Showing posts with label blog post 5. Show all posts
Showing posts with label blog post 5. Show all posts
Tuesday, April 5, 2011
PvZ!
Oh man do I love Plants vs Zombies. I originally played it on my phone and got addicted real quickly. It was a great time-waster while on the bus or waiting in class or what have you. After a few times playing though, I found the game was too easy. Rarely did I lose against those cursed zombies. So after besting the phone version, I decided to see if there were any other challenges I could come across. One visit to my favorite torrent site and I had Plants vs Zombies for my computer. My favorite feature of this that wasn't in the phone version was Endless mode. This mode offered a real challenge. In this mode, the zombies just keep coming and coming, with no end in sight. So it's not whether or not you can beat the zombies, it's just how long can you last. If you played a free version of PvZ and want a little more challenge, check out the desktop version!
Plants vs. Zombies
So this game grew on me. I started playing it and didn't think that I would last long because I'm not really a computer game guy, however ten minutes later I found myself contemplating whether or not to plant more sun flowers or throw a cherry bomb. Overall I would have to give this game a positive review. I mean, you have to take into account that its a free game online meant to kill boredom and allow people small outlets to procrastinate during the day. Ironically by playing the game I was doing the opposite of procrastinating because it was an assignment. These type of games are very popular on devices like the iphone and ipad, because they can be completed with a tap of the finger. I don't imagine they are going away anytime soon.
Blog post #5: Plants vs. Zombies
Plants vs. Zombies might not be a great example of networked gaming, as others saying, but it did prove one thing to me: it's dangerous to learn during an insanely busy week.
It's definitely not the most exciting or challenging game, but the first time I played it, I spent (wasted?) 30 minutes with it before I even noticed. It's been a while since I've really tried out a Flash game, and this has to be one of the better ones. It's simple, the ads aren't too intrusive and there are several layers to it. I got as far as the bowling mini-game on Level 5 before I decided it was time to write this and I still have a feeling there's more to explore, even in the free version.
The only semblance of anything network-related is the Facebook "Like" button and social plugin below the game. But as everyone has surely realized over the past few years, there's hardly a web page out there without one. I'd definitely argue against this being a networked game, and I also think the possibility of it provoking communication outside of the game is a stretch. People might talk about it, but this simple game is ultimately more about just pointing and clicking.
It's definitely not the most exciting or challenging game, but the first time I played it, I spent (wasted?) 30 minutes with it before I even noticed. It's been a while since I've really tried out a Flash game, and this has to be one of the better ones. It's simple, the ads aren't too intrusive and there are several layers to it. I got as far as the bowling mini-game on Level 5 before I decided it was time to write this and I still have a feeling there's more to explore, even in the free version.
The only semblance of anything network-related is the Facebook "Like" button and social plugin below the game. But as everyone has surely realized over the past few years, there's hardly a web page out there without one. I'd definitely argue against this being a networked game, and I also think the possibility of it provoking communication outside of the game is a stretch. People might talk about it, but this simple game is ultimately more about just pointing and clicking.
Monday, April 4, 2011
Plants vs. Zombies
I just played Plants vs. Zombies on PopCap for about half an hour. I've heard of it but never had any interest in playing. Not really my kind of internet game. I'm more into Hexic/Zuma/Flowerz/WordWhomp when it comes to online gaming.
The concept of the game was cute but it was almost too easy at the beginning and I only kept playing because I wanted more options. I think I made it to about level 1-8 before I quit and I didn't ever really come close to dying while I was playing.
Although I probably won't play it again, I can see what would suck someone in. The game itself is well made and has lots of little quirks that could be fun to explore. Having the little crazy neighbor come over to your 'house' and have you bowl with walnuts was probably my favorite part of the game and it was only really a little game within the game.
I also noticed that there is a app for this game and I can see how that would be a lot more fun since the simplest games are the best for that sort of thing. Does anybody have it/tried the app?
