Mom's Minute

Foldit:  An online scientific video game!

Source of News:  Futurity.org, Science and Technology, Posted by Leila Gray, September 29, 2011

Article:  Gamers succeed where Scientists Fail

In my quest to bring you interesting and exciting video game news, I could not wait to share this news with you!  Looks like the intelligent minds of smart video game players were very beneficial in helping to solve a scientific problem.

Have you ever heard of Foldit?  Foldit is a new on-line computer game that lets you contribute to important scientific research.  It is  a science based game dealing with molecules, proteins, enzymes, and topics of that nature.   The game was created by computer scientists from the University of Washington in association with Baker Lab.

What is the news here?  When after many years, scientists were unable to put together the structure of an enzyme from an Aids-like virus -- Foldit players were called in.  Amazingly, within only three weeks, the Foldit players were able to put together an accurate model of the enzyme!

Ms. H's take.  With the far-reaching implications of this discovery, I'm surprised this achievement did not get more wide-spread press coverage!  I believe it is scientific, including medical research that form the bases for finding cures for diseases as well as ways to help us remain healthy and productive members of society.  Not to be too deep, but I am really impressed by this discovery by video game players!  Congrats!!

Here is a picture regarding the Foldit online computer game.

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Bye now,

Ms. H

"Ms. H Equals Win!"

Uncharted 3:  Drake's Deceptio

Author:  Ms. H, Mom's Minute

This news article comes to you thanks to a television commercial I saw that I thought was a coming attraction, or preview for a movie.  I was surprised to find that it was actually a commercial about the video game,  Uncharted 3.  The scene shown was action packed and kept my attention throughout.

As a resource for additional information on Uncharted 3, I  used Wikipedia. My other usual sources for video game news  were dated months ago, so it looks like talk about Uncharted 3 has been going on for some time now. In fact,  I found out that this game, or a version of it was played on several late night television talk shows.

So what is the news here?  The news is that Uncharted 3 for the U.S. will be released on November 1, 2011.  Europe's version will be released  on November 2, 2011, and  Australia's version will be released on November 3, 2011.

Here is a picture of the expected video game covers (back and front)  of Uncharted 3 distributed by Sony for the PlayStation 3 game system.

According to the developer, Naughty Dog, Uncharted 3 for the PlayStation 3 will have lots of changes. Some of the changes from the previous version  are characters will have additional weapons, there will be puzzle solving, 3D, as well as the option to make up your own Drake character.

For the multiplayer option, new players can join you, regardless of where you are in the game play. To extend the hours of game play, Uncharted 3 will also have Downloadable Code (DLC) available for purchase after the game is released.

Ms. H's take:   Regarding the graphics, the developer indicates the company was trying to give Uncharted 3 a movie-like quality. In my opinion,  the developer may have done just that. From what I saw in the commercial, I would be interested to  play this game and see the rest of the story line.

I recall playing an earlier version of Uncharted 3 and  I think I  that my opinion was that the graphics looked like regular video game graphics.  I plan to see Unchartered 3 graphics "in real life"  so I can let you  know what I think of the actual game, once I've played it.  With all the technology effects possible, I prefer to view the game itself instead of via a television commercial.  But from what I saw, I do not believe I will be disappointed with Uncharted 3 once it comes out.

Update!  Sony announced on September 22, 2011 that a bundle will be available which will include the PS3 console along with a copy of the Uncharted 3 video game.  Also if you purchase the bundle, you will receive a free month of PlayStation Plus.  Price quoted is $299.99.  Is this a good deal for you? 

 As stated above, Uncharted 3 will be in stores November 1, 2011.

My minute is up!  Thanks for visiting my website! I appreciate that you stopped by!

Please  follow me on Twitter under my Twitter name:  "MsHequalswin!"

I look forward to bringing you more video game news!

Bye now,

Ms. H

"Ms. H Equals Win!"

 Watch your movies and rent video games too! 

 Source of News:  The Technologizer, Jared Newman, September 19, 2011

 Article:  The Upside of Qwikster:  Video Games

 I am happy to announce to you that Netflix is entering the video game rental arena.  Apparently Netflix wants its share of the video game empire!  The company that will be providing both DVD and video game rental services is called Qwikster.

There's lots of talk about why Netflix would have a separate company, and of all the names available for choosing, why in the world would they pick a name such as Qwikster.

As you may know, Netflix instituted price changes not too long ago.  Could Qwikster be its response to the negativitiy these price changes produced?

Out of curiosity, I visited the Qwikster website and received the picture/message below.

The words beneath Qwikster are "A Netflix Company".  So apparently the service is still in the works.  No projected date was given.

Here's how your video game rental may arrive or look.

