Posts Tagged ‘Video game’

Electronic Arts has hinted that at least one of the gaming behemoth’s titles is headed to Facebook.

An anonymous source says this does mean that there will be a Facebook version of “Madden NFL”, and that it will be a “simpler experience” of the original game.

It is easy to see that, if this takes off, more of EA’s titles could get a Facebook presence. And why not? FARMVILLE is really just a version of THE SIMS. As anyone into Facebook is aware, some of their most level headed friends have fallen victim to this cyber-growing game!

Late last year EA acquired PLAYFISH, one of the BIG manufacturers of social games for the Facebook platform, for about $300 million. It became the first of the gaming industry’s titans to really acknowledge the muscle of social games, and now it has a stellar Facebook game development team in its ranks.

One can only guess as to the games to come! SIMCITY MAFIA? SPOREVILLE? YOVILLE CLUE? Game on!

The Nintendo Wii has done what no other game system has done before. It has helped tens of millions of gamers get into shape.

Now, the New England Journal of Medicine has published an article stating it may be ushering in a new wave of gaming-related injuries.

“Wiitis” as it’s called, is the new wave in game injury, taking it’s place along side of “Nintendo thumb” or Nintendinitis, a form of repetitive strain injury first noticed in heavy gamers over ten years ago. The Wii’s innovative control systems are causing injuries all over their bodies.

Falling off the Wii Balance Board seems to be the main cause of injury. Though the board is only a few inches from the ground, a mishap can still lead to anything from soft-tissue damage to broken bones. Injuries can also result from playing Wii games in confined spaces, and getting hit with a non-restrained controller.

However, the Wii’s emphasis on active gaming clearly encourages the otherwise sedentary to get up off the couch and get moving. The Wii is aiding in the fight against obesity, heart disease and diabetes.

Considering the injuries that one could sustain from bicycling, Kayaking or a walk in the park, I think the risks using a Wii are acceptable.

Last week Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment, who brought us the Universally popular LEGO STAR WARS, LEGO BATMAN and… AND LEGO INIANA JONES are gonna do it again! That’s right gamers! LEGO HARRY POTTER: YEARS 1-4 is on it’s way!

The game will focus on the early years, following Harry, Ron and Hermione, as well as other characters from the series. Gamers will be afforded a chance to attend classes at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, as well as engage in other wizardly activities such as casting spells, mixing potions, and flying on broomsticks! Maybe even have a go at Quidditch!

Of course, it’s a LEGO video game, so searching for gold and treasures will, of course, be part of the journey! Earning parts to some bonus is always a fun sideline in this fun series.

The game will be available fr PS3, XBox 360, Wii, DS and the PC. You will have the pick of over 100 characters, including Hagrid’s dog Fang!

Hogwarts is the biggest environment the game franchise has ever tackled. Scheduled for a May release, I cannot wait! especially since this will be my first LEGO game to play on my Wii! Oh, to be a Beta tester…