Eleavers

Thursday, 12 January 2012

How to Pick Out the Best Video Game System

     When you think about how technology has advanced over the last decade, and you consider the advancement in the video games systems we can now enjoy, you'll know why so many people are saying that the skies the limit as far as what's possible next. These systems are improving so fast that is almost impossible to predict what the next big thing will do. So, how can you choose which of these systems would be best for you?
     Almost every school kid loves video games. All those kids at heart who have inadvertently grown up into adults can't stop loving them either. These days, when certain famous computer games are released the excitement and anticipation is way more than when you were young and waking up to Christmas morning. Their fan base is often larger than even the most successful rock bands.
     The computer games industry has gown like crazy until some would say it even grew larger than itself when people's need for activity within leisure time spawned a whole new generation of games, and indoor activity-based video games were invented. Today, you are as likely to see a computer games player throwing a racket around or swinging her leg up above her head at the instruction of the computer game as you are to see a young lad deeply focusing on the next move in the next level of some major action adventure game.
     The games played on the latest systems keep developing and advancing and the peripherals they require are being improved and developed with equal gusto. As they improve, so the demands that are placed upon the consoles increase.
     Video consoles are the units of technological hardware that are used to play the games. Video games systems are perhaps better known and more popularly referred to as game consoles. They are designed to host the wide variety of computer games that their manufacturers create and introduce to the marketplace.
     Beforehand, developers of video consoles produced and sold their own video game systems. These computer games had different specifications and brought individualized unique abilities to the computer gaming experience. At the time it seemed like every console maker had their own unique and distinct style.
     While there has been exclusivity in the past, nowadays the console manufacturers are looking more and more to create cross-platform computer games. Because there is such a massive demand for top quality games, the new programmers are increasingly looking to come together. They are searching for that ideal combination - the holy grail of video gaming. Already there are games that are fully cross-platform. They can play on all the main consoles on the market.
     Because there is now such a wide range to choose from, people who are thinking of taking their first tentative steps into the video games systems market will find that there are many factors to consider.
What video games systems are best? Which one suits me best? Which should I buy? These questions can seem really hard to answer, especially if you don't have much information to hand about what each to the video game systems can do. So, talking to other people and doing a great deal of your own personal research is highly advisable.
     There are a few things to consider when selecting which is your favorite video consoles. By their very nature, the systems have individualized appeal. What is great for you may be lame for another. What they consider the top of the tree may well have no appeal to you.
     When making your choice of video games systems, obviously you want to ask yourself some very personal questions. What do you want to use it for? What is your budget? What would you be satisfied with? What would you want the video consoles to offer?

How to Rent Video Games Online

     Reviews on magazines and gaming websites may help you gather as much information as you can about a new game, but you're not willing to spend $50 for the boxed set just yet. If you want to test an interesting video game before actually buying a copy for yourself, you may want to rent video games first.
Why Rent Video Games Online?
     Before the days of video game rental websites, avid video gamers rented their games from rental shops or video stores. Testing a video game gives you the opportunity to play through a few levels of the game first before buying an actual copy for yourself. Some gamers who cannot afford the cost of an original copy of a video game may also rent video games online because it's way cheaper than having to buy the original boxed set.
Here are other advantages to renting video games online:

* It's fast and convenient. Unlike traditional rental stores where you have to fall in line for a hot new video game release, many online rental shops carry multiple copies of a single game. You can expect your rented copy right at your doorstep anywhere between two days to a week after you have placed your reservation.

* Lots of games to choose from. For retro gamers or people interested in playing rare games, online video game rental stores are a great place to test old and new games without paying the full price of the game.

* Casual gaming. Not all people are hardcore gamers who will shell out big bucks for original copies of computer games. Some people may prefer to go through some levels of a game, and then go back to whatever it is they're doing. Rented video games allow you all the enjoyment of video gaming without the expense and commitment shelled out by hardcore gaming enthusiasts.

* Expanding your video game horizons. Rental is cheap, which means you can explore all sorts of games that you wouldn't imagine yourself playing on a usual day. You may even find a really cool game you enjoy because of what's available from online rental stores.
Looking for Video Game Rental Websites

     Video game rental stores are all over the Web; you simply search for them using a search engine, and you'll have hundreds or even thousands of online shops ready to rent out the hottest and the latest games to you at a reasonable cost. To make your browsing and rentals easier and more convenient, here are some tips that you should keep in mind:

* Look for the store nearest your residence. The nearer the store is to your home, the faster you'll get the game you have rented out. You also spend less in delivery, shipping, and handling costs.