The author of the article states that he is dissatisfied with the long delivery times for both GameFly and Blockbuster video game rentals.  He is hoping with Qwikster as competition, the delivery times will improve, or else, he will simply move over to Qwikster.

Ms. H's take.  I believe that Netflix is accomplishing what it set out to do.  What better way to create buzz about its services than to name its company with a name people will either like or dislike.  Either way, people will probably talk about it.  

I read somewhere that no publicity is bad publicity.  It's when people stop talking that you might have problems.

Hopefully you are talking and saying good things about my Moms-Minute website!

My minute is up!  Thanks for visiting my website and come back soon!

Unlike Netflix having problems using Qwikster on Twitter, you will  not have any problems following me on Twitter under my Twitter name, "MsHequalswin!"

So please follow me on Twitter!

Bye now,

Ms. H

"Ms. H equals Win!" 

So hopefully you all are talking, and saying good things about my Moms-Minute website!

My minute is up!  Thanks for visiting my website and come back soon!

Unlike Netflix having a problem usiing Qwikster on Twitter, you will not have that problem when you log in and follow me on Twitter under my Twitter name, "MsHequalswini!"

 Bye now,

Ms. H

"Ms. H equals win!"

NCIS:  Coming Fall, 2011

Source of News: Gaming Blend, Pete Haas, September 21, 2011

Article:  NCIS Video Game Coming to PS3, Xbox 360, Wii, PC

If you are a Naval Criminal Investigative Service (NCIS)  fan, this may be the game for you.  Ubisoft and CBS Consumer Products are teaming up to bring you the video game version of NCIS. It will be available for purchase and play for the PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, Nintendo WII and the PC. 

NCIS's release date is the fall (October?), 2011.  A specific date is unavailable at this time.

The game will have cases for you to solve, which will involve travelling to various locales to seek clues to solve the crime.  There will be mini-games along the way to cover different aspects of the case.

Here is a picture of some of the characters from the television show.

Ms. H's take:  I think it's beneficial to the game companies to bring this video game out  in order to widen their customer base, among other reasons.  However, this game may not be as exciting and action packed as some of the other  video games  that are based on big movie productions or even other action type scenarios. 

This game would probably be on the lower end of what I would pay for a video game since it may not hold my interest.   I think this game will be high on dialogue and low on action. Just so you know, this is not one of the games I plan to play and review.  However, If I get a specific request from you to do so, I will try to accommodate that.

Of course, your opinion may differ from mine,  especially if you are a fan of the television show!

My minute is up!  Thanks for visiting my website!  I look forward to sharing more video game news with you! Come back soon!

Remember to follow me on Twitter under my Twitter name, "MsHequalswin!"

Bye now.

Ms.H

"Ms. H Equals Win!" 

Rochard:  Available September 27, 2011 (Now!)

Source of News:  Artic StartUp, S. Khan, September 28, 2011

Article:  Rochard is the New Space Hero Protecting Us From Aliens!

Just released is a video game available to play on the PlayStation 3.  Sony Online Entertainment and Finnish Recoil Games bring you an alien fighting hero who goes by the name of John Rochard. Rochard is an astro-miner whose mission is to save earth from evil aliens!

According to the author of the article, this is not simply a side scrolling game where the hero fights aliens with various weapons.  There's much more including puzzles to solve along the way. Rochard even has a side kick alien annihilator.

Here is a picture of the puzzle solving play mode.

The premise of the story is Rochard finds a valuable artifact in space.  Since this artifact is extremely valuable, other forces are interested in taking it for their own.  Of course,  then the struggle to get or to retain the artifact becomes the basis for the fights, etc.

Here is a picture of John Rochard, better known as the "Alien Fighter."

Ms. H's take: I watched a short preview of this game located on the  original article which gave me a flavor of what to expect in this game. But as you know, watching and playing the game are two different things!

From what I see, this game has cartoon type graphics and lots of color combinations. This particular video game is not familiar to me, but according to the author it has been well anticipated.

I mentioned earlier that this game has puzzles for you to solve.  Speaking of puzzles, it puzzles me that a game company would only make a game playable on  one system.  For example this game, which is already out, is available for play on the PS3 only, and is currently not available for other game systems.  

To me and the rest of the non-PS3 owners, I guess we will either have to get a PS3 if we want to play this game, or depend on the kindness of others to let us know how they like it. 

That being said, there's nothing like playing the game for yourself!  Eventually Rochard may expand to other gaming platforms, so we all can play it, either for its entertainment value or just to decide for ourselves whether or not we like this game.

My minute is up!  Thanks for visiting my website.  If you have any comments, please post them here or in my website forum.

I would be very happy  if you would  follow me on Twitter under my Twitter name, "MsHequalswin."

Bye now.  Until next time,

Ms. H

"Ms H equals win!"