Well the San Ramon Rec Guide showed up and after looking through all their offerings I found quite a number of online classes that looked interesting. So I decided to take one to see how they are.
So you are no reading about a new student in the 6 week class "Introduction to the Game Industry". Week 2 just finished up and so far it's interesting. The teacher is a person who's worked for a number of companys in the industry and has written some well received books on the subject.
One of the reasons I chose to take this class first is when I do head back to the working world one of my listed options right now is working for a game company. So I'm learning more about that industry to see if it's something I want to pursue or not.
Some other classes I'm looking at from this online learning are: discover digital photography, introduction to java programming (I'm currently teaching myself this computer language) and writeriffic:creativity training for writers. There is a new one that I just noticed called "Ready Set Read!" a course by a long time teacher with a degree in Child Development. In this class you learn about how children really learn to read and write. Sounds like something a new parent should at least look into right?
Well as I take more classes I'll keep you posted. Now back to learning!
Showing posts with label Video Games. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Video Games. Show all posts
Monday, September 29, 2008
Friday, June 6, 2008
Lego Mania!
On the Gamecube a few years back a game was released called Lego Star Wars. I bought it for being a Star Wars game more so then for a Lego game. I had some worries that it would be too kiddie of a game. But was that further from the truth. It was such a great game I'm not even sure where to begin describing the game.
Lego Star Wars is set in Episodes I-III of the Star Wars movie franchise, of which I'm a huge fan of all the movies. So you start out with just two playable characters of Obi-Wan (Padawan) and Qui-Gon Jin aboard the Trade Federation ship. Oh and you are the Lego version of them! Sweet! When you blow things up in the world, oh by the way did I mention everything on the screen is made of Legos, they shatter into their the core Lego pieces and spit out collectible Lego studs. As you progress through each chapter of each episodes you unlock more playable characters and earn studs to buy things with. Also, after completing a chapter you can the go back and play in free-play mode which allows you to switch between more characters then the story play mode. And you'll need to in order to find everything you need from a chapter some things are only reachable by certain characters.
A few months later they released Lego Star Wars for Episodes IV-VI for those who like the classic better. It's game play was the same with maybe some upgrade character interaction stuff. But still a great game! For the Wii they released both games as a combined game. I haven't picked it up as I don't know if there are any changes to the games I have and can play via my Wii.
Well just this last week the released Lego Indiana Jones for the Wii. I naturally picked it up. It's great just like the Star Wars versions. Here Indy's got a whip instead of the force and a lightsaber. But the game still rocks especially running form a big Lego ball that's rolling at you! I've only played the first chapter and ran around the holding area a little bit so far. Tough to get too much grinding in yet with the little one! But I'll try!
Lego Star Wars is set in Episodes I-III of the Star Wars movie franchise, of which I'm a huge fan of all the movies. So you start out with just two playable characters of Obi-Wan (Padawan) and Qui-Gon Jin aboard the Trade Federation ship. Oh and you are the Lego version of them! Sweet! When you blow things up in the world, oh by the way did I mention everything on the screen is made of Legos, they shatter into their the core Lego pieces and spit out collectible Lego studs. As you progress through each chapter of each episodes you unlock more playable characters and earn studs to buy things with. Also, after completing a chapter you can the go back and play in free-play mode which allows you to switch between more characters then the story play mode. And you'll need to in order to find everything you need from a chapter some things are only reachable by certain characters.
A few months later they released Lego Star Wars for Episodes IV-VI for those who like the classic better. It's game play was the same with maybe some upgrade character interaction stuff. But still a great game! For the Wii they released both games as a combined game. I haven't picked it up as I don't know if there are any changes to the games I have and can play via my Wii.
Well just this last week the released Lego Indiana Jones for the Wii. I naturally picked it up. It's great just like the Star Wars versions. Here Indy's got a whip instead of the force and a lightsaber. But the game still rocks especially running form a big Lego ball that's rolling at you! I've only played the first chapter and ran around the holding area a little bit so far. Tough to get too much grinding in yet with the little one! But I'll try!
