By Ruibo Chen
Many World of Warcraft players today likes to buy WoW gold, items, accounts and power leveling sessions, but blizzard along with other players consider this an act of cheating. Well, you have the ability to enhance your character to a much higher level or better quality items, weapons, armors and other equipment with real money. It's unfair for those players who does not have the extra cash to spare or would prefer to play it the old fashion way. But for example, we all know what Nintendo is right? Well when game shark came out did Nintendo try to stop or prevent them from selling? No, they didn't. But of course, for those who chose to cheat the game was not required to play with others that didn't want to cheat. So that is one conclusion as to why players and Blizzard does not approve of selling or buying gold.
Disruption from Warcraft gold farmers. Yes I'm sure we've all experienced that farming now a days have been a little difficult due to the overwhelming population of WoW gold farmers. If gold wasn't able to be sold using real money the farmers wouldn't exist and players would probably be able to enjoy the game more. Perhaps blizzard should enforce a law to farming? Or allow players to tag a mob and allow them preparation time to kill the mob they were targeting? Well, Blizzard is not a government and even if so, the government today isn't perfect either.
Another reason why I can understand players hate the idea of buying/selling gold is because it disrupts the economy. If there is excess gold, then the value of gold drops and the value of the item will rise causing players to spend more gold on the item than what they would normally need to pay. Basic economics 101, inflation and deflation. A player can only farm an X amount of gold over a given period of time. The more gold there is, the more the item will cost, the more a player will have to farm unless they purchase the gold of course.
Well with all these problems involving selling gold, why hasn't Blizzard done something? I believe they probably are working on a solution but believe it not, farmers do make up about 30% of their population. Somewhere in the back of their mind I'm sure they don't want to get rid of all subscribers. What they do instead is ban a few at a time and they would be required to buy a new world of warcraft cd key. Extra cash flow for the mighty O Blizzard. Yes farmers and sellers do get their accounts banned. But have not heard of any buyers getting banned however. Lucky for us?
As some of you may know, another popular mmorpg publisher is Sony Online Entertainment (SOE) with their many leading titles including the first MMORPG hit EverQuest, Star Wars Galaxies, and EverQuest 2. Why am I bringing up SOE? Because they have introduced the Sony Exchange. The Sony Exchange is a secure market place for players to auction their currencies and items to other players for real cash. In return SOE of course takes in a small fee for themselves. Charming isn't it? Well along with this new innovative idea, they also of plans of releasing a new game where they will be selling currencies and items themselves. That pretty much just beats the second paragraph of not cheating. But of course I'm sure they will create specific servers where the purchasing/selling of virtual assets will not be allowed.
If SOE is getting into the secondary market why can't the players? I do wonder if Blizzard should decide to get into the secondary market themselves. Believe it or not, but World of Warcraft subscriber base more than quadruples what SOE has in total. As you can see SOE is accepting the new trend and making a huge load of profit, I'm sure Blizzard would follow up on the idea as well. EverQuest was the first mmorpg hit ever, Blizzard known for their real time strategy games now has the most popular mmorpg as well. I wouldn't see why they won't follow and collect some of the cash themselves. Overall, although we do not know of Blizzards intentions for those who buys WoW gold, I can say for sure that I do not know a single person who has gotten their accounts banned for buying WoW gold.
2007/12/14
Final Fantasy XI Beginners Gil Guide
By Ruibo Chen
Having enough FFXI Gil is the most essential aspects of the game. Gil the major currency used when purchasing or trading items. To be a good player you will need allt he Gils you can get. No matter how great your game skills are you will need the Gils to get your equipments, armors, weapons and other items. Having the gears early in the game will help you advance to higher levels at a faster pace than others can. Here are some good tips to start your career in Final Fantasy XI.
Warp Quest
This method can get you about 10k gil within an hour. You need to start with 1k to purchase a slime oil. After you've purchased the slime oil, bring it to an NPC named "Unlucky Rat" in the Metal district of Bastok in exchange for a warp scroll. The scroll sells for about a good 7-10K. Seems easy? Well slight problem with this method is that you will need to have enough fame built up before the NPC will take your slime oil. You will be required to run around town doing low level missions to get your fame up. This is where it gets a little time consuming but 10k gil an hour for a lowbie is really good. You can also redo this quest by creating a mule account and transfering 1k gil to that character.
Just Badge Quest
The Justice Badge quest is located in Winhurt and will require 1 rabab tail and 4 onions to complete. you can buy the stack of rabab tail in the auction house for 50-100gil. Easy to do at low level. In the docks of Winhurst you will find an NPC that you can give the rabab tail to. He will give you the Justice Badge which sells for 500-2000 gil in the auction house. After receiving the bad, give him 4 wild ionions and you'll receive a scroll that sells up to 5000 gil. You can repeat this quest by using a mule.
Fire Crystals
A stack of first crystals can sell for 2000 gil easily over at the auction house. There are 2 good methods to collect fire crystals. The more commonly used method would be the usual beat the mob down and loot method. To start you need to be around level 7-10. You will need signet cast on you at your town gates. Head out North to Gusterburg where you will be able to find many vultures. You'll only want to kill the vulters and nothing else to conserve time. To the Northwest of San D'oria there is an area full of Orcs. The orcs drop a nice amount of fire crystals as well. You can probably average about 3 stacks in an hour. 6000 gil in an hour for a level 7-10 is not too bad.
The other method of farming fire crystals is by gardening. You start by buying a brass flower pot in the auction house, several vegetable seeds and some water crystals. You then plant the flower plot in your Mog house and put in the vegetable seeds. Feed it some water crystals, after 1-3 days you will have 17 fire crystals come out of it. You can have up to 6-8 flower pots per house, you can easily make 20-30,000 gils every 2-3 days. It only takes a few minutes to purchase the accessories and to plant them. It's a wealthy short term investment. Money growing on trees is the way I think of it.
Having enough FFXI Gil is the most essential aspects of the game. Gil the major currency used when purchasing or trading items. To be a good player you will need allt he Gils you can get. No matter how great your game skills are you will need the Gils to get your equipments, armors, weapons and other items. Having the gears early in the game will help you advance to higher levels at a faster pace than others can. Here are some good tips to start your career in Final Fantasy XI.
Warp Quest
This method can get you about 10k gil within an hour. You need to start with 1k to purchase a slime oil. After you've purchased the slime oil, bring it to an NPC named "Unlucky Rat" in the Metal district of Bastok in exchange for a warp scroll. The scroll sells for about a good 7-10K. Seems easy? Well slight problem with this method is that you will need to have enough fame built up before the NPC will take your slime oil. You will be required to run around town doing low level missions to get your fame up. This is where it gets a little time consuming but 10k gil an hour for a lowbie is really good. You can also redo this quest by creating a mule account and transfering 1k gil to that character.
Just Badge Quest
The Justice Badge quest is located in Winhurt and will require 1 rabab tail and 4 onions to complete. you can buy the stack of rabab tail in the auction house for 50-100gil. Easy to do at low level. In the docks of Winhurst you will find an NPC that you can give the rabab tail to. He will give you the Justice Badge which sells for 500-2000 gil in the auction house. After receiving the bad, give him 4 wild ionions and you'll receive a scroll that sells up to 5000 gil. You can repeat this quest by using a mule.
Fire Crystals
A stack of first crystals can sell for 2000 gil easily over at the auction house. There are 2 good methods to collect fire crystals. The more commonly used method would be the usual beat the mob down and loot method. To start you need to be around level 7-10. You will need signet cast on you at your town gates. Head out North to Gusterburg where you will be able to find many vultures. You'll only want to kill the vulters and nothing else to conserve time. To the Northwest of San D'oria there is an area full of Orcs. The orcs drop a nice amount of fire crystals as well. You can probably average about 3 stacks in an hour. 6000 gil in an hour for a level 7-10 is not too bad.
The other method of farming fire crystals is by gardening. You start by buying a brass flower pot in the auction house, several vegetable seeds and some water crystals. You then plant the flower plot in your Mog house and put in the vegetable seeds. Feed it some water crystals, after 1-3 days you will have 17 fire crystals come out of it. You can have up to 6-8 flower pots per house, you can easily make 20-30,000 gils every 2-3 days. It only takes a few minutes to purchase the accessories and to plant them. It's a wealthy short term investment. Money growing on trees is the way I think of it.
Guide to Online casino Craps
By Nick S
The Game of Craps is the fast-moving, action-filled game that is so often identified with high rollers. As you may know, “high roller” is the name given to big-money players. Many of these $ 100-chip bettors walk into a Online Casino Craps game with a credit line ranging from $5,000 to
$100,000.
The great thing about playing Online Casino Craps is that the $2 or $5 bettor stands right alongside the high roller and shares the fun and excitement of the game in the same manner In many cases, the player starting out with $50 in chips and making small bets may walk away from the table with anywhere from $500 to $1,500 in profits, while the high roller may still be writing markers trying to recoup his losses.
That scenario can apply to you and your own $50 bankroll if you pay close attention to this chapter and practice what you
learn.
Although you may walk up to a Online Casino Craps table and become befuddled by all the action going on, Online Casino Craps is really quite simple to learn. The game, incidentally, is always called Online Casino Craps: You shoot Online Casino Craps, you’re a Online Casino Craps shooter, and, ironically, if you roll Online Casino Craps you
lose!
The Roll of the Dice
Online Casino Craps is a dice game played with dice. It isa game of chance! There is no skill in shooting Online Casino Craps. Each time the dice are rolled, the probabilities of any set of numbers coming out are always exactly the same.
