The Sweet Spot: Being a Gamer Parent

As a parent of young children, it is often tough to find time to game. Or energy. Gone are the carefree days of playing game after game after game. There's always something coming up... late bedtimes, going to the store for medicine, washing diapers (for cloth-diapering hippies like us!), cooking, cleaning random messes the kids leave... yeah, free time is at a premium. 

Every minute counts. So I have to shoot for getting the most out of my time when gaming. So what does that mean? How do I get the most out of my time gaming? Honestly, I'm still working it out. I have 5 years of practice, though, and I'll share what I've figured out. Here are some guidelines I use for finding the "sweet spot" in gaming.

1. Avoid games with complex or fiddly rules.

Some games are just elegant. Play progresses in an orderly fashion, there's an FAQ in the rulebook covering anything you need, and people just "get it" after a quick explanation. Play these games. And avoid games (especially teaching games!) that require a trip to boardgamegeek.com to arbitrate a rules question, use arcane iconography or just make things complex. 

A game that I really like that fits into this category is Race for the Galaxy. I love the game. I really do. The iconography makes it hard to teach, though, so it's not going to hit the table when new players are around. Especially with expansions. Complexity doesn't need to be there for depth, necessarily. So when a game delivers a comparable experience without the fiddliness, go for that one.

2. If the kids are around, figure in additional time... or get a babysitter.

I don't know how many games I've lost due to having to parent. In the scheme of things, it doesn't really matter. A game is a game. But gaming is a hobby, and meant to be relaxing. Socializing. Interacting with friends, or maybe just unwinding with the wife. And it really gets frustrating when I feel that I can't remember what I'm doing from one minute to the next due to constant interruptions. 

I'm not the best multitasker (just ask my wife!), and the kids usually get the priority in any situation where they're involved. A good thing to do is to make sure you "load 'em up" with attention beforehand. If they're going to be supervised less during play, set their expectations and try to meet all their needs (immediate and anticipated) before you sit down. Gaming with other parents helps. Often, kids will play together. Another option is a babysitter. Even having a babysitter over at the same time is a great thing, and well worth the investment.

3. Maximize the "Fun vs. Time Spent" ratio.

Some games are just long. I'm not averse to playing a long game; I enjoy the opportunity every now and then. But some games... are just long. As an example, I don't really feel that I get more out of Axis & Allies than I do out of Memoir '44. I'll definitely be playing it for five more hours, but I don't necessarily think that Axis is going to deliver six times the fun just because it takes six times the time to play. 

That means that it has a poor fun:time spent ratio. Look for games that deliver the essential experience. Some games are going to take longer to do that, so make sure that when you're selecting a game to pull off the shelf, that there isn't a game that delivers the same experience in a shorter time.

4. Read reviews of games before you get them.

This has become so important for my wife and me when buying games. In the past, we would drop loads and loads of money on games we had never heard of. Sometimes this would have positive results. For instance, we purchased Attika after a recommendation from a game store employee. Hadn't heard of it, or looked it up. Just bought it. And loved it. But sometimes... you end up with a game that doesn't fit your style, isn't what you expected or is just plain bad. I'm not going to point fingers at any games in particular, primarily because I try to stay positive. But there are definitely games out there with few redeeming qualities. Which is why game reviews are so important. Just as the reviews themselves are important, so are the reviewers. It's easy to look at a review uncritically and walk away thinking of the reviewer's opinion as the final word. 

My advice is to find a couple reviewers' blogs or podcasts and get familiar. My wife, for example, loves The Dice Tower, a podcast about games. She doesn't necessarily agree with all of Tom Vasel's opinions on games, but she knows where she stands in relation to him on things and can use that as a yardstick and gauge whether or not she thinks she might like something based on that. We've made some very informed decisions on games based on his reviews, and on the reviews of others. FYI, I know a blog that reviews games (hint, hint!)... ;)

So what is "the sweet spot"? The sweet spot is primarily about being cognizant of factors like time and parenting when purchasing games, choosing which games to play and playing games. How this is defined for each individual is definitely going to vary. Just think of this as a game itself! It's a very complex resource management game, and the resources are time, money and attention. Stay aware of this, and you'll find your sweet spot!

How to Create Your Own Avatar

Creating avatars can get difficult if you don't have the right tools. Find out how to create your own avatar with a click of a button!

Creating avatars can get challenging if you are not artistic or if you are not fond of using photo-editing tools such as Adobe Photoshop or Corel Draw. To create avatars that are vibrant, clear, and impressive, you need these programs as well as a good computer. You also need to know how to work your way around making graphics and decorating your avatar.

