Brian Tonkin
Teacher Features/ Baseball/ Video Games.
briantonkin55@msn.com

Although it's been a few years since any major company has produced a new console, the motion sensor accessory has been worked on by each of the three. This all started when the Nintendo Wii was made in late 2006, but the recent release of the X-Box Kinect and the Playstation Move has been very successful.

What makes these accessories so unique is the way they are used. Most games available for these systems function as a mean to work-out or exercise. Whether you are playing Just Dance or Rise of Nightmares, you will certainly get a good workout... at least compared to a ten hour WoW session.

The three accessories have revolutionized the way people view video games and have nearly doubled the target audience for game developing companies. There are now over 50 titles for the move, 80 titles available for the Kinect, and over 1000 titles on the Wii.

Since the release of the Nintendo Wii in 2006, and even more so now with the kinect and move, the typically customer at video game shops has drastically changed. The games available on these systems attract all groups of people. Some play the sports games, others buy the dance games, and there are still plenty of old-fashioned style video games.

Nicholas Lives
Movies/Music Editor
undeadmoose@yahoo.com

Seeing as there isn't much gaming news worth mentioning this week, I think I'll go ahead and use this time to tell all you Hawkeye readers out there about a wonderful free-to-play independent game called Space Critters.

Space Critters is a fun little free game about survival. Think Geometry Wars meets Tower Defense.

You are an intergalactic exterminator, and your mission is to destroy as many space critters as possible before they eventually shred you to pieces.

 As an exterminator, you have more than just guns to suit your exterminating needs. While sending out endless streams of bullets at your enemies with Right Click, you can rapidly Left Click to place down energy shields that can defend your hide as well as destroy any monster dumb enough to run into it.

As you kill more monsters, your score increases. As your score increases, you get bigger and better upgrades for both your guns and shields. As wave after wave of all different types of space critters continue to eat away at your custom-built energy shield fortress, you can be sure there won't be a dull moment in this action-packed arcade game.

Space Critters will run smoothly on any PC. Mac edition is in progress. If you wanna try it, you can download it HERE!

Oh yeah, and did I mention that I made this game myself? And that the awesome background music was provided by Alta's very own Jordan Farr?

Try it folks, and let us know what you think!

Brian Tonkin
Teacher Features/ Video Games/ Baseball
briantonkin55@msn.com

Sony's new, revolutionary hand-held system will be released on 2/22 this year. There will also be a few games released for it on the same day, including a portable version of Uncharted, Marvel vs. Capcom, Little Deviants, Dynasty Warriors, and more.

The Vita features duel touch-screens, motion control, two cameras, and even a microphone. All these qualities make the Vita less like a Gameboy, and more like a game-centered I-Phone.

Along with the many games, the Vita will have a few cool accesories released with it including carrying cases, headphones, charging stations and memory cards.

The Vita will replace Sony's Playstation Portable, or PSP, and production of games for the PSP will be discontinued.

By Brian Tonkin
Video Games/ Teacher Features
briantonkin55@msn.com

The video game industry has become a very competitive field over the past few years. Companies strive desperately to be the best out there. Many of designers of the top-selling games focus on every single detail, from hair, to facial features, and even the way water flows in the game. Because of this, these virtual realities will consistently get better and better. Now, in 2012, it can be difficult to tell the difference between a video game and a movie.

Advertising for these games can be even better. The trailers that companies have released in 2011 are mind-blowing when compared to those of just a few years ago. Some companies strived to make their computer images the best imaginable while others hired actors and made live-action trailers for their game.


*Pause music before playing video. Look at top right of page*

By Nicholas Lives
Movies and Music Reviews
undeadmoose@yahoo.com

It’s no secret that videogames and violence have been longtime partners since Pacman chomped down on his first frightened dead person (ghost). That being said, why is it that violence so often translates to fun in videogames?

