Go GaGa Over Farm Frenzy 2

I still remember playing Farm Frenzy a long time ago (well maybe less than a year ago, I don’t know exactly when it was). My colleagues and I went crazy over that game. The funky music, the cute graphics, and the engaging game play all added up to make that game one heck of a casual game.

Casual games are here to stay, and the Farm Frenzy series is one of the reasons. Alawar Games recently released the sequel to that first hit game. Dubbed Farm Frenzy 2, the second installment is not that much different from the first game but in many ways, it gives you a different experience.

The graphics, for one, are so much better in my opinion. The animals look cuter and at the same time are more real. Even better, there are more animals that you can play with. In addition to the chickens, pigs, and cows, you can now have ostriches which produce feathers. Of course, this means that you have more products that you can manufacture and sell for a higher price. There are also different kinds of bears – first there is the panda bear, then you have a brown bear, then I think a grizzly, then a polar bear. The bigger the bear, the more money you can get for it.

I am not sure but it seems to me that there are more levels. They are also a bit more difficult – I mean you have shorter times to get gold and silver. This does not take away from the game but makes it even more challenging. I am telling you, you should try this game!

Wiis In Libraries

This is the perfect example of using technology to make learning fun. The Central Mississippi Regional Library System is trying out a new “trick” to encourage people to visit their libraries. Their weapon? The ubiquitous Nintendo Wii!

If you are like the average person, you probably have not stepped into your public library since you got out of school – when you were “forced” to do so. But now, you have a different reason to visit one, at least if you reside in Central Mississippi. The Central Mississippi Regional Library System has started a program by which a Nintendo Wii goes around the different libraries in the area. In addition to this, the individual libraries are adding a new group of items to their collections – Wii games!

It is not all about playing video games, though. After all, the library is mainly for books. So what the staff has done is to provide lists of books that are related to the video games. For example, if you are playing tennis (Wii Sports), you could browse through a list of books relating to tennis and if you need further information on the topic, you can actually borrow the book.

I think it is a clever way of exposing people to the wonders that a library holds. I love video games, for sure, but I also know the value of books and reading. If you can combine the two in a creative way, then why not? I am just hoping more libraries can take up this tactic.

Exclusive Video Games No More?

PS3 fan boys and Xbox360 enthusiasts have been used to the fact that there are some video games that are released solely for one console or the other.  As far as I know, they have no qualms about this.  They even take pride in the fact that only they can play such a great video game.  Take the God of War franchise, for example.  I honestly think that this is one of the greatest video games ever made.  And only those with Sony PS2s or PS3s can play the game.  On the other hand, you have Halo.  Only Xbox or Xbox360 owners can play the game.

Yet according to experts, the days when video game exclusives are the norm are now drawing to an end.  Jennifer Martinez of The Guardian reports:

Rising development costs might force console makers Microsoft Corp and Sony Corp to publish more video games themselves, as independent studios avoid exclusive deals for blockbusters.

The fortunes of the hardware makers have turned on whether they can attract exclusive hit video games, driving fans to buy their consoles. But increasingly, the companies behind the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 will have to fund their own games if they want publishing rights to a game their rivals cannot get.

So one thing or another is going to happen.  Either the external game developing companies insist on creating games that are not exclusive OR Microsoft and Sony will make the games themselves.  I think the latter is going to win out in this case.  What do you think?

Sony Extravaganza At The Leipzig GC

Did the recent E3 leave you wanting for more?  I bet.  Many thought that Sony, among other big players in the industry, didn’t really give anything during the E3.  Now we know why.  They were reserving their announcements for the GC at Leipzig!  According to the journalists and various people who were present, Sony has announced a lot of things that are making Sony fan boys clap with delight.

First, they announced a new PS3 model.  It is going to have a 160GB hard drive – something that I could sure use!  If you are anything like me, the 60G (which I have) is not enough for all the content that I need and use regularly.  This console is actually part of a bundle including Uncharted: Drake’s Fortune, a DualShock 3 wireless controller, and a PSN voucher for Pain.  This is set to be released in November for $499.99.

Even better, they announced a wireless keypad for the PS3.  Actually, this is what excites me more.  This gadget can be attached to the Sixaxis and the DualShock 3 controllers and is Bluetooth enabled.  Now you can type easily without having to use the controller buttons!  It will also be released in November.  The price? Nothing was said about it.

It doesn’t end there – the new PSP 3000 was announced as well.  The new PSP will have a different LCD that allows for better viewing and more vivid colors.  It also has more capabilities when it comes to mobile communications.  The PSP 3000 will be out in the market in October for $170.

2008 Games Convention in Leipzig-Germany

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If you haven’t already heard, one of the biggest games convention on earth will commence today in Leipzig, Germany.  Dubbed the 2008 Games Convention in Leipzig-Germany (quite an imaginative name, huh), the event will run from the 21st of August till the 24th of the same month.  This is the 7th year that the GC is being held.

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This year, exhibits will be on display from 32 counties – up by one from last year’s convention.  Some of the biggest countries that are participating include France, the Netherlands, Norway, Russia, Spain, the UK and the USA.  Of course, just like in the previous conventions, we expect to see the big players in the gaming industry.  Some of them are Sony, Microsoft, Electronic Arts, Ubisoft, and Aktivision.

One particular feature of this year’s GC is that there will be separate areas for gaming enthusiasts and those involved in the gaming industry.  Whilst gamers can have all the fun and laughter that they wish in their area, there is a separate section for those who are into serious business, which is quieter and more conducive to business matters.  Furthermore, in the business hall, there is a section for aspiring developers.  This gives them the chance to make contacts that can give their careers a boost.

If you are in the area, I suggest that you be there for the launch at 20:00 today as there will be a live show featuring awesome music and other video game features.  Expect to hear live the music from hit video games such as Halo, Final Fantasy, and Tomb Raider.  What else can you ask for?

1942: Joint Strike

I was playing around the PlayStation Store the other day when I saw something that caught my eye – the demo of 1942: Joint Strike.  Video gamers of this generation may not remember this game but I am sure those who hail from my generation will be excited to hear about the release of this video game.

Here’s GameSpot’s take on this:

Capcom has been hitting its stable of classic franchises hard as of late, delivering to Microsoft and Sony’s online platforms such arcade-inspired hits as Wolf of the Battlefield: Commando 3, Super Street Fighter II Turbo HD Remix, and Bionic Commando Rearmed. Today, Capcom said that its next classic redux, 1942: Joint Strike, has counted out its whole nine yards and will take wing on Xbox Live beginning July 23, with the PlayStation Network edition arriving as part of Sony’s weekly Thursday update on July 24.

Drawing its inspiration liberally from Capcom’s classic 1984 shoot-’em-up 1942, Joint Strike features the franchise’s signature vertical-scrolling 2D action, in which would-be aviators sail the unfriendly skies in “a seemingly WWII-like era.” Emphasizing this break from historical accuracy, Capcom notes that Joint Strike will feature new weapons and power-ups.

You can just imagine my excitement when I played the demo for the first time.  What can I say?  It does not disappoint.  The graphics are reminiscent of the original looks and I can say the same thing of the sounds.  The demo does not give you anything near enough to satisfy, to be honest.  I really want to buy this game.

Casual Games

When one hears the term video game in a conversation, perhaps the first thing that would come to his mind would be the PlayStation consoles or the Xbox consoles – and games that are associated with them. It might be a rare occasion to actually have someone think of casual games off the top of his head. What are casual games anyway?

Are you familiar with computer games such as Diner Dash, Ranch Rush, and Tradewinds? These are prime examples of casual games. Wikipedia defines casual games as:

A casual game is a video game targeted at a mass audience of casual gamers. Casual games can have any type of gameplay, and fit in any genre. They are typically distinguished by their simple rules, in contrast to more complex hardcore games. They require no long-term time commitment or special skills to play, and there are comparatively low production and distribution costs for the producer.

As opposed to the video games played in the specific consoles that I mentioned in the first paragraph, casual games are normally played on a personal computer. They can be downloaded or played online using a web browser. Lately, though, casual games have been made for consoles as well. This is due to the fact that the market for casual games has evolved and continues to expand at a fast rate.

Casual games are typically easier to play and complete and thus take less time to finish. The graphics are “cute” – that is not to say that they cannot be excellent as many of them have really good graphics. Many say that the typical casual gamer is older. More so, it seems that women play more casual games than men.

Though casual games may be worlds apart from a PlayStation 3 or Xbox 360 game, there is no doubt that they offer just as much enjoyment to the gamer.

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Recent Articles

• Go GaGa Over Farm Frenzy 2
• Wiis In Libraries
• Exclusive Video Games No More?
• Sony Extravaganza At The Leipzig GC
• 2008 Games Convention in Leipzig-Germany
• 1942: Joint Strike
• Casual Games
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• Virtual Olympics?
• Why Get A Wii?