Best Buy, license entire titles of video games, CDs and DVDs to be sold in their store exclusively for "X" months. Video games, same thing. And many titles are developed entirely for one system because of anticipation of sales and/or system capabilities.
The companies that sign this agreement aren't stupid. They realize the contract exceeds anticipated sales if released in multiple venues. At the same time, license owners will make more on the licensed product than if it were equally available in all venues/formats. It's a relatively low-risk gamble.
For video games in general, most of the reason to license to one system is to improve sales for that system and in system hardware. If system A has a 40% market share, and B has a 60% market share, system A will have 100% of a market share of the licensed game for "X" months. And they may sell systems if the game is hot enough. Compare this to 40% if available for both. If the license estimates 50% of all total sales in the life of the product, and the product sells 110% of the original estimated sales (perhaps the price during the license is 10% higher), it illustrates my point. If the game is a bomb, everyone loses.
I think this illustrates that because of proliferation in the US of more systems, we may have less of these exclusive titles. Not to mention that when given the choice, a smart gamer will pick the version with the best features. Me, personally, I'll either choose the software's originally programmed platform, or the platform with the best features.
And now, the downside of cross-platform programming: mediocrity. If you program using a higher-level that is compiled into each system's-level software, you simply can't add system-exploiting software. This makes the games seem the same, but will cause automatic differences, errors, and often unintended consequences. From there, any system-exclusive content is always sledgehammered in after-the-fact.
I got my games mixed up as you pointed out! The game that pushes the EVERYONE envelope is SSX (PS2, GCN). Great game, but has (contextually accurate) cursing and bloodless violence. Again, not really a bother to me personally, but some may not be so understanding.
It's probably because of the other reply. I doubt they have the soundtrack and maybe not even all the sounds at time of rating. Then for the sequels, they probably just said "more of the same, ratings-wise." Who knows. It makes me wonder if the board ever went back reviewed the older titles in their completed form.
I'm always open for corrections! I wasn't wrong, I was mistaken!;)
The truth behind the ratings is they are rarely used correctly. The developers shoot for a particular rating, then get the board to agree or disagree. Just like the movies.
Some games are mismarked, like Tony Hawk 3. It says "E" for everyone, but fails to mention the blood and swearing. I personally would still let anyone play it, since the context of the blood and swearing is appropriate. Some would disagree. Like a previous few comments, you have to play with or watch your kids play games if you want to know what they're playing.
But, since the ratings are goals, and not ends, you'll have kiddie games elevated to teen with gratuitous bodily functions, blood effects, and such. You'll have teen games elevated to Mature with bouncy boobs and over-the-top violence--despite these things being very purile, but fun! By elevating the ratings, the games are more enticing to the target audience because it's taboo, and you may pull in a couple people in the "as rated" audience who think it's for their age, not their kids.
Unfortunately, the reverse is also true. Teen (PG-13) is the desired audience for almost all games. You don't want an "M" unless you feel you'll sell a lot of them on the first day. The first Mortal Kombat is a great example how to ruin a game by dumbing down the violence for a broader audience.
So in the end, the games that are rated properly seem like the ones that are mismatched with the ratings! Just like the movies.
Perhaps the biggest sin of all was that it's primary audience was portable phone users, and it's secondary audience was gamers. Then they proceded to market it mostly as a gaming system. Given the choice between two identical gaming systems, the cheaper, better looking, and versatile system won--GBA SP.
For phone users, like myself, we've got contracts. I don't even consider a new phone until my contract is fulfilled. So I checked the carriers, and Verizon didn't subscribe. Without breaking my contract, about $125 over the cost of the system, I couldn't use it at all. Add to that the probability that two or three contracts down the lane ALL phones will have portable gaming rivaling N-Gage.
So in summary, they wanted phone users to buy, but marketed to gamers, and they should've known they could only get NEW phone users. What a way to mismatch a product with advertising!
Characters, no matter whether good, evil, corrupt, silly, stupid, super-intelligent or whatnot, need to be believable and contextually relevant. Contrary to popular belief, characters need not be complicated, nor should they resemble human characters. That's because most of the people you meet and interact with are known on a very superficial level, like characters. The rare few, those you are close to, have many facets, and none of those are easily classifiable.
In a book, like in a game, the characters you have most contact with should be more than superficial, and the rest can be extremely superficial. The goal is the ease the reader's/player's acceptance of the fantasy you're spinning. The only problem is that really human-like characters seem a bit neurotic and wishy-washy. I believe that's why the main character's are always so driven in the plot. They're still polarized towards a goal no matter how deeply the character is described.
The parents quoted in the article the the right idea. Prevent clearly unconstitutional laws that mandate who can sell or buy games for the mature gamer (read: old like me).
To the parents that control the video games in your house, that's a very good idea. But it's only a starting point. You clearly can't ask your kid not to play games at his friend's, because that's indirectly imposing your will on other people's children--possibly contradictory influence. You have to accept they'll be out of your direct control a lot, and moreso when older.
