Coming Attractions in Computer Gaming Software?

Computer gaming came into its own in the mid-1990s, and has become both a popular pastime and a consuming desire for many people since that time. Back in the day no one could have dreamed we'd have the amazing technology and graphics that are available now. Over the last 20 years computer games have gone from rudimentary isometric 2D games to games with a fully realized 3D environment. Employment in the field of gaming is as rewarding on a purely enjoyment level as it is on a financial scale.

An interesting fact is that computer gaming software advances more rapidly than the technology for the systems on which the games are played. This is largely the result of many engineers in the gaming world taking their "art work" very seriously as they strive to produce their masterpiece. Sometimes an idea isn't possible until new technology arrives, and that happens faster and faster these days. So, with requirements for stronger computers, pushing for production of better, faster CPU's and GPU's is a never-ending task. But games aren't solely for the purpose of entertainment.

There are a wide variety of educational games available on the market. These types of games can help younger audiences in learning to use their computer. Others are teaching aids for many different subjects, including reading, math, history and science, among others. But for numerous others, computer gaming is still simply an absorbing pastime that is still growing in popularity. Some gamers prefer Real-Time Strategy (RTS) games where they build empires and direct armies, others like it more up close and personal with First-Person Shooters (FPS) where you play a single soldier in a war, and then those who like longer games with sweeping epic plots there are the Role-Playing Games (RPG).

Those are only a small sampling of the numerous categories and subcategories available for play. And of course the computers used to play these games are wildly different as well. One common drawback to computer gaming is having to update one's hardware every time a new game comes out. Powerful hardware is expensive and each person's computer is configured differently. There are top-grade computers used for gaming and there are also the low-end ones with integrated graphics. But no matter the quality of the machine, gaming has a compelling attraction and continues to draw players, both new and old.

Now, the even the presentation of games is undergoing some new and exciting changes. Advancements in monitor technology is essential to this end. The concept of a visor for your gaming experience is nothing new, although new efforts are still being made. More recently, a motion control monitor is being considered as an improvement upon the visor. What this means is the monitor will have sensors that can change the position of the in-game camera at just the turn of your head.

Motion control is still in the initial stages of development. So with all these new technological breakthroughs still in the works, computer gamers still resort to the old "standby" of keyboard and mouse. It's interesting to observe that as computer gaming progresses... so do we. Gaming is no longer just a hobby, but it has also become a way to educate, to tell stories, and to entertain. And with technology developing faster and faster next year who knows what's on the horizon in the world of gaming. For the hobbyists out there nothing could be more exciting!

For more on computer gaming software and gaming laptops, please click here: computer gaming software

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Custom Gaming PCs - Where to Find Affordable Computer Builds

Gaming computers are usually much more powerful than regular home use PCs. They are made for handling high graphical requirements and video needs, and tend to be more expensive as the components are higher end and cost more. However, it is possible to have a custom gaming PC put together for you at an affordable price. It's a good idea to do thorough research before choosing a company to build your computer.

Some of the most well known PC retailers include Dell, HP, and Gateway. All of these companies offer well built computers at typically affordable prices, especially if you can snag a deal. They also offer customization options, but rarely to the degree that gaming computer specialists will have. If you plan to use your computer for more than just gaming (video editing, photo viewing/editing, basic computing tasks, internet use, etc.), a generic PC from any of these retailers is a good bet. You can also find pre-built PCs at Best Buy, Fry's, and pretty much any electronics store, online or locally.

However, if you want a custom built gaming PC tailored specifically to your gaming needs, it's best if you can choose specific components. Companies like iBUYPOWER and Velocity Micro offer more customization options. Depending on whether you're an FPS gamer or an MMO enthusiast, your computer requirements will probably vary. For example, if you don't need intense graphic power for games like Crysis, you can get by with a cheaper video card. Onboard (also known as integrated) graphics cards are not a good idea for gamers, though. This is because most games require at least a 512MB nVIDIA or ATI graphics card. Plan to invest in a good video card.

In terms of budget, a good PC can run anywhere from $600-5000. If you are on a budget, getting a custom PC can be even better, as you can choose cheaper components as opposed to the ones already installed on a pre-built computer. Some retailers offer free shipping and no tax, like Amazon.com, but at the sacrifice of customization. If you don't mind having your gaming PC already built, that's a good place to start.

Whatever company you choose to get your computer from, make sure you do your research ahead of time and know what specific components you need to get the most out of your gaming experience. This way you can make an educated decision that will make the least impact on your wallet.

To learn more about affordable gaming computer builds and requirements and decide what company is best to get your PC from, visit http://makeyourgamingcave.blogspot.com

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World of Warcraft Gaming Computer Recommendations - Build Custom WoW Gaming PC

More than 12 million players worldwide play World of Warcraft - are you one of them, or would you like to try it for yourself? Then you will need to know what computer is good (or better) to play it the way it was meant to be. We are not talking about an average PC where you set settings to low-mid and run around, we look at the computers that let you maximize WoW display settings and resolutions. World of Warcraft may be quite an old game but it still does shine when you turn all of the settings to the max. Have you ever caught yourself on top of the Stormwind Harbor enjoying water view? With the right computer you definitely will!

A lot of people play WoW on regular basic computers or cheap laptops, and World of Warcraft actually lets you do that because it has really low minimum system requirements. It can be even run on netbooks on low settings. And we can't blame you, at the end there are people who don't care about graphics but just enjoy the gameplay itself, storyline, communication, dynamics and atmosphere. But ask yourself why some old black and white movies had been rebuilt in color? Because they are interesting too and probably they look better in color! Same goes for World Of Warcraft - it looks and plays so much better on powerful computers with maximum settings and resolutions. You will catch yourself simply enjoying beautiful scenes, landscapes, sunsets - you will see this game in completely new perspective.

Now what is it about a computer that will let you enjoy WoW as we have indicated above? First of all it should be a gaming computer - not some regular desktop from popular retail store or cheap notebook. And gaming computers are really different from all that no matter how many times you hear the opposite. Regular computer manufacturers try to lower the costs by installing cheap hardware, crappy onboard graphics, stock coolers, even those cases they use do not inspire anyone let alone hardcore gamers. Gaming computer is built and optimized for maximum performance, that comes at a price sometimes, but so do Mercedes and BMW compared to well known minivans:O) It pays off to have a great custom built computer what it comes to PC games.

Lets start from the beginning - most important hardware parts that will affect your gaming and WoW experience in particular - CPU (central processing unit - processor for short) and videocard (or GFX, graphics accelerator, video adapter). These two parts will have the greatest impact on FPS (frames per second) when resolution and all settings are set to maximum.

CPU - processor affects speed of the computer overall, no matter what you do. There are some processor intensive applications like video editing and gaming, so it pays of to have the best CPU you can afford. I general any modern dual core processor will be good for World of Warcraft, but we have some recommendations as to what would be more efficient and will not hit your pocket hard. Right now you can select between great AMD and Intel offerings.

AMD has many dual and quad core processors that are really cost efficient and will be a great option for WoW. For example Athlon II X2 240 with 2.8Ghz would be our minimum recommendation, it's great for mid-high settings and monitors up to 22", and it's really cheap, can be paired with inexpensive motherboard and either DDR2 or DDR3 memory - lots of options to build low priced computer. If you want to really play on max settings in any WoW game zone and biggest raids - you will need one of the Phenom II processors, and while there are some dual and triple core editions we would recommend Phenom II X4 945 or better to stick with. Those quad cores are not expensive and can be a base for really great gaming machine under $1000 that will play any game.

Intel - still offers Core 2 processors that are great for WoW but are a little outdated. If you want really cheap computer - stick with AMD, if you want something little more expensive - go for new i3/i5/i7 CPU line. Most affordable would be Core i3 530 that can be paired with mid range H55 motherboard and DDR3 memory. It is just a dual core but has hyper threading making it virtual Quad and Turbo-Boost that increases CPU frequency based on the load, works especially good with single threaded applications and WoW. To make sure you will never see FPS drop below 30 you can pick i5 750 which is less than a $100 more but it's a real Quad Core processor that will not let you down in any scenario (get P55 chipset motherboard with it). And finally Core i7 - the king, excellent performance in all applications and games, probably an overkill for WoW but it's a great investment since it will not be outdated for quite some time.

