The Thrifty Gamer

When you think about how technology has advanced over the last decade, and you consider the advancement in the video games systems we can now enjoy, you'll know why so many people are saying that the skies the limit as far as what's possible next. These systems are improving so fast that is almost impossible to predict what the next big thing will do. So, how can you choose which of these systems would be best for you?

Almost every school kid loves video games. All those kids at heart who have inadvertently grown up into adults can't stop loving them either. These days, when certain famous computer games are released the excitement and anticipation is way more than when you were young and waking up to Christmas morning. Their fan base is often larger than even the most successful rock bands.

The computer games industry has gown like crazy until some would say it even grew larger than itself when people's need for activity within leisure time spawned a whole new generation of games, and indoor activity-based video games were invented. Today, you are as likely to see a computer games player throwing a racket around or swinging her leg up above her head at the instruction of the computer game as you are to see a young lad deeply focusing on the next move in the next level of some major action adventure game.

The games played on the latest systems keep developing and advancing and the peripherals they require are being improved and developed with equal gusto. As they improve, so the demands that are placed upon the consoles increase.

Video consoles are the units of technological hardware that are used to play the games. Video games systems are perhaps better known and more popularly referred to as game consoles. They are designed to host the wide variety of computer games that their manufacturers create and introduce to the marketplace.

Beforehand, developers of video consoles produced and sold their own video game systems. These computer games had different specifications and brought individualized unique abilities to the computer gaming experience. At the time it seemed like every console maker had their own unique and distinct style.

While there has been exclusivity in the past, nowadays the console manufacturers are looking more and more to create cross-platform computer games. Because there is such a massive demand for top quality games, the new programmers are increasingly looking to come together. They are searching for that ideal combination - the holy grail of video gaming. Already there are games that are fully cross-platform. They can play on all the main consoles on the market.

Because there is now such a wide range to choose from, people who are thinking of taking their first tentative steps into the video games systems market will find that there are many factors to consider.

What video games systems are best? Which one suits me best? Which should I buy? These questions can seem really hard to answer, especially if you don't have much information to hand about what each to the video game systems can do. So, talking to other people and doing a great deal of your own personal research is highly advisable.

There are a few things to consider when selecting which is your favorite video consoles. By their very nature, the systems have individualized appeal. What is great for you may be lame for another. What they consider the top of the tree may well have no appeal to you.

When making your choice of video games systems, obviously you want to ask yourself some very personal questions. What do you want to use it for? What is your budget? What would you be satisfied with? What would you want the video consoles to offer?

While the specification for game consoles may be all-important, there are often many other factors to take into account when choosing consoles. To assist you in making that choice, here are a few ideas to help you find and select the very best video games systems for you:

- Have a good idea of what you want and why you want it before looking to make a purchase. Exactly what is most likely to keep you up gaming all night is something only you can answer. The games console that you choose needs to be something you know you want.

- While it is useful to take a look at your friends' games systems, please don't buy yours just because all your friends have the same game consoles. They'll have their desires. Choose your console because it feels like a fit for you.

- Take it seriously, but don't get significant. Choosing your next games console is just like choosing a car. Brand new video systems are totally reliable, and they have full warranties too, so you can trust they are dependable. If you're buying second hand however, you do need to give it a good check over. Maybe even get an experienced technician to come with you to check it for you. There is nothing more disappointing when you get it home than finding out your console doesn't do what you had hoped it would do. Check it offers up the best output in terms of audio and video resolution. Be sure the game pad works well. Game pads must also feel comfortable to handle. Indeed, give the whole unit a thorough going over before parting with your money.

- Do a search for video games systems on the internet. There are plenty of reliable e-commerce sites that post their products online. Visit eBay or amazon for their prices, but then go to a specialist and benefit from their better levels of personal attention and care.

- Stick with the international market leading console manufacturers. You can rely on their high levels of quality and from there it is easier to scale up when you get more money. Compatibility is another major factor to consider within the game consoles industry.

