Monday, March 8, 2010

Blog 25 - 3/8/10


Hiya!

So we're switching gears this week. The new topic is . . .



. . . wait for it . . .



. . . video games!!!!! Woooohoooooo!

That, by the way folks, is completely fake enthusiasm. I could not possibly care less about video games, but I have dug up some pretty interesting links for the next few weeks. We will end this section by reading about what it's *really* like to test video games for a living.

So yeah. Video games.

I have no time, no tolerance, and no compulsion to sit for hours in front of a TV or monitor while make believe characters do what I instruct them to do. I am just *barely* continuing to exist in FacebookLand. I simply don't have the time. Not to mention my old reflexes don't serve me as well at they used to. About as close as I'll get to a video game is occasionally taking on a family member in a rousing game of Guitar Hero. Which lasts for about 4 minutes before I'm bored silly.

So take a look at these links about new video game technology, and technology that started out as video games and ended up somewhere else. Tell me what you think about any of these. You are also welcome to talk about other upcoming video game technology, but you MUST post a link supporting your discussion.

Talk to me . . .

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/technology/3485918.stm

http://gadgetwise.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/10/12/now-only-in-theaters-new-playstation-games/

http://www.lanl.gov/news/newsletter/091106.pdf

70 comments:

Brookshire, B-1 said...

The brain waves that control video games is a huge step in technology. Not only has there been brain waves that control video games, but also has steered scoters and monkey brains were able to move robotic arms. Now how kool is that!

robinson,s-1 said...

Honestly, im not a big video game buff either. A game now and then is fun, but like Mrs. L i can't sit there for hours on end. I thought the video games controlled by brain waves was pretty cool, but not for the entertainment part. I couldn't care less if i didn't have to push a button when i play a game. But i thought it was cool because it could turn into the technology to help those who are unable to communicate, to be able to communicate. Those who are "locked in or paralysed completely, somebody who has an advanced case of ALS" can now have a chance to communicate with their families and friends. The video game part doesn't matter to me, but this new technology could be revolutionary.

brooks.hobie said...

The Xbox 720 its a idea running through microsofts heads right now. thier looking in to newer colder running cpus and gpus, or iv even heard of the possibility of it having phasechanger cooling.

http://www.videogamesblogger.com/2007/03/13/next-xbox-720-to-launch-in-2011-2012-according-to-microsoft.htm

Sampietro, M-3 said...

I agree with you Mrs. Lanham. I really am quite uninterested in video games, but mainly because I know that if I sit down in front of one, I would be totally addicted...that's the way they are supposed to work, right? Well, I'm already quite addicted to facebook so I can't afford to have my eyes exposed to the bright lights of technology for any more hours in the day. OK first and foremost, the thing in the first link about brain waves contolling video games creeps me out un poco. Yes, I think it's amazing that this same technology is what allows those who are missing arms to move their fake limbs, but I really think it's a waste of time and a little wrong to waste time that could be used developing medical advancements is used instead for pleasing the masses of Americans who sit and eat potato chips while they hurridly cause Carpal Tunnel in their thumbs to keep "Death Star Ninja Fighting Centaur" from dying...so that's all I have to say...Maybe I'm just bitter towards video games because I was a deprived child who had none growing up...

lyles,m-6 said...

Who's brilliant idea was it too create a type of technology that uses the brain to control the actions in the game?
im not a big fan of these things already,and as it is,too many people already sit & play all day (*cough cough*,lazyness),its going to be worse now.gamers wont even have to use there hands now! thats horrible to me and i think its absolutely stupid.

Unger, B - 6 said...

Okay, to begin with absolutely not a video game fan, and never have been. Considering, I didn't like the technology that let you control the game with your mind. Think of the cool and exciting things that could come from this technology (could this allow people who are paralized gain control of their limbs again?).

Even though I dislike video games, the idea of the games getting previewed in theaters(or places like that) was a really good idea. This helps get people excited about the product, increasing profit(always a good thing).

bushiey, k - 4 said...

