Wednesday, December 27, 2006

Importance of Video (and Computer) Games

How often do you find yourself longing to play a particular game only to have other affairs interfere with your ability to be able to (at least) play? Does this affect emotional status and/or mental alertness?

I find that it does. Too many times I am pulled away from games like WoW (and allot of computerized puzzle games) only to find my mood to be that of a disgruntled/depressed/grumpy/negative nature. Which people around me generally don't like.

As a friend of mine pointed out; It is similar to the likes of denying an elderly person from trying to watch their favorite TV show...

This is also one of the reasons that I loose sleep. I am sometimes forced to play games during hours that conflict with normal everyday life, such as staying awake until 0300h just so that I can get the (uninterrupted) playtime that keeps my mood in balance and my mental alertness at it's peak, however a lack of sleep contradicts this entirely!

There is considerable study showing that Video Games are not only an important aspect of entertainment[1], but can also be an automatic (subconscious) learning experience[2]

So how does one go about trying to fit more game-hours into one's life, without sacrificing too much (eg. sleep, work etc)?


    References:

  1. 2006, BAFTA, Video Games are as Important as Film and Television: Video Games Awards become BAFTA’s ‘third arm’ [PDF]


  2. L. Bedigian (2006). Professor James Paul Gee shows the world the importance of video games. [HTML]

Sunday, October 29, 2006

Draino's Networking and Tech: Dead XBOX HDD???

Draino's Networking and Tech: Dead XBOX HDD???

Laziness prevents me from re-posting the above linked article here :P

Thursday, October 26, 2006

R.I.P. Lik-Sang

This is old news but I'm posting it because it should be known EVERYWHERE!.

Multiple games sites have reported that Lik-Sang have ceased business and are closing down after receiving lawsuits from Sony EU (SCEE) possibly due to lack of potential future Sony sales.

This is a classic example of Sony's poor customer attitude.
I however have decided to boycott purchasing ANY Sony product from now on.

More details here, here and here

P.I.P Lik-Sang. You will be missed by many gamers.