That is your first lesson. The paragraph above cannot be disputed. So don’t fight it—believe it. If a shooter makes a 7 on his first roll, and another 7 on the next roll, there is no reason to say he can’t win on the third roll. The chance of rolling a 7 on any given roll is exactly six chances in 36. Significantly, the 7 comes up, or rather has a chance of coming up, on any roll more than any other numbe Diagram 1-1 shows the thirty-six rolls and the odds
Actually, there are only eleven different numbers (pairings) that can be rolled.As you can see in diagram 1-1, while there is lust one way to roll a 2, and only one way to roll a 12, there are two ways to make a 3 or 11, three ways for a 4 and 10, four ways to roll
a 5 or 9, five ways for a 6 and 8, and six ways to make a 7.
This clearly shows the math of Online Casino Craps. While each roll of the dice can produce any of those eleven numbers, and although the probabilities are clearly stated, it is also true that the number 12 could come up on two consecutive rolls. If you bet a $5 chip on 12 and it came up on that roll, you would receive $150 as your payoff. If you let that amount ride—that is, bet the $150 on 12 for the next roll—and it repeated as stated above, you would receive the whopping sum of $4,500.
By the same token, betting on the 12 is something we strongly suggest not doing. It and other bets like it are too advantageous for the house, as you will learn fron what you read here
An Introduction to Online Casino Craps
The game of Online Casino Craps is easy to learn and play. The rules are simple to follow. It’s a fun game that can add considerable enjoyment to your gambling holiday. And even though most young ladies may not have played Online Casino Craps during their youth, casino bank Online Casino Craps is as much a game for women as it is for men.
The difference between a private game of Online Casino Craps and casino bank Online Casino Craps is this: In the former, there is no bank. A shooter puts some money down and another player or players fade him. The player is betting he will win, the faders betting he will lose. The shooter picks up the dice and rolls them. When rolling the dice, the same rules apply the world over. That is, the mechanics of the game are the same in a private game as they are in a casino bank game. The only material difference is that players are betting against each other.
In a casino bank game, the players place their bets and the casino bank fades them. In addition to covering every player’s bet (cover has now replaced the term fade), the casino bank Online Casino Craps game offers many other types of proposition bets. These bets, along with the basic pass and don’t pass bets, are explained in diagram
1-2.
As you will note, there are four people actively running the game. The boxman, sitting behind the table in the middle, is the boss. It is his duty to watch each roll of the dice and keep his eyes constantly on the game. The two dealers, one to each side of him, pay off the players when they win and rake in their chips when they lose. Each dealer handles all the players on his side. The table is divided by the center box of proposition bets and also by the stickman, who stands on the players’ side of the table.
The players stand around the table, usually three or four at each end and four to six on either side of the stickman.
The stickman controls the action of the dice as well as the pace of the game. After seeing that all bets are down, the stickman pushes a few sets of dice to the shooter. That player selects a pair of dice and is ready to roll. The casino rules for throwing the dice are simply to roll them across the table so that they hit the wall at
the opposite end. Other than that, any way you throw them is OK. After you have thrown the dice, the action proceeds as
follows:
If, on the first roll, you make a 7 or 11, you have shot a natural, and you win. What you win is the equivalent amount of chips you have bet on the pass line.
If you roll a 2, 3, or 12 on your first throw, that is called Online Casino Craps, and you lose. The dealer picks up your pass line bet. Howevet the shooter does not relinquish the dice. He continues to hold the dice until he sevens out.
If, on the first roll, you shoot a 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, or 10, that is your established box paint. The object then is to keep rolling the dice until you make that number again. You lose, however, if you roll a 7 before making your box point.
Many other bets can be made, all of which are explained in diagram 1-2 (page 12).
Although casinos throughout North America abide by the basic rules, there are some differences in odds that casinos offer players. On one-roll field bets, for example, some casinos give 2 to 1 odds on the 2, and 3 to 1 odds on the 12. Other casinos might allow the pass line bettor to take double odds on the boxpoint. If, for example, you bet $5 on the pass line and you rolled a 6, you would be allowed to bet $10 in back of your pass line bet, which would pay off at $12 for your $10 odds bet. Now that you know the basic rules, the dealer will be happy to inform you of any house variations.
***
What you have just read covers the basics of Online Casino Craps. If you study and learn this easy-to-follow text, you will know as much about the fundamentals of Online Casino Craps as a pit boss, boxman, or dealer. Most importantly, you will be an informed and knowledgeable player. The next step is to play like a pro and increase your chances of winning each time you step up to the Online Casino Craps table.
The Game of Craps is the fast-moving, action-filled game that is so often identified with high rollers. As you may know, “high roller” is the name given to big-money players. Many of these $ 100-chip bettors walk into a Online Casino Craps game with a credit line ranging from $5,000 to
$100,000.
The great thing about playing Online Casino Craps is that the $2 or $5 bettor stands right alongside the high roller and shares the fun and excitement of the game in the same manner In many cases, the player starting out with $50 in chips and making small bets may walk away from the table with anywhere from $500 to $1,500 in profits, while the high roller may still be writing markers trying to recoup his losses.
That scenario can apply to you and your own $50 bankroll if you pay close attention to this chapter and practice what you
learn.
Although you may walk up to a Online Casino Craps table and become befuddled by all the action going on, Online Casino Craps is really quite simple to learn. The game, incidentally, is always called Online Casino Craps: You shoot Online Casino Craps, you’re a Online Casino Craps shooter, and, ironically, if you roll Online Casino Craps you
lose!
The Roll of the Dice
Online Casino Craps is a dice game played with dice. It isa game of chance! There is no skill in shooting Online Casino Craps. Each time the dice are rolled, the probabilities of any set of numbers coming out are always exactly the same.
That is your first lesson. The paragraph above cannot be disputed. So don’t fight it—believe it. If a shooter makes a 7 on his first roll, and another 7 on the next roll, there is no reason to say he can’t win on the third roll. The chance of rolling a 7 on any given roll is exactly six chances in 36. Significantly, the 7 comes up, or rather has a chance of coming up, on any roll more than any other numbe Diagram 1-1 shows the thirty-six rolls and the odds
Actually, there are only eleven different numbers (pairings) that can be rolled.As you can see in diagram 1-1, while there is lust one way to roll a 2, and only one way to roll a 12, there are two ways to make a 3 or 11, three ways for a 4 and 10, four ways to roll
a 5 or 9, five ways for a 6 and 8, and six ways to make a 7.
This clearly shows the math of Online Casino Craps. While each roll of the dice can produce any of those eleven numbers, and although the probabilities are clearly stated, it is also true that the number 12 could come up on two consecutive rolls. If you bet a $5 chip on 12 and it came up on that roll, you would receive $150 as your payoff. If you let that amount ride—that is, bet the $150 on 12 for the next roll—and it repeated as stated above, you would receive the whopping sum of $4,500.
By the same token, betting on the 12 is something we strongly suggest not doing. It and other bets like it are too advantageous for the house, as you will learn fron what you read here
An Introduction to Online Casino Craps
The game of Online Casino Craps is easy to learn and play. The rules are simple to follow. It’s a fun game that can add considerable enjoyment to your gambling holiday. And even though most young ladies may not have played Online Casino Craps during their youth, casino bank Online Casino Craps is as much a game for women as it is for men.
The difference between a private game of Online Casino Craps and casino bank Online Casino Craps is this: In the former, there is no bank. A shooter puts some money down and another player or players fade him. The player is betting he will win, the faders betting he will lose. The shooter picks up the dice and rolls them. When rolling the dice, the same rules apply the world over. That is, the mechanics of the game are the same in a private game as they are in a casino bank game. The only material difference is that players are betting against each other.
In a casino bank game, the players place their bets and the casino bank fades them. In addition to covering every player’s bet (cover has now replaced the term fade), the casino bank Online Casino Craps game offers many other types of proposition bets. These bets, along with the basic pass and don’t pass bets, are explained in diagram
1-2.
As you will note, there are four people actively running the game. The boxman, sitting behind the table in the middle, is the boss. It is his duty to watch each roll of the dice and keep his eyes constantly on the game. The two dealers, one to each side of him, pay off the players when they win and rake in their chips when they lose. Each dealer handles all the players on his side. The table is divided by the center box of proposition bets and also by the stickman, who stands on the players’ side of the table.
The players stand around the table, usually three or four at each end and four to six on either side of the stickman.
The stickman controls the action of the dice as well as the pace of the game. After seeing that all bets are down, the stickman pushes a few sets of dice to the shooter. That player selects a pair of dice and is ready to roll. The casino rules for throwing the dice are simply to roll them across the table so that they hit the wall at
the opposite end. Other than that, any way you throw them is OK. After you have thrown the dice, the action proceeds as
follows:
If, on the first roll, you make a 7 or 11, you have shot a natural, and you win. What you win is the equivalent amount of chips you have bet on the pass line.
If you roll a 2, 3, or 12 on your first throw, that is called Online Casino Craps, and you lose. The dealer picks up your pass line bet. Howevet the shooter does not relinquish the dice. He continues to hold the dice until he sevens out.
If, on the first roll, you shoot a 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, or 10, that is your established box paint. The object then is to keep rolling the dice until you make that number again. You lose, however, if you roll a 7 before making your box point.
Many other bets can be made, all of which are explained in diagram 1-2 (page 12).
Although casinos throughout North America abide by the basic rules, there are some differences in odds that casinos offer players. On one-roll field bets, for example, some casinos give 2 to 1 odds on the 2, and 3 to 1 odds on the 12. Other casinos might allow the pass line bettor to take double odds on the boxpoint. If, for example, you bet $5 on the pass line and you rolled a 6, you would be allowed to bet $10 in back of your pass line bet, which would pay off at $12 for your $10 odds bet. Now that you know the basic rules, the dealer will be happy to inform you of any house variations.
***
What you have just read covers the basics of Online Casino Craps. If you study and learn this easy-to-follow text, you will know as much about the fundamentals of Online Casino Craps as a pit boss, boxman, or dealer. Most importantly, you will be an informed and knowledgeable player. The next step is to play like a pro and increase your chances of winning each time you step up to the Online Casino Craps table.
Gaming captures the hearts of gamers, alleviates loneliness, and creates a new market for businesses.
By Paul wilson
Gaming is popular with teenagers, women, children, as well as men. Older people say they play games as it alleviates loneliness and puts them in contact with others. Statistics reveal that 41% of gamers are women and more than 43 % gamers are aged 25-49. And, research predicts that the games market in 2005 will be US$ 29 billion.
Players can choose between stored games and online games. Stored games are played on consoles while online games are played on a computer using either a broadband or dial up Internet connection. The growth in online gaming according to IDC, a research firm, is set to touch 256 million users by 2008. And, that gaming is serious business is conformed by the hosting of international conferences devoted to gaming and the formation of “Casual Games Special Interest Group.”
Gaming captures the imagination of the players and uses the senses: sight, sound, as well as touch. Many need the use of intelligence as well as strategy. Complex graphics, colors, high quality virtual realities are all set to grab as well as hold the attention of players. Multi-player gaming takes the interest to the next level –offers challenges as well as new horizons to be conquered.
Games played on the Internet are such that clever participants find ways to push the game beyond its visible limits, one can even device cheats to circumvent problems posed by the game. Games test the skills, intelligence, concentration ability as well as techie know how.
Online gaming architecture has six business aspects: the subscriber; the advertiser; the gaming platform provider; the broadband service provider; the network service provider; and the gaming content provider. It is big business—hardware revenues in 2005 are expected to be: US$ 9.4 billion with software and content revenue touching US$16.9 billion.
However, there is a downside, gaming can become addicted and affect normal life—kids stop studying, housewives neglect their daily routine, and people are tempted to play games even at work. It can lead to suicides, mental imbalance as well as destroy marriages and careers. Gamers become recluses and rarely make social contact outside their gaming groups.
Addiction studies indicate that gaming can result in: obsession, neglect, lying, socially unacceptable behaviors, carpal tunnel syndrome, dry eyes, neglect of personal hygiene, as well as sleep disorders.
Popular gaming sites include: MSN games which has 3.4 million monthly registered users ; Pogo which has 8.6 million monthly registered users; and Yahoo games which has 10.1 million registered monthly users.
Analysts predict that by 2007 online gaming will be at least 285 petabits a month, the revenue generated by online subscriptions for gaming is expected to reach US$ 650 million annually.
The future according to Peter Molyneux, is in developing games that “reward a player for “out of the box” thinking and creativity. Games must encourage players to be interactive and decide the direction the game will take.
Gaming is popular with teenagers, women, children, as well as men. Older people say they play games as it alleviates loneliness and puts them in contact with others. Statistics reveal that 41% of gamers are women and more than 43 % gamers are aged 25-49. And, research predicts that the games market in 2005 will be US$ 29 billion.
Players can choose between stored games and online games. Stored games are played on consoles while online games are played on a computer using either a broadband or dial up Internet connection. The growth in online gaming according to IDC, a research firm, is set to touch 256 million users by 2008. And, that gaming is serious business is conformed by the hosting of international conferences devoted to gaming and the formation of “Casual Games Special Interest Group.”
Gaming captures the imagination of the players and uses the senses: sight, sound, as well as touch. Many need the use of intelligence as well as strategy. Complex graphics, colors, high quality virtual realities are all set to grab as well as hold the attention of players. Multi-player gaming takes the interest to the next level –offers challenges as well as new horizons to be conquered.
Games played on the Internet are such that clever participants find ways to push the game beyond its visible limits, one can even device cheats to circumvent problems posed by the game. Games test the skills, intelligence, concentration ability as well as techie know how.
Online gaming architecture has six business aspects: the subscriber; the advertiser; the gaming platform provider; the broadband service provider; the network service provider; and the gaming content provider. It is big business—hardware revenues in 2005 are expected to be: US$ 9.4 billion with software and content revenue touching US$16.9 billion.
However, there is a downside, gaming can become addicted and affect normal life—kids stop studying, housewives neglect their daily routine, and people are tempted to play games even at work. It can lead to suicides, mental imbalance as well as destroy marriages and careers. Gamers become recluses and rarely make social contact outside their gaming groups.
Addiction studies indicate that gaming can result in: obsession, neglect, lying, socially unacceptable behaviors, carpal tunnel syndrome, dry eyes, neglect of personal hygiene, as well as sleep disorders.
Popular gaming sites include: MSN games which has 3.4 million monthly registered users ; Pogo which has 8.6 million monthly registered users; and Yahoo games which has 10.1 million registered monthly users.
Analysts predict that by 2007 online gaming will be at least 285 petabits a month, the revenue generated by online subscriptions for gaming is expected to reach US$ 650 million annually.
The future according to Peter Molyneux, is in developing games that “reward a player for “out of the box” thinking and creativity. Games must encourage players to be interactive and decide the direction the game will take.
Essential Tips on Gaming for Newbies: The World of Internet Games.
By Paul wilson
Internet games use the cyber world technology for playing. Games are extremely popular and constantly evolving.
There are:
• Games played using e-mail.
• Games played on a browser window by using a web address.
• Games played using Internet Relay Chat, Telenet, MUD client, or a Web based forum.
• Games that are graphic need stand-alone software that permits players to play with or against one another using an Internet connection.
The first game, MUD, was developed in 1978, and the market has burgeoned since then.
To play, one needs:
• A reliable Internet connection.
• A personal computer or game console.
• Selected software required by specific games.
One can play simple board games like scrabble, or bingo, or games like poker, mahjong, and pool. Another popular category is simulation games—these imitate real-life situations and cover aspects like combat, city planning, strategies, as well as flight simulation.
For serious gaming the computer performance must be optimized. This can be done by:
• Running the disk defragmenter and organizing the computer files. This should ideally be done once a month at least.
• Correct folder and file errors by using scandisk---use once a week and the computer will give trouble free performance.
• Clean your hard drives—get rid of Internet files, temporary files, as well as files in the trash/recycle bin. Clear the cache and uninstall programs that are not in everyday use.
• Update the operating system software. Download any new security patches. Keep video drivers updated.
• Clear space on the hard drive---store files on a back up system.
• Clear any spyware you have inherited from websites.
• Minimize number of programs running—when playing a graphic intensive game if there are too many programs running simultaneously the graphics will become choppy and game will be slow.
• Delete add on game files—wall papers and other paraphernalia will just clutter the computer.
• Run an anti-virus program regularly but disable it when you are loading/playing games. Antivirus programs slow down games.
• Always shut down the computer properly.
The Internet allows gamers to compete with people across oceans, on the other side of the world and anywhere in the universe. Some use PCs while others use consoles. What you use is a personal choice and depends on issues like costs and so on.
Before you buy a game you must:
• Consider “system requirements” – some games can run on systems that are not exact others need specific hardware.
• Find out if the game is single player or multi-player. Many games need the Internet—and, the broadband connection is more efficient than the dial-up connection. Many like Xbox Live only work on a broadband connection.
• Find out if the game can be played using a mouse/keyboard or whether it will need a full-featured joy stick.
Be wise and try a demo before making an actual purchase. Playing a demo benefits the player as well as game developer. Many online games offer free trial periods ---beta testing is a great opportunity to find out if the game suits your taste as well as pockets.
Do your research thoroughly—usually there are several games competing for players within a genre. Read game reviews before taking the final step.
Internet games use the cyber world technology for playing. Games are extremely popular and constantly evolving.
There are:
• Games played using e-mail.
• Games played on a browser window by using a web address.
• Games played using Internet Relay Chat, Telenet, MUD client, or a Web based forum.
• Games that are graphic need stand-alone software that permits players to play with or against one another using an Internet connection.
The first game, MUD, was developed in 1978, and the market has burgeoned since then.
To play, one needs:
• A reliable Internet connection.
• A personal computer or game console.
• Selected software required by specific games.
One can play simple board games like scrabble, or bingo, or games like poker, mahjong, and pool. Another popular category is simulation games—these imitate real-life situations and cover aspects like combat, city planning, strategies, as well as flight simulation.
For serious gaming the computer performance must be optimized. This can be done by:
• Running the disk defragmenter and organizing the computer files. This should ideally be done once a month at least.
• Correct folder and file errors by using scandisk---use once a week and the computer will give trouble free performance.
• Clean your hard drives—get rid of Internet files, temporary files, as well as files in the trash/recycle bin. Clear the cache and uninstall programs that are not in everyday use.
• Update the operating system software. Download any new security patches. Keep video drivers updated.
• Clear space on the hard drive---store files on a back up system.
• Clear any spyware you have inherited from websites.
