How Good Is the TI-84 Calculator As a Mobile Console?

Humanity has a knack for getting bored. We'll get bored in the car, on a plane, or in our math classes. No one would really blame us for being bored in a math class though. Math can be tedious and dull. That's what probably led to some people picking up the Texas Instruments 84 calculator and saying "I could work with this".

And thus began a unique corner of the gaming world, one running on a device originally used for graphing functions or helping solve equations. The TI-84 Calculator harkens back to the original Game Boy, in both graphical and mechanical limitations.

The TI-84 Calculator harkens back to the original Game Boy, in both graphical and mechanical limitations.

The TI-84 has limited screen-space and not the smallest of pixels, forcing developers for the system to be particularly crafty with how they designed a game. Some tend to use either single screens at a time or single screens the player either couldn't leave. This way the player knew what they had to deal with without the risk of being introduced to something new with the inclusion of poor screen transition blur or sometimes lag.

Much like the GameBoy, the TI-84 Calculator still had different aesthetic styles despite it's lack of pixel detail. Games had to have a balance between detail and size. In order for a sprite to be detailed they would have to be big, and thus take up more room on the screen. Despite all of this, games still look appealing, unique with each game.

Controls are a weird story when it comes to the TI-84 Calculator, as it is a calculator. For starters, there are a lot of buttons to works with, but not all of them are in a good position, or at least not a comfortable one. This is due to the placement of the D-Pad. The D-Pad it has is on the right, which is different to normal systems. Not only that, but it is also placed high up on the device. With most of the buttons being much lower than the D-Pad, it would be awkward holding it if developers decided to make use of those buttons.

In order for a sprite to be detailed they would have to be big, and thus take up more room on the screen.

It's a good thing they don't. The buttons used the most are the 2ND and ALPHA buttons, with some games making use of MODE and other ones just left of the D-Pad. Most games are forced to be simple, and because of that utilize simple controls. Some games use these buttons for things like jumping, shooting, or selecting, while other games only use these buttons to open the game and then the D-Pad does the rest.

Now what really makes a gaming system great is the games available to play on it. While there are ports of games like Tetris and home-brews of franchises like Mario and even Portal, there are also a whole slew of original titles, some of which I love dearly. Platformer games like Swords 2, arcade games like Uncle Worm, puzzle games like Pegs and the classroom-famous Block Dude, and so on. The TI-84 has been around for a while, so it has a fair amount of fun games on it now.

With all of this being said I just want to say that, after playing it a whole bunch, the TI-84 Calculator is an underrated gaming system. Unorthodox? Yes. A pain to get games on? Yes. Allowed in math classes? Yes.

Dan is the owner of Mangotron which is an Indie Games news website. Mangotron covers indie game news views, interviews and much more.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/expert/Dan_Khan/2159891

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/9113633

Tips On How To Choose The Right Gaming Console For You

Gaming today has become a way of life for many people. They start and end the day by playing their favorite video and online games. A lot of people actually consider gaming as addictive: they just won't feel right or complete without firing their virtual gun or building a digital home or fortress in a day.

But to feel completely satisfied and happy with your gaming experience, you need to have and use the right gaming console. To make sure that you will be choosing the one that's right for you, below are some helpful tips you can follow:

Have some sufficient knowledge about the different gaming consoles - Do some research about the various gaming consoles available in the market today. Every one of them is uniquely different from each other. Use the Internet and read up on their specs, features and capabilities. Also, before buying at a brick-and-mortar or an online store that sells gaming consoles, ask the sales staff for their recommendation. Many of these sales persons are gamers themselves and can give you some valuable insights and advice.

Consider the console's versatility - Most, but not all, gaming consoles today can also be used as a Blu-ray DVD player. As such, a device that has this capability can allow you to have a console that doubles as an all-purpose media hub. This option also enables you to cut down on the amount of media devises you'll need to buy and store.

Find out which kind of games a console offers - There are some games you will only find on certain consoles and not on others. Be sure that the games you really want to play are available for the console you are hoping to get. There are also various styles of games such as first person shooter, racing, and platform games. And if you are primarily interested in racing games, make sure that whatever console you decide to go with provides a good variety of the style of game that you enjoy.