* Search for good deals. Not all game rental shops will rent out the same games at the same prices. A big-name shop may offer discounts or lower rates, but the online rental queue may be too long for you to rent a game on time. Smaller online rental shops have smaller queues, but the selection may be much more limited than bigger online rental stores.

* Check the quality of the game. Games are passed on among customers, and the quality of the installer CD or DVD may have deteriorated over time. Inspect the condition of the installer or game disc first; if it's damaged, you may take it back to the store for a refund or a replacement depending on their terms of service. Avoid sites that rent out pirated or counterfeit copies of original video games.

* Be careful with your banking and personal details. To make rental easier, most online video game rental shops would charge rental and delivery fees to your credit card instead of accepting actual cash. Be very careful when disclosing your banking details, because some sites may disguise themselves as rental shops but run scam operations in real life. Verify with other sites to see if the website is a legitimately-run business that will not use your banking details for scam rackets.

Is Swapping Video Games With Other Gamers a Better Way to Play New Video Games?

     Every gamer goes through the process of buying a new video game - playing it to boredom or completion and then moving onto the next game. For some, the retail value of £40 (~$60) for most new video games makes moving onto the next game a tricky task, making gaming an expensive hobby! This article will discuss several methods of buying/getting new video games available to gamers and consider whether video game swapping sites represent the best possible value to a gamer when moving onto a new video game.
Trading in Video Games
     Trading your video game in at a local store is one method - this will often mean losing over half the value of the game you paid in the first place. And the local store is probably going to sell your video game at a markedly greater price. So the trade in value they offer you isn't going to get you very much at the store so you'll still have to contribute some extra cash to get a new game. However, this process is convenient and you have your next game in hand as soon as you're in the store!

Advantages:
1. Convenient
2. Instant

Disadvantages:

1. Low trade in value
2. Hefty mark up by retailer means you pay more cash for the next game

Video Game Rental

     Joining a games rental service, such as Boomerang or Lovefilm, is another option. You typically pay a flat monthly subscription fee and receive a limited number of games which you can keep for as long as you wish. The quality of such services varies greatly and the major drawbacks here are that you must keep a list of games you desire - resulting in you receiving which ever game the rental company has in stock when they receive returned games. So the danger here is that you may not actually get the game at the top of your list. Other drawbacks include waiting a long time for that one game you want - or receiving games that are scratched to the point where your console won't play them! Most importantly, you hand out all that cash each month and you don't actually own anything in the end - it's arguable that there's better value in buying a game, keeping it until you've finished with it and then trading it once you're done.
     Furthermore, the value in this service varies from game to game. Some games can be completed within a few days of playing, and so the effective cost of playing this game is a fraction of the monthly subscription fee. And some games will be played for many years, making playing these games via rental very expensive! So in this sense, rental has the advantage of letting you try out a large number of games for a monthly subscription fee. If you think the game has long term value, then you could simply buy the game safe in the knowledge that you'll be playing this game for a long time to come! But then PC, Xbox 360 and Playstation 3 gamers can try out new games by downloading them, muting this point in their case.
     Another game rental option is often available from a local video store. The rental cost is typically 5% to 10% of the cost of the video game for up to 7 days worth of play. Using a local video store to rent games is definitely convenient and the value of the service to you depends on whether you actually finish the game or decide it's not your thing (i.e. you've gotten the most out of them) before the game is due back.

Advantages:

1. Large collection to choose from
2. Easy to get new video games as you complete old ones
3. You get to try a large number of games for a nominal subscription fee.

Disadvantages:

1. May not get the game you want
2. Could be waiting a long time for games depending on rental companies stock levels
3. You don't actually own anything in the end

Video Games - How to Find Dirt Cheap Video Games

     Where can I find a cheap video game? With the holiday season upon us and as the price of video games inches up each year, videogamers are looking for better video game deals. You don't have to pay a lot to play a lot, so keep reading for where to cheap video games and helpful tips to keep your wallet happy and your gaming shelf full.