• Minimize number of programs running—when playing a graphic intensive game if there are too many programs running simultaneously the graphics will become choppy and game will be slow.
• Delete add on game files—wall papers and other paraphernalia will just clutter the computer.
• Run an anti-virus program regularly but disable it when you are loading/playing games. Antivirus programs slow down games.
• Always shut down the computer properly.
The Internet allows gamers to compete with people across oceans, on the other side of the world and anywhere in the universe. Some use PCs while others use consoles. What you use is a personal choice and depends on issues like costs and so on.
Before you buy a game you must:
• Consider “system requirements” – some games can run on systems that are not exact others need specific hardware.
• Find out if the game is single player or multi-player. Many games need the Internet—and, the broadband connection is more efficient than the dial-up connection. Many like Xbox Live only work on a broadband connection.
• Find out if the game can be played using a mouse/keyboard or whether it will need a full-featured joy stick.
Be wise and try a demo before making an actual purchase. Playing a demo benefits the player as well as game developer. Many online games offer free trial periods ---beta testing is a great opportunity to find out if the game suits your taste as well as pockets.
Do your research thoroughly—usually there are several games competing for players within a genre. Read game reviews before taking the final step.
Internet Gaming ?�� From the MUD to the Arcade
By David S
Twenty years ago, I sat in my brother-in-law’s den watching five year old Philip soundly trounce his grandmother at his favorite game – Pac Man. After his third successive win, Phil gave his grandmother a puzzled look and asked, “Geeze, Grammy, didn’t you play Pac Man when you were a kid?”
I know that I didn’t play Pac Man as a kid. I’m from the Pong generation. I did get my chance to brush up on my ghost-eating skills for a quarter a game in the Student Union in my freshman year at college. By the time little Phil was cheating his grandmother (sly little runt had set her on Advanced while he played Easy – and forgot to mention to her that you had to EAT the power pills in order to eat the ghosts), the world of gaming was on a roll that simply gathers more momentum with each passing month. Companies like Nintendo and Sony started off by translating the arcade games to console – but soon took off in their own directions. In just ten years, the gaming industry has become one of the fastest growing and most profitable sectors of the technology industry. Interconnectivity took gaming to new heights – connecting to the Internet expands your base of competition from your neighborhood arcade to the entire world.
But connectivity didn’t necessarily mean the World Wide Web. One of the problems with playing console games written for the Playstation, the GameCube or the Xbox is that you have to OWN a console in order to play. Enter Macromedia Flash and Sun Java, the two most popular plug-ins for web browsers. Java was created to be a cross-platform programming language designed to run in your browser no matter what operating system you’re using. Macromedia’s Flash animation program is possibly the most universally supported and installed browser plug-in in the world. In just a few short years, both platforms have come a long long long way from flat bouncy ball type graphics to absolutely stunning 3-D graphics.
Not surprisingly, the first wave of web browser games powered by Flash and Java have been rewrites of some of the old favorites – from standards to retro – and some engaging if silly games like Swat the Clown. They include those that captivated many of us during those golden years of the late 70s and early 80s, and feed the current appetite for all things retro, but they’re not the only games to play online.
In fact, you’ll find everything from classic board games like Stratego to casino games to puzzles and shoot’em-ups. Some are multiplayer – many more are designed for one player against the computer – just like PC games and console games. What are the most played games online these days?
Casino Games top the ranks, with online interactive poker being one of the most popular activities on the web. It’s hard to resist the chance to gamble, and online casinos are cashing in – in spades. Still, there are plenty of places to test your skills in poker, blackjack and other casino games without spending a cent.
Retro Arcade Games are a close second. Following the trend for all things retro, a whole new generation is discovering the fun of trying to maneuver falling blocks into place before they stack to the top of the screen, and shooting up Asteroids as they get close to your space ship. If that doesn’t float your boat, there’s still Prince of Persia, Frogger, Donkey Kong and dozens of other games that once graced arcades and barrooms everywhere.
Puzzle Games overlap the classic arcade games, with such classics as Tetris, Connect 4 and Stratego straddling the line between classic board games and the best of the arcade games. They run from the fun of lining up marbles in a row to flipping over coins to wipe out an entire board of your opponent’s coins with one move in Reversi.
Sports Games never stop being fun. While fantasy football and baseball leagues keep the tycoons busy, some of us can still spend hours playing Mini Putt Golf and Pong. You can step into a batter’s cage and hit a few out of the ballpark with one of the baseball games, or go for the gold in racing, skateboarding or tennis. If you’re in a silly mood, you can play drafts with penguins as sliders, or whack-a-mole with your mouse.
No matter what your taste or pleasure, chances are that you’ll find a game to suit it online. Just fire up your browser and point it to http://www.excessively.net , and enjoy a trip back – and forth, and sideways and round and round the mazes.
Twenty years ago, I sat in my brother-in-law’s den watching five year old Philip soundly trounce his grandmother at his favorite game – Pac Man. After his third successive win, Phil gave his grandmother a puzzled look and asked, “Geeze, Grammy, didn’t you play Pac Man when you were a kid?”
I know that I didn’t play Pac Man as a kid. I’m from the Pong generation. I did get my chance to brush up on my ghost-eating skills for a quarter a game in the Student Union in my freshman year at college. By the time little Phil was cheating his grandmother (sly little runt had set her on Advanced while he played Easy – and forgot to mention to her that you had to EAT the power pills in order to eat the ghosts), the world of gaming was on a roll that simply gathers more momentum with each passing month. Companies like Nintendo and Sony started off by translating the arcade games to console – but soon took off in their own directions. In just ten years, the gaming industry has become one of the fastest growing and most profitable sectors of the technology industry. Interconnectivity took gaming to new heights – connecting to the Internet expands your base of competition from your neighborhood arcade to the entire world.
But connectivity didn’t necessarily mean the World Wide Web. One of the problems with playing console games written for the Playstation, the GameCube or the Xbox is that you have to OWN a console in order to play. Enter Macromedia Flash and Sun Java, the two most popular plug-ins for web browsers. Java was created to be a cross-platform programming language designed to run in your browser no matter what operating system you’re using. Macromedia’s Flash animation program is possibly the most universally supported and installed browser plug-in in the world. In just a few short years, both platforms have come a long long long way from flat bouncy ball type graphics to absolutely stunning 3-D graphics.
Not surprisingly, the first wave of web browser games powered by Flash and Java have been rewrites of some of the old favorites – from standards to retro – and some engaging if silly games like Swat the Clown. They include those that captivated many of us during those golden years of the late 70s and early 80s, and feed the current appetite for all things retro, but they’re not the only games to play online.
In fact, you’ll find everything from classic board games like Stratego to casino games to puzzles and shoot’em-ups. Some are multiplayer – many more are designed for one player against the computer – just like PC games and console games. What are the most played games online these days?
Casino Games top the ranks, with online interactive poker being one of the most popular activities on the web. It’s hard to resist the chance to gamble, and online casinos are cashing in – in spades. Still, there are plenty of places to test your skills in poker, blackjack and other casino games without spending a cent.
Retro Arcade Games are a close second. Following the trend for all things retro, a whole new generation is discovering the fun of trying to maneuver falling blocks into place before they stack to the top of the screen, and shooting up Asteroids as they get close to your space ship. If that doesn’t float your boat, there’s still Prince of Persia, Frogger, Donkey Kong and dozens of other games that once graced arcades and barrooms everywhere.
Puzzle Games overlap the classic arcade games, with such classics as Tetris, Connect 4 and Stratego straddling the line between classic board games and the best of the arcade games. They run from the fun of lining up marbles in a row to flipping over coins to wipe out an entire board of your opponent’s coins with one move in Reversi.
Sports Games never stop being fun. While fantasy football and baseball leagues keep the tycoons busy, some of us can still spend hours playing Mini Putt Golf and Pong. You can step into a batter’s cage and hit a few out of the ballpark with one of the baseball games, or go for the gold in racing, skateboarding or tennis. If you’re in a silly mood, you can play drafts with penguins as sliders, or whack-a-mole with your mouse.
No matter what your taste or pleasure, chances are that you’ll find a game to suit it online. Just fire up your browser and point it to http://www.excessively.net , and enjoy a trip back – and forth, and sideways and round and round the mazes.
The old School poker style
By Nick S
GIossary :
BLUFF:to bet big with a poor hand to fool opponents
ACES UP: a hand with two pairs in which the high pair , into folding.
is Aces. You can use this expression for other cards.
For example, if you had a pair of Kings and a pair of BOARD, ON THE: The cards that are exposed to all play 4s you could say, “Two pair, King high” or ‘Two pair, ers. The center cards in community games such as
Kings over 4” Omaha and Hold ‘ em or the up cards in a stud game.
ADVERTISE: to deliberately bluff and expose yourself BOAT, OR FULL BOAT: a full house.
as a loose player.
BULLET: an ace.
ALL-IN: to bet all your remaining chips. A more com mo
occurrence in high-stakes poker, particularly in BUMP: to raise. “I’ll see your $10 and bump you
tournaments, another $10.”
ANTE: an amount, decided before playing begins, that BUST: a hand that failed to materialize into
each player puts in the pot before the game begins. anything good.
BAD BEAT: when you play the correct odds but lose to BUY-IN: the minimum money needed to sit in on a game. a lucky hand. It happens.
BET INTO: to bet before someone whose hand appears better or who made a high bet the previous round.
BIG BLIND: a compulsory ante made by the person sitting two away from the dealer’s left. Commonly used in Hold ‘em. See Blind.
