Tag: wii

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Today’s Two Videos…

This _should_ come out in time for Thanksgiving…which would be awesome, ’cause I can only imagine the Thanksgiving crowd at Brooke’s ‘rents house doing some four-player New Super Mario Bros. This is the perfect game (next to Mario Kart) for putting a controller in someone’s hands and letting them have some old-school Mario fun…and all at the same time, rather than taking turns.

This one is another healthcare-related video, this time featuring Rep. Barney Frank (D-MA) telling off some chick that was asking why he supported Obama’s Nazi policies. She apparently didn’t realize what she was getting into, especially in that Frank is not only quite liberal and out-spoken, but also Jewish…and he doesn’t take these types of “Nazi” comments lightly (nor should he…or anyone…). Anyway, it’s only a little over a minute long, but at the very least, watch the last 15 seconds when he says, quite possibly, the funniest thing I’ve ever heard come out of a congressperson’s mouth.

So, so true…

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Thanks, KMIZ…

So, KMIZ, the ABC affiliate out of Columbia, MO., made the national gaming news blogs with their coverage of the Mid-Missouri Internet Crimes Task Force, specifically with their interview of Andy Anderson, who said: “There is no reason an adult should have [Animal Crossing: City Folk]” for the Wii. The whole thing makes Missouri look pretty dumb, as nearly all of the posts say either “Missouri Police” or “a Missouri Task Force”…

In the original report from KMIZ, they write “If your kids play interactive video games, like the Nintendo Wii, be on the lookout. The Mid-Missouri Internet Crimes Task Force is warning of predators using games like, ‘Animal Crossing- City Folk,’ to target kids.” This statement is only a little bit sensationalist, but more importantly is quite mis-leading…

The game is kinda like Sim City or The Sims, but a bit more complicated (you can run a shop, go fishing, do some gardening, etc.) with interactions that you have with other people over the internet (using an included peripheral microphone that sits above your TV). The thing that the Wii does, however, is use “Friend Codes,” which is a 12-digit randomized number that an individual must input into their system in order to contact someone else (i.e. I have to have your Friend Code plugged in, and you have to have my Friend Code plugged in), soooooooo…I’m very curious how any pedophiles could even contact someone through the game, as it’s impossible without a Friend Code exchange. The only way it could work is if a child exchanged their Friend Code with a stranger through the interwebs, or in person…which is the parent’s fault, not the Wii’s.

The idea that this game shouldn’t be played by adults is also rather absurd, as it’s a pretty popular series and has been bought by millions of adults, not just kids. It certainly isn’t a game I’m interested in, but to say that only pedophiles play it, or that only kids should be allowed to play it, is absurd.

The key here, as always, comes down to one thing: the parents are responsible for keeping an eye on their kids. Parents should know what games their kids are playing, the books they’re reading, the television they watch, the movies they watch, the kids they interact with at school, etc…especially when they’re at a young age (obviously, the ability to monitor them by middle school/high school gets reduced…). If parents are going to allow their kids to play games on the internet with a PC, or use a console system like a Wii, the parents should know about the capabilities of the system (such as Parental Controls) and the kinds of games that are available.

For more information on all that, though, check out What They Play, which is the “parent’s guide to video games”…great site for all kinds of information, not just for parents…

People should stop blaming things on the medium and learn to take some responsibility…

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Stupid Blue Shells…

(Courtesy of Friday’s Penny Arcade cartoon, of course…)

So, I’m very much looking forward to Mario Kart Wii, which should be arriving on Tuesday. There aren’t all that many video games that Brooke will consistently play with me, but this is one series that she’s always enjoyed…or at least seemed to… 😛

We also grabbed a Nintendo DS this past week, just to complete my collection of modern Nintendo products… More seriously, we got Mario Kart DS and Brain Age 2 to help entertain us for the likely long car rides that are coming up this summer, whether it be spent down to southern Florida with Brooke’s family, or whether we make a trip down to Houston (Brooke seems to want to visit Liz…I figure I could tag along and visit Brett/Andy/Nierling, as well). Either way, 19+ hour car rides warrant a video game system, especially when I get headaches when I try and read in a car. That, and I saw how useful a DS is when you’re waiting at the airport to catch a flight…or while actually flying, for that matter. Anyway, if you’ve got Mario Kart DS, lemme know…I suck at it…but I’m trying 😛