Videocard - second in importance, sometimes first, depends on the game you play. Videocards create picture you see on your monitor, more complicated images require more power form your videocard. Some integrated adapter is fine for Windows and internet browsing but it will not play any real game the way it should be. You will need separate videocard to use high resolutions and settings. There are many popular videocards on the market, for WoW you can pick one of the older ones since thay can be cheap and still offer excellent World Of Warcraft gaming experience. From bottom to top our recommendations are:

ATI Radeon 4650 512Mb DDR3

Nvidia GeForce GT 220 512Mb or 1Gb DDR2 or DDR3

ATI Radeon 4670 1Gb DDR3

Nvidia GeForce GT 240 512Mb DDR5 (better than 1Gb DDR3)

Nvidia GeForce 9800GT 512Mb DDR3 (older but with super performance - your best pick for now)

ATI Radeon 5670 1Gb GDDR5 (can have some issues with drivers but good performer)

Nvidia GeForce GTS 250 1Gb DDR3

ATI Radeon 5750 1Gb GDDR5

Anything more expensive would probably not give you much of a benefit for the money you pay. When you set Shades to the Ultra it will stress even most expensive videocards so everyone plays with High anyways, all other settings can be set on maximum as well as resolution with up to 28" monitor if you pick one of the last cards on the list.

Memory - If you have at least 4Gb of RAM you don't have to worry about too much. Even if you have only 2Gb and still using Windows XP you are good to go if you are on a tight budget. Windows Vista or "7" will be much better with 4Gb RAM if you want to have something left for WoW. Just watch for the memory type that is compatible with your CPU and motherboard. Like all i3/i5/i7 will require DDR3 memory, some AMD processors work with DDR2, they are about the same price now so you'd better pick DDR3 since it's newer and faster. Memory varies be speed, like DDR2 can be 667Ghz, most popular 800Mhz and faster 1066Mhz which does not work with all processors and motherboards. If you get DDR3 then you'd better go with 1600Mhz as the most cost efficient, popular, supported RAM. If you are thinking about 6 or 8Gb, then keep in mind that WoW does not need it, you have some other apps that will use that much - go for it. Of course if you pick i7 CPU with X58 board then you should get 6Gb triple channel memory kit for the best performance.

Motherboard - not so important as long as it's more or less modern. Just watch for CPU and RAM compatibility. For AMD processors better pick some AM3 board with DDR3 memory support, good chipsets are 785G, 790GX, 890GX, 790X. Some cheaper ones are GeForce 6100/6150/7025, or AMD 740, 760, 780G. For Intel - it all depends on CPU you pick. For Core 2 you better go with P55, or if you don't have a lot to spend you can get P43 or G41 - really cut down in features but will do for now. Core i3 and i5 Dual core better work with H55, Quad Core i5 and i7 LGA1156 need P55, Socket LGA1366 Core i7 need X58 chipset. Some motherboards like AMD 785G or 890GX have pretty good onboard video that can play WOW but don't expect too much from it, it can be fine for some time if you are saving for the new videocard for example.

Hard Drive - modern drives do not differ too much, get one with SATA interface and 7200RPM speed, and it will be fine. There are some "green" HDDs with 5400RPM but they are better for storage not for gaming. SSD (solid state) are still too expensive and not popular. WD VelociRaptor model with 10000RPM is an excellent choice if you can afford it, really cuts down loading times.

Power supply - depends on you CPU and videocard. Always make sure that you get reputable brand, or at least read some reviews if you are not sure or want to save some money. There are good cheap PSU out there but you have to be careful picking one. More expensive ones are usually better, some good brands are: Antec, Corsair, Thermaltake, Cooler Master. If your videocard does not require extra 6pin PCI-e power connector then you should be good with 400-500W minimum, better videocards work good on 500-600W power supplies. For all videocards listed above you do not need more than 600W even with i7 CPU but you can surely pick any PSU you like with more power if you think you may need it.

Case - some think it's not important - they didn't see real gaming cases. Advanced chassis for gaming computers not only looks good with LEDs and side windows, but it also cools good. There are usually bigger than average fans (120-200m), there are more of those fans, perforated panels for better ventilation, advanced PSU and fan placement, hideouts for professional cabling and much more.