BLIND: compulsory ante made by the player on the dealer’s left. Again, common in Hold em. Also, a bet made before looking at the cards. See Big Blind.
CALL: to match a previous bet. FOUR-FLUSH OR
FOUR-STRAIGHT: a hand with either
four cards of the same suit or four cards in sequence.
CHASE: to look for one specific card, or cards, in the Until these hands are “filled” with a fifth card, they
hopes of improving your hand. are worthless.
CHECK-RAISE: to check with a strong hand in the
FOURTH STREET: in community poker, the fourth card hopes of raising when the betting comes back around. to be exposed. In stud games, the fourth card dealt.
A controversial strategy. Also known as “sandbagging.” See Turn.
CINCH: a hand that cannot lose. Also known as a
FOUR TITS: a pair of Queens. Also known as a
“lock” or “nuts.” “Siegfried and Roy.”
COMMUNITY GAMES: games such as Hold ‘em, HI-
LOW: in Hi-low games, the highest and lowest
Omaha, or Cincinnati, where players share a number hands split the pot.
of cards from the board.
HOLE CARDS: concealed cards in stud or community
CONNECTED CARDS: cards that are in consecutive games such as Hold ‘em or Omaha.
order, for instance 4-5 or Q-K.
IN: if you call all bets, you’re still “in” a hand.
DEALER’S CHOICE: playing with a rotating dealer who
chooses the game. INSIDE STRAIGHT: a four-straight where you need one
specific card to fill a straight. For instance, 9-1O-Q-K.
FIFTH STREET: in Hold ‘em or Omaha, the fifth and Chasing an inside straight can be risky. See Open-
final card to be turned over. In seven-card stud, the ended straight.
fifth card dealt. See River.
KICKER: another card, usually high, that strengthens
FLOP: in Hold ‘em or Omaha, the first three cards on your hand but does not contribute to a pair or better.
the board to be exposed. A hand of 1O-1O-A-6-4 would be a “pair of lOs with
an Ace kicker.”
FOLD: to quit a hand.
LIMIT POKER: a game in which maximum bet limits
RIVER: the final card exposed in a community game.
are established. I See Fifth Street.
LDCK: see Cinch. SANDBAGGING: see Check-raise.
LOOSE: a loose player is someone who bets recklessly SEE: to see a bet means to call or match the previous.
in defiance of the odds. See Tight.
SHOWDDWN: the point at which players expose
MAKE: to make the deck means to shuffle. their hands to determine the winner.
MUCK: where discarded or folded cards go.
SIEGFRIED AND ROY: see Four Tits.
NUTS: see Cinch. STAND PAT: to not take any cards from the deck in a
draw game.
OPEN: to make the first bet in a game.
STEAL: taking the pot with a poor hand by bluffing
OPEN-ENDED STRAIGHT: four cards in sequence that your opponents into folding.
can become a straight with two different cards on
either end. For instance, 8-9-1O-J (a 7 or Q would fill STREAK: a run of good or bad cards.
the straight). See Inside straight.
STUD: a game in which each player is dealt a card or
POT ODDS: the ratio of money in the pot to the cards facedown followed by up cards.
money you must put in to stay in the hand.
Calculating pot odds is a good way to figure if it SUITED: cards of the same suit. if you are dealt the
is worth staying in a hand. Ace and King of spades you have “Ace-King” suited.
RAISE: to increase the amount of the previous bet. TELL: a mannerism that gives away a player’s hand.
“Ill see your $5 and raise you another $10.”
See Bump. TIGHT: a conservative player who usually only bets
when his hand is strong. See Loose.
TRIPS: three of a kind.
TURN: in a community game, the tourth card turned over. See Fourth Street.
UNSUITED: cards at different suits.
UP CARD: a card exposed to the table.
WIRED: a pair in the hole. For example, in a sevencard stud game, it your two down cards are Kings, you’ve got “Kings wired.”
GIossary :
BLUFF:to bet big with a poor hand to fool opponents
ACES UP: a hand with two pairs in which the high pair , into folding.
is Aces. You can use this expression for other cards.
For example, if you had a pair of Kings and a pair of BOARD, ON THE: The cards that are exposed to all play 4s you could say, “Two pair, King high” or ‘Two pair, ers. The center cards in community games such as
Kings over 4” Omaha and Hold ‘ em or the up cards in a stud game.
ADVERTISE: to deliberately bluff and expose yourself BOAT, OR FULL BOAT: a full house.
as a loose player.
BULLET: an ace.
ALL-IN: to bet all your remaining chips. A more com mo
occurrence in high-stakes poker, particularly in BUMP: to raise. “I’ll see your $10 and bump you
tournaments, another $10.”
ANTE: an amount, decided before playing begins, that BUST: a hand that failed to materialize into
each player puts in the pot before the game begins. anything good.
BAD BEAT: when you play the correct odds but lose to BUY-IN: the minimum money needed to sit in on a game. a lucky hand. It happens.
BET INTO: to bet before someone whose hand appears better or who made a high bet the previous round.
BIG BLIND: a compulsory ante made by the person sitting two away from the dealer’s left. Commonly used in Hold ‘em. See Blind.
BLIND: compulsory ante made by the player on the dealer’s left. Again, common in Hold em. Also, a bet made before looking at the cards. See Big Blind.
CALL: to match a previous bet. FOUR-FLUSH OR
FOUR-STRAIGHT: a hand with either
four cards of the same suit or four cards in sequence.
CHASE: to look for one specific card, or cards, in the Until these hands are “filled” with a fifth card, they
hopes of improving your hand. are worthless.
CHECK-RAISE: to check with a strong hand in the
FOURTH STREET: in community poker, the fourth card hopes of raising when the betting comes back around. to be exposed. In stud games, the fourth card dealt.
A controversial strategy. Also known as “sandbagging.” See Turn.
CINCH: a hand that cannot lose. Also known as a
FOUR TITS: a pair of Queens. Also known as a
“lock” or “nuts.” “Siegfried and Roy.”
COMMUNITY GAMES: games such as Hold ‘em, HI-
LOW: in Hi-low games, the highest and lowest
Omaha, or Cincinnati, where players share a number hands split the pot.
of cards from the board.
HOLE CARDS: concealed cards in stud or community
CONNECTED CARDS: cards that are in consecutive games such as Hold ‘em or Omaha.
order, for instance 4-5 or Q-K.
IN: if you call all bets, you’re still “in” a hand.
DEALER’S CHOICE: playing with a rotating dealer who
chooses the game. INSIDE STRAIGHT: a four-straight where you need one
specific card to fill a straight. For instance, 9-1O-Q-K.
FIFTH STREET: in Hold ‘em or Omaha, the fifth and Chasing an inside straight can be risky. See Open-
final card to be turned over. In seven-card stud, the ended straight.
fifth card dealt. See River.
KICKER: another card, usually high, that strengthens
FLOP: in Hold ‘em or Omaha, the first three cards on your hand but does not contribute to a pair or better.
the board to be exposed. A hand of 1O-1O-A-6-4 would be a “pair of lOs with
an Ace kicker.”
FOLD: to quit a hand.
LIMIT POKER: a game in which maximum bet limits
RIVER: the final card exposed in a community game.
are established. I See Fifth Street.
LDCK: see Cinch. SANDBAGGING: see Check-raise.
LOOSE: a loose player is someone who bets recklessly SEE: to see a bet means to call or match the previous.
in defiance of the odds. See Tight.
SHOWDDWN: the point at which players expose
MAKE: to make the deck means to shuffle. their hands to determine the winner.
MUCK: where discarded or folded cards go.
SIEGFRIED AND ROY: see Four Tits.
NUTS: see Cinch. STAND PAT: to not take any cards from the deck in a
draw game.
OPEN: to make the first bet in a game.
STEAL: taking the pot with a poor hand by bluffing
OPEN-ENDED STRAIGHT: four cards in sequence that your opponents into folding.
can become a straight with two different cards on
either end. For instance, 8-9-1O-J (a 7 or Q would fill STREAK: a run of good or bad cards.
the straight). See Inside straight.
STUD: a game in which each player is dealt a card or
POT ODDS: the ratio of money in the pot to the cards facedown followed by up cards.
money you must put in to stay in the hand.
Calculating pot odds is a good way to figure if it SUITED: cards of the same suit. if you are dealt the
is worth staying in a hand. Ace and King of spades you have “Ace-King” suited.
RAISE: to increase the amount of the previous bet. TELL: a mannerism that gives away a player’s hand.
“Ill see your $5 and raise you another $10.”
See Bump. TIGHT: a conservative player who usually only bets
when his hand is strong. See Loose.
TRIPS: three of a kind.
TURN: in a community game, the tourth card turned over. See Fourth Street.
UNSUITED: cards at different suits.
UP CARD: a card exposed to the table.
WIRED: a pair in the hole. For example, in a sevencard stud game, it your two down cards are Kings, you’ve got “Kings wired.”
Video Games online rentals vs. storefront rentals
By John Hinkle
Storefront rentals had been to be the only dominating market for 12+ years now when you wanted to rent video games, ever since the conception of the VCR. Many businesses have taken their company online due to the fact that startup costs are remarkably lower compared to storefront costs and they can virtually expand their business to an entire nation or worldwide within a few short months. Why not expand the same concept for movies and game rentals? It was only a matter of time.
Depending on where you live and the geographics of that area, I can definately say that this will cause a great influence on where you choose to rent video games. Many rental companies can be found within a few miles of your home, but others are found at distances that you may not want to particularly travel everytime you need to return a game.
