MechaHumano

Complete Customization

As one of the top games Nintendo has to offer, the Animal Crossing games are available on several platforms. The first game was released for Gamecube, Wild World for the DS, City Folk for the Wii and New Leaf for the 3DS. One of the biggest reasons the game series is so popular is the ability to customize the player’s home and characters in the game. As the player does tasks for their animal friends, they get currency, drawings, furniture, games and other decor for their virtual home. The open-ended story offers anyone hours of addictive fun. The Animal Crossing games are available on several platforms. While the opening for the games and some of the features may be different, the basic game play is the same.

The Mission

The player is in a new town, which is filled with anthropomorphic animals. The player is the only human in the town, but that doesn’t hold them back from talking with the various animals who have small cottages there. In each game, Tom Nook will help the player by giving them a home on a loan, which needs to be paid back throughout the game. With every payment, Tom Nook upgrades the player’s home, adding extra floors or more space. This allows for more customization the further along one is in the game.

Various tasks will be presented to the player throughout the game by the animals in the town. Usually, the tasks are simple, such as catch a certain kind of fish or retrieve an object from another part of town. The animals never run out of things for the player to do, so the player can constantly get random rewards for interacting with the animals.

Each animal neighbor also responds to the player appropriately. If the player is rude to the animal or pushes them down a lot, the animal may leave the town forever. The nicer the player is, the nicer the animals are to them, occasionally sending the player gifts in the mail or writing them letters. Even if the player does no tasks for the animal, they can still interact with them.

Throughout the year, different events will be held in the game, such as fishing tournaments, trick-or-treating, flea markets and fireworks shows. Even if the player is satisfied with their home and doesn’t wish to help any of the animals, they can still find something to do in this open-ended game.

On May 21, 2013, Microsoft officially unveiled the Xbox One and all that it will bring to the table for the future of gaming. Not only did they unveil the Xbox One, but they also revealed and suggested a bit of information about it that has had the gaming community in constant debate ever since the official announcement. Of course, there were some exciting things announced about the Xbox One, but on the other side of the coin, there were some not-so-exciting things.

Pros

One of the Xbox One’s most notable features that were announced was its ability to quickly switch back and forth between games, TV, movies, Skype, etc. With Xbox One, there will more than likely be no more fumbling around and searching for the remote to switch between your favorite activities. This will be enabled through the Kinect and voice command.

Also, Kinect will feature more accurate tracking and a 1080p quality interface for crystal clear transmission. This will make Kinect a much more enjoyable feature to use than it originally was. Anyone that used the original version of Kinect probably remembers how jumpy and inaccurate the motions and movements were.

A few more notable features include its revolutionary low power state that will slash power consumption into a fraction, its ability to download games while playing, its extremely improved server count, improved controller, the ESPN partnership, the compatibility with Smartglass, and much more.

Cons

However, there were also some other features that were announced or inferred that didn’t have fans exactly “oo-ing” or “ah-ing.” One feature that Xbox fans really wanted to see implemented into Xbox One was backwards compatibility, and it wasn’t. Backwards compatibility essentially means that the device can play games that were designed for earlier versions of the console.

Additionally, Kinect will more than likely be required to use the console. This might have something to do with the fact that Kinect wasn’t such a hit the first time it was released, and it’s possible that Microsoft could be forcing it to become “the next thing” with its gaming audience.

An extremely controversial con that has not yet been officially confirmed is the possible fee that Microsoft could be charging to play used games. However, because there is a lot of conflicting information surrounding this matter and the fact that the policies from Microsoft have not been finalized, this con is not yet entirely plausible. Compare the Xbox One to PlayStation 4.

Bullying is a huge issue in today’s society. It has permeated every aspect of our culture, and yet, the online world of the Internet and gaming is often not even considered as part of the paradigm when it comes to the bullying problem. As more and more children and teenagers spend hours on end playing games, filling up online chatrooms, and frequenting forums and message boards, it is more important than ever that society remember that bullying doesn’t just take place on playgrounds and school campuses. It can very well be taking place in any child’s bedroom.

What is Bullying?

Bullying comes in many different forms and can vary by person and situation. A simple way to look at it is that bullying is pretty much any undesired action from one child to another over a social difference. The difference could be social or economic. It could even be imaginary. The reason behind the bullying is not important; the result is all that matters. Most people think of bullying as being an ongoing thing, happening multiple times, or at least having the propensity to do so. It can be as sinister as making threats or as seemingly innocent as spreading rumors. There should be no distinction in anyone’s definition of bullying between physical or verbal attacks; bullying covers all of these categories and all are considered to be equally as serious.

How Can Bullying Apply to Online Gaming and the Internet?

As you can see by examining the definition of bullying, an attack doesn’t have to be a physical one to make a difference. Verbal assaults are just as serious and have just as long-term effects. So, it’s easy to see how this can easily leave high school and find its way right into our homes. Children using the Internet to play games often communicate with others. This can be done through actual verbal communication through a headset or microphone, or just through text entered in via the keyboard. Either way, the possibility of bullying is there. The online world of gaming can actually be worse than a school setting in a bullying concept. Consider this scenario. In a school setting, most of the children are at least close in age. In online game rooms, children could be playing with teenagers or adults from all over the world. Older children are often more outspoken and critical of younger children than their peers; they also have a little more life experience and have a wider concept of hurtful things to say and buttons to push. This makes online gaming a terrible breeding ground for bullying of all sorts. Just because the bullying may come from a complete stranger thousands of miles away does not negate the impact it can have on a child’s psyche.

What Can You Do About Online Bullying?

The beautiful part of the online bullying threat is that it takes place right there in your home. Unlike the school-related bullying, you have every ability as a parent to monitor and control what is going on. Make sure you are active and aware of what kind of online environment your children are participating in and make it clear that you are always ready, willing, and able to talk about anything they might be subjected to in the online setting. There are so many things that are beyond your control; don’t let something you can control pass by the wayside.

A New Experience

As Disney’s latest video-game venture, Disney Infinity promises to bring the player’s imagination to life. Developed by Avalanche Software—a subsidiary of Disney Interactive Studios—this game contains groups of various Disney and Pixar characters. The game will utilize a system that combines physical toy figurines of proprietary characters with a special device dubbed the ‘Infinity Base’ that detects, identifies, and translates data from the figurines into the game; this allows for the player to use within the game any character he or she owns the figurine of. In addition to the figurines there will also be ‘Power Discs’ that can be placed on the device to enhance features within the game by providing power-ups or special features for the play modes.

Two Ways to Play

The game will offer two modes of play. One mode allows the player to play within pre-established worlds called ‘Play Sets’ that will be based on Disney or Pixar series pertaining to characters featured as figurines for the game. The other mode, named ‘Toy Box,’ grants creative freedom to the player, allowing them to mix-and-match any of the worlds’ elements and characters. The player is able to unlock new features for the Toy Box mode by playing through the various individual Play Sets. The game will offer a multiplayer option for up to four players and also a way for players to share the worlds they create within the Toy Box mode.

Starting Out

The game will come with three figurines and a unique Play Set for each of the characters they are based on as well as one Power Disc. If this proves to be too little for a player, he or she will have the option to purchase additional Play Sets, Power Discs, and character figurines. Initially there will be twenty-one additional character figurines, a variety of Power Discs, and one extra Play Set available for purchase.

Looking Forward

Due to the mechanics of the game, the player’s experience will be limited by how much he or she is willing to spend on the character figurines, Play Sets, and Power Discs. On the other hand, the mechanics also allude to future game expansions through the release of more character figurines, Play Sets, and Power Discs.

Disney Infinity is shaping up to be a fun and creative video-game. Granted no more delays, the game is set to release on the 18 of August 2013 in the United States and internationally on the 20 of August 2013. It will be available on all major gaming consoles.

