The iPod brought attention and prestige to Apple that had been lacking. Many people were purchasing and using an Apple product for the first time in their lives! A massive fan base for Apple products was created and by April 2006, Apple had sold 50 million iPods (http://www.systemshootouts.org/ipod_sales.html). This was a tremendous boon to the second and third major turning points, the transition to Intel chips in Macs and the release of Bootcamp.

FINALLY! Bootcamp allowed Mac users to boot in a Windows environment and play all their favorite PC games. This was and is a great concept and continues to reward dedicated Mac gamers. Unfortunately, it also requires effort. You have to purchase a Windows OS (Windows 7 Pro = $200) and install it yourself; Apple does not provide support for installing Windows on your Mac! For those consumers who are not tech-savvy, this creates a barrier to entry.

Fast-forward to today. I own a Mac Mini and I use CrossOver to play Windows games. It cost me $15 for a six month license and CodeWeavers provides great customer service! This has been the go-to option when I play Rift, the Windows-only MMORPG. CrossOver supports a ton of games and is probably the most cost-effective option to run a lot of Windows games. BUT…support for each game is developed on an independent basis, so it takes awhile for newer games to be compatible. League of Legends, a freemium MOBA (Multiplayer Online Battle Arena, as coined by me) with millions of players, is currently not supported.

For the near future, I hope more games will be developed for Windows and Mac in tandem like World of Warcraft. Blizzard got this one right: The retail version contains a hybrid CD that can install on either a Windows or Mac OS, making things as simple as possible for the end-user. All players, regardless of their OS, may play together online. This is something severely lacking in console gaming (segregation of different console users), but that is another subject. I recognize the possible budget limitations with simultaneous development, so most games will continue to be ported by third parties such as Aspyr.

In the distant future, I envision an OS common ground that is capable of running any program. Consumers shouldn’t have their purchasing decision influenced by whether or not an OS will run their favorite program. Both Mac and Windows will ship with this common ground, enabling end-users to install and use whatever software they want out of the box. Programs will no longer be developed for “Mac” or “PC,” but for “CG” (common ground). The Windows and Mac OS will continue to maintain their unique appearances and navigation styles, but the decision on what programs may be run will be made by the customer and not the company.

Netflix has already taken over consoles.

Conversely, anyone with a credit card can sign up for Netflix and have access to a nearly unlimited library for the cost of two retail movie rentals per month. In addition, the customer may watch what they want, whenever they want without the restrictive business hours of a retail location. A recent entrant to the digital streaming market, HuluPlus, provides access to archives and the most recent episodes of popular TV shows.

Is HuluPlus going to give cable a run for its money?

A clear parallel may be drawn between what happened to movie distribution and what will happen to game distribution. Traditionally, retail outlets (Walmart, Target, Gamestop, etc.) have dominated games sales with their numerous locations, specials, and premier events. However, I easily see digital distribution outstripping retail sales in the near future, perhaps even in the next year. This is done through outlets such GameAgent, Direct2Drive, and Steam.

Steam dominates digital game distribution

In the next 5 years, I think distribution will move toward “cloud gaming,” which would operate similar to Netflix. In cloud gaming, a user would have an account with a provider, such as GameAgent or Steam, and purchase a digital license to games. The user would not download the game onto his or her hard drive; instead, the game would “stream” to the user from the provider. This would define accessibility, as the user would only need the account information to play. Combined with my aforementioned concept of a “CG” operating system, a gamer could play their game of choice at any computer in the world!

As more and more negativity gets piled onto video games, it never ceases to entertain me how absolutely ridiculous some of them are.  While not all of the headlines I chose to include are specific to video games, they are all ones that I thought that Platform Nation readers might enjoy as they reflect on the passing year.  Goodbye 2010.

HERE’S WHAT 2010 HAD TO SAY

Hop. Hop. Hop. 911.

Man playing real-life Frogger fails to pass 1st level | Source |

“A 23-year-old Clemson, SC man was struck by an SUV Monday night while attempting to play a real-life version of the game Frogger. He was taken to a nearby hospital. His name has yet to be released.   Police say that prior to being hit he was discussing the game with friends. He shouted, “Go!” and then ran into traffic.”

I think we just may have found an honorary Darwin Award candidate.  He probably would have fallen off the logs anyway.

Hey man, got an iPad?

Gilbert man posts online ad to trade marijuana for iPad | Source |

“GILBERT, Ariz. — Police officers arrested a 20-year-old Gilbert man who allegedly tried to trade marijuana and an iPod for an iPad.  According to the Gilbert Police Department, (name omitted) posted an advertisement on Craigslist.com indicating that he wanted to trade an Apple iPod Touch and marijuana for an Apple iPad. He included pictures of both in his ad.”

Technically it doesn’t say this guy was a gamer – but.

Google’s Pac-Man Logo Costs Society $120,483,800 in Productivity | Source |

“We joked last week when Google changed its logo to a playable game of Pac-Man that the world’s collective productivity would take a sharp plunge, but it turns out that’s exactly what happened.   The blog for time management tool RescueTime did the math and determined that Google Pac-Man consumed 4,819,352 hours of time, or $120,483,800 in productivity.”

It turns out that there were some games being played with the numbers – mainly that all the hours spent on Google’s home page that day were people at work – and being paid $25 per hour.  Even though – the still playable Pac-Man Google logo is freakin’ sweet!

BB Gun-wielding Kid Acts Out GTA Crime Spree - Bike thief says chase felt like real-life GTA | Source |

“Bikes stolen at gunpoint, failed taser attempts and a police chase made up what a 14-year-old California boy described as a real-life Grand Theft Auto experience (via Bakersfield Now). The young boy allegedly held-up two 13-year-old boys with a BB gun that looked like a real handgun and stole their bikes, after which police gave chase until tackling and arresting him. When questioned, the boy said he felt like he was playing a real-life version of GTA: San Andreas, and that the chase felt like an episode of COPS.”

The article goes on to state the boy was charged as a juvenile – which to me seems to be the perfect description.

Actual Victim X-Ray

Cheater’s Brain Stabbed in Wallhack Brawl | Source |

“A gamer accused of cheating in a net café game of CounterStrike narrowly escaped death after irate players skewered his head on a knife.  The incident began in a net café in China’s northern province of Jilin, when a group of youths apparently noticed a 17-year-old boy they had been playing CounterStrike with had been cheating by using a “wallhack” to allow himself to see through walls.”

Gaming Tip #1: Do not use game hacks outside the safety of your own home as your mileage may vary.

The Longest-Standing Record in Videogame History Has Been Broken | Source |

“Seattle man breaks the 27-year-old Asteroids high score.  It took 58 hours, but only one quarter. Seattle locksmith John McAllister is now the world record holder in Asteroids, scoring a ridiculous 41,338,740 points to topple the longest-standing record in videogame history.”

Asteroids?  Isn’t it time to move on?  Have you heard they have COLOR video games now?

Video games can never be art | Source |

“Having once made the statement above, I have declined all opportunities to enlarge upon it or defend it. That seemed to be a fool’s errand, especially given the volume of messages I receive urging me to play this game or that and recant the error of my ways. Nevertheless, I remain convinced that in principle, video games cannot be art.”

Roger Ebert really screwed the pooch on this one.

Gaming Tip #2: Try not to piss off the gamers.  Example – See Gaming Tip #1

Wii Fit Girl - Lauren Bernat

Amanda Flowers Claims Wii Fit Injury Made Her A Sex Addict | Source |

“A woman has gone from Nintendo to nympho after a fall from her Wii Fit board turned her into a sex addict.  Randy Amanda Flowers needs 10 sex sessions a day after the slip-up. And now the slightest of vibrations, from mobile phones to food processors, turns her on.  The catering worker said: “It began as a twinge down below before surging through my body. Sometimes it built up into a trembling orgasm.”  A doctor diagnosed her with persistent sexual arousal syndrome due to a damaged nerve.”

And I thought it was the YouTube Wii Fit Girl that created sex addicts.

Man charged in theft from open casket | Source |

“PITTSBURGH – State police arrested a Pennsylvania man who they say stole a handheld video-game system from the casket of a teenager who had been killed in a Christmas SUV crash.  State police said they got an anonymous tip that enabled them to arrest 37-year-old Jody Lynn Bennett, of Mentcle, Indiana County, Wednesday afternoon at the home of a friend in Belsano, Cambria County.  Police contend Bennett grabbed a Nintendo Game Boy, three games, and an accessory light from the open casket during the public visitation at the Rairigh Funeral Home in Montgomery Township, Indiana County, on Monday evening. According to a criminal complaint, the dead boy’s uncle confronted Bennett outside the funeral home, about 65 miles northeast of Pittsburgh, and he returned the Game Boy, only for the family to later notice the game cartridges and the light were missing.”

Preying on the tragedy of others and yet it was the wall hack guy who took the knife to the head.  Go figure.

Gamer Teeth?

