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Everything You Need To Know About The Playstation
Everything You Need To Know About The Playstation
A PlayStation is the fifth generation video game console and is immensely popular with the youth. This video game was first developed by Sony Computer Entertainment. Since its earliest launch the game has witnessed several up gradations and technological advancements. From the earlier Pocket Station to PlayStation 2 and finally the latest PlayStation 3 has created lots of enthusiasm among the youth. The game has sold record number of units throughout the world and has become the first home console to reach 100 million marks.
The best part of launching new play station games is that, all latest models are backward compatible; hence you need not worry even while going for the latest PlayStation 3 model since it has been designed to support your earlier gaming programs. Much of the latest information about the play stations can now be found on Internet. There are numerous websites that give facts about the latest news, views and reviews of the PlayStation products. For many crazy youngsters websites relating to PlayStation gaming console provides cheats, so that the players can easily make highest scores and complete the game without getting stuck at any point of the game.
Among the latest model of play station to be launched is the PS3, which has been launched in November 2006 for North America and Japan, while Europe will witness its launch on 23rd March 2007. For all the crazy PlayStation gamers there are websites providing absolute and updated information about the game cheats, reviews, features and strategy guides. These guides are extremely useful when buying a play station game. They prevent us from ending up in buying a bad game.
From the announcements made we know that the latest model of the game PS3 would have more than one version. Also the hardware and its external appearance have been changed from improvement. Sony, the company that is manufacturing PlayStation games has announced that there would be around 0 – PS3 consoles that will be available at the time of launch. And the price of the product has been fixed to around 9 for PS3 20GB and 9 for PS3 60GB.
PlayStation games are a hot favorite among the youngsters since they offer amazing videos and stunning graphics. There are several guides available online to help you solve a puzzle if you get stuck for too long at any point of the game. No matter how veteran a player you are, sometimes even the expert gamers get caught up in a problem that just cannot be solved. There is nothing worse than this situation but well; numerous game strategy guides online can take you out of any tricky circumstance. What more to ask some of the websites also reward and give full credit to smart PlayStation players for sharing their tactics in completing a game.
A PlayStation game is moreover better than its closest companion, Xbox 360 in terms of performance and efficiency. Apart from an exhilarating gaming experience offered by a PS3, the device console can play PS and PS2 games. The gadget being backward compatible can also play the regular CD’s, DVD’s and SACD’s.
History of Video Game Systems: Knowing About What Started it All
History of Video Game Systems: Knowing About What Started it All
Video games have come a long way in terms of graphics and sound technology. Although video games didn’t exist a hundred years ago, the enhancement in graphics and sound technology revolutionized on what people think of video games today.
Unlike what you see in video games today that has amazing 3D and realistic graphics and sounds, it all started out with a video game called the Computer Space. This video game was released by Nutting Associates in 1970 and was the first coin-operated arcade video game.
In 1972, the Odyssey 100 video game system was introduced. This particular video game can be attached to a standard television to display the graphics and play the game. In the same year, Atari launched Pong. This is a coin operated machine and is played with two short vertical lines that you move up and down to avoid letting the “ball” pass.
The real video game revolution began in the late 70’s. Atari introduced the Video Computer System or the VCS (renamed Atari 2600 later). This system uses cartridges and delivered colored graphics and sounds through the television. The game was played using a joystick or paddles.
The Atari 2600 were the most popular gaming systems ever invented in its time. The system was always in demand that retail stores constantly ran out of stock, especially on the holidays.
However, in early 80’s, more and more video game manufacturers began coming out. An example would be Nintendo. Nintendo’s Family Computer was a worldwide success and sold over 500,000 units all over the world for a short period of two months. In 1985, Nintendo released a similar system in the United States called the Nintendo Entertainment System.
With the release of the Nintendo Entertainment System in the US, it also released the Super Mario Bros. video game that was a total hit. The Super Mario Bros. game reportedly had a worldwide sale amounting up to 40.24 million dollars and was declared as the best-selling game of all time.
In the late 80’s more and more video game manufacturers began releasing their latest video game systems. Sega Enterprises released the Genesis home video game system in the US and was a total hit. It generated sales amounting up to 14 million dollars.
In 1995, Sony Electronics released the 32-bit CD-ROM game system called the PlayStation in the US. It was a phenomenal hit and this was the beginning of the Sony PlayStation legacy.
The popularity of Sony PlayStation paved the way to more advanced graphics system and other video gaming systems manufacturers began to follow suit. The CD-ROM technology to be integrated in a video game system is now the most popular way to play a video game.
Sega Enterprises and Nintendo followed with a similar concept of using a CD-ROM to play its games instead of using cartridges.
Sega released the Dreamcast video game system in Japan in 1998 with features like a 200 MHz processor, 12X speed 1 Gigabyte CD-ROM drive and a 56 kbps modem. However, it arrived too late to threaten the Nintendo 64 and the much anticipated PlayStation 2.
In the year 2000, PlayStation released the PlayStation 2 with great success. About 1 million units were shipped from Japan on the first weekend and have been one of the most popular video game systems ever released since Atari.
Other companies also followed. Nintendo released the GameCube video game system and Microsoft released the Xbox game system in the United States. The Xbox had features that no other gaming system had. It had an 8 Gigabyte hard drive, 733 MHz Pentium III Processor and a 250MHz nVidia graphics coprocessor. Also, it was capable of being connected into a broadband internet connection.
In 2005 Microsoft launched the Xbox 360 video game system in the United States. It has a wireless controller, headset and a 20 Gigabyte hard drive.
As you can see, video game systems are rapidly advancing in graphics and sound technology. You can only wait and see what Sony, PlayStation, Nintendo and other video game system manufacturers can think of next in the near future. Sony even announced the release of the much anticipated PlayStation 3 on mid November 2006 in North America.
All About The Play Station 2
All About The Play Station 2
Today, gaming consoles are a part of almost every household in the world. Everyone enjoys playing with it, like children, teenagers and even adults. Gaming consoles like the Xbox and the GameCube offers these entertainments.
However, these other gaming consoles do not even come close to competing with the Sony PlayStation 2 for their wide variety of game titles available. Most game publishers have exclusive contracts with Sony so their game title would not come out in other gaming consoles. You can also rent PS2 games online which broadens the library of games delivered straight to your door.
PlayStation 2 gaming consoles are one of the newest and strongest selling gaming consoles in the market. Its affordable price, wide variety of games and fantastic graphics made this one of the most popular gaming consoles in the world today. Unlike its predecessor the PlayStation, PlayStation 2 is more stylish, sleeker and smaller, it even comes in two colors, Charcoal Black and Satin Silver.
Although smaller, it does not mean that it has not extended the console’s features. PlayStation 2 still has an elevated awesome processing power, and even extended its library of great games and features. PS2 does not just limit its features to games; it can also play DVD movies and play music. In short, PlayStation 2 offers amazing features with its wide variety of entertainment that is sure to make everyone enjoy this single and easy to use console.
A PlayStation 2 package comes with a controller and all the cables needed to hook the system up to your television and sound system, it also comes with one or two games depending on the package you purchased. Setting up the PlayStation 2 game console is easy, even a child can do it. After setting up your PlayStation 2 console, you can immediately start playing with it. PlayStation 2 even has an integrated Network connector to enable you to use the Network Entertainment.
What is the Network Entertainment? Network Entertainment enables the game console to hook up to your broadband Internet connection, and makes you a part of a virtual community of online gamers. This feature allows you to play with friends online across the world.
Network gaming will change the way you play video games, you no longer have to play by yourself and defeat lame computer enemies over and over again but you can fight or team up with other players around the world which means your fighting human intelligence and so you’re guaranteed some surprises and tougher challenge right in the comfort of your own home. This feature is becoming more popular nowadays so regardless of what time you wish to play online there will always be plenty of gamers online, you can play whenever you want.
Right now, PS2 gamers from all over the world are playing online together. Either you can be part of a team to cooperate to win or you can go solo challenging other players. Most network games allow gamers to talk to each other by using a headset that plugs into your PS2 console. Play and win with a team, and the shared glorious victory will be more enjoyable! Lose, and you can hear each other grumbling and blaming each other. You can talk to your teammates about strategy and give each other tips.
PlayStation 2 is a good investment to any home, offering a new world of entertainment.
For an additional fee the PlayStation 2 also has gadgets you can buy such as Memory Card to save your progress in the game, DVD Remote Control, an Analog Controller Dualshock2 that vibrates so the gamer can truly feel the action on screen, a steering wheel controller such as the FANATEC Speedster 3 that race fanatics can enjoy and have realistic feel of the virtual car, the G-con 2 Light Gun for the first person shooter gamer, a USB headset for PS2 so you can talk online to strategize, plan attack with teammates, or taunt enemies and more.
PlayStation 2 also enables the owner to play music CDs and watch DVD movies with awesome picture and sound quality and Parental Lock security functions. In addition, if you are the owner of a home cinema or surround sound system, PlayStation 2 has a Digital Out connector to hook it up on your home cinema system.
In addition if you are the owner of the previous PlayStation or PS one, PlayStation 2 is compatible to all of the existing PS one games, which means you can still play your old PS one games in PlayStation 2.
PlayStation 2 is the most entertaining gaming consoles in the market, which offers quality entertainment whatever your age is. PS2 will keep you glued to your seat for hours by playing solo, play online, watch DVD movies or simply listen to music.
All About Video Games
All About Video Games
Many kids across the country are enthralled with their new video games that they received as Christmas presents from family and friends. These children need very little instruction to help them get started playing fun and exciting video games that focus on sports events, fantasy thrillers and cartoon characters to provide hours of uninterrupted entertainment opportunities.
Some of these video games can be used on home computer systems but for the most part, these video games are operated on handheld game consoles, multimedia consoles or multimedia platforms. There are a variety of handheld controllers that are attached to the gaming consoles using cords or are powered with wireless networking technologies that allow children to play a video game from anywhere in the room.
The Xbox 360 multimedia platform is one of the latest operating systems for playing video games on. It features a game playing environment that allows the user to rotate their viewpoint in a 360 degree radius, and the visual aspects in each video game is very realistic for even the most seasoned of video game players.
Some video games are compatible for use on other gaming systems. The Nintendo Wii game system will play single or double-layered optical discs or 8-centimeter Nintendo GameCube video games too. The Game Boy Micro will play all video games that are made for the Game Boy Advance SP models.
The Nintendo DS has the capability to allow up to 16 players to network together and enjoy the same video game action and chat with each other as they enjoy their video games. The Nintendo DS will also play all games currently used by the Game Boy Advance and those made specifically for the Nintendo DS game system.
The Sony PlayStation Portable is commonly called a PSP by video gamers all over the world. This handheld video game system serves double duty as a video game player and one that will serve as a portable video and photo viewer. MP3-encoded songs can also be played when they are stored on the Memory Stick Duo that comes with all game consoles.
The Xbox features unbelievable graphics and an amazingly powerful hard drive system that some people compare to the hard drives found in their own personal computer systems that they have at home. Many of the XBOX video games are suitably rated for Teen and Mature audiences, and some of them may contain very graphic violence and adult themes that are not suitable for viewing by children.
The Xbox can be used as a home entertainment system too. The Xbox is well equipped to play many musical compact disks that are sold at major retailers around the country with brilliant sound qualities that might be found in more expensive home entertainment systems. The family can enjoy DVDs of their favorite movies and build a home library that is second to none.
Many of these game systems are equipped with wireless technologies and feature USB 2.0 connectivity. Video games can be played with surround sound features or through built-in speakers on many of the video gaming consoles. These video games will be shown in vivid digital screen colors and in sizes that are perfect for traveling, or for use by many players when attached to a home television unit.
Really Good News About Your Children’s Video Games
Really Good News About Your Children’s Video Games
Research published by University of Rochester neuroscientists C. Shawn Green and Daphne Bavelier has grabbed national attention for suggesting that playing “action” video and computer games has positive effects – enhancing student’s visual selective attention. But that finding is just one small part of a more important message that all parents and educators need to hear: video games are not the enemy, but the best opportunity we have to engage our kids in real learning.
Any observer knows that the attitude of today’s children to video and computer games is the very opposite of the attitude that most of them have toward school. The amount of time they spend playing computer and video games – estimated at 10,000 hours by the time they are twenty-one, often in multi-hour bursts – belies the “short attention span” criticism of educators. And while years ago the group attracted to video and computer games was almost entirely adolescent boys, it is now increasingly girls and all children of all ages and social groups. One would be hard-pressed today to find a kid in America who doesn’t play computer or video games of one sort or another.