- think about what other things you would like from your video games systems. Many games systems have excellent add-on peripherals. This might be the deciding factor for you. If so, that's fine. Remember, this is your choice throughout. It has to be a perfect fit for you and you alone. Ask yourself, "Are my hopes, dreams and expectations more fully met with this console or that one?" The individual characteristics that your video games systems boast are crucial.

- Finally, when you have made your decision, dont hold back. Action speaks louder than words. Go get it and start having fun as soon as you possibly can.

Happy gaming!

Sam Deane has been a travel magazine editor and publisher, a life coach and trainer. He is the father of his 20 year old daughter Sula and also runs a blog about solar power. His ecommerce website is running a sale of discounted video games systems. He also runs an associated video games systems blog.

What is my best option if I like video games, but don’t find it cost effective to buy all the expensive games? The answer depends a little bit on what kind of game system you are using, but the truth is there is only one answer: video game rental. Home video game systems can be a lot of fun, but the games can be very expensive. That can be a real problem if you don’t have the time to play them or if the game you are playing has a definitive end. No matter the reason, video game rental will prevent you from spending too much on your home video game entertainment.

Video games, though becoming more affordable and more exciting, are very expensive. Even after you have purchased your home gaming system, you still need to purchase the actual game to play on that system. That can be expensive since games can be as much as $60, $70, or even more. By using video game rental, you can curb that cost. Generally you can rent a game for just a few dollars and keep it for a few days. If you don’t play your system very often, then you have saved a lot of money you would have spent on purchasing the game. Video game rental can definitely be a real money saver.

Another reason to consider video game rental is for testing a game you are considering purchasing. If, for instance, you enjoy playing games and are willing to put down the money to purchase a certain game, you want to be sure you actually like it. What you can do is go out and get a video game rental of the game you are considering. For a few dollars you can play it for a day or so. If you don’t like it, then you are only out the cost of the video game rental. On the other hand, had you bought it and then found out you don’t like it, you may not be able to return it for the full purchase price

A final reason for considering a video game rental for games that may have a distinct ending. Some games, like adventuring games, have an end point. Once you have figured out how to win the game, it is useless to you. If you are good at adventure games and can win them quickly than you may find that you are forking out a lot of money for a game that is useless to you in a few days. A video game rental can save you that money.

If you love video games and playing them on your home system, you know how expensive that can be. The cost of the system is a lot, but then you have to buy games for your system, which is quite an added expense. However, one way to curb that cost is through video game rentals. By renting games [http://www.evergladenews.com/category/entertainment-online] instead of buying them you can save yourself money in a couple of ways. You can play a game to its end, you can test a game for purchase, or just play a game you know you wouldn’t play enough to justify the cost. No matter what, you can save yourself hassle and money with a video game rental.

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Video games can be played on personal computers, online, cell phones and in arcades and have a long and interesting history. The concept of a video game was conceived and patented by Thomas T. Goldsmith Jr. and Estle Ray Mann and the first computer video game, 'Spacewar!' was created in 1962.

If you wonder how your favorite video games Dungeon Siege II or Grand Theft Auto: Vice City were developed then here is an overview of the interesting process. Creating video games can be quite challenging as the developer always needs to focus on creating something new and would prefer to ensure that there is a good demand for the kind of video game he or she is planning to create. Like all good things creating video games is essentially centered on a great idea which is then designed and formatted in a manner that players will find interesting and will want to play over and again.

Before a video game is designed developers first survey and research the market for existing video games, often they explore ideas from their favorite games and consider ways to make it more advanced, exciting and addictive. To ensure that players continue to play a certain video game it is important for it to have a clear story line and focus, next the developer would need to conceptualize what the game will look like and how the characters in the game will react and then they will consider the various technical aspects that are essential to create the right effects.

Creating Video Games

Once a developer has created basic sketches of what he wants the game to look like, they are refined and are then ready to be converted into 3D characters. The final sketches are scanned and a digital exoskeleton is created. Thereafter different layers are added to get the right color and texture that the designer desires. The programmers now bring the figures or characters to life, sometimes a human actor may even don a suit of sensors to provide the 3D characters a more realistic movement.

