Gaming industry enters a new level

Gaming industry enters a new level

Gaming is good for you???

Gaming is good for you???

• Computer games are good for you, say researchers who studied the complex social interactions in the popular shoot-em-up Counter-Strike.
• "It gives people an option of actively participating in some kind of fantasy role they could not do in real life".
  Professor Talmadge Wright, Loyola University.

Which console is best?

Best high-end gaming console.Reviews agree that the PlayStation 3 is technologically superior to the Xbox 360 -- at least on paper. However, the same experts also say that it's going to take months or even years for game developers to really take advantage of the PS3's horsepower. Right now, reviews say graphics quality and realism for PS3 and Xbox 360 are equally excellent. But because Xbox had a 12-month head start over PS3, it has a much larger library of games. Both systems can play games in high-def if you have an HDTV. The Xbox also has better-integrated online gaming

Virtual Big Brother

Virtual Big Brother

• Three dimensional worlds such as Second Life, which allow people to create online versions of themselves, have built up a large following.
  Virtual Me will allow these avatars to compete in online versions of Deal or No Deal, Fame Academy and Big Brother.
• Bosses at the two firms said it was a concept that bridged the divide between traditional TV and video games.
• "With Virtual Me we are at the forefront of a new, hybrid form of entertainment that takes gaming beyond the console," said Gerhard Florin, Executive Vice President and General Manager of EA International.
• "Endemol is a great partner to help us bring together the best of TV and video games for an offering that can appeal to mass market audiences and change the face of entertainment."

My Hypothesis

1. Comparing of the game consoles. Which are better and why?
2. What are the audience views and responses to the consoles? ie. price, offers to users (add-ons) etc
3. What are the social consequences of the gaming industry?
4. Online gaming its development and issues.
5. What does the future hold for gaming ie the development of online gaming, the complete package etc.

Microsoft Unites Xbox, PC Instant Messaging

Microsoft Unites Xbox, PC Instant Messaging (April 9th 2007)

• Microsoft says it will expand instant messaging on its Xbox 360 game console so that players can chat with others running Windows Live Messenger.
• Microsoft promised that within four weeks it will expand instant messaging on its Xbox 360 game console so that players can chat with others running Windows Live Messenger on their PCs and mobile phones.
• This will become available with a free update on sale the week of May 7th.
• "Bringing the largest IM community in the world, Windows Live Messenger, to Xbox 360 makes sense, as Xbox Live has really become the largest social network on television," Jerry Johnson, product manager for the network, said in a statement.

Console sale figures

PS3
America - 1.37m out of 3m
Japan - 870,500 out of 3m
Europe - 920,000 out of 1m
Australia - 27,000 out of 1m
figures correct up till April 1st

Wii
America - 2.1m
Japan - 2m
Europe - 2m
Australia - 68,000