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Look around you, what do you see a computer, a mobile phone, a phone, a radio possibly even a TV ?? All these devices that allow us in some way to communicate with the wider world, a world that only a few hundred years ago would have been completely inaccessible. Communication above all else has allowed mankind to become the dominant species on this planet. In human babies and chimps, the larynx is high in the neck allowing simultaneous breathing and swallowing, In human adults the larynx lowers in the neck making simultaneous breathing and swallowing impossible but giving humans unlike chimps the ability to talk.
Communication has allowed the free flow of ideas which has allowed innovation to thrive creating the world we have today. The phone in particular epitomised the human desire to communicate, after all we are social animals. So far the home console has been seen as an antisocial piece of machinery, however things are beginning to change. The Dreamcast led the way with internet connectivity as standard allowing people to email each other from there own TV sets, but communication via consoles will be must bigger than that, and in the near future. The Xbox will have internet connectivity as standard and you’ll be able to by a headset to allow people to communicate with you as if on the phone but while playing games. The Playstation 2 and Gamecube will also no doubt soon be blessed with the same high tech gadgetry that will allow videogames to become more social than they have ever been before.
Looking forward to more social gaming, me to ;-)
Communication has allowed the free flow of ideas which has allowed innovation to thrive creating the world we have today. The phone in particular epitomised the human desire to communicate, after all we are social animals. So far the home console has been seen as an antisocial piece of machinery, however things are beginning to change. The Dreamcast led the way with internet connectivity as standard allowing people to email each other from there own TV sets, but communication via consoles will be must bigger than that, and in the near future. The Xbox will have internet connectivity as standard and you’ll be able to by a headset to allow people to communicate with you as if on the phone but while playing games. The Playstation 2 and Gamecube will also no doubt soon be blessed with the same high tech gadgetry that will allow videogames to become more social than they have ever been before.
Looking forward to more social gaming, me to ;-)
Look around you, what do you see a computer, a mobile phone, a phone, a radio possibly even a TV ?? All these devices that allow us in some way to communicate with the wider world, a world that only a few hundred years ago would have been completely inaccessible. Communication above all else has allowed mankind to become the dominant species on this planet. In human babies and chimps, the larynx is high in the neck allowing simultaneous breathing and swallowing, In human adults the larynx lowers in the neck making simultaneous breathing and swallowing impossible but giving humans unlike chimps the ability to talk.
Communication has allowed the free flow of ideas which has allowed innovation to thrive creating the world we have today. The phone in particular epitomised the human desire to communicate, after all we are social animals. So far the home console has been seen as an antisocial piece of machinery, however things are beginning to change. The Dreamcast led the way with internet connectivity as standard allowing people to email each other from there own TV sets, but communication via consoles will be must bigger than that, and in the near future. The Xbox will have internet connectivity as standard and you’ll be able to by a headset to allow people to communicate with you as if on the phone but while playing games. The Playstation 2 and Gamecube will also no doubt soon be blessed with the same high tech gadgetry that will allow videogames to become more social than they have ever been before.
Looking forward to more social gaming, me to ;-)
Communication has allowed the free flow of ideas which has allowed innovation to thrive creating the world we have today. The phone in particular epitomised the human desire to communicate, after all we are social animals. So far the home console has been seen as an antisocial piece of machinery, however things are beginning to change. The Dreamcast led the way with internet connectivity as standard allowing people to email each other from there own TV sets, but communication via consoles will be must bigger than that, and in the near future. The Xbox will have internet connectivity as standard and you’ll be able to by a headset to allow people to communicate with you as if on the phone but while playing games. The Playstation 2 and Gamecube will also no doubt soon be blessed with the same high tech gadgetry that will allow videogames to become more social than they have ever been before.
Looking forward to more social gaming, me to ;-)
I believe this fits in well!
