Video Game | Game Verification

Video Game News Radio

Video Game News Radio, commonly abbreviated VGN Radio is a pod cast that airs weekly covering a variety of video game topics. It is based out of Cleveland Ohio and the pod cast has been running since 2004.

VGN Radio has appeared on television on national news shows and the hosts have also done interviews with National Public Radio, now called NPR. Additional bonus shows that are aired on a semi-regular basis include Video Game News Radio Extended Aabel’s VGN Daily, separate review audio segments that are located in the RSS Feed of VGN Radio. The show is also a part of the All Games Radio network.

Individuals or organizations that contribute the pod cast are called Power Users. These contributors are allowed to enter weekly contests to win prizes.

Hosts

As of 2011, Kevin Baird, Brian Baird, and Larry Mac host the show.

Kevin Baird: founded Video Game News in 1994 and has been hosting Video Game News Radio since the middle of 2004. He owns a collection of consoles with more than 160 systems and he discusses all types of platforms and genres. He assumes the role at the facilitator of the show because he has extensive knowledge of specific games and video game topics.
Brian Baird: Kevin’s older brother that provides commentary and reviews on games, movies, and music. He often makes criticizing comments and insults on the show to get a rise out of fellow hosts as well as listeners.
Larry Mac: a long time friend of Kevin and Brian’s who has a strong connection to the music scene of Cleveland. He provides the pod cast with majority of the background music. He talks quietly is often absent from the show.
Guest Hosts: Donn Seuss, Karate Dog, Don Anderson, Akuma, and Jedi Hillis have guest hosted VGN Radio many times and sometimes fill-in for Brian and Larry.

What are Strategy Guides?

Strategy guides are books of instructions that include clues or entire resolutions for video games. They are typically published in print as articles in video game publications as well as in books. Strategy guides for very popular video games are sometimes sold in more mainstream locations such as newsstands and bookstores. There are also E-book versions of strategy guides that website publishers sell on their sites.

Actual game distributors compose “Official” strategy guides or they are licensed to specialty publishing entities. BradyGames and Prima Games are examples or publishing houses that specialize in writing official strategy guides for many different video game organizations. There are also various publishers who write unlicensed and unofficial strategy guides such as mainstream publishers.

General Contents of Strategy Guides

The contents in strategy guides differs among genres and types of video games, but the guides usually contain:

Specific information for game play such as maneuvers that are not illustrated in the game manual.
Detailed instructions for certain points in the game and how to move on from that point.
Entire maps of the game that show the location of all types of items including those that are difficult to find.
Tips on strategies and approaches to use in multiplayer games.
Puzzle explanations.
Checklist of items that can be collected throughout the game.
Details of enemies including approaches to defeat them.
Walkthroughs to assist the player in completing levels.
Cheats and game editing.

Publishing Before the Release of the Game

Commercial strategy guides are often based on pre-release game versions to ensure they are released simultaneously with the final version of the game. Some strategy guides are published before the actual game is published, which is a risky move because there is a slight change the game may not be released.

Strategy guides enable all types of gamers to get more out of their game playing experience by assisting them with making specialized moves and advancing to levels in different ways.

Video Game Classifications

Video games are often classified based on their purpose including the type of game play, experience, and intended audience. Examples include core, casual, serious, and educational games.

Core Games

Core games are typically video games that were created for users to play on typical video game consoles like Nintendo, handheld game consoles such as GameBoy, and personal computers.

These types of games are typically described by their level of production used in their development as well as depth of play and intensity.
Core games include a variety of games from many different genres such as action, adventure, and strategy.
Sometimes core games are deemed demanding and generally do not appeal to gamers who only play on a casual basis.

Casual Games

Casual games are games that can be easily played with simple rules and gaming environment.

These games enable players to jump in and out of game play without getting confused or lost.
Examples of historic casual games include Minesweeper and Solitaire.
Typical types of games in this category include time management, hidden object, tower defense, and match three games.
Casual games are most often player on personal computers, cell phones, and Internet websites.

Serious Games

Serious games are designed mainly to communication information or evoke some type of learning experience to the gamer.

The games are often created to be played by professionals as part of a specific training exercise.
Some serious games may not even qualify as an actual video game.
Serious games may include types from various genres, but educational games, propaganda games, and exergames are the most popular.

Educational Games

Educational games are created with the intention of giving the gamer some type of educational stimulation.

These games promote a variety of education skills such as reading, counting, spatial reasoning, spelling, and identification of educational concepts.
Educational games can help students excel in a variety of academic areas and increase knowledge in adults.

Video Game Cheating

Video game cheating is when a player uses irregular techniques to play a game and create advantages over traditional play of the game. Cheats typically make the game easier or can generate atypical effects such as giving characters different aspects. Cheats can be “secrets” created by actual developers of a game. They may be activated within the game itself or developed by third-party hardware or software.