I think that preveiweing the new ps3 games is a good idea I think it's a good idea because more poeple that don't have enough money or just don't want to buy the game unless they have tried it can play it so it will give them a better idea of the game.

Small,K-6 said...

I never had videogames until I hit highschool (excluding my handheld gameboy color, which I had briefly in the fourth grade before it was stolen), but now that I have a decent PC, a PS 2, a Nintendo DS, and the family's Wii, I can't get enough of videogames. I love living vicariously through my Sims. I'll spend about four to five hours per week night building up their relations and skills, while struggling to meet their needs.

I would have loved to have been part of the "sneek peek" of the PS3 game, but I live in Nacogdoches, TX, where there's a very small chance of me ever having that opportunity. The brain-waves controlled video games sound cool too, but I wonder what would happen if a person with a short attention-span like myself got their hands (heads?) on (in?) such technology.

Tutt, S - 7 said...

I enjoy video games very much so and agree with Mrs. Lanham and Mia if more people actually sat down and played one of the games I play, they might enjoy playing it too. I love the PS4 Puttin that on my wish list. Games I think could actually help in a way. Most games actually give true facts about history and technology.

Baker,M-1 said...

Mrs.L I have decided to dich your links to explore an even cooler gaming tech opertunity:

VIRTUAL REALITY GAMING.

http://www.usatoday.com/tech/gaming/2007-06-11-augmented-reality-games_N.htm

http://tech.mit.edu/V122/N64/Z-Center_icampu.64f.html

Though currently there are no comercial virtual reality gaming sets, mega geeks like me who read .hack will recognize the idea.

Imagine being able to go inside you favorite game, see it all in 3-D and beat it. When you swug you arm, off with your enimies head. You could turn your head and look atthe gaming world all around you.

That would, personally, be the most awesome thing in the world.

I can think for a few games I would exploit this technology on *coughFinalFantasycough**coughKingdomHeartscough*

Lopez, M-1~☺ said...

Voice activated charcters that can do almost anything on comand? Best thing ever? I think so~

http://www.cnn.com/2004/TECH/03/03/hln.game.lifeline/index.html

I find is amazing that Japan (of course) has created a game where you can speak into a mic and control the charrie!! WHOOO!! I'd make mine run around in circles and dance~ XD
I bet it'd be hard to control a fighting game though. Command after command? Tiring much?

Patton,A-1 said...

The playstation in theaters is awesome. it would give me more reason to go to the movies and it would really increase the attendance. plating a game on a movie prjector woul be cool. id be willin to spend that 8.25

Gonzalez, C-1 said...

The brain waves thing is a pretty cool idea I have to admit but its still experimental technology and not anytime soon will it soon be available to the mass public. I mean right now microsoft is focusing on Project Natal along with the Xbox 720, Sony with the PS4 and Nintendo....yeah beats me. Also, I mean yeah its for the entertainment of America, but honestly they could find better things to use with that rather than on video games. I peronsally would like to play games and not make my head hurt by thinking out the wazoo as to what I would do next. By the way, here's a link to some of the concepts of the currently being worked on "Project Natal." When are they going to come out with that, I mean really!?

http://news.cnet.com/8301-10797_3-10253892-235.html

mayfield,s-1 said...

The mind balance game seems cool, i would like to try it, but i would be kind of scared because i wouldnt know if the waves would mess around with my brain. Its tempting but also risking.

Szu-yung said...

I think the Brain waves control video game is cool but that technology will be scary because i don't you u would want somebody else to know what u r thinking.

Trikosko, M-1 said...

The controling games with your mind technology looks to be quite a ways off, it't nothing to get too excited about just yet. Right now you can only rotate the squares or whatever, but it is an emerging technology. Also how easy would it be to control something with your mind? It would be like having to learn to walk again, but this time in a videogame. Good to see that diabled people can use it, this seems like a better use of the tech right now.

jeffress,r-1 said...