News of the PlayStation 4 has been stirring interest and starting rumors in the gaming and tech communities for months. Because of the PS3′s continued success among its competitors, commenters have been quick to question the timing of the PlayStation 4′s proposed launch. Both critics and enthusiasts are eager to see the results of Sony’s promises, however. The newest console, the design of which has yet to be shown, has great potential.

Hardware Specifications of the PlayStation 4

The PS4 has specifications which do not quite measure up to a modern PC, but soar above the power of current game consoles. Its Jaguar CPU is 8-core X86 AMD, and it will have 8 gigabytes of GDDR5 memory. Instead of using SSD, this console will have hard drive storage, but the specific capacity has not yet been revealed, nor has Sony stated whether or not the storage will be like the PS3′s which is easy to swap. It will have a trio of USB 3.0 ports and a Blu-ray drive capable of playing DVDs.

Connectivity

Connection will be important with the PlayStation 4, as Sony has promised new ways of social sharing with the gaming system. One feature will be a “share” button on the controller which allows for the uploading of clips or screenshots. The potential for spectating and chatting during the games of other players is also worthy of comment. Streaming and downloading will be vastly improved, and the possibility of remote play with the PlayStation Vita makes fast transmission times vital. The PS3 will have 802.11 b/g/n Wi-Fi, as well as HDMI, Ethernet, Bluetooth 2.1 for further connections, as well as analog AV and optical audio out.

The New Controller

The Dualshock 4 has the familiar sleek lines of the PS3′s version, but features several new tricks. It has an incorporated six-axis sensor that is highly sensitive, for a start, and at the top of the controller players will be able to use a touch pad for new interactive abilities with games. Along with the Dualshock 4, Sony has introduced a new camera for the PS4. This device actually captures 85-degree angle views, utilizing two cameras with wide-angle lenses and high sensitivity for recognizing the precise depth of space.

Sony is bringing its newest console into the latest technological trends with its impressively powerful gaming potential and its improved social aspects. Integrated gaming is a promise that Sony has made, although without specific details, but phones, portable gaming devices, and PCs should be involved. The basic social aspects are also supposed to work on tablets, smartphones, and the Vita, for further on-the-go abilities. With the PlayStation 4, gamers of all sorts can expect a new, engaging experience.

The Assassin’s Creed series never seems to disappoint its fans with each installation providing new stories, new environments, new characters, new battle systems, and overall new experiences. It’s no wonder they keep coming out with sequels. The makers of the game, Ubisoft, will be bring us a new installment to series, Assassin’s Creed IV: Black Flag, in October 2013.

Assassin’s Creed IV: Black Flag provides the same types of elements that were in the previous other games. You still have open-ended environments to explore through missions or free play. Like always, you still have the awesome acrobatics and parkour actions through interactions with the environment and other people. You still retain stealth through out the game which made the series so exciting to play. Upgrades on weapons and hideouts are still available for you to purchase as well. Hunting has also returned to the new Assassin’s Creed game and may play a more important part in the new installation.

The Plot

You will play as one of Desmond Mile’s ancestors, Captain Edward Kenway – pirate and member of the assassin’s order who is also the father of Assassin’s Creed III’s playable character, Haythem Kenway, and grandfather of main playable character, Ratonhnhake:ton (Conner). Like all Assassin’s Creed’s plots, there will be two main story lines: one from past centering on Captain Edward Kenway and one in present. This time the latter story will center on the player instead of Desmond. Since Desmond’s memories have been upload to “the cloud”, the player will act as the researcher for Abstergo, the modern Templar.

Gameplay

The game will allow players to explore the Caribbean both on land and in sea. On land, there will be over 50 locations to explore including villages, ports, plantations, jungles, and islands. There will be three main cities to explore: Havana, Kingston, and Nassau. In sea, the player will be able to dive deep into waters and salvage for treasure from shipwrecks as well as battle sharks and whales.

Naval battles from the previous game has been reintroduced and expanded in the new Assassin’s Creed installment. Players can attack ships in several different circumstances. You can fire cannons at particular ships, board ships and fight the crew, or use the weather to your advantage and ambush your opponent.