People use avatars to make their websites more visually entertaining while others use avatars to enhance their personal branding. Celebrities use avatars as well to leave an impact on people-- take Barack Obama's popular "HOPE" avatar which he used back in 2008. This simple avatar somehow managed to get him into office.

You don't need to be an artist to create your own avatar, but if you are well-versed in using the computer nonetheless, here's how to create your own avatar using a photo editor.

Know what you want to turn your realistic photo into. This part involves conceptualizing and thinking about what your avatar should wear or look like. You could get inspiration from your favorite TV shows and cartoons and other characters in pop culture. Most avatars today look like South Park characters while others have been inspired by Doctor Who. Ask yourself this question, "What inspires me?" Get ideas from your answers.

Get your tablet or any photo-editing program ready. Some of the most popular avatars were created using a photo-editing program and it is important to know how to use one if you want to succeed in creating memorable avatars. Photo-editing programs can also create animated avatars, although there are a few programs such as MS Paint which does not include this feature.

Make drafts of your avatar on your photo-editor. Now that you are ready to start creating your own avatar, you should start off by sketching or making a draft on your photo-editor. Get ideas from popular trends today or turn your avatar into a cartoon portrait of yourself.

Download effects and other textures online to enhance your avatar. If you intend to use Adobe Photoshop to help you create your avatar, you should try to download advanced graphics, textures, and actions from online libraries. Doing so will definitely help you enhance your avatar and turn it into something impressive to look at.

My Fun Experience of Yahoo Games

Gaming has always been a passion of mine, from the time my parents bought me my first Atari up until now, when I spend hours on Yahoo games. Some may call it an addiction. I, however, call it an appetite for competition. Additionally, I love being transported to another world and using skills, such as problem solving and critical thinking, while playing games. So while I may spend hours upon hours in front of my computer or television screen, my brain is truly being exercised.

What started out with personal gaming in the comfort of your own home (with one other buddy playing the cheats for Contra) has moved to a universal world wide experience. While buddies still play games together, they no longer have to be confined to the same room. Now we can play games of any style with people in other countries online or through our console system.

Getting games through Yahoo allows you to foster relationships with other people during the universal language of competition. With the world operating in various time zones, there is always someone online ready to play and engage in a game.

What I like best about Yahoo games is the ease of playing and purchasing online. Its seamless operation is safe and swift so I can purchase any new game at any time. What's even better, and easier on the pocketbook, is they offer coupon codes on specific games. These are generally limited time offers and are not on every game, but purchasing online games with coupon codes definitely makes the experience even better.

Yahoo offers a variety of games. Some of the most popular games are puzzles or role-playing. Gaming tends to get a bad rap for violence, but the most popular games on Yahoo revolve around women owning bakeries or breaking bricks by lining up the correct color series. These games are a tremendous escape from reality by taking on a fictional small business where the user is in charge and not forced to obey the rules of their superior, which is often the case in the real working world.

There is a game out there for everyone, and Yahoo makes it easy to play those games. You can play the games directly on a computer or netbook or game online through the Yahoo portal. This is where multiplayer action begins. Games of skill or chance are often the primary focus of these games, like Vegas style gambling or anything according to Hoyle. Whichever type of game you choose, though, you can expect to have some fun when you log into Yahoo games.

Bringing Out Your Adventurous and Sporty Qualities With Online Games

Within each of us, there is an adventurous spark that loves to break free and make the most of the technologically savvy society we live in. There are a number of ways to take part in adventurous activities on the internet, and one of the most effective and enjoyable ways is to immerse yourself in adventure games. 

The thing about playing games online that stands alone, is the fact that you can be imaginative and you can easily escape reality without ever having to set foot outside your home. There are no restrictions in the world of online gaming, and as a matter of fact, just a few simple mouse clicks will have you face to face with thousands of free games to immerse yourself in.

Accessing adventure games on the web is actually quite simple. By searching online games websites, you will see that most of these databases have pre-categorized game selections. You can navigate easily through various genres, including the adventure games genre, and you can play a limitless amount of games without ever having to spend a cent. 

Age does not play a factor in the online gaming world because the old and young are embraced equally through a wide range of appealing games. Adventure games make great pastimes for people who want to take their minds off of stressful aspects of life, as well as addicting hobbies for people looking to satisfy their adventurous desires.

Another popular hobby is that of playing sports. People all over the world love taking part in various sporting games. Whether it's the adrenaline rush that draws you in, or the competitive edge that sports embrace, you can satisfy a number of different desires by immersing yourself in sports. When technology and people's worldwide love for sports combine, things really get taken up a notch. With sports games now flooding the web, people can get the same effect of physical sports from the convenience of their own homes. 

