Games
Gaming: Size Does Matter
Jan 23rd
According to a report compiled by researchers at several research facilities at the University of Illinois, human propensity for talent in video games can now be determined by measuring three key areas of the brain.
Kirk Erickson, a professor of psychology at the University of Pittsburgh, and first author of the study remarks, “This is the first time that we’ve been able to take a real-world task like a video game and show that the size of specific brain regions is predictive of performance and learning rates on this video game.” Erickson’s article first appeared in the professional journal Cerebral Cortex. He has since been joined by researchers from MIT, Florida State (which is also currently conducting a study on consumers’ virtual goods buying habits), and the University of Illinois.
New NPD Report lays out Gamer purchasing, playing, and ownership patterns
Sep 15th
Leading market research firm, The NPD Group has recently released a report from their Gaming Device Profiles sub-unit, stating that 41 percent of all gamers rely on word of mouth as a source of their video game information. The survey includes data sampled from owners of a variety of gaming platforms, including portable gaming devices, and consequently this word of mouth data varies from owner to owner.
However, collectively, the majority reported relying on what friends and others had to say about their favorite games. In second place with 31 percent, was actual hands on time with the actual game(s) in question. Least influential in gamers’ purchasing decisions? Online and Magazine ads, incentives/coupons, and social networking sites ranked least influential in the survey, barely garnering a 5 percent response.
“When it comes to developing successful games and targeting marketing and promotions, each gaming platform has its own unique challenges and opportunities to consider,” said Anita Frazier, industry analyst, The NPD Group.
Razer launches new pwnage tool – Naga 17 button gaming mouse
Aug 20th
As a gamer, of course I’m aware of Razer’s line of products, but sadly, they’re still serving the winblows world, and only offer one mac supported mouse. It’s white and cute, but feels more like a laptop, on the go business type mouse, rather than something substantial under hand. And while Razer’s still sticking with the Redmond crowd, they have recently announced that they’ve started shipping an industry first: and MMO specific mouse.
Dubbed the Naga, Razer bills this new input device as the next level in gaming mice for MMO players. Tested in combination with leading MMO gamers and community sites, including the number one MMO addon go to, curse.com.
“Gaming interfaces have been growing but there’s a gap in providing gamers a true experience of control in the virtual world,” said Robert “Razerguy” Krakoff, president, Razer. “Razer’s engineering team addresses this issue with the Razer Naga, designed to be unique and innovative by offering MMO players more customization and balance in-game. “
China cracks down on Gold Farming
Jun 30th
It’s official. The Chinese government has now outlawed trading virtual currency for real world goods and/or services. In this joint statement released by the Ministry of Culture and Ministry of Commerce, the government clearly defines virtual currency, including ‘prepaid cards of cyber-games’.
“The virtual currency, which is converted into real money at a certain exchange rate, will only be allowed to trade in virtual goods and services provided by its issuer, not real goods and services,” the Ministries said.
The process of exchanging real world goods, services, or currency for in-game virtual currencies in MMORPG (Massive Multiplayer Online Role Playing Games) is often referred to Gold Farming, and has afflicted a number of titles including the perhaps most popular example, the worldwide hit World of Warcraft.
DandyID
Facebook
Amazon Wish List
Blip.fm
Flickr
YouTube
Delicious
Digg
Friendfeed
Stumbleupon
Twitter
last.fm
Linkedin
Vimeo
identi.ca
Twitpic