Blog Post 5- Plants Vs Zombies
This was a fun little riff on the tower defense genre. I remember hearing a lot about Plants Vs. Zombies, probably because (As outlined in the links in Andrew's post) of its meteoric explosion in popularity across a panoply of consoles.
The first time I played it, actually, was for about 5 minutes at the Apple store. A friend wanted to go check out the iPads (Which had just come out), so we went down there and I ended up playing Plants vs Zombies on one of them for most of the time we were there.
I'm going to kind of echo the sentiments of Derreck and some of the other posters here that I'm not entirely sure that this fits into the networked gaming category; at least, it doesn't fit in the traditional sense. For my practicum project I was reading about the Bartle Test of Gamer Psychology (which I will get into more during my presentation tomorrow), and its seems to me that the immense popularity of Plants vs Zombies is most appealing to the "Socializer" gamer subtype. Though the game does not have inter-player communication built in, it's so popular that it's fairly certain you could talk about this game with other people in an offline setting (A sort of external motivation for playing single player games typically attributed to the "Socializer")
With the exception of identity, Plants vs Zombies also follows a lot of the "fun-learning" benefits outlined in the Gee reading, particularly because it's very simple in design (low barrier to entry), but becomes increasingly difficult (Rewarding learning and problem-solving skills on the fly). I haven't unlocked the survival/puzzle modes, but I assume these extend this trend.
The first time I played it, actually, was for about 5 minutes at the Apple store. A friend wanted to go check out the iPads (Which had just come out), so we went down there and I ended up playing Plants vs Zombies on one of them for most of the time we were there.
I'm going to kind of echo the sentiments of Derreck and some of the other posters here that I'm not entirely sure that this fits into the networked gaming category; at least, it doesn't fit in the traditional sense. For my practicum project I was reading about the Bartle Test of Gamer Psychology (which I will get into more during my presentation tomorrow), and its seems to me that the immense popularity of Plants vs Zombies is most appealing to the "Socializer" gamer subtype. Though the game does not have inter-player communication built in, it's so popular that it's fairly certain you could talk about this game with other people in an offline setting (A sort of external motivation for playing single player games typically attributed to the "Socializer")
With the exception of identity, Plants vs Zombies also follows a lot of the "fun-learning" benefits outlined in the Gee reading, particularly because it's very simple in design (low barrier to entry), but becomes increasingly difficult (Rewarding learning and problem-solving skills on the fly). I haven't unlocked the survival/puzzle modes, but I assume these extend this trend.
Blog #5 Plants vs. Zombies
I have to say I have not played a Pop Cap game in awhile. I am pretty sure the last one I played was Insane Aquarium in middle school so I was pretty excited to go back on the site. When I fist got to the site, I got a pop- up to play Bejeweled (which I was very tempted to play) and then I had to wait 30 seconds for an Advertisement, I am already not interested in this game and I have not even started! I decided to ‘Start Adventure’. I easily passed Level 1-1. I thought it was pretty boring and did not really understand why I was planting until the Zombie’s starting to walk, but I kept playing. I am not going to lie, this game is pretty addicting. I’ve dealt with having waiting for the advertisements after I dominated that level because I wanted to keep planting! I made it passed 1-6 and if I did not have a test tomorrow, I probably would have been on this game for another hour.
Sunday, April 3, 2011
Blog post 5: Plants vs. Zombies
I just played Plants vs. Zombies for over an hour, easily. I haven’t played a video or computer game since my Nintendo 64 days and now I remember why – not because they’re not fun but because they’re so addicting! At first, I had some trouble getting into the game because it seemed so silly and mindless. I couldn’t help but laugh at the ominous voice that always says, “they’re coming” and the words “a huge wave of zombies is approaching” that flash across the screen.
Despite this, a few levels in and I was pretty hooked. I stopped thinking about how weird it was that I was growing plants to shoot peas at zombies and just looked forward to beating the levels to see what new tools or plants I would get.
