The Rise of Video Game Investments: Why Gamers are Becoming Savvy Investors

 In today's dynamic and rapidly evolving gaming industry, the line between being a passionate gamer and a savvy investor has blurred significantly. What was once merely a hobby has transformed into a thriving sector worth billions of dollars, and it's showing no signs of slowing down. This transformation has created a unique opportunity for individuals to not only enjoy playing their favorite video games but also to participate in the industry's financial success.

 

One of the driving forces behind the remarkable growth of the gaming industry is the incredible pace of technological advancement. Gamers now have access to a wide range of platforms, from traditional consoles and powerful PCs to the convenience of mobile devices, allowing them to immerse themselves in virtual worlds wherever they go. This accessibility has expanded the industry's reach, drawing in a diverse and global audience.

As a result, the demographics of gamers have shifted, with adults making up a significant portion of the player base. With this shift comes a newfound interest in investing in the industry they are passionate about. In this blog post, we will explore the rise of video game investments and why gamers are increasingly becoming savvy investors.

Another significant contributor to the industry's growth is the meteoric rise of esports. Esports, or competitive video gaming, has evolved into a global phenomenon, attracting millions of viewers both online and offline. Enthusiastic fans passionately cheer on their favorite teams and players, and the popularity of these events has propelled the gaming industry to even greater heights.

Furthermore, breakthroughs in technology such as virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) have revolutionized the gaming experience. These immersive technologies provide gamers with unprecedented levels of engagement and interactivity, offering a glimpse into the future of gaming.

In terms of revenue generation, video games have not only caught up with but surpassed traditional entertainment mediums like movies and music. The industry has embraced various monetization methods, including microtransactions, downloadable content (DLC), subscription models, and in-game advertising, to maximize revenue streams. Game developers are constantly finding innovative ways to monetize their creations, adding to the industry's profitability.

Moreover, the COVID-19 pandemic served as a catalyst for exponential growth within the gaming industry. Lockdowns and social distancing measures led more people to turn to video games as a source of entertainment and a means to stay connected with friends online. This surge in demand for gaming content and online interactions further fueled the industry's expansion.

Looking ahead, industry experts predict that global revenues from video games will continue to surge year after year. The potential for growth seems limitless, with emerging technologies like cloud gaming promising seamless gameplay across various devices, eliminating the need for expensive hardware.

As the gaming industry continues to experience unprecedented growth and profitability, it's no surprise that gamers are becoming savvy investors. With a deep understanding of the market and a passion for the industry, they have a unique advantage in identifying lucrative investment opportunities. Whether it's investing in game development companies, esports teams, or gaming accessories, gamers are taking advantage of their knowledge and love for gaming to make smart and profitable investments. In this blog article, we will explore the rise of video game investments and why gamers are increasingly turning to the world of finance.

 

 

In conclusion, the gaming industry has undergone a remarkable transformation, and it's no longer just a hobby—it's a thriving sector that offers abundant investment opportunities. Whether you're an avid gamer or someone intrigued by this exciting market, the world of video game investments presents an exhilarating ride filled with the potential for substantial returns. As the gaming industry continues to break boundaries and set new records, investors and gamers alike are in for an exciting journey where their passion and financial goals can converge.

Esports Earnings: The New Frontier for Financial Success? Exploring the Burgeoning Potential 2023

 Welcome to the fascinating world of esports earnings, where digital gladiators compete for fame, glory, and cold hard cash on virtual battlefields. Competitive gaming has surged in popularity, captivating audiences with its thrilling action and incredible displays of skill.

But did you know that esports is more than just a pastime? It's a goldmine for those who rise to the top.

In this blog post, we'll delve deep into the realm of esports earnings, exploring the incredible financial opportunities it offers.

From recent player earnings to mind-boggling tournament prize pools, we'll uncover the financial potential awaiting those who enter this arena.

So, grab your controller or keyboard because we're about to embark on an exhilarating journey through the exciting world of financial success in esports!

Are you ready? Let's dive in!

**Recent Player Earnings: The Last 30 Days**

In the fast-paced world of esports, fortunes can be made in the blink of an eye.

Recent player earnings over the last 30 days reveal just how much money flows through this industry. Top players in games like League of Legends and Counter-Strike: Global Offensive have earned five-figure sums within a month. It's astonishing to think that playing video games can lead to such financial success, but the numbers speak for themselves.

And it's not limited to these two juggernauts. Games like Fortnite and Dota 2 are also making waves on the earnings front. Some players in these titles have pocketed upwards of $20,000 in this short period! That's more than what some people make in months or even years.

The rise of mobile gaming has opened new avenues for players to earn big bucks. Games like PUBG Mobile and Free Fire are no longer just hobbies – they're serious business. Some mobile gamers have seen their earnings skyrocket into six-figure territory in just one month!

It's truly astounding to witness how quickly fortunes can be amassed in esports. The potential for financial success is undeniable, and with more tournaments and sponsors pouring money into this thriving industry, there seems to be no limit to what top players can achieve.

