Put it on Mute and Turn up the Beat: What to Listen to While Gaming
Games are often designed with a tactful need to utilize every resource to edge out the all-important advantage. For many, this resourcefulness includes the sound or theme track that accompanies games, which at times can alert a player to approaching enemies or a change in character status. But there are just as many gamers out there who throw this notion out the window along with the nausea inducing DK Rap courtesy of Donkey Kong 64.
Aside from the obvious eye strain and negative vision change that occurs from playing too long, sitting too close to the screen, and not taking breaks, there’s at least one other impact video games have on our eyes–and it’s actually a good thing. A new study shows that fast-paced, action-packed video games like FPSs stimulate the eyes, and can help develop visual processing.
It’s a trend we’ve all tried once, much to our skill level’s chagrin. And more and more gamers (especially those of us in college) are finding ourselves doing it: drunken gaming. Although it seems like a good idea at the time (and when you’re at that stage, what doesn’t?), let me tell you, not only will your head ache the morning after change your mind, but your decreased skills (and former teammates) won’t thank you, either.
You might not have heard of it, but if you’re a jaded gamer, chances are you’ll really like it. Savage 2: A Tortured Soul offers not only an array of ten classes wielding both FPS- and RPG-like melee and ranged abilities, but RTS-style commanding roles, as well. Fall in with the Beast Horde or the Legion of Man and tattoo yourself with strange symbols. Become a shapeshifter, a shaman with sinuous tree branch fingers, or even a wheeled battering ram. Work under and over and together with your friends, or struggle together against the PUGs, or struggle together against your friends if you don’t have very good ones. Oh, and invoke the powers of the underworld from crevasses in the earth by accumulating the souls of your foes, om nom nom nom.
EA’s latest Battlefield offering, Battlefield: Heroes, has a refreshingly unique twist: it’s free to play. That’s right; you don’t have to shell out $30-$50 for the online, multiplayer, FPS action. There’s not even a monthly fee like Age of Conan and WoW. Instead of making players pay for the software, EA is letting players play for free with the ability to purchase upgrades and customization options. While it’s not the first game on the planet to do this, it is certainly among few and is one of the biggest to try this out.
Have video games ever made you sick? No, I’m not talking about how you felt after Nintendo’s E3 showing. (That feeling’s actually much worse.) I’m talking about “sim sickness,” and contrary to what the name might suggest, this isn’t the premise for a new, hospital-themed Sims game, either. It’s video game-induced motion sickness, and it’s turning lots of stomachs.
