The one game that I was salivating in anticipation for this year was Spore. I bought it, I’ve played it, and so far I love it. I was finally able to obtain the game, and have put it through its’ paces. Spore should honestly be called “Crack: The Game” because I’m addicted and I’ve just barely scratched the surface.

The great thing about Spore is there are a few different ways to play the game. Technically you could play the entire game, and not get into the actual “gaming” part of it. If you want to create unique, and strange creatures then you’re able to do just that. Once you’ve gotten your creative juices flowing, there’s also a game that you can play through. Which opens up even more creativity.

When you first start off in Spore, you create a very basic “cell” like creature, and have a limited amount of options. As you progress and survive, you will unlock parts and resources for evolving your creature. The gameplay is very simple, but at the same time very engaging. It has a very raw, survival of the fittest feel, yet it pulls it off in a cute, and friendly way. Think Charles Darwin meets the Care Bears. The “cell stage” of the game is simplistic almost to a fault. You basically swim around, fighting off other cells while trying to gather food. All of this leading up to your first evolution.
(more…)

If you enjoyed this post, make sure you subscribe to my RSS feed!

As a gamer I always find it an obligation to post positive news on one of my greatest passions. When most people hear the words ‘video games’ and ‘news’, the mind tends to shift to Grand Theft Auto IV, teen violence, Manhunt, teen violence… Well you see the forumla. Just think for a moment; ‘How could video games help shape childs’ minds positively?’

In an article by MSNBC, the author wrote about how video games have been implemented in a few schools around the world. There is a first grade teacher who brought in the Nintendo Wii, and Wii Sports to use Wii bowling as a means to teach kids arithmetic by tallying scores. There’s also a school in Japan that uses the Nintendo DS handheld to teach students english.
(more…)

If you enjoyed this post, make sure you subscribe to my RSS feed!

One feature that the PS3 has had over the Xbox 360 is the ability to install games to the hard drive. With the PS3, pretty much all the titles perform some form of install, even though most are only partial installs. The benefit of this is that a game can perform better, and have less load times if it’s installed on the hard drive. When the “Xbox 360 Experience” launches in the fall, 360 owners will be able to enjoy the same privilege. With the 360’s install, you’ll be able to install the full game. Of course you’ll still have to have the disc to run it (running bets on how long it takes a hacker to bypass this). Here’s a YouTube video showing off the install:

If you enjoyed this post, make sure you subscribe to my RSS feed!

Social Networking has gotten so big it’s beginning to influence the video game world. That’s quite a feat considering how much money video games bring in already. But combining the two forces will more than likely set off a chain of events which will open up a black hole (take that Large Hadron Collider).

In all seriousness, Playstation Home looks pretty sweet and will come with some features that might even get this ‘non-social networking’ boob into the foray. You’ll have your Home Square which is your central hub for getting around to various places. Your apartment which will be entirely customizable **thinking of how to make a Seinfeld apartment clone**. There will be a theater to view videos and trailers. A room for Playstation Home games. And the coup de grace, a room for playing Namco games like Galaga, Dig Dug etc…

It’s kind of sad when your online house could eat your real one

Sony has announced that they will be starting their beta phase today, sending out invites to 10,000 lucky PS3 owners (crosses fingers).  The invites will be sent until August 11th. Then sometime in late August the Playstation Home Beta will be underway.

If you enjoyed this post, make sure you subscribe to my RSS feed!