Taking a quick look at the most popular videogames of today, one sees a strange correlation between a game’s success and a game’s violent content. To put things into perspective, here is a short list of some of 2011’s best-selling games:

1 -  Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3

2 -  Just Dance 3

3 -  Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim

4 -  Battlefield 3

5 -  Portal 2

Let’s breakdown this list of games now shall we? In first place we have Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3, a game about being an “American hero” who makes the world a better place by shooting its inhabitants. Nothing violent or trivializing about that, is there?

 Next we have Just Dance 3, a game in which you flail your arms and legs around wildly in an attempt to get the darn Wii sensor to read your movements. This may not sound very violent, but when you take into consideration that most people play these games in their basements or living rooms, surrounded by lamps and possibly other people, an accidental punch to the face isn’t that far off.

In third place, we have Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim, in which you pilot another “hero” who shouts at people so violently that it causes them to fall on their tushies. Oh yeah, and you slay a bunch of dragons; which, according to the game’s story, are an endangered species. It looks like there isn’t much sympathy for wildlife in these games, eh?

Speaking of sympathy, the next game on the list is a game I have no sympathy for whatsoever if only due to its incredibly obnoxious “theme song.” That’s right, Battlefield 3. Supposedly this game about shooting foreigners is in direct competition with the previous game about shooting foreigners, Call of Duty. Although the choice of which one to buy seems a bit trivial. “Which country would you rather side with in a videogame? America or America?”

Finally at number five, we have the delightful Portal 2, a game about theoretical physics. While I’m proud to say that this game is probably the least violent amongst all the other games, I will admit that the plotline; in which an omniscient (and not to mention rude) computer ridicules you for your weight while trying repeatedly to murder you, is not the most family friendly of concepts. Luckily, the game does end rather (SPOILER WARNING) bittersweet, which is more than I can say for most of the other games on this list.

So where was I going with all this? Oh yes that’s right, that violent games sell well because they contain some amount of violence one way or another. Is this to say that no game can succeed without including violence? Of course not! My theory is that the only reason violent games sell well is because: A) they are designed well. B) Blood effects and violent actions in general lend powerful visual stimuli as a way of rewarding the player for every successful kill they land.

Considering this idea of visual stimuli, I whole-heartedly believe that, if accompanied by the right kind of visual effects, a game about hugging people could be just as fun as a game about shooting people. I also encourage you, the consumers, to try and expand your game collection beyond simple shooters and sports games. The industry won’t make games that we don’t buy, so encourage them by not buying games about shooting foreigners.

Now if you’ll excuse me, I’m getting off this soap-box before it starts falling over.

Mitchell Peterson
Techie
Pyro.visual@gmail.com               


     An ongoing debate between two gamers in the halls is normal, whether Xbox or PlayStation will gain the prize as top console. The debate is widespread and basically is focused at graphics. These two products from Microsoft and Sony are still being sold after about five years of release. These two have had great success with their products. It is shown that Sony’s PlayStation has improved shadows, whereas Xbox reconciles with anti-aliasing (smoothing of the pixels). Xbox has been said to contain better graphics with small details, however to most PlayStation consumers, and I quote: “So? Who cares! I don’t give an <expletive> about small [incandescent] graphics”. Now you can see that it goes back and forth like Rick Perry on the E.P.A. One complaint from PlayStation consumers was the big time PlayStation Network hack that happened. These are basically the only factual evidence that goes on. The rest is opinion.

Which Console?

Verdict: It doesn’t matter!

                Now that I’ve angered many of you devout followers of Bill Gates, and whoever the CEO of Sony is, my reasons follow:

-I don’t know why it matters

-They have pros and cons

-Same function

-almost the exact same game list except for a few

All in all, they are pretty much the same thing. Many of you will say that I don’t know what I am talking about, however I will have you know that I do. I own an Xbox, and have seen PlayStation gameplay, and neither have drastic differences. Just play what you want with what you want. Nerd out.

