CMM250(class)- Brittany

Future of Video Games for 2010-Paper 2

2009-12-09T06:38:00.000-08:00

2010 Outlook for Video Games
Mass media is the many mediums society uses to transmit mass communication (Beth Lane). At the moment, what could be considered as mass media is no longer easy, with the explosion of communication becoming digital. A person could include cells, music players/iPods, and even gaming. Society in this era is about gaming; and with the evolution of video games it can now be included. Gaming has expanded and people are able to do more things with video games and the system or platforms that convey them. Video games, in January 2009, U.S. sales were up 13 percent to $1.33 billion (GrabStats). Interactive entertainment is becoming more popular, and gamers are always looking for the next “new thing,” that is going to put their gaming experience over the edge. With 65% of households in America playing computer or video games, and with 267.9 million sold in 2007 the future of gaming is wide open (GrabStats). There are different views when it comes to the future of gaming. According to video game publisher, Electronic Arts, the future of video games in 2010 is online and mobile gaming. In the opinion of video game analyst, Scott Steinberg, the future of video games is similar, but with several other aspects like: translating physical gestures into on-screen movement, wirelessly retrieving high-quality games on-demand from your PC or gaming console, games for social networks, user-generated content, games free to play online, and independent gaming.
EA (Electronic Arts) chief executive officer, John Riccitiello, believes online and mobile phone-based gaming business models will place conventional boxed products for video game consoles. “When people think of games traditionally think of the Xbox, the PlayStation and the Wii, and they forget about all these online services that are out there- subscription, microtransactions, games they find on Facebook or if they go to Pogo,” said Riccitiello. He also said, “If you add all that stuff up, it’s almost half of the industry now. It’s about 40 to 45 percent. Next year it’s likely to be a larger share of the total industry and it’ll be bigger than the console games all put together” (“Online Gaming is the Future, says EA”). To back up this statement by Riccitiello, he explained how EA recently acquired the social network game developer Playfish for $275 million. Playfish is a British company that provides simulation games like: mini- golf, bowling, and etc. on Facebook. Since, its setup a year ago, Playfish has attracted 25 million registered users (John Bingham). For 2010 EA is planning to reduce the number of boxed games it releases. Riccitiello said, “We’re the world’s leader in packaged goods games, we make more of them than anybody. We’re not suggestion that business is going away, but there’s this other thing that’s growing. It’s our goal for that (online) business to be as important as, and over time maybe more important than, our packaged goods business” (“Online Gaming is the Future, says EA”). The internet is so mainstream, so game producers have to adapt.
For the most part video game analyst, Scott Steinberg agrees, but he goes more in depth and with more than one way that gaming could evolve to, which he breaks down into eight categories. Scott Steinberg starts with “active games,” which is about motion-sensing, and that translate physical gestures into on-screen movement (Digital Trend Staff). The Nintendo Wii made this popular, but games like Guitar Hero and Rock Band have taken it to another level. To keep up with the Wii, Sony and Microsoft will release their own version. People want to be more involved and more interactive with the games they play. Microsoft’s version, Microsoft’s Project Natal, is a 3D camera that entirely eliminates controllers and gamepads (Digital Trend Staff). “These systems are more organic and intuitive, eliminating many of the traditional barriers to entry that keep most players from being able to just jump in and enjoy themselves,” said Steinberg (Digital Trend Staff). Steinberg believes that this will allow more people of any gender and all ages to be more willing to play.
The second is “digital distribution and downloadable content,” which Steinberg described as, “The ability to wirelessly retrieve high-quality games on-demand for your PC and set-top, or portable gaming console delivers incredible convenience and value” (Digital Trends Staff). If games are retrieved than sold in stores they are developed faster and cheaper to purchase. “It’s easier for developers to sell directly to fans, enjoy higher profit margins, and be able to take more risks, leading to greater variety, better pricing options, and games that push the boundaries instead of following proven chart topping formulas,” Steinberg suggested (Digital Trends Staff). There are a few games like Trials HD and Shadow Complex that a person can retrieve or download, and there are others that a person can buy in stores and download expansions like Grand Theft IV and Fallout 3; which allows the games to feel fresh and new. Either way it’s a good step in the right direction.
