The rise of the MMORPG

Back in my day (maybe 10 years or so) multi-player games were mostly shooting games (example: Goldeneye for N64), if you wanted to play some role-playing with someone you either got a bunch of friends together for some D & D, or hired a prostitute (WAY different kind of role-playing being done there). Now you can play with people all over the world, and sometimes that can lead to doom... Thats right DOOOOOM!

Some people take MMORPGs (Massively multi-player online role-playing games) way to far, turning it more into a life style then a simple game. Now getting into a game isn't bad, I have nerded out on quite a few video games in my day, but what separates my game time with these is two things, explained below.

It never ends

These games are ongoing, and with new expansions coming out every year or so for the big ones (Final Fantasy XI Online, World of WarCraft), people have more to do in-game.

Getting that next level, or the next piece of "Legendary Armor" is an addiction I know all to well with offline games like "Elder Scrolls 4: Oblivion" and "Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic" (I ♥ those games). But with online games you will find the most powerful gear, and then find out that there is something even more incredible waiting for you, or you will level your character to the max, just to have a patch come out the increases the level cap. It's great if you don't push yourself to hard, but for a true gamer, it's very hard to take a break when you know your so close to your goal.

One is the Loneliest Number

Some people that I've known have started playing MMORPGs to kill loneliness, with people playing these games all over the world, a lonely person is sure to find someone to spend time with. Me myself met a real girlfriend playing Phantasy Star online, it turned out she only lived a state over. But for the most part these games can have a negative impact on the person who really gets into these virtual realities, believing that the person on the other end feels the same way; sadly that isn't always the case. It's just a game, and many people play for fun, not to find a real husband/wife. If you want to kill loneliness your best bet is to try a Yahoo Singles or MeetUp.com, not World of WarCraft.

Negative Effects of MMOPRG-addiction

MMORPGs are addicting, here are some symptoms of mmo-abuse:

*Refuses meals/Decreased appetite
*Blows off responsibilities; work, school, etc.
*Loss of interest in other hobbies; kind of like those who suffer from depression
*Avoids family and friend relations; not unlike those who play traditional RPGs lol (unless a friend knows how to get the Suit of Awesomeness + 50)

Thank you for reading my organized rant ^_^, I hope you enjoy this video I found on youtube. Its a song about a noob playing World of WarCraft, it won Xfire 2006. I hope you like it.

How to Become a Video Game Tester

by Dr Kingsley Modozie

Video game testing is one of the lucrative ways to earn money part time working as a video game tester. The video game industry is a multi-billionaire company, and it makes revenue more than the movie industry yearly. In order to make sure the games they send into the market are delightful to game players, there is need to scrutinize the games to make it a high quality type.

Functions of a video game tester
The role of a video game tester is to detect bugs, art glitches and other various bugs made at the various stages of game production. Video game testing is not an easy job, it requires a college degree with some years of experience, one with a technical know how is at an advantage. Video game testing is necessary for the quality control section of video production. As an individual who plays games for fun, you are only qualified for beta testing. Game designers believe that if the games go into the market without taking time to check for errors, bugs and glitches at all levels of the game production, it may not sell out. So if you are a game player and you want to make some money testing video games, you are qualified for a beta game testing. After doing beta game testing for couple of months, it would be easy for you to upgrade to fulltime game testing for that company.

Requirements
Anyone can be a beta video game tester in order to detect bugs. Unfortunately, they only accept people from 17 years and above. Meanwhile, if you are able to present yourself as a professional game player, you are likely to get the job. How do you present yourself as a professional video game player? It's by telling them the number of years you've been playing games, types of games you own and the ones you've played before. Think of anything that is likely to enhance your chances of getting this job and don't hesitate to make the company aware of it. The more you convince them with believable evidences, the more your chances of getting this job.

Compensation
The most exciting stage of a video game testing job is when you are paid for your hard work. Most people can't wait for this day to come their way, they will keep on looking at their calendar and counting the days by number, hoping and praying for their payment day to approach fast. All the same you worth it, after all, you worked for it.
The salary of a video game tester normally ranges from $6 to $150 per hour depending on the number of hours you spend testing video games. For some people, it's a huge amount of money and with it you could settle one or two problems. The method of payment they pay through is check. Well, not all beta game testing are paid for but you stand a chance of getting the full version of the game some days before it's released into the market.

Process of Applying
It's not easy to get a video game testing job but it's possible. You need to start by checking the websites of game designers like Electronic Arts, Code Master, Sony, Nintendo and Microsoft Xbox; you can name the rest of them. While searching around their websites, you might be lucky to run into a game testing opening. It will also be nice if you contact them through email or phone number to enquire for any opening. I recommend you contact them through phone; it will take time before you are replied through email.

If you have a friend that works in a game designing company, you could ask him to connect you to a game testing job. It's easier that way.