Nicholas Lives
Movies/ Music Review
undeadmoose@yahoo.com


While it's easy for the media to point to violent video games and label them as "monstrous" or "a deadly influence on youth," not many people stop to realize that many video games can actually teach some valuable life lessons to those who are open-minded enough to see them. Whereas previous generations of kids have grown up watching Sesame Street for their life lessons, many new generations will be playing the latest Zelda or Call of Duty for theirs. Is this a bad thing? Well, let's just see what kinds of lessons games have been teaching us for years.. this time starting with everyone's favorite shoot-em-up: Call of Duty.

Call of Duty: Shooting games aren't the most sophisticated breed of the gaming world, but even mindless games like Call of Duty have something to teach us. The lesson? When there is a will, there is a way. These games are famous for putting the player in seemingly impossible situations. You are always outnumbered. You are always outgunned. Yet despite this, you know that there is always a way to overcome it. No matter how many times you die, the game always reminds you that despite the odds, you can do it. A friend can come in at any time, when most needed. As you look down the barrel of a Desert Eagle, Captain Price tackles the attacker to the ground, and you both fight together and live.The lesson we can take away from this game is that even when life is at its worst, there is always a way to beat it.

Brian Tonkin
Teacher Features/ Video Games 
briantonkin55@msn.com

     Video Game series' come and go, but there a few that have remained successful since their first appearances. The Legend of Zelda series is possibly the biggest and most loved of these series.
     In 1987, the first installment in the Zelda franchise was released. It was soon followed by Zelda 2: The Adventure of Link. The series continued produce hit games from the Ocarina of Time in 1998, to the Twilight Princess in 2006. Over the quarter century that the series has been around, nearly 20 games have been released.
    In late 2012, the franchise celebrated it's 25 year anniversary with the 3d remake of its 1998 classic and a brand new release for the Nintendo Wii, the Skyward Sword. Skyward Sword forces the player to use the Wii remote as a makeshift sword and hack and slash his/ her way through Hyrule.
   
note*
            Zelda does not run around in green robes, fighting zombies and strange tree creatures. Nor is she a man. That character would be Link... Zelda is the Princess he is constantly saving.

By Santa

You youngsters and your "video games" never cease to bewilder me. Every holiday season since the 90's, my elves have been coming to me more and more with your wishlists, telling me that instead of toys, kids these days are wanting "video games." Now call me old fashioned, but I'd fancy a brand new train set over a complicated, confusing box with a big green "X" on it.

Anyway, so this Christmas I decided to try one of these "video games" myself to see what the fuss is all about. Some silly medieval game called "Skyrim."

The back of the box shows a snowy landscape not unlike my own home at the North Pole, so it looks somewhat promising at the least. After one of the programming elves show me which button is "start," I finally get the darn game to start. These darn remote controls are just too complicated! What the Jack Frost is a "right bumper?" Monopoly was never this confusing. What's this? Where am I supposed to be? I see people, but they aren't responding to my button pressing. The camera just keeps flailing around! Oh wait a minute...I am seeing through the eyes of my character? If that's the case then why can't I see my character's feet? Where are we going anyway? Who are these two fellows in handcuffs talking to me?

My goodness, from the scary looks on their faces, they look like they probably belong on the naughty list.Well it looks like we're getting off the hayride now. The two naughty-list fellows are being apprehended by the authorities, it seems. Well it serves them right for looking so scary! Wait, what's this? One of the guardsman just approached me and said, "Who are you?" and now suddenly the game is telling me to create my character?  It says I can change my character's face, so does this mean I have been faceless up to this point? Well that's just disgusting! This is a disgusting game! Wait a minute, are those beards?

(Hours of playing SKYRIM later...)