Man I have always wanted to play video games with my brain!! I used to have a game that went over your eyes and you swung a golf club while watching it. But even better is being able to use your brain waves and no hands to play video games. Also this will help people with disabilities, like me to play easier and longer, since our hands are weaker. :) Then I won't be in pain anymore from playing video games. Finally, the only thing I hate about this new gaming is having to wear a pink swim cap with wires hanging, but in the future it wont have to be worn.

villanueva, manuel, N. 1 said...

the thing that caught my attention is the brain wave thingy... that is really a huge step in technology....especially when the monkey brain was able to move robotic arms...

Anonymous said...

Oh LAWD, video games with brain waves? Goodness I'm all over that. That would be so freakin' cool.

And also really freakin' expensive so let's be realistic. New consoles already cost you an arm and a leg to get along with a kidney to get a brand new game for it when they first come out, so an expensive thing with all of those wires would be impossible to afford. I think it would be a long time before that even become a common thing to see in the household, but it is very nice to see they are capable of engineering such technology.

Abernathy, J-2 said...

okay so i like some video games and i can easily get addicted to playing them but im not one to obsess over the videogame technology. Im fine with an old xbox. But this new technology with the brain waves and wireless connection thing is just pointless to me. Half the fun of playing the games is you controlling it. I would have no interest in watching a screen and not doing anything....not fun at all.

Hernandez, J - 2 said...

Todays video game technology is so advanced. If you heard about the x-box if im correct i heard somewhere they were planning on using the x-box's technology on computers. Thats so awsome

Goff,R-2 said...

Although i do not play video games that often, i do enjoy a round of super smash every once in a while. after reading all of the articles on the websites, i was amazed at the hands free mind only video games.
This concept seems to be legit, but the thought of me controlling a video game with my mind can only put so many questions into my mind.
My main concern would be the fact that the helmet that you have to wear would have to emit radiation waves in order to respond with your brain.
These waves, i think, would have to cause damage to your brain. i mean how safe is it to shoot radiation waves to the most important organ in the body...ill tell you, its not a good idea!
But other than the fact that i would most likely get cancer from this device, i would definately feel like the game would feel more realistic and the game play would be alot more exciting! kind of like virtual reality

gonzalez, c-2 said...

i think that playing games is fun especially if you have nothing to do i have an x box 360 the cool thing i like about it is that pplcan play w/ other ppl around the world something that the playstation culdnt do the thing that i hate about my 360 is that it has some problems but enogh of that so if u ask me what i thought about video games i would say that they are pretty cool things i mean i would want to desing one.

Cortines,m-2 said...

Well I love me some video games, even if I don't get to play them as often as I'd like. But the thought of plugging into the Matrix to play is a bit frightening. Sure, it's awesome to be able to control anything with your mind, but it does seem like a little waste to spend such awesome technology on something as trivial as a game. It could be better utilized for paraplegic citizens and the like. And having a way for others to actually read your thoughts and brain waves seems a bit dangerous. I might be paranoid, but this could eventually lead to blackmail. lol Hasn't anyone else seen Minority Report or even Batman Forever? Come on guys. Wait a while longer until our intellects catch up with our technology.

Deckard, D-3 said...

I'd so play a video game in a movie theater. Like halo online on a huge screen would be retardedly fun. I'd kill everyone smile and then walk out of the theater. I might get mad after awhile thought cause it would become to packed in the theater but i guess i'd be ok.

T-Williams said...

I read about the new video game that doesnt have controllers. The user tells the game what to do with brain waves. The participant wears a type of "helmet" and "it uses direct electroencephalography (EEG), cerebral data nodes and the wireless technology - Bluetooth - all fitted into the sophisticated Cerebus headset." I think is very sophisticated and think that someone should come out with a car that does this! :)

Wiley, C - 3 said...

I really dont play video games , but the video games controlled by brain waves are pretty cool.

reichert, s-3 said...

