Got A Little Big Planet Billboard Yet?

I have to hand it to Sony – they really have brilliant guys in their advertising team. Hype about their new game, Little Big Planet, has been going around for quite some time now. Early this month, though, they did something that has not been done before – at least not that I know of. Sony released a thousand tiny billboards for the game. They planted them in various areas in New York, Los Angeles, and San Francisco.

So what is so special about these tiny billboards? Upon the announcement of the existence of these billboards, Sony encouraged people to pick them up and keep them for themselves! Naturally, this has incited a frenzy among the Sony fanboys. You can definitely feel the fervor in various blogs online - thanks to LBP.

I even saw one on E-bay going for $117.50 now! It still has 2 days and 9 hours to go, I do not know up to how much the bidding will go. I only wish that Sony had placed these billboards in more cities. The funny thing is that some people who have found the billboards actually didn’t realize what they were.

Anyhow, some people are saying that Little Big Planet is being hyped too much. Take a look at this forum, for example. People are saying that beyond the hype, the game is just basic and that it is nothing to really rave about. I cannot really say anything about this as of yet – I haven’t played it myself so maybe we’ll see when the time comes. All I know is I want one of these tiny billboards!

Wii For Preschoolers?

                                         Photo by marytsao

The Wii has long been touted as a family console, with children as young as 6 or 7 actually being able to play games on it. Yet there are some families who do not think that the Wii is appropriate for younger kids. Perhaps that is why VTech, a well known name in the educational toys industry, has risen up to the challenge and created a product specifically geared towards preschoolers.

V-Motion, as the product is called, targets children aged 3 to 7. The idea is very similar to that of the Wii’s. Children can play and learn and get off the couch at the same time. Adage reports:

Parents’ desire to jump-start their kids’ education also plays a huge role in the popularity of these products,” she said in an e-mail interview. “Having an educational component is important to the marketing because that is what makes it enticing to the parents to purchase. Some parents may have an uneasy feeling about just pure video gaming, wanting to limit their kids’ overall screen time, but if it’s educational, it makes it much more acceptable, even desirable.

The added physical movement that comes with V-Motion might also appeal to parents. A study out this week in the Journal of the American Medical Association found that children burn four times as many calories playing active video games as they do playing while sitting down.

A twist in VTech’s marketing is to directly reach out to the parents – moms in particular – to sell V-Motion. Instead of simply enticing kids, they are bent on convincing moms that their toy is good for the children. Pretty smart, I think. But why not just buy the Wii and kiddie games? It will serve as a console for the whole family and save you some money. What do you think?

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

                          PlayStation.Blog’s photostream

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.

                           PlayStation.Blog’s photostream

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?

« go back — keep looking »

Recent Articles

• Video Games For The Visually Impaired
• Guitar Hero Aerosmith: How To Beat Joe Perry?
• Best Video Games Of 2008: A Commentary
• I Want To Own A Dairy Queen
• Best Video Games For Listening
• Boot Camp – Bush Style
• PlayStation Home Is HERE!
• Boost Your Brain Power With Video Games
• Li-Fi and the Southwest Video Game Expo 2009
• Proposal: Activate Video Games After Sales

GM Network News

• Mega Millions Jackpot Rises to $16 Million on Friday, Jan. 9
• Tiffany Michelle
• On The Last Day of His Life, Husband Gives Wife A Lottery Ticket that Wins $10 Million
• Absolute Backgammon For The Mac
• Is Video Blackjack “Fairer” Than A Real Table Game?
• Macau: Gambling Destination No More?
• Casinos Looking Favorably At Online Gambling
• Lotteries Around the World: Top 5 Jackpots
• Powerball Game Undergoes Changes Beginning Jan. 4
• Lottery Alert: Powerball Jackpot Rises to $105 Million on Jan. 7