Children and teens are very resourceful. They, dare I say it, copy video rental software and just keep the copies hanging around until the parents aren't around. They borrow friends' games. They use their own money to by that killer game.
The concept is getting your children to understand the use of fantasy and to separate it, like the first guy does. And, if you educate your children properly, which is another tall order, they won't find the explicit games as "taboo" and can make their own opinions.
As for violence, quoting from article: "I'm against any ban like that," Hartman said. "It's cutting in on your rights. It takes a lot more than picking up a controller to a game to make you violent. Violence is a long thing brewing. I'd say if you'd look at the kids who are violent, they come from broken homes... they didn't have the family nucleus in place.
He's right, too. However, some violent tendancies are mental illnesses. Those kids may easily come from nice homes with a family nucleus. You have to listen to the children or teens to hear if they're troubled or not. You also won't have a family nucleus in the typical sense if you're a single parent.
I offer up these observations just as a reminder that aberrant behavior, whether it be violent or not, is not from a single cause. Rather its an extremely complicated problem with lots of social interactivity taking place.
We should be able to apply our mathematics to everything. However, if our thought process is drastically different, they ("aliens" if you will) may not recognize it as a corollary to their ideas. They may not even have a use for it.
For instance, math doesn't really need to add. The concept can be completely explained with the concepts of negative numbers and subtraction.
To get a real handle on the concept of different mathematics models, take the extremely difficult class of Abstract Algebra. It's called Algebra because it wraps itself around the ideas of open sets, closed sets, and operations as a generic concept.
As for the labelling, I've seen it by the game publisher (PS2 games) and by the manufacturer (Gamecube Games). PC games are different. I don't remember seeing the photo-sensitive warning in every one.
On PC games I suggest you read all the README files and any other TEXT file on the game's main directory. This is especially true of games that have no manual or printed documentation.
Games without flashing effects are obviously your best bet. Almost every game has them. Even games without flashing could trigger you. I'd say try out the game first, but in your example, you wouldn't know it.
As a Maryland voter, we've received voting reciepts with the scan-tron voting. You take a ballot which has a serial number on it. This number is recorded by hand with two legal signatures. You then mark scan lines with the pen selecting your choices of referenda and candidates. Then it is scanned. If scanned properly, the votes are tallied and you get a reciept of the ballot serial number.
This year, I hope they give a similar serial number. Without the serial numbers, there's no way to verify your vote. This would be in addition to the voting choices receipt.
No here's the strange thing. The booths were private enough that two people were not allowed to stand at one booth. You placed your ballot in a sleeve, and you feed the sheet into the scanner from the sleeve. All of these things are supposed to maintain the privacy of voting for those who wish it.
If you print out a copy with the choice visible, you're violating the privacy requirements, Even if it's in the machine! There is no way to ensure the votes you cast (ballots are typically too long) are the ones displayed without the possibility of walking away and leaving it visible.
And my final criticism is that if you've ever worked a register, tapes crinkle and jam constantly.
If a six-month spread is better than a one-month spread, their ultimate goal should be a twelve-month spread.
However, I doubt higher sales is a myth. Christmas time is the time when some who never go into video games stores and departments actually go in to buy a game. The gamer will take his games when they're ready. Add to that that post Christmast thru January is the only time where the shelves are half-bare, and they carried twice the stock as usual after Thanksgiving.
I'm against releasing games on a hard deadline. Games rushed like DDR Ultramix for XBox are buggy and rife with errors. On the other hand, if a game is completely done in June, why should it come out in December? The hard deadline of Christmas pushes bad games out early and good games out late--on possibly behind-the-times.
Since the retail world is wrapped around Christmas in the USA, everything else we don't think about is probably wrapped on the same schedule: PS2 DVD boxes, game systems, chips, memory cards, DVD components, game controllers, televisions, DVD drives, RAM chips, and so on. Because of the joys of mass production, it must be cheaper to manufacture and sell these components in August-October.
So to change the business model, we have to first change the way everybody buys things. I can tell that's what the stores want, too. An evenly distributed budget is much easier to control.
My Final word (in the event anyone is still reading this thread).
I played Diet mode on XBox last night using the bundled, flat soft pad. I have no idea how durable it is, but it has a tacky underside that prevents it from slipping on a bare floor! That's a first.
First, the estimate by Red Octane is indeed conservative. It estimates you're using LIGHT and STANDARD steps for all songs. In 30 songs, which took one hour but clocked 46 minutes of actual song time, I "burned" 680 calories. I'm not sure if I believe that, but that's what the game reports.
It's interesting to note that you must enter your weight. Your weight determines number of calories per step. The heavier you are, the more you burn per step. However, the lighter you are, the more endurance you should have.
As for the step counting, FREE counts all steps it senses, and repeated tapping of the same arrow doesn't register as much as jumping from two arrows to the other two arrows. REGULATION only counts steps on target. REGULATION is better for experts.
Time can be set to clock how much time is spent during songs only. Time selecting songs and other inbetween actions do not count. Calories can likewise be set as a goal. It's good to make sure each subsequent day exceedes or matches the previous day's calories. You may keep playing after time elapsed (it plays a "happy" sound effect when goal reached) to ensure this.