So, if you've got the skills to rival the pros, why not give competitive gaming a shot? You might find yourself swimming in cash sooner than you think!

**Recent Tournaments**

Esports has taken the world by storm, and recent tournaments have only reinforced its status as a rapidly growing industry. These tournaments showcase the incredible skill and talent of gamers from around the world while offering substantial prize money.

Teams battle it out in popular games like League of Legends, Dota 2, Counter-Strike: Global Offensive (CS:GO), and Fortnite, delivering intense matches and aiming for victory and a share of the prize pool.

One standout recent tournament was The International 2021 for Dota 2, boasting a staggering prize pool of over $40 million USD. It attracted top-tier teams from all corners of the esports world. Another notable event was the League of Legends World Championship held in China, where teams competed for their share of an impressive $6 million USD prize pool.

These tournaments offer not only excitement for fans but also opportunities for players to make their mark on the esports scene. As their popularity grows and financial support increases, we can expect even larger prizes in future events!

**What Are the Average eSports Earnings for Top Competitors?**

In the world of esports, a common question arises: How much money can top competitors make?

Let's delve into the numbers and find out.

On average, top esports players can earn varying amounts, depending on factors like game popularity, tournament prizes, sponsorships, and streaming revenue. However, it's safe to say that those at the pinnacle of their game are making substantial sums.

In recent years, prize money in various esports tournaments has significantly increased. Some competitions offer million-dollar prize pools, attracting highly skilled players and huge audiences eager to witness intense battles unfold.

Aside from tournament winnings, professional gamers also generate income through sponsorships and endorsements. Esports teams often secure lucrative partnerships with major brands looking to tap into this rapidly growing market. Popular streamers can earn substantial amounts through platforms like Twitch by broadcasting their gameplay sessions and engaging with their dedicated fanbase.

While average earnings may fluctuate between different games and individuals within the industry, it's undeniable that competitive gaming has become a legitimate path to financial success for those with skill and dedication.

**The Biggest Prize Money Winners in eSports History**

In the world of esports, the stakes are high, and so is the prize money. Some players have earned millions of dollars from their gaming skills. Let's take a look at some of the biggest winners in esports history.

Johan "N0tail" Sundstein, a Danish player in Dota 2, has won multiple International tournaments with his team OG, earning him over $7 million in total prize money.

Kuro "KuroKy" Salehi Takhasomi, as captain of Team Liquid's Dota 2 squad, secured a jaw-dropping $10.8 million in winnings at The International 2017.

Lee "Faker" Sang-hyeok, an iconic player in League of Legends, has earned over $1 million through various tournaments and championships.

Kyle "Bugha" Giersdorf, at just 16 years old, became an overnight sensation when he won the Fortnite World Cup Solo Championship in 2019, walking away with an astonishing $3 million grand prize.

These are just a few examples of how lucrative professional esports can be for top players. With ever-increasing prize pools and growing interest from sponsors and fans alike, there seems to be no limit to what these talented gamers can achieve – both on and off the screen!

**eSports Earnings: 25 Engaging Statistics for 2023**

eSports has taken the world by storm, captivating millions of fans and players alike. With its rapidly growing popularity, the earnings potential in this industry is skyrocketing. Here are 25 engaging statistics for 2023:

1. **Total eSports prize money**: In 2023, the total prize pool across various eSports tournaments reached an astonishing $200 million!

2. **Average player earnings**: The average annual income for professional eSports players is projected to reach $60,000 in 2023.

3. **Sponsorship revenue**: In 2023, sponsorship revenue is expected to surpass $500 million globally.

4. **Streaming platforms**: Twitch and YouTube Gaming dominate the streaming scene for eSports content, offering significant earning opportunities through ad revenue and subscriptions.

These statistics highlight the incredible growth potential and financial rewards available within the realm of eSports. As more investors recognize its immense profitability, we can expect even greater earnings figures in the years to come.

**Top 15 eSports Teams, Earnings, and Salaries**

In the world of esports, certain teams have risen to the top, both in terms of skill and earnings. Let's take a closer look at the top 15 esports teams and their earnings.

1. Team Liquid: Total earnings - $34 million.

2. OG: Total earnings - over $33 million.

3. Fnatic: Total earnings - approximately $16 million.

4. Natus Vincere (Na'Vi), Evil Geniuses (EG), FaZe Clan, and Virtus.pro are among the top teams earning several millions each through prize pools and sponsorships.

These top-tier esports teams not only showcase incredible talent but also offer lucrative opportunities for skilled gamers around the world. As esports continues its meteoric rise as a global phenomenon, we can expect these figures to soar even higher in the coming years.

**Leading eSports Games

Telltale's The Wolf Among Us Returns This February

Jack climbs down from his beanstalk just in time for the return of Telltale's adventure series The Wolf Among Us based on the Fables comic series.

It's been a long wait; the first episode of The Wolf Among Us, entitled Faith, was released about three months ago, but Telltale promised that we wouldn't be seeing a second episode until after the holidays.

