Is It Still a Computer Game if It is Using VR or Augmented Reality Outside the Computer?

What is the definition of a computer game? Is it a computer game that we play on a computer? What if the computers are hooked up online to other computers in a network? Is it still a computer game, or are you now playing within a gaming community? The difference between a videogame and a computer game is quite obvious, one is played on your TV set using a video, and the other is played on your computer, even if it is the same exact game.

If you're playing on Xbox, are you playing on a computer or are you playing on a gaming console. So far, we believe we are playing on a computer. What if the game on your television set is hooked to your computer, and your Surround-A-Sound system, and a holographic imaging system, and you are immersed in augmented reality playing a computer game which is turns your living room into a gaming platform? Are you still playing a computer game, even in virtual reality?

Is the world of computer games becoming blurred? And what will be the difference between virtual reality, the computer game, and the real reality? And what's real anyway? It's not that I am trying to bring Nietzsche into some philosophical argument concerning the future of gaming, but it's something we should be thinking about as all these technologies merge, and new technologies are added which allow you to use thought to play the game, and the game can incite fear, increased neurological activity, increased heart rate, and even pain.

In fact, there is a very good book I'd like to recommend to you, if you have also been thinking here. This is a book I do own in my own personal library and believe it to be worthwhile because it shows how this technology has progressed over the last couple of decades. The name of the book is:

"Virtual Reality" (part of the Life in the Future Series) by Holly Cefrey, Scholastic Press, New York, NY, (2002), ISBN: 0-516-23919-8.

You see, science fiction authors, and Virtual Reality scientists have been talking about these things for decades now, and all that technology and research is coming to fruition. Welcome to the Matrix. In which will you rather prefer to participate; your real-life or the Virtual Reality you have created where you become one with your avatar? Indeed, I hope you will please think on all this, and send me your comments, predictions, and questions by e-mail.

What is the Best PC For Computer Gaming?

Dell, HP, Alienware, Compaq, Gateway, Falcon Northwest, iBuy Power, and so many more computer manufacturers tout their computers as top of the line. How do you know what is the best PC for computer Gaming? If you make your decision based on the CPU and memory like so many people do you are going to be sorely disappointed. There are many more components that are as important if not more so than the CPU. To get you started here are 3 of the most important components you should evaluate when purchasing a Gaming Computer.

1. The video card

The video card is probably the most important component of a gaming computer. Many lower priced off-the-shelf systems use integrated video cards. What this means is that the graphics are handled by a chip that is integrated into the motherboard. You may wonder what the difference is. To try to use an integrated graphics solution for a gaming computer is like putting a little 4 cylinder engine in a Corvette. It might look great but the performance is going to be extremely disappointing.

You don't need the absolute top of the line video card, but you certainly want to get a card that will perform well. Currently the ATI Radeon HD 5850 is a great choice. It isn't overly expensive but it will give you great performance. Other video cards with similar performance are the Nvidia GTX 280, GTX 285, and the GTX 470. There are many other options at verying price ranges so do a little research. If someone tries to present a computer with an integrated or on-board graphics solution you are getting ripped off. Shop somewhere else.

2. The CPU

As mentioned, don't make your decision based solely on the CPU. With that being said it is very important that we get a PC with a CPU that will not bottleneck our video card. We don't want a budget processor. Look for a Core i5 or Core i7 processor if you are buying an Intel based machine. For AMD platforms look for a Phenom II X3 or X4 processor.

3. Power Supply

If you have a dinky power supply you won't have enough juice to run your components. Symptoms of an inadequate power supply include your computer randomly shutting down and lag during game play. Issues stemming from power supplies are often misdiagnosed as other problems. Make sure your computer has a large enough power supply. You can find power supply calculators online. Enter your components and it will calculate how much power you need. Keep in mind that not all power supplies are created equal. Make sure you purchase from a quality manufacturer such as Antec, Corsair, Silverstone, etc.

If you really want to be sure you get the most computer for your money you may want to consider building your own gaming computer. It's actually not very difficult and it allows you to select all of your own components. One of the problems with off the shelf computers is that you have no way of knowing what they use for some of the components. When you build a gaming computer you choose all of your own hardware. It will allow you to get a higher performing computer for the same price if not less than the name brand computers.

Computer Games and Their Benefits

Computer games come in all shapes and sizes, and they are also available for lots of different consoles and gaming systems. From the Wii to the Xbox and the PlayStation to the PC games that are always being released, you are sure to find something you will enjoy playing time and time again.

But how can computer games be useful for us? Let's look at some of the advantages of playing them.

They can help us learn new skills

How often have you played a computer game that has required you to solve a puzzle or meet a challenge of some kind?

This type of mental game is good for us and helps us learn new skills. For instance we could find maths dull, but when we play a computer game based around this topic it becomes far more challenging and exciting to play.

