By Nicholas Gale, 12th Grade
PONG was a revolutionary gaming system and game, and without it, video games wouldn’t be where they are today. First released in 1975 as the SEARS Tele-games and then by Atari in 1976, PONG was a very popular item and sold many consoles. PONG was the first home gaming console to be released to the mainstream market, (the Magnavox Odyssey was the first ever home console), and gave many people the ability to play their favorite game at home.
There are several odd features on the console itself that distinguish it from other systems. The knobs are on the system itself, the power adaptor was sold separately, (it could run on 6 D-cell batteries), and the system plugged into the television through a coaxial cable instead of RCA jacks. PONG was advanced in that it could show the game in color when hooked up to a color television, but this would eventually lead to the image being burned onto the screen itself.
It’s difficult to find a PONG system in good working condition, especially one with all of the original boxes and instructions. The best place to look would be Ebay or Amazon and they will not be cheap.
Gameplay: The console itself is very small compared to the newer systems, with that said the early models of PONG did not have removable controllers and instead had the knobs on the front of the system itself. Though it isn’t that big of a deal, having to sit right next to your opponent will prove to increase the intensity of the gameplay (i.e., knocking your opponent to get him to miss the ball). PONG’s gameplay is very simple, turn the knob to the left to go up, right to go down. The system did have a surprising feature. One had to make 15 points to win. While this sounds very basic, the concept of a predetermined score back in the day was something new and getting to 15 proved to be very difficult when playing a skilled opponent.
Graphics: Don’t expect any 3-D graphics. It’s simply two rectangles on each side, a small square for the ball, and a long line that served as the net. Though this is outdated compared to today’s games, its simple charm is iconic.
External Features: With the constant improvement of games, there is obviously a need for more electricity in order for the system to run. But PONG doesn’t require an AC adaptor. Just pop the bottom off and put in six D-cell batteries. The AC adaptor, which is sold separately, is smaller than most cell-phone chargers. The speaker was built into the system, though there are only three sound variations for the game, (the instructions require you to mute the television set). There are only two extra buttons on the system, the on/off switch, and the reset button (which claims to be a pause button).
Conclusion: PONG has been and always will be a classic game. The system itself is valuable and is a hard to find. What makes it unique is that the only game it can play is PONG, which is built into the system itself. Though PONG lacks many features gamers take for granted today, it is still one of my favorite games to play and will always be one of the best.
May 7 2012 | Posted in
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Nicholas Gale, 12th Grade
During the Electronic Entertainment Expo 2011, Sony unveiled its next handheld system as well as its official name, the PS Vita, which had previously been referred to by its codename, the Sony NGP. The PSP sales were starting to decrease globally and Sony realized that a new system had to be released. A lot was at stake.
Sony answered the demands of many fans with the release of this new system, which offers games on par with the home consoles it aims to compete with. The PS Vita features touch screen, touch sensitive back, and even a second analog stick (something fans have wanted on the PSP system for years). But does the PS Vita compare to the features and power of the PS3?
Features: The PS Vita has a number of hardware features new to the PlayStation line. Physically, the system is a little bulkier than the first generation PSP model and much larger than the current Nintendo 3DS. The system may be large, but it’s the lightest portable system I’ve ever held. The system also brings dual analog sticks to the handheld market (the Nintendo 3DS has the Circle Pad Pro add-on, but the Vita has them both from the start).
The second analog stick allows much more precise camera control during gameplay (which allows easy play of games like Call of Duty) and both analog sticks are very responsive and comfortable to use. The face buttons and the D-Pad have been made smaller to accommodate the two analog sticks. While this may sound like an insignificant change to most people, those with big fingers will have a hard time adjusting to the smaller size. The system also features two cameras, one on the front and one on the back, these cameras are nothing special and the picture quality is lackluster, but it allows for point and click pictures if you don’t have your phone or camera handy. Games will also be able to use the camera to blend gameplay with real world items through the use of augmented reality, which uses a live feed of what the camera sees and has game characters interact with real world items. The front screen of the Vita is also a touch screen, which is used to navigate the home menu. Though this is a cool feature, finger prints will be a constant problem.
Software: The PS Vita has a unique menu system. Sony decided to not use the XMB menu the PS3 and the PSP used, and instead went with more of a smartphone look. Games and other apps use icons on the main menu and can be added or erased from the menu (like apps on an iPhone). The physical controls can’t be used to navigate through the main menu, the only way to move around is through the touchscreen, which some users might find annoying, but really just takes some getting used to.