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$30,000 from the National Parkinson Foundation…to play the Wii…

So, I saw this blurb on Wii Nintendo Fanboy, referring to a press release discussing how the Medical College of Georgia has been awarded a $30,000 grant from the National Parkinson Foundation to test 30 individuals for improvements in their Parkinson’s symptoms by playing the Wii.

More specifically:

“‘Occupational therapy looks at how the illness affects the patient’s whole life, from the psychological, cognitive and sensory motor standpoints,’ says Dr. Ben Herz, assistant professor of occupational therapy in the School of Allied Health Sciences and a study principal investigator along with Dr. John Morgan, neurologist. ‘Our therapists are responsible for helping someone maintain or gain their independence with functional activities.’

“While occupational therapy is frequently used in the comprehensive care of Parkinson’s patients, evidence is needed to support its short- or long-term effectiveness, says Dr. Herz.

“’We’re hoping to show a slowing of the progression of the disease and a decrease in medication while increasing function. If we can teach patients to exercise and do functional activities, maybe we can have them take less medications,’ he says.”

Anyway, this is an idea I had…but…didn’t write a grant for it. I’m wondering if I could have gotten such a thing past my Prelim committee, and have Dr. Westfall playing Wii Sports during my exam…would have been more fun… 🙂

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Updat(ing)…

Nothing too special going on recently, but I’ve been keeping pretty busy…

1). Work has been going pretty well, recently. I’ve been getting lots of useful data, but I’m still waiting on an important piece before submitting my first paper for publication. I don’t really know which journal I want to submit it to yet, either, but that will partially depend on this last piece of the puzzle. Regardless, the data I’ve been obtaining in the last few week has actually been somewhat exciting, so it makes things interesting for me!

2). I got Super Smash Bros. Brawl last weekend and have been playing it mostly incessantly since I unwrapped it. The game is crazy addictive, lemme tell ya… I’m only about a quarter of the way through the single-player portion of the game, as I’ve been dabbling in the Event modes, Classic mode and on-line games trying to unlock characters and levels. If you’ve got a code for me, shoot me an e-mail or something so you can beat me up with Peach! 😛

3). Grounded was last night, and I think this was our 7th one or so. We’ve been having a great deal of fun with it, but it’d still be nice to see more people coming out (third Saturday of every month!). I recently got all the advertising materials from my sister so now I can start editing some things myself. As such, I added a new section to the Grounded site that has photos, wallpapers (I’m still working on those) and, more importantly, music. So yes, you can stream music recorded from monthly Grounded events from your own computer. w00t!

4). We’ll be heading to Columbia for Easter this year… We are supposed to play for the Good Friday service here in St. Louis first so we won’t hit town until Saturday morning. Otherwise, we’ll be at church Saturday night at St. Andrew’s, as per usual, and then hang out with the immediate and extended family on Easter Sunday. Hopefully giant radioactive rabbits don’t crash the party…

I guess that’s about it. Tomorrow is St. Patty’s Day, so Dr. Westfall, the chairman of our department at school, always has a huge party (complete with dancers…he has to install a wood floor in the basement for them every year…) and it’ll take up the entirety of my day. Heck of a way to spend a Monday, I say… 😛

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Gaming makes you thin(ner)?

So, I know Brooke isn’t a huge fan of the idea, but I really wanna grab Wii Fit when it releases for the Wii (obviously…) on May 19th, 2008. It’s been out in Japan for a few months now and has already sold over 1 million copies in that region alone (i.e. it’s pretty popular). Apparently, the designers had to re-do the included Balance Board peripheral for the Americans because, well, we’re mostly overweight…

For those that don’t know (mostly just you, Mom…), the game will feature multiple “mini-games,” a la Wii Sports, but you will do them all on the Balance Board, a wireless device that can record your weight, sense your movements, and keep an eye on your progress. You can practice your yoga, jog (in place, of course) with a computer character that keeps your pace, you can do push-ups, skiing, and so on. There should be forty or so games, in all. The Balance Board will then be available for use with other software that can be created (skateboarding games, anyone?).