Fast and reliable service is a huge factor for most people living in the information age. Everything has to be now and fast these days. So lets look at a few factors that will help you make your decision a little easier. Convienance, games in stock, game formats, availability , pricing, and customer service are the general factors we take into consideration for any movie or game rental company. Lets look at each one:
CONVIENANCE- If you live in a rural location, then, online game rentals is without a doubt your best bet. To travel anymore than 8 miles out of your way to rent anything is more than most people have time for. Being able to recieve your rentals at your doorstep, in the country, is a huge benefit to online game rentals.
If you live in more a a urban or suburban neighborhood, then locations of your nearest branch will determine this for you, but you can never truly beat games delivered to your front door everyday, even if you have one mile to travel. Being able to pickup your game in your pajamas or bath robe without getting dressed to go to your local store is laziness and convienance at its best. WINNER: ONLINE RENTALS!
GAMES IN STOCK - This can vary from store to store, but for the most part they are all about the same. Most larger stores (Hollywood Video and Blockbuster) can carry a stock of 50-100 games at a time. This number doesnt even come close to the stock of games that are carried by online rental clubs. We are looking at 2000 games at the very lowest on up to 3500 + games at the high end of the table. You are also more likely to find more older and newer games available to rent at anytime. WINNER: ONLINE RENTALS!
AVAILABILITY- I've never really felt like i've had too much of a choice when it comes to renting at stores. It was more of a deduction of what was left to choose from at the time you made it there. When it comes to online rentals, you can practically play any game that you ever wanted to play at anytime. There, of coarse are a few games from time to time that you may have a short wait attached, but during those times, you will easily be able to choose another game from the thousands listed. Once that particular sought after game is available, you will know about it whenever you log into your account, instantly. WINNER: ONLINE RENTALS!
GAMES FORMATS- Even though I have always thought that having PS2, Xbox, and Gamecube games available was quite a selection at the local rental stores, I didnt even know how good it could get until online rentals introduced their selection. Not only does online rentals contain the 3 major consoles, but they also have such portable game rentals as Gameboy Advance, PSP, and Nintendo DS. Many of the larger online stores are offering XBOX 360 and PS3 games as well for the next generation as soon as the consoles come out. WINNER: ONLINE RENTALS!
PRICING- Renting games has always been somewhat cheap ($5-$8), but it can definately add up depending on your rental frequency. If you are renting more than 5-6 a month, on top of late fees, which is bound to happen from time to time, then you may be out-of-pocket sooner than expected. Online rentals make it easy for you. Rent X amount of games and keep them as long as you want for only X amount. Game prices fluctuate from game plan to plan, but these prices are still far more lower than you'll ever find at your local store. Check out the pricing here. WINNER: ONLINE RENTALS!
CUSTOMER SERVICE- Waiting in lines and dealing with crowds and irritable employees to rent video games is enough to drive anyone mad. This in itself can make you not want to deal with your local rental store at any cost. On the other hand, online rentals do not have lines, crowded stores, or irritable employees to deal with, so that experience is elminated altogether! Just select a movie from your browser and wait 1-3 business days for delivery and thats it. If you ever have troubles or problems with recieving or returning games, email customer service and your inquiry will be returned within 24 hours. Some of these online rental companies even have phone support! WINNER: ONLINE RENTALS!
For Expert Reviews on Video Game Rental Clubs located all over the US, visit us at http://www.GameRentalGuide.com/reviews.htm
Storefront rentals had been to be the only dominating market for 12+ years now when you wanted to rent video games, ever since the conception of the VCR. Many businesses have taken their company online due to the fact that startup costs are remarkably lower compared to storefront costs and they can virtually expand their business to an entire nation or worldwide within a few short months. Why not expand the same concept for movies and game rentals? It was only a matter of time.
Depending on where you live and the geographics of that area, I can definately say that this will cause a great influence on where you choose to rent video games. Many rental companies can be found within a few miles of your home, but others are found at distances that you may not want to particularly travel everytime you need to return a game.
Fast and reliable service is a huge factor for most people living in the information age. Everything has to be now and fast these days. So lets look at a few factors that will help you make your decision a little easier. Convienance, games in stock, game formats, availability , pricing, and customer service are the general factors we take into consideration for any movie or game rental company. Lets look at each one:
CONVIENANCE- If you live in a rural location, then, online game rentals is without a doubt your best bet. To travel anymore than 8 miles out of your way to rent anything is more than most people have time for. Being able to recieve your rentals at your doorstep, in the country, is a huge benefit to online game rentals.
If you live in more a a urban or suburban neighborhood, then locations of your nearest branch will determine this for you, but you can never truly beat games delivered to your front door everyday, even if you have one mile to travel. Being able to pickup your game in your pajamas or bath robe without getting dressed to go to your local store is laziness and convienance at its best. WINNER: ONLINE RENTALS!
GAMES IN STOCK - This can vary from store to store, but for the most part they are all about the same. Most larger stores (Hollywood Video and Blockbuster) can carry a stock of 50-100 games at a time. This number doesnt even come close to the stock of games that are carried by online rental clubs. We are looking at 2000 games at the very lowest on up to 3500 + games at the high end of the table. You are also more likely to find more older and newer games available to rent at anytime. WINNER: ONLINE RENTALS!
AVAILABILITY- I've never really felt like i've had too much of a choice when it comes to renting at stores. It was more of a deduction of what was left to choose from at the time you made it there. When it comes to online rentals, you can practically play any game that you ever wanted to play at anytime. There, of coarse are a few games from time to time that you may have a short wait attached, but during those times, you will easily be able to choose another game from the thousands listed. Once that particular sought after game is available, you will know about it whenever you log into your account, instantly. WINNER: ONLINE RENTALS!
GAMES FORMATS- Even though I have always thought that having PS2, Xbox, and Gamecube games available was quite a selection at the local rental stores, I didnt even know how good it could get until online rentals introduced their selection. Not only does online rentals contain the 3 major consoles, but they also have such portable game rentals as Gameboy Advance, PSP, and Nintendo DS. Many of the larger online stores are offering XBOX 360 and PS3 games as well for the next generation as soon as the consoles come out. WINNER: ONLINE RENTALS!
PRICING- Renting games has always been somewhat cheap ($5-$8), but it can definately add up depending on your rental frequency. If you are renting more than 5-6 a month, on top of late fees, which is bound to happen from time to time, then you may be out-of-pocket sooner than expected. Online rentals make it easy for you. Rent X amount of games and keep them as long as you want for only X amount. Game prices fluctuate from game plan to plan, but these prices are still far more lower than you'll ever find at your local store. Check out the pricing here. WINNER: ONLINE RENTALS!
CUSTOMER SERVICE- Waiting in lines and dealing with crowds and irritable employees to rent video games is enough to drive anyone mad. This in itself can make you not want to deal with your local rental store at any cost. On the other hand, online rentals do not have lines, crowded stores, or irritable employees to deal with, so that experience is elminated altogether! Just select a movie from your browser and wait 1-3 business days for delivery and thats it. If you ever have troubles or problems with recieving or returning games, email customer service and your inquiry will be returned within 24 hours. Some of these online rental companies even have phone support! WINNER: ONLINE RENTALS!
For Expert Reviews on Video Game Rental Clubs located all over the US, visit us at http://www.GameRentalGuide.com/reviews.htm
History of World of Warcraft
By Hunter Crowell
World of Warcraft stands as the greatest game in the popular Warcraft series
World of Warcraft has been an extraordinary success since its launch in November 2004. It has impressed game critics and has captivated millions of players, who adore the world that the game has created. It is no longer just a game but is now a genuine phenomenon, and one that shows no signs of abating. It is one of the key games of recent times, and stands as a landmark title for online gaming.
World of Warcraft’s appeal lies in that it has created a truly engaging online world. This massively multiplayer online role-playing game is set in the world of Azeroth, a fantastic land that is filled with heroes and monsters and many other creatures. The game’s strength is that it functions as an experience, as a world that exists on its own terms that you may visit and explore as you please.
World of Warcraft is the 4th title in the series of Warcraft games, which have been entertaining people for over a decade. The series began in 1994 with the game Warcraft: Orcs and Humans, a real time strategy game set in Azeroth. This was a fine title, and a good introduction to the series, but in truth the franchise was just getting started. The best was still to come.
Indeed, it wasn’t until 1995 and the release of the second game, Warcraft 2: Tides of Darkness, that the series really found its voice. Warcraft 2 was a masterpiece, and it improved on the original in every sense. The game had beautiful graphics, epic storytelling and fascinating, absorbing gameplay. The high standards of the series continued in 2002, with the release of Warcraft 3: Reign of Chaos. This was another classic and a remarkable game in its own right. The predecessors of World of Warcraft were all superb.
Blizzard Entertainment published all of the Warcraft titles, and the games attracted a huge following. When Blizzard announced that there was going to be a 4th game in the series, it was natural that people were interested. This interest intensified when it emerged that the new Warcraft title was going to be an online multiplayer game. World of Warcraft would make Azeroth more interactive and redefine it as an experience.
The fans of the series had high expectations for World of Warcraft, as it promised to be a terrific and innovative new title. Blizzard held a beta test for the game in March 2004, and gave selected players a preview. Those who played it were very impressed and it received great reviews. The anticipation for the game’s release grew stronger as 2004 went on.