Another way is to check classified sections of newspaper, game magazines. There are websites online that post video game testing opportunities more often in their database. This is another way to get a video game testing job, you are likely to find one at classified sites like craigslist or kijiji and other websites you know that talks about games related issues.

GameTestingGround is a site that contains step-by-step guides on how you can learn the works of a video game tester and they also have listings of video game testing companies hiring all over the States. Visit them today and begin your video game testing career. Check it out at http://gamertestinggroundreview.blogspot.com


Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Dr_Kingsley_Modozie

Warning! This is about politics.

The Match Of DEATH

McCain Vs. Obama

Its funny now the news makes political campaigns seem more like celebrity death matches. I just thought I’d mention that, not really for any reason.

That’s not the point of this post; in fact I don’t think either candidate is worth to much. Obama is obviously being less then truthful with his promises (not unlike ANY other politician). McCain is OBSESSED with his war in Iraq. I hear all this hype about this being the most important vote of our lives; the thing is, its THE SAME SHIT. You know what would make me vote this year? If both campaigns came together to ACTUALLY FIX our nations problems, but no, Obama goes on and on about the middle-class (I’m poor, so I guess I STILL don’t matter), and John McCain goes on about wars and veterans and bashing Barack about everything.

I close by saying, Why do we have different parties to begin with? Lets all come together as “One nation under God,” and fix it.

I'm Back

Its been a while since my last post. Months. I haven't had a computer; so sad. I do now, so I can actually get back to this oh joyous of blogs.

I want to talk about the bias video game review/preview sites out there like 1up.com, gamespot, etc. I was looking at the reviews for Sonic Chronicles and found it had high reviews: great; I also found a button just above the review asking to "buy at amazon" . Interesting. Now I believe that the new bio ware sonic game isn't bad: I intend to get it, but that "buy me" button got me curious so I looked up a game I KNOW to be utter crap; Lunar: Dragon Song. Guess what score 1up.com gave it... A C-. The reviewer said the game "has faults" but is otherwise playable. Let me tell you that that game is FAR below a c- and is NOT AT ALL playable (you actually lose health by running). Now I'm all for monetizing your web pages, we all have to to keep bringing the info to you guys, but at least make it accurate information.

Thanks for your time.

Kingdom Hearts II Final Mix +

I'll just get to the point; why doesn't this game have an official North American release date? I know there are a lot of KH two fans out there that would love to play through it again with the new touches: New Forms, Keyblades, enemies, scenarios, even a playable fight between Sora and Roxas previously seen only as a cinematic sequence.

Not to mention the COMPLETELY redone version of the GBA's Chain of Memories; complete with ps2 caliber graphics, voice-overs; even extra scenes that were omitted from the GBA original. It still has the exact same card battle system which I liked (not everybody did though). They did however add Reaction Commands from KH II.

Also, if you preordered it (in Japan) you get a free Kingdom Hearts manga "Kingdom Hearts -Another Report-"!

Three cheers for the Dreamcast and Nintendo 64!

I've spent to much time lately depressed and full of regret and not enough time doing what I love: playing video games, writing about playing video games and watching anime. Shame on me.



I've had to move out of my current place of living and in doing so have been able to dig up some relics of my (our) past. In my closet buried under hordes of old clothes and dust rested two very interesting pieces of a time long since gone: my Sega Dreamcast and Nintendo 64.

I wasn't sure they would work, so after getting them cleaned up a bit I plugged in the N64 for a test spin. Guess what? It worked without a hitch. This thing has been in my closet since the beginning of Genesis (Biblically, not Sega-ly lol), and yet it was like new. I only have three games, so I plugged Kirby 64: The Crystal Shards into my system, for an old game it was a blast. I was only planning on just testing the game to see if it still worked, but I ended up wasting several hours on it. (For info on Kirby 64 go here.)

Now for the Dreamcast. It worked as well as the '64. I played a bit of Sonic Adventure 2 on it. While I am to this day annoyed with that game's "Knuckles" levels I had a good time with the thing. (Click here for Sonic 2 info). Oh, and to any Dreamcast haters; Screw you, Dreamcast was wicked and only failed due to poor third-party support and horrible marketing.

All in all I was surprised these ancient-ish systems even worked, especially since I've been through two Xbox 360s and an innumerable count of Playstation 2s, let alone that I would actually have a good time. Three cheers for the DC and N64!

Castlevania: Portrait of Ruin

Sorry for the delay; I've had a lot of personal problems. Also I've been sick: just a head-cold, but I never usually even get sick at all, so it REALLY sucks.

On to video game relatedness, I have been playing a lot of Castlevania: Portrait of Ruin. Its a great game, but its SO much harder then I remember, it could be because I'm sick. I usually can blow through a Casltevania game in the quickness. So weird.

Anyway, much love. Peace.

In the spirit of the wonder that is Castlevania, here is a video I found on youtube: