Its All Just Black and White With Some Fire Breathing Dragon;media meditation #2

Picture provided by Gaygamer.net

Well it has been awhile since I last posted and a few new games have come out since then, along with some other interesting topics to touch on.

First order of business is that Nintendo has just released new Pokemon games, Black and White.

These new games have added another 156 Pokemon to the universe, bringing the total now to 649 Pokemon, but luckily you only have access to the new 156 plus three promo Pokemon until you beat the Elite Four. This forces you to use the new Pokemon instead of just using your old favorites. The first four generations of Pokemon games were based on the regions of Japan, but since they have run out of regions, they have modeled this new region after New York state. I had my doubts when I first heard this, but then I walked into the city of Castelia across a bridge that much resembles the Washington Bridge and into a port city that looks like this

picture provide by pokemonblackandwhite.com

This city much resembles the Big Apple that is New York City. Getting into the game with out spoiling the story, the developers choose the odd route of giving you what is essentially a second starter that is super effective against the starter Pokemon that you are traditionally weak against. For example, if you start with the fire starter, then you would be weak against water type, so you would get a grass type to counteract that. Since you have two rivals to deal with in this game, it is nice that you are guaranteed to have one Pokemon that is strong against their starter. So far this game seems easier than past games because of the use of HM's, which are moves that help you clear obstacles and move across the world. In past games you have been forced to use HM's to get from town to town and advance in the game. Currently, I am at the fifth gym and have only had to use one HM once so far in the game, so I am interested to see if this trend keeps up through the rest of the game. The core mechanics of this game have not changed, but even after all these years, Pokemon games are still fun to play. I would strongly recommend this game as a buy to people. Here is the trailer for this new installment.

Picture provided by G4tv.com

Another new game that has just been released. It is another Bioware game Dragon Age II. This game is similar Mass Effect 2 only that it is set in a medieval setting. I have not played the game as of yet but I have watched my roommate play the game and it seems to have a very engaging story and a much improved combat system from the first game and there have been very apparent upgrades in the graphics. if you want a review for the game I trust IGN as a site that reviews video games so here is there review for Dragon Age II.

I personally cannot wait to play this game when I have the chance.

In sporting news the 2011-2012 NFL season is in jeopardy as the players union has not signed a collective bargaining agreement and they are now suing the NFL on anti-trust law suit. In response the owners and the NFL have lockout that prevent the players from playing until a new collective bargaining agreement is signed so unless a lot of ground is meet between the two sides there will not be football any time soon.

So until text time which will hopefully be some time next week have a good time in the media play ground that is the modern world.

Game Informer

This picture was provided by irrationalgames.com

Game Informer was founded in 1991 by Funcoland which is now GameStop

Game Informer being a text based is based on stimulating the neocortex part of the brain by requiring us to read its pages to understand the massage and information that the magazine is trying to give us.

Game Informer focuses on the technological shift from board and card games to the digital era's form of entertainment video games and how they are becoming apart of everyday life. They also moved the digital media where you can download the magazine to their computers instead of getting the magazine delivered to their house in print form.

Game Informer relies on value message by providing people with up to date gaming information and opinions on what you they thought about games that are on the market now and where you might want to spend your money. And features about what is going on in the gaming industry.

Game Informer tries to persuade their reader by using group dynamics by talking to their readers as the gaming community in general. They do this for all of their articles and in issues where they focus on important topics they heavily lean on reaching you as a part of the gaming community.

For this issue they also add nostalgia based on the cover going back to labeling this the october 1912 issue of the magazine and using old time art and feel on the front cover of the issue instead of the glossy from the other issues I have.

So that is Game Informer viewed under the lens of media power tools from my CCM 120 class.