The evidence is quickly mounting that our “Digital Native” children’s brains are changing to accommodate these new technologies with which they spend so much time. Not only are they better at spreading their attention over a wide range of events, as Green and Bavelier report, but they are better at parallel processing, taking in information more quickly (at “twitchspeed”), understanding multimedia, and collaborating over networks.
What attracts and “glues” kids to today’s video and computer games is neither the violence, or even the surface subject matter, but rather the learning the games provide. Kids, like and all humans, love to learn when it isn’t forced on them. Modern computer and video games provide learning opportunities every second, or fraction thereof.
On the surface, kids learn to do things – to fly airplanes, to drive fast cars, to be theme park operators, war fighters, civilization builders and veterinarians. But on deeper levels they learn infinitely more: to take in information from many sources and make decisions quickly; to deduce a game’s rules from playing rather than by being told; to create strategies for overcoming obstacles; to understand complex systems through experimentation. And, increasingly, they learn to collaborate with others. Many adults are not aware that games have long ago passed out of the single-player isolation shell imposed by lack of networking, and have gone back to being the social medium they have always been – on a worldwide scale. Massively Multiplayer games such as EverQuest now have hundreds of thousands of people playing simultaneously, collaborating nightly in clans and guilds.
Today’s game-playing kid enters the first grade able to do and understand so many complex things – from building, to flying, to reasoning – that the curriculum they are given feel like they are being handed depressants. And it gets worse as the students progress. Their “Digital Immigrant” teachers know so little about the digital world of their charges – from online gaming to exchanging, sharing, meeting, evaluating, coordinating, programming, searching, customizing and socializing, that it is often impossible for them to design learning in the language and speed their students need and relish, despite their best efforts.
An emerging coalition of academics, writers, foundations, game designers, companies like Microsoft and, increasingly, the U.S. Military is working to make parents and educators aware of the enormous potential for learning contained in the gaming medium. While “edutainment,” may work for pre-schoolers, it is primitive when it comes to the enormous sophistication of today’s games. We need new and better learning games, and these are finally beginning to appear. Microsoft has sponsored a “Games-to-Teach” project at MIT which is building games for learning difficult concepts in physics and environmental science on the X-Box and Pocket PC. Lucas Games has lesson plans to help teachers integrate its games into curricula to teach critical thinking. A UK study by TEEM (Teachers Evaluating Educational Multimedia) has shown that certain games can help youngsters to learn logical thinking and computer literacy. Given the almost perfect overlap between the profiles of gamers and military recruits, the US Military uses over 50 different video and computer games to teach everything from doctrine, to strategy and tactics. “America’s Army, Operations,” a recruiting game released for free in 2002, now has almost 2 million registered users, with almost a million having completed virtual basic training.
Academic research into the positive effects of games on learning, which not so long ago sat unread on the shelf, is being noticed by national media. Theoretical and practical guides such as “What Video Games Have To Teach Us About Learning And Literacy” by Professor of Education James Paul Gee, and my own “Digital Game-Based Learning,” are now on bookshelves. Experts, such as former Stanford CFO William Massey, who created the learning game “Virtual U.” are working with game designers to build games that communicate their knowledge and experience. Foundations like Sloan, Markle and others are funding these efforts. The Woodrow Wilson school has begun a project called “Serious Games” to increase the use of gaming in public policy debates, picking up an effort that begin 10 years ago with “Sim Health” from Maxis.
Yet despite all the findings, research, and cries for help from the kids in school, many parents and educators still tend to think of video and computer games as frivolous at best and harmful at worst. The press often encourages this with headlines about “killing games” when in fact two thirds of the games are rated “E (everybody),” and sixteen of the top 20 sellers are rated either “E” or “T (teen)”. To counteract this “name prejudice,” users and funders of today’s “new” educational games often refer to them by “code” names, such as “Desktop Simulators,” “Synthetic Environments,” or “Immersive Interactive Experiences.”
Yet what these new, highly effective learning tools really are a combination of the most compelling and interactive design elements of the best video and computer games with specific curricular content. The tricky part is doing this in ways that capture, rather than lose, the learner’s interest and attention. We are now becoming much better at this. The money and will is there to do it, and our students are crying for it.