Grand Theft Auto

The Grand Theft Auto franchise is the daddy of all sandbox games. The series is so ground-breaking that the term ‘Grand Theft Auto Clone’ is now used to describe any open world game that features weapons and vehicles.

Of course completing the missions in any Grand Theft Auto game is enjoyable, but it’s nothing compared to the fun you can have tearing up the city on a violent rampage that achieves nothing towards the overall objective. Everyone will have their favourite in the series but GTA IV is arguably the best for causing havoc.

Tomb Raider

Tomb Raider is a strange one, because the best part of the game comes before it even starts. In all the games in the series Croft Manor is a kind of training arena. To complete the game you don’t have to ever visit it, but there’s so much fun to be had around the house and its grounds.

The manor is in its finest state in Tomb Raider II. There’s a swimming pool, an indoor and outdoor obstacle course, a quad bike track and a shooting gallery! Why would you ever want to play the main game when you can just stay home and trash the house?

Assassins Creed

The first Assassin’s Creed title was released in 2007 and completely refreshed the open world genre. All the games are entertaining but the first title in the series does seem to get a lot of stick as the missions are pretty repetitive. Not to worry, because messing around is just as fun.

What could be more enjoyable than free-running around the Holy Land in the 12th century? You can run up walls, jump from ridiculous heights and assassinate anyone you come across in a number of ways. The only problem is that the storyline just gets better and better, so there are not enough hours in a day to play through the missions and make the most of the mess around free for all!

When he’s not messing about on his Xbox Jack Roberts works for Find Me A Gift, where you’ll find the best novelty gifts around.

Already some people are profiting financially from playing video games by way of entering into competitions with cash prizes. As game designers look to raise the profile of such competitions to gain more coverage, so they increase the cash prizes that can be won and the best gamers can do very well financially indeed.

Not a New Concept

That people can be paid for playing games is far from being a new concept as it is something that has been happening for many years. Successful sports people get paid when they are good enough to be professional and the sums that some are paid can be astronomical. With huge crowds turning up to watch sporting events, the revenues made are often enormous.  Even in some sports that do not attract huge crowds, such as fishing, the top participants can still make large incomes form cash prizes and sponsorship deals as equipment manufacturers and event organisers look to generate as much coverage and publicity as they can.

That attendances at sports matches are just as high as they have been suggests that sports people will continue to be paid huge sums for playing well into the future. Indeed, as travel is becoming easier and more affordable clashes between the biggest clubs, teams and nations from around the world will continue to generate massive interest for many generations to come.

How to Get Started

To get started, all you need is a standard console and a good internet connection. Any of the latest consoles will be able to play the latest game releases so which you choose is largely a matter of personal preference. Once you are ready to get started, find a game that you enjoy playing and begin to practice. You can practice on your own against the console, directly against friends or you could also practice against strangers over the internet. Whichever you prefer, practice is essential if you are to improve your skills, reflexes and familiarity with whichever game you are playing. As you continue to improve, so you will need to face more challenging opponents as you continue to hone your skills and you will find these opponents in the cyber world. As your reputation increases so you will be able to compete against the better players and with enough skills and plenty of dedication you could soon become good enough to make it all the way to the top.

Future of Gaming

With the gaming world looking as though it will only expand and continue to attract more interest, it may not be long before games become spectator events. We already have TV shows in which gamers compete against each other and perhaps one day the audiences could become very large indeed. Virtual reality may one day even allow spectators to actually feel as though they are at an event, in much the same way spectators go to stadiums to watch football matches today.  

Even if the future of gaming does not grow into a major spectator sport, there is still the opportunity for gamers to make a reasonable income from being the best at their game of choice. Cash prizes and sponsorships added to other prizes such as consoles and paid for trips could contribute to a lifestyle that many would be envious of. Either way, even if you don’t make is as a high earner, there is no reason why you should not have a lot of fun trying.

You could also do very well financially playing poker and you can play for money at www.pokerstars.co.uk

However, one related question that people have debated for as long as video games have existed, and has been addressed by the courts in recent years, is whether or not the First Amendment’s guarantee of free speech applies to video games.

After all, there’s little question that it applies to books, films, plays, photographs, music, and virtually every other expressive medium in existence.

However, there has been some question about whether or not the protections afforded to other mediums apply to video games. While the answers to the questions “are games art?” and “does the First Amendment apply to games?” are not directly dependent on one another (there is no legal definition of “art,” so you don’t need to determine whether or not games are art in order to determine if the Constitution protects them), they are somewhat related.

