Online video and computer games

Video and computer games emerged around the same time as role playing games during the 1970s, and there has always been a certain overlap between video and computer games and larger fantasy and sci-fi communities (King and Borland 2003). Many early games were solitary endeavors, but the past decade has witnessed a massive explosion in the popularity of networked games, with titles such as Doom and Quakes standing out as early exemplars.Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on Online video and computer games specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More In the mid 1990s, online video and computer games (OVCGs), which could be played through servers that connect hundreds of thousands of computers together, began to appear across the US, Europe and Asia. Online video and computer games (OVCGs) do not require that players be physically co-present; rather, players gather in virtual game worlds where they play avatars- computer-mediated fa ntasy characters. For online video and computer games (OVCGs) to function it needs a computer as well as the software, instead of other tools used by several other games. In addition, many online games, such as EverQuest (Sony) and World of Warcraft (Blizzard), have a monthly subscription fee. Similar to Role-playing games (RPGs) and collectible Strategy Games (CSGs), but different from many non-networked video and computer games, Online video and computer games (OVCGs) are specifically designed to offer hundreds of hours of highly interactive gameplay and for the development of characters’ identities (Schubert 333). Online video and computer games have settings and systems, just like Role-playing games (RPGs), but the computer controls both, which simplifies the games in some important ways. Online video and computer games involve multiplayer game worlds and allow for instant peer-to-peer communication, either through typed conversation or through voice-over chat. As players cooperate with one another on multiple occasions and for multiple purposes, they develop the same sense of shared community, and become known to one another through their specific style of play and their characters’ names. Perhaps the biggest draw of on-line gaming, however, is the visual effects, which can be highly detailed with a sense of three dimensional spaces. The ability to play at any time one desires, for as long or as short a time as desired, is also an advantage since a player can find others online at any hour of the day or night.Advertising Looking for essay on communications media? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More Many online games today allow for a high degree of character customization and allow various paths towards success, so it is possible to create an interesting, original character that is not only present in one’s head, or on a piece of paper, but which is walking, jumping, fighting, or f lying on the screen in front of the player. As Online video and computer games become more akin to â€Å"movies that I can control† their attractiveness increases. Unfortunately, OVCGs requires a substantial monetary investment and a degree of technical proficiency. Additionally, Online video and computer games are still less portable RPGs and CSGs. Despite these problems, Online video and computer games are the fastest growing segment of the fantasy game industry and have gained more widespread acceptability than either table top RPGs or CSGs (Schubert 338) To continue our fictional example of Academia: The Overeducated, the online version immerses players in a virtual university and the opening shot on the computer screen is that of the Registrar’s office. There, the player selects his/her character’s name, age, sex, height, weight, race, and other physical characteristics, and also signs up for first-year classes. This would generate a graphical representatio n of the player’s character that one could then watch, control, and manipulate through virtual world. The character would be given a campus map and directions to a dorm room, as well as a key to the room. From that point on, the player would navigate through the halls of the Administration Building, on his or her way to the dorm, realizing that every person walking through the hall is also a player; a real person, somewhere in the world, sitting in front of a computer. The player could have the character to stop and ask people about classes, inquire if a teacher was strict with attendance or not, and learn about useful bits of information that would help the character succeed in whatever tasks were encountered during game play. Many role playing and collectible strategy gamers are also computer gamers, and those that are not are typically at least familiar with inline computer gaming and likely know some of the more popular game titles. In the gaming industry, several of the larger RPG and CSG publishers have produced computer games based on their projects, or else have licensed their products to computer game manufacturers. While each type of game has its distinct advantages and disadvantages, an increasingly internet connected world and today’s fast paced life make Online video and computer games very attractive to gamers generally.Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on Online video and computer games specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More Some current online, multiplayer video and computer games include: Hallo 2 (produced by Sony Online Entertainment), and Dark Age of Camelot (Produced by Mythic Entertainment). Works Cited King, Brad, and Borland John. Dungeons and Dreamers: The Rise of Computer Game Culture from Geek to Chic. New York: McGraw-Hill, 2003. Print. Schubert, Damion. Online Games: An Insider’s Guide. Boston: New Riders, 2003. Print. This essay on Online video and computer games was written and submitted by user HumanTorch to help you with your own studies. You are free to use it for research and reference purposes in order to write your own paper; however, you must cite it accordingly. You can donate your paper here.

Im Scrooges old business partner and best friend Essays

Im Scrooges old business partner and best friend Essays Im Scrooges old business partner and best friend Paper Im Scrooges old business partner and best friend Paper This is the ghost of Marley; Im Scrooges old business partner and best friend. I am here on this particular day partly as it was the night of my death seven years ago but I am really here as I have a chance to tell and warn Scrooge that hes heading down a bad road and that hes living a selfish, horrible and wicked life. If hes does not change he will condemned to wander for eternity and witness what he cannot share. I knew Scrooge well as he was my best and only friend and he was my business partner. We had a lot in common. We were selfish and greedy with no feelings for the poor or needy. We just wanted more and more money. We may have been rich but we were certainly poor in sprit and no joy in us. Yes, Old Scrooge is definitely a humbug but he was still my best friend. Earlier this day Scrooges nephew arrived and wished scrooge a merry Christmas and surprise, surprise Scrooges reaction was Bah! Humbug. His nephew thought he didnt mean that but then Scrooge said to him What right have you to be merry, youre poor enough. I cannot believe he said such a thing to his nephew, he treats his family no better then other people. Scrooge assumed that his nephew was just there to visit him for a present of some sort like money but in reality he only wanted to catch up on scrooge and hear whats been happening in his life? Basically he wanted to be a friend. Scrooge was having none of it has he is a selfish unsociable man. While his nephew walked out the clerk accidentally let two gentlemen in. These gentlemen where calling as they knew Scrooge was well off and would definitely be able to spare some money for the needy and poor. When they entered they asked if they could speak to either Scrooge or Marley. Scrooge replied saying that Marley had died seven years ago this night. The two gentlemen answered saying that they had no doubt that his liberality was well represented in his surviving partner. I can definitely say that that statement is true as I am nearly as mean and selfish as Scrooge himself. The gentlemen asked if he would like to make some slight provision for poor and needy, but Scrooge replied that he didnt make himself merry at Christmas and he couldnt afford to make idle people merry either, He also said that he paid taxes anyway and they provided funds for the workhouses and jails. My heart sunk when I saw how selfish and greedy he is as I knew thats what I used to be like as well. Outside of Scrooges workplace the fog and darkness was really thick and impenetrable. I am stating this as I think this reflects Scrooges character as he is selfish, greedy and mean man and he has no consideration for others. He does not even consider his workers and he very unwillingly gave Bob Cratchit, his personal assistant the day off for Christmas, complaining that he was getting paid for not working. When you look at Scrooges financial state and Bobs financial state, it is terrible to think that Scrooge couldnt just spare him Christmas off without any fuss. Scrooge yet again headed home after another day of work to his lonely old house where he would have his dinner by himself once again. But let me tell you he will have company during tonights dinner as I am going to visit him this very night. I follow him home as he leaves his office and I see the house I once shared with him. Oh the memories I have of that house are still coming back to me now. I decide to give him a wake up call; a wee shock I make my face appear on his doorknocker thinking this will give him a fright. It doesnt really seem to work as he just opens door and walks in to his house. It is quite funny to see him look behind door to see if my pony tail is coming out from the back of the doorknocker. When he slams door closed I make a lot of scary noises like thunder and lighting. But Scrooge doesnt seem to be scared by echoes or thunder. I think to my self how ungrateful he is and I start to get quite serious but I do realise that he has double locked his door which is unusual for him so I know he is getting slightly scared. But Scrooge just forgets about it and goes to count his money by the fire. I just look at him with a forgiving heart. All I want to do is to help him, you must remember that. So I make my face appear on the fire tiles but he just says Humbug , the way he always does. He then glances at the disused bell at the corner of the room. Nows my chance I make it ring. He is astonished to see it move. I then make my way up from the cellar into his room, unlocking the door. I have big heavy chains around me with boxes on them and as I walk up the stairs I sound like an elephant. This is because the chains are so big and heavy. This I think will definitely work but again Scrooge just shouts Humbug and assumes he is hearing things. I cant take this anymore so I go up to him in person as a ghost obviously. I myself look just like I did on the day I died except for the heavy chains on me and a bandage round my head. These bandages were shoved on around your head to keep your jaws closed in coffins. I despised them so much. Scrooge is shocked to see me and shocked that you look the same as I did seven years ago when I where alive. However Scrooge still refuses to acknowledge that you are real and not is imagination. He blames the fact that he sees you on something he ate that day. I tell him why Im here but Scrooge cant understand so I start to describe my wasted life to him and how I regret it so much and I say to him again that Im here to offer him a chance to change his fate of having to wonder eternity like me and carry these heavy chains on his body. Before I leave I warn Scrooge that there will be another three spirits which will visit you tonight. I leave him wondering about what he has just seen, hoping that he will change his self-centred life and not have to spend eternity like me. Personally however I think Scrooge is too much like me and will forget my visit and keep living a life of selfishness like I did.