Special attention is paid to the world around the characters, for instance if an enemy soldier in a tropical forest steps on a twig then the corresponding sound could alert the player. The idea is to create as realistic a scenario for the player so that the video game is absorbing enough to encourage the players to return to it.

The programmers code the video game to provide the right effects and reactions and basically control all aspects of the video game. The code is also responsible for the logic in the game or the artificial intelligence that supports it. Once a video game is complete it is then tested to take care of any glitches. Usually testing is done on two phases, the alpha version is done by select testers who focus on major problems with the game and fix it. Next, in the Beta version of testing a larger group of testers are involved and often the public is also allowed to participate in this phase of the testing.

Software for Creating Video Games

It has now become much simpler to create video games as developers have plenty of tools available to them in the form of software. Graphics, images and sound can be easily added to the game by using good software. Of course the creativity of the developer is what the video game finally depends on. There are several software types that a professional developer can choose from in the market and C++ and Microsoft Direct X top the list.

Amateurs Creating Video Games

Development of video games is not just restricted to big companies but players are also getting interested in creating their own video games. Who can design a video game better than hard core players, right? After all you have played enough video games to know what works and what doesn't and moreover it is great fun to make one. And who knows you may choose to make a career of it also.

The Games Factory, The Reality Factory and Dark Basic may be considered when creating video games. Once players have a basic functional knowledge of video games and what makes them work they can select to use more advanced software that gives them insight into programming and professional development of video games. Most software has tutorials to guide developers through the process of creating video games.

For more details go to http://www.gamecode.funurl.com

The passion for video games is one that has to be experienced to be truly understood. It is not surprising when dedicated players decide to create their own video games because they have a clear understanding of what they like in a game and what they don't. Do you too share a passion to excel in the virtual world of video games? Would you like to create your own video game? There is plenty of help at hand online to help video game players of all ages to experiment with creating a game of their own.

Basics to Create Your Own Video Game

If you ask a group of game players what is the single most important thing in a successful game they will all probably find it difficult to agree on any single factor. While some believe that it is the story line that makes a video game special others feel it is the manner in which the gameplay is designed, while still others focus on the special effects that have been included in the game.

To create your own video game it is a good idea to first decide what you find most interesting in your favorite video games and start from there. Most game players are clear about what they think a video game lacks and your video game gives you an opportunity to create what you think is a complete video game.

Once you have a great story line and characters in mind you would need to decide on the look and feel of the world in which your video game is set. Remember the more life like the virtual world the more absorbed the players become in it.

For inspiration and guidance for the style of storytelling you will find several resources online that can help you refine your narrative technique. Next you need to create the graphics for the video game and this can be done fairly easily using the varied software available for this very purpose. Most of these are free to download online and you should consider a few of them before you make up your mind.

If you don't want to sketch out characters and textures for scenes you can use the pre-made ones that can be downloaded free of cost from the internet. Two dimensional graphics are needed to create a 3 D affect and the background scenery should also match the look and feel of the video game. Depending on your level of understanding of software you need to select one that best suits your project.

Software to Help Create Your Own Video Game

Beginners and kids, you can try to create your own video game by using one of the software available for those who have little knowledge of programming and graphics but have the interest and passion for video games. The Games Factory is a great place to begin making your first video game whilst learning some of the principles of the process. Simply drag and drop the features you want included in your game. Stagecast Creator is also a wonderful tool for kids who want to make their own video game. Just draw or import your characters and indicate what you want them to do and the software takes care of the rest. This software creates terrific 2D video game that you can play and share with friends.

For players with a little more experience with games and relevant software, and are interested in 3D video games try Reality Factory, where you can build the entire world of your video game from the blueprint upwards. You can choose to use existing textures or create your own for your virtual world. There are several tutorials for Reality Factory that clarify all aspects of the software. It is free and easy to download and provides developers a great understanding of the script, models, affects, etc.

For those who are considering a career in game development and have a good understanding of the process involved software such as DarkBasic is recommended. Working on it will provide you a good understanding of the programming required for video games. As for professionals, you can't do better than C++ and Microsoft Direct X.

Microsoft XNA Game Studio Express allows Windows XP users to download it free and create video games on it. Soon developers on this system will be able to create, test and share their video games for the Xbox Three-Sixty.

Whether you are a beginner to gaming, an avid fan or a professional creating a video game of your own is the most satisfying experience, one that is sure to motivate you to create more games.

For more details go to http://www.gamecode.funurl.com

Every gamer goes through the process of buying a new video game - playing it to boredom or completion and then moving onto the next game. For some, the retail value of £40 (~$60) for most new video games makes moving onto the next game a tricky task, making gaming an expensive hobby! This article will discuss several methods of buying/getting new video games available to gamers and consider whether video game swapping sites represent the best possible value to a gamer when moving onto a new video game.

Trading in Video Games

Trading your video game in at a local store is one method - this will often mean losing over half the value of the game you paid in the first place. And the local store is probably going to sell your video game at a markedly greater price. So the trade in value they offer you isn't going to get you very much at the store so you'll still have to contribute some extra cash to get a new game. However, this process is convenient and you have your next game in hand as soon as you're in the store!

Advantages:

1. Convenient

2. Instant

Disadvantages:

1. Low trade in value

2. Hefty mark up by retailer means you pay more cash for the next game

Video Game Rental

Joining a games rental service, such as Boomerang or Lovefilm, is another option. You typically pay a flat monthly subscription fee and receive a limited number of games which you can keep for as long as you wish. The quality of such services varies greatly and the major drawbacks here are that you must keep a list of games you desire - resulting in you receiving which ever game the rental company has in stock when they receive returned games. So the danger here is that you may not actually get the game at the top of your list. Other drawbacks include waiting a long time for that one game you want - or receiving games that are scratched to the point where your console won't play them! Most importantly, you hand out all that cash each month and you don't actually own anything in the end - it's arguable that there's better value in buying a game, keeping it until you've finished with it and then trading it once you're done.

Furthermore, the value in this service varies from game to game. Some games can be completed within a few days of playing, and so the effective cost of playing this game is a fraction of the monthly subscription fee. And some games will be played for many years, making playing these games via rental very expensive! So in this sense, rental has the advantage of letting you try out a large number of games for a monthly subscription fee. If you think the game has long term value, then you could simply buy the game safe in the knowledge that you'll be playing this game for a long time to come! But then PC, Xbox 360 and Playstation 3 gamers can try out new games by downloading them, muting this point in their case.

Another game rental option is often available from a local video store. The rental cost is typically 5% to 10% of the cost of the video game for up to 7 days worth of play. Using a local video store to rent games is definitely convenient and the value of the service to you depends on whether you actually finish the game or decide it's not your thing (i.e. you've gotten the most out of them) before the game is due back.

Advantages:

1. Large collection to choose from

2. Easy to get new video games as you complete old ones

3. You get to try a large number of games for a nominal subscription fee.

Disadvantages:

1. May not get the game you want

2. Could be waiting a long time for games depending on rental companies stock levels

3. You don't actually own anything in the end

Selling your video games

Another route is simply selling you video game. One of the most convenient ways to sell is by auctioning your game on eBay or TheGameCollective. If the game is a recent and popular one, you'll probably get a good price - potentially much more than a local store would pay, and all you had to do was wait a few more days for the auction/sale to complete and then send your game through the post. A little less convenient than a local store but for many the extra value in the video game is worth it.

The draw back here is that eBay will take a cut of the final sale price currently 8.25% of the final fee and if you accept payment via PayPal, you'll have to pay an additional fee (~4%), representing a loss of up to 12% of the final price (unless you're cunning and build this into the P&P price - but that's a bugbear for many!).