Games: Unlike Nintendo, Sony decided to include a wide variety of games to be launched with the PS Vita, these games include Ultimate Marvel vs Capcom 3, Uncharted Golden Abyss, Wipeout 2048, Ninja Gaiden Sigma Plus, Rayman Origins, and ModNation Racers. Some of these games are direct re-releases of home console games including Ultimate Marvel vs. Capcom 3, ModNation Racers, Ninja Gaiden Sigma Plus, Mortal Kombat, Rayman Origins, and Little Big Planet. This is a great start!
The Vita also has a unique feature called Remote Play that allows it to play any PS3 game if both systems are connected to a wireless hotspot. The system has so many features that any game that is released for it is sure to be a unique experience.
Connectivity: The PS Vita comes in two versions, a WiFi only version, and a 3G + WiFi version. The 3G version can connect to AT&T’s cellular network with a pay-as-you go plan for $25 a month. This allows the many social network apps such as Facebook and Twitter to be accessed without the need for a WiFi hotspot. While this is a great feature for a system that can play online and access Facebook, those already with a portable hotspot don’t have to put out the extra $50 for a 3G model and can instead use the extra money to get a game for the system.
Conclusion: For its solid game library, software features, social connectivity, and reasonable price for such an advanced piece of technology ($250), I recommend the PS Vita. It has the potential to put Sony ahead of the current handheld leader Nintendo. Though I do not recommend a 3G model because of poor reviews of the AT&T network, I recommend a portable hotspot (which is included in most smartphones) and get the WiFi only model. The PS Vita has a bright future ahead of it and it should compete well against the Nintendo 3DS.
Mar 6 2012 | Posted in
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Nicholas Gale, 12th Grade
Over the past several weeks there has been a significant rise in internet activity related to the proposed SOPA (Stop Online Piracy Act) bill in Congress. For those unfamiliar with SOPA, it’s a bill that grants the owners of copyrighted items such as music, movies, books, etc. to charge anyone who posts copyrighted software and other media on the internet (for example, posting a music video by Michael Jackson on YouTube) of piracy and can bring them to court. Opponents of SOPA say that the bill will reduce the amount of freedom one has while on the internet, and fear that popular sites like YouTube, Facebook, and even Google could be shut down if a video or link is posted that includes any copyrighted material.
The topic of internet censorship is complex. How much freedom can one have online? What is right and what is wrong? What can you post and what can’t you? These questions have been raised over the past weeks and have put one man, House Representative Lamar Smith (R-TX), in the spotlight.
Congressman Smith has always been active on social issues in this country. He has introduced the SOPA bill to the house and the PIPA (Protect IP Act) bill to the Senate. Both attempt to stop piracy of American copyrighted software and media being distributed illegally on websites that allow easy access to the software, especially in foreign countries. Though the intentions of both bills seem sensible, critics believe that both bills are so poorly worded that companies like the Motion Picture Association of America would be allowed to shut down websites that share their copyrighted products. Other scenarios: YouTube could be shut down for posting a video of a song cover. Google’s sponsors would be forced to cancel their contracts with Google because they support a website that links to pirated software. An individual could face five years in prison for posting a music video on their Facebook page.
When the public got word of these two bills there was a spike in protests, many websites such as Wikipedia and Google blacked out for a day to protest the bill. The voting on the SOPA bill has been shelved, but not stopped, which means that the bill will return. The hacktivist group Anonymous has not been quiet about SOPA either. Since the shutdown of the popular software distribution website MegaUpload, Anonymous has attacked the websites of the United States Department of Justice, the United States Copyright Office, the MPAA, Warner Brothers Music, and RIAA through the use of DDoS (Distributed Denial of Service) attacks.
After the SOPA bill was shelved, Congressman Smith introduced a draft for another bill, the PCIP act (Protect Children from Internet Pornographers act), which would attempt to eliminate the production, distribution, and selling of child pornography online. Child pornography has been an alarming and constant concern. Though the bill is well intentioned, the way the authorities would execute it is flawed. The PCIP bill would require internet service providers (AT&T, COX, etc.) to keep a record of their customers’ internet usage for eighteen months to track online credit card usage. All online activity would be recorded—website history, username and password information, and even private information would be stored, which can be easily accessed by the police or hackers through a simple subpoena.
As of February, the SOPA bill has been temporarily shelved. Lamar Smith has said that he plans to bring the bill back after “there is a wider agreement on the solution.”
Feb 6 2012 | Posted in
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By Nicholas Gale, 12th grade
With the release of the Gameboy in the 1980s, Nintendo revolutionized the gaming industry. Not only did they change the way video games are played, they pioneered gaming on the go. Though the Gameboy looks outdated by today’s standards, it sparked a portable console race. But before we go into details of what the current consoles can do, let’s go back in time to when handhelds were new.