Study reveals the longer teens spend playing video games, the greater the impact on their teeth | Source |

“A study has revealed that the longer teenagers spend glued to the screen, the greater the impact on their dental hygiene.  A propensity to wolf down sugary snacks and drinks while absorbed in the on-screen action meant gamers who spend long hours with a controller in their hands are twice as likely to develop tooth decay.  The University of Iowa study is the latest in a growing list of video game-related ills highlighted by academics, ranging from depression and obesity to violent behavior.”

So is there anything that video games does not cause?  Case in point…

TV and computer games blamed for return of rickets | Source |

“The many hours children spend indoors playing computer games or watching television may be to blame for a resurgence of rickets.  Scientists say that rickets is becoming “disturbingly common” among British children. The disease is caused by chronic vitamin D deficiencies, which can be triggered by long periods out of natural sunlight and a poor diet.”

But doesn’t exposure to the Sun cause cancer?  If it’s going to be a no win situation – I’ll stick with video games and air conditioning.

“Zombies” in crashed car bewilder bystanders | Source |

“PORTLAND, Ore. — A car full of people dressed as zombies crashed on Interstate 84 near downtown Portland on Friday, causing initial confusion by people who witnessed the crash.  Portland Police said the car was swerving in the eastbound lanes of the freeway just east of the Lloyd District just after 9:30 p.m. when it rolled over and crashed onto its top.  Emergency crews took five victims from the crash to area hospitals with non-life-threatening injuries.  Police said that in their investigation they learned that the people inside the car were dressed as zombie costumes and they were headed to a party at the time of the crash.  Sgt. Greg Stewart said people who witnessed the crash initially thought the victims’ injuries were much more serious, because of the zombie costumes.  ”We’re glad that everyone is alive, despite being ‘undead’,” Sgt. Stewart said, referring to the costumes.”

Nearly everything is better with zombies in it – car wrecks being the exception.  While technically not a gaming story – I couldn’t resist including this one.

Gaming Tip #3: Try not to crash during Cosplay.

Hollywood is making ‘worst movies ever’ says Billy Bob Thornton - Actor Billy Bob Thornton has attacked the American film industry | Source |

“The American actor, director, screenwriter and musician, 55, who was nominated for a Golden Globe for his part in the acclaimed black comedy Bad Santa in 2003, said: “In our current state of affairs, especially in the entertainment business, we’re living in a time when we’re making — in my humble opinion — the worst movies in history.  They’re geared toward the video game-playing generation.  And these video games, which I’m on my son about constantly, these games are people killing for fun, and I think traditionally in movies, there’s always been some kind of lesson in the violent movies.””

I thought bad video games were based on movies.   Has it really come full circle?

MY FINAL STIR

Video Games Meet Real Life in ‘Immersion’ by Rooster Teeth | Source |

“Immersion is a live-action series that transports common video game conventions from their normal station on consoles and inside animated worlds into the meat space. It’s a kind of Mythbusters meets Mario, hosted by Rooster Teeth’s own Burnie Burns and Griffon Ramsey, starring Rooster Teeth’s own stuntmen Gus Sorola and Geoff Ramsey.  In the pilot episode, Griffon outfitted Burns’ busted pickup truck with a monitor, black out shades, and a live feed from a Canon DS strung up on a makeshift crane, all in order to simulate the vantage point from wich one drives around in Grand Theft Auto. The next installment pitted a Special Ops veteran with a rifle against a group of annoying gamers.”

Gamer Tip #4: Keep your name out of the papers.

THE RULES FOR STIR ARE SIMPLE

Normally I pick a topic and ask the Platform Nation writers, editors and staff to send me their opinions – however – my rules and I reserve the right to break them when I wish – like this week.  Congratulations go out to all the Platform Nation writers who contributed in 2010 to make it a fantastic year at Platform Nation.

Now, drop down into the comment box below and let us know about any headline that you have seen that should have been included here.

Stay Stirred Every Weekend & Follow Us On Twitter!

So what is “Daily App Dream” you may be asking yourself?  Well let us tell you a little more about it.  Daily App Dream is an portal for new games and apps that are free.  Yes we said free, no strings attached, just free games and apps starting December 3rd.  These games and apps will be available for all iOS platforms and will only be free for a limited time so be sure to sign-up at their website to get in on some new games and apps for free.  Here is more about Daily App Dream:

In addition to being a content portal for games and app titles of the highest quality, Daily App Dream also has a Facebook application (http://apps.facebook.com/dailyappdream), and a soon-to-be-launched Apple iPhone™ and & Apple iPod touch® app.  Consumers interested in receiving daily promotions and (daily) FREE games and apps should sign up immediately by visiting www.dailyappdream.com and submit their contact information!