World of Warcraft was officially launched in North America on Tuesday the 23rd of November 2004. It was well received by critics. The launch was a major success, and it achieved huge sales on its first day of release. Blizzard estimated that 240,000 copies were sold in the first day alone. These were record numbers for a game of this genre and so World of Warcraft became the fastest-selling online game in history. It was a smash hit.
World of Warcraft sustained this success; in fact, the popularity of the game began to snowball. It really took off and caught the public imagination, with more and more people becoming enthralled with it. 2005 saw the game explode into a global obsession. In February it was launched in Europe and in June it was launched in China, with other countries following suit. It proved hugely popular everywhere it was released, and by 2005’s close it had more than five million subscribers worldwide.
World of Warcraft has evolved since its initial release. There have been a number of updates for the game, and the universe of Azeroth has grown. Blizzard have made improvements, fixed any problems, and have worked to make the game user-friendly. They have also expanded the game, by adding sections like Blackwing Lair, for example, the dungeon lair of Nefarion, one of the villains in the game.
In June 2005, Blizzard added major player versus player content in the form of two special battlegrounds, Alterac Valley and Warsong Gulch. Alterac Valley allows players to engage in battles of 40 on 40 people, while Warsong Gulch offers new challenges, like stealing your opponent’s flag from their camp. These battlegrounds are the most substantial update to World of Warcraft since it was released.
Now, in 2006, World of Warcraft is as popular as ever. An expansion, titled The Burning Crusade, is set for release this year, and should expand the world of Azeroth even further. World of Warcraft has become the pinnacle of the Warcraft series, and is a magnificent and distinctive game.
Read more about the game at World of Warcraft Gold Price List Guide. http://www.world-of-warcraft-gold.com
World of Warcraft stands as the greatest game in the popular Warcraft series
World of Warcraft has been an extraordinary success since its launch in November 2004. It has impressed game critics and has captivated millions of players, who adore the world that the game has created. It is no longer just a game but is now a genuine phenomenon, and one that shows no signs of abating. It is one of the key games of recent times, and stands as a landmark title for online gaming.
World of Warcraft’s appeal lies in that it has created a truly engaging online world. This massively multiplayer online role-playing game is set in the world of Azeroth, a fantastic land that is filled with heroes and monsters and many other creatures. The game’s strength is that it functions as an experience, as a world that exists on its own terms that you may visit and explore as you please.
World of Warcraft is the 4th title in the series of Warcraft games, which have been entertaining people for over a decade. The series began in 1994 with the game Warcraft: Orcs and Humans, a real time strategy game set in Azeroth. This was a fine title, and a good introduction to the series, but in truth the franchise was just getting started. The best was still to come.
Indeed, it wasn’t until 1995 and the release of the second game, Warcraft 2: Tides of Darkness, that the series really found its voice. Warcraft 2 was a masterpiece, and it improved on the original in every sense. The game had beautiful graphics, epic storytelling and fascinating, absorbing gameplay. The high standards of the series continued in 2002, with the release of Warcraft 3: Reign of Chaos. This was another classic and a remarkable game in its own right. The predecessors of World of Warcraft were all superb.
Blizzard Entertainment published all of the Warcraft titles, and the games attracted a huge following. When Blizzard announced that there was going to be a 4th game in the series, it was natural that people were interested. This interest intensified when it emerged that the new Warcraft title was going to be an online multiplayer game. World of Warcraft would make Azeroth more interactive and redefine it as an experience.
The fans of the series had high expectations for World of Warcraft, as it promised to be a terrific and innovative new title. Blizzard held a beta test for the game in March 2004, and gave selected players a preview. Those who played it were very impressed and it received great reviews. The anticipation for the game’s release grew stronger as 2004 went on.
World of Warcraft was officially launched in North America on Tuesday the 23rd of November 2004. It was well received by critics. The launch was a major success, and it achieved huge sales on its first day of release. Blizzard estimated that 240,000 copies were sold in the first day alone. These were record numbers for a game of this genre and so World of Warcraft became the fastest-selling online game in history. It was a smash hit.
World of Warcraft sustained this success; in fact, the popularity of the game began to snowball. It really took off and caught the public imagination, with more and more people becoming enthralled with it. 2005 saw the game explode into a global obsession. In February it was launched in Europe and in June it was launched in China, with other countries following suit. It proved hugely popular everywhere it was released, and by 2005’s close it had more than five million subscribers worldwide.
World of Warcraft has evolved since its initial release. There have been a number of updates for the game, and the universe of Azeroth has grown. Blizzard have made improvements, fixed any problems, and have worked to make the game user-friendly. They have also expanded the game, by adding sections like Blackwing Lair, for example, the dungeon lair of Nefarion, one of the villains in the game.
In June 2005, Blizzard added major player versus player content in the form of two special battlegrounds, Alterac Valley and Warsong Gulch. Alterac Valley allows players to engage in battles of 40 on 40 people, while Warsong Gulch offers new challenges, like stealing your opponent’s flag from their camp. These battlegrounds are the most substantial update to World of Warcraft since it was released.
Now, in 2006, World of Warcraft is as popular as ever. An expansion, titled The Burning Crusade, is set for release this year, and should expand the world of Azeroth even further. World of Warcraft has become the pinnacle of the Warcraft series, and is a magnificent and distinctive game.
Read more about the game at World of Warcraft Gold Price List Guide. http://www.world-of-warcraft-gold.com
Role of The Druid WOW
By Hunter Crowell
Of the many different character classes in WOW, each having a different accepted role, there is one lauded as superior by those who play them, and scoffed at by those around them. There are a few responsibilities that must be filled for a group of adventurers to succeed in a dungeon. There must be a “tank,” someone who gets the attention of the monsters they are attempting to kill. A healer is important to keep the group alive. There are damage dealers who are primarily responsible for slaying the monsters in melee or from a distance. Characters in charge of crowd control stall certain targets to make taking down others easier.
Each class generally fills one role with ease and can switch to another if it is needed. The Warrior, for example, is first and foremost a tank. Warriors are given the most abilities to generate and maintain the focus of the foe. But in a group with two warriors, or if another class wants to try their hand at tanking, the warrior can be used as a damage dealer. The WOW Paladin, normally used in instances as a healer and support character, can generate cause enough threat to hold the targets attention.
The Druids of Azeroth, made up of the Night Elf and Tauren populations, have an interesting mix of abilities. To WOW, they are the shape shifting Jack of all Trades. They can heal the party, with efficiency topped only by the Priest. In Cat Form they can deal melee damage and sneak around their enemies with the guile of a Rogue. If shifted into Bear Form, they are capable of performing tanking roll of a Warrior. While in Moonkin Form, they can dole out massive damage by raining down arcane and nature spells on the target. This wide range of abilities makes the druid the ideal member of any party, if one person fails, the druid can switch over to the vacated role and pick up the slack.
This is not often how the party views the situation, however. In small instance groups of five people, the druid is often taken only if they are willing to be a healer, despite their versatility. A druid desiring to fill another role, especially the popular role of damage dealing, is shunned. The WOW developers gave druids certain abilities, such as moon fire or faerie fire, which are very visible spells. These spells have beneficial effects for the group, but a druid casting them on a target will often be ridiculed from the party for ‘wasting mana’ that should be reserved for healing.
The issue stems from two major problems in WOW. The first is the lack of healer classes. There is only one class out of eight on each faction that is a dedicated healer, the Priest. There are two other classes on each side that are capable of healing, the Paladin for Alliance and Shaman for Horde, then the Druid. The low amount of available healers leads to less players playing them, which feeds right into the next dilemma. The second problem being that most players are too shortsighted to see beyond the Druids healing ability. There are many people with the immutable mindset that if a druid can heal, he should heal. While they are an effective healer, they are quite effective at every other role they can fill as well.
No one would ever accuse Blizzard entertainment of being hasty with their decisions. WOW and their other games have had their release dates pushed back many times. In the past hardcore fans of Blizzard’s work know that this delay is for the best, the company labors to produce the finest quality product. The Druid went through months of internal testing and balancing before the concept became a reality. By giving the druid all the basic abilities of a rogue, a warrior, a mage and a priest, it is quite clear they had a greater intention for the class than staple healer.
Of the many different character classes in WOW, each having a different accepted role, there is one lauded as superior by those who play them, and scoffed at by those around them. There are a few responsibilities that must be filled for a group of adventurers to succeed in a dungeon. There must be a “tank,” someone who gets the attention of the monsters they are attempting to kill. A healer is important to keep the group alive. There are damage dealers who are primarily responsible for slaying the monsters in melee or from a distance. Characters in charge of crowd control stall certain targets to make taking down others easier.
Each class generally fills one role with ease and can switch to another if it is needed. The Warrior, for example, is first and foremost a tank. Warriors are given the most abilities to generate and maintain the focus of the foe. But in a group with two warriors, or if another class wants to try their hand at tanking, the warrior can be used as a damage dealer. The WOW Paladin, normally used in instances as a healer and support character, can generate cause enough threat to hold the targets attention.
The Druids of Azeroth, made up of the Night Elf and Tauren populations, have an interesting mix of abilities. To WOW, they are the shape shifting Jack of all Trades. They can heal the party, with efficiency topped only by the Priest. In Cat Form they can deal melee damage and sneak around their enemies with the guile of a Rogue. If shifted into Bear Form, they are capable of performing tanking roll of a Warrior. While in Moonkin Form, they can dole out massive damage by raining down arcane and nature spells on the target. This wide range of abilities makes the druid the ideal member of any party, if one person fails, the druid can switch over to the vacated role and pick up the slack.