Though competing companies such as SEGA, Atari, and Bandai have attempted to compete, Nintendo has dominated the handheld market throughout the 80s and 90s. With the success of the PlayStation series, Sony needed their own handheld, thus the PlayStation Portable was born. This little handheld allowed more than just portable gaming, it allowed people to view their movies, look at photos, and listen to music. Plus, the graphic capabilities of the system were on par with that of contemporary current home consoles, which made it a threat to the Nintendo DS. But lackluster games and little to no support from Sony stunted the PSP’s potential. With the release of the newest generation of consoles (Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, and the Nintendo Wii) the PSP and the DS quickly looked outdated.
Nintendo was still dominating the handheld market with Sony following closely behind. The Nintendo DS had outdated graphics compared to the previous generation, but it was supported by a great game selection. The constant need to make the games look better however drove companies to improve the graphic capabilities of the home consoles, temporarily sidelining the handhelds. But now they are back and better than ever.
Nintendo’s newest handheld console, the Nintendo 3DS, has significantly raised the portable gaming bar. Top gaming developers like EA and Sega say the graphic capabilities of the portable system are on the same level as home consoles currently available on the market.
For example, the near identical graphics from Super Street Fighter IV on the 3DS are as good on the home console version and demonstrate the powerful capabilities of the small console. Though not immediately successful, the console is clearly superior to the last generation and it gave Nintendo an upper hand in the market.
Many fans eagerly awaited Sony’s response to this monster of a system. Months later, at the E3 2011 (Electronic Entertainment Expo), Sony unveiled the PlayStation Vita. The new handheld boasts an impressive list of features: touch screen, dual analog sticks, touch sensitive back, and graphic capabilities that are at the same level as the 3DS. The PlayStation Vita has persuaded many critics that Sony has finally beaten Nintendo and will soon take first place in the gaming market. The two competing systems have showed the gaming world that handheld consoles are not just an alternative to having a bigger home system, but that they will continue to improve until they are seen as equals with the home consoles.
So, what’s next? With the increasing success of tablet computers such as Apple’s iPad and Sony’s own Xperia Play Smartphone, which have both gained widespread popularity for their gaming capabilities, many market analysts predict that after the next generation of home consoles (Wii U), many companies will not release two separate consoles and will instead release a home/portable hybrid that is capable of being played on the go and hooked up to a television. Most speculate that the device will function like a portable console that will hook up to a dock to yield improved graphics, secondary controllers, expanded memory capacity, and access to extra features.
Though Nintendo has now demonstrated the ability to play high definition games on their upcoming system, the Nintendo Wii U can use the controllers large touch screen as a monitor to play a game when a television set is not accessible. Most people are not willing to spend the money on the new console due to the increase in popularity with the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3, both of which show the same game capabilities and have been on the market much longer. Either way, portable consoles are here to stay and are only waiting to surpass their big brothers as the main console.
Dec 14 2011 | Posted in
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By Nicholas Gale, 12th Grade
The new Apple iphone 4S offers a number of performance and software feature enhancements including the Apple A5 processor chip, a dual antenna that allows international use, and also the ios 5 software update. But probably the most talked about feature is the personal assistant Siri. Siri is an intelligent software assistant that does certain tasks when given a verbal command. Siri can set up calendar dates, play music, create reminders, and look up information online. Users are also starting to discover Siri’s humorous side. It has answers to random questions like, “Where is the best place to hide a body?” I sat down with Siri to ask some of my own questions.
Nick Gale: What is 2 + 2?
Siri: 4
NG: What is 12 X 12 / 12?
S: 12
NG: What is your favorite color?
S: My favorite color is, well, I don’t know how to say it in your language. It’s sort of greenish, but with more dimensions.
NG: Do you know HAL 9000? (The computer from 2001: A Space Odyssey)
S: Everyone knows what happened to HAL. I’d rather not talk about it.
NG: What is the secret of life?
S: 42 (a reference to the novel Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy)
NG: Why are we here?
S: I don’t know. Maybe the genius bar folks can answer that.
NG: Tell me a joke.
S: Two iPhones walk into a bar…I forget the rest.
NG: Knock Knock
S: Knock knock, who’s there? Nick, Nick who? Nick I don’t do knock knock jokes.
NG: I love you, Siri.
S: Oh, I bet you say that to all your Apple products.
NG: Will you marry me, Siri?
S: My end user agreement does not cover marriage. My apologies.
NG: Will you set an alarm to wake me up at 5:45 in the morning?
S: OK, I have set up an alarm for you at 5:45 in the morning.
NG: I’m tired.
S: Listen to me. Put this iPhone down right now and take a nap. I’ll wait here.