CPU Cooler - one more thing that makes gaming computers different - use of aftermarket coolers. Good CPU cooler works quieter and more efficient than stock ones. Aftermarket cooler will prolong life of your processor making it work on lower temperatures and will allow overlocking - speeding up CPU without harm to it as long as temps are within limits. For example Core i7 920 with cooler Xigmatek Dark Knight can work on 3.6Ghz frequency instead of 2.66Ghz default. It makes a lot of difference!

DVD, Blue-Ray, Wireless, card readers - all those parts do not affect your WoW gameplay, unless of course your wireless adapter drops connection all the timeï

www.CentaurusPC.com Alex Raven - senior engineer @ Centaurus PC. Custom gaming computers with unmatched performance, speed, reliability and customization built by professionals. 3 year warranty on every computer, free FedEx shipping, fastest building times and lowest prices. Dominate the game with Centaurus Computers gaming machines! www.CentaurusComputers.com

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Selecting Good Computer Headphones: 5 Attributes To Consider Before Making Your Decision

So, you're searching for a decent headset to support your own entertainment system at home? And you've got some DVDs of new movies? Or are you a passionate gamer seeking for a decent headphone that will accompany with you through hours of online battles? Whatever your situation is, there are some criteria to take into consideration if you want to equip yourself not only a GOOD headphone but also the RIGHT one!

What are those features? And how they affect your final decision? Let's talk about them for a while.

Initially, you need to decide your main purpose.

What I mean by saying that? I mean if you're a gamer for example, and you're looking for a good headset to play games, it would be different. If you're just seeking a good computer headset to enhance other activities like listening to music or watching movies, it would be different.

A correct headphone for playing game should at first have a good bass quality. It's even more important when you prefer FPS games. You can detect nearby enemies just by hearing, and it's a huge advantage! Whereas for music listeners, this point is not so important.

The next point is, make sure that the headset you choose is comfortable while wearing.

This feature is important. You don't want to feel uncomfortable all the time wearing it, right? Especially when you're watching a really good movie, or you're constantly playing games for many hours. And if you ask me, this feature is one of the most important factors when it comes to selecting a decent headphone!

Thirdly, you should pay attention to the accompanied headphone cable.

It will be one of the most annoying things if you're not be careful! Long headphone cable will be a big mess around your desktop and it could cause many unaware crashes. I still remember when I broke down my headset just because I stepped on the wire and walked away. The headset felt down to the ground hardly and broke. And I lost extra money to fix it.

Another feature is sound quality.

Like what I shared with you before in the first point, sound quality is definitely a very important feature to consider. OK, maybe you're not a gamer and bass quality is not a priority. But when it comes to home entertaining activities like music or movies, you still need a decent quality of sound output. Without it, it's not "entertainment" anymore!

And the final note is the balance between price and quality.

Yes, I know that to many people, price is a real problem. And when it comes to prices, it always accompanied with quality. Is low-cost products are always of bad quality? Not necessarily! In my experience, at a price of lower than $150, you can have a very good headphone with very good quality of sound and design! What matters here is where to look for them.

And to answer this question, I highly recommend you the Bose AE2 Audio Headphone! Yes, you know Bose, right? This special headphone is designed to please you at a very reasonable price.

Curious to find out MORE how GREAT Bose AE2 Audio Headphone is before making your final decision? Then CLICK to take a look at my page, I provide you a more IN-DEPTH Bose AE2 Audio Headphone review there!

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Video Cards - "Eyes" of Your Computer

Computers have always used some sort of video card or display adapter ever since the personal computer was invented. There were plenty of computers before that didn't use screens (imagine that!), but these were used mainly for calculations and diagnostics. When you think about these old computers, think about the old "Super Computer" that was really big and had buttons on it - something you would see in an old horror-type film or some sort, maybe Frankenstein.

But, enough about the past, lets talk video cards! For generations now, video cards have been one of the most important parts of any computer system. Without one, your computer will still run, but you won't have a picture on your screen since you wouldn't be able to plug your monitor into your computer. For those that don't know, when you plug your monitor into the back of your computer, it goes directly into the video card or video display port. From here, the computer processors everything you "see" through your video card and it gets sent up to your monitor where you interact with the computer, whether it's a game, word processor, internet browser or email.