Overall, the diet mode is pretty worthwhile! Red Octane is not exaggerating, so I may try their pad next when my Konami pad dies.
Thanks, I was a little confused because I didn't have the game in front of me and couldn't remember what the modes were called (read: Slashdotting at work). To be honest, I need to use diet mode now more than ever!
Paranoia variations (with the exception of Paranoia Survivor) are extremely vital to learning the game! They're considered the distillation of DDR. The original, Paranoia, is rediculously easy when you've become good at the game. I'd like to argue the Trip Machine songs are good, too. Max300 is arguably a useless song. If you're going for weight loss, you absolutely don't have to pass this song, but it is a good measure of your endurance. I would only recommend this for home if you have an immobile pad. However, Max300 is for perfectionists who want to be the best up thru DDR MAX (6th mix).
On Diet Mode, use Cutriss' description, I'm sure it's closer to the correct description. However, as long as you get better and better, you'll pretty much burn the same number of calories per step. The reason being is when you're heavier, it costs a few more fractions of a calorie for each step. When you're lighter, you're a lot more efficient on body motion and you're moving less mass. Still, heavy songs are the most dense for steps, and will therefore burn more, so you should work your way up the levels.
And to the other respondent, yes, stocking feet is harder on the arches. Yes, use padding under the pad (I actually suggested that). If the impact is absorbed, you will develop awesome arches. The general rule in exercise is: If you feel lightheaded, dizzy, nauseous, or pain of any kind, stop! Sit down. Have a glass of water, too. The next day will be better.
I should add that DDR is very fun! It's really just a confined form of floor aerobics.
I play DDR. I lost 60 lbs over 7 months. I stopped playing DDR, I gained 30 over 6 months. You definitely have to align your activity level, and it's a myth that you gain faster than you lose. You can lose weight more quickly and at a heatly rate. Anyway, I'm highly qualified to comment on this topic.
Here's my grain of salt: you play 3 songs in 6 minutes because of the selection process, load times, etc. That's actually 30 songs and roughly equates to 30*16= 480 calories. You actually lose more if you're a beginner, because you make missteps. And, if you're using diet mode, don't use official steps, as it only counts correct arrows pressed. Use the default, all steps mode. If your leg moves, count it!
I'd also say that a typical cookie box has more than 500 calories. Much more. Much, much more.
Now, I have no experience with the latest Ignition pads. I do know they're available at EB and Gamestop. I know they're considered the best of the soft pads. But be warned! Every soft pad has a limited lifespan. When one arrow stops working, the rest of the pad is useless.
Three things to counter this: Use stocking feet, place the pad on top of something immobile and soft, and never ever fold it once unfolded. Keep it under the bed or behind the sofa. You will also have a much easier time if you immobilize the pad with velcro (the hooks side) on carpet or taped down by corners.
Ignition pads are the same size as arcade platform, while the bundle pack by Konami's pad is actually thinner. You can apply your home skills at the arcade, though you may be surprised at the faster response time and meaner judging of PERFECT, GREAT, GOOD, etc. at the arcade.
Oh yeah, if you play for an hour, have a towel handy and a lot of water.
Head-to-Head would be ideal. All they need is two sets of controllers and have the center joint with round edges to allow 60 to -60 degree bends. This would enhance the "I'm shooting at you" concept. To all those nay-sayers about battery life, keep in mind the AC adapter could just as easily charge two batteries. Just applying the simplest solution to the proposed problem.
Things that will probably show up will be: -the old NES "Vs." games from the arcade that required two screens to play (vs Baseball, Football, Tennis, etc.) -the NES 10-packs where the selections are on top and the games are on bottom. -Silent Scope! Bottom view is full view, top view is Sniper Scope. -Two-Screen Nintendo games: Punchout, Super Punchout, Arm Wrestling. -Games that could be enhanced by two screens: Crazy Climber type-games, Darius (originally multiscreen) and all side scrolling games, Pinball that doesn't have to scroll, Gambling games (Keno, Roulette, slots). -3D games. Just hold the screen away, and use the "3D eye" effect. I've actually experimented with this with side-by-side Media Players and it works! Just use the 3D attachment (two mirrors for each eye in a binocular shape)! Add two fans to blow directly into each eye if you miss the Virtual Boy dry cornea effect.
If they have a GBA cartridge slot in both sides (essentially a dual SP system), you could play linked games, too.
This is an extremely thoughtful reply for an AC! Why are we trying to get non-gamers to play games? Surely that's purely selfish. Think of how much money they're not spending on hardware and software. Let people be themselves.
Myself, I didn't get past Soul Calibur on the list before I realized the list was pure crap. Just another Top Ten list fabricated because they had nothing new to report. These top tens are not scientific, rarely involve polling, and polling on the internet only gets the "subgroup" bias.
Soul Calibur is not for the non-gamer. Sure, you can enjoy button smashing, but most non-gamers are like "what's the point?" The answer is to waste time. That's what games are, passtimes. Things to take your mind off other things for awhile.
Most game players don't understand the point of DDR. I can't imagine that's different from non-gamers. You can't just assume that if you don't play games that DDR would be interesting. Chances are, it's too embarrassing sober.
Let them keep their money and stay themselves. And while you're at it, don't introduce them to the joys of smoking or why they should belong to religion. I agree with AC. It's not ethical.
It's ethical if they ask for it, though. So let them ask first.
This happened to me, too when I was in college. I tackled a bug for hours, went home, and the answer came to me just as my head hit the pillow. This is the phenomenon of "rumination."
I personally don't think my subconcious is smarter. I do believe it never stops working. I think the reason thoughts "pop" into your head is because your subconscious is trying solution after solution after solution. In otherwords, it seems to be working the problem repeatedly. It's up to your conscious to recieve the correct solution and grab it from the subconcious.
All personal beliefs, though, as I'm not a psychologist (IANAP).
I, as well as all my friends (both of us:) love CCGs. I like standard card games as well. MTG took gaming into an area I'd never seen before, and then came all the awful knockoffs. Unfortunately, a lot of good knockoffs fell by the wayside, probably confirming that Americans really don't embrace CCGs.
I tried Yu-Gi-Oh! I really did. That game has a lot of emphasis on collecting the really rare cards. On one hand, that means the game play suffers, on the other hand, that means the game has a better collectibility and has a bit more trading potential.
Me, personally, I'm looking forward to PSO3. The first one kept me busy until I beat the bad guy offline. The mission-based play was very good as it kept giving you different views of the story line. Downloadable missions were rare at first, and I didn't really like the on-line play much. Unfortunately, the plots never really explained the subplot. PSO3 is supposed to, to I'm looking forward to it.
As for online play, I hope there's not a "killer deck" that everyone plays. That's the problem with Etherlords II. Everybody uses energy barrier and/or armor and shadows, and gas. The way around this is to chat first and declare arbitrary rules.
Most likely, I will not play online. The extra fee made the experience very unenjoyable.
Since I'm from North America (USA, specifically), I feel qualified to give the current similar games. We break the wishbones of turkeys and chickens to see who ends up with the bigger piece. Around Easter, we also play Conkers with the ends of hard-boiled Easter eggs (hint: the narrow end is stronger;) ).
All versions of the game seem to be very permanent. I'm not sure what a collection of broken keys gets you since you clearly can't reuse them as spoils of war. Plus, you can break your own keys.
There's a lot of this collectible stuff going around. I've recently (and stupidly) bought Beanz (from Australia, now in USA). They're fun if you have a racing track, though. And that silly three-ball on a string yo-yo contraption that reminds you that cats chase string, too.
One collectible that has proven to be very fun is Top Trumps (from the UK, now in USA). Limited play, but requires you know your cards to win this variant of "War." Simple enough for most ages to comprehend.
Slashdot Mirror
Mostly the games reflect society rather than address serious social issues. The best they can do is poke fun at stupidity ("Backyard Wrestling" for example). But games have already tried in the past.
Games like Ms. Pacman recognize the need to appeal to both genders back in the 80's. Clothing styles of characters also show this. In fact, the abstract games of the 80's showed great creativity and artistic flair of sorts. Today, the rise of the music game is demonstrating the digital age of music and remixing.
Games have tried to tackle serious social issues. Time Traveller and N.A.R.C. (apologetically) had "Winners Don't Use Drugs" messages overtly in them. And more recently, the ratings system with good intentions while paving the road to Hell attempts to match content to the appropriate age group as a guideline.
So it's there, but it's always been a sort of background thing. I believe the nature of games being entertainment, it'll be hard to put a serious message in.
(I also felt there were a lot of big psycho-babble words in the article that made it a little too unreadable.)
Gameboy changes a lot. Almost every year they bring out a new system. If not a new system, then new colors, brighter screen, whatever.
Gameboy advance was out almost a year when GBA SP came out. I was turned off by GBA because of the hard-to-see screen. The change to SP was probably a necessity.
Almost a year has gone by now, meaning a change in the Gameboy is in order. They're already offering the funky colors. I expect it to be another Gameboy, but they'll have to stop including earlier compatibility.
The folding screen design lends itself to many interesting gaming concepts. "L" shape for a pseudo-3D platform, Inverted "V" shape for a versus game, Flat for a wide-screen-like playfield, and dare I say it, flat with a mirror attachment for cheap 3D color.
The Photos were in the current issue of GMR, currently linked to the EBWorld EDGE club. Under the picture, it said "artists concept only." It was fake, but it wasn't trying to mislead.
In theory, the games with licenses should be easier. Let's say you're a blank slate. Now you're to write a game of commercial quality. How about you have a theme already picked out like Star Wars. Not you suddenly know all of your main characters, your fictional science, your real science, your subplot, your main plots (if you're allowed to use them). Can't use the main plots? Change the characters and settings.
