Tetris Spells Trauma Relief [Games And Health]

8 Jan 2009 Author: Mike Fahey In: Descargas
  • 0 Comentarios

    • Researches at the Oxford University in England have discovered that the effects of traumatic stress can be dampened by something as simple as playing a bit of Tetris.

    40 healthy volunteers were exposed to a film containing a series of traumatic graphic images of injuries. Half of the subjects were given the game Tetris to play after the film, while the remaining 20 were simply sent on their merry, traumatized ways. The team then recorded data on flashbacks over the course of the following week, and found that the participants who did not play Tetris experienced a normal number of violent flashbacks, while those that did were terrorized by nightmares of being sodomized by L-shaped blocks.

    No! Those that played the game experienced less flashbacks than those that did, conclusively proving...well, nothing really, but boy do those researchers have fun.

    While nothing was conclusively proven, Dr. Emily Holmes suggests that what they learned during the experiment might help provide a way to help dampen flashback activity in victims of post traumatic stress disorder.

    "We wanted to find a way to dampen down flashbacks - the raw sensory images of trauma that are over-represented in the memories of those with PTSD. Tetris may work by competing for the brain's resources for sensory information. We suggest it specifically interferes with the way sensory memories are laid down in the period after trauma and thus reduces the number of flashbacks that are experienced afterwards."

    Anyone who has ever had a Tetris nightmare can tell you that those damn blocks do a number on your brain after awhile, so the results make perfect sense to me. You cannot keep images of a severed leg and the theme song from Tetris in the same brain.

    Mind you, Professor David "Spoilsport" Alexander of the Aberdeen Centre for Trauma Research maintains that since the test subjects knew they were in no real danger and were prepared for something to happen, there was no true catastrophic event to cause the stress that the experiment was meant to test.

    "The volunteers here knew that something was going to happen, but they were not going to be harmed - a genuinely traumatic incident is different in scale, and is usually completely unexpected and marked by feelings of loss of control."

    There's only one thing left for the Oxford scientists to do. Kidnap people off the street, saw off their legs, and hand them a Gameboy.

    Tetris 'helps to reduce trauma' [BBC - Thanks Jonathan!]



The Kinetics of Pinball [Pinball]

8 Jan 2009 Author: Brian Crecente In: Descargas
  • 0 Comentarios

    • The man behind such pinball greats as Fun House, the Addams Family and The Twilight Zone, Pat Lawlor, recently sat down with Gamasutra to discuss the history and design of pinball games.

    The interview covers a bunch of topics, but most interesting is Lawlor's take on pinball kinetics.

    There are obviously many aspects involved in kinetics. Every designer has differing goals for the "feel" of the game. Usually these goals are a result of the kinds of games the designers like personally.

    Things to consider are, in no particular order:

    1) Middle shots are easier for beginners.
    2) How to mix stop and go shots with nice return flow shots.
    3) How fast is the overall game? Very fast games are very difficult for beginners.
    4) When a shot is missed, what happens to the ball? Is it a bad, clunky thing? Does the ball come back in my face?
    5) Are these shots just "there,” or do they represent something from the theme?

    All of this talk about kinetics got me to thinking about how very different video game development it must be to design a pinball title. These people have to think about machinery, automation, physical player space, not to mention fun.

    GameSetInterview: 'Rudy's Father Speaks - The Pat Lawlor Interview' [Gamasutra]



CES 09: Audiovox Puts PlayStation 2s In Your Car, Dawg [Electronics]

7 Jan 2009 Author: Michael McWhertor In: Descargas
  • 0 Comentarios

    • Yo, dawg, Audiovox heard you like the PlayStation 2 and car ownership. So it co-branded with Sony on a PlayStation 2 for your car so you can play games while you drive.

    Announced at today's Audiovox press conference at CES, the new entertainment system featuring an integrated PlayStation 2 and 16-channel wireless FM modulator is the first of its kind. Or so the press release says.

    The premier model features a 16:9 aspect ratio, widescreen 10.2" display in an overhead drop down configuration, one that comes bundled with a wireless DVD remote, two wireless infrared headphones and two wireless PS2 controllers. A second dome-style version, sans screen, will also be offered.

    A third model, designed for mobile video systems already integrated into car seat headrests, will also be available. And no, your eyes don't deceive you. That is a copy of ICO being played on the back of headrest. Someone at the Audiovox art department has taste!

    Audiovox Expands In-Car Mobile Entertainment Options Featuring PlayStation(R)2 Systems

    New mobile entertainment systems from industry leader Audiovox extend the PlayStation experience beyond living room and handheld platforms to the streets and highways across the United States

    LAS VEGAS, Jan. 7 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ — Audiovox Corporation (Nasdaq: VOXX) today announced the industry's first rear-seat, mobile entertainment system featuring a fully integrated PlayStation2 computer entertainment system. Leading the trend of mobile entertainment integration, Audiovox will unveil the new system along with concept models featuring PlayStation(R)2 systems at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas this week, January 8-11, 2009, at the Las Vegas Convention Center.

    The premier model debuting at the show is an all-in-one, overhead drop down system that combines the best of Audiovox's overhead DVD players with the added benefit of a built-in, fully integrated PlayStation 2 system and a 16-channel wireless FM modulator. This model features a full color 16:9 widescreen 10.2 inch display. The system will come with a variety of accessories, including a wireless DVD remote control, two fold-flat wireless IR headphones and two wireless game controllers.

    "PlayStation is one of the most respected brands worldwide and has built PlayStation 2 into one of the leading entertainment choices for people of all ages," said Tom Malone, President of Audiovox Electronics Corp. "Audiovox is the undisputed leader in mobile video and has been since the category's inception. By combining our resources, consumers will benefit from a more complete mobile entertainment solution, and we will open up new channels to grow our sales and increase our presence at retail and in the automotive markets we serve."

    Along with the premier model, Audiovox also plans to offer two additional systems: a drop down style PlayStation 2 without screen that has PlayStation 2 system built into the overhead unit with dome lights. The entertainment system allows users to simply tuck PlayStation 2 into the overhead for easy use. The system is compatible and plays through most factory and aftermarket headrest DVD mobile video systems. An additional option for consumers is a system that integrates PlayStation 2 into a Quick Connect Headrest Bracket for quick and easy mounting in most vehicles. It too is compatible and plays through most factory or aftermarket headrest or overhead mobile video systems.

    For more information on Audiovox Corporation, please visit www.audiovox.com, or stop by the Audiovox booth (Central No. 10506, Central No. 11006) at the 2009 International Consumer Electronics Show, the world's largest tradeshow for consumer technology at the Las Vegas Convention Center.

    About Audiovox

    Audiovox (Nasdaq: VOXX) is a recognized leader in the marketing of automotive entertainment, vehicle security and remote start systems, consumer electronics products and consumer electronics accessories. The company is number one in mobile video and places in the top ten of almost every category that it sells. Among the lines marketed by Audiovox are its mobile electronics products including mobile video systems, auto sound systems including satellite radio, vehicle security and remote start systems; consumer electronics products such as MP3 players, digital camcorders, DVRs, clock radios, portable DVD players, portable GPS, flat-panel TVs, extended range two-way radios, multimedia products like digital picture frames and home and portable stereos; consumer electronics accessories such as indoor/outdoor antennas, connectivity products, headphones, speakers, wireless solutions, remote controls, power & surge protectors and media cleaning & storage devices; Energizer-branded products for rechargeable batteries and battery packs for camcorders, cordless phones, digital cameras and DVD players, as well as for power supply systems, automatic voltage regulators and surge protectors. The company markets its products through an extensive distribution network that includes power retailers, 12-volt specialists, mass merchandisers and an OE sales group. The company markets products under the Audiovox, RCA, Jensen, Acoustic Research, Energizer, Advent, Code Alarm, TERK, Prestige and SURFACE brands. For additional information, visit our Web site at www.audiovox.com.

    "PlayStation", "PLAYSTATION" and "PS" Family logo are registered trademarks of Sony Computer Entertainment Inc.



Uwe Boll Receives Four Razzie Nominations [The Boll Cut]

7 Jan 2009 Author: Mike Fahey In: Descargas
  • 0 Comentarios

    • The Golden Raspberry Awards are the anti-Oscars, celebrating the worst that film has to offer, so it comes as no surprise that our favorite video game movie director Uwe Boll be nominated for four.

    According to Larry Carroll of the MTV Movie Blog, Boll appears four times on the 2008 Razzie ballot, with nominations for Worst Director, Worst Career Achievement, and two nominations for Worst Picture. Only one director in the history of film making could have two Worst Picture nominations in one year. That's our Uwe! Both Dungeon Siege and Postal are up for the not coveted award, facing off against the likes of The Happening, Meet Dave, and High School Musical 3.

    There are worse movies and movie directors out there, but not this year. No, this is Uwe's time to shine. And should he lose...well, it takes a big man to lose the biggest loser competition.

    2008 ‘Razzies’ Nominees Include Indy 4, Paris Hilton And Tom Cruise - How Would You Vote? [MTV Movie Blog - Thanks Jason!]



The House Bunny / La Casa de las Conejitas (DVDRip 2008)

7 Jan 2009 Author: Chachalac0 In: Descargas
  • 0 Comentarios
    • Pelicula The House Bunny / La Casa de las Conejitas (DVDRip 2008) en descarga directa. Shelley lleva una vida sin preocupaciones hasta que es expulsada de la Mansión Playboy. Sin ningún sitio donde ir, el destino la introduce en las vidas de un grupo de chicas universitarias poco integradas socialmente, que perderán su casa de hermandad [...]

Reggie: Nintendo escucha a los fans

7 Jan 2009 Author: Pep Sànchez In: Descargas

Copyright © 2007 - Valverde a Tope - está construido bajo WordPress
Valverdeatope, solo distribuye el contenido de los feeds de las páginas que consideramos más apropiadas, ningún contenido nos pertenece y no nos hacemos responsables de su uso ni de los comentarios que en ellos se encuentren. El tema de esta página fué modificado por Valverde a Tope y diseñado por: Design Disease gracias a Smashingmagazine.com