The Causes of the Popularity of Video Games Essay Example for Free

The Causes of the Popularity of Video Games Essay Since the introduction of videogames to the public in the 1970s (Herman, et al 2002), it has become a popular form of entertainment, both outside and at home, for children and adults alike. The first successful video game, Pong, was so popular that game machines reportedly broke down due to excessive numbers of quarters inserted into the coin slots (Herman, et al 2002). Through the decades, its appeal never seemed to wane, as more gaming systems are developed and marketed and even more games created and published. The popularity of videogames never ceases to expand, and in the recent years, it has seemed to grow to new heights, attracting even adults who once considered videogames as mere children’s playthings, and females who did not play videogames because they are â€Å"for boys†. Advancements in technology, developments in gameplay and content, and the experience are the factors that the popularity of videogames mostly owes itself to. Technological advancements are on the move, faster than they have been in the past decades. Computers are gaining wider acceptance in the home and in the workplace, aiding in tasks such as writing and research, database management, and even education. Almost every home today has at least one computer under its roof. This increase in usage of computers provided game developers a window to a larger market. This was impossible back then, as computers were generally thought of as belonging to the workplace, and videogames are not meant to be played in offices. As computer technology improves, game developers can create better, more realistic graphics, longer games, and expansive gameplay, which attract even the most casual of computer users. However, PC games generally have a more limited scope in terms of genre and gameplay—most games for PCs are either First-Person Shooters (FPS) or strategy games (examples are Counter-Strike and Warcraft, respectively) Thankfully, due to these same advances in computer technology, electronics firms like Sony and Microsoft are able to develop standalone videogame consoles like the PlayStation and the Xbox, which become faster, better, and more powerful with each incarnation. These consoles compensate for where the PC lacks—it provides an even wider range of games available, and generally perform better as game systems than the PC, and this does much to attract an even larger audience of gamers. Portable game systems like the Nintendo DS and Sony PlayStation Portable introduced the idea of games on-the-go, which enables players to take the games out of their homes and bring them practically everywhere—useful in passing the time during road travel or waiting in line, or even during school breaks. These consoles, naturally, are crafted for people always on the move. Technology created an opportunity for videogames to become easily available and more popular. Another factor that helped videogames become a favorite hobby of many people is developments in gameplay, genre, and content. In its early forms, videogames are so simple that they become old in only a matter of days or even hours. The introduction of the high score system alleviated this somewhat, making even games like Pong playable over and over, with the goal of beating the other person’s score. However, even this will prove to be insufficient later on. Developers explored other types of games, and soon a multitude of different games with different play styles were born. Today, there are many games a player can choose from—including from platformers (like the Super Mario games), role-playing games (Diablo, Ultima), strategy games (Warcraft), fighting games (Street Fighter), and even educational games (Brain Age), among many others. These new genres made videogames attractive to different markets of different ages and interests. Even girls, who previously did not play videogames, have become attached to games like Dance Dance Revolution, because of their new, unisex appeal, and its health benefits, due to the game requiring actual physical endurance.. Adults, who used to shun videogames because they were associated with children, now have no excuse to not play videogames because there are games so challenging that only adults can fully appreciate them. There are also games catering specifically to adults nowadays, with additional violence and risquà © themes (Grand Theft Auto). This expansion of gameplay types, genres, and content enabled game companies to pierce through almost every market segment, and each person will most likely find a game suited to his or her own personal skills and interests. The experience of playing videogames is something that cannot be found in many pastimes, and videogames have become popular because of this characteristic. In story-driven games, for instance, gamers are not only treated to a fun, challenging game, they are also presented an engrossing story which rivals even those of best-selling novels. Multiplayer games pit players against each other in matches of skill or reflexes, depending on the game, and there is much enjoyment to be found competing against another player in one’s favorite game. Teamwork, leadership, and situational social interaction, previously found only in team-based sports games, can now be experienced in computer games in the form of multiplayer online role-playing games, where gamers from around the globe form parties striving together to complete an in-game quest or to find a rare item. Videogames provide an enriching, and sometimes even educational, and extremely unique experience, which they will keep coming back to time and again. The popularity of videogames and computer games will never decline, and will perhaps even increase in the future years, because of increasing technological developments, their wide-range appeal, and the sheer experience of playing them. They have made available mind-bending challenges, a great pastime for one or for many, and countless hours of fun and excitement. Works Cited Herman, Leonard, et al. â€Å"The History of Video Games.† Gamespot.5 February 2002. 6 June 2007 http://www.gamespot.com/gamespot/features/video/hov/.

The summary of The Fall of the House of Usher :: essays research papers

The Narrator had received a letter from a boyhood acquaintance, Roderick Usher, begging that he come to him "posthaste." Usher had written to explain that he was suffering from a terrible mental and bodily illness, and longed for the companionship of "his only personal friend." The plea seemed so heartfelt that the Narrator immediately set out for the Usher ancestral home. Approaching the ivy-covered, decaying old house, the Narrator was struck b y an overwhelming sense of gloom which seemed to envelop the estate. The very sight of the manor caused within him "an illness, a sickening of the heart, an unredeemed dreariness." But even though the"eye-like" windows of the mansion seemed to be staring at him, he managed to swallow his fear and continue in his carriage up the path to the door. As he rode, he tried to recall Roderick Usher as he had once known him; years had passed since they had last met. He remembered his old friend as an extremely reserved fellow, quite handsome but possessing an eerie, morbid demeanor. Roderick's family was noted for its particular musical genius - and for the fact that no new branch of the family had ever been generated. For centuries, the title of the estate had passed directly from father to son, so that the term "House of Usher" had come to refer both to the family and to the mansion. Sad ly, though, Roderick was the last surviving male issue of the Usher clan. Finally, the carriage crossed over the creaking moat bridge to the door, and a servant admitted the Narrator. He was led through intricate passageways and past hung armored trophies to Roderick Usher's inner chamber, a sorrowful room where sunlight had never entered. Usher himself looked equally shut in, almost terrifying: pallid skin like that of a corpse, lustrous eyes, and long hair that seemed to float about his head. Moreover, he was plagued by a kind of sullen, intense, nervous agitation, similar to that of a drug-addict experiencing withdrawal. The list of his complaints was dismaying: He suffered much from a morbid acuteness of the senses; the most insipid food was alone endurable; he could wear only garments of a certain texture; the odors of all flowers were oppressive; his eyes were tortured even by faint light; and there were but peculiar sounds, and these from stringed instruments, which did not inspire him with horror.

Web-site Search

Decisions about who Is considered needy and how they are to be helped are dependent on our economic development, political views, and are often dependent on government resources (Stern & Axial, 2012). In research, primary data sources are beneficial when assisting the learner to completely understand every facet of a topic as It relates to the topic of discussion or a body of work. As it pertains to social welfare, it is vital to build a foundation which encompasses past, present and future happenings that will impact the body of work.While doing research web-sites about primary documents as it relates social welfare policy, the following site seemed useful http://www. Ass. Gob/history/PDF/heisted. PDF. The Historical Development document discusses the history of the U. S. Social Welfare structure. There is also an interactive timeline provided for the Social Security Acts and the Development of U. S. Social Security Programs. One is provided a sequential view of the progression of t he Development of U. S.Social Security Programs, such as unemployment, Public Assistance, Temporary Assistance for Needy Families In 1 996 TAN), Public Housing, National School Lunch Program and the Food Stamp Program, amongst many more programs. This tool has provided this learner an insight to the key historical, political and social events that have impacted our country. As The united States approached the sass's, the Great Depression was upon us, which resulted in our government taking a greater role in helping the poor and the establishment of the Social Security Act of 1935.As one continues to study the history of social welfare, we will began to gain a better understanding of what drives our programs as well as how we can contribute to their success. Reference: Axial, J. , & Stern, M. (2012). Social welfare: A history of the American response to need (8th deed. ). Boston, MA: Allan and Bacon. Http://www. Ass. Gob/holster/PDF/ Halsted. PDF. Web-site Search By Krishna reforms o f today. Be sure to format your citation in proper PAP format in your The history of Human Services is important for us to understand so we can grasp the goals of our current social welfare programs.