So they should be easier! However, the micromanagement of the license holders and the businessmen giving you "Bible compliance" and deadlines when they don't understand programming at all? There's the problem.
I feel the same way. I always assume a licensed title is just some game engine that has the license "worked in." This is especially with newer movies, since the games come out simultaneously--they couldn't possibly be done in the timeframe of shooting the movie unless very buggy or very generic.
I think e-mail is my #1 reason for stress. It's taking the place of voice conversation and has little to no structure. It's expected that I read and know all of it a work. My inbox has 2000 messages in it.
#2 reason is non-standard interfaces, not being able to find what you want to do and finding 5 ways to do things you don't want. I also include remote controllers, digital cameras, and mobile phones in this category.
#3 reason is high-level OS. Rapidly becoming a "black box," stability is down and software bugs are way up.
#4 is too much distraction. I realize this is my problem, but internet news and quick surfing keep me from my appointed tasks.
With the exception of #4, of all the reasons seem to be related to good computing, database, and OS practices.
I'm not on crack. Target has exclusive Sonic Pinball Party (GBA). Best Buy sold the Rolling Stones DVD "Four Licks" for 3 or 4 months before general release. Toys R Us has a couple of games labelled "Toys R Us EXCLUSIVE!" (can't remember the games, they weren't big ones, that's for sure). Blockbuster rents finished products of games before they can be purchased, like Mortal Kombat 4 or Final Fantasy X.
That's just off the top of my head. If you were to research such things, you would discover that exclusivity contracts (on everything) are common among the big chains.
The editorial is one of sour grapes, because the author either doesn't have the PS2 or he'd much rather have it on a different platform. I'm not sure why he's picking on kill.Switch (sorry, never heard of it) and I-Ninja (sorry, doesn't look adult- or original-enough).
It completely overlooks the fact that the US has all sorts of exclusivity licenses. Some stores, Target, Toys R Us, and Best Buy, license entire titles of video games, CDs and DVDs to be sold in their store exclusively for "X" months. Video games, same thing. And many titles are developed entirely for one system because of anticipation of sales and/or system capabilities.
The companies that sign this agreement aren't stupid. They realize the contract exceeds anticipated sales if released in multiple venues. At the same time, license owners will make more on the licensed product than if it were equally available in all venues/formats. It's a relatively low-risk gamble.
For video games in general, most of the reason to license to one system is to improve sales for that system and in system hardware. If system A has a 40% market share, and B has a 60% market share, system A will have 100% of a market share of the licensed game for "X" months. And they may sell systems if the game is hot enough. Compare this to 40% if available for both. If the license estimates 50% of all total sales in the life of the product, and the product sells 110% of the original estimated sales (perhaps the price during the license is 10% higher), it illustrates my point. If the game is a bomb, everyone loses.
I think this illustrates that because of proliferation in the US of more systems, we may have less of these exclusive titles. Not to mention that when given the choice, a smart gamer will pick the version with the best features. Me, personally, I'll either choose the software's originally programmed platform, or the platform with the best features.
And now, the downside of cross-platform programming: mediocrity. If you program using a higher-level that is compiled into each system's-level software, you simply can't add system-exploiting software. This makes the games seem the same, but will cause automatic differences, errors, and often unintended consequences. From there, any system-exclusive content is always sledgehammered in after-the-fact.
I got my games mixed up as you pointed out! The game that pushes the EVERYONE envelope is SSX (PS2, GCN). Great game, but has (contextually accurate) cursing and bloodless violence. Again, not really a bother to me personally, but some may not be so understanding.
;)
It's probably because of the other reply. I doubt they have the soundtrack and maybe not even all the sounds at time of rating. Then for the sequels, they probably just said "more of the same, ratings-wise." Who knows. It makes me wonder if the board ever went back reviewed the older titles in their completed form.
I'm always open for corrections! I wasn't wrong, I was mistaken!
The truth behind the ratings is they are rarely used correctly. The developers shoot for a particular rating, then get the board to agree or disagree. Just like the movies.
Some games are mismarked, like Tony Hawk 3. It says "E" for everyone, but fails to mention the blood and swearing. I personally would still let anyone play it, since the context of the blood and swearing is appropriate. Some would disagree. Like a previous few comments, you have to play with or watch your kids play games if you want to know what they're playing.
But, since the ratings are goals, and not ends, you'll have kiddie games elevated to teen with gratuitous bodily functions, blood effects, and such. You'll have teen games elevated to Mature with bouncy boobs and over-the-top violence--despite these things being very purile, but fun! By elevating the ratings, the games are more enticing to the target audience because it's taboo, and you may pull in a couple people in the "as rated" audience who think it's for their age, not their kids.
Unfortunately, the reverse is also true. Teen (PG-13) is the desired audience for almost all games. You don't want an "M" unless you feel you'll sell a lot of them on the first day. The first Mortal Kombat is a great example how to ruin a game by dumbing down the violence for a broader audience.
So in the end, the games that are rated properly seem like the ones that are mismatched with the ratings! Just like the movies.