This is not often how the party views the situation, however. In small instance groups of five people, the druid is often taken only if they are willing to be a healer, despite their versatility. A druid desiring to fill another role, especially the popular role of damage dealing, is shunned. The WOW developers gave druids certain abilities, such as moon fire or faerie fire, which are very visible spells. These spells have beneficial effects for the group, but a druid casting them on a target will often be ridiculed from the party for ‘wasting mana’ that should be reserved for healing.
The issue stems from two major problems in WOW. The first is the lack of healer classes. There is only one class out of eight on each faction that is a dedicated healer, the Priest. There are two other classes on each side that are capable of healing, the Paladin for Alliance and Shaman for Horde, then the Druid. The low amount of available healers leads to less players playing them, which feeds right into the next dilemma. The second problem being that most players are too shortsighted to see beyond the Druids healing ability. There are many people with the immutable mindset that if a druid can heal, he should heal. While they are an effective healer, they are quite effective at every other role they can fill as well.
No one would ever accuse Blizzard entertainment of being hasty with their decisions. WOW and their other games have had their release dates pushed back many times. In the past hardcore fans of Blizzard’s work know that this delay is for the best, the company labors to produce the finest quality product. The Druid went through months of internal testing and balancing before the concept became a reality. By giving the druid all the basic abilities of a rogue, a warrior, a mage and a priest, it is quite clear they had a greater intention for the class than staple healer.
World of Warcraft Power Leveling vs. Accounts
By Ruibo Chen
There are many advantages and disvantages to buying a World of Warcraft powerleveling or a used World of Warcraft account. They both serve similar purposes in which you can start playing at a much higher level rather than starting fresh at level 1.
If you buy a WoW power leveling session you are basically just hiring players to level up your character in which can save you time. Power leveling sessions are really cheap, normally alot less than the $5/hr minimum wage offered in the US because most of the workers who are leveling are based in China. Not only that but they normally are able to level faster than the average player considering they have workers rotating shifts along with many many practices in the game. One of the best part of leveling a brand new character is that you will have a fresh reputation of the character and you would be able to name the character as you like. You can even have the character trained the way you want as well. The disadvantage of a WoW power leveling session is that during the session you wouldn't be able to log on and play the character until its been completed. So for a little downtime you get to have your character at the level you want at next to maximum speed.
Buying a used World of Warcraft account is very similar to power leveling. The advantage is that your character will likely be geard with some nice equipment and you won't need to spend the time waiting for the character to be leveled. It's a faster option of power leveling. But unlike power leveling, you won't have some privileges if you buy a used account such as naming the character with what you want and training the character the way you prefer. Along with that you may have to live with the reputation that the previous owner lived up to. It may be good but not always. It's a little risk that comes with it.
Both methods are great, as for pricing, I would think a used account would cost less since. Power levelers usually have their own rate as to a player quitting the game and selling their account. If you prefer to have a more fresh start, go with power leveling. If you prefer the speed then a used account would be optional but of course you would need to spend the time finding the account as well.
There are many advantages and disvantages to buying a World of Warcraft powerleveling or a used World of Warcraft account. They both serve similar purposes in which you can start playing at a much higher level rather than starting fresh at level 1.
If you buy a WoW power leveling session you are basically just hiring players to level up your character in which can save you time. Power leveling sessions are really cheap, normally alot less than the $5/hr minimum wage offered in the US because most of the workers who are leveling are based in China. Not only that but they normally are able to level faster than the average player considering they have workers rotating shifts along with many many practices in the game. One of the best part of leveling a brand new character is that you will have a fresh reputation of the character and you would be able to name the character as you like. You can even have the character trained the way you want as well. The disadvantage of a WoW power leveling session is that during the session you wouldn't be able to log on and play the character until its been completed. So for a little downtime you get to have your character at the level you want at next to maximum speed.
Buying a used World of Warcraft account is very similar to power leveling. The advantage is that your character will likely be geard with some nice equipment and you won't need to spend the time waiting for the character to be leveled. It's a faster option of power leveling. But unlike power leveling, you won't have some privileges if you buy a used account such as naming the character with what you want and training the character the way you prefer. Along with that you may have to live with the reputation that the previous owner lived up to. It may be good but not always. It's a little risk that comes with it.
Both methods are great, as for pricing, I would think a used account would cost less since. Power levelers usually have their own rate as to a player quitting the game and selling their account. If you prefer to have a more fresh start, go with power leveling. If you prefer the speed then a used account would be optional but of course you would need to spend the time finding the account as well.
Gaming Has a Positive Side
By Paul wilson
Gaming is not just about revenue, addiction, gamers, and so on. A game being an expression of technology, developing cultural norms, and a world wide phenomenon that transcends all boundaries, becomes a source of study.
Games are not mere toys, they promote:
• Information literacy. Players download text files, make notes, they also take “screen shots” of the game and upload it with their comments. A group then examines the suggestions and discussions emerge on strategies as well as required improvements or changes. Knowledge creation and rapid sharing is common to digital spaces. People of all ages and ethnicities from around the world pool their understanding and resources to solve problems.
• Curiosity and a thirst to find out more. Leading to the development of learning. Players pool thoughts and resources and try and work out how different elements function. Individual skills are sharpened using pooled resources.
• Development of well developed research skills and the use of a huge mind boggling variety of resources. For games like “Lineage” a player would need to become a member of a 100 or more strong clan and in order to protect his castle or carry out sieges he or she needs to manipulate text, images, research equipment use, draw out maps, manage resources, design strategies, create and maintain treasuries, write down facts, theories, and proposals, as well as design workable models.
• Social interaction and exchange of ideas and thoughts especially in multiplayer online games.
• An understanding of world history. A few games are based on civilizations and take players as far back as 4000 BCE leading them through different developmental stages of the world with the creation of cities, temples, libraries, granaries, railroads and more. Many games are map based and re-enact actual events that have taken place in the world.
• The setting up of virtual learning to explore new game related technologies, new gaming elements, and modes of play with peers. In fact, “Civilization” aficionados created “Give peace a Chance” in which players learn about wining by using non violence.
• Interpretation of data and lateral thinking. Players spend long hours absorbed in researching information, searching high and low for tips, cheats, and tricks, developing what are known as walkthroughs.
• Curiosity and sets the wheels of the mind clicking leading to innovations in design, software programming, graphics, strategies, and more.
• Team work, a sharing of ideas, as well as collective problem solving.
• Competitiveness a thirst to succeed and win.
In depth research has proven that gaming plays a role in increasing self esteem, and is motivational in many ways. Children who play games perform better at comprehension, spelling, and math.
Gee, Squire, and Stienkuehler, University of Wisconsin-Madison professors, are studying learning through game playing and the advantages of gaming over traditional teaching tools truly believe that gaming has woven within its matrix important learning technologies. Learning in the e-learning world of virtual gaming is hands on, interactive, has no restrictions or boundaries, promotes collaborative working, problem solving, creating a new generation of leaders.
Gaming is not just about revenue, addiction, gamers, and so on. A game being an expression of technology, developing cultural norms, and a world wide phenomenon that transcends all boundaries, becomes a source of study.
Games are not mere toys, they promote:
• Information literacy. Players download text files, make notes, they also take “screen shots” of the game and upload it with their comments. A group then examines the suggestions and discussions emerge on strategies as well as required improvements or changes. Knowledge creation and rapid sharing is common to digital spaces. People of all ages and ethnicities from around the world pool their understanding and resources to solve problems.
• Curiosity and a thirst to find out more. Leading to the development of learning. Players pool thoughts and resources and try and work out how different elements function. Individual skills are sharpened using pooled resources.
• Development of well developed research skills and the use of a huge mind boggling variety of resources. For games like “Lineage” a player would need to become a member of a 100 or more strong clan and in order to protect his castle or carry out sieges he or she needs to manipulate text, images, research equipment use, draw out maps, manage resources, design strategies, create and maintain treasuries, write down facts, theories, and proposals, as well as design workable models.
• Social interaction and exchange of ideas and thoughts especially in multiplayer online games.
• An understanding of world history. A few games are based on civilizations and take players as far back as 4000 BCE leading them through different developmental stages of the world with the creation of cities, temples, libraries, granaries, railroads and more. Many games are map based and re-enact actual events that have taken place in the world.
• The setting up of virtual learning to explore new game related technologies, new gaming elements, and modes of play with peers. In fact, “Civilization” aficionados created “Give peace a Chance” in which players learn about wining by using non violence.
• Interpretation of data and lateral thinking. Players spend long hours absorbed in researching information, searching high and low for tips, cheats, and tricks, developing what are known as walkthroughs.
• Curiosity and sets the wheels of the mind clicking leading to innovations in design, software programming, graphics, strategies, and more.
• Team work, a sharing of ideas, as well as collective problem solving.
• Competitiveness a thirst to succeed and win.
In depth research has proven that gaming plays a role in increasing self esteem, and is motivational in many ways. Children who play games perform better at comprehension, spelling, and math.
Gee, Squire, and Stienkuehler, University of Wisconsin-Madison professors, are studying learning through game playing and the advantages of gaming over traditional teaching tools truly believe that gaming has woven within its matrix important learning technologies. Learning in the e-learning world of virtual gaming is hands on, interactive, has no restrictions or boundaries, promotes collaborative working, problem solving, creating a new generation of leaders.
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