A New Year means New Toys

Updated on May 8, 2011
The world is constantly changing, and people are trying to keep up.  However, with each New Year come new advances in technology, new upgrades, and new toys.  On April 25, Nintendo officially confirmed that they would be launching the successor to the Wii gaming console. 

Nintendo's Trademarked Logo

Nintendo is a multinational corporation that is located in Kyoto, Japan. Founded in September 1889 by Fussajiro Yamauchi.  Nintendo has slowly developed into a video game company, and has become one of the most influential companies in the industry. It is Japan’s third most valuable listed companies with a market value of over $85 billion (US). Nintendo of America is also the majority owner of the Seattle Mariners Major League Baseball team.

Nintendo translated from Japanese to English as “leave luck to heaven” roughly.  Nintendo sold over 565 million video game units and over 3.4 billion software units as of October 2010. The original Wii has sold 86.01 million from 2006 when the console was launched, to the end of March 2011. 

Coming in 2012, Nintendo will come out with the successor of the Wii. As an April 21 IGN article points out, the new console would retail anywhere between $350 and $400 depending on manufacturing costs.  The new controller would feature dual analog sticks along with the standard d-pad and trigger buttons. Like the Gamecube controller but not as specific.

Current Nintendo Wii

In a blog written by Ben Parr on Mashable.com says that some new specs would consist of the physical size of the 2012 Wii will be similar to the Xbox 360, along with a triple-core IBM Power PC chipset. The new console has the codename “Project Café.” It’s not the official name of the console though. The overall name of the console seems to be “Stream” but no final decision has been announced yet.  The article states that the controllers will be touch screen and in 3-D

Where as in The Dallas Morning News it reports that it doesn’t sound like this would be a 3-D console, but something completely different. Nintendo president Satoru Iwata made a prediction about the console;

“We would like to propose a new approach to home video game consoles” with the Wii successor, Iwata said, without elaborating. “It’s difficult to make 3-D images a key feature, because 3-D televisions haven’t obtained wide acceptance yet.”

An April 25 article written on CNN Tech.com disclosed that the 2012 launch of the console was vague, however Nintendo said it would have a playable unit and more details about the new Wii model at the E3 Expo being held June 7-9 2011, in Los Angeles.

At this point a lot of things being said are all rumors. Each site or article that you read you will hear a different side of the story. Whether this side of the story is correct or not is unknown. All that we know at this point is that in 2012 a new Wii console will be released. 

E for Everyone

Updated April 28, 2011
I always find it interesting when I’m trying to purchase game and I get asked for my id. However, the next time I’m purchasing one and they don’t even card me at all, even though I’m buying the same type of game. It makes me curious on how many times does a kid who is not of age can purchase an M rated game and not be carded.

A study by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), reported in an April 22 PCMag.com article, found that video game retailers are quiet strict when it comes to enforcing the ratings of their video games, while music and video stores are least likely to check if the individual is of age. The article continued to state: that video game retailers are quiet strict when it comes to enforcing the ratings of their video games, while music and video stores are least likely to check if the individual is of age. The article continued to state:

Secret Shopper Results from over the years

The FTC recruited kids ages 13 to 16 to buy music, movie tickets, DVDs, and video games, without a parent, between November 2010 and January 2011. They were instructed to pick up movie tickets and DVDs for R-rated movies, CDs with parental advisory labels that warned of explicit content, and video games that were rated "M" for mature.

The FTC found that video-game stores were the strictest, only allowing 13 percent of the undercover teens to purchase mature or M rated content. That's down from 20 percent when the FTC last conducted this study in 2009. FTC sent teenagers into Best Buy, Game Stop, Kmart, Target, Toys R Us, and Wal-Mart to purchase the games.

The worst company that was selling video games rated “M” to shoppers was Wal-Mart, while the best retailer for carding shoppers was Target.

Where the ESRB puts the rating symbols and content descriptor

The Entertainment Software Rating Board (ESRB) is a non-profit and self-regulatory body that was established in 1994 by the Entertainment Software Association. The rating system that ESRB uses is voluntary, however all games that are sold by retail in the U.S. or Canada have to be rated by the ESRB. Several major retailers have policies to only stock or sell games that have been rated by ESRB. In an average year the ESRB will be assigned to rate over 1,000 video games. In 2010 the ESRB completed 1,638 rating assignments.