Tips for Finding Dirt Cheap Video Game Deals

     o Unless you want to have your new video game the same day it hits stores, patience can be the best thing for wallet. Often video game prices fall shortly after launch, sometimes as little as a few weeks. If the game is a dud and you're still interested, you can find these video games at cheap prices.
     o Used video games are a great deal. Games that have been gently used can be purchased for very attractive prices. Many times the previous owner played the game, beat it (or didn't like it) and put it up for sale. Some of my best purchases were cheap used video games.
     o Video game retail stores offer promotions and sales on video games, especially around the holidays. Keep a close watch on your local store for cheap video games for sale.
     o Renting video games often costs less than a few dollars per game. Blockbuster and GameFly are two good rental places. Blockbuster is a retail store and Gamefly is an online store similar to NetFlix. These are really good ways to test games before you decide to buy them.
o Don't give up. Great video game deals are out there.

Finding Cheap Video Games Online 

     There are several great sources for cheap video games on the internet. Bookmark these sites and keep checking for lower prices or listed sales.
1. Check out local ads & local sellers for a cheap video game It is good to be on the lookout for special discount ads. Don't forget to check the personal ads because every paper has a website. You can search these ads and find a cheap video game for sale.

2. Review Craig's List for any cheap video games online An easy to find cheap video games online is to do a search on Craigslist.com. Once you find someone selling cheap video games or at a reasonable price, don't be afraid to send an email and make your offer. Remember that nothing is free and so if someone is selling something for free there must certainly be a catch. Your goal is to find where to buy a video game for cheap, not expose yourself to a potential scam for chance to get something for free.

3. Online auction sites are the best for buying a cheap video game By now, you know exactly what you want and how much it would cost to buy what you want. At this point, go to your favorite auction site and do a search. I bet you will find a great deal! That alone just saved you quite a bit of money.
     Looking for a deeper discount? Then look for used video game systems too. It's a quick search change, and could mean another game or two at the same price you were willing to pay at full retail price.

Zany Video Games From Insomniac Games

     On the market today there is now available some crazy and zany video games that can enhance the video gaming experience for gamers. These incredible video games have the ability to cause the villains within a video game to begin dancing to disco music.
     The most bizarre of these newly bizarre video games are produced by Insomniac Games, who also produced the Ratchet And Clank Future - Tools Of Destruction video game. Within this video game was the introduction of the Transformer that had the ability to turn enemies into tiny, little penguins and the Gelanator that could trap its enemies in ice cubes that were made of lime gelatin. Their whimsical look on video games has enabled the majority of their video games to become top titles on the bestseller charts by the gaming industry.
     The magical and advanced technology that is used in creating special effects in many movies are the same ones that are used to create the realistic graphics and life like animation within many video games produced by Insomniac Games. Insomniac Games is one of the few independent video game developers that are still battle for their place among the big league names of Activision and Electronic Arts Incorporated. Already two top independent video game developers, Pandemic Studios and BioWare Corporation, have sold out to Electronic Arts Incorporated.
     Insomniac Games is a company that has reserved the rights to keep to their roots as a goofy and informal company that can focus on creativity and fun. This company was founded in 1994 and has been going strong ever since they released their very first video game demo entitled, Disruptor. However, it only sold close to two hundred thousand copies, which is not great, but for a first time video game it is not too shabby either.
The second video game that they released was Spyro the Dragon, which featured a friendly purple dragon and it was a runaway hit. This video game was so incredible that between 1998 and 2000 there were three more video games created that were based on the Dragon Spyro. The sales of these video games reached close to twelve million copies actually being sold.
     Then in 2002, they created Ratchet And Clank, which was about a furry yellow creature and his robot sidekick. This video game was such a huge hit that it sold more than twelve million copies. The major video game they released was a more mature type of video game known as, Resistance - Fall Of Man. This video game became one of the best selling video games for Sony and its Playstation 3 video game system.
Insomniac Games develops video games for only Sony, and since the Playstation 3 video gaming system has fallen way behind the sales of the Wii and Xbox-360 they have truly been affected. However, they are not considering selling out to the larger video game developing companies. In fact, they will consider developing video games for other video game system manufactures first.
     They have created such fabulous video games as Spyro the Dragon in 1998, Spyro 2 - Ripto's Rage in 1999, Spryo - Year of the Dragon in 2000, Ratchet & Clank in 2002, Ratchet & Clank - Going Commando in 2003, Ratchet & Clank - Up Your Arsenal in 2004, Ratchet Deadlocked in 2005, Ratchet & Clank Future - Tools of Destruction in 2006, and Resistance - Fall of Man in 2007.