The third is “games for social networks.” Gaming’s fastest growing outing was games for social networks like MySpace, Hi5, Facebook, and Bebo just to name a few. Steinberg explained how accessible and easy they are, “Most are simple and intuitive to grasp, emphasize socialization and multiplayer elements, and most importantly are free to play, instantly gratifying and crafted to be enjoyed in short sessions, which better suit today’s players’ increasingly hectic lifestyles” (Digital Trends Staff). Nowadays almost every household has a computer, and more people are on social networks. The games on there just give people something fun and simple to do while they are socializing online.
The fourth is “mobile gaming and iPhone games.” Today, mobile phones are more than just phones. With the new features phones have they are devices that can transmit, download, send, and receive all kinds of information. Steinberg believed that from the 85,000 applications from Apple’s iPhone and iPod touch two billion were downloaded, and out of the two billion a quarter were electronic amusement; meaning games. “Today’s increasingly powerful smart-phones don’t just travel wherever users go, and offer enough power to deliver a high-quality gaming experience,” Steinberg said, “They also make it possible to purchase games virtually anywhere, and do so at a variety of price points, offering greater convenience. Because virtually anyone can develop for these platforms too, and the cost of doing so is relatively low, users also enjoy much more innovative titles and broader selection.” Phones are transportable, easy to manage, and a person has access to almost any media outlet, so phones would be a likely option for video gamers.
The fifth is “user-generated content,” which allows the player to create their own levels, graphics, titles, and modifications. To get the full gaming experience, gamers want to be more involved with the game designs. Steinberg said, “Amateurs have more power than ever to shape the titles they play, thanks to custom level-building toolkits becoming an increasingly popular feature” (Digital Trends Staff). Games like LittleBigPlanet, Spore, and City Heroes make this possible. There are a few games that have this feature that lets the game to be its own do-it-yourself publishing platform. This is a good thing, because it allows young people who play games develop an interest in graphic or video game design, which leads to a career.
The sixth is “free to play and online game.” Games like Free Realms and Dungeon Fighter Online are free games that are expected to continually grow. “You can’t beat the price, when coupled with low system requirements and what are generally themes with broader appeal and more immediately understandable play mechanics, it’s no wonder users are flocking to these titles drove,” said Steinberg (Digital Trend Staff).
The seventh way is “cloud computing,” which allows games to be streamed back to a person’s PC or TV via high-speed internet connection. Cloud computing services like OnLive and Gaikai, are just the start to other services. Even cutting-edge titles can be played on older systems without the expensive upgrades (Digital Trends Staff). In Steinberg’s opinion these services will grow in popularity, but cost and practicality is a question.
Lastly, the final way video games are being influenced by is “indie games,” or independent game studios. Even though the big companies like Rockstar, Blizzard, and Microsoft make all the money, the most-buzzed about games come from the little companies (Nick Mokey). People are not as interest in the normal sports game, or strategy game. They want to play the eccentric uncanny game, and these independent game studios are producing these games. These independent game studios have no real pressure on them like the big tycoons, so they are able to try new things. “Without the pressure of corporate politics, stringent budges, demanding release dates or finicky shareholders to appease, homebrew coders have unrivaled room to experiment and innovate,” Steinberg suggested, “Though it’s much harder for these games to make headlines and gain mainstream attention, there’re often times much more wildly engaging and original than anything you’ll find on sort shelves today” (Digital Trends Staff). Games like Braid, Passage, and World of Goo are becoming more popular amongst gamers.
Although, more people are gaming, in this economy and the cost to produce these games and platforms, the gaming industry is finding alternatives ways to get their products purchased by consumers and allow people to have the ultimate gaming experiences. They are trying to expand in other forms, and with the development of mass media they are tapping into these other outlets. Gaming is changing which leaves the future of games at questioned. Now, the future of gaming is not set in stone, because no one can predict the future, but with statistics, information, the transformation of mass media, and trends that are being followed experts, and analysts have a pretty good idea of the future for video games for at least 2010. The gaming world is being moved into the categories of motion sensing, wireless retrieving, affordable, accessible, and more enjoyable for all ages and genders.

Work Cited

Bingham, John. "Facebook spawns new generation of 'sociable' computer game."

Telegraph.co.uk. 29 Dec. 2008. Web. 1 Dec. 2009.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/technology/facebook/4014043/Facebook-spawns-new-

generation-of-sociable-computer-game.html.

Digital Trends Staff. "Video Game Analyst Scott Steinberg Reveals 2009 and 2010’s Top

Gaming Trends." Digital Trends. 11 Nov. 2009. Web. 30 Nov. 2009.

http://www.digitaltrends.com/gaming/video-game-analyst-scott-steinberg-2009-2010-

gaming-trends/.

Lane, Beth. "What is Mass Media." Suite101.com. 29 June 2007. Web. 1 Dec. 2009.

http://medialiteracy.suite101.com/article.cfm/what_is_mass_media_.

Mokey, Nick. "The Second Coming of Indie Gaming." Digital Trends. 8 Sept. 2009. Web. 30

Nov. 2009. http://www.digitaltrends.com/gaming/the-second-coming-of-indie-gaming/.

"Online Gaming is the Future, says EA." Telegraph.co.uk. 3 Dec. 2009. Web. 5 Dec. 2009.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/technology/video-games/6716836/Online-gaming-is-the-

future-says-EA.html.

"Video Game Statistics / Video Game Industry Stats." GrabStats. 2008. Web. 2 Dec. 2009.

http://www.grabstats.com/statcategorymain.asp?StatCatID=13.

2009-12-03T09:24:00.000-08:00

Check out the new movie "Precious"

"Pregnant by her own father for the second time, 16-year-old Claireece "Precious" Jones(Gabourey Sidibe) can neither read nor write and suffers constant abuse at the hands of her vicious mother (Mo'Nique). Precious instinctively sees a chance to turn her life around when she is offered the opportunity to transfer to an alternative school. Under the patient, firm guidance of her new teacher, Ms. Rain (Paula Patton), Precious begins the journey from oppression to self-determination."

This was a good movie! Very sad and raw, but very inspirational. You know it's an exceptional movie when Oprah and Tyler Perry are executive producers.

Day Before Thanksgiving

2009-11-25T14:25:00.000-08:00

I cannot believe I'm in Syracuse for Thanksgiving. I am mad I didn't go home with one of my teammates, but I figured if I stayed I could get a lot of work done. I played myself; the day is pretty much over, and I have not done one assignment. I should of left!

Food at the cafe

2009-11-19T18:43:00.000-08:00

So, today was Thanksgiving Dinner at the cafe. Everything was pretty descent, so I am happy and grateful, but why every year there is pumpkin pie. I feel like the cafe should have variety for its many ethnic groups. It would be nice to have some sweet potato pie and peach cobbler just one time for those who cherish it.

Grad School

2009-11-17T19:49:00.000-08:00

I had know idea how hard it would be to apply to grad school. I been applying to Georgia State University, and they want me to literally do everything. GSU wants me to get all info like resume, recommendations, test scores, and transcripts; and send them in what they called an application packet. Not to mention the essays and other documents; all this makes me not even want to go. It's so frustration because it is so time consuming especially when I'm taking 18 credits. Good thing I started in September, but still have a lot more work left.

Branding Yourself

2009-11-11T20:19:00.000-08:00

I always looked as facebook and myspace as a tool to keep in touch with friends, and i always thought twitter was dumb. After a branding yourself workshop at LeMoyne i realized that social networks are get for getting your name out there in the business world. Professor Allen told me that there are IT people who work in human resources as an aid. When people send in job applications the person reviewing the applicant will ask the IT people to find any information they can of that person's background on the internet. So, if your social network sites come up, and it's you partying or passed out than it's not a good look; but if your networks are respective and show that you are active in positive things than they are going to be interested. I'm a senior and will be graduating this summer, even though, I plan on going to grad school I need to start getting professional and building a foundation for branding myself.

ill

2009-11-10T20:56:00.000-08:00

Super stressed out....i been trying to catch up on some work since i been sick...i hav to go to bed....health office gave me some medicine...but its stuff i already had....sometimes i dont understand the point of going to the health office...they dont even have the right equipment and instruments to really diagnose a problem...but i guess they do the best they can.....

2009-11-05T17:43:00.000-08:00

Cannot believe LeMoyne beat SU....that game was the funniest game i have ever been to....even if they would of lost i still would of had fun!!!!!!!!!!

Lil Wayne

2009-10-22T15:43:00.000-07:00

Just found out this morning that rapper lil wayne is going to jail for a year. He was caught with a gun in 2007, but took a plea deal today. I think it is unfair; reports said after a concert his tour bus was pulled over and cops found the gun. First of all how many tour buses get pulled over. Second, it is lil wayne; this dude probably had millions of dollars worth of jewelry and his payment for performing for was probably another $100,000. He has to protect himself, the cops not going to do it. He's never really been in trouble with the law; even though he should be punished, but a year is pushing it. Maybe like 30 days 2 years probation. I feel like black rappers are always targeted no matter because of the rapper stereo-type. He raps for a living; his job is rapping, he supports his family from rapping. He is not a gansta; killing or selling drugs. Damn I wish this would stop!

2009-10-21T19:19:00.000-07:00

my teacher was hurt in a knife fight!

Poor McNair

2009-10-21T18:57:00.000-07:00

I feel bad for Steve McNair's wife and children. Text messages are now surfacing, describing his last few days leading up to his death. Not only was he cheating on his wife he was cheating on his mistress or girlfriend with another woman. I guess from the messages his girlfriend was troubled, and just under a lot of stress with everyday life. I believe she mentioned to a co-worker that her life "was a mess". In no way am I saying he deserved to die, but he put himself in that situation. If he did not cheat or stray away from his relationship with his wife he would have not gotten involved with his girlfriend, therefore never getting shot.

CMM 250- Paper 1

2009-10-21T07:29:00.000-07:00

Brittany Davis Intro for Paper #1
Professor Roche
CMM 250
Oct. 21, 2009

Social Networking Dumbing us Down?

The 21st century has been the era of technological advancements. Society is so connected and dependent on technology that it is a part of our lives; to many it is a daily routine like showering and getting dressed. We are a lazy society and are always looking for the easiest and most convenient ways of doing things. Some say society is losing its ability to think naturally due to technology. One aspect of technology is the internet; it is a tool that can be good or bad depending on who is using it, but can help make our lives more efficient. Not only has society evolved, so has the internet. The internet has progressed tremendously since the 80’s and 90’s; it has more uses than just electronic mailing, finding new information, and learning new things. It is a way to connect with people on a business, private, and social level. However, are social networks like: Twitter, Facebook, and Myspace dumbing society down? Is society’s communication being reduced in retrospect to literacy?

Social networks connect people to other people no matter where they are located at anytime of the day. Everything is supposed to be faster and/or more rapid; the key is to get your thoughts out in the quickest way possible without the message losing its content. So it is only fair that the way people communicate and actually interact is faster. Typing is the most popular and convenient way of communicating on these networks; however, research shows that less than half the population can type 50 words per minute. Thus, if people want to type and type fast; he or she in a way has to improvise. When it comes to typing there are no rules or guidelines. Grammar and punctuation is disregarded; phrases, words, and sentences become abbreviated. For example: “i lov bball…but i hate getn up at 6 evry morning…an skool is hard wit 18hrs…sum of my classes giv lots of work….i hope i can mak it 2 dec. “George Parker, guest columnist for psfk.com, has stated, “Logic often goes out of the window, to be replaced by rapid response. The new message is blasted out to large circles of friends or followers, who are busy cranking out more gibberish in an effort, not only to keep up with you, but to outdo you in the volume of replies from like minded churls.” In other words the connection with friends and other potential friends is more important than sounding intelligence. If a person is socially networking daily and typing in that form than eventually he or she is going to get use to it. After so much repetition it becomes natural, or a bad habit that can affect other aspect in life; and everyone knows a habit is hard to break.

Literacy is a big part of life especially for students; papers, essays, and class assignments have to be grammatically correct. When it comes to my own experiences, I know social networks are hampering my when it comes to literacy. I would probably spend more time revising typed papers, if Microsoft Word didn’t correct some errors and let me know when something is misspelled. Not only with typing, but when I am doing an in class writing assignment it takes me longer. I feel like I cannot just write; I am always making sure every word is spelled correctly, and I didn’t miss any punctuation marks. I feel like the content of my writings or answers suffer, because I am more focused on the assignment being grammatically correct. Even typing this paper, the simplest word I forget how to spell, or I spell it correctly, but because I am not use to seeing the word spell correctly it doesn’t look correct at all. I hate to say it, but I use “an” so much instead of “and” that I cannot recognize when I’m suppose to use it sometimes. In addition I hear all the time how this affects my friends. Sunday night I was at the café with the majority of my teammates, and I asked, “Are social networks dumbing us down”; a few didn’t understand so I had to break it down. I went more in depth with the actual networks, and described the way some people type when on these networks. All ten came to a consensus that in many different ways it is hurting our literacy skills than helping. They described their own problems with forgetting words. One of my teammates suggested how “Twitter can really get you.” She said Twitter only always 146 characters in a message or post, so to get your complete thought out you do whatever you can. Then the discussion went to when does a person use an apostrophe when they are trying to show possession but the subject is plural, containing an ‘s’ at the end. I bet the people overhearing our conversation thought we were just the dumbest girls ever. However, the discussion proved that it does slow down people’s natural ability to think. We are college students, some things should come to a person naturally; but instead we are back tracking.

