Clock Teacher

A facinating study about kids and video games, important stuff.

http://kotaku.com/380761/kids-who-dont-play-video-games-are-at-risk

Here is a quick interview with the authors of Grand Theft Childhood(a study about the affects of video games on kids). Here is a link to the book

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/0743299515/ref=ord_cart_shr?%5Fencoding=UTF8&m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&v=glance

One of the interesting points they make is that especially for boys, kids that DON'T play any video games are actually at higher risk for violent behavior, as are kids that only play mature and violent games exclusively(which makes sense).  I have ordered this book and look forward to reading it.  One of the things to really get is that video games are not going away, they are spreading, and they are the future of entertainment.  So treat them with respect(it blows my mind that some parents still think of just pong and pac-man when they think of video games).  Interesting stuff.

Another reason I love video games, great music.

Here is a video of the main song from the game Kingdom Hearts.  This game came out a few years ago for the PS2.  It combines final fantasy characters with Disney characters and is a great game.  I always liked the music from the game, but I just found this video of the original artist singing the main song at a slower rhythim and with acustic guitar, and it rocks.

http://youtube.com/watch?v=EZIc8sDW2_U

Here is the original from the game opening.  Don't worry, you aren't supposed to know what is going on, just listen to the music.

http://youtube.com/watch?v=m30efJe84t8

And just for fun, here are some of my favorite pieces of music from Final Fantasy 8 and Suikoden II. Again, don't worry about what is going on, just listen and enjoy.

http://youtube.com/watch?v=_f4eGQ9MIWM

http://youtube.com/watch?v=_pZ2ibvZb2Q

http://youtube.com/watch?v=OlfH3r780So&feature=relatedd

You never know when a video game can change your life.

I happened upon the following story about the Nintendo game Animal Crossing.  In the game you set up your own village and then "live" in your virtual world.  You can visit other people's towns (either on the same system or over the Internet)  It is a very popular game and surprisingly addictive.  Click on the following link to see how it affected one family.  This is a very interesting story.

WARNING:  Supposedly somebody messed with this link and it went to a very bad site.  I checked it and it works fine for me, but please, check the link before there are kids around.

http://animalcrossingtragedy.ytmnd.com/

If this link doesn't work, try http://www.joystiq.com/media/2007/11/animalcrossing.jpg which is safe for sure, but is no way as moving without the music.

It many ways it is very sad, but also inspirational too. It makes even more sense if you know the game, so family members, ask Ariana and Kaiser people ask Teressa.

Here's a zombie game everyone can enjoy (seriously)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NpNqFPon-2g&eurl=http%3A%2F%2Fwww%2Ekotaku%2Ecom%2F

Just watch this Japanese comedian.  Don't worry, it's subtitled, and funny.

Can't find a Wii? Try a Vii!

http://www.destructoid.com/wii-one-off-china-brings-us-the-vii--47031.phtml#ext

Ahh China, the land where knock-offs are an art and they can get away with it because nobody is going to stop them.

Sometimes I LOVE culture clashes

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ldn5m-vMLwA&eurl=http%3A%2F%2Fwww%2Ekotaku%2Ecom%2Findex%2Ephp%3FrefId%3D295032

This is a promo video for Halo 3 in Korea.  I think it is fan made.  I hope it is fan made.  Watching the Master Chief walk up and smack a fake dinosaur(which certainly does NOT happen in the game)... just awesome.

Here is another one that IS official.  Great idea.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YN2szpr97Ww&eurl=http%3A%2F%2Fwww%2Ekotaku%2Ecom%2Findex%2Ephp%3FrefId%3D295032

"Hey Honey, remember that soldier guy that scared the kimchi out of you? Could you buy me that game for Christmas?" 

This could be epic

In the long great tradition of movies based on video games(cough cough) there truly is a lost gem out there.  One that we all have played, yet never truly experienced, until now.

http://www.destructoid.com/minesweeper-the-movie-37770.phtml

Minesweeper! The Movie!

You thought you knew the game, you knew nothing.

New Wii stuff - From E3 Very cool

Well I stayed up to 3 am last night because I watched the live stream of Nintendo's E3 conference.  This is the big convention where they premier a lot of their new games and products.  Since a growing number of you are getting Wii's here are some of the highlights.

http://wii.ign.com/articles/803/803365p1.html

First up is Wiifit.  This is their health program.  Wiifit has a new controller that looks like a scale, but it is also a pressure sensitive pad that can measure balance among other things.  The Wiifit program will let you do exercises similar to DanceDanceRevolution(ask your kids, or look into any arcade, the big dance games) but can also do some interesting things like playing a soccer game where you have to head-in the goals.  Anyways, read the article and look at the pictures for more info. Looks fun.

http://wii.ign.com/articles/803/803351p1.html

Mario Kart Wii.  On-line battle multi-player sometime next year.

(Side note: I HATE when they use the phrase "Not your fathers..." for things less than 20 years old.  I know it is just a phrase but it's dumb.  Considering that when Mario Kart first came out video games were still very much for the young, I doubt there where too many dads playing it.  So what you mean is it's not my Mario Kart, ohhhhhh that's supposed to impress me?  Just a dumb thing to say I think.  End rant.

They also showed a new zapper attachment and a racing wheel for the controller.  Mario Galaxy looks GREAT and it comes out November.  Super Smash Bros. Brawl comes out Dec. 3rd, just in time for my birthday.  Cool stuff.

Oh, here is a blog that has more pictures.

http://nintendo-revolution.blogspot.com/search?q=

Once again, another reason for kids to like Dr.s

http://pc.ign.com/articles/799/799096p1.html

I always like it when I'm told I'm not mental.

This one is for Teressa

http://www.gamespot.com/video/938735/6172671/boogie-official-trailer-3?tag=multimodule;picks;img;4

So the game is called Boogie, and it should come out for the Wii sometime in August.  Basically its a free form singing/dancing/make your own video thing.  It comes with a microphone for the Karaoke part.  The dancing part is cool because you don't have to do a set pattern like Dance Dance Revolution, but you can make it up as you go.  And it will record  your voice, play it back with your dance moves, and you can make your own video.  Now what would would be really cool is if you can send it to your friends on-line.  I hope so.  I will definitely be picking this up, it looks really fun.