Socialising - fun, social gaming - life - Fun – the essence of life, the reason for living – to have a great time, and if playing games is a way to have fun, then I’ll be playing for a long while longer. Computers and console gaming has grown massively over the past ten years, with technology moving on at an incredible rate – we can now play games that are so realistic that soon it’ll be hard to tell if you’re watch the television, or playing a video game. Is this a good thing? Well as long as it’s entertainment, and generally, it is, then it can’t be anything but a good thing. Gaming has grown so much that it’s now the most popular form of entertainment ahead of movies and music, and yet it still doesn’t seem to get the reputation it deserves – far more credit & respect is given to film directors than to game producers, but maybe one day Yu Suzuki, Shigeru Miyamoto, Yuji Naka, the maestros at Polyphony Digital – responsible for a certain newly released racing game, and the rest of the gaming cream will be given the recognition that they actually deserve. This people are nothing short of geniuses, and I respect them for making great games.
Gaming is taking over our wallets, but in general it hasn’t risen with inflation – console prices as new are still around the same price as they used to be, only we’re getting a great deal more now for our sterling’s worth. The latest home console, the PlayStation 2 offers excellent value, at just £299.99 at launch (now £30 less), it’s the same price, or less than, how much the original PlayStation was when it first was released – and with PS2 you get a much more advanced machine, an integrated DVD player and of course it doubles up as a superb CD playing system – offering fantastically clear sound. There will be two new consoles heading our way within 10months, in the form of the giant sized Microsoft X Box and Nintendo’s peculiar looking Game Cube, they’re expected to sell at around £270 and £170 respectively – near enough. Naturally they will offer advances in technology from the last machine, and so gaming is always progressing – graphically and originality wise.
So what are your choices? You can get a PS2 now for £270, with games at £40 or less, pick up the now dated looking PlayStation 1 for £80, go for the Sega Dreamcast – it’s got full internet readiness and is probably the best value machine at just under £100, or of course you could go for the N64 which will set you back about £50. Handheld consoles are usually cheaper, but the GBC (game boy colour) is now around £50, as the new Game Boy Advance – the 32bit miniature marvel – is priced at £80. So generally, buy what you can afford – don’t go over the top with your spending, get the most from the games you buy, and I would strongly recommend buying from a trustworthy retailer, like Special Reserve.
Gaming is becoming more than just wasting a couple of hours away in front of a television, holding a joy pad and playing on a game because you’re so bored out of your brain that you’ve resorted to playing something, oh no – we’re now playing computer games because they’re the most appealing thing to do – not because we’re bored! Well, they’re a great way to spend time, and it’s not just about the games anymore. Gaming is a fun and active way of socialising, it can help you learn more about other cultures and societies – playing games made in Japan, made in the USA – we’re getting the most incredible insight into the lives and worlds of the gaming creators – a whole new world is being opened up and is available for all to experience, and in my view? That’s a damn good thing.
Those who play games aren’t just ”nerds and geeks“ anymore, yes sure you get some shifty looking characters around, and the occasional Sega Rally 2 enthusiast who never leaves the arcade machine, usually the really good Japanese people, but now everyone can play – yes, you and me – regular looking people – we’re all playing games because they’re just so great, well most of them are. So why doesn’t gaming get the limelight it should? In Japan, the home of electronics, gizmos and most importantly, gaming, the designers, producers and gaming companies are considered in a much higher place – almost worshipped even for their ability to make such incredibly fantastic games and consoles. In Europe and the it seems as though music gets the most attention, as we generally do have the best musicians and DJs around – excluding Germany of course, they’re not great musically. In the USA, with Hollywood, it’s movies that receive the most attention – but the most buzzing industry overall is that of gaming, so let’s all go to Japan and experience the electronic atmosphere that our long distant cousins have had all to their selves!
There are many superb games, it’d be wrong of me just to name a few must have titles, it all depends on the console or consoles that you own, but let me just say (No? Tough I’m going to say it anyway) that gaming has moved on leaps and bounds since the commodore and Atari days – although classics like Tetris and Lemmings, nibbles (reincarnated as Snake on mobile phones) and the very best wave of first generation games are still being played, re-released and played some more. Genres have been invented, abolished, recreated again – with games being described as “genre defying” now and again – when you see these words, it means you must buy this game!