Ho ho ho! What a WONDROUS game! I've only been playing for two hours, and already I've killed a dragon, played tag with some village children, and discovered a dungeon filled with presents! As a matter of fact, I'm already on my way to the college of magic! It warms my jolly old belly full of jelly to see a video game encourage children to go to college. Ho ho ho and there's still so much more to do in this wonderful winter wonderland!  I take back what I said earlier, kids. Video games are actually pretty- HEY! What happened to my character? Why won't he move? Am I frozen? What's this little message? "Game File Corrupted??" WHAT?? Jingle Bells!! All that work for nothing. Just when I was getting into it too.. Oh well, let's wrap this gift up.

Santa gives "Skyrim" 3 HO HO HO's! out of 5.

Brian Tonkin
Teacher Features/ Video Games
briantonkin55@msn.com

This year, Spike T.V. hosted its 9th annual Video Game Awards. Out of the many categories presented during the show, all eyes are constantly fixed on just one, Game of the Year. The VGA team narrows it down to five select games and then decides which on deserves to wear the title GOTY on it's case. These are the games chosen by Spike T.V., not by me. I'm merely listing them for you.

Nominee - Uncharted 3: Drake's Deception

Naughty Dog's hit series, Uncharted, always finds itself atop the charts. Roaming around corners and silently killing faceless guards, the beloved protagonist, Nathan Drake, searches far and wide for a secret lost treasure. Despite its intriguing story line and amazing, movie-like graphics, the fact that Uncharted 3 is a Sony exclusive likely prevented it from placing higher on VGA's list.

Nominee - Portal 2

Video games have been commonly associated with violence and mindless killing. That being said, it's evident that Valve game studios planned on discrediting such statements. Based on the game series Half-Life, Portal forces the player to think logically and solve tough puzzles, without sacrificing the fun and satire that is typically found in video games. Entering one portal will bring you out the second portal so keeping one's sense of direction is not easy.

Nominee - Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword

Picture a video gamer sitting motionless staring at a T.V. This is the stereotype many have of video games and those who play them, however, you will see nothing like that with the LoZ: Skyward Sword. The game is played using and Wii Motion Plus controller as a make shift sword. Throughout the game, the player will perform hacks, slashes, jabs, spins, and (for the more serious Zelda fans) back flips. Legendary video game hero, Link, is forced to leave his soft life in Skyloft to save his friend, Zelda. This game is a prequel to the 1998 edition, The Ocarina of Time, which has been commonly rated as the greatest game ever. Some critics believe this newest installment to be an even better game than the Ocarina of Time, but regardless of these claims, Skyward Sword did not make it to the top of VGA's GOTY list.

Nominee - Batman: Arkham City

In almost every situation, big title movie/ comic book series do not make for good video games. However, Batman: Arkham Asylum, released in 2009, stunned gamers with it's massive, scenic explorable area and the clearly intense effort that was put into it. In October, this year, Rockstedy Studios took it a step further with the sequel, Batman: Arkham City. Arkham City was quickly labeled as the greatest licensed video game ever and also received a perfect score by reputable magazines such as Game Informer and X-Box Magazine. Despite the awesomeness that is Batman, the developers at Rocksteady were not given the GOTY award, mainly because they picked the wrong year to produce a game.

Winner - Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim

_There was little doubt in anyone's mind as to the winner of the VGA Game of the Year award. The real competition between company's was for second place. Bethesda Game Studios' newest installment for the Elder Scrolls series, Skyrim was the sure fire winner of the 2011 GOTY award. In 2002, Bethesda redefined gaming with the Elder Scrolls III: Morrowind, in 2006 they once again surpassed expectations with the Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion, but this years title, the Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim, left both of those games in a cloud of virtual dust. From full character customization to countless deep, haunted dungeons, Skyrim enthralls the player with both the lands many wonders and many threats. Your character, known as the Dovahkin, quickly evolves from killing cave rats to slaying Alduin, the world-eater. With all of the endless quests and enemies, it is quite literally impossible to "beat" this game. These factors, which Bethesda has previously demonstrated with Fallout 3 and Oblivion, make Skyrim the obvious choice for Game of the Year... and also the end of many social lives.

References: "http://www.spike.com/shows/video-game-awards"