Determine how many people will be frequently playing or using the device - Ask yourself: is it going to be for just one person? Or will your friends or family be playing with you on a regular basis? Keep in mind that each gaming console also caters to each of these requirements differently.

Consider its online capability - Finally, not all consoles have the capability of being accessed or played online. If you want to play online with other gamers, pick a gaming console that supports this feature.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/expert/Sasha_Marin/1877758

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/9163243

Recommended Pro Gaming Products

Being a pro gamer is not a cheap thing to achieve. There is plenty of equipment to purchase and it is not the cheapest, but also not too expensive. You are getting your moneys worth for what you pay for. In my detailed post I mentioned gaming equipment, I am going to go into more detail on the different equipment a pro gamer should have. First things first is a controller. Now you can use just a standard controller or you can use what most pros use and that is a Scuf controller. You can either buy a Scuf controller and add some customization to it our you can mail in your own controller and customize it and have it mailed back to you. By customization I mean adding a skin design to the controller, adding grip, changing the kind controller stick, and or adding paddles. Now the skin design is just what covers the base of the controller, so instead of having a plain black controller you could have a red and black controller. It just makes the controller look cooler. The grip is just so you have a better grip on your controller, so it does not slip out of your hands.

There a two kinds of controller sticks you can use; concave and domed. Concave is where the center of the stick is caved in and the domed is where the stick is in the shape a dome. They do not necessarily make you play better, it is just your preference for what you would want to use. The paddles are designed for button mapping. By this I mean having the paddle replace a button so you do not have to use that button.

These go on the back of the controller. For example let's say that the A button is used to jump, when customizing the controller paddles you can assign one the paddles the A button. So instead of always having to press A to jump you can just push the paddle instead. Now the paddles can be assigned to any button you want, just do what fits your style of play. You can have up to four paddles, which means you can have four buttons remapped for the paddles.

The next thing you will want to get is a gaming headset. The top two companies are Turtle Beach and Astro Gaming. These headsets allow you to hear game audio and chat audio in the headset. It is up to you to figure out what levels you want each audio at. Each person has their own preference but majority of the pro players use Astro gaming. Also, each person will say that one is better than the other based on what headset they have. I have had a Turtle Beach headset before but now have an Astro Gaming headset. I personally think Atros are better because they are designed better, and I think they have better quality.

You want to have one of these brands because they will help you in-game. It will help you hear things at a distance and it helps you hear people coming up behind you. Do some research, look at reviews, and talk to your friends about them and buy what you think is best. The last main thing you will need is a monitor. There are a lot of companies who make monitors, just like headsets each person has their own preference of what brand they use. Major League Gaming uses BenQ monitors. They even have a specific monitor that is used by the pros at events. You can find these by just Googling them. These have the best quality and the lowest lag response time. The picture is so clear, colorful, and is nice because there is no lag which means everything that happens, happens in real time with no delay. Another thing that I would recommend is a recording a device to record your gameplays. You can get an El Gato or and Hauppague HDPVR.

These are the only two that I know of, but I am sure there are more. Before purchasing one these make sure your computer or laptop reaches and or exceeds the specifications of the device. These are not necessary to be a pro gamer, but it is nice to record your gameplays and makes videos out of them and post them to YouTube. Basically every pro player makes YouTube videos from their games. You can get fans to watch and subscribe to your YouTube channel. This is not necessity but it is a nice thing to have to show to others. These are the products that players in general and pro players use. I highly recommend looking into all of these. Theses would be an investment, a one time purchase that would last a very long time. I hope that these help you guys out. Happy gaming.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/expert/Michael_Hudecek/2217089

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/9243806

What Is the E3 Expo?

Every year at E3 huge games developers come to show off their biggest and best titles to the point at which they've been developed. Some games are still in the very early stages of development and only a small part of them can be shown as it has been specifically perfected for the E3 event. Everyone from the gaming media industry visits E3 and records every detail they can in writing until they return home where they can write a full report. All of these details are important for readers of gaming magazines and websites, and much of the industry's news is spread through this process of holding events and having journalists write about them.

E3 brings together the biggest names in games development and gives them a space from which to showcase the games they're most proud of. In 2012 games such as the well-known Far Cry 3 and the first instalment in the new Halo trilogy Halo 4 were shown, giving games journalists a wealth of information simply from a few minutes of video footage. The advantage of playing a demo or showing a video at E3 as opposed to having one to one interviews with games journalists, is that everyone gets the same source information, but they need to interpret it in their own way.

Companies such as Sony and Microsoft also feature themselves at E3, not due to a game they're developing, but more due to a new console which they are hoping to release soon. These two giants can set the stage for the rest of the exposition, with new consoles being announced alongside the games which will feature on them. The biggest and best E3 expositions are always the ones where new consoles are released, as the new games being made for them use better technology which creates games that are more advanced than anything seen in current generation consoles.

Ultimately the E3 Expo achieves a worldwide event for the gaming industry, an event which will set the tone for games to come in the current year and the first half of the year to follow. The job of developers at E3 is to amaze games journalists with their demos and cinematics of new games which are being developed for near future release. The job of games journalists is to then amaze the public by featuring videos and writing their views of them for everyone to read online and in their physical publications should they produce them.

Katie Woodson regularly follows the E3 expo, she uses it as an example for her writing about exhibition draping because there's always a lot used, and she loves watching the new games get revealed.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/expert/Katie_Woodson/1484648

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/7508798

Basics of 2D Game Development

Developing 2D games is a multidisciplinary act that brings aboard a lot of professionals, sound, tracks and even acting among others. The process of developing the games follows these processes.

The idea conceptualization

The game designer at this point has to come up with a clear concept on how the game will be. For the game to be a success, it is important that the designer understands the entire plot from the beginning to the end. However, he/she can also make important improvements as development progresses. Clear pictures must be designed for all members and history of different characters carefully designed.

Concept art

This is very central and determines the overall appearance of the game. An artist at this stage seeks to make viewing of characters, creatures, and structures to be lively. They try as mush as possible to make the entire artwork to appear as natural as possible. Creators using 2D technology have particularly gone high tech in designing features that have some depth in appearance.

Sound in the game

As you select the sounds to move with your game, you consider a lot of factors. For example, you consider the immediate equipments being used, the landscape and the general action at that moment. If the character is shooting, you must adopt a rhyming sound to indicate the same.

Programming and illustrations

Most two dimension games are programmed using special C++ computer language applied to a higher level. The designer must be able to create the necessary sensors to all structures and characters to control their movements and effects. The sounds and general appearance are also controlled using C++ to make their use more coherent.

Because two dimensional illustrations are highly limited by the number of colors and resolutions and even sizes that can be adopted, the artist must be very clear in his mind how to bring about different effects. It is by understanding these limitations that 2D games developers have remained highly creative in designing better games. However, because of these limitations, a large number of artists prefer to use 3D technology.

Testing your 2D games

When the 2D game development is completed, it has to be tested to identify possible errors and rectify them before release to the market. More artists prefer to use Alpha testing which includes the professionals actively involved in the game development. Others however consider beta testing which involves external players to identify areas needing improvement of recommending it for the market.

To know more about 2D Games, you should visit gamingpoint.org

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/expert/Cullen_Martini/787319

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/7610419

Think Custom Printed Flying Discs For Your Promotional Events

Flying discs are a fun pastime that can be enjoyed outdoors or indoors, anywhere with enough space, and can be played with both competitively and non-competitively. Sometimes referred to as Frisbees, these plastic discs are designed to soar long distances, cutting through the air with their aerodynamic construction. For years people have played with flying discs at parks, beaches, and gyms, even creating the sport "Ultimate Frisbee" for which there are many leagues around the world. For those not interested in competition though, the flying disc remains an amusing diversion that can be played with people of all sizes and ages. Promotional discs are a great thing to bring at different events or functions: for company parties, organization get-togethers, or even school events. They are a great way to help with team-building exercises and can also just be used to complement other recreational tools like a badminton set, croquet, or soccer/footballs/baseballs.