Cheat codes

The simplest type of cheat code is one developed by designers of games and concealed within the actual game. These codes cause special effects that are not present in the usual mechanics of the game.
Activation techniques for cheat codes may include entering a certain code when a player reaches a password checkpoint or by pressing a group of buttons on the game controller.
Outcomes of cheat codes may include unlocking a special character or enhancing a character’s performance.

Revision of Run Time Game Information

Changing the data of the game while it is running is a simple form of video game cheating. These types of cheating are generally not as reliable than cheat codes that are embedded in the game. This is because specific programming methods of internal game makeup, different versions of the game, or using the same game on different hardware may lead to different usage in memory or stop the game from running.

Memory Editing

Memory editing cheating is when the memory values of a game’s status information are changed. This can be accomplished in a variety of ways depending on the game’s running environment.

Memory editing hardware: a cheat cartridge is connected to an interface port on a console or personal computer. It enables the user to change the game code before or throughout its implementation.
Memory editing software: allows users to directly edit numeric values in a specific memory address. Typically includes an aspect that enables users to conduct memory searchers to find the memory places where identified values are located.

Wii Fitness Video Games

Nowadays, fitness video games are popular among all audiences and ages to help individuals get up and get active. They are perfect for times when there is a lack of motivation to get dressed and go to the gym, such as in the dead of winter.

The Nintendo Wii is a popular active video game system that uses motion and there are a variety of workout options including:

“My Fitness Coach”: a game that involves a virtual personal trainer named Maya that provides support to players. Maya evaluates the player’s fitness level, assists with setting goals, and guides players through many different exercises. She makes modifications to the work out to be more or less difficult depending on the feedback from the player. Players can select from a variety of music and two workouts are never the same. When used on a regular basis, “My Fitness Coach” can be a part of an effective exercise routine.

“We Ski and Snowboard”: a virtual way for players to get on the slopes. It is an entertaining game for kids and adults alike and has different levels for players that have previous real life skiing and snowboarding experience or for those who have never stepped foot on a slope. The game features life-like mountain scenery, night and day modes, ski lifts, and a ski school.

“Just Dance” series: enables users to learn real dance moves from many types of genres. A character on the screen demonstrates the steps and users attempt to imitate the steps. The music does not stop if players make mistakes.

“Walk it Out!” players use a Wii peripheral to walk around a vibrant and likely virtual island. The game features musical beats that constantly change and players find prizes along their routes. The more a player walks, the more items that are available for “purchase” for the environment. The game scenery is so enjoyable; players do not realize the long distances they have walked.

Controversy over Violent Video Games

Violet video games have been the topic of dispute between top experts due to the limit and ban in other media forms. Arguments typically focus major inappropriate issues including graphic violence, violent and gruesome scenes, virtual sex, partial and complete nudity, and depiction of illegal behavior.

Criticisms

One of the most popular criticisms of violent video games is that the claim that they increase violent behavior in children and young adults.

Another common criticism is that violent video games can become addicting and interfere with normal everyday life. Some players may play compulsively and detach themselves from social contacts and focusing completely on accomplishments in the game instead of life experiences.

Opposing Sides

Numerous related studies have shown that violent video game exposure results in a minimum of a temporary increase in aggression and promotes aggressive behavior in real life events. The studies also noted that violent video game exposure also lead to a decrease in prosocial behavior.

Another study found an increase in bullying among school-aged children.

Other studies that have concentrated more on aggressive behavior have supporting data to show that video game violence does not increase aggressive behavior.

Recent research studies have proposed that violent video games do not pose harmful effects on prosocial behavior and may in fact have a positive connection in some aspects such as team play. Many major studies conducted by organizations such as The Journal of Adolescent Health, The Harvard Medical School Center for Mental Health, and The British Medical Journal show no concrete connection between the use of violent video games and increase in violent behavior.

According to official records, violent crime rates have significantly decreased since the early 1990s in the United States among children and adults despite the increase of violent video games. Due to this fact, many researchers argue that video game violence is not the main contributor to societal violence.

Games

Death Race, a 1976 game, was one of the first generally accepted controversial video games. The game involved players using cars to run over fictional creatures.

Other violent video games include Mortal Kombat and Grand Theft Auto.

Generations of Video Game Consoles

Video game consoles involve the use of modified computer systems that generates a signal to be used with an interactive device such as a television, computer monitor or portable device.

First Generation

The Magnavox Odyssey, released in 1972, was the first video game console that could be connected to a television.
In 1975, Magnavox released the Odyssey 100 and the more advanced Odyssey 200.

Second Generation

The Fairchild Video Entertainment System (VES) was released in 1976. It contained a programmable microprocessor and more efficient cartridges.
Atari and RCA then released their own versions of video game consoles that used cartridges.

Third Generation

The Nintendo Entertainment System (NES) system was released in 1985. It utilized a cartridge port that loaded in the front, like a VCR.
The Sega Master System was released in 1986 to compete with the NES, but it did not have significant success.