Perhaps the biggest sin of all was that it's primary audience was portable phone users, and it's secondary audience was gamers. Then they proceded to market it mostly as a gaming system. Given the choice between two identical gaming systems, the cheaper, better looking, and versatile system won--GBA SP.
For phone users, like myself, we've got contracts. I don't even consider a new phone until my contract is fulfilled. So I checked the carriers, and Verizon didn't subscribe. Without breaking my contract, about $125 over the cost of the system, I couldn't use it at all. Add to that the probability that two or three contracts down the lane ALL phones will have portable gaming rivaling N-Gage.
So in summary, they wanted phone users to buy, but marketed to gamers, and they should've known they could only get NEW phone users. What a way to mismatch a product with advertising!
(disclaimer: opinion, of course)
Characters, no matter whether good, evil, corrupt, silly, stupid, super-intelligent or whatnot, need to be believable and contextually relevant. Contrary to popular belief, characters need not be complicated, nor should they resemble human characters. That's because most of the people you meet and interact with are known on a very superficial level, like characters. The rare few, those you are close to, have many facets, and none of those are easily classifiable.
In a book, like in a game, the characters you have most contact with should be more than superficial, and the rest can be extremely superficial. The goal is the ease the reader's/player's acceptance of the fantasy you're spinning. The only problem is that really human-like characters seem a bit neurotic and wishy-washy. I believe that's why the main character's are always so driven in the plot. They're still polarized towards a goal no matter how deeply the character is described.
The parents quoted in the article the the right idea. Prevent clearly unconstitutional laws that mandate who can sell or buy games for the mature gamer (read: old like me).
... they didn't have the family nucleus in place.
To the parents that control the video games in your house, that's a very good idea. But it's only a starting point. You clearly can't ask your kid not to play games at his friend's, because that's indirectly imposing your will on other people's children--possibly contradictory influence. You have to accept they'll be out of your direct control a lot, and moreso when older.
Children and teens are very resourceful. They, dare I say it, copy video rental software and just keep the copies hanging around until the parents aren't around. They borrow friends' games. They use their own money to by that killer game.
The concept is getting your children to understand the use of fantasy and to separate it, like the first guy does. And, if you educate your children properly, which is another tall order, they won't find the explicit games as "taboo" and can make their own opinions.
As for violence, quoting from article:
"I'm against any ban like that," Hartman said. "It's cutting in on your rights. It takes a lot more than picking up a controller to a game to make you violent. Violence is a long thing brewing. I'd say if you'd look at the kids who are violent, they come from broken homes
He's right, too. However, some violent tendancies are mental illnesses. Those kids may easily come from nice homes with a family nucleus. You have to listen to the children or teens to hear if they're troubled or not. You also won't have a family nucleus in the typical sense if you're a single parent.
I offer up these observations just as a reminder that aberrant behavior, whether it be violent or not, is not from a single cause. Rather its an extremely complicated problem with lots of social interactivity taking place.
We should be able to apply our mathematics to everything. However, if our thought process is drastically different, they ("aliens" if you will) may not recognize it as a corollary to their ideas. They may not even have a use for it.
For instance, math doesn't really need to add. The concept can be completely explained with the concepts of negative numbers and subtraction.
To get a real handle on the concept of different mathematics models, take the extremely difficult class of Abstract Algebra. It's called Algebra because it wraps itself around the ideas of open sets, closed sets, and operations as a generic concept.
As for the labelling, I've seen it by the game publisher (PS2 games) and by the manufacturer (Gamecube Games). PC games are different. I don't remember seeing the photo-sensitive warning in every one.
On PC games I suggest you read all the README files and any other TEXT file on the game's main directory. This is especially true of games that have no manual or printed documentation.
Games without flashing effects are obviously your best bet. Almost every game has them. Even games without flashing could trigger you. I'd say try out the game first, but in your example, you wouldn't know it.
This essay on Epilepsy on the Screen mentions the warnings are completely voluntary.
So far, every single Game Cube game has the warning. I take that as a sign that part of the licensing agreement requires the Nintendo-written warning.
As a Maryland voter, we've received voting reciepts with the scan-tron voting. You take a ballot which has a serial number on it. This number is recorded by hand with two legal signatures. You then mark scan lines with the pen selecting your choices of referenda and candidates. Then it is scanned. If scanned properly, the votes are tallied and you get a reciept of the ballot serial number.
This year, I hope they give a similar serial number. Without the serial numbers, there's no way to verify your vote. This would be in addition to the voting choices receipt.
No here's the strange thing. The booths were private enough that two people were not allowed to stand at one booth. You placed your ballot in a sleeve, and you feed the sheet into the scanner from the sleeve. All of these things are supposed to maintain the privacy of voting for those who wish it.
If you print out a copy with the choice visible, you're violating the privacy requirements, Even if it's in the machine! There is no way to ensure the votes you cast (ballots are typically too long) are the ones displayed without the possibility of walking away and leaving it visible.
And my final criticism is that if you've ever worked a register, tapes crinkle and jam constantly.
So as a Maryland voter, I'm screwed.