ESRB ratings were designed to provide brief and impartial information about the content of a video game. ESRB ratings consist of two equal parts the rating symbols which say what is age appropriate and then content descriptors which tell individuals what elements are in the game that made the board give that particular rating for that game. More information about rating symbols and content descriptors can be found here.

As an April 21 Globe and Mail article points out, the study was conducted right around the same time that when the FTC did their study it was at the time when the U.S. Supreme Court was debating this high profile case that was concerning the sales of violent video games.  Arnold Schwarzenegger former governor of California thinks that the video game industry isn’t preventing kids from purchasing violent games. He thinks that the government needs to step in.

Not everything is all fun and games.

Current Army Logo

Updated on May 8, 2011
It’s just a game, right? It’s not reality, and nobody gets hurt, it’s a form of entertainment.  For some it is, however over the past few years, the military has starting using it as a form of sharpening fighting skills to help the recruit more soldiers.

In 2002 the U.S. Army revealed America’s Army, it was the first and only free action game that provides training and career advancements and has become the most effective recruiting tool than all the other advertisements combined used by the Army. Since then there have been over 26 versions of America’s Army released.

The game is distributed by free download and is financed by the U.S. government.  According to a December 10, 2009 article called “America’s Army costs U.S. taxpayers $33 million” reports the annual budget for America’s Army, from 2000-2009 the budget ranged from $1.3 million to $5.6 million.

1930's Recruitment Poster 

The military has embrace video games to help recruit and train the new generations of gamers. These are gamers who usually play commercial games like Modern Warfare 2, reported in an August 2010 article on Live Science. The article continues by saying that there are few video games these days that combine physical carnage and mental anguish of warfare. The concept behind the game is not based on scoring due to the number of kills.  The goal of the game is to represent values and career options available within the Army.

The game itself starts gamers off in boot camp; it challenges the gamer in military training.  This allows the gamer to get an idea of what basic training will be like along with the fact that by the time the gamers become soldiers, and they get to the firing line with weapons, they are proficient from having the training from the video games.

America's Army 3 Trailer

America’s Army is not a video game that has extremely bloody kills. In order to make it more of a successful recruiting tool they tamed down the bloodier kills, which allowed the game to earn a “T for teen” rating.  Individuals are now able to start playing the game as early as 13.  That way by the time teens reach 17 they have had time to think about joining the Army.

Jaime Holguin wrote an article on March 2004 called “Army Recruits Video Gamers,” she cited a psychology professor Brad Bushman of the University of Michigan, who said, “America’s Army isn’t real enough.” Bushman goes on explaining that war should not be considered a game. Video game are not showing the truth, when you shoot someone in the video game all you see is a splatter or a bit of blood, you never see a person in agony or pain.

America's Army is just like real life. 

(Warning: Gunshot might scare you at first)

In the same article the game’s creator Col. Casey Wardynksi states, “kids aren’t stupid, they know if they come into the army there is a reason that we have rifles and tanks and all that stuff.” Gamer Bart Koscinski said you understand the risks if your going to join the army.

Exercise made fun, easy, and different.

Updated on May 8, 2011
Since 1963 the rate of overweight or obese kids in America has tripled.  One in three kids and teens today are either overweight or obese.  Childhood obesity has become the number one health concern among parents. The American Heart Association lists some statistics for children ages 2-19 that are either overweight or obese.

Unhealthy habits, photo taken from International News.com,

Now day’s parents have to find new inventive ways to get kids to eat healthy or to exercise. Kids want to watch TV or play video games instead of going outside to play or doing moderate to vigorous exercise. Technology has been growing over the past few years and has produced interactive games, which cause people to burn more energy or calories.  In this blog I’m going to talk about how interactive games have become an effective way for kids to get the exercise they need,  I will admit I am only giving a few examples however, there are a lot other games and gaming consoles out there as well. 

According to Bruce Bailey a professor of exercise science at Brigham Young University, in a March 10 article written in Voice of America, they found that interactive video games can increase physical activity from moderate to vigorous levels, however this is assuming that the appropriate games and levels are chosen. If the child is actively participate it could meet the requirements for physical activity.

Bloomberg Business week reported in a March 7 article, Elizabeth DiRico, an exercise physiologist for Cigna Healthcare in Findlay, Ohio, said Bailey's findings mirrored the results of a similar study she did with college-age students in 2008.

