Video Games

The Arcade Games Come Home To Play

photo credit: di_the_huntressIf you asked your dad about the video games he used to play back when he was a little kid, he’d tell you about archaic games like Pacman, Pong, Pinball, and maybe even the old classic Space Invaders. And, if you’re a genuine member of the generation X, you wouldn’t be able to help but scoff or maybe have a good laugh at the sheer antiquity of these titles.

The coin-operated machines of the 1980’s are no match for the Arcade games of today. Back then, the gamers had to content themselves with simple, two dimensional games with shoddy graphics. You might give the graphics of Donkey Kong 1 a rating of 1/10 today, but back in the days of your father, they would’ve given it a whopping 10/10.

Arcades back then were three times more popular than the arcades of today for a single reason. If you were a gamer in the 1980’s, you would’ve had no choice but to go to the Arcades to satisfy your craving for games. Whereas the gamers of today only have to go on-line to one of the free arcade game websites and proceed to spend the whole day playing free arcade games in the comfort of their own homes.

Now, even with all the breath-taking graphics and mind-blowing innovations, Arcades still haven’t regained their former popularity. But the modern arcade does have its prodigies. One of which is the Dance Dance Revolution. People instantly became addicted to this novel sensation. The person who pioneered the marriage of dancing and gaming was a genius. Other innovative games followed in the wake of the dance dance revolution, like the baby of music and gaming, DrumMania. This game emulates the feel of playing real drums, and you have to bang the drum at exactly the right time to get a good score. These games appeal to the natural impulse of people to show off, as the best players are applauded in the Arcades. Not even the release of the dance pad, which can be bought from stores and allow you to play in the comfort of the gamers’ home could bring down the Arcade Titan that was dance dance revolution. If anything, the gamers who bought these dance pads only used them as training grounds for the real battlefield which could be found in the Arcades.

Indeed, the games back then were every bit as addictive as the games of today. Arcade games are the craze of the youth then and now and you can only wonder what the future has in store for arcade games.

Online Games

Online games have become increasingly popular with the marketing of high speed internet. There are a variety of online games for people of all ages. There are video games, card games, gambling, games of skill, and learning games.

Video games are very popular online because of the accessibility and the great graphics. Most of the online games are free. The great thing about it is as a game gets a new version, the computer updates to it. This is an advantage over other game systems such as XBox, wii and Playstation 2. For those, when a new version is introduced you have to purchase another game. Such games often cost around $40.

Card games are a very fun feature online. There is your standard solitaire game with a variety of decks of cards to choose from. You can join many sites that will allow you access to play card games against other players including bridge, black jack, poker, Texas hold ‘em and hearts. This is fun for those who want to interact with others, but can’t always get out of the house to attend such activities.

The most popular online card games are those that relate to gambling including poker, blackjack, and Texas hold ‘em. While there are plenty of sites that allow you to play against a computer or real people for fun, these games appear to be focused on actual online gambling. You can still play against a computer or join a tournament, but you are playing for actual money. You have to set up an account, and then you use funds from a credit card, checking account, paypal, or other online service to cover your bets.

Games of skill are easily found on the internet. The most popular are chess, pool, and scrabble. With all of these, you have the option to play against the computer or against other people who are at the site. Most sites like this also allow you the option of chatting, there is some basic interaction going on among players throughout the game as well.

Learning games are very popular too, especially for children. Interactive learning is everywhere on the internet. Games that help children learn to spell; read, count, and do basic math while having a great time doing in are very worthwhile.

The internet offers lots of variety when it comes to online gaming. Most you will find are free of charge. There are those who charge to access games, so be sure to pay close attention to those details prior to joining. Have a great time finding games of chance and games of skill that peak your interests! My favorite is online yahtzee.

Video Games...are Good For You?

While it may be disliked by parents, girlfriends and wives around the world, the video game industry is a permanent part of our world. From its humble beginnings in the 80s, the video game industry has exploded into a ten-billion dollar subculture.

Hopefully, you can use some of this information to help convince the non-gamers in your life that you’re not just wasting your time. It probably won’t change their attitude a great deal, but it should help. However, if you’re neglecting your homework, your relationship or your hygiene due to video games…well…this all won’t matter much.

Stress Relief
Video games are an excellent way to relieve stress. For the average non-gamer, in fact, spending 15 or 20 minutes a day playing an easy to learn, though difficult to conquer, game like Tetris or Minesweeper will do wonders for stress relief. However, the more complex and involved games may actually be more effective than their simpler brethren.

Some people read a book or watch a movie as a way to get their mind off of their problems. Basically, they allow people to be transported to a fictional world for awhile. In that area, video games are actually the most effective form of release, because they provide a deeper and more encompassing transportation.

Improved Logic
Logical thinking is, sadly, a skill that seems to be mostly ignored in public education these days. It’s truly sad because finely tuned logical abilities are critically important in our world. Nearly all video games train your mind in thinking logically.

Quicker Decision Making
This tends to go hand-in-hand with the previous example. Logical skills are a good thing, but they lose their luster if used slowly. Quick thinking skills are a good thing, but can be disastrous without proper logic. Putting the two together, however, can have an immensely beneficial impact on your life. Most games give you a time limit on reaching a decision, either in the form of a formal timer or in the form of somebody rushing at you with a shotgun or sword.

These three arguments are actually enough to make me believe that everyone should play video games. Everyone knows that stress relief is becoming increasingly important as our world becomes increasingly stressful. Quick decision making and logical reasoning are huge assets in life. So, the next time somebody starts ragging on you about ‘wasting your time” playing video games, you can fill them in just a little bit on the fact that you’re actually giving your brain one heck of a work out!