Throwing a business event or company party can be difficult, especially if it is family oriented, because you must have enough activities to keep your guests comfortably occupied. Food is a good first step; a catered party is sure to go over well because ample food and drinks makes conversation easy. Another consideration is large size bounce houses or other alternatives that can draw crowds and keep people occupied. But sometimes the best solution is also the most affordable, and easiest: using recreational tools like balls and games is a great solution for parties and events. Custom printed frisbees are one example. They are especially good because they can be personalized with a graphic, logo, or custom message. At a company party or corporate event, having products that feature your brand name can be invaluable at helping to demonstrate your commitment to employee relations.

Discount discs are also a great product for non-corporate events. Fundraisers that take place outdoors and are focused on non-profit endeavors that are more family oriented may have a hard time trying to accommodate their diverse crowd. Using customized flying discs is one way to keep everyone entertained. They can also be handed out as a party favor to your guests, custom printed with a message in line with the goal of your event. This is an affordable solution that doesn't take much planning, but can be employed in a way that it leaves a lasting impression on your guests without breaking the bank.

Custom printed Flying discs are a great addition to sports events or athletic association get-togethers. You may not want them flying around during a football game or basketball game, but they are a great way to keep the crowd entertained during breaks in play. At the same time, school athletic associations can print their slogan or mascot onto the plastic flying discs and give them out to fans. These promotional flying discs can be used at promotional giveaways to have people lining up to receive them. They can also be used as an affordable alternative to other sports memorabilia while still being functional as a competitive sport.

Engage your audience with these fun promotional items like these Personalized Flying Discs. Enjoy the great outdoors and save with our Promotional Items. Shop at DiscountMugs.com for all of your advertising needs today!

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/expert/Amin_Ramjee/328063

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/7671181

Cards Against Humanity: A Different Kind of Card Game

Playing games has always been a good way to fight boredom. One of the most popular pastimes is playing card games. There are the popular casino card games like poker and blackjack; those that test one's patience like solitaire and memory; and the ones that are popular among hobbyists which are the trading card games.

As time went by, more and more kinds of card games came to be known. Soon, it began to be a favorite among groups of friends who started bringing it with them to parties for everyone to enjoy. An excellent example would be Cards against Humanity.

Cards Against Humanity: An Overview

The card game is a multiplayer party game which can either be downloaded and printed for free, or purchased and delivered as a hardcopy. Designed by a group of friends from the USA, this game is considered to be one of the most horrible yet also one of the most brilliant games out there.

Upon purchasing, the game includes a box filled with 90 black cards and 460 white cards, along with a copy of the game rules and a copy of the alternate rules as well.

How the Game Is Played

The concept for Cards against Humanity is pretty simple. At the beginning of the game, players have in their hands a selection of White Cards on which are written a myriad of crazy things ranging from Santa Claus to chainsaw hands and anything else that are meant to be fun and entertaining. One player is chosen to play as the Card Czar. The Card Czar's duty is to pick a black card that contains either a statement filled with blanks or a question that needs an answer.

The other players should each pick a response from the white cards they have in an attempt to come up with a funny (or absurdly horrifying) answer to that statement or question. The Card Czar chooses the one he or she likes best, and gives the black card to the one who came up with the best answer. The black card scores players awesome points.

To end a game, players pick out three of their card and attempt to construct a haiku. It doesn't really matter whether the syllables aren't enough.

Cards Against Humanity takes card games to a whole new level. Whether you want to have a good time with friends during a sleepover or just want to while time away with your family during vacation, this game is sure to keep you amused. Keep in mind, however, that some of the statements may contain an immense potential for being offensive. Even so, the game's purpose is to entertain and the statements should not be taken seriously.

M. Centorame is owner of The Amazing Shops. You can find the ultimate video games and toys at cheapest price!! Join Now [http://theamazingshops.com/videogames]

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/expert/Marcello_Centorame/1615073

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/7810901