Wii Excitement
Well as many know I was one of those fools who waited for hours in the wee hours of the morning to pick up a Wii when it was released. The system is an absolute blast and I have seen even the youngest of children having fun with the basic games that come with it. Bowling is a blast as is the golf game driving range. Since the release I have bought a few games here and there. Of course the classics Madden, Zelda, Metroid made it into my larder of games and all are fun. I'm a big golf person so Tiger Woods made it too and it is fun, and frustrating, to swing the controller in a mostly realistic golf swing. I played that game almost everyday for months on end. Ever since the first Tiger game came out I've been hooked. Well now just recently a new game has come out that is also a classic good time Mario Kart! For the Wii the game comes with a wheel that you insert a Wii controller into to give you a better driving feel then trying to just turn the controller. Man is it a blast!
The game is much like all the other incarnations in that you have the standard 50cc, 100cc and 150cc selections. And so far I've only done the 50cc you have your standard circuits of Mushroom, Flower, Star and Special. with at the start only Mushroom and Flower being playable. These are new tracks just like with the past versions they always update and create new tracks. However, there are also two other circuits available Shell and Banana with two to be uncovered. These circuits have tracks from all the old versions. They have been updated graphically of course but take you back in time to learning all those old tracks.
On top of the new courses and being able to relive the old courses you now have your choice of three vehicles when you make your character selection. This is cool as you can pick a type that works better on certain circuits and tracks. Each one has different stats. Also outside of the old classic carts there are now motorbikes to race too! I haven't gotten to those yet as they are for 100cc and 150cc. But can't wait for it.
The coolest feature of all is the ability to play online! Yes that's right you can race against people in your friend list, regional area or even world wide! I've only done this a couple of times and have gotten my ass handed to me but it was loads of fun to race against 12 other people instead of computer controlled opponents. You can also do timed events that you can then see how you rank versus your friends, regionally and globally. There are even tournaments you can enter. Online play allows up to 2 people per console to play online. This make it an even better game for me since I've moved away from all my friends who play vids with me. Now if I can just get them to pony up for the system and game! Come on guys and girls you know who you are!
Well that's it for now.
The game is much like all the other incarnations in that you have the standard 50cc, 100cc and 150cc selections. And so far I've only done the 50cc you have your standard circuits of Mushroom, Flower, Star and Special. with at the start only Mushroom and Flower being playable. These are new tracks just like with the past versions they always update and create new tracks. However, there are also two other circuits available Shell and Banana with two to be uncovered. These circuits have tracks from all the old versions. They have been updated graphically of course but take you back in time to learning all those old tracks.
On top of the new courses and being able to relive the old courses you now have your choice of three vehicles when you make your character selection. This is cool as you can pick a type that works better on certain circuits and tracks. Each one has different stats. Also outside of the old classic carts there are now motorbikes to race too! I haven't gotten to those yet as they are for 100cc and 150cc. But can't wait for it.
The coolest feature of all is the ability to play online! Yes that's right you can race against people in your friend list, regional area or even world wide! I've only done this a couple of times and have gotten my ass handed to me but it was loads of fun to race against 12 other people instead of computer controlled opponents. You can also do timed events that you can then see how you rank versus your friends, regionally and globally. There are even tournaments you can enter. Online play allows up to 2 people per console to play online. This make it an even better game for me since I've moved away from all my friends who play vids with me. Now if I can just get them to pony up for the system and game! Come on guys and girls you know who you are!
Well that's it for now.
Thursday, March 1, 2007
Classic Video Game fun with the Wii
Yes I am one of those people who picked up the Wii! This system I was very excited for as it was Ninendo’s first backward compatible consoles. You can play your GameCube games on the device with the old controllers and memory cards plus the new Wii games. Another good feature is the built in Wireless Networking. It was a pain at first to set up the networking but I think that was due to something wrong with the software on the system. After resetting my wireless router and letting the Wii do its automatic updates I was then able to resecure my wireless router again and the Wii worked just as before. Another sweet feature of this system was the ability to download old games from other Nintendo systems (NES, SNES, Nintendo 64) along with the Sega Genesis and something called TurboGrafx. Not sure what the last system was but the others excited me greatly as I’d be able to download old games for small fee ranging from $5-10 depending on the system. The motion sensing controllers sounded really cool and in use are great.
