Tips

What it Takes to Be a Video Game Writer

July 22, 2020 By Belinda Montgomery

It’s a fact that playing video games is one of the most popular forms of entertainment today for both kids and adults worldwide. Statistics can prove it.

In 2013, for example, Nielsen revealed that gamers in the U.S. aged 13 and older spent 6.3 hours every week playing video games. This figure was up from 5.6 hours in 2012. Among the systems most frequently used, the personal computer was beaten by Xbox 360, PS3 and Wii. Mobile phones were on third place followed by tablets.

While many people are now so fond of these video games, perhaps only some know how they were created. In fact, many would immediately credit the game designer for the graphics they see. But did you know that a game writer also plays a vital role in these games? This only means that the high demand for game designers also applies to these game writers. After all, there won’t be any game to do graphics for if there’s no story in the first place. …

What’s In Store for Game Writers in The Coming Years?

September 30, 2015 By Belinda Montgomery

Gaming is sure to remain popular among kids and adults going into the future. Whether using mobile devices or computers, people will continue to enjoy and get entertained with video games of all types.

But more than just the graphics and playing the game, the plot, dialogues and characters also play a very vital role. And major credit here goes to the creative video game writers who come up with unique stories and settings for various types of gaming platforms such as the PlayStation, PCs, mobile, Xbox, tablets and social networking sites.

Movies continue to be a big influence in many video games. However, top game writers would prefer to see games being influenced by other forms of media such as books, theater, comics and real-world events. Comics, for instance, has been revived in the movie business in recent years such as Iron Man, Blue and Ghost World. …

Nintendo’s Newest Wii is Out

November 21, 2012 By Belinda Montgomery

Nintendo has just released its latest portable game console called the Wii U. But unlike the previous Wii that allows people to play games by holding the controller and doing some movements, this new one is different.

The edge of this new gaming system is its dual screen gaming system. Playing can be done via the GamePad, a wireless controller that’s shaped like a tablet. It features a touchscreen measuring 6.2 inches and a second screen that boasts of more interesting features.

Besides playing games on this new console, Wii U will also have TV and movie features. They were supposed to be launched at the same time with the device but for some reason, it will be introduced at a later time sometime next month.

The new TV service is called Nintendo TVii and it lets users watch their favorite TV shows. All they have to do is just use the remote control to browse what programs are available and watch what they want. Additionally, they can send suggestions to other users of this Wii console.
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Drive Like You’re in Gran Turismo 5

September 28, 2012 By Guest Blogger

Gran Turismo 5

Imagine driving some of the coolest cars from the bestselling racing game Gran Turismo 5. Making that dream come true isn’t as hard as you think.

Gran Turismo 5 features more than 1,000 cars, 26 different racing locations, and a total of 71 tracks. It’s an incredibly robust game, taking you on a virtual world tour of racing venues all over the world, and vehicles from every major car manufacturer. It seems like it would be impossible to replicate the experience in real life, but its not as hard as you think.

Gran Turismo 5: Aston Martin

If you want to get behind a real wheel and not just a virtual one, particularly the game’s more exciting and exotic models, there is a way to do it, and without breaking the bank. If you’re up for a little adventure, that is. And it’s not even a secret.

Gran Turismo 5: Audi R8

All you have to do is find a local wish-fulfillment company. What that means is a certain class of company that, for a certain price, can enable you to do things outside the everyday. Things like skydiving, piloting a helicopter, or as in this case, driving some of the fastest cars known to man. Many major race tracks regularly offer special packages where you can pay to get a hands-on lesson, and learn to drive real race cars a certain number of circuits around the track.

Gran Turismo 5: Ferrari 430

For example, there’s a company called Wish.co.uk in the United Kingdom that keeps in stock some of the sweetest rides in the world, including many of the coolest vehicles seen in Gran Turismo and other modern racing games. If you look at their website, you’ll see packages available at a wide range of prices that let you drive cars like an Aston Martin, an Audi R8, a Ferrari 430, a Ferrari 599, a Lamborghini Gallardo, a Lamborghini Murciélago, a Mini Cooper, a Mitsubishi Evo, a Nissan GTR, a Porsche, a Subaru Impreza WRX, and many more. This company even offers an ArielAtom and a F1 Formula race car, as well as many other types of vehicles.

Gran Turismo 5: Lamborghini Murciélago

And that’s just one example. A similar company closer to where you live might offer an equally cool but different roster of souped-up cars for you to drive on closed tracks.

Get Your Game On Twitter with InstaBG

January 30, 2012 By Hannah

Gamers are notorious for being passionate about their favorite games, bringing it into all aspects of their lives, from wearing costumes during cosplays to collecting memorabilia. Dreams are not even exempt, with me admittedly dreaming quite regularly about fave games during the height of my gaming days back in college. With gamers more than willing to let their passion for games cross boundaries, it isn’t surprising at all if you’re into tweaking your social accounts to reflect your love of gaming.

A good way to spice up your Twitter page and tell the world at the same time just how much you like your games is by customizing your Twitter background using InstaBG’s free service. InstaBG uses Instagram photos (can be your photos or everyone’s public photos) to make a collage about any category or topic you like, including gaming-related topics such as console and The Sims.

InstaBG-generated Twitter background using “consoles” as tag

InstaBG-generated Twitter background using popular images for “Sims” as tag

InstaBG-generated Twitter background using new images for “Sims” as tag

As you see above, the backgrounds differ in tile sizes, spacing between tiles, colors of the spaces, and the images themselves. You can change all these and more easily on InstaBG and choose whichever option yields the collage that suits your taste. You can always preview the collage before posting it as your Twitter background so you don’t have to worry about getting an ugly background.

If you get bored easily, you can also set InstaBG to automatically update you Twitter background everyday so that the images on the collage will change without you having to anything.

Images generated using InstaBG

Droid Gamers Android Device Christmas Giveaway Promo Underway

December 23, 2011 By Hannah

What could be better than counting down to Christmas?

Simple. Counting down to Christmas and getting something free each day!

That’s exactly what they’re doing right now at DroidGamers.com. The folks at DroidGamers decided to take to heart the spirit of giving and have been giving away an Android device for the last 3 days to their loyal (and new) gamer followers.

The last three days saw them giveaway a Galaxy 10.1 Tablet, Galaxy 8.9 Tablet, and a Sony S Tablet and Cradle. Now on their fourth day, they are again giving away a Galaxy 8.9 Tablet with the following specs:

8.9″ Widescreen running at 1280×800 resolution

Tegra 2 1GHz dual-core processor

2MP front-facing camera and a 3MP rear camera

Android Honeycomb OS

16GB storage

1GB RAM

Joining the promotion is easy. All you need to do is add DroidGamers on your Google Plus circles and share their post about the giveaway. No other strings attached. What’s even better is that the promo is open to EVERYONE. Unlike most promos, which are open to US and Canadian citizens only, this one is truly open to anyone, anywhere in the world.

Now we know that tablets are not the device of choice for hardcore gamers, but still who would say no to a free tablet? If you win and don’t really want one anyway, you can always give it away to your nephew/niece and be the coolest uncle/aunt of the season in their eyes.

DroidGamer Logo via DroidGamer

No Fuss Gaming Blog Promotion with Blog Search Engine

November 20, 2011 By Hannah

Got a gaming blog you need to promote? If so then I just might have found an easy solution for you – Blog Search Engine.

While you are probably computer savvy enough to DIY your blog’s SEO campaign, you’re also probably more interested in spending your time gaming instead of finding sites that will link back to you. Using services like Blog Search Engine’s will give you the luxury of focusing on your gaming while ensuring that you get the links you need to promote your blog.

To get your blog listed at Blog Search Engine, all you need to do is submit your blog details, pay the $14.99 fee via Paypal, and wait for the confirmation email. The basic package will get you’re a link on the web portal, and earn your blog a review. Upgrading your package will earn you more links thanks to their blog network, make your blog the featured blog, and even have place a banner ad of your blog on their homepage. Of course, the number of links and length as feature blog will all depend on which package you get.

Blogs listed on Blog Search Engine are also categorized depending on the topic, which will be helpful to your SEO efforts when the big search engines (i.e. Google) comes across your link via the web portal because it will help increase topic relevancy signals. This also makes it easier for users of the web portal to more easily find your blog should they choose to search for blog by topic.

Gamers, techies, and geeks are all welcome to try out Blog Search Engine’s blog promotion services.

5 Tips for Forming Healthy Gaming Habits

October 24, 2011 By sharker

I have two boys. My boys love video games. Sometimes I wonder if they love video games a bit too much. Then I remember what I was like as a kid. I grew up with video games; I was the first of my friends to have an Atari, and the first girl in my whole neighborhood to beat Super Mario Brothers (yes, it was a HUGE deal, and I still brag about it). I see the value in video games: they’ve improved my kids’ hand-eye coordination, brought them together in times of need (“I need your help attacking this robot Now”), and have even been a source of accomplishment (“We finally figured it out”). Yes, video games have a special place in my heart, and they always will, but I also recognize the importance of designating a limited space for them in our lives. After all, balance is important – and I have no desire to have zombified kids. Here are five tips for helping your children form healthy gaming habits:

A Time and a Place

The old saying, “there is a time and a place for everything,” applies to video games, too. The instantly gratifying nature of video games makes them the obvious choice – if you give kids a choice. Would you put desert on your child’s dinner place and say, “whichever you want?” I don’t think so. Specify video game time, and enforce it….

A Choice between Sword and Guns

June 21, 2011 By sharker

Most hardcore gamers today who are obviously after the best game play methodology would usually be left with either choosing a gun or a sword in his own role playing expedition in the usually created game worlds today. Such has been seen from the games that have been clamored to by millions such as Gunbound and Runescape. Both have their own style of game play, either medieval times or old western style shoot-around.

Depending on the theme of the developed game or the actual purpose of usual storylines that would guide the new player towards his journey, people are sure to be befuddled with what type of character they would want to create and develop. For medieval worlds, warriors and magicians would usually be the primary categories of choice. But if there is one thing that a hardcore gamer should be aware of, he must ultimately decide on one character creation first before moving on to choosing other character types with special skills. Patience in this type of game play is a rarity but can be an asset if used well.

[tags]gunbound, runescape, rpg, online games[/tags]

The Best War Games Ever

September 17, 2010 By sharker

Half-life, Doom, Wolfenstein and Tomb Raider have all made various impacts on the gamer today that they have become the benchmark with regards to new games that have been developed today. Ironically, they have been sought after by most people since the various wars by different nations have all the more enticed people to take on doing target practice in different levels and stages of game play.

Each providing a 3-D type of game setting, people use reflex as well as tactical maneuvers to see how they would go on defensive and offensive strategies with regards to taking on different enemies that the game caters to. As with other games, the objective is to be able to get to the next level with an allocation of lives, usually 3 to 5, depending on the programming and methodology. For what its worth, the expertise of people with regards to the game can be tested through seeing how he or she can be able to take on all comers by avoiding injuries or worse, being killed by stray bullets or grenades.

[tags]wolfenstein, doom, half-life, war games[/tags]