They can challenge our brains

The best type of game is one that we cannot solve immediately, and yet it is not beyond solving completely. It challenges us to get underneath it and understand how it can be solved.

In this way we can stretch our brains and learn new things and ways of solving problems. They can even keep us mentally fit and young, which is always a good thing as they keep us alert and able to solve problems of all kinds more quickly than we would be able to otherwise.

They can help us get fit and stay fit

Most people have heard about how the Nintendo Wii gaming platform is getting people up out of their armchairs and exercising without even realising it. If you have ever played one of the sports games on this console you will know how tiring it can be.

And with the likes of Wii Fit and various other sporting games available to help you exercise and have fun at the same time, computer games no longer have to mean sitting around and staring at a computer screen. They can mean so much more than this.

As you can see, computer games have lots of advantages. And since some of them have a multi player mode available as well, it is possible to be sociable with them too. They used to be blamed for bringing up a generation of children who did nothing but sit in front of the TV or computer, playing a game on their own.

But now, with the Wii and various other platforms encouraging multi player games to get involved with, there is a sociable element to computer gaming that wasn't really there in the past. These games really can be good for us, and in more ways than we might previously have thought.

Once you have chosen your gaming platform you can look forward to learning and stretching yourself in ways you didn't think you could.

The Importance of Video and Computer Games

It was only in the 1970 when video games started becoming a tool for entertainment and fun. Ever since, the industry of video and computer games has not looked back. The entertainment industry saw video games increase at a galloping speed in the next few decades. In the world of technology and innovation, computer games have played an important role.

They are constantly developing new strategies, techniques such that the games become increasingly appealing and exciting. Interestingly video games can be played on a hand device, mobile phones, dedicated consoles to gaming, and computers among various other options. The interactiveness of the video games is one which increases the popularity and growth of the industry.

There are many different types of companies which makes computer games. Usually most of the company's indulge in specializing in a certain category of games. Thus each of these companies usually addresses the needs of a certain and specified age group. The variety of video games which are present on date is in fact fascinating and an accomplishment. It surely deserves mention when we talk of this booming industry. Games include adventure games, action games, educational and knowledge games, simulations or role playing games, practice games, math games, logical games, and strategy and management games among other types.

On the other hand, there is a huge investment of multimillion dollars which is essential for the designing and development of these video games. However, still the market is one which has exponential growth and is still booming.

Various experts and specialists have undertaken research in this domain. They have come to the conclusion that these games are of extreme importance since they are beneficial in the following ways:
· Increase the player's skill and imagination level
· Moreover one becomes quicker and the speed of reaction is unimaginable
· They teach children and adolescents some basic skills in an enjoyable fashion
· A child or even an adult acquires a very complex skill with the help of computer games
· With the help of computer simulations educational institutions support vocational and multi disciplinary learning
· Interestingly research has proven that computer games have been an exemplary tool to solve problems like confining spaces, heights and phobia.
· Moreover, language and learning disabilities have also been cured with the use of computer games.

Essentially the underlying factor is that the players should not get addicted to the video games. In that case the benefits would work to the optimal level. Moreover, the innocent children should not be misled to acts of aggression and violence as many of the video games depict. Parents need to pay tremendous attention that a video game should not affect their children's behavior and thinking in any adverse manner.

Computer Game Addiction - Six Negative Effects to Avoid

Although computer game addiction does not appear in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition (DSM-IV) excessive and unhealthy video game habits is something that has received increased attention in the past several years.

There is a movement underway to have online gaming addiction / video game addiction listed in future editions of the DSM, but for now it is not an official diagnosis. Still, it is difficult to deny that some people (whether they are children, teens, or adults) play video games far too much and that it can negatively impact their functioning and success away from the glare of the monitor.

Of course, not everyone becomes addicted to computer games. Online games are enjoyed by millions of people around the world as a way to relax, interact with friends, and for simple entertainment purposes.

However, it is becoming clear that there are those who lose control of their gaming habits. For these individuals, video games (especially online multiplayer games) take center stage in their lives. Work performance may suffer due to extended late night gaming sessions. School grades may drop as a consequence of giving more attention to computer games than studying. Relationships may deteriorate as one partner feels neglected and less important that his or her partner's latest game obsession.

For individuals whose online gaming habits have crossed over from a hobby into an addiction, there are multiple life areas that can be negatively affected. Of course, not everyone who plays video games excessively will experience identical negative impacts. Nevertheless, the following list outlines the six main areas that are often affected by computer game addiction.