For example, if a federal court rules that the First Amendment protects video games, essentially freeing game makers to tell whatever types of stories they want, in whatever manner they want, that will likely serve as a big step for the general public to accept games as a “real” art form.

So, that’s the question: are video games considered “speech” for the purposes of the First Amendment? And if so, what does that actually mean for them as a medium?

First of all, I should lay out what the First Amendment actually says about speech. It says “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof, or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press, or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.”

The Supreme Court has long held that the right to say whatever you want, whenever you want, is not absolute. For example, defamation, fraud, and incitement of violence are all acts that can be carried out with words alone, so they arguably constitute “speech.” However, it’s well-accepted that the First Amendment was not meant to protect such activities.

The Supreme Court has also held that regulations of the time, place, and manner of speech (for example, requiring organizations to get permits before staging a march down a public street) are generally allowed.

However, any restriction on the content of speech is very difficult for the government to justify in court.

The state of California found this out the hard way when they passed a law which would have banned game retailers from selling M-rated games to anyone under the age of 18, and required such games to have a large label on their cover that read “18+.”

This law was challenged in a federal court, and eventually made its way up to the Supreme Court. The Court held that the law was unconstitutional, because it amounted to a content-based restriction on speech.

So, the short answer to the question posed in this article is, yes, the right to free speech does apply to video games.

However, it’s important to note that the right to free speech only restricts the actions of the government, not private parties.

So, while it’s clear that states cannot pass laws that ban the sale of certain video games to certain groups of people (such as minors), that doesn’t mean that a video game retailer has to sell you a game if it doesn’t want to.

While game ratings are not the law, many retailers (responsibly, in my opinion) have a strict policy against selling M-rated video games to children. If you attempt to buy such a game, and are asked for I.D., or the sale is refused outright, you won’t be able to seek any legal relief, at least not under the First Amendment.

Because video games are a relatively new medium, and as developers use them to tell increasingly mature and complicated stories, it’s likely that we’ll see more high-profile cases involving video games and free speech in the future. The fact that a court has held that the right to free speech applies to games is a big step. However, it’s unlikely that the debate is going to end there.

John is a writer for LegalMatch.com and the LegalMatch.com Law Blog. This article is not legal advice, and is offered for information only, and not intended to be used as legal advice.

In the same week that Lone Survivor was released producer of Resident Evil: Revelations, Masachika Kawata, told Gamasutra the market for traditional survival horror just wasn’t large enough to warrant Capcom returning their series to its roots. That means no more mansions, no more mixing herbs and no more rabid dogs jumping through windows – sigh. Luckily for us, indie developer Japer Byrne has captured enough of the atmosphere from early survival horror games, particularly Silent Hill, to have me forget about the depressing future of Resident Evil and get on board with new projects from indie developers.

Lone Survivor begins by having you take control of a nameless man simply entitled “you.” From there on out it’s up to you to figure out why the apartment complex is filled with 10 ft. twitching white monsters and why the hell this doomsday event is happening to you.
To do that you’ll have to navigate the halls of the complex, sneaking past monsters, collecting food and water and trying to work out where reality ends and the hallucinations begin. Figuring this out doesn’t take place at breakneck speed, thankfully, and the game actively rewards you for spending your time surviving, cooking and gathering resources than it does for popping caps in the asses of various monsters – though if that takes your fancy you can do that too.

That’s because this game is all about atmosphere and Jasper Byrne has created it using unusual pixelated and equally beautiful two-dimensional graphics as well as an incredible attention to music. Let me give you an example, when you’re wandering down a corridor listening to muffled jazz play through the walls and all of a sudden a wrenching static burst erupts into earshot, and alerts you to the monster that is up ahead, can only be compared to something like fingernails on a chalk board. It makes your grate your teeth. This is where Lone Survivor really succeeds; it gets under your skin, plants a seed and then makes you itch. It’s not outright scary but, like a ghostly figure staring out of a window, really puts your hair on end.

Overall, Lone Survivor is what exactly what every modern survival horror game wants to be – Dead Space and Amnesia aside – and what every survival horror fan wants to play. It’s also the only two-dimensional game I can think of that after turning out the lights left me tucked up under the blankets feeling awkward. For £6.50 it is absolutely unmissable. 

This article was brought to you by Mick Finn, a dedicated gamer, blogger and all-round tech enthusiast. For more info on Lone Survivor or Silent Hill Check out Grainger Games. Follow Grainger Games on twitter and be the first to find out about new PC, XBOX and PS3 games.

Pick a school that is suited to your area of focus 

Game design colleges will offer varied programs. You can either concentrate on programming, animation, game design, game production or software engineering. The college you select should offer what you want to specialize in. You, however, ought to know what you are interested in before enrolling. 

Research the school comprehensively

Getting to know the college you are interested in entails more than just the courses offered. Visit the colleges in person and meet with some of the lecturers. It is important to know whether your professors have any experience or prior knowledge in the subject. If you cannot go to the college in person, talk over the phone or make an online call. The more information you have, the easier it will be to determine a credible college.

Opt for traditional colleges 

A lot of students are shifting to the online education system because it is readily accessible. However, as a gaming student, a conventional college will afford you more. Most game design colleges will have the latest technology and gaming facilities for any course they offer. This is highly beneficial because it is more hands on. An online education will not give you the same.
Location and repute 

There are many colleges across the nation offering gaming courses. However, the position a college holds will determine whether it is the right one or not. Additionally, location will play a role in the college you choose to attend. Put these two factors into serious consideration when establishing an ideal school.

Do you want a certificate, diploma or degree? 

The number of years you want to spend in college will be affected by how fast you want to start your career and how much money you have. If you are interested in a career sooner than later, there are certificate and diploma programs available. College tuition is quite expensive. This might push you to take a two-year associate degree. degree. If you are in a position to, a four-year college education will benefit you more in terms of skill, knowledge and career opportunities.

It is no secret that the gaming industry is quite lucrative. A number of attributes play a role if you are to fully benefit in this field. Besides choosing game design colleges, be mindful of the aforementioned aspects. Focus on what you want, what you enjoy and what you are good at, and then, go for it.

This article is written by Canada’s best game design college. http://www.digitalartschool.com 

Any gaming enthusiast should know that a laptop requires a top notch processor, minimum 2 GB onboard RAM plus graphics card with a minimum of 256 MB dedicated video RAM in order for it to be any good as a gaming laptop. Any other components, such as a top class sound card only serve to make the gaming experience even more all consuming.

Current Gaming Laptops

Dell Alienware M11X

For a more compact solution, the Alienware M11x R3 11.6 inch laptop has to get a mention. Boasting the distinctive, sci-fi inspired design of their previous offerings, it is perhaps a little heavy at 2kg, yet feels sturdy and its performance excuses its weight. It is available with a choice of an Intel 1.4 GHz Core i5-2537M processor, or for an additional sum, an Intel 1.5GHz Core i7-2617M. The extra £150 is well worth it. It comes with 4GB RAM, and the star of the show, the Nvidia’s GeForce 540M graphics card. All in all it feels a well built machine which will not disappoint. Expect to pay upwards of £700.

Samsung RF711

The Samsung RF711 comes in at around £850, and offers you an Intel Core i7 2670QM 2.2 GHz processor, NVIDIA GeForce GT 540M Optimus Graphics Card and 8GB RAM. Combined with the quality graphics card, the 17.3 inch HD LED backlit display provides superior image clarity and colour intensity – exactly what a gaming laptop should provide.

Image Source: http://www.flickr.com/photos/nicolala/2396949565/

Acer Aspire Ethos 5951G

Acer consistently offer products at the lower end of the price scale that are worth considering. Although not one of their cheapest options, the Acer Aspire Ethos 5951G Core i5 Laptop which rolls in at around £850 is a real contender. Armed with a Intel Core i5 2410M / 2.3 GHz processor, NVIDIA GeForce GT 540M Optimus Graphics card and 8GB onboard RAM it offers a 15.6 inch LED backlit screen. Unlike many other Acer laptops, this scores highly on battery life making it a real portable machine – as long as you can cope with its hefty 3.3kg. It definitely delivers on sound, incorporating a large sub-woofer under the case.

Novatech’s Nspire 2760

Novatech’s Nspire 2760 can be compared with the above machines, coming in at £750. Delivered complete with an Intel Core i7-2760QM Processor, NVIDIA GT 555M 2GB DDR3 Graphics Card and 2 X 4GB DDR3 1333Mhz Memory it really is a highly spec’d machine for its price placement. The 15.6 inch LED backlit screen makes it comparable to the Acer Ethos, although for me the Nspire’s silver brushed finish exudes a little more style. Weighing in at 2.8kg it is neither the lightest not the heaviest of the bunch. Sold as an all-round machine designed for ‘high-end gaming and entertainment enthusiasts’ in my view this model should be at the top end of your list.

Perhaps not as well known as Alienware, Samsung or Acer, Novatech offer high spec gaming laptops at very affordable prices.