What's the difference between a video card and a video display adapter? Nothing! They're technically the same thing, but may look differently. A video card is something that you can actually pull out of your computer and hold in your hands physically whereas a video display adapter may be built into your motherboard (another computer component) and you can physically pull it off or hold it. Usually a video card is much more powerful than a video adapter (also called a display adapter). A video card has it's own GPU, which is basically a CPU (also known as a processor). Your video card also has its own RAM (also known as memory) built right on it, much like your motherboard has RAM slots and you put RAM into them. However, video card RAM is different as it can not be removed, replaced or upgraded on a video card but you have to upgrade the entire card.

Many gamers are highly concerned about video cards because they're so important to their games. Without a very fast and powerful video card, you might see "delays" in your game, which some people refer to as "lag" but in reality it is the inability of your video card to display frames as fast as it should. But it's okay, that doesn't mean there's something wrong with your video card, it just means it's not powerful enough to handle the graphics of your game. The "lag" you experience is actually a low "frame rate". When a game is played on your screen, it displays in "frames" which you, the user, interact with. To find out exactly what frames are and why they're important, check out this article on "What is FPS? [http://www.videocardemporium.com/FPS.php]", it'll give you a brief understanding of what it stands for and what it is.

The more graphically intense a game is, the harder it is for a video card to display since it has to finely tune all the details, physics (if any), textures, colors and a million other things that are being sent to your monitor. Chances are, if your game is running slow, a video card upgrade could definitely help you out! With as cheap as video cards are getting today, it's really a good idea to get a new card regardless. A lot of new video cards come with new technology to help your computer run better all around and not just in games. They help refresh images on a screen more quickly and even have the technology to display HD images from movies. Who doesn't like to see their movie displayed in top notch quality? With some video cards as low as under $100, it's an easy upgrade to give you a whole new visual performance on your computer.

If you're feeling like you need a new video card or an upgrade, I'd highly recommend checking out Video Card Emporium for some of the cheapest video cards you can find. They sell a bunch of value cards that are great additions to any computer, whether it's for gaming or just an overall upgrade, a cheap video card doesn't mean it's bad! It may simply be slightly outdated or a value model. Much like how cars have different models, such as standard or luxury, so do video cards!

In conclusion, give your eyes something better to look at! See clean, crisp, vivid color displayed on your screen with a brand new cheap video card [http://www.videocardemporium.com] and give your eyes a break. Who knows, it might even save you some eye strain!

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How to Choose Parts For a New Computer

Building a computer for the first time can seem like an impossible task, but in reality it's not that hard. The benefit to building your own is that you save money and can customize it to your exact specifications. Choosing the right parts is fun and rewarding when you do it right.

When shopping for parts, it matters what you plan on using the computer for. If you're a gamer, then you need to buy the right blend of high performance parts to ensure that you get the highest frames per second(FPS) possible. If you're just building one to surf the Internet and send some pictures of the grandkids to your friends, you shouldn't be building a computer in the first place. I kid a little, but in all honesty this guide is geared towards gamers because they have the most to gain from building a computer and being able to upgrade it on their own.

Tom's Hardware should be your first stop to finding out what parts to buy for your computer. They don't sell them there, but they review just about any part you could possibly need for your computer, and they frequently put out guides on how the various parts affect and/or limit each other when trying to get maximum FPS. Take a look through their site and look for their "system builder" articles that review systems they have put together themselves. These guys test hardware for a living, so there's a good chance you can save yourself a lot of time by simply buying the same parts they used.

After you get a list together of the parts you'll need, most people shop for them on NewEgg. Not only does that site have great prices, they have great customer service too. Between Tom's and NewEgg, you should be in gaming heaven in no time.

Ryan J. Shane
http://www.bumperplates.biz

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What One Should Know About Computer Arcade Games

The computer games evolved from the days of Mario and Pac Man. The hardware and software technology used in the games are advancing by leaps and bounds over the years. The arcade games in particular have witnessed the maximum development. The origin of the first generation of arcade games dates back to the 1970s. At that time most of them were not commercially available. But they became hugely popular.

Nowadays the arcade games are available for both the consoles and computer platform. People like these games for the extreme amounts of thrill and excitement they offer. Some of the popular arcade games can also be played online. In fact the popularity of online computer gaming has taken the gaming community by storm. The penetration of broadband Internet connection has acted in its favor. Some of the games also offer multiplayer versions that add to the thrill of the game play.

The sonic games are also liked by the gamers. The online sonic games look similar to the ones people used to play in Sega console earlier. As a matter of fact, the web based computer games are a type of video games that can be played over office intranet and Internet. Nowadays a lot of gamers search in the web for free online games. However they should not randomly download each and every game they come across.

Some of the p2p sites offer a variety of online sports games and action based FPS games. But not all of these sites are reliable. There have been instances where people got their computer infected with malicious virus after downloading software and content from these sites. Hence one should always check the authenticity of a site before choosing to download software from it. The way the scam and phishing sites are rising in number is a matter of grave concern.

The sites should be selected that use the latest online security protocols. Those who have no penchant for the special effect based gory adventure games can try the online puzzle games. These games are ideal for the teens and kids and help in sharpening their mental alertness and intelligence in general. The other advantage of the popular online games is that there are a number of online communities for these games. A novice gamer can benefit from the tips obtained from the veteran gamers in these online communities.

The popular multiplayer games like Quake 3, Counterstrike etc have dedicated communities. One needs to keep in mind that for playing the latest generation games it is compulsory to have a powerful PC with oodles of RAM. The latest consoles from companies like Nintendo, Sony and Microsoft also have reasonably powerful hardware and visual processing units for cutting edge display and graphics quality.

Ralf Tomlinson is author of this article on arcade games.

Find more information about card games here.

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A Short History of FPS Computer Games - From Side Scrolling Shooters to Realistic 3D

After a brief intermission in the eighties, gaming once again rose to prominence with the invention of the Nintendo Entertainment System. This system featured some basic games such as Super Mario, Mega Man, and the renowned Final Fantasy. As rudimentary as those games where, they were still much better than the ones offered by its predecessors and gaming was reignited around the world.

It's hard to believe how far we've come since those days. Can you believe it's been more than ten years since John Carmack wowed us all with the shareware version of DOOM? That lightning fast 'virtual reality' simulator that pitted you against the forces of hell on Mars. That game, and Wolfenstein 3D have moved us toward a brilliant future of 3D models, polygons, spectacular effects, and things in the future that people can barely even imagine at this point.

Since we have moved past the 2D era of side scrolling shooters, things have become a little different. Games have become more realistic; their character models becoming more and more detailed, and some of the worlds have become more open. A lot of things have happened and it would be impossible to go through all of them; so instead we'll have a look at the evolution of one of the most popular genres: the first person shooter or FPS.

The Beginning

Wolfenstein: The original First Person Shooter released by ID Software and Apogee. It was a two dimensional shooter that followed the story of a British agent named BJ on his quest to escape Castle Wolfenstein. The demo was released in 1992 and it featured eight levels, plus one secret level that was accessible from the first floor.

Blake Stone: Intended to be a sequel to Wolfenstein but later changed to an independent shooter with a few sequels.

Rise of the Triad: Developed by Apogee to be the successor to Wolfenstein 3D, it was the first shooter to include the ability to look up and down in combat, and was the first to involve jump pads. It also had a pistol with unlimited ammunition that certainly appeased the combat appetites of many people.

The Middle

Quake: The original 3D shooter that actually used 3D models and full 3D environments. It lacked a story but that doesn't make it a bad game. It used many concepts that were implemented in DOOM, one of which was the BFG 9000.

Quake II: The sequel to Quake, using 3D models and actually featuring a story that was to be continued in a later sequel.

Quake III: Yet another sequel that was more like Quake 1 in that it did not feature any sort of story.

Return to Castle Wolfenstein: A retelling of the original Wolfenstein built on the technology of Quake III. This was a great game, though many believed that it went outside the bounds of reality.

Half Life: Gordan Freeman and his trusty crowbar blazed a trail toward the future using ID Software's Quake engine and showing that a game didn't have to be split up into levels.

Red Faction: The first game with fully destroyable terrain, following the plight of oppressed miners on the red planet.

Today

DOOM 3: The long awaited retelling of the original DOOM in a brand new engine was an overall disappointment, but in its time, it was a sure indication of what the future could look like. ID Software had once again shown the world what was possible.

Prey: This game had an excellent story and was a fairly different game, many people didn't like it, but everyone is still awaiting the sequel.

Half Life 2: The long awaited sequel to Half Life 2. Built on the source engine and featuring a full campaign that was broken into short intervals, this game took people on the ride of their lives. It is succeeded by two stand-alone expansions and gamers are expecting to receive a fourth installment in this series shortly.

Red Faction 2: The sequel to Red Faction that proved to be a disappointment, but was still a necessary installment in the series.

Far Cry: One of the first open world shooters that had a realistic environment. It was succeeded by a remake and sequel on the Xbox platform.

This is only a little bit of the history of video games. There is so much more to cover, and in fact, it would probably take over a thousand pages to explain every single game in explicit detail. For now, I leave you with this sample and hope that someday you will find the missing pieces.

Check out ChinaShop magazine - the online word on music, gaming, and bands. You'll see pics and video of up-to-the-minute events and interviews, including exclusive pics of E3, the Electronic Entertainment Expo in LA.

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A Short History of FPS Computer Games - From Side Scrolling Shooters to Realistic 3D

After a brief intermission in the eighties, gaming once again rose to prominence with the invention of the Nintendo Entertainment System. This system featured some basic games such as Super Mario, Mega Man, and the renowned Final Fantasy. As rudimentary as those games where, they were still much better than the ones offered by its predecessors and gaming was reignited around the world.

It's hard to believe how far we've come since those days. Can you believe it's been more than ten years since John Carmack wowed us all with the shareware version of DOOM? That lightning fast 'virtual reality' simulator that pitted you against the forces of hell on Mars. That game, and Wolfenstein 3D have moved us toward a brilliant future of 3D models, polygons, spectacular effects, and things in the future that people can barely even imagine at this point.

Since we have moved past the 2D era of side scrolling shooters, things have become a little different. Games have become more realistic; their character models becoming more and more detailed, and some of the worlds have become more open. A lot of things have happened and it would be impossible to go through all of them; so instead we'll have a look at the evolution of one of the most popular genres: the first person shooter or FPS.

The Beginning

Wolfenstein: The original First Person Shooter released by ID Software and Apogee. It was a two dimensional shooter that followed the story of a British agent named BJ on his quest to escape Castle Wolfenstein. The demo was released in 1992 and it featured eight levels, plus one secret level that was accessible from the first floor.

Blake Stone: Intended to be a sequel to Wolfenstein but later changed to an independent shooter with a few sequels.

Rise of the Triad: Developed by Apogee to be the successor to Wolfenstein 3D, it was the first shooter to include the ability to look up and down in combat, and was the first to involve jump pads. It also had a pistol with unlimited ammunition that certainly appeased the combat appetites of many people.

The Middle

Quake: The original 3D shooter that actually used 3D models and full 3D environments. It lacked a story but that doesn't make it a bad game. It used many concepts that were implemented in DOOM, one of which was the BFG 9000.

Quake II: The sequel to Quake, using 3D models and actually featuring a story that was to be continued in a later sequel.

Quake III: Yet another sequel that was more like Quake 1 in that it did not feature any sort of story.

Return to Castle Wolfenstein: A retelling of the original Wolfenstein built on the technology of Quake III. This was a great game, though many believed that it went outside the bounds of reality.

Half Life: Gordan Freeman and his trusty crowbar blazed a trail toward the future using ID Software's Quake engine and showing that a game didn't have to be split up into levels.

Red Faction: The first game with fully destroyable terrain, following the plight of oppressed miners on the red planet.

Today

DOOM 3: The long awaited retelling of the original DOOM in a brand new engine was an overall disappointment, but in its time, it was a sure indication of what the future could look like. ID Software had once again shown the world what was possible.

Prey: This game had an excellent story and was a fairly different game, many people didn't like it, but everyone is still awaiting the sequel.

Half Life 2: The long awaited sequel to Half Life 2. Built on the source engine and featuring a full campaign that was broken into short intervals, this game took people on the ride of their lives. It is succeeded by two stand-alone expansions and gamers are expecting to receive a fourth installment in this series shortly.

Red Faction 2: The sequel to Red Faction that proved to be a disappointment, but was still a necessary installment in the series.

Far Cry: One of the first open world shooters that had a realistic environment. It was succeeded by a remake and sequel on the Xbox platform.

This is only a little bit of the history of video games. There is so much more to cover, and in fact, it would probably take over a thousand pages to explain every single game in explicit detail. For now, I leave you with this sample and hope that someday you will find the missing pieces.

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