Like Derreck and Brady already mentioned, I’m not sure how Plants vs. Zombies relates to networked gaming since I didn’t see any option to compete against others or compare high scores but maybe it’s because I used the free web version rather than downloading the full game. Either way, I’m looking forward to learning more about this subject in class this week and connecting it to this game.
Despite this, a few levels in and I was pretty hooked. I stopped thinking about how weird it was that I was growing plants to shoot peas at zombies and just looked forward to beating the levels to see what new tools or plants I would get.
Like Derreck and Brady already mentioned, I’m not sure how Plants vs. Zombies relates to networked gaming since I didn’t see any option to compete against others or compare high scores but maybe it’s because I used the free web version rather than downloading the full game. Either way, I’m looking forward to learning more about this subject in class this week and connecting it to this game.
Saturday, April 2, 2011
Blag Post no. 5: Points 'n' Zombies
Is there a points to dopamine volume conversion? There ought to be. Playing flash games is like stopping by a Skinner Box to hook up the ol' electrodes to the brain's pleasure center and to then pull the lever until corporate interests prevent us from dying of an ecstatic starvation. Maybe that's what separates us from rats... corporate interests.
But at any rate, as you'll all be playing the game for yourselves, I'll skip explaining it. Other than what I just pointed out, that flash games are wildly addictive, I'd like also mention that although plants vs. zombies started out as a popcap game, it's crossed over to the xbox as well, where it is most definitely a pay to play endeavor, and in fact has gone one step further than almost all flash games and even xbox arcade titles in that you can purchase it on disc in the store.
What's amazing is that an independent game studio can design a game, distribute it for almost free on the internet, gain a following, make a profit from that following by expanding your free game, and also launch it on mobile and console platforms for even greater market penetration. That's the wonders of democracy and capitalism right there. It's the american dream in fact.
A brief tour of these two pages, not only confirms, but elaborates on those points.
Thursday, March 31, 2011
Blog Post #5...Plants v. Zombies
Well, wow. This game is mindless, easy and straightforward. Oh, and it's horribly addicting. I made it to level 12 before I died, which took up over an hour of my time. I won't say it wasted my time because I was definitely in the zone. At first, I was sort of turned away from the game because of how easy it was, but once I got to like level four I'd say, I was zombied into it.
Games like this, I think, are a bit of concern to me. Everyone always complains that video games, television, computers, etc. are causing many people of all ages to become addicted, do not get enough exercise, blah blah blah. Well games like this definitely don't help the matter. I think what got me in this game is that I never really knew what the next level would have in store. It intrigued me to find out what sort of plants I would be given in order to shoot and kill the zombies (wow, that is a weird sentence).
As Derreck pointed out, I agree that I'm not sure how this connects to the network gaming section. Is there a high score or some sort of competition? Or is it solely for the fun of the game and entertainment-based? Either way, it's most definitely addicting, and it keeps players on the game's page.
So thank you, Comm. Arts 346, I've found yet another distraction to keep me from working. Neat!
Here's a glimpse at the insanity for those of you who haven't played:
Games like this, I think, are a bit of concern to me. Everyone always complains that video games, television, computers, etc. are causing many people of all ages to become addicted, do not get enough exercise, blah blah blah. Well games like this definitely don't help the matter. I think what got me in this game is that I never really knew what the next level would have in store. It intrigued me to find out what sort of plants I would be given in order to shoot and kill the zombies (wow, that is a weird sentence).
As Derreck pointed out, I agree that I'm not sure how this connects to the network gaming section. Is there a high score or some sort of competition? Or is it solely for the fun of the game and entertainment-based? Either way, it's most definitely addicting, and it keeps players on the game's page.
So thank you, Comm. Arts 346, I've found yet another distraction to keep me from working. Neat!
Here's a glimpse at the insanity for those of you who haven't played:
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