WARNING: Spoilers for Mass Effect 3 Below

One of the most appealing elements of the Mass Effect 3 series was the continuity between the different games. The actions that you chose for your character in one game could be ported over to another, so you felt highly invested in their character.

This investment gave Mass Effect very loyal fans, but also meant when the ending was not to their satisfaction, these fans felt personally cheated. No matter what choices the player had made so far, once they reached the end sequence, they were all presented with the same 3 choices, an no matter which one they chose, the ending graphics were almost identical, with only minor differences, such as color scheme.

What Was the Response?

Disgruntled players are now starting a movement to demand that the game’s creators release a new ending for them to download.  For some, this almost seems ludicrous. After all, creators write their stories and fans simply consume them. Would people expect an author to change the ending of their novel simply because readers were not happy?

However, this does not take into account the particularities of video games as a media. With video games, players are not simply passively consuming a story. In many cases they help to create it, with their actions and reactions shaping the story around them. In such circumstances, it is easy to see how they could feel personally slighted.

Should BioWare listen?

As with all interactions with customers, BioWare, the makers of Mass Effect, need to weigh the consequences of listening to their customers. Should they ignore the request for a new ending, they risk alienating the most devoted of their base, potentially losing future business. However it is entirely possible that the hype surrounding this issue will die down, and there is no guarantee that a new ending would not be considered equally unsatisfactory.

However, listening to fans can bring large benefits. Recently, inXile Entertainment decided to use the crowdsourcing website KickStarter to solicit donations for a sequel to the game Wasteland. While investors had not been interested, fans had constantly requested a sequel.

Within 42 hours they had reached their $900,000 goal, and donations continue to pour in. Not only do they have the capital to make the game, they also have oodles of free publicity, all from listening to their fans.

This post made possible by guest blogger Stephanie, a writer with varied interests, including everything from methods for starting a movement to online gaming.

Because of the huge rise in the number of Android users and the astounding popularity of online bingo, it should come as no surprise that so many bingo operators have developed Android apps. Here are the top five reasons to try Android Bingo:

1. There are over 1000 different bingo games available on the Google Play marketplace, and almost all of them are free. So you can try tons of different variations at your leisure before choosing a favorite
2. The obvious reason: you can play your favorite bingo games on the go, no matter where you happen to be when the mood strikes you. There is no longer any reason to miss your favorite game sessions just because you don’t have your laptop with you. You could win real cash on your commute to work — what’s better than that?
3. Android players get bonuses, too. Android bingo applications essentially play very similarly to flash-based online bingo games. If you need them, instructions are just a quick google search away. Be sure to seek out the biggest bonuses, because Android users are treated just like any other player and are awarded welcome bonuses and reload bonuses.
4. Most bingo sites have made Android downloads as easy as possible. Simply enter your phone number, follow the instructions and install the application. You can also just visit the Google marketplace to send the app directly to your phone.
5. Android bingo has all your favorite games: traditional 75 ball games, 90 ball bingo games, video poker, slots, blackjack and more. Some sites offer 80 and 30 ball bingo games.

With the new Android bingo games, you can play an unlimited number of games and win some serious cash in the process!

Sometimes gamers can get so caught up in the latest video gaming systems that they forget about how truly bad some of the systems have been. Here’s a look at some of the worst systems ever produced for the gaming market – and one system any gamer should consider purchasing.

Worst Gaming System: Mattel Hyperscan, Combining Collectible Gaming Cards with Gaming

When video games first hit the market there seemed to be a connection between avid video gamers and collectible gaming card games. This connection inspired Mattel to create a gaming system that combined the two hobbies.

The Mattel Hyperscan allowed players to play games and purchase gaming cards that could be scanned to add items and characters to the game, Hyperscan failed miserably due to the lack of games available and to the poor construction of the system – it seemed to break in the slightest breeze-even though the idea itself wasn’t so bad.

Worst Gaming System: Phillips CD-i Interactive VHS/DVD Games

Think about those interactive DVDs that are on the market today. The Phillips CD-i was a gaming system that was very similar to those DVDs but it utilized the old school VHS player. The choppy graphics, limited game title availability and the predictable nature of the Phillips CD-i caused it to land hard and become known as one of the worst gaming systems of all time.

Worst Gaming System: Apple Pippin – Too Advanced for Its Time

Some gaming systems failed, not because they were bad or unplayable, but because they were just simply a product that was too advanced for gamers at the time. The Apple Pippin is a prime example of this. It combined all the popular features that gaming systems have today; processing power, Internet connectivity and the ability to both watch movies and play video games.

However, it came out at a time when gamers just weren’t ready to accept such a jump in technology. The slow processor speed and lack of available Internet connection points away from home landed this system on the worst list.

Recommended Gaming System: The PS3 Combines All Gaming Features

While many people believe that no system can compare to the new gaming laptops, if you’re looking for some excellent game play that is top of the line, then consider trying the PS3.

Gaming systems now offer far more than anyone would have thought possible in the 80s. Almost every popular system available today offers fast processing speed, a large library of games to play and amazing graphics. However, it never hurts to be reminded of just how far gaming systems have come over the years and these worst gaming systems are proof of the real progress the gaming world has seen.

Jessy is the entertainment writer for Dobovo, the free tool for travelers. Want to have fun on your next trip to Eastern Europe? Consider choosing one of our Odessa apartments.

Almost every gamer has at least one no matter what console they are prefer; you can even get driving games for your phone these days!

Because they are so popular, there have been thousands of driving and racing style games produced. Some are serious, realistic affairs with real cars and real racetracks. Others are amazingly over-the-top sci-fi experiences, with space ships and hoverboards. You can even get family friendly, cartoonish versions that your grandmother could play.

Even though there are so many out there, there’s a lot of bad games that you shouldn’t waste your hard earned money on. We play quite a lot of driving games around here and in our opinion, these are the best ten ever produced.

Need For Speed: Hot Pursuit

Need for Speed: Hot Pursuit gives you the option of being either a cop or a racer. Both game options are tons of fun with decent graphics and enough options and modes to keep you busy for ages.

Crazy Taxi

Crazy Taxi is a classic. Originally an arcade game that allowed you to drive a taxi at incredibly high speeds, the game was so popular that SEGA moved it to Dreamcast in 2000. The game is not only addictive but allows you to drive pretty much anywhere in a fast paced, arcade type driving game. Sadly, Crazy Taxi is something of an oldie, so you’ll need one of the older consoles (GameCube, Xbox or PS2) to play it.

Burnout Paradise

Burnout has everything a good driving game should. Fast cars, the ability to destroy things and hundreds of ways to play the game! Play online, offline, in road rage mode or just a race against the game. Often the game sounds overly simple but can be quite fun and challenging to actually pull off with style.

Gran Turismo 5

Gran Turismo was one of the originators of truly realistic driving games. The most recent version is an example of a near-perfect game. Stunning visuals, 100 cars to choose from and a clever new system to ensure that your car takes “realistic damage” coupled with real-life tracks to race on and glorious HD graphics make this title one for those who really take their gaming seriously. As realistic as it is, don’t go trying to replicate your Gran Turismo moves during adriving lesson.

ModNation: Racers

This one offers a fun twist on family-friendly, kart-based racing games;  players use tools to create and edit the cars they use. Featuring high speed races across eye-catching animated landscapes, 12 player online gaming, split and a screen dual racing game option and you have a great game that caters to both classic and modern driving gameplay. Plus, it’s lightweight enough to sit down and play with the family.

Shift 2: Unleashed

Neither a wacky arcade racer nor a hyper-realistic simulator, Shift 2 is an odd hybrid of a game. The cars are reasonably realistic, but the physics lacks the realism of Gran Turismo. The fun part of this game is abandoning the actual gameplay and competing with your friends for the most unrealistic and outrageous crash possible.

Driver: San Francisco

Driver is the sequel to the 1999 hit, Driver. The game features stunning graphics, cool classic cars and all of the action you could ever want. It also has a great plot and well thought-out characters that will keep you interested. Oh, and it has tons of driving!

Blur

Blur is a combat racing game with extraordinary out of this world graphics and amazing cars. While gameplay could be compared to a toned down and sexified version of Mario Kart, its still tons of fun and considerably more macho than Nintendo’s classic!

F1 2011

F1 2011 gives you all of the thrills, considerations and skill of racing with a real F1 car. From adjusting the weights of your vehicle to handling your baby on turns, the F1 is realistic and very fun. The game features multiple gameplay options, 29 tracks and plenty of challenges to keep you interested.

Mario Kart Wii

Mario Kart is the best racing game series ever conceived. It doesn’t take itself too seriously, it features fun and easily-recognisable characters, simple but insanely addictive gameplay, wacky weapons and now, in its newest incarnation, the ability to play online. There’s nothing quite like crossing the finish line after blasting your little sister off the road with a red turtle shell missile, overtaking your dear old grandmother and lapping your best friend.

This content was provided by PassSmart.com, the easiest way to find a driving instuctor in your area.