Fourth Generation

Sega was released in 1989 and the biggest success was with the release of Sonic the Hedgehog in 1991.
In 1991, Super Nintendo Entertainment System (SNES) was released.
Other fourth generation consoles include SNK Playmore’s Neo Geo and NEC’s TurboGrafx-16.

Fifth Generation

The first fifth generation consoles were the 3DO and Atari Jaguar, but they were unsuccessful and only on the market for a short time.

The 1994 Sony PlayStation, 1995 Sega Saturn, and 1996 Nintendo 64 were the popular fifth generation video game consoles.

Sixth Generation

The sixth generation involved video game consoles that used more advanced computer systems, DVD-type games, and introduced online gaming options.

1998 Sega Dreamcast, 2000 Sony PlayStation 2, 2001 Nintendo GameCube, and 2005 Microsoft Xbox were the popular sixth generation video game consoles.

Seventh Generation

Seventh generation video game consoles are today’s current systems that support Blu-ray Disc and high definition games.

2006 PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 were the traditional-type consoles and new technologies with more motion ability such as the Nintendo Wii emerged in 2006.

What is Exergaming?

Exergaming is a description for using video games as part of an exercise routine. It involves playing video games that require players to get up and perform various body movements. This type of activity strives to help individuals become more active and decrease sedentary lifestyles.

History

The concept of exergaming was first developed in the late 1980s with games for the Nintendo Entertainment System such as “Family Trainer” and games for Atari 2600 including “Foot Craz.” Even with good intentions, these games did not have much success.

“Dance, Dance, Revolution” is credited at one the first big hits of exergaming when it was adapted to PlayStation in the 1998.

In the last decade, a variety of gaming systems and games have been successful in the exergaming field such as “EyeToy’s” release in 2005 and 2007’s release of Nintendo Wii Fit.

Recently in the end of 2010, Microsoft released the Xbox 360 Kinect, which enables users to get up and move without having to hold on to a controller or step on a certain device. The Kinect uses motion sensors to tract body movements.

Efficacy

Studies have shown that individuals maintain more interest in exergaming than traditional exercise alone.

Playing more active game consoles such as the Wii requires the use of more energy, but it does not meet the recommended exercise amount because it is not as high intensity as regular exercise.

In a 2010 study conducted by the University of Wisconsin, EA Sports Active met the necessary fitness requirements to be deemed as effective workout routine.

Trends in Designs

When development systems intended for exergaming, manufactures must decide if systems can use games that users can buy at various locations or if specialized software has to be written for the system.

Many manufacturers are leaning toward using custom software due to the fact that it takes a longer amount of time for game players to move their whole body when responding to a game.

Choosing Games For Kids – Rely On All Types Of Gaming Websites For Help

If you work under the presumption that there are very few games available for kids and that you just have to choose the one that seems best for your kids, then think again. There are hundreds and thousands of games are available for different formats and different devices in the market. From games that can be installed in the personal computer to games that can be played on seventh generation consoles – there are many options available. Hence, you must analyze the game and find out the best game suitable for your children.

If you wish to encourage your child to keep track of popular video games and choose games on their own, you will have to identify trusted web sites which will be accurate and give specific information. If your child spends a lot of time reading those reviews which are of no use for him or her, then it is obviously going to be a waste of time. The child may choose any game at random and may or may not be satisfied with the end result.

Make use of search engines to find more about those web sites that specialize in reviewing games designed for children. It may not be the most glamorous and stylish website around. Reviews posted by those parents who have an attraction towards video games and who have followed such games before can be very helpful.

Hence, do not always focus on a professional web site. Be prepared to move beyond professional web sites and do not hesitate to check out blogs or even parenting web sites where popular video games have been covered.

Once you have identified the web sites, you can always encourage your child to visit such gaming web sites for additional information. If nothing else works, you can always choose from the list provided in such web sites and be confident that you are making the right choice.

Xbox Kinect Is A Good Buy But Better Be Prepared To Spend Time Training It

Would you be interested in spending a few hundred dollars purchasing Xbox 360 Kinect only to find that you have to go back to the same old handheld control option when you want to play the game at top speed? A lot depends on your confidence level when you are playing any fast paced game.

You must be absolutely confident that press of a button is going to lead to specific changes in the game on the screen. If you are not confident of your movement, you obviously will be hesitant and you will never be in position to play well. Let us take case of a jump across a bridge or river. Would you run fast and take the jump if you are not confident that the game will react?

You will try to play it safe to the last moment and may end up walking into the gap simply because you did not jump. Well, when you have to jump in real life to watch your character jump in the video game, it is obviously going to lead to complications. For starters, how much should you jump?

Should it be proportional to the jump that you wish to see on the screen? Or should it just be a forceful movement of your body at the same spot? If yes, then what about smaller and lighter jumps? These are many issues that you will have to consider after you purchase the Xbox 360 Kinect and start using the same.

This means that you will have to keep aside your gaming habits and focus on training the hardware and software before you enjoy its benefits. In the long run, this may help you play better. However, in the short run, people will certainly not be interested in spending money and then spending time training the device before using it.