“Second Skin”

These computers on our desks are turning into portals to other realms of existence…realms that will one day be preferred to earth.  –Edward Castronova

I just watched a documentary on Netflix called Second Skin.  I would recommend it, especially if you are a gamer or have been one in the past.  It’s about how MMORPGs (massively multiplayer online role playing games) affect the lifestyles of different gamers.  World of Warcraft and Everquest are the 2 huge games this documentary covers.  I haven’t played either one, but I found the film very interesting.   It’s crazy how deeply these people get affected.  *Spoiler (If you’re going to watch it, don’t read the rest of this paragraph).  One guy said he played 179 actual days out of the year.  That means he was averaging 11 hours of gameplay a day.  He would pee in a bottle so he wouldn’t have to actually go to the bathroom.  After hitting rock bottom, he eventually gave up the game and moved in with a relative or friend or something.  After he had given up the game, his roommate got hooked.  Wow.  That’s just a part of the documentary.

A little background on myself – I’m 25, single, live with my parents, and am currently looking for a steady job.  I’ve been playing video games since the original Nintendo, so 17 or 18 years.  To add to these factors, I have a PS3 now, so you could say I’m “susceptible” to being addicted to gaming.  Presently, I’m trying to commit myself to playing only one RPG per year.  I just beat Dragon Age so that’s done.  Ultimately though, after I get a job and hopefully a girlfriend, I know it would be better to give them up cold turkey.  I realize how dangerous they are, and honestly I think it’s a matter of maturity in order to let go of them.

I haven’t always thought this though.  I have considered myself “addicted” to some games in the past.  I’d literally choose playing a video game in my room alone over just about anything, going out with friends, going to college classes…anything.  My low point was when I was living alone and I was playing a game called Oblivion.  I played for a week straight, skipped all my classes, was staying up until 5 or 6 a.m. and waking up at 1 or 2 p.m., literally left my house 2 or 3 times to go to the coke machine and that was it.  I maximized my playing time by eating my meals (ramen noodles, sandwhich) in 2 or 3 minutes, and taking the quickest showers I could.  I would play for 10 to 12 hours each day.  Luckily, in my next living situation I had 2 roommates, which forced me to lessen my gaming hours.  When one of them would walk in with some friends, I’d feel ashamed that I was choosing to be alone so I could play a video game.

Those moments in my binges where I was forced to be outside, I chose to take a break, or I chose to hang out with some other people, I realized just how much better reality is.  So just a little advice for somebody that’s stuck in gaming:  stop and think.  There are better things in life.  Take a breath of fresh air.  If there’s an emptiness you have, gaming is not going to fill that.  Work on making yourself better rather than making your “character” better.  It is harder, but much more satisfying.

Our Video Game Collection

This is what we have at the house right now.  I have 2 brothers who play and a mom that’s always been hooked on zelda.  (click for bigger picture)

Call of Duty 2 Breaks Record

According to Activision, Call of Duty:  Modern Warfare 2 has broken the sales record for most sales of any entertainment form in a 24 hour period.  It has sold $310 million worth of games, 4.7 million copies in the U.S. and U.K. alone.  They are yet to release sales figures from any other regions.  The previous record was held by GTA IV with $310 million sold worldwide.  Prior to GTA IV were Halo 3 and The Dark Knight.  COD is available on PS3, Xbox 360, and the PC.  I use gamespot.com for reviews and it has given it a 9 out of 10 on the PS3 and the 360 (users only gave it a 5.5 on the PC).

Which Video Game has Sold the Most?

First, I’m talking about non-bundled.  I don’t think you can count how much a game sells if it automatically comes with the system because there’s no telling how many people just wanted the system and didn’t give a flip about the game.  If you are curious though, Wii Sports (2006) and Super Mario Bros. (NES 1985) are the top 2 in that category with 51 and 40 million sold respectively.

Top 5 games sold all time (not including hand held):

1. Wii Play (2007) - 24 million
2. Wii Fit (2008) – 23 million
3. Super Mario Bros 3 (NES 1990)- 18 million
4. Grand Theft Auto:  San Andreas (PS2 2004) – 17 million
5. Gran Turismo 3:  A-Spec (PS2 2001) – 15 million (shipped)

The best selling XBox 360 game is Halo 3 (2007) with 8.1 million sold.

The best selling PS3 game all time is Metal Gear Solid 4:  Guns of the Patriots (2008) with 4.5 million shipped, so pretty far back there.

 

Which Console has Sold the Most?

According to Wikepedia, these are the leaders for most consoles sold all-time. I didn’t include hand held systems because they’re such a different item in my opinion.  The ones in bold are the 3 present systems in the “console war”.  As you can see, the Wii is wrecking shop.  However, the Wii just doesn’t cut it for me, I like to have better graphics and complex game play.  If I want to hit a tennis ball, then I’ll hit a tennis ball, not simulate it by using a controller.  As mentioned in my previous post, Sony has sold me on the PS3.

All-time Rank	System	Units Sold (millions)	Year Released
1.	PS2	138	2000
2.	PS	102*	1994
3.	NES	62	1983
4.	Wii	56	2006
5.	SNES	49	1990
6.	N64	33	1996
7.	Xbox 360	31	2005
8.	Atari 2600	30	1977
9.	Sega Genesis	29	1988
10.	PS3	25	2006
11.	Xbox	24	2001
12.	GameCube	22	2001
*(shipped)

FIFA 10/PS3

I just purchased FIFA 10 for the PS3, and I would highly recommend it.  The graphics are incredible and the game play is more realistic than it was in 09.  Baseball and soccer are my 2 favorite sports, and I was also impressed with MLB 09 The Show when it came out.  However, I had much more connection problems with the online play on the The Show than I have with FIFA, and playing online is where I get the most enjoyment, although building a dynasty can be fun too.

FIFA 10 Screenshot

Anyways, I’ve had my PS3 for about 3 years now so I thought I’d give my 2 cents on it.  There is nothing negative to say about it.  I think it’s an excellent system for the following reasons:

• Reliability–I’ve put a crap load of game play hours into my PS3, and never had any problems with the way it runs.  A few freezes here and there, but very few and very far between.
• Design — Sony did good.  Wireless internet, Blu-Ray, can play PS2 games, things are presented in a simple and attractive way.
• Value–Yeah, I bought mine for $500, now they’re going for $300.  Totally worth it though for the product and how much time I’ve spent entertained by it.

However, I have found that it’s easy for me to lose myself in it.  It’s much easier for me to control how much I play if I buy sports games rather than role playing games.  I guess I’m just trying to say “know your limits”.

My PS 3 trophy card: