Video Games-A Short History

Remote Control Toys for Men & Boys

2011-03-07T21:28:40-08:00

Here I am, driving past the County Firefighters' training ground and I see these small planes zipping around the sky. It appears that those trainees waiting for their turn to battle the artificial blaze have found a different form of entertainment to pass the time. They were engaged in sky maneuvers with a few Remote Control Planes. They were bobbing and weaving, soaring and diving, doing figure eights and all sorts of other gyrations with their Man Toys. They were so involved in the control of their aircraft, deriving tremendous pleasure and relaxation from their efforts that they almost missed their call to train. Perhaps this was the mental exercise needed for the real reason they were assembled on the site. Whatever it was, it helped ready them to train for the heroic ventures that must learn in order to do their jobs properly.

Remote Control Toys-The Outdoor Video Game

2011-03-07T20:55:27-08:00

Another beautiful day outside and my kids and their friends are inside playing their Computer and Video Games. I encouraged them to go out but they wouldn't budge. I pondered for the next few minutes what might tempt them to exit. Suddenly I remembered my friend Dave telling that, he too, had become exasperated with the same dilemma. He said he bought his kids a couple of small Remote Controlled Boats for them to race in the pond at their neighborhood park. Now he says he has a hard time getting them to come home for lunch or dinner. He told me about this website--RC Games N More-- that had a variety of the Remote Control Toys from boats and cars to planes, tanks and helicopters. I checked it out and ordered a pair of cars for them to take to the schoolyard and tryout. I see Dave's point; I can't get them home for meals either. Who knew!

VIDEO GAMES AS CHILD CARE PARTNERS

2011-03-06T21:21:06-08:00

It was raining cats and dogs one day last week when I realized the value of the Video Game Console and all the Video Games, Joy Sticks and Game Controllers and other extras I had invested in, in the past couple of years. My children had become bored with watching movies and television. They were now actively involved participating in the outcome of the Video Games they were playing. It allowed them to use their hands and fingers in addition to their eyes and ears and brains...they were in involved and in charge. It seemed that they got an adrenalin rush being the Controller, as opposed to, sitting back and watching it. It dawned on me that they were utilizing their brains in whole new ways, devising strategies, preparing and planning for ways to get to the next level. That is the ultimate goal, to score enough points to outdo your siblings, friends and schoolmates. Everyone wants to be number one and the skills they honed playing these Video Game was a means to that end. I now search everywhere to find other Video Games that I think will broaden their scope and throw new challenges in their paths. One website I found--RC Games N More--has a vast selection that has helped me meet my goal. It's nice to see that there are other things for kids to do to keep them out of trouble while also educating them beyond what their textbooks and teachers provide them.

VIDEO GAMES AND NEW SKILLS

2011-03-06T20:57:52-08:00

I have always thought that Video Games, Joy Sticks and Game Controllers were for kids only. Then someone alerted me to the fact that a particular game titled Guitar Hero was a tool that people of all ages were buying to learn a new skill. I wondered what other Video Games were available for learning new things. Was there one for the Do-It-Yourselfer or the aspiring Auto Mechanic? I found a website--RC Games N More-- that carried many varied and different titles of all sorts to choose from to satiate my curiousity. I now know that they are for one and all...age notwithstanding! I'm going to find myself a new hobby now. Perhaps mine will have an Easel or Fishing Rod instead of a Joy Stick or Game Controller.

VIDEO GAMES-TO EACH HIS/HER OWN

2011-03-06T20:39:13-08:00

I commented to a friend that this Video Game craze that the kids are into is one more hobby for kids to separate their parents from their money. He enlightened me to the fact that he and his wife have a particular Video Game that is their daily work-out tool. He told me how much money they've saved on Gym memberships. Instead of a Game Controller or Joy Stick, there is another device they have that allows them to do their exercises and in the privacy of their own home. I guess it's good to talk to friends and gain new insights into the wonderful world of technology and how it relates to me!

VIDEO GAMES-JOYSTICS FOR MENTAL DEXTERITY

2011-03-06T20:20:51-08:00

When I came home from work yesterday, there were my children, plopped in front of the TV set playing some Video Game. "Don't you have any homework to do" I asked. They replied that it was all done and that they were now engaged in other brain challenges. "Oh, how's that" I asked . The response was that the Video Game involved strategies of out-foxing some ignominious creature to get to some higher level and then reach the Castle and take control of it. This got me to thinking of the games we played when I was a kid. You remember names like Sorry, Clue, Monoploy and even Checkers. Well today's technology has taken those board games to a higher plane. They no longer throw dice and move pieces but now they manipulate a Joy Stick or Game Controller or other weapon of choice at a much more rapid pace involving quicker thinking. Maybe this is another level of training for higher education. Afterall, they are extending their brains to develope ways around obstacles thrown in their paths. In other words, different ways to accomplish a goal. I figured it was time for me to explore this area and see what speed bumps are out there to further sharpen their minds. I found a website--RC Games N More--that had many, many Video Games and Game Consoles. It now became my challenge to find the more advanced Video Games that would extend their cerebral horizons. In my own way, I guess I became that hideous creature blocking the path to success...but, of course, in a positive way!

REMOTE CONTROL TOYS-FUN FOR THE WHOLE FAMILY

2011-03-06T19:45:07-08:00

A few weeks ago as I drove past an unoccupied corner of a large shopping mall's parking lot, I noticed groups of people involved in some endeavor. You know what I'm talking about; that section of the lot that only fills up during holidays and semi-annual sales. This piqued my curiousity enough to swing back around and "rubberneck", if you will, to find out what all the commotion was about. There were mothers and fathers, sons and daughters, all racing remote-controlled cars--drag racing around the vacant area. In and out, back and forth, twisting and turning about they ran. The whole family was whooped up in a frenzy, cheering, yelling, screaming like it was the homestretch at Churchill Downs during the Kentucky Derby. They were so involved and not just as spectators, but controllers of their own fate as if they were on the horse driving it to the finish line. I thought to myself, what a fanastic way for a family to bond, to be outdoors doing something that they could all do together and simultaneously and equally derive pleasure from. It got my juices flowing so that I decided to explore this sport and find out what it entailed. I came across a website-RC Games N More- that had my new found objects of enthusiasm. There were so many to choose from. I decided to buy a few, to see if my sons would come out and play with their Dad. Well, it worked. We went to the playground area of their former elementary school on a Sunday to get the feel of how they work. They took to it with great elan. Geez, I now wonder what I've gotten myself into. I'm a Remote-Control Toy Dad as opposed to a Soccer Mom. I feel rejuvenated.

A Short History of Video Games

2011-03-01T09:07:50-08:00

A video game is an electronic game that involves interaction with a user interface to generate visual feedback on a video device. The word video in video game traditionally referred to a raster display device. However, with the popular use of the term "video game", it now implies any type of display device. The electronic systems used to play video games are known as platforms; some of these would be personal computers and video game consoles. These platforms range from large mainframe computers to small handheld devices. Some of the previously common specialized video games such as arcade games, have gradually declined in use.

The input device used to manipulate video games is called a game controller and varies across platforms. One type of dedicated console controller might consist of only a button and a joystick. while another may feature a dozen buttons and one or more joysticks. Early personal computer games often needed a keyboard for gameplay and required the user to buy a separate joystick with at least one button. Many modern computer games allow, or even require, the player to use a keyboard and mouse simultaneously.

Video games typically also use other ways of providing interaction and information to the player. Audio is almost universal, using sound reproduction devices, such as speakers and headphones.

A New DVD Player For My LCD Television

2010-11-30T13:08:18-08:00

My husband recently purchased an LCD television for our home and I decided to be the one to go online and purchase a new DVD player for it. I was only online for a few minutes when I found a great Haier DVD player. I could not believe that it cost less than sixty bucks and I ordered not one, but two of them. I knew that it was going to be the perfect addition to our LCD television and I could not wait to use it! It was only a few days before I had received my new DVD player and set it up with my LCD TV.

I love watching movies with my new DVD player. Staying in and watching movies has been a huge money saving deal for me. Plus, having friends and family members over to have movie nights has been such a great time. I am so glad that I went online to buy a new DVD player for my LCD television. I cannot wait to see what other amazing products there are just waiting to be found online.

The Wii Game Looks Great On The LCD Television

2010-11-24T15:19:23-08:00

When my husband and I purchased our LCD television, we knew that we had to buy a great game console to go with it. After much thought, we settled on buying a Nintendo Wii. Next, we purchased some games from the same online store where we had purchased the LCD television and console. One of the first games that we purchased was Wii Sports Resort. I was super happy with the price on the Wii game, just as I had been with all of our other purchases. I just could not wait for it to arrive.

The first time that we played our new Wii game on the LCD television was amazing. The picture looked so good and everyone had a great time. We have enjoyed our new LCD television and Nintendo Wii Console that we have begun to have game nights with all of our family members and friends. We love to spend time with everyone we love and we adore saving money as well. I am so glad that I knew about shopping for electronics online.

Stick And Move With A Flat Panel Television

2010-11-12T10:46:47-08:00

A classic lives forever. A classic outlives its creators and forever wins a seat in the archives of history. The first game console to really take the world by storm is debatable but as a child born in the 80s I can say our family had an original Nintendo sitting in the living room. It is the system that got me hooked on gaming. Since much has changed in what gamers expect on their flat panel televisions but there are still decades old Nintendo classics worth playing today. Who doesn’t remember the 8-bit opening song from the original Punch Out? It allowed gamers to stick, move and KO goliath opponents while climbing the latter to boxing Hall of Fame. This game is a classic. The original plays just as well on a LCD television as it did on my family’s old big screen.

Media classics have a tendency to be redone down the road. Nintendo took this route with Punch Out!! Wii. Model - RVLPR7PE featured above. Seen in the video above, all of the original elements are there. The difference is an upgrade in graphics, motion control and a few new opponents. The music is still addictively 8-bit and the fights are just as epic. The video showcases a bout against the mighty Donkey Kong.

This is a fantastic game for flat panel televisions around the country this time of the year. As soon as I saw it within the digital shelves of Electronics For Tomorrow at http://electronicsfortomorrow.com/ I thought this game would make cardio exercise a bit more exciting. It is the last leg of the year meaning a long list of holidays is coming down the pipe. Each of the holidays comes with enormous amounts of food. Food, family and friends, they are the 3 F’s that stay constant this time of the year. In an attempt to stay in shape I’m throwing jabs at the LCD television in my free time. Between running, playing the Wii behind our HiFi audio and weight training I hope to get into great shape now so I can get out of great shape come holiday festivities. An LCD television does have the power to help us get in shape as crazy as it sounds. Gaming has really evolved since playing two dimensional classics on an old home theater 5.1 system in my childhood living room. So stick and move before throwing in the towel to holiday home cooked meals.

Being Mike Tyson on my LCD television with Xbox 360 Games

2010-11-10T17:59:55-08:00

There are so many really cool Xbox 360 video games that are custom tailored for the high definition of the LCD televisions of today, that I find it to be just mind blowing. As of late, I have had my hands wrapped around Fight Night Round 4 for the Xbox 360 Video Game Console, and boy is this game one knockout of a title that delivers a solid punch with graphics. Thanks to a newly redesigned graphics engine, this game offers a full tier of graphical greatness on any LCD television; especially the sweet 42” LCD television that I have mounted to the wall in my living room. For all extents and purposes, I have never gotten to play a boxing game that offered so many different options, and one that also looks so darn realistic when played on my LCD television. You can even unlock the legendary boxer, Iron Mike Tyson, and get to play as this super heavyweight on your LCD television, if you so desire. Not since the days of the old school Nintendo systems have I gotten to play as big Mike. But now, he has returned on my LCD television, and on my Xbox 360 game console, in this hot new title from EA Sports.

I was not so sure how good this next installment in the series was, until I got my hands wrapped around a copy that I found online at this really cool online superstore that is just loaded with LCD televisions, video games and much more; the store is called Electronics For Tomorrow (you can easily find them online at this web address that I have provided for you, located at: http://electronicsfortomorrow.com). In this game you can even create your own boxer and model their features—which looks really cool when you do it on an LCD television, as the high definition graphics rendering models really do come to life like I have never seen before. If you have a home theater 5.1 system that is paired with your LCD television, like I do in my living room, be prepared for the fight of your life, as this game really does make it feel like you are the star in the ring, fighting that next big fight, as you work your way up the ranks to the unbeaten—ultimately trying to become the next big boxing superstar that the world has to offer up to the boxing community.

Finding the Perfect LCD Television

2010-11-10T05:55:22-08:00

It hasn’t been that long ago that my husband mentioned that he’d like to have an LCD television for his work shop. He spends a lot of time there- especially during the winter months and even though I really didn’t see the point of having an LCD television out there, I could understand why he would. There are many times during the winter months when he’ll be out working in the shop and come in because he doesn’t want to miss the football game. He put a small fridge out there during the summer that he bought second hand and he keeps it filled with soft drinks. It has been a Godsend when we are working outside and want something to drink. A few nights ago I was online looking for Christmas gifts when my best friend called and mentioned that she’d ordered a small screened LCD television for her son. When she told me the price, I couldn’t help but be curious where she got it and she told me the name of the website. I decided it was worth checking out and I also found an LCD television there for a great price. It’s a little larger than the one she got for her son, but I know that my husband is going to love it.

LCD Television Brings Video Games in HD to my Bedroom

2010-11-07T10:26:00-08:00

I have always loved playing video games on the LCD television that is in my living room, ever since I got that shiny new LCD television about two years ago, or so. However, up until just about a month or two ago, I did not have nearly as nice of an LCD television in my bedroom. Nope. I had this older and dying tube TV that actually would hurt my eyes to play video games on it, and that greatly paled in comparison to my LCD television. So needless to say that I rarely would venture into my bedroom to play video games, and the TV in the living has gotten most of my playing time…up until now that is. With that sweet new LCD television in my bedroom, video games come alive just as much as they do in the living room. Being able to rest my head on my pillows while becoming immersed in some fabulous video games is just priceless. And, my wife can use the TV in the living room more often now, so everybody wins this time around!

He'll Be Blown Away by LCD Television

2010-11-04T06:27:57-07:00

This summer when my husband’s birthday rolled around, I gave him the HiFi audio system that he’d been talking about since last Christmas. My brother received the same HiFi audio system for Christmas and my husband helped him set everything up. He loved the sound and my brother told me about the great price he’d found it for online, so I ended up ordering John’s from the same site online. Now that Christmas is just around the corner, I’ve gone back to the same website in hopes of finding an LCD television to go along with the audio system. Sure enough, I was able to find an LCD television for a great price, plus with a screen size that is significantly larger than what we are now using. I know my husband is going to love it and so I ordered it for him this morning. I want to make sure he doesn’t find out about it until Christmas morning so I’ve had it sent to my mom’s and when it arrives I’ll make sure I head over and wrap it, just to be on the safe side.

All Smiles over the LCD Television

2010-11-01T05:57:12-07:00

After having an extremely busy weekend, I was so glad that I didn’t have to work today. It allowed me to put away the Halloween decorations, but it also allowed me to spend some time online getting some Christmas gift ideas. I had in mind that if I could find a good price on an LCD television that I would order it for my mother in law this year. My husband generally chooses the gift for her, but I’d heard her mention several times over the past couple of months that she’d love to have an LCD television in her bedroom so that she could watch TV before bed and not have to worry about getting up and going to her bed if she started to doze off. I found the LCD television for a great price, and it has a timer that she can set so if she dozes off the television won’t be on all night. Before I ordered it, I called my husband at work to make sure he agreed with ordering the LCD television and he did. She’s going to be so surprised come Christmas morning and I can’t wait to see the expression on her face.

LCD Television in Break Room was Surprise

2010-10-29T06:38:17-07:00

My husband came home from work last night and told me that he was surprised when he walked in the break room to find an LCD television mounted on the wall. I’ll have to admit that in the 25 years that he’s worked there, I don’t ever recall a television in the break room and he said that’s because there never was one. I think he was the first person to discover the LCD television and he said that when he saw the remote control he decided to turn it on and see if they had any channels. There were a few news channels, plus two channels on the LCD television that were set up to be within the company for sharing videos and other educational materials. I thought it was a great idea and a way to help teach everyone without having them all in the same room. He said he’d heard later during his shift that they’d added an LCD television to each break room throughout the plant and that they’d ordered them all online because the prices were better than their regular supplier. Kudos to them for trying to save a little cash.

She Shouldn't Be Without the LCD Television

2010-10-26T06:56:46-07:00

Every year around this time, I contact everyone in my family that I plan to buy gifts for and ask them to either hand write or email me a list of gift ideas so I can have something to go on when I start shopping. I was surprised this year when I read my grandmothers list to find that she had an LCD television at the top of her list. I didn’t even think my grandmother watched television anymore since I haven’t seen hers turned on in years, so when I asked her about the LCD television on her list, she said that the one in her living room had not worked for about six months. I couldn’t believe that she never mentioned to any of us that the TV had stopped working, but instead, she thought that she’d just add the LCD television to the list and hope for the best. I assured her that she would no longer have to be without a television and took her a spare LCD television that we had in the guest room to use now. We will be ordering her a new television for Christmas this year. Thankfully we can get them for great prices online.

Home Theater 5.1 Brings Spooky Movies to Life

2010-10-23T11:33:08-07:00

Halloween is just around the bend, and if you have been watching any of the major TV networks like I have on my LCD television as of late, then I am sure that you have noticed that they are constantly playing many different Halloween horror movies. My home theater 5.1 is really making these awesome and classics films come to life like never before. I don’t normally watch horror movies, however this year I have been literally glued to them. Perhaps because it has been so long since I last really got sucked into a cheesy horror movie; as the ones they are playing are classics that are pretty dated, with most of them having been filmed during the 80s. For me, the combination of a home theater 5.1, my awesome LCD television and the horror movies on TV all of the time, paired with a fresh bowl of salty popcorn, has truly enabled me to enjoy some flicks that I normally would not watch. Even if they are a bit cheesy, I am hooked on them as of late.

Saying Hello Over A LCD Television

2010-10-20T11:14:44-07:00

We have all heard the overused phrase about how technology has made our world a smaller place. Business owners once land locked to potential customers in their general area now sell to buyers around the world. I’ve played video games with Australians online no big deal. Most new cars alert drivers of incoming calls. We are a society inundated with modes of communication. It must have been tough for families one hundred years ago after the kids moved away out of state. My mom doesn’t like seeing me only a few times a year even though we talk each week on the phone. Other than mail correspondence and the uncommon visit home Imagine the moms back than who pretty much lost contact with their kids who moved away.

My brother, sister and I have been out of our parent’s house for almost a full year now. I’ve been gone for almost six years. Mom still has trouble dealing with the distance. I get it and decided to do something about it. As much as she’d like me to move home that will not happen but I can meet her in the middle. Electronics For Tomorrow at http://electronicsfortomorrow.com/ has a range of tech products including home theater 5.1 components to LCD televisions to webcams. I found an affordable but capable webcam for my mom. Pictured above, the Microsoft LifeCam VX-3000 Webcam is the perfect tool to chat face to face. We might be in different places but when my parents are on the LCD television and I’m talking to them through a webcam it seems like they are a lot closer.

I made sure to call dad ahead of time after buying the webcam. Mom is not the most tech savvy and I can see her getting flustered installing a webcam on their office computer. There is nothing to using these cams after finding the right chat service. Most webcam services are free unless the user needs special features so saying hello through streaming video services doesn’t really cost anything more than the webcam. My webcam setup uses the LCD television in my bedroom for a bigger picture. But for talking on the run, the integrated webcam in my laptop works great. Video chatting isn’t new technology but it is way more affordable than in years past. Parents with kids out of state around the world can benefit from webcam chatting. With HiFi audio speakers next to the LCD television and a nice frame of their face, the distance between whoever is on the other end of the webcam does not seem far at all. Make sure to have HiFi audio connected to the device running the web chat.