If a six-month spread is better than a one-month spread, their ultimate goal should be a twelve-month spread.
However, I doubt higher sales is a myth. Christmas time is the time when some who never go into video games stores and departments actually go in to buy a game. The gamer will take his games when they're ready. Add to that that post Christmast thru January is the only time where the shelves are half-bare, and they carried twice the stock as usual after Thanksgiving.
I'm against releasing games on a hard deadline. Games rushed like DDR Ultramix for XBox are buggy and rife with errors. On the other hand, if a game is completely done in June, why should it come out in December? The hard deadline of Christmas pushes bad games out early and good games out late--on possibly behind-the-times.
Since the retail world is wrapped around Christmas in the USA, everything else we don't think about is probably wrapped on the same schedule: PS2 DVD boxes, game systems, chips, memory cards, DVD components, game controllers, televisions, DVD drives, RAM chips, and so on. Because of the joys of mass production, it must be cheaper to manufacture and sell these components in August-October.
So to change the business model, we have to first change the way everybody buys things. I can tell that's what the stores want, too. An evenly distributed budget is much easier to control.
My Final word (in the event anyone is still reading this thread).
I played Diet mode on XBox last night using the bundled, flat soft pad. I have no idea how durable it is, but it has a tacky underside that prevents it from slipping on a bare floor! That's a first.
First, the estimate by Red Octane is indeed conservative. It estimates you're using LIGHT and STANDARD steps for all songs. In 30 songs, which took one hour but clocked 46 minutes of actual song time, I "burned" 680 calories. I'm not sure if I believe that, but that's what the game reports.
It's interesting to note that you must enter your weight. Your weight determines number of calories per step. The heavier you are, the more you burn per step. However, the lighter you are, the more endurance you should have.
As for the step counting, FREE counts all steps it senses, and repeated tapping of the same arrow doesn't register as much as jumping from two arrows to the other two arrows. REGULATION only counts steps on target. REGULATION is better for experts.
Time can be set to clock how much time is spent during songs only. Time selecting songs and other inbetween actions do not count. Calories can likewise be set as a goal. It's good to make sure each subsequent day exceedes or matches the previous day's calories. You may keep playing after time elapsed (it plays a "happy" sound effect when goal reached) to ensure this.
Overall, the diet mode is pretty worthwhile! Red Octane is not exaggerating, so I may try their pad next when my Konami pad dies.
Thanks, I was a little confused because I didn't have the game in front of me and couldn't remember what the modes were called (read: Slashdotting at work). To be honest, I need to use diet mode now more than ever!
Paranoia variations (with the exception of Paranoia Survivor) are extremely vital to learning the game! They're considered the distillation of DDR. The original, Paranoia, is rediculously easy when you've become good at the game. I'd like to argue the Trip Machine songs are good, too. Max300 is arguably a useless song. If you're going for weight loss, you absolutely don't have to pass this song, but it is a good measure of your endurance. I would only recommend this for home if you have an immobile pad. However, Max300 is for perfectionists who want to be the best up thru DDR MAX (6th mix).
On Diet Mode, use Cutriss' description, I'm sure it's closer to the correct description. However, as long as you get better and better, you'll pretty much burn the same number of calories per step. The reason being is when you're heavier, it costs a few more fractions of a calorie for each step. When you're lighter, you're a lot more efficient on body motion and you're moving less mass. Still, heavy songs are the most dense for steps, and will therefore burn more, so you should work your way up the levels.
And to the other respondent, yes, stocking feet is harder on the arches. Yes, use padding under the pad (I actually suggested that). If the impact is absorbed, you will develop awesome arches. The general rule in exercise is: If you feel lightheaded, dizzy, nauseous, or pain of any kind, stop! Sit down. Have a glass of water, too. The next day will be better.
I should add that DDR is very fun! It's really just a confined form of floor aerobics.
I play DDR. I lost 60 lbs over 7 months. I stopped playing DDR, I gained 30 over 6 months. You definitely have to align your activity level, and it's a myth that you gain faster than you lose. You can lose weight more quickly and at a heatly rate. Anyway, I'm highly qualified to comment on this topic.
Here's my grain of salt: you play 3 songs in 6 minutes because of the selection process, load times, etc. That's actually 30 songs and roughly equates to 30*16= 480 calories. You actually lose more if you're a beginner, because you make missteps. And, if you're using diet mode, don't use official steps, as it only counts correct arrows pressed. Use the default, all steps mode. If your leg moves, count it!
I'd also say that a typical cookie box has more than 500 calories. Much more. Much, much more.
Now, I have no experience with the latest Ignition pads. I do know they're available at EB and Gamestop. I know they're considered the best of the soft pads. But be warned! Every soft pad has a limited lifespan. When one arrow stops working, the rest of the pad is useless.
Three things to counter this: Use stocking feet, place the pad on top of something immobile and soft, and never ever fold it once unfolded. Keep it under the bed or behind the sofa. You will also have a much easier time if you immobilize the pad with velcro (the hooks side) on carpet or taped down by corners.
Ignition pads are the same size as arcade platform, while the bundle pack by Konami's pad is actually thinner. You can apply your home skills at the arcade, though you may be surprised at the faster response time and meaner judging of PERFECT, GREAT, GOOD, etc. at the arcade.
Oh yeah, if you play for an hour, have a towel handy and a lot of water.
Head-to-Head would be ideal. All they need is two sets of controllers and have the center joint with round edges to allow 60 to -60 degree bends. This would enhance the "I'm shooting at you" concept. To all those nay-sayers about battery life, keep in mind the AC adapter could just as easily charge two batteries. Just applying the simplest solution to the proposed problem.
Things that will probably show up will be:
-the old NES "Vs." games from the arcade that required two screens to play (vs Baseball, Football, Tennis, etc.)
-the NES 10-packs where the selections are on top and the games are on bottom.
-Silent Scope! Bottom view is full view, top view is Sniper Scope.
-Two-Screen Nintendo games: Punchout, Super Punchout, Arm Wrestling.
-Games that could be enhanced by two screens: Crazy Climber type-games, Darius (originally multiscreen) and all side scrolling games, Pinball that doesn't have to scroll, Gambling games (Keno, Roulette, slots).
-3D games. Just hold the screen away, and use the "3D eye" effect. I've actually experimented with this with side-by-side Media Players and it works! Just use the 3D attachment (two mirrors for each eye in a binocular shape)! Add two fans to blow directly into each eye if you miss the Virtual Boy dry cornea effect.
If they have a GBA cartridge slot in both sides (essentially a dual SP system), you could play linked games, too.
This is an extremely thoughtful reply for an AC! Why are we trying to get non-gamers to play games? Surely that's purely selfish. Think of how much money they're not spending on hardware and software. Let people be themselves.
Myself, I didn't get past Soul Calibur on the list before I realized the list was pure crap. Just another Top Ten list fabricated because they had nothing new to report. These top tens are not scientific, rarely involve polling, and polling on the internet only gets the "subgroup" bias.
Soul Calibur is not for the non-gamer. Sure, you can enjoy button smashing, but most non-gamers are like "what's the point?" The answer is to waste time. That's what games are, passtimes. Things to take your mind off other things for awhile.
Most game players don't understand the point of DDR. I can't imagine that's different from non-gamers. You can't just assume that if you don't play games that DDR would be interesting. Chances are, it's too embarrassing sober.
Let them keep their money and stay themselves. And while you're at it, don't introduce them to the joys of smoking or why they should belong to religion. I agree with AC. It's not ethical.
It's ethical if they ask for it, though. So let them ask first.
This happened to me, too when I was in college. I tackled a bug for hours, went home, and the answer came to me just as my head hit the pillow. This is the phenomenon of "rumination."
I personally don't think my subconcious is smarter. I do believe it never stops working. I think the reason thoughts "pop" into your head is because your subconscious is trying solution after solution after solution. In otherwords, it seems to be working the problem repeatedly. It's up to your conscious to recieve the correct solution and grab it from the subconcious.
All personal beliefs, though, as I'm not a psychologist (IANAP).
I, as well as all my friends (both of us :) love CCGs. I like standard card games as well. MTG took gaming into an area I'd never seen before, and then came all the awful knockoffs. Unfortunately, a lot of good knockoffs fell by the wayside, probably confirming that Americans really don't embrace CCGs.
I tried Yu-Gi-Oh! I really did. That game has a lot of emphasis on collecting the really rare cards. On one hand, that means the game play suffers, on the other hand, that means the game has a better collectibility and has a bit more trading potential.
Me, personally, I'm looking forward to PSO3. The first one kept me busy until I beat the bad guy offline. The mission-based play was very good as it kept giving you different views of the story line. Downloadable missions were rare at first, and I didn't really like the on-line play much. Unfortunately, the plots never really explained the subplot. PSO3 is supposed to, to I'm looking forward to it.
As for online play, I hope there's not a "killer deck" that everyone plays. That's the problem with Etherlords II. Everybody uses energy barrier and/or armor and shadows, and gas. The way around this is to chat first and declare arbitrary rules.
Most likely, I will not play online. The extra fee made the experience very unenjoyable.
Since I'm from North America (USA, specifically), I feel qualified to give the current similar games. We break the wishbones of turkeys and chickens to see who ends up with the bigger piece. Around Easter, we also play Conkers with the ends of hard-boiled Easter eggs (hint: the narrow end is stronger ;) ).
All versions of the game seem to be very permanent. I'm not sure what a collection of broken keys gets you since you clearly can't reuse them as spoils of war. Plus, you can break your own keys.
There's a lot of this collectible stuff going around. I've recently (and stupidly) bought Beanz (from Australia, now in USA). They're fun if you have a racing track, though. And that silly three-ball on a string yo-yo contraption that reminds you that cats chase string, too.
One collectible that has proven to be very fun is Top Trumps (from the UK, now in USA). Limited play, but requires you know your cards to win this variant of "War." Simple enough for most ages to comprehend.