Engaging Writing Prompts for 3rd Graders

Students in 3rd grade should be writing regularly in a variety of styles and for a variety of audiences. Useful writing projects for 3rd graders include  opinion, informative, and narrative essays, as well as short research projects. For many students, the most difficult part of writing is facing the blank page. The following grade-level appropriate writing prompts provide plenty of inspiration to help your students get started on a number of different writing assignments. Narrative Essay Writing Prompts Narrative essays tell a story based on real or imagined events. Students should use descriptive writing and dialogue to tell their tale. Scary Stuff. Think of something that scares you and explain what makes it so frightening.Grouchy Pants. Describe a day when you were grouchy. What made you so grumpy and how did you get in a better mood?School Rules. If you could make a new school rule, what would it be? How would your rule change an average day at school?Snappy Travel. Imagine you could snap your fingers and be anywhere else in the world. Write about where you’d go.Family Tales. What is the most interesting story that a family member  has ever told you about their life?Food Forever. If you could only eat one food for the rest of your life, what would you choose?Book Bound. If you could be the main character from your favorite book, who would you be? Write about an adventure you might have.Seeing Double. Imagine that you have an identical twin who is a different class than you. What pranks would you play on your teachers and classmates?Nessys Life. Have you heard of the Loch Ness Monster? Imagine you’ re the monster. Describe your life under the sea.Lost. Have you ever been lost? Write about your experience.Perfect Party. Describe what the ultimate birthday party would look like if you could do anything you wanted.Kindness Counts. You’re given $100 to do random acts of kindness for others. What do you do?Memory Eraser. Describe  something that happened to you that you wish you could forget. Explain why. Opinion Essay Writing Prompts When writing an opinion essay, students should clearly state their opinion, then back it up with sound reasons and facts. Opinion essays should close the essay with a concluding paragraph and a summary of the argument.   Be a Friend. What does it mean to be a good friend?Growing Up or Down. Would you rather be older than you are right now or younger? Why?Hello? Some kids in 3rd grade have cell phones. Do you? Do you think that’s good or bad?Best Pets. Which animal  makes the best pet? Give at least three reasons for your opinion.Tattletale. If you saw one of your friends doing something that you knew was  wrong, should you tell on them? Why or why not?School Favorites. What do you think is the best subject in school? What makes it the best?Off Limits. Is there a TV show that you’re not allowed to watch or a video game that you’re not allowed to play? Explain why your parents should allow it.Summer School. Should your school be in session year ‘round with more breaks throughout the year or continue to give students the summer off? Why?Violent Games. Do violent video games cause people to exhibit violent behavior? Support your opinion.Junk Food Fans. Should candy and soda machines be available to students on school property? Why or why not?School Supplies. What is the most important tool in your classroom? What makes it so useful?School Pride. What is the best thing about being a student at your school?What’s in a Name? If you could change your name, what would you choose and why? Informative Essay Writing Prompts Informative essays  introduce a topic, explain a process, or describe an idea, then provide facts, definitions, and details. Students should organize related information into paragraphs in order to write the most logical essay possible. Remember that they should also include introductory and concluding paragraphs. Real Superheroes. Superheroes in movies and comics can do some pretty amazing things, but think of someone you consider to be a real-life hero. What do (or did) they do that makes them a hero?  Liar, Liar. Someone told your best friend a lie about you and your friend believed them. Explain how you’d handle the situation.Student Teacher. Think of something that you found difficult to do at first (such as multiplication or tying your shoes), but that you now understand. Explain the process so that someone else  could learn to do it.Holidays. What is your favorite holiday? Explain  how you celebrate it.Pet Sitter. Your family is going on vacation and a pet-sitter is coming to care for your pets. Write a note explaining how to care for them.PBJ. Write out the step-by-step process for making the perfect peanut butter and jelly sandwich.Chores. What is a household chore for which you are responsible? Explain how to do it.Emergency Drills. Think of one emergency drill that your school practices. Write a paper describing exactly how to do it as if you were explaining it to a brand-new student.Allergies. Do you have a serious allergy to something like peanuts or milk? Write an essay explaining why it’s so important for you not to come into contact with the allergen.Color Wheel. What is your favorite color? Choose an animal or object that is that color and describe it.State Fun Facts. Describe some interesting facts about your state to someone who has never visited.Family Traditions. Describe a unique family tradition that your family has.Game On.  Whats your favorite game? Explain the rules to someone who has never played it before. Research Writing Prompts Students in 3rd grade can conduct simple research projects that build on their knowledge about a topic. They should use digital and print media to explore  the topic, take simple notes, and create a basic outline before beginning the writing process. State History. What is the history of your state? Research the history and write an essay about one key event in your states past.Marsupials. Marsupials are animals who carry their babies in pouches. With the exception of the opossum, all marsupials live in Australia. Choose one of them to learn more about.Insects. They may be small, but insects play an important role in our environment. Choose an insect to research and write an essay about its characteristics.Jaws! Are Great White sharks really man-eaters? Research this question and write an essay about your answer.  Bat Signal. How do bats use echolocation?Explorers. Choose a famous (or not-so-famous) explorer to research.Comic Book Heroes. When was the first comic book published and what was it about?Extreme Weather. Choose an extreme weather event such as a tornado, hurricane, or tsunami, and explain its cause.International Space Station. Learn more about the International Space Station: how its used, who visits it, and why its important. Write an essay about your findings.Ben Franklin, Inventor. Many people know Benjamin Franklin as a Founding Father and statesman, but he was also an inventor. Learn about some of the things he invented.Legends.  Research  a popular legend such as the Lost City of Atlantis, Big Foot, or Paul Bunyan. Write an essay describing the evidence for or against the legend.Presidential History. Research the childhood of one American president and write an essay about what you learn.