Sports games come in countless skill levels and genres. When you go online, you can search for specific sports games that you know will amuse you, or you can browse through different sports games on different online games sites to get more of a variety. Additionally, sports games make it easy for people who do not have enough time to embark on a real sporting adventure, or those who are not well enough to play actual sports, to get the same overall effect in a timely and cost effective manner. From sports games to adventure games, the internet is a playground for people of all ages.

Video Game Journalism on the Decline

Gaming journalism has long been on the decrease, which I have to say, is a disgrace. Game news isn't really what it was formerly. Any fanboy can now sit at his computer and pump out articles and reviews of absolute garbage awfully fast now. This is mainly thanks to blogs and also other sorts of self-publishing website.

It used to be that folks once only had a few sites to visit to for gaming news, presently there are loads upon 1000's of sites where people can click to obtain the latest gaming news, unfortunately this also means that just about every ill-informed child has the right to publish their opinion on the internet.

On other side of this, it does give individuals who do have a clue what they're preaching about, the opportunity to share their beliefs with the rest of the world, and to try and keep the the vast majority of people informed on what is really going on in the industry. This can also include workers of companies in the industry, which means you're obviously getting the most informed source on the story.

Whether or not people think it's a good factor or a bad factor, every niche is now open to people, and misinformation will continue to spread all over. It is all just a matter of choosing a website that you value the point of view of and one that you believe to give the most true and correct information.

For anyone who is still confused to find a good outlet for the hottest Game news, or are simply looking for a gaming community that sticks out to you, then i would personally suggest Botchweed. They give all the latest gaming news making use of their own brand of humor behind it, and also provide a site with no Ads, which makes for a great change.

Features Of Diecast Toys

Diecast collections are wonderfully manufactured exceptional toys. These toys usually exist in different forms and sizes and often represent unique ideas. Diecast toys are normally manufactured using a variety of techniques as opposed to the heavy metal toys or the cheap plastic toys that are easily available. This feature usually makes these toys, a rare piece of its own. 

Diecast toys usually have certain features that other plastic or heavy metals do not have which makes these toys unique. These toys are usually long lasting and offer great durability. These toys are solid items that do not spoil after a certain period of time as compared to the heavy metal toys and the cheap plastic toys.

They do not wear off when used for a certain period of time as they are manufactured with great technique and skill. These toys usually last a life time contrary to the heavy metal and plastic toys which last for a few weeks, if not a few days. Metal toys are usually affected by the problem of rusting because of the material that is used to manufacture them is not of good quality. 

Such toys also encounter the problem of paint damage, if used for a long time. There are different types of Diecast collectibles that are available in retail outlets worldwide. Such collectibles includes trucks which are available in different shapes and sizes. There are various trucks from popular name manufacturers such as Chevrolet, Ford and many other manufacturers.

These are the major companies that are normally represented by the various types of Diecast toys. There are also Diecast trailers, delivery vehicles and rigs that are available in retail outlets. All of these Diecast vehicles are impressive as an individual can work with several types of utility services and that particular individual can also make for different types of collectibles. Such collectibles include food delivery trucks or mail delivery rigs.

Why CityVille Is Viral

In just less than three months, CityVille has attracted more than one hundred million users from all over the world. This new game from Zynga is indeed so viral that every now and then it adds more and more players who have Facebook account.

After a week CityVille has been launched in FB, I started building my virtual city. The game interface is familiar to me because it is somewhat like Sim City. While managing the growth of my city, I am also observing the different aspects of the game. For almost two months of playing, I've come to collate the factors why CityVille spreads like a wildfire.

The Viral Strategy Employed by Zynga to Spread CityVille to almost all Facebook users:

1. The Free Gifts. This feature allows a player to send free gifts to any of his/her friends who has Facebook account. Once a player sent the gifts, the recipient of the gifts will be notified through his FB wall. If the recipient is curious about the gift he may accept it and try playing CityVille.

2. Neighbors. Having more neighbors in CityVille is one of the factors for your success in the game. Your neighbors will help you complete some CityVille Goals. Some of the goals will require a player to send gifts, help a neighbor or send some tourists to neighbor's city.

3. The Goals. When you are playing CV, it is very noticeable that goals are continuous - it works like a chain. After completing one goal, another goal will pop out. Some goals will attract additional CityVille players by asking for help. When you click "Ask for Help", the message will posted on your wall that will also be visible to all your FB friends.

These are some of the obvious reasons why CityVille is so viral.