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Days of Future Past: A look ahead to Halo: Reach
By: Arthur ‘Arturis’ Orneck
The X-Box’s juggernaut flagship franchise, Halo, is going back to its roots in the upcoming title, Halo: Reach. Set in the year 2552, a few short months before the events of the first Halo game, H:R sets the stage for the fall of the final human colony on planet Reach, and the player gets to take on the role of one of the final six soldiers alive to defend it. Fans of Halo’s established brand of run‘n’gun frantic First Person Shooter action will feel right at home defending your ground against the Covenant in the single player campaign, but we all know that it is the rapid paced multiplayer action where the Halo series really shines. Details are still coming in on what new weapons, vehicles and abilities gamers can look forward to in this installment, though already confirmed are armor upgrade systems for active camouflage and the ability to sprint through battle. Those who have already purchased Halo: ODST will have a chance to try these out first hand when the multiplayer beta test launches on May 3rd.
Gaming for the Entire Family
The most popular gaming consoles such as the Wii, PS3 and Xbox have some very cool features. However, if you’re looking for a system that is friendly for the entire family, you’re likely to choose one over the other. Below is a breakdown of the three most popular gaming systems sold on CowBoom to point you in the right direction:
| Pros: | Cons: |
Games are easy to play + family friendly |
No DVD hookup No HD Wrist strap must be worn in order to avoid damaging remote television (especially with small children!) |
Takeaway: The Wii is very family friendly, encourages interaction and has fun and easy to use games.
| Pros: | Cons: |
DVD/Blu-Ray enabled Wi-fi connectivity enabled Wi-fi + free to play online |
Motion Sensor “Dual Shock 3” technology has been incompatible with the games it was produced for A new motion sensor control system is in the works but not on the market yet DVD player can be loud Parental controls can be difficult to understand, the Wii and Xbox have an easier system in place |
Takeaway: The PS3 is great for families who enjoy movies as it has both DVD/Blu-Ray capabilities in addition to a great variety of family oriented games.
| Pros: | Cons: |
Easy to use interface Excellent online gaming selection via xBox Live Parental controls easy to put in place |
Wi-fi connectivity costs extra $ and you must pay for internet for arcade games Buttons can be extra sensitive/ system may be loud Known for technical problems that can render it unusable “RROD” |
Takeaway
Do you already have a gaming system that your family uses? Which one do you prefer?
What is Exergaming?
via chesie
We recently asked whether people prefer the Wii Fit over the gym – although the Wii Fit won the vote, there was lots of debate. You may be asking: What does Exergaming mean? Exergaming means the marriage of physical exercise with video gaming. And although it wasn’;t coined yesterday, it’s definitely increasing in mass appeal
This year CES featured several exergaming newbies who showcased their latest creations at the Cardio Play Zone. Attendees were really working up a sweat on the advanced workout contraptions. But these are still very expensive. The more affordable choices like the Wii Fit, the Sony Playstation and the Xbox have several exercise games that people are choosing to use versus frequent gym visits.
The question now becomes, can these games replace good old fashion exercise? I do think that exergaming has its place. It’s a fun way to introduce activity into many people’s currently sedentary lives, many of whom already enjoy playing video games for hours on end. It’s also convenient and alleviates the pressure of the gym atmosphere. Personally, I prefer the outdoors. But its an easier option for me since I live in Southern California where the sunshine is plentiful and the climate is comfortable. Technology has impacted our lives in so many positive ways, but it’s still important to embrace the outdoors when possible and connect with our own rhythms through exercise. Whether that is cycling, running, playing basketball or soccer or something else, these activities give us time to think things through, to sharpen our motor skills and if it’s a team sport, develop camaraderie. These qualities are all very important for our overall well being.
What do you think?
