Coolmath Games Part 1 Bloxorz and Orb 2
We are seeing many changes today in the video game industry, and one of the bigger transformations is a merge towards more healthy gaming options. Games and even entire console systems are being created to help encourage the gamer to get up and get moving. There is a higher focus on educational games as well as fitness games. It’s all about helping to promote healthier life choices. Here are some examples of specific video games that are helping to promote healthier life choices:
Fitness Games
* EA Sports Active 2 (Xbox 360, PS3, and Wii)
* Your Shape Fitness Evolved (Xbox 360)
* The Biggest Loser Ultimate Workout (Xbox 360)
* Jillian Michaels Fitness Ultimatum 2010 (Wii and NDS)
* Gold’s Gym Dance Workout (Wii)
* Wii Fit Plus with Balance Board (Wii)
* Family Party: Fitness Fun (Wii)
Fitness games help promote healthier life choices by getting the player up and moving. They debunk the myth that all gamers are overweight and lazy. They show that video games can be a part of a healthy, fit lifestyle. They can also be encouraging to the gamer who normally would not get up off of the couch. Many are developed to be competitive and to spark that competitive nature in the gamer that makes you want to win. Fitness games help you feel good about your time spent gaming.
Educational Games
* Smarty Pants: Trivia for Everyone (Wii)
* Big Brain Academy series (Wii and NDS)
* My Spanish Coach (PSP and NDS)
* Personal Trainer: Math (NDS)
* Spelling Challenges and More (PSP and NDS)
* 100 Classic Books(NDS)
* My Word Coach (Wii and NDS)
Educational games are not a new concept but they are growing more than ever before and being developed for even younger and younger audiences. Educational video games help promote healthier life choices by putting a focus on learning and education. It’s cool to learn and trivia can be fun. These are the types of games that challenge the mind and can even increase learning potential once the player has stepped away from the game.
Eco Friendly Games
* Petz Rescue Endangered Paradise (NDS)
* Endless Ocean: Blue World (Wii)
* Arctic Tale (Wii and GBA)
* World of Zoo (Wii, NDS, and PC)
* Viva Pinata series (Xbox 360, NDS, and PC)
* Wild Earth: African Safari(Wii)
* Eco Creatures: Save The Forest (NDS)
Eco friendly games are also making an appearance in the gaming world. More and more people are taking a step forward to reduce their carbon footprint and live a greener life. Video games are now being designed with this focus in mind. Often it has a background presence in the game and other times, it is the entire focus of the game itself. In additional to green games, the Nintendo Wii has taken one step farther and created eco-friendly gaming cases for the Wii. This means that every game you buy for the Wii is a purchase that you can feel better about, knowing that it was made with green practices.
Family Games
* Hasbro Family Game Night 3 (PS3, Xbox 360, Wii)
* Mario Party 8 (Wii)
* Disney Sing It: Family Hits (PS3, Wii)
* EyePet (PS3)
* Guitar Hero Warriors of Rock (PS3, Xbox 360, Wii)
* Rayman Raving Rabbids series (Wii, NDS, Xbox 360, PS2, PC)
* Karaoke Revolution (PS3, Xbox 360, Wii)
Family games help promote healthier life choices by giving the family something they can all do together. It decreases the time spent in solo game play and it can help the family bond. If you have a child who particular loves video games, you can spend some time playing together instead of nagging over why he is playing so much. You can also get all of the children together for family games which helps them learn to spend quality time together, support one another and be competitive in a healthy way.
Each of these games is in its own way helping to promote healthier life choices. As you can see, newer games are coming out every day with a focus on positive life choices and positive gaming. These are all big steps forward in the world of positive video games and changing the face of what video gaming really means. We can expect that this trend will continue as long as video games continue to evolve and continue to be such a big part of our lives.
Game Podunk is an avid game community boosting positive gaming while helping gamers make informed decisions related to the changes of the industry.
Children are always up for a good game. Well, who isn’t? Pretend that you are back in school. For the rest of the class period you have two choices as to how you can spend your time. Option #1 is to struggle through endless arithmetic and English worksheets without any feedback except for a stamp that says “Great Job!” Option #2 is to work on the same arithmetic and English content, but on a computer. Yes, you can play a computer game to learn your numbers and verbs. Which option would you choose? Which option would children most likely choose? Option #2 of course!
Using computer software in education is not a new concept. Computer games have been used as a learning tool for the past two decades because they help students with basic skills, logic, problem solving, and various other academic skills. The Oregon Trail was a popular computer game in the 1980′s. This game helped students to work on their planning and problem solving skills. If you have ever played that game you might have realized that it was difficult to complete the trail. Everyone in my wagon always died of Cholera.
Parents and educators that are unfamiliar with computer game technology may automatically dismiss the use of computer games for learning. They view computer games as nothing but “shoot ‘em up” and mind numbing entertainment. As avid computer gamers we all know that they are way off base. Just think of all the problem solving, logic, and planning that goes into working on a team in a computer game, playing a puzzle, or figuring out a code.
There are computer games that are specifically based around educational learning standards. These games explicitly include counting, grammar, etc. They range from learning software that has a battery of tests to mimic standardized testing to fun, interactive learning games such as Caillou Magic Playhouse. This game allows a child to learn about numbers, patterns, spelling, phonics, and many other skills.
One advantage of using computer games in education is that the student is learning whether they realize it or not. Many children sigh when it is time to work on multiplication, but if you bring out a computer game – poof! They suddenly want to go through their multiplication tables. The computer game presents the same academic material, but makes it fun by integrating colorful animations and cool sounds. Plus, computer games allow for instant feedback and gratification. We have become a society that runs on instant gratification. A computer game can provide this feedback and it can also provide a means of competition. You will be stretched to find a student that wants to “beat” their worksheet, but a child who wants to beat a computer game? You will find them everywhere you look.
Computer games are advertised as forms of entertainment, which they most certainly are, but they are learning avenues as well. Gamers of all ages are learning every time they play a game. For example, there are games that work on your business skills. Games like Lemonade Tycoon and Mall Tycoon are prime examples. You are learning the skills to succeed in a business through simulation. Simulation is how many professionals acquire the skills for their occupation. Even though you are in a computerized environment, you can still come across many different business situations.
Computer software is here to stay. Email will one day override handwritten communication and perhaps games will take over traditional education. Granted games most likely will not take over traditional education, but they should become part of the educational experience. A child is learning while playing a computer game. Their memory and reaction time increases. They are sharpening various parts of their brain. The key is to play a mixture of games that range from pure entertainment to ones that are specifically designed for educational skill sets.
If your child or student is having trouble with math, English or any academic subject, set them up with a computer game. Their interest in learning will soar. Computer games can bring any student that is hesitant about school to learning whether they realize it or not. Computer games make learning fun.
Steve is a member of the GrandMatrix team. They provide a broad range of games, puzzles, articles and reviews. Read more articles, download and play the latest PC games for free plus enjoy thousands of user submitted puzzles, quizzes and word games at GrandMatrix Free Game Downloads
So friken funny haha(: listen to wat he respondes
It was a simple idea: take a collection of independent games, offer them with no DRM, and allow people to pay whatever they’d like. The result? 123,182 people have paid for the bundle so far, and the total raised is now an incredible $1,126,563.
That generosity will be rewarded. “As of 5/11/10, Aquaria, Gish, Lugaru HD, and Penumbra Overture pledge to go open source,” the developers blogged. “We are preparing the sources right now and will be releasing them ASAP.” The sale was a huge success, began many conversations, and it provided insight into the behavior of gamers. Here’s a look at what comes next.
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