There are also plenty of ways to upgrade your character, your ship, and your crew. Like always Assassin’s Creed IV: Black Flag will provide a new experience for players while also keeping true to the series.

The Super Smash Brothers series of fighting games has ruled the casual fighter genre since it was introduced. Unlike hardcore fighting games, there are no complex super attacks that become available once a damage or attack bar has been filled. PlayStation All Stars looks to attract fans of the Smash Brothers series with a similar fighter designed for the casual fighting crowd. Does it succeed?

The Characters

PlayStation All Stars has a robust set of characters, including such video game legends as Big Daddy from Bioshock, Nathan Drake from the Uncharted games, and Kratos from the God of War series. While perhaps not as kid-friendly as the Nintendo lineups, the PlayStation fighters are diverse and represent a lot of popular games.

The Game Play

Here is where PlayStation All Stars separates itself from the Smash Brothers games. Depending upon the type of gaming preferred, this may not be a good thing. Virtually every fighting game on the planet uses some kind of health bar or indicator that shows how much damage a player has received.

In the Smash Brothers games, the indicator is a percentage that shows damage with each attack that is received. The higher the percentage meter, the greater the likelihood that the character will be killed from an attack. The meter rises regardless of what attack is suffered.

In PlayStation All Stars, however, the standard damage system gets tossed aside in favor of a setup where only super attacks can kill an opponent. What this involves is building up a super attack meter until it is full and then launching a super attack. This takes the focus off of picking away at your opponent with careful attacks and then setting up a super attack. The focus is entirely on the super attack.

This fighting system is pretty much a love it or hate it setup. Fans of this design will cite the strategy involved in trying to get an opponent into perfect position to launch a super attack, but critics will claim that the game becomes extremely one-dimensional by putting all the focus on that attack.

Missing the Mark

While the fighting system in All Stars is unique and will cater to a specific crowd, it was unwise to have it as the sole game play option. If it was a mode instead of the only choice, it would have made much more sense. As a mode, it would have been a lot of fun for a change of pace. However, as the only option available, it falls flat. While perhaps a good first effort, PlayStation All Stars is not a better game than Super Smash Brothers.

The Date is Set

Gamers around the world will dive into another Rockstar epic on September 17, 2013. The fifth installment of gaming’s most infamous franchise will be one of the first mammoth releases of the fall season. Grand Theft Auto IV’s record-breaking release generated immense momentum for all next generation consoles and gave Rockstar creative freedom to make genre masterpieces Red Dead Redemption and LA Noire. Now looking forward to the release of Grand Theft Auto V, which is poised to be the possible swan song of this generation of consoles, Rockstar may bookend this era of gaming with two crime epics that both equally represent the controversy of gaming and the progress it has made in the past five years.

The Three Enimigos

Gamers should not be expecting massive changes in the formula of successful Rockstar games, just a perfection of the story telling mechanics that the developer has utilized over the last 10 years. Every Grand Theft Auto since Rockstar took over the franchise has placed players in the shoes of a renegade not bound by the rules of society. Michael, Franklin and Trevor are the three main, playable characters, each standing at a different segment of the Rockstar social and moral scale. Grand Theft Auto IV had multiple playable characters thanks to some of the best downloadable content of all time in The Lost & The Damned and The Ballad of Gay Tony, but those three characters never interacted outside of brief, winking moments. As evidenced by the trailer Michael, Franklin and Trevor will not only interact, but trade clever quips with each other. This degree of interaction between vastly different characters means that Rockstar’s story will be able to evolve past a point that it has never been able to before. Michael is a retired bank robber who is pulled back into the old business. He contrasts Franklin, an up and coming criminal and the more typical Grand Theft Auto protagonist. Trevor is the wild card though, prone to awful and violent acts of chaos, but not without his own unique moral code. These three will outline a story more complex and entertaining than any Rockstar has offered before.