Advantages:

1. Can receive a good price for your game

2. Quite convenient

Disadvantages:

1. Must wait several days for sale to be agreed

2. Commission on final sale price

Video Game Swap

Swapping video games via an online game swapping network is another method. These sites include TheGameCollective, gamejam or hitflip and for a small/no fee these sites will allow gamers to agree swaps and then exchange home addresses and mail their games to each other. This service provides gamers with the opportunity to play new video games at about the cost of posting a game. So in this sense, the game swapping option offers great potential for the value conscious gamer.

Game swapping isn't currently widely adopted and so unless a game swap site experiences heavy traffic a gamer may have to wait a little longer to get the video game swap they want. This could take a short while depending on a game's popularity and so in this regard game swapping is not as convenient as, say, trading. But as game swapping becomes more popular, the process of moving onto new video games is set to become a much better value experience.

Advantages:

1. Can be obtained at the cost of mailing a game

2. Easy to get new video games as you complete old ones

Disadvantages:

1. May have to wait a long time to find another gamer willing to swap

John Dunne has been an avid gamer for over 20 years and has setup the video game swapping website TheGameCollective.co.uk to help gamers swap and sell their video games free of charge to help us get the most out of gaming.

The continued battle of the “games are good” “games are bad” war plays on with a recent article in Discover Magazine that examines the growing body of research suggesting that video games exercise the mind similar to the way physical activity exercises the body.

Laparoscopic surgery, also known as keyhole surgery or band-aid surgery, involves manipulating controls/joysticks to control a fiber optic camera and surgical tools to perform minimally invasive surgery with only tiny incisions in the person’s body. Laparoscopic surgery has been around for many years now, but doctors have only recently begun to notice a stirring correlation between the top surgeons and video gamers.

Surgeon Butch Rosser, directory of minimally invasive surgery at Beth Israel Medical Center in New York, read a reporter’s comments about one of his procedures that referred to him as a “Nintendo surgeon”. This started his thinking that perhaps his apparent gift among many of his peers was because he was a gamer.

Rosser set out to see if there was a correlation by using a standardized laparoscopic training exercise called “Top Gun” to test laparoscopic surgeons that had never played a video game and those that were gamers. “The results were really astounding,” he says. “First of all, if you played video game [at any time] in the past, it was found that you were significantly faster and, more importantly, you created fewer errors than people who had no previous video game experience. Then when we looked at whether you were a current video gamer, we found that if you played video games currently, you were over 30 percent better — faster, and created fewer errors — than someone who did not play video games at all."

Alan Castel [http://www.artsci.wustl.edu/%7Eacastel/], psychology professor at Washington University of St. Louis [http://www.wustl.edu/], performed another study where people from different groups are given a series of standard visual tests looking for a particular object (e.g. a letter) among a group of other objects on a computer monitor. "Video game players had faster reaction times on the order of 100 milliseconds, which might not sound like a lot but in this domain it's quite a strong finding," says Castel. "And you can imagine, when driving, a difference of 100 milliseconds could really help you avoid accidents."

The research showed that gamers used the same search patterns as non-gamer, "but video game players were faster and more efficient when carrying out this search," says Castel.

"Previous research has shown that video game players have more attentional capacity and can carry out search functions in more efficient manners," says Castel. "Our research was interested in examining whether there were differences in how video game players and non-video game players search the visual environment, how they carry out visual search. We were interested in whether video game players would carry out visual search in a different way relative to people who don't play video games."

Castel suggests that not only are video games good “practice” for many mental tasks around activities like military flight training and surgery but that they may also be a good tool for rehabilitation of people recovering from brain injuries.

The mental improvement from video games is clearly there. However, Rosser does point out that surgeons perform better with just three hours of video game play per week. Rosser goes on to say to kids "That Butch Rosser would not be here in this capacity if he played video games and did not have good grades, did not develop perseverance. And I would say to that child out there that thinks that they got a free pass to play video games carte blanche, I say 'Nooo, sadly mistaken."