One thing I personally didn’t think about, that another of my teammates said was pronunciation; it is associated with literacy. She explained how she talks how she types; chopping up words and saying abbreviated phrases, words, and sentences. Instead of “the” she says “da,” “going to” becomes “gonna,” “running” becomes “runnin,” or “want” becomes “wanna”; and “be right back” turns into “brb”. Now, I don’t go that far with saying abbreviated words or phrases, but I have notice that I do not pronounce words correctly. I say “da,” “dis,” “wit,” “wanna,” and “dem”; I am so use to typing in this matter that it is now affecting my speech. I believed I’ve always been a excellent speaker naturally, but the last three years I’ve notice that I have to concentrate more, and take my time instead of letting it flow; because if I don’t with my accent people would not be able to understand me. It is a terrible habit that I do subconsciously.

Social networks are great for communicating with people, connecting with friends, and networking. On the other hand it can be hurting you in intangible ways. Disregarding proper grammar and punctuation on these networks may not make a person dumb, but it can decrease your overall communication skills; whether it’s typing, writing, and/or speaking. Even though someone could say that no one is forcing people to type grammatically incorrect; if you wanted to type proper you can, so it is not the social network it’s the people. I would slightly agree, but the majority is still the networks, it’s almost like peer pressure. When a social network only allow you so many characters it’s hard to say what you really want; the networks forces you to shorten up phrases, words, and/or sentences. Social networks also have so much going on a person doesn’t have time to send long messages; not with all the new features and applications they want to take advantage. Social networks like Twitter, Facebook, and Myspace may be fulfilling, satisfying, and wonderful at the time to many, but the people of today’s society is losing its ability to think naturally, and it is reducing literacy some way, shape, or form.

UConn football player dead!

2009-10-19T10:36:00.000-07:00

I don't understand how someone can be stabbed at an on-campus party, and there are no suspects! First, of all I had no idea, people in college pull fire alarms, it's not high school. Where was security at; this guy had a kid on the way. He plated on the football team to better his life and now he's dead. I feel bad for his family, who was counting on him.

POOR Detroit!

2009-10-01T13:17:00.000-07:00

So, i read an article about Detroit being so economically messed up that families nor the county can afford to bury their loved ones. The CNN article explains how unemployment is approaching 28% and the Wayne County Morgue budget to bury unclaimed bodies ran out in June. Since, i am a Detroiter, it's just sad to hear & read stuff like this. With unemployment being the way it is, people are committing serious crimes just to make ends meat. Not to long ago, my mom was mugged at the dollar store during the day. People are getting desperate; so if I'm not at least 5 deep; i do not leave the house after 10 unless i have to. The auto industry was hiring all these people without any higher education and paying them $20+ an hour to work on the assembly line. When people were laid off they did not have the education to get another high well paying job. So, all the jobs that college students and high school students should have, you have 30, 40, 50 year old people working. Due to the auto industry being the leading employment, the people with the higher education overwhelmed the rest of the high quality jobs making these jobs scarce. I absolutely love Detroit and proud of where i come from, but if i want a career i am going to have to relocate; maybe even for good. I'm just blessed that my parents make descent money and we aren't struggling, but for some of my family members life is hard and i hope/pray that Obama can improve employment in not just the state of Mich. but the entire country. America is suppose to be the best country in the world, so WE should be living like it!!!!!

over worked!!!!!!!!!

2009-09-27T17:17:00.000-07:00

i am extremely tired......i think people don't know how hard it is to be a student athlete....im up at 6 mon. thru fri. (off on wed.)...im taking 18hrs.... on mon. & wed. i have 4 classes and 1 of them on both days is 3hrs....im getting as much sleep as possible...but im fighting the sleep in class....i want a cup of coffee or an energy drink...but drinking to much can make drug test positive....i feel like im starting to fall behind....

Kanye is a Jerk and Not in a Good Way!!!!

2009-09-16T07:11:00.000-07:00

Kanye West embarrassed Taylor Swift at the VMA's Sunday night. It wasn't the time or place for him to express himself the way he did. That was Taylor 1st VMA and he ruined her moment. Even if he was right, it was not his award to lose. Since, Sunday Kanye has been apologizing like crazy, but I don't think it is to sincere. I question his motives; he is so cocky that he apology doesn't seem real. He was raised better than what he showed; he straight up disrespected him momma. If you have any kind of sense or home training please act like it!!!!!!