Why do we play games? The very same reason we watch films, listen to music – it’s entertainment, it has, can, does and will enrich your life, but don’t get too carried away – don’t lock yourself in a cupboard playing for hours upon hours on end – it’s not that healthy, if you’re addicted to a game then limit yourself – only play for an hour each day or so, don’t go over the top, it could damage your health – but generally, gaming does not make psycho killers – it doesn’t lead to maniac driving on the roads – if anything it helps prevents this – people can unleash their fury brought on from everyday life and pressures, and sit back and partake in a tournament of a fighting or shooting game, racing around a grand prix circuit – backwards, knocking everyone off so that you’ve won – we’ve all done this right? Brilliant. Set the rules, bend the rules, or even do away with the rules completely – games vary so much between each other – some are super realistic, and some are just sublimely insane.
You pay your money, you play your game and you stay happy. Gaming a bad thing in society? Don’t make me laugh! Roll on Virtual Reality and walking simulators – wacky times ahead people, enjoy today.
Socialising - fun, social gaming - life - Fun – the essence of life, the reason for living – to have a great time, and if playing games is a way to have fun, then I’ll be playing for a long while longer. Computers and console gaming has grown massively over the past ten years, with technology moving on at an incredible rate – we can now play games that are so realistic that soon it’ll be hard to tell if you’re watch the television, or playing a video game. Is this a good thing? Well as long as it’s entertainment, and generally, it is, then it can’t be anything but a good thing. Gaming has grown so much that it’s now the most popular form of entertainment ahead of movies and music, and yet it still doesn’t seem to get the reputation it deserves – far more credit & respect is given to film directors than to game producers, but maybe one day Yu Suzuki, Shigeru Miyamoto, Yuji Naka, the maestros at Polyphony Digital – responsible for a certain newly released racing game, and the rest of the gaming cream will be given the recognition that they actually deserve. This people are nothing short of geniuses, and I respect them for making great games.
Gaming is taking over our wallets, but in general it hasn’t risen with inflation – console prices as new are still around the same price as they used to be, only we’re getting a great deal more now for our sterling’s worth. The latest home console, the PlayStation 2 offers excellent value, at just £299.99 at launch (now £30 less), it’s the same price, or less than, how much the original PlayStation was when it first was released – and with PS2 you get a much more advanced machine, an integrated DVD player and of course it doubles up as a superb CD playing system – offering fantastically clear sound. There will be two new consoles heading our way within 10months, in the form of the giant sized Microsoft X Box and Nintendo’s peculiar looking Game Cube, they’re expected to sell at around £270 and £170 respectively – near enough. Naturally they will offer advances in technology from the last machine, and so gaming is always progressing – graphically and originality wise.
So what are your choices? You can get a PS2 now for £270, with games at £40 or less, pick up the now dated looking PlayStation 1 for £80, go for the Sega Dreamcast – it’s got full internet readiness and is probably the best value machine at just under £100, or of course you could go for the N64 which will set you back about £50. Handheld consoles are usually cheaper, but the GBC (game boy colour) is now around £50, as the new Game Boy Advance – the 32bit miniature marvel – is priced at £80. So generally, buy what you can afford – don’t go over the top with your spending, get the most from the games you buy, and I would strongly recommend buying from a trustworthy retailer, like Special Reserve.
Gaming is becoming more than just wasting a couple of hours away in front of a television, holding a joy pad and playing on a game because you’re so bored out of your brain that you’ve resorted to playing something, oh no – we’re now playing computer games because they’re the most appealing thing to do – not because we’re bored! Well, they’re a great way to spend time, and it’s not just about the games anymore. Gaming is a fun and active way of socialising, it can help you learn more about other cultures and societies – playing games made in Japan, made in the USA – we’re getting the most incredible insight into the lives and worlds of the gaming creators – a whole new world is being opened up and is available for all to experience, and in my view? That’s a damn good thing.