1. Psychological and Emotional

People addicted to computer games may have a higher risk of experiencing self-esteem problems, depressed mood, social anxiety, and mood instability. When negative consequences of the addiction can no longer be denied, they may also feel guilty and ashamed for not being able to control their habits. Of note, game addiction can not only *be* caused by other issues (for example, depression), but may also *cause* other difficulties (again, depression is just one example).

2. Health

Those who spend many hours playing computer games each day (sometimes totaling more than 40 or 50 hours per week) may neglect personal hygiene and health. They may give up healthy physical activities they once enjoyed, develop erratic sleeping habits, and choose meals based on convenience (ideally those that can be eaten while playing) rather than nutritional value.

3. Family

Family relationships can be negatively impacted by computer game addiction. Family members (for example, parents, partners, or spouses) may tolerate excessive gaming habits for a while, but eventually they will demand that the person decreases how much he or she plays. A person who is addicted to computer games may deny that it is a problem, accuse the concerned family member of intruding on his or her life, and see the person as overreacting. Parents with children who are addicted to computer games may experience frequent arguments about how to address the problem.

4. Financial

Gaming can be a very expensive hobby - even for non-addicted players. Thousands of dollars can very easily be spent on new games, expansion packs, micro-transactions, online subscriptions, new consoles, and of course upgraded computer equipment. On rare occasions, someone addicted to computer games may lose his or her job due to poor performance at work (for example, showing up late, missing work, playing or reading about the game at work, etc.).

5. Academic

Computer game addiction and academic success are not compatible. Children and adolescents who are addicted to video games will spend more time with online games than studying or completing homework. They may quickly finish homework with minimal effort so that gaming can begin.

6. Social

The more time a person spends playing computer games, the less time there is for the important people in his or her life. Face-to-face human contact is increasingly sacrificed in favor of the game. As a consequence, the person may experience social isolation, lost friendships, and loneliness.

Online Computer Games Will Surely Sweep You Off Your Feet

The role of online computer games in our lives holds preeminent connotation, especially in these ages of state of the art technologies such as the World Wide Web. People are increasingly becoming hooked to the internet for a variety of purposes including shopping, buying and selling things, social networking and a lot more.

To lay your hands on online video games and online computer games, you have to first find an apt online game store which can take care of your unique requirements and needs. You can also download online games and indulge in them but you need to look at the right places before vying for online computer games. The most appealing part of the online multiplayer games such as the mmorpg games and the online rpg games is that you play with real players from far and wide and actually play as a complete team against a common enemy.

The bliss and spur that the mmorpg online games such as call of duty online and steam games endows you with will surely appeal to your penchant. For pursuing this activity, you never have to stride out from the comfort of your abode as the only thing you require is a computer and an active internet connection.

The addiction of the online computer games will surely sweep you off your feet as you will find yourself hooked to the computer monitor screens for hours at stretch. The World Wide Web is the best place to search for pertaining mmorpg online games; however you need to consider certain nifty facets such as the market repute of the online game store, security aspects of its payment gateways, if it keeps it games collection up to date, and a lot more things.

You will also be greatly amazed by the assortment of such online games that are accessible in a particular online game store. Name any game and you are sure to find it on the internet orb. The unpredictability factor of the aforesaid online computer games makes them more alluring and lucrative.

When you have played enough against computer players, you are sure to correctly guess their next move and this will surely make the game monotonous, but when you are playing with and against real players in an online rpg games or mmorpg games, you will find that you can never envisage your opponent's next move. And this fact will surely make your experience adrenaline rushing and enticing.

The high quality and digitally enhanced graphics of such online computer games augmented with awe inspiring sounds will surely push you to the edge of your seats while playing and will undoubtedly sweep you off your feet. And to top it off recent surveys have shown that playing these games can also help hone your brain and skills such as quick reflexes, memorizing power, etc. You also avail the chance to display your expertise by scoring highest scores which will then be viewed by die hard gaming enthusiasts from all over the globe.

3 Tips to Finding the Best Computer Games for Kids

When it comes to finding the best computer games for kids, parents have a really daunting task on their hands because there are loads of games on the market that seem just packed full of violence and scenes inappropriate for the much younger gamers.

Here are 3 tips to help you find the best computer games for your kids.

Tip #1

Before you shop, read up and find out what's what

Parents need to make sure they really know what's what in the game market. Don't get swindled by the sales talk and the hype of the newest games on the market. Find out about the content and the characters before shelling out your hard-earned money.

Tip #2

It's sometimes best to bypass the latest game

When games are first released, they often cost $40 to $50 and even up to $100 if there is sufficient hype. Lil' Johnny might not be happy that he doesn't have the new game like all his friends but if you wait at least a month or two, you could save yourself at least $20 on the "New" price. Another thing to stress here, is that new games will run better (or only run!) on newer computer systems, so if your computer is 3 years or older, you may find that the newer games just won't play!