Daily App Dream has lined up to 21 games available for download during the first week.  So head over to the Daily App Dream website and sign up to get your free games and apps.

Daily App Dream Launch Games, Opening Week, 3rd Of December:

Geared
Chromixa
The Glowing Void
Astro Dodge
Lilt Line
Crazy Snowboard
Arachnadoodle
The Mirror Maze
The Package
Future Racer
Qbism
Zombierama USA
Car Jack Streets
MiniSquadron
The Infinity Project
Woolly The Jumper
Red Conquest
Fairy Cubes
Shoot To Kill
Dice Ball
Gem Hunt
Steam Wars
Look-up
Last Minute Hero

This looks like every little boy’s dream game! I haven’t heard of it before until today, but it looks like this game is already out and we’re just getting an update to it. Perfect for that little boy (or girl) that likes to play with your iPhone in the car, waiting room, or out to eat. It’s even easy enough for a toddler to play! New updates make this app even more fun than before, so why not give it a try? Might make that dinner at Olive Garden much more enjoyable!

Design, Build & Have Fun With Your Very Own Truck On The Apple iPhone™ & Apple iPod touch®

Lotusland Studios is proud to announce an update to Truck Modz on Apple iPhone™ and Apple iPod touch®. In case you didn’t know, Truck Modz is an interactive 3D truck-building game for kids of all ages. The premise is simple: build, paint and hit the road with your very own truck! This game goes beyond any other mix-and-match title by allowing you to build your ideal vehicle from a huge collection of fronts, backs, and wheels, and then being able to interact with your creation: from snow plows to squeaky toys, everything is animated. Everything is triggered by a touch or a swipe, simple enough for everyone to get addicted!

In this updated version, audiences of all ages will enjoy even more mix-and-match fun with the introduction of a new cab to the collection, as well as an animated Easter-themed surprise. Truck Modz is essentially an entire pocketful of toy trucks: creative, nonaggressive play is the emphasis of the game, and the user interface is wordless and simple enough for a child of 18 months to understand, while adults will enjoy the CB banter, cool sirens and endless combination of trucks.

Truck Modz (Update) Highlights:

Ø  Totally intuitive, easy enough for a toddler to enjoy

Ø  Mix and match parts at any time, the combos are endless!

Ø  Cruise down the highway through an endless ever-changing landscape

Ø  Listen to hilarious trucker banter on the CB radio!

Ø  Shake device to check out your ride from 4 different camera angles

Ø  Rocking soundtrack by Billy Joe Huel

App Store Link: 

http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/truck-modz-build-and-drive/id354909542?mt=8

The guys at RESOLUTE Games were nice enough to send us several codes for one of their games, Segment, for the Apple iPhone or iPod Touch. For those of you that don’t know what Segment, you can check out our iPhone App of the Week spotlight that we did on it back in March.

So if you would like a chance to win, this is what I need you to do; we need you to head on over to Twitter and simply post this to enter:

RT @Platform_Nation is giving away several Segment (iPhone) codes, you must be a follower to win, RT to enter. http://is.gd/U2ES

You can also just click what we wrote above and it will type it all for you.

All entries must be received  by 9 pm (pacific time) on June 9th, and the winners will be picked on Tuesday night. And while your following Platform Nation on Twitter, don’t forget to follow all the people that make Platform Nation so great, all of our hosts and writers.

Good luck everyone!

San Francisco, California – September 2, 2008 – Love throwing a few back with your friends while playing quarters, but hate dealing with cleaning up spills? Tired of getting kicked out of bars because an errant quarter bounce hits some muscle-bound jerk and you get your ass kicked? Publisher X has the perfect solution – download its newest game, Beer Bounce, for your Apple iPhone and iPod touch!

Just like quarters, Beer Bounce lets players try their luck at bouncing a quarter into a glass of beer. If you miss, you’re not only forced to take a healthy swig, but you’ll also be subjected to some quality, insulting and hilarious trash talk. Miss too many shots and the game gets more difficult as the screen starts to weave and blur – just like your first keg party that you remember so well (or don’t).

Beer Bounce is available now on iTunes for about half as much as a domestic bottle of beer will set you back in most bars nowadays. Download it and see how much fun quarters can be when you don’t have to clean up after yourself! Use your iPhone or iPod touch to challenge your friends anytime, anywhere. You even have the option of choosing from several international coins!

*Publisher X is not responsible for any embarrassing or potentially incriminating drunk dialing players may undertake as a result of being iNebriated from playing Beer Bounce on their iPhone.*

For more about Beer Bounce and Publisher X, stumble, crawl or drag yourself on over to www.publisherx.com