Wii Fit

The reason I mention this at all is because the guys at Wired.com have started using it and wrote up a little diary of their first week with the game. There are screen shots included on the article, but at the very end, they say the following:

“Today, I turned on Wii Fit for a few minutes, but turned it off after a couple of yoga poses because I felt like running a few blocks instead. That’s either a bad thing or a good thing.

“I am going to keep using Wii Fit, as it definitely does what it claims to. After an hour, I’m sweating, my muscles are sore — I’ve exercised. And I’ve set some personal-best records, and maybe unlocked some new games. It’s fun. The hardware is a great idea — I just think the software could be worlds better. Luckily, since Nintendo seems to be trying to get third parties on board (cough), I bet we’ll see a better virtual-exercise-regimen game before too long. With any luck it will ship before Wii Fit gets too boring.”

Nintendo has officially stated that the game is not intended to help you lose weight, but instead to “make you more aware of your body.” I think the article above really highlights that fact: you will use it, realize how terrible your balance is and how many push-ups you can actually do, and then maybe try and work out just a little bit more often. And if you need a little guidance (or “coaxing”), then you can play a game while you work out.

So yeah, I think I want it. I’m not one to go out jogging or biking or anything, so maybe spending the projected $80 on the game would get me off the couch for gaming, just like Wii Sports does.

And knowing how popular Wii Sports is, I can’t begin to imagine how many of these puppies will sell to nursing homes across the continent… 😛

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High-larious…

Mariju-wii-ana

What does Isaac’s Dad do when he finds out his 15-year-old son is smoking marijuana? He unwraps that new copy of Guitar Hero III that was under the tree and puts it up for sale on eBay, along with a lengthy discussion as to why it’s for sale. Needless to say, Isaac probably isn’t all that pleased… Personally, I find this to be a very creative punishment…but Dad probably should have taken the Wii away, too…

Please note that the “lengthy discussion” is quite amusing…and also, as of today (6:45 pm), this $90 game is going for $224… I think Dad should buy himself something nice…

So, now does the title make sense? Hope so…I was proud of that one…

Update: The auction ended this evening…and I checked at 8:50 pm and it sold… After 42 bids, it went for $9,100.01… All I can say is…wow…

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So true…

Foxtrot

You know, normally, I’d be rather annoyed by the on-going Writer’s Strike, especially for the reason(s) outlined in the final panel above (click on it to actually read the thing…a bit small above, eh?)… However, considering that I’ve needed to study for the past, oh, month, it’s been more on the “tough love” side of things…giving me little to do at night except read through a paper.

On the other hand, now that I should be done with studying (for the most part) this Wednesday, I’ll be looking for things to entertain me… I’ll get most of that from “Super Mario Galaxy,” as I’ve put off buying it until after my Prelim (so I wouldn’t be distracted), but at this rate, I won’t have new TV shows to watch until, oh, March… (Thankfully, I have been promised new episodes of “Monk,” “Psych” and “Stargate: Atlantis” beginning in early-January. I hope those episodes keep coming and don’t disappear after a month or two…)

Mixed blessing? Perhaps…

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Wii Tidbits

A few things caught my attention this morning (while I was waiting for my experiments to be ready…early this morning…) related to my lovely Wii. Firstly, apparently, the Wii has sold 7.8 million Virtual Console downloads in the last year. If you multiply that out as if all the downloads were NES titles (i.e. $5 each), then that translates to $39 million in nearly pure profit, and we all know that not all those titles were NES (i.e. as high as $10 per title). The truly sad part about this is that these are old games that have already been sold. It’s akin to Ford making Model Ts for free and selling them again. Oh well…

On another note, here’s a video of old people in a Wii bowling tournament…worth watching for a few minutes, at least… 😛