Alright! I think I have my topic and research down-packed for Essay 5! How companies are doing advertising in video games. Here are a couple of websites that I have visited so far:
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/5796449/

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/In-game_advertising

http://www.theonion.com/content/amvo/obama_advertising_in_video_games

Reseach Paper Topics

I'm still not too sure on what my topic will be for Essay 5 but I've been thinking about how people can use and play video games as in a way to relieve stress and problems that they may encounter that day or the entire work week. I was also thinking about conducting my research on social issues and games. How race, sexuality and even class play a major role in games and how characters are portrayed like Lara Croft.

Trip to the City!

Oh man my trip to the city to visit games stores started off with problems! lol; I ran a bit late, I made it to the front of ToysrUs at 11:30 so that sucked! It was actually my first time going to the ToysRUs in Times Square. I didnt realize how enormous that store was, 3 floors of fun filled games and toys! i was so amazed to see that there was a mini ferris wheel in the store! that was cool! I stood there for a few minutes because I was just in awe! haha Then I made my way to the video game section of ToysRUs, I saw games such as RockBand, Guitar Hero with the actual guitar and drum set out for people to play with. I browsed some more and then found my self near the car section, and oh man i am a feen for cars! i saw all types of remote controlled cars like Hummers and Chevys, then I made my way to the Hot Wheels section! Heaven! I wound up purchasing a die cast model of the Batmobile from the 1966 tv series! i just fell in love with that car even though it cost me 45 dollars but it was all worth it! After Toysrus, i made my way to game stop. It was a pretty good walk from the ToyRus but it was good. at the store i met up with Shakti, Nermin, David, and Depore. we started playing Guitar Hero. Then i was thinking how games have become such an important part of our culture today that many games have such a cult following and people get really into these games! after that i made my way to the complete strategist. i have never seen so many different types of board games and things like that. it seemed as though they had games from different countries too

The Cluster

For this week's blog I would like you to take a moment to review what you have learned in the cluster so far. What has been the most interesting? What has been the most challenging? What challenges do you expect over the next few weeks?

This is actually the first time in my college career that I've actually taken a cluster of classes concentrating under a particular field. I like the fact that the classes that we're taking all work together so lets say if one class is a little behind the professors will work together to see what's best for the class whether to delay a project or move a lesson plan forward if we're ahead of schedule. I think what has been the most interesting is I like the fact that in my english classes we spend alot of time in the computer lab which forces me to concentrate more on my work and projects. I think what has been the most challenging is that there is alot of work to be done with all the classes and sometimes it can be confusing to remember when everything is due and what has to be completed first. I feel that I have to plan on budgeting my time better in order to help me out in the long run.

Gee Article

In the article, "Good Video Games and Good Learning", Gee states his points on what tools teachers and educators should be using in school. Gee feels that educators should be including new technologies to be introduced into the classrooms in order to educate our students. he feels that games are a good way to teach our students. I also agree with Gee because I feel that it helps some students with the learning process because believe it or not games do teach us in a sense and in some games forces you to think sometimes before you act. I feel this is like the new way of learning, its also a way to venture out of the traditional ways of learning instead of always learning from a textbook.

Club Fair

Last week, I attended the Club Fair which was held in the cafeteria. It was very interesting. There were many clubs being advertised to us, that I thought were very cool. There was one club called the break dancing club. I thought that was pretty cool because I would love to learn how to dance and do things like that but that's definitely too advanced for me! haha I would love to join a club this semester but I don't think I will have enough time because I usually go straight to work after classes so maybe next semester I will consider joining a club.

[Game] [Play] [Simulation]

What do we mean when we use the word "play"? The word play can have many different meanings to others. I think its when one interacts with others to have fun and to enjoy themselves. There are many ways in which we can "play". What do we mean when we use the word “game”? I think the word "game" can also relate with the word "play" because we play games to have fun. Games can be many different activities that can be carried out to just have fun, like board games and video games! As I was growing up, I used to play alot of video games from my super nintendo all the way up to the current playstation and xbox consoles. Games allow for competition to see who can be the best and who can put forth sportsmanship and who can play as a team. What comes to mind when I think of the word "simulation" is that something that is not real whereas someone can pretend to be something they're not to escape the real world, i think this is where all these actions and word can relate to one another.