1. The TOWER Lifestyles 9
Internet Gaming: a New Form of Social Networking
By CHASE CARTER role playing game on the computer to talk to a person a world away. other, they take on the name clan
TOWER contributor that over 11 million people play “The innovation of voice com- battles and with these competi-
With all the social networking worldwide. In the game, a person munication in online gaming made tions came the creation of social
sites out there like Facebook and can spend time completing chal- playing online easier because you networking website called Game
Twitter, some ways of social net- lenges or quests with others while have the ability to have conversa- Battles. Game Battles lists them-
working are overlooked. The won- having conversations about any- tions with the people you are play- selves as a competitive gaming so-
derful world of online gaming is thing, giving players the chance to ing with whereas before you could cial network where serious gam-
just another way of bringing peo- build extended friendships. On the only type to the people,” stated ers can find more ways to compete
ple together, whether it’s on the Xbox and PlayStation, there are so Warrick. against each other.
computer, Xbox or PlayStation. many options as far as what kinds With the mass gaming experi- “I use game battles to play the
“Gaming is clearly a form of so- of games that they can play. When ence growing, people have turned [“Call of Duty: Modern Warfare
cial networking, it has become one gaming on these consoles, a person gaming into a competition. The 2”] more competitively because it
by offering a unique experience can choose from a sports game like gamers use ranking systems to gives you the chance to play the
that brings people from anywhere “Madden” or “FIFA” to a shooting hold statistics like wins, losses game how you feel that it should
in the world together to play game like “Call of Duty” or “Halo.” and points. In games like “NBA be played against players that are
games,” stated senior Commu- These games provide this large 2K11,” people can take their cre- of the same skill level as you are.
nications and Media Arts major, community with so many options ated players into a team mode and It’s just not the same as going into
Amie Warrick. as to how connect to with each oth- compete against other teams, all a random match online because
This large network of people is er. while their stats are being recorded the play style is that much differ-
expected to exceed 22.5 million Although the computer has by by a dedicated server. In “Call of ent,” stated senior Greg Garner.
people. These people play games far the biggest following of online Duty,” players can choose to play So whether you’re playing with
ranging from Role-Playing Games gamers, the game consoles offer online with random people from all the guys next door or with a friend
(RPG) to First Person Shoot- something more that enhances over the world or play with groups in Vietnam, the wonderful world
ers (FPS). The most popular of their gaming experience. The con- called Clans that have the option of online gaming offers its own
all RPGs is “World of Warcraft” soles utilize voice communication, compete against other Clans. When unique experience for everyone.
(WOW). This game is an online much like a phone, to allow people two Clans compete against each
Game Review: Gears of War 3, Continuing Epic Battles
By KELVIN THOMAS against the invading hordes of Lo- cust hordes that are encountered new players and seasoned veter-
TOWER contributor cust, an alien like race that is hell- throughout the game, players must ans.
Sept. 20th, Microsoft released bent on destroying the last vestiges rely on their squadron and use The new online game modes on
“Gears of War 3,” the highly an- of humanity. In typical Gears fash- tactics as covering-fire and flank- Gears 3 offer a variety of ways for
ticipated final installment to the ion, the game play and storyline are ing, while interacting with the players to test their skills against
bloody and epic Xbox-exclusive excellently paced, with well-placed environmental features for cover one another on Xbox Live.
series. With its well-written and cut scenes that not only break up from enemy fire. The addition of The game offers several versus
enthralling storyline, aesthetically the heart-pounding carnage, but four-player online cooperative mode games, such as the standard
stunning environments and char- also offer exceptional cinematogra- play, which allows gamers to fight team deathmatch, capture the flag
acters, and diverse modes of game phy that truly allows you to become alongside their cyber-friends, has and king of the hill. Unlike the pre-
play, “Gears 3” is provides a grati- immersed in the story. The game’s further emphasized this team style vious Gears games, the speed and
fying gaming experience for both storywriters also do a superb job of and allows for more creative game ability to absorb damage are great-
diehard fans of Gears trilogy while emotionally connecting the gamer play. The variations in map struc- ly affected by characters physical
also catering to new players. with the characters with engag- ture also force the gamer to adapt attributes. Gears 3 also offers a
Like the two previous “Gears ing and often witty dialogue. This, to wide arrays of combat scenarios. unique twist to their classic Horde
of War” installments, Gears 3 re- combined with the stunning realis- For example, players must utilize mode, in which players try to de-
mains loyal to the series by offering tic graphics, will have you locked in different weapons and strategies fend a fortified position as long as
an engaging campaign mode. The until the game’s completion. when fighting in an open city court- possible. This inverse game play is
storyline, which has been hailed as Apart from its in-depth story and yard than they would if they were called Beast mode, in which play-
one of the best amongst the shooter realism, Gears 3 also offers an en- engaged in close-quarters combat ers control Locust aliens with the
genre, picks up immediately where hanced version of the game play inside a narrow hallway of a build- objective to capture human bases.
Gears 2 left off. Once again, you that distinguishes the series from ing. The addition of new weaponry, Overall, “Gears of War 3” pro-
play as Marcus Fenix, the renegade your stereotypical shooter. Unlike execution-style finishing moves vides a fantastic finale to the
leader of the Delta COG squadron most shooters, where speedy reck- and more challenging foes adds award-winning franchise. Whether
and one of the last human defend- lessness and a lone wolf mentality to the overall intensity and brutal this is your first campaign or your
ers of the futuristic planet, Sera. are rewarded, Gears 3 demands nature. And with varying levels of final battle, Gears 3 provides a fit-
The game immediately throws you its players to rely on the game’s difficulty, Gears 3 allows players ting end to this space saga with its
into the action: As you attempt to tactical and unit-based combat en- to develop their skills at their own action-packed game play and en-
defend the remaining strongholds gine. To survive the waves of Lo- pace, making it accessible to both grossing storyline.