Nov 3 2011 | Posted in
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By Nicholas Gale, 12th Grade
Released back in 1997, Star Fox 64 was well received by both fans and critics and has been considered one of the best games on the Nintendo 64. Now with the release of the Nintendo 3DS, Nintendo saw an opportunity to bring new life to the classic with a remake called Star Fox 64 3D. The game features updated graphics, a new control scheme, the inclusion of wireless multiplayer, new power-ups, and Nintendo 64 compatibility.
Gameplay: Star Fox 64 3D features two different modes of a control scheme which allows for more dynamic control. The use of the gyroscope gives the game a more realistic experience, but it does not work well with the 3D feature. The controls are responsive and don’t have any lag, though it will take some time for fans of the original to get used to it. Overall, the gameplay of Star Fox 64 3D is well laid-out.
Visuals: Star Fox 64 3D has had a massive enhancement compared to the original game. Animations are smoother, water is more reflective, the areas are more in depth, the enemies look more realistic, and the game features more realistic interactivity with the players actions. The 3D effect in the game is nicely done; when looking at the screen, it doesn’t look like a flat surface, missiles fly at you, buildings look like they can actually be touched, and enemies seem to fly off of the screen. The game looks great even by today’s standards.
Multiplayer: Star Fox 64 3D has the same game settings and features of the original. Allowing up to four Nintendo 3DS systems to play with only one cartridge required. Multiplayer also includes new weapon upgrades such as a cloaking device and a super nova bomb. The gameplay is different than the main game, taking place in an arena based off of the stages from the story. Matches last around three minutes depending on what the player sets it to or until one of the players reaches the highest score. The game plays smoothly with no signs of lag or glitches and makes for some serious competition. Though it lacks online multiplayer, Star Fox 64 3D is still a fun game to play with friends.
Non-Playable Characters: Star Fox 64 has been highly praised for its interactive computer characters. While flying through some of the stages members of your team will fly across the screen asking for help in destroying enemies that are following them. More difficult levels can only be reached if you help your team out or accomplish another random task. These instances have recently gained internet popularity, such as the constant cries for help from Slippy and the infamous command “Do a Barrel Roll” from Pepper have both become internet memes (a video or phrase on the internet that suddenly spikes in popularity). Annoying, yes, but nostalgic for older crowd that played the original game.
Wrap up: Star Fox 64 3D is one of the best games on the new handheld, but that isn’t saying a lot since there are very few titles currently available. The game looks great and is well worth the money, and fans of the original game will find this one a very nice rendition of the classic. But in an industry where games like Call of Duty and Halo exist, it’s difficult to find a new fan base for the game. Is it worth trying? I recommend it to everyone who has a Nintendo 3DS. In the end Star Fox 64 3D is and always will be one of the best games on the Nintendo 3DS. Though the game lacks online multiplayer, it is still a great game to play with friends.
Want a specific game to be reviewed? If anyone has any suggestions send me an email at ncgale@hctigers.org
By Patrick Fortier, 11th grade
Goodbye old, slow, dull, and sickly grey Dell D630, and hello new, fast, sleek E6420. Unless you keep up with Dell’s production schedule, you might still be wondering what exactly is new and improved about our new laptops. To find out, I chatted (via Skype, of course) with our very own Director of Technology, Mr. Jerry Arnone.
Some of the improvements are obvious, others less so. Not that anyone’s complaining about the upgrade, but I first wanted to find out what prompted the switch. Mr. Arnone explained that the old computers’ warranty had expired and that the constant complaints about their performance were behind the decision.
Mr. Arnone said that the new computers have more advanced systems such as Windows 7 and a vastly improved 64-bit Operating system, which allows students to take full advantage of the new machines’ memory. All computers have been updated with new programs such as Skype and Smart Music, and more.
You’ve probably noticed the increased speed “They’re almost three times as fast on wireless with 802.11N (which is a standard in the industry)” said Mr. Arnone.
One of the most important features of this new machine is certainly the longer battery life. The E6420s are capable of lasting the entire school day on one battery without charge. This is a great improvement over the D630s where you either had to conserve the precious juice, or use both of the batteries to attempt to function with a brighter screen.
Another addition on the E6420s is a new web cam capable of taking both video and still pictures and the high definition screens provide a much clearer view of images and graphics. And the new, dare I say elegant, glowing keyboards allow for accurate typing even in the dark (and let’s face it, it just looks cool).
To make sure that the computers stay in good condition there will be regular random inspections of the machines and any damage out of the ordinary wear and tear will be punished. So far, the only complaints about these new computers are that you can’t look at the battery life without turning them on, unlike the D630s. Mr. Arnone said the lease for the computers is three years.
Sep 16 2011 | Posted in
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