I love when playing the Wii Sports games that come with the system that you actually make real life motions to do things such as Pitch a baseball, swing a bat, swing a golf club, swing a tennis racket, bowl, or box. It’s actually a great workout and a great party game even if it is simplistic. I had a friend of mine who wants to get one now after we made her do the home run hitting mode. She knocked one so far it went out of the park. On another she swung so hard she slipped on our hard wood. But she was laughing the entire time. Her little girl did the practice range mode for golf and after a little trial and error was having a blast playing. This probably led more to her wanting the system then the fun she had. I personally can’t wait until Tiger Woods or Mario golf comes out for the system. I also want to see what they do with the basketball games.
When I bought the system I picked up Zelda and Madden. Two staple games for any Nintendo system. Zelda just rules!! I love the fact in this version you can fight from horseback and that you actually swing the controller to attack. Very fun and well put together game. Madden is a ton of fun like normal but with the Wii Controllers it’s even more fun. To hike the ball you pull the controller towards you. To throw you select your receiver and make a throwing motion. When running you can swing the controller/numchuck right or left to stiff arm or juke. Kicking can be very sensitive if you don’t watch the orientation of the controller all the way through the upswing motion. Any right or left tilting of the controller will cause the ball to slice or hook. Absolute blast and easier then remembering what button does what.
This system should appeal to just about any type of gamer I would think as even the first person games should absolutely rock what with aiming at the screen with the controller for you gun and stuff. I just can’t wait for some of the upcoming games to get released.
Currently I have only downloaded 2 games from the online store. They are Kid Ikarus and Donkey Kong Country. Kid Ikarus was one of those games that always stuck with me and my friends growing up. Hell we even have a common saying that came out of my frustration with this game. “You little dorks”. I’m having a blast remembering this game and reliving my youth. Donkey Kong Country, for the SNES, was a great game at the time and while the graphics are not quite what I remember it is still loads of fun to control Donkey and Diddy Kong in their mad cap adventures.
Well back to gaming for me I write another write up on my current video game of choice World of Warcraft sometime in the near future.
I love when playing the Wii Sports games that come with the system that you actually make real life motions to do things such as Pitch a baseball, swing a bat, swing a golf club, swing a tennis racket, bowl, or box. It’s actually a great workout and a great party game even if it is simplistic. I had a friend of mine who wants to get one now after we made her do the home run hitting mode. She knocked one so far it went out of the park. On another she swung so hard she slipped on our hard wood. But she was laughing the entire time. Her little girl did the practice range mode for golf and after a little trial and error was having a blast playing. This probably led more to her wanting the system then the fun she had. I personally can’t wait until Tiger Woods or Mario golf comes out for the system. I also want to see what they do with the basketball games.
When I bought the system I picked up Zelda and Madden. Two staple games for any Nintendo system. Zelda just rules!! I love the fact in this version you can fight from horseback and that you actually swing the controller to attack. Very fun and well put together game. Madden is a ton of fun like normal but with the Wii Controllers it’s even more fun. To hike the ball you pull the controller towards you. To throw you select your receiver and make a throwing motion. When running you can swing the controller/numchuck right or left to stiff arm or juke. Kicking can be very sensitive if you don’t watch the orientation of the controller all the way through the upswing motion. Any right or left tilting of the controller will cause the ball to slice or hook. Absolute blast and easier then remembering what button does what.
This system should appeal to just about any type of gamer I would think as even the first person games should absolutely rock what with aiming at the screen with the controller for you gun and stuff. I just can’t wait for some of the upcoming games to get released.
Currently I have only downloaded 2 games from the online store. They are Kid Ikarus and Donkey Kong Country. Kid Ikarus was one of those games that always stuck with me and my friends growing up. Hell we even have a common saying that came out of my frustration with this game. “You little dorks”. I’m having a blast remembering this game and reliving my youth. Donkey Kong Country, for the SNES, was a great game at the time and while the graphics are not quite what I remember it is still loads of fun to control Donkey and Diddy Kong in their mad cap adventures.
Well back to gaming for me I write another write up on my current video game of choice World of Warcraft sometime in the near future.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)