City of Angels

The setting of Grand Theft Auto V is Rockstar’s fictionalization of Los Angeles: San Andreas. The muted and dark tone of Grand Theft Auto IV’s Liberty City is traded for a bright and gorgeous West coast feel. A variety of environments seen in the two released trailers support Rockstar’s claim to be building the biggest open world seen in the Grand Theft Auto franchise yet.

The Future is Bright

With the announcement of the new Xbox around the corner. Grand Theft Auto V may be Rockstar’s final entry in the current generation of consoles. Whether or not they’re swan song is a worthy one will be up for debate. But the new Grand Theft Auto will certainly court controversy and praise, as it always has.

View the Trailer

Click here to check out the latest trailer for Grand Theft Auto V

I’ve recently been introduced to the use of computer games to distribute malware. While I’ve always known that downloading media from unknown sites and opening suspicious emails may open your PC to a virus or some other sort of malware, I had no idea that malware could be purposefully included with a game download or purchased software. For instance, North Korea has reportedly distributed and sold several computer games to South Korea that resulted in DDOS (distributed denial of service) attacks. A more near example of this form of malware attack has occurred also with Pro Evolution Soccer 2012 (or World Soccer: Winning Eleven 2012). Users who downloaded this game from mediafire.com were taken to a survey page prior to receiving their password; upon filling out the survey, users get the password to run the keygen, which ends up installing the malware known as ZeroAccess, a sophisticated rootkit known for overwriting critical OS files.

As a gamer, this form of malware attack is particularly bothersome, as I am a customer who is just trying to play legitimate computer games after work and not some sleaze sitting by the computer all day visiting sketchy sites. In order to protect my computer and information from ZeroAccess and similar malware, I have made sure to run regular virus scans on all of my devices in order to protect my data, and recommend educating yourself, your friends & family, and co-workers in security awareness.

Ni No Kuni a Role-Playing Game created through a collaboration between Level-5 game studios and the illustrious animation studio, Studio Ghibli. The storyline involves a young boy named Oliver who, after his mother dies, cries his eyes out over a stuffed toy she gave him, which brings the doll to life. This “Mr. Drippy” says that hope is not lost, offering to take Oliver to his world, where everyone within it has an analog in Oliver’s world of Motorville. Oliver’s travels to the other world reveal that his mother’s analog is a powerful wizard who was captured by the evil djinn Shadar. To defeat Shadar, Oliver will have to become a wizard himself.

Gameplay

Ni No Kuni’s gameplay consists of going through towns and other areas until some obstacle presents itself, such as a gate guard who lacks energy and won’t let you pass. Oliver must then jump between the worlds, finding the parallel soulmate and borrowing some of their trait to give to the opposite. A “Swift Solutions” job board in each town ensures a massive list of side quests.

As the adventure continues, battles are sure to occur. The battles in Ni No Kuni are active time events, rather than turn-based, and have Oliver (and sometimes other allies) making use of familiars. familiars are collectible monsters with special powers, and there is a diminutive chance that any given monster you defeat will join your side. Further, some of these familiars are needed to complete certain quests.

Presentation

As for the game’s presentation, the visuals are the watermark quality of Studio Ghibli, with each town having its own unique design. One example is a castle town governed by a cat king, the town’s architecture has a fish motif with the game’s music fitting along. The auditory presentation doesn’t falter at all, with the game’s soundtrack performed by the Tokyo Philharmonic offering a wide variety of impressive pieces, be they upbeat overworld travel, spooky dungeons, or sweeping boss theme.

A few bad marks with Ni No Kuni include its combat and the PS3-added “White Witch” saga. The combat system can be quite challenging at some times, and just dull in non-boss battles. AI-driven Familiars make frustrating choices. The narrow chance of befriending familiars can be agitating when grinding for a specific one, such as to continue a quest. Lastly, the “White Witch” content’s 10 hours seem to undercut the mood the game goes for and its ending goes by so fast that the entire story arc feels like it should have been cut.

My Rating: 7/10

The game merits a 7/10 for excellent aesthetics and an awesome in-game book, but random familiar acquisition, boring regular battles and the White Witch story drag it down.