I know all of my fans out there (all 2 of them) will be disapointed to hear that i havn't been playing video games as much lately...
I think the brain wave thing might be a little to good to be true. i mean, what if you are bi-polar or have schizophrenia? all those voices in your head and ADD thoughts might seriousley overide the computer and make your game break!

Padilla, J - 3 said...

I'm not a big video games fanatic, but I do like playing the classic games like Mario and Donkey Kong. When I do play video games I've noticed that graphics have improved drastically from the old games I used to play in the 90's. The thought of not even having to use game controllers is crazy, but at the same time I'm liking the idea. Who knows what crazy thing you can make your character do with your mind? The only problem would be that it would make us even LAZIER! Like always, the advancement of technology is amazing but could end up making us even more dependent on it.

Hawkins, M - 3 said...

I think its pretty cool to have your brain control everything in a game but its not going to do everything you want it to in the long run...eventually your brain is going to be fried as much as people sit and play video games...

perry, w - 3 said...

im not a big video game player person i maybe sit like twenty minutes and play with my nephew thata when im extremely bored. but the wii have caught my eyes and i noticed that i love playing that game my favorite one to play is the tennis eventhough im not very competitive with that game i still like to play but im still not a video freak

zavala,P -3 said...

i'm not a fan of video games at all! in my opinion i think their boring, but thats just me. i prefer doing something else than playing a video game. but i think that the wireless brain control video game is cool. we can see how technology is changing more rapidly. but i dont think it will come out really soon, so yea.

Asquith,C-3 said...

I enjoyed reading about the brain wave controlled video game technology...But my question is, if they can put so much time, effort, and money into brain wave tech for VIDEO GAMES, why can't they focus on more productive uses for the technology? Prosthetics is starting to get into brain wave tech, but there is a lot of work to be done. Imagine a future of advanced prosthetics controlled by brain waves! It would be like Will Smith on irobot. People could lose all of their limbs and have them easily replaced with an efficient brain wave controlled arm or leg. But I like that video games are a cool method of developing this tech.

Flynn,R-3 said...

LOL! Brain waves to control video games without the use of your finger tips... Say hello to a population vastly made up of the obiese... Heyyo! No, but seriously, the technology itself is amazing-but it should be used for other things, this video game technology just induces laziness.

cortes, j - 3 said...

Using brain waves to control a video game does not sound like a good idea. What if you are playing the game and you begin to think of something else besides the game. what will happen? will it stop playing or what? Lets just stick to the regular controllers and not try and spice up the control system

payton, j - 3 said...

I think that MK9 is gona b great filled with adventures and stories and characters for fans that surpport the series ill hate to have to see that it doesnt happen because MK v.s. DC Universe doesnt sell well so please go get that game.



www.videogamesblogger.com

Harper, T - 3 said...

I REALLY DONT LIKE VIDEO GAMES BECAUSE I DONT KNOW HOW TO PLAY MOST OF THEM.AND I DONT THINK I WOULD WANT SOMETHING TAKING OVER MY BODY FOR ANY REASON AT ALL THAT WOULD SCARE ME. BUT THIS IS KINDA KOOL FOR SOMEONE TO COME UP WITH SOMETHING LIKE THAT

Yarbrough, V - 3 said...

Im am not a very fluential video game play but if the wireless head set is created then for a short spell i just might give video games very little of my time i think it would be cool to play a game without using ur hands that leaves ur hands free for eating or text whooo hoooo lol

Miller, J - 2 said...

i reallllyyy like the brain controled video game it is very cool i play alot of games and this would be a big step in gaming history also they are trying to develop this tech for disabled people awsome

Pixley, J-4 said...

The mind controlled video games are gonna take laziness to a whole nother extreme. People already say that we play games way too much, but now we dont even have to bother with controllers, we're gonna get even lazier, fatter, and lessen the population

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/technology/3485918.stm

alvarado, m-4 said...

i think its cool that you can play the game first to see if you would like it. if you buy a game first without testing it and later you might not end up liking the game and you would want to return it back. but i think its a great idea that they are letting people play video games on theaters first.

shepherd, a - 4 said...

i think the video games controlled by brain waves is really cool. the character Mawg talks to himself in a Scottish accent which is kinda funny.if you had to focus on certain things to control the game, though, it'd be more difficult to play games that have battles and maps and different tool bars all at once...the best part is it may help people who can't move or communicate. really video games aren't that important, but helping others with the technology developed for video games is important

Spruiell, S - 4 said...