Those who play games aren’t just ”nerds and geeks“ anymore, yes sure you get some shifty looking characters around, and the occasional Sega Rally 2 enthusiast who never leaves the arcade machine, usually the really good Japanese people, but now everyone can play – yes, you and me – regular looking people – we’re all playing games because they’re just so great, well most of them are. So why doesn’t gaming get the limelight it should? In Japan, the home of electronics, gizmos and most importantly, gaming, the designers, producers and gaming companies are considered in a much higher place – almost worshipped even for their ability to make such incredibly fantastic games and consoles. In Europe and the it seems as though music gets the most attention, as we generally do have the best musicians and DJs around – excluding Germany of course, they’re not great musically. In the USA, with Hollywood, it’s movies that receive the most attention – but the most buzzing industry overall is that of gaming, so let’s all go to Japan and experience the electronic atmosphere that our long distant cousins have had all to their selves!
There are many superb games, it’d be wrong of me just to name a few must have titles, it all depends on the console or consoles that you own, but let me just say (No? Tough I’m going to say it anyway) that gaming has moved on leaps and bounds since the commodore and Atari days – although classics like Tetris and Lemmings, nibbles (reincarnated as Snake on mobile phones) and the very best wave of first generation games are still being played, re-released and played some more. Genres have been invented, abolished, recreated again – with games being described as “genre defying” now and again – when you see these words, it means you must buy this game!
Why do we play games? The very same reason we watch films, listen to music – it’s entertainment, it has, can, does and will enrich your life, but don’t get too carried away – don’t lock yourself in a cupboard playing for hours upon hours on end – it’s not that healthy, if you’re addicted to a game then limit yourself – only play for an hour each day or so, don’t go over the top, it could damage your health – but generally, gaming does not make psycho killers – it doesn’t lead to maniac driving on the roads – if anything it helps prevents this – people can unleash their fury brought on from everyday life and pressures, and sit back and partake in a tournament of a fighting or shooting game, racing around a grand prix circuit – backwards, knocking everyone off so that you’ve won – we’ve all done this right? Brilliant. Set the rules, bend the rules, or even do away with the rules completely – games vary so much between each other – some are super realistic, and some are just sublimely insane.
You pay your money, you play your game and you stay happy. Gaming a bad thing in society? Don’t make me laugh! Roll on Virtual Reality and walking simulators – wacky times ahead people, enjoy today.
Its like you say Sulzeer gaming in the past has been seen as antisocial, nerdy, geeky etc. and I suppose that stereotype still sticks. Things are improving, society is now finally starting to see that games can enrich our lives...and can be just as enjoyable if not more so than videos.
However it will take a big game to break the mould and get the attention of the public as a whole, it will happen its just a matter of time that game will allow users from around the world to interact with each other in real time while retaining the elements that have always made games exciting, notably Fantasy elements.
Do you think that in the future gaming will become a more social pastime ???
The technology is only months away the Xbox with its headset could mean gaming becomes a way to meet and talk to people in real time during a game. Sony Im sure have similar plans for the Playstation2.
What games would you like to see make use of this technology??
I'ld personally like to see a new version of ISS, with each of my old mates taking control of one character on a pitch.
Imagine
"Shoot, you idiot"
"Pass the ball"
"Im open"
"The referees a *******!"
That reality could soon be upon us.
However it will take a big game to break the mould and get the attention of the public as a whole, it will happen its just a matter of time that game will allow users from around the world to interact with each other in real time while retaining the elements that have always made games exciting, notably Fantasy elements.
Do you think that in the future gaming will become a more social pastime ???
The technology is only months away the Xbox with its headset could mean gaming becomes a way to meet and talk to people in real time during a game. Sony Im sure have similar plans for the Playstation2.
What games would you like to see make use of this technology??
I'ld personally like to see a new version of ISS, with each of my old mates taking control of one character on a pitch.