DiRico also mentioned that the exergoamers were way better than inactive digital games, and was able to introduce kids to different and fun ways of exercise that they may not have tried or thought of.

The thing with kids is not only that they're sitting in front of video games, but also there's often a lot of mindless snacking going on. This makes it harder to snack while they're doing it," DiRico said. I think the major thing is that this is an alternate or supplement to traditional exercise plans. 

Interactive video games can help children burn more energy.  Photo taken from voanews.com

Not all researchers believe that all exergames are beneficial. Some games require more movement than others, for example Wii’s boxing game has several levels as well as different levels of physical activity, where as Wii’s golf game doesn’t have as many levels nor physical activity.

The Wii was the gaming consol that started the whole move to interactive gaming, followed by the Play Station Move and now the Xbox 360 has brought the Kinect to the interactive gaming circle. Just in the past 5 years this technology has evolved and has become a big impact on the gaming world. Below are videos commercials demonstrating how these three gaming systems have been competing for the spot of interactive gaming system.

Wii by Nintendo

The Play Station Move by Sony

Xbox 360 Kinect by Microsoft 

The technology is out there, and people are constantly looking for new ways to change their exercise routine and if kids are willing to try this why not. It’s still getting their exercise in for the day, just in a more technology savvy way. So why not with something that is interactive, fun, and entertaining. Just don’t throw your back out.

Modern Technology helps Autistic Children for the Modern World.

Video games have become a popular source of entertainment for children, teens, and adults.  Like all technology, computer games have improved over time.  Now days you see games that are as complex as real life, some games even mimic real life situations. Some new computer software programs and games have even been developed to address the core feature of autism spectrum disorders (ASD). In this blog you will learn about what video games are currently being used for ASD individuals along with pros and cons of using video games to teach social skills. 

Games that have been directly made for autistic children are:

•        Mind Reading: The interactive guide to emotions
•         Fun with Feelings
•         Face Say (Youtube video below talks more about Face Say)
•      EASe Funhouse Treasure Hunt

Individuals with ASD enjoy playing computer games like any other kid. ASD individuals have been known to excel in technological areas (mathematics and computing), because often times ASD individuals are more comfortable with computers than people.  They are respond better to actually seeing social situations played out.

There is no current evidence that says playing video games alone will increase ASD individual’s social skills. However there are several arguments that support and oppose using video games for social training.

Autism News Wire

PROS:

•        Video games provide children with a safe environment-since social situations are stressful for individuals with ASD, video games provide an environment where they can practice social skills without any fear of negative repercussions.
•  Video games are consistent and patient-you can practice the same situation over on the computer, as many times as you want, and the computer won’t get frustrated or bored.

CONS:

·      Video games cause repetitive behavior-video games have been known to cause a restricted interest where individuals have no interest in anything other than the video game itself.

·      Individuals could become reliant on technology and not get real world interaction-individuals wouldn’t get that real world interaction that they need to obtain social skills.

According to a March 1 article in Herald, Western Kentucky University's Student Newspaper, Carrie Pritchard who is an assistant psychology professor at Western Kentucky University has been working on designing a computer game to teach social skills to autistic children.

“The player is going to have choices about more skilled and less skilled behaviors they could enact after a character invites them or engages them,” Pritchard said, according to a March 1, article in Herald (Western Kentucky University’s Student Newspaper).

(Example of a game made just for children with Autism)

Current commercially sold video games that are known to be socially themed games have been used in research to help adults with ASD.  One of the games would consist of The Sims. The Sims has been used as a social and vocational rehabilitation tool for adults with ASD, to help them gain self-awareness and practice social skills.  While using The Sims players create characters and then makes you navigate through a bunch of real life activities.  The Sims has a strong potential to help individuals with self-awareness and exploration of social issues. 

In conclusion games such as The Sims have potential for helping individuals with ASD improve social skills.  As technology has been improving the games become more life-like, detailed, and easier for researchers to find better ways of using video game technology to help individuals with ASD to obtain social skills that is fun, effective, and less stressful on them.

Xbox Kinect has been hacked

Updated on May 8, 2011
In today’s society we like to push the envelope, challenge ourselves. There is always someone out there to prove others wrong. So when the new gaming system the Xbox Kinect came out, you can bet there was a bunch of hackers and programmers just waiting to jump at the opportunity to show the world it’s imperfections.

(This picture taken from Google it is an example of what the Kinect looks like)

The most recent one to show off his ability was a Japanese researcher Akihiro Nakamura from the Nara Institute of Science and Technology (NAIST).  Nakaamura also goes by the name Ogutti online. 

Ogutti created the “future vacuum” by combining the Kinect and a Roomba vacuum cleaner. By using the kinect and roomba Ogutti can control the devise by using a variety of gestures, which will enable its uses to no longer need to bed over or push buttons.

(This picture was taken from Google it is the iRobot Roomba.)

With this hack the vacuum can be directed in any direction with just the slightest gesture, rather than using the remote control. The roomba alone may be known to miss spots here and there, however this problem can easily be solved if you had the ability to tell the roomba where it should be going.

(Video is from youtube shows how the roomba works by using gestures)

Ogutti was able to hack the kinect and roomba.  The roomba is being controlled by a FRISK Bluetooth module, which he placed on top of the roomba. From there Ogutti calibrated the roomba, all you have to do to do this is simply hold both arms in the air. It’s like connecting your wii remotes to your wii.. After that your done, the roomba gets to work by sucking up dirt and following in the direction that you point it in.

Roomba has also been able to follow other gestures as well. To make it clean a spot that it missed on the floor, get into the scolding stance: your left hand on your hip, and with your right hand pointing at the dirt still left on the floor.  The roomba will scoot over to the missed spot and does a thorough cleaning. Also by simply lifting your left hand the roomba will start to turn in circles.  When you leave the room the roomba will go into a docking mode and then will search for its charging station. 

(This video is from youtube, it shows that sometimes the roomba will miss spots and how the kinect and motion control will help fix that).

This isn’t the most recent hack for the kinect.  There is an entire website designed for kinect hacks. There are twelve pages of things that hackers and programmers have done in order to hack the kinect.  The first one was submitted November 15, 2010.  Along with that there are also video tutorials and guides on how to set up your Microsoft Kinect for it to be hacked.

Technology keeps on changing and hackers and programmers are trying to push the envelope and challenge themselves. Nothing is ever perfect, nothing ever will be, and that’s why I believe there are hackers in the world to keep challenging programmers and video game designers. 

Game Designers: Get a degree with just a click of a button

In today’s world one of the fastest growing jobs in our country today is the video game design industry.  Taking in over $7 billion dollars in revenue yearly.  To get into this hot economy and become a video game designer it’s just a click of a mouse away (or that is what it seems).

Now days on a large amount of gaming websites have advertisements (like the photo to the right) that advertise top rated game design schools, however you can’t just walk off the street and into a gaming studio and get a job. Although a degree in art or graphic design will work, as well as having some computer skills.

The nice thing about these schools is that a majority of them are offered online or if you prefer the classroom setting you can choose that as well. The nice thing with online courses is that you can be in the comfort of your home, don’t really have to move, and are still be able to get a degree. It’s like actually going to school but easier, it’s just a click of a button away.

Specific training is offered at each gaming design schools, and you can pick what direction you want to go into. There is a little bit of everything for everyone. A few of the top game design schools would consist of:

“DeVry University offers something aimed towards the programming end of things with their hot Game and Simulation Programming program. This should really get your feet nice and wet. Take it Online or check out the numerous campus locations."

"Full Sail University offers various game related degrees including Game Art, Game Design, and Game Development. With the possibility of going on campus or just online, there are many great options to choose from. Graduates have worked on games like Call of Duty: World at War, and Guitar Hero."

"Another cool program worth checking out is the Game Art & Design degree at The Art Institute, with several campus locations offered across the US and Canada.”

Now days so many people are into video gaming that companies are now holding video game designing campus for young adults.  In the YouTube video it talks about ID Gaming Academy, which is one of these institutions that allows individuals ages 13-17. It gives them the opportunity to see what it is like to build their own game and then they are able to play it. Campus like this give teens/people the opportunity to see the inside of what goes into gaming.

(Video taken from YouTube about video game designing campus)

After doing more research on Google I realized that game designing not as easy as a person would think it would be.  There are a lot of technical things that go into being a video game designer.  It is interesting though to see how society has made it so much easier for individuals to actually get the degree in an area that a person is actually interested in.  I think it is great to see the opportunities that are now available to everyone, so they can try to pursue their dream.