I know a lot of people blogged about this...but it is really neat. so oh well. The brain wave controlled video game was rad, in my opinion. I dont honestly care about anything video game related, but since my bf is really into Xboxes and all that, i've come into contact with it often enough to appreciate the advancement of the mind control thing. Its controlled via electroencephalography (EEG), cerebral data nodes that are internally connected to a nifty little headset. From a biological standpoint, this is quite an achievement for the scientific community, and since this technology could be put into action to aid those who suffer from paralysis and other malfunctions that disable communicative abilities, i can definitely say that this impresses me.

Cole, S - 4 said...

I honestly dont like video games all that much but I did think that the video game where you could play with your brain was cool. Its an awesome way to make playing video games a little different but the only thing that would scare me is like what if the game took your brain over and then alls you could do is sit there like a vegetable!

Willis, A - 4 said...

*I really love video games. I have video games at home which I do play. They have a Mind Balance headset which the game can help researchers develop brain-computer interfaces for those with limited body movement. Sony came up with a new strategy with premiering video games in digital theaters.*

Garza, G-4 said...

I saw the website where it talks about displaying the videogames on the theater screen while a few people played them.
I say kudos to sony for coming up with this bright new way to give a small "demo" to the gamers. If all the video game companies did this people would know what to expect from the game from either first-hand experience or reading blogs and posts from others who have played the game at the theater.
"Power to the player" - GameStop

Pina, R-2 said...

I like the whole play video games with your brain idea, just think about playing a game like Grand Theft Auto while using this device, freakin' epic!! This is a huge step in the video game industry

Howard, Z - 4 said...

Video games are becoming a huge part of kids lifes, and i don't want my kids child hood memories be comsumed by video games. Seeing all this technological possibilites increases the lack of exercise and espicially now that they can have games where you control it with your brain and not even move your freakin fingers...epitamy of lazy.

chitopina-2 said...

Since I started playing video games, which seemed liike since birth, I have always wanted to be able to use my mind now that this new technology has been created, I cant wait to start using it if it becomes available

Castellanos, A - 6 said...

Maybe if the tickets for a movie weren't so expensive, theaters would not have to result in replacing movies with game nights. They sound like fun, even though I probably havent played a video game in about, 2 years maybe? Its just not my thing. I think that some people would go a couple of times but then then it might become boring and a hassle to pay $15 everytime that want to blow up people on the big screen.

Russaw, N - 6 said...

well you see i love video games and as you know i got every one besides a nitendo wii i just hope i can stop playin them beforethey ruin my eyes

Miller, R - 6 said...

the brain waves control video game is GGRRRRREEAAAAT like tiger off the frosting flakes cereal box...lmao... just picture your self playing midnight club... OMG!!! i wouldnt know how to act... but its a huge step n tech...

Padilla, E - 6 said...

theathers have pretty good idea to make money... they premiering new video games demos and they just know every kid is gonna pay to get in there and see for himself and try to play the game.

Gonzalez, M - 6 said...

video games... never was a big a fan and probably won't ever be. i have played them and yes they're amusing, but sitting there for hours is ridiculous...
though that whole thing where the brains waves control the vid4eo game is pretty, pretty cools!
now you won't have to remember what the square, circle, triangle button do. sooo way easier XD

Rodriguez,A-2 said...

I think the brain wave thing is pretty cool but i cldnt really figure out how it works..like does the person just sit there and think of what he or she would do and the character in the game will do that.?? because that doesnt seem fun to me id just rather stick to a good ol' game of super mario bros. 3 for nintendo!

Esparza,J-7 said...

I would love to be able to not have to even move my fingers to move a character around. Maybe we can even have virtual Guitar Hero, just think about hitting the notes and... um... thats it. Yay you mastered expert level just by thinking about it, but it hasn't gotten you closer to playing a real guitar and it got you farther away from the girl of your dreams, seeing as how not moving at all controlling a video game character has made you lazier and heavier, so how about make more games that require more movement, like the Wii, maybe a video game that uses gloves as controls, that would be a lot cooler.

Jim Taylor said...

Does anyone understand how much money Carmike would make if they let us play games on the big screens there? They already charge an arm and a leg, so we might as well be able to have a bit more fun while we're there.

Clark,A-7 said...

are telling me that i can play video games with my mind?!!!??? Finally!!! i can now stop what little effort it takes for me to push buttons and move a joy stick, cuz we all now that was way too straining for that kind of thing to be done constantly for no more than 48 hours. all i want to know is WHY?

Goad, G - 7 said...

video games are pretty boss for all u haters out ther(ms L) i mean codmw2, come on, im just sayin, its the best. but anyways, the new control the video game with ur mind is a little much for me, cause i really dont like th wii, so ill prolly hate that even more so lets not do that

Long, W - 7 said...

the brain wave video controled game is really cool and it something diffrent ive played games for years and this would totally over due what i have played i mean you could just sit there and think and you could play a game itd be great for really lazy game nerds but i myself may not be totally into it but it still is pretty neat

Clark,A-7 said...

*are you telling me
I left out a word, sorry follks

Cole, V - 7 said...

Personally, video games unless on the computer mean nothing to me.
Although it's kind of interesting seeing where video games will be going. Like the movie Gamer where other people control actual people.
But all the PlayStation and XBox stuff is great an all, but where is all the high graphic awesome rant about all day computer games?

Hughes, T - 7 said...

I thought the most interesting of these stories was the one about the mind controlled video games. If this technology could be further developed the experience of gaming this way could be seem almost real. Im sounding almost creepy now. Ill stop

Fedun, M-7 said...

The brain control video games and communication are very cool. There are some great things like for the people that cant communicate to. Video games will be able to move from entertainment to other places in society in the future.

Hoffman, C - 7 said...

Mind controled gaming is interesting, but I personally would rather use a controller. It would be very hard for me to just sit there and look at the monitor, only thinking, because it wouldn't pose much of a challenge and probably bore me.

Nealy,J/1 said...

IM NOT A BIG GAME FAN EITHER I WOULD RATHER SIT IN FRONT OF A COMPUTER SCREEN ALL DAY ON MYSPACE... LIKE MOST PEOPLE I AGREE THAT THE BRAIN WAVES THAT CONTROL THE VIDEO IS GREAT YOU DON'T HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT CHANGING THE BATTERIES IN THE JOY STICK...

Morrison,K-1 said...

Well one thing that has had my attention for a while that I might be interested in getting is the DSi XL the larger version of the DSi. But in this article, it even talks about putting Apple out of business =O As well as stating that Nintendo plans to kill Apple's chance at making advancements on making some movement in the department.

http://news.moneycentral.msn.com/provider/providerarticle.aspx?feed=IVPL&date=20100302&id=11182731

I'll probally blog more, when I get home. I have a few sites I had to blog about.

anderson a-2 said...

i think that video games are cool but thats only because i have lots of time to do nothing so.... i was look at the new technology for video games and i think that the whole idea of your brain being a controller is kinda cool and freaky at the same time although i wish i could play my favorite game and not have to lift a finger. but you would have thought nintendo would have come up with something like this. Go Figure....

Vinther,T-2 said...

To control video games with only your brain is just mind boggling. This opens up a new door full of possibilities. Getting used to something like this would be the biggest challenge.

Wilson, J - 6 said...

The video game brain wave system is awsome. its just another way to be as lazy as you want! It would be so awsome because for the people who cant get the controls all they have to do is think of what they want to do!