With the current talk from politicians, trying to get “airtime”, of banning video games, imposing regulations beyond other entertainment mediums such as books or movies, and the “detriments” of video games, the work of organizations like the International Game Developers Association, who advocate for a more balanced and fair look at games, is needed more now than ever. Research has shown the positive effects of playing video games and has shown very mixed results of any ill effects.

Those in positions to regulate the video game industry need to take a fair look at the studies in the area before attempting to impose any unfair requirements on the industry. With that said, not all games are appropriate for all ages. Parents need to know what their kids are playing. The industries ESRB ratings are a great first step for this, as are many of the review sites online.

To the kids out there, do you homework, but please play your video games. You may be the one operating on me one day…

Kurt Uhlir, a Chicago technologist and regular commentator on video games by day, oversees products and strategy for Extremely Sharp Swords, Knives & Martial Arts.

Reviews on magazines and gaming websites may help you gather as much information as you can about a new game, but you're not willing to spend $50 for the boxed set just yet. If you want to test an interesting video game before actually buying a copy for yourself, you may want to rent video games first.

Why Rent Video Games Online?

Before the days of video game rental websites, avid video gamers rented their games from rental shops or video stores. Testing a video game gives you the opportunity to play through a few levels of the game first before buying an actual copy for yourself. Some gamers who cannot afford the cost of an original copy of a video game may also rent video games online because it's way cheaper than having to buy the original boxed set.

Here are other advantages to renting video games online:

* It's fast and convenient. Unlike traditional rental stores where you have to fall in line for a hot new video game release, many online rental shops carry multiple copies of a single game. You can expect your rented copy right at your doorstep anywhere between two days to a week after you have placed your reservation.

* Lots of games to choose from. For retro gamers or people interested in playing rare games, online video game rental stores are a great place to test old and new games without paying the full price of the game.

* Casual gaming. Not all people are hardcore gamers who will shell out big bucks for original copies of computer games. Some people may prefer to go through some levels of a game, and then go back to whatever it is they're doing. Rented video games allow you all the enjoyment of video gaming without the expense and commitment shelled out by hardcore gaming enthusiasts.

* Expanding your video game horizons. Rental is cheap, which means you can explore all sorts of games that you wouldn't imagine yourself playing on a usual day. You may even find a really cool game you enjoy because of what's available from online rental stores.

Looking for Video Game Rental Websites

Video game rental stores are all over the Web; you simply search for them using a search engine, and you'll have hundreds or even thousands of online shops ready to rent out the hottest and the latest games to you at a reasonable cost. To make your browsing and rentals easier and more convenient, here are some tips that you should keep in mind:

* Look for the store nearest your residence. The nearer the store is to your home, the faster you'll get the game you have rented out. You also spend less in delivery, shipping, and handling costs.

* Search for good deals. Not all game rental shops will rent out the same games at the same prices. A big-name shop may offer discounts or lower rates, but the online rental queue may be too long for you to rent a game on time. Smaller online rental shops have smaller queues, but the selection may be much more limited than bigger online rental stores.

* Check the quality of the game. Games are passed on among customers, and the quality of the installer CD or DVD may have deteriorated over time. Inspect the condition of the installer or game disc first; if it's damaged, you may take it back to the store for a refund or a replacement depending on their terms of service. Avoid sites that rent out pirated or counterfeit copies of original video games.

* Be careful with your banking and personal details. To make rental easier, most online video game rental shops would charge rental and delivery fees to your credit card instead of accepting actual cash. Be very careful when disclosing your banking details, because some sites may disguise themselves as rental shops but run scam operations in real life. Verify with other sites to see if the website is a legitimately-run business that will not use your banking details for scam rackets.

With more and more advanced technologies being put into new releases every season, video games do not come cheap. With video game rental sites, you can try out a game first before putting in your hard-earned money on the counter for your very own original copy.

For more on How to rent video games online and other how-to do stuff, please visit Monster Guide Wisdom is the sharing of wise experiences and knowledge, but a lot of it is common sense. The difference is how we apply this common sense - we all have the ability to keep going even when we face challenges in our lives - basically it comes down to your attitude.