Imagine
"Shoot, you idiot"
"Pass the ball"
"Im open"
"The referees a *******!"
That reality could soon be upon us.
Special Reserve have just confirmed the story on the Xbox head set from Plantronics
Visit
http://special.reserve.co.uk/ news/story.php?id=989
(remove spaces) for the story.
This story about the Xbox headset has been titled
"Voice activated gaming"
This raises the question, how would you like to see such a headset used in the latest games. Sure the headset may be allow you to talk to real life opponents increasing the social aspects of gaming to new levels. However the headset in conjunction with voice recognition software may allow voice control of weapon selection in games, or allow you to easily change tactics on the fly in games such as InternationalSuperStarSoccer.
What games would you like to see use this technology??
Visit
http://special.reserve.co.uk/ news/story.php?id=989
(remove spaces) for the story.
This story about the Xbox headset has been titled
"Voice activated gaming"
This raises the question, how would you like to see such a headset used in the latest games. Sure the headset may be allow you to talk to real life opponents increasing the social aspects of gaming to new levels. However the headset in conjunction with voice recognition software may allow voice control of weapon selection in games, or allow you to easily change tactics on the fly in games such as InternationalSuperStarSoccer.
What games would you like to see use this technology??
I'm a solitary gamer. Like a cat. Meeow.
Heh, I play my mates when they're around, most of them have consoles anyway so it's a reasonably fair contest usually.
I think it's much more enjoyable to play with a mate, someone in the room to taunt during play - or in the case of iguana, grab the controller lead and strangle me with it This happened 10 minutes ago...she's now being flattened (literally) at power stone and relieving some stress.
I think it's much more enjoyable to play with a mate, someone in the room to taunt during play - or in the case of iguana, grab the controller lead and strangle me with it This happened 10 minutes ago...she's now being flattened (literally) at power stone and relieving some stress.
I think that having 3 friends round to play Perfect Dark or Smash Brothers is as social as gaming gets.
I suppose with online gaming you can have an extra social life (like the sort we already have on SR).
Even better, you can mix them both.
When I get a Gamecube, 3 friends and myself will be able to pit our After Dark skills against some anonamous freaks over the internet.
Sims were a nice idea but too "elite" to play against.
They didn't act "human" at all. They took the shortest route to the weapons, shortest route to you and then blasted you with uncanny accuracy.
Tactics meant nothing to them. It was good for practice or testing skills but it wasn't so much fun.
Playing against other players is a much more exiting prospect.
I suppose with online gaming you can have an extra social life (like the sort we already have on SR).
Even better, you can mix them both.
When I get a Gamecube, 3 friends and myself will be able to pit our After Dark skills against some anonamous freaks over the internet.
Sims were a nice idea but too "elite" to play against.
They didn't act "human" at all. They took the shortest route to the weapons, shortest route to you and then blasted you with uncanny accuracy.
Tactics meant nothing to them. It was good for practice or testing skills but it wasn't so much fun.
Playing against other players is a much more exiting prospect.
I love playing multiplayer games such as Tekken 3, ISS Pro Evolution 2, FIFA, WWF Smackdown 2, Goldeneye, MarioKart, Perfect Dark...there really is no substitute for beating a mate on a game! :-)
I love playing 5 player FIFA on my playstation. Its funny when youre all on the same side because inevitably 4 players all run for the ball at corners etc (5 during free play!) meaning the formation is destroyed!
However as my friends have grown up some have moved away, Ild really love to be able to play online with my old mates and so far the Xbox seems like the only console that will deliver on this. Hopefully though Nintendo and Sony will offer the same social future :-)
I love playing 5 player FIFA on my playstation. Its funny when youre all on the same side because inevitably 4 players all run for the ball at corners etc (5 during free play!) meaning the formation is destroyed!
However as my friends have grown up some have moved away, Ild really love to be able to play online with my old mates and so far the Xbox seems like the only console that will deliver on this. Hopefully though Nintendo and Sony will offer the same social future :-)