If you are a parent wondering why your kids are driving you crazy about the latest gadgets and games, and wondering if you really should buy them one even if you don't understand it yourself, here is a chance to learn a bit more about at least one popular model of computer games.
If you ask gamers what defines gaming, then you're bound to get a million different answers. Some will say graphics and others will shout gameplay, soundtrack, online play, characters, stories... the list of what really defines gaming can go on forever.
However, as you look, you'll see a common theme emerge no matter how many different people you ask. What really defines gaming is the community that arises within gaming.
From gamer to gamer whether online or on the couch, at events or at an arcade, gaming is defined by players connecting through their games. The Playstation Network is a singularly unique online experience that brings players together like no other.
The biggest drawing point of the Playstation Network is that you don't lose anything with online play just because you're not paying for a premium service.
Every single game on the PS3 that supports online play is free to play online with other players around the world.
This ultimate accessibility puts online gaming in the hands of anyone with an internet connection without them having to shell out every one, three, six, or twelve months to continue playing online with other gamers.
Of course there's a premium Playstation Plus service that has lots of cool features like early betas and free downloadable games, but you don't have to subscribe to it for basic multiplayer functions.
Another unique feature of the Playstation Network is something they call the Playstation Home. It seems like with every new console there's a way to create an “avatar” or personification of yourself to associate with your online ID, but Playstation Home takes things a step further and creates an entire online world where your Avatars can meet up and interact.
Playstation Home gives users of even the basic service access to online spaces that have the atmospheres of certain genres of gaming (like action, sports, or adventure) where they can chat with each other or play games together in the virtual space.
You also get your own personal space or “apartment” to customize with your own personal style and decorations to relax and chat with your friends.
Another great part of the Playstation Home is online hosting of gaming events. Events like major game releases are given their own space for PS Home users to explore, watch videos, play games, and chat to other gamers about the new game or games coming out.
Even major events like this year's E3 was hosted online where players could get information on and see videos of Sony's new upcoming games and participate in fun trivia to earn custom clothing for their avatars.
When it comes down to the features and services offered by the various online console networks, the Playstation Network is by and large the most unique and immersive online experience that gamers can take part in.
From the free online multiplayer features to the singularly unique way players can meet and interact with each other, the Playstation Network has more to offer than any other console network.
Get Off Your Couch With The Playstation Move
When you see the brightly colored “lollipop” controller for the Playstation move, you're probably thinking that you've seen this before from another console, right?
Yes, let's clear the elephant in the room, Nintendo was the first company to capitalize on the motion gaming niche before anyone else really got into it, but that certainly doesn't mean they did it the best or that there isn't room for some fierce competition.
The Playstation Move more than holds its own in the motion gameplay territory by stepping out and giving us games and features that other consoles simply haven't done.
For starters, the Playstation Move's motion controller is, hands down, the most accurate motion controller available. Even the Wii's “motion plus” controller that they released back in 2009 merely put the accuracy close to on par with the Move.
Due to its unique design, the Move's motion controller follows movement incredibly accurately with little error even when moved quickly or wildly.
With its range of sensors both internal and while using the Playstation Eye camera, the motion controller tracks accurately in any kind of lighting or environment and even when the controller is obscured from the camera's view (for example, behind the player's back).
One of the Move's coolest uses is in first person shooter type games, giving players a sense of immersion as they aim the controller as well as the fine-tuning you gain when aiming the controller yourself instead of using a joystick.
The move also supports a number of additional accessories like the PS Move shooting attachment that converts your controller into a handgun and the Sharp Shooter attachment that turns it into an SMG styled gun, giving you unprecedented control over your favorite shooters.
The Sharp Shooter attachment is even officially supported by several games including Killzone 3, Dead Space: Extraction, and Resistance 3. Recent reports show that an additional accessory, the PS Move racing wheel will be released for games like Little Big Planet: Karting, and Gran Turismo 5.
One thing that the Move does well that some other motion gaming systems don't really accomplish is step very well into the realm of AR gaming. One particularly good example is the PS3 exclusive series of Eyepet games.
Both Eyepet and Eyepet and Friends gives you control over a virtual pet that you can play with in your very own living room.
Teach it tricks, give it clothes, build courses for it to play on, and even bring a friend to play with their pet together with yours, the possibilities are endless.
Between the innovative gameplay the Move offers as well as the library of games that either support the move to enhance gameplay or are Move exclusive, the Playstation Move is sitting at the forefront of motion gaming even in the face of its competitor.
Even if you've played game with motion aspects before, give the Playstation Move a try before you write it off and I'd be willing to bet you'll find yourself a fan the moment you start playing.
When you see the brightly colored “lollipop” controller for the Playstation move, you're probably thinking that you've seen this before from another console, right?
Yes, let's clear the elephant in the room, Nintendo was the first company to capitalize on the motion gaming niche before anyone else really got into it, but that certainly doesn't mean they did it the best or that there isn't room for some fierce competition.
The Playstation Move more than holds its own in the motion gameplay territory by stepping out and giving us games and features that other consoles simply haven't done.
For starters, the Playstation Move's motion controller is, hands down, the most accurate motion controller available. Even the Wii's “motion plus” controller that they released back in 2009 merely put the accuracy close to on par with the Move.
Due to its unique design, the Move's motion controller follows movement incredibly accurately with little error even when moved quickly or wildly.
With its range of sensors both internal and while using the Playstation Eye camera, the motion controller tracks accurately in any kind of lighting or environment and even when the controller is obscured from the camera's view (for example, behind the player's back).
One of the Move's coolest uses is in first person shooter type games, giving players a sense of immersion as they aim the controller as well as the fine-tuning you gain when aiming the controller yourself instead of using a joystick.
The move also supports a number of additional accessories like the PS Move shooting attachment that converts your controller into a handgun and the Sharp Shooter attachment that turns it into an SMG styled gun, giving you unprecedented control over your favorite shooters.
The Sharp Shooter attachment is even officially supported by several games including Killzone 3, Dead Space: Extraction, and Resistance 3. Recent reports show that an additional accessory, the PS Move racing wheel will be released for games like Little Big Planet: Karting, and Gran Turismo 5.
One thing that the Move does well that some other motion gaming systems don't really accomplish is step very well into the realm of AR gaming. One particularly good example is the PS3 exclusive series of Eyepet games.
Both Eyepet and Eyepet and Friends gives you control over a virtual pet that you can play with in your very own living room.
Teach it tricks, give it clothes, build courses for it to play on, and even bring a friend to play with their pet together with yours, the possibilities are endless.
Between the innovative gameplay the Move offers as well as the library of games that either support the move to enhance gameplay or are Move exclusive, the Playstation Move is sitting at the forefront of motion gaming even in the face of its competitor.
Even if you've played game with motion aspects before, give the Playstation Move a try before you write it off and I'd be willing to bet you'll find yourself a fan the moment you start playing.
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What do you say?
Love them or hate them, computer games are here to stay!
The only question nowdays is whether to get the in-house games limited to your gadgets, or whether you and your kids should connect onto the web based online console networks...
The only question nowdays is whether to get the in-house games limited to your gadgets, or whether you and your kids should connect onto the web based online console networks...
So share your thoughts ... great idea, or an
abomination for people who love a traditional board games?