Tip #3

Don't forget your child's interests

Don't get so wrapped up in saving money that you forget that Daisy prefers Barbie to Dora. It's important to remember the child that's going to be playing the game and make sure it's something you think they will actually enjoy. There is so much choice and various kinds of computer games for kids out there, especially online that you're bound to find something for each special little person in your family.

Computer Games and Chris Stoddard's Web Page

You may be wondering why Chris Stoddard's name came up when this article is supposed to look into the wonderful world of computer games. As this article progresses, you will see the connection between computer games and his web page. Computer games have come a long way. Starting off with simple pixels and bytes, computer games of today have evolved into an art form with the ability to engross and captivate players from all over the globe.

What is the appeal of computer games? To most video gamers, computer games are an escape from reality. It is a place where they can have a different lifestyle, a different disposition and even different personal and physical attributes. It can be one form of catharsis where people can do something they cannot or are not allowed to do in the real world.

Computer games nowadays, also allow for a lot of social networking. The advent of MMORPG's or Massively Multiplayer Role Playing Games paved the way for cooperative gameplay between people with different backgrounds, personalities and characters. This in turn, turned the gaming experience into a virtual community, where people need to talk to other characters about their strategies and their responsibilities as members of the group. This conversations often lead to talks about more personal and realistic topics like "How was your day in the office?" or "My dad asked me to mow the lawn yesterday that's why I wasn't online!"

Gamers nowadays have a lot of choices when it comes to playing their videogames. They have a choice between consoles and Personal Computers to address their gaming needs. Consoles have become the videogame machine of choice for most people. Next generation consoles such as the PlayStation 3, Xbox 360 and Nintendo Wii, are taking the limelight from Personal Computer Gaming because of the extensive library of games these consoles are dishing out almost every day. Console games range from hardcore games, to educational and even party entertainment games.

Some people though, have opted to stay with PC games because according to them "Hey, this is where games were developed in the first place!" To some extent, this is true. Console games were first developed using powerful personal computers. Aside from that, the videogames being released for the personal computer are graphically at par, if not superior, to that of its console counterparts. The unique gameplay being offered by a mouse and a keyboard is also a big draw for loyal PC gamers. But now, a new form of PC gaming over the internet has brought the attention back to the PC and this is where Chris Stoddard's web page comes in.

People nowadays log in to social media websites and in these sites, people can play mini games whose results they can post over the internet to share with their friends. One such game is Ravenwood Fair, found in Christ Stoddard's webpage. This game, along with many others, have made social media webistes more fun and entertaining than ever before. This kind of social media entertainment proves that computer games are evolving and are here to stay.

Computer Games For Learning

Computer games sometimes get a bad rap for being violent or mind-numbing time-wasters. But what about computer games for learning math, languages, and more? Now there are computer games for learning, made for both children and adults. As any parent and teacher knows, games make learning more fun. What kid wouldn't rather play a game instead of doing a repetitive drill?

Games are designed to make learning more fun, and they can be especially appealing to those who have a more solitary learning style. Sometimes children who have advanced skills become bored during a lesson aimed at the rest of the class. Some teachers will have the child do an advanced computer lesson or game during this time, rather than sitting through a topic that is remedial for them. This can help advance their skills while at the same time retaining their love of learning.

Activities designed for elementary students are often designed or approved by teachers. They can be modeled on the elementary school lessons, but give students a more interactive way to learn. Activities may cover core content areas like math or reading, and they also teach children computer skills. Using sound can really help early readers understand the lessons better. Even knowing that the games are educational, children will typically be more excited to play a game than in completing yet another worksheet, for example.

Computer games for learning are available for both Macs and PCs, while others are designed to work with your TV instead of a computer. Some games are online or down-loadable, while others come on a CD. Some may even encourage physical activity, such as riding a special bike while answering the math questions. Common topics include math, reading, color recognition, counting, and foreign languages, and the games themselves are virtually unlimited. Your child can help run a circus by answering math questions, color pictures while learning Spanish color words, or create a newspaper by finding common verbs. These are just a few examples, and you can find a game style that will meet your child's personality and learning style, covering nearly any topic. Regardless of the type of game, it should stimulate your child's love of learning.

As children grown, so do the computer games. Older children can learn geography through adventure-style games. There are also quest, and simulation games, plus curriculum-based games. Some learning objectives can include learning new words, thinking logically and/or creatively, strategy planning, following maps, or working as a team.

Adults aren't left out when it comes to computer games for learning. Educational games can teach adults about different subjects, such as historical events and foreign languages, or they can teach different skills. After all, pilots and astronauts often use flight simulators to learn their skills, which are basically very advanced computer games.

There are even computer games for learning to play piano or guitar, or other creative skills. These are designed for children of all ages, and can make learning a musical instrument easier and more fun.