The holidays have come and gone, and Telltale is finally ready to start teasing the release of episode two, Smoke & Mirrors, which will be coming out in the first week of February. Telltale also encouraged fans to keep an eye out for one of the series more popular character, Jack, this time around.

"The episode is looking really good," wrote founder Kevin Bruner on the company website. "We are very concerned about the long delay for this episode, but this is one of those occasions where several things conspired against us (not to mention the additional delays due to the holidays). I won't dive into the details, but it’s been an unusual and specific set of circumstances and we do not anticipate it happening again as we go forward with the rest of the season."

[Source: Polygon]

 

Our Take
This is obviously good news for fans of the series, who have been patiently waiting for a second episode for some time. The first week of February is only a few weeks away. However, I'm a little disappointed that it took Telltale this long to release a second episode, and I hope that the wait for episode three is considerably shorter. However, it is refreshing to see the developer acknowledge the fault.

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Star Wars: The Old Republic Galactic Starfighter Enters Early Access

If you've ever had a subscription to BioWare's Star Wars: The Old Republic MMO, or purchased something from the online store since the game went free-to-play, then you have achieved Preferred Status, and now have early access into the Galactic Starfighter expansion.

As an intergalactic war explodes across the universe, Star Wars: The Old Republic players will be able to jump into 12v12 Player-vs-Player dogfights. Gamers who like the piloting role can attack their foes with a heavy-hitting Gunship (check out the trailer below). This new digital expansion will become free to the rest of the public beginning on February 4.

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Reader Discussion: Updating Classic Games

Many of the icons of the gaming industry have been around since the 8-bit era. Characters like Mario, Samus, and Link are instantly familiar, but the gameplay surrounding them changes with each new hardware cycle. Advancing technology is inevitable, but is there a point when certain game series should just stick to what they became known for?

Our review of Metroid: Other M is up, and it got me thinking about how many gaming franchises could benefit from a back-to-basics approach. I've always loved Metroid, but for me, the 2D entries are leagues beyond the Prime series (and I haven't played Other M yet). At this point, I don't want to see another reinvention of Metroid; I just want more games in the classic vein, like Zero Mission, Super Metroid, and Fusion.

There are many examples out there: Castlevania only runs into disaster when it deviates from its exploration-focused 2D formula, and Street Fighter was all but obsolete until it embraced its old-school sensibilities again with Street Fighter IV.

What do you think? Are there certain games that just shouldn't be modernized? Is "updating" proven formulas just trying to fix something that isn't broken? Share your thoughts in the comments below!

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New Telltale Game Looks Like An Awesome Crossover

If you're a fan of the adventure genre, you've heard of Telltale Games. The developer behind the recent Sam & Max episodes (and the Strong Bad game) has released a trailer teasing its latest project, and it has some surprise stars.

The video begins with the words "Bet you never thought these guys would get together." Then we see the silhouettes in the image above: Tycho from Penny Arcade, Max from Sam & Max, the Heavy from Team Fortress 2, and Strong Bad from HomestarRunner.com. The teaser concludes with the mysterious phrase: "Find out how 9.2.2010."

If this is a single game, it would be a momentous crossover. Of course, the enigmatic "find out how" means that there could be more to the situation than meets the eye. We'll just have to wait for the announcement next week.

In the meantime, head over to Game Trailers to watch the video for yourself.

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Commodore 64 Is Back!

I wonder how much of my childhood was spent waiting for a Commodore 64 game to load. I'm not proud to admit this, but the Commodore 64 in my household was purchased from a friend who had bootlegged almost every game that was ever made. I must have had three hundred floppy discs worth of games, many that were free of labels. Part of the fun was popping in a disc to see what game would pop up. In hindsight, I can't remember many that I thought were good.

Flash forward to now (use a magical Wayne's World-like effect if you need to). I'm not sure if I believe this news entirely yet, and I probably won't until I have an actual retail unit in my hands, but Commodore USA has reached a licensing agreement to create Commodore branded all-in-one keyboard computers, including a model that is an exact replica of the original Commodore 64. You know, the ugly beige box that suddenly looks awesome because it looks old.

The flagship model in Commodore USA's line is called the Phoenix. Only two inches tall and 17.5 inches wide, this sleek keyboard boasts four USB ports, two serial ports, 2 PS2 ports, and ports for LAN, VGA, parallel, and audio/line/Dual DVI. Powered by an Intel Core 2 Duo or Quad Core processor, it features an advanced chipset, and up to two terabytes of storage space.

As for the other two models, the awesomely named Invictus offers a touch pad, whereas the not-so awesomely named Amigo targets the budget-conscious consumer.

According to the site's store, you can order the computers now, and they'll ship within three weeks. The classic design is not yet available. Check out Commodore USA's website for more information.

And I'm just going to think this is all a hoax until I get my hands on one.

[via Gizmag and GI tipster Kevin Creedy]

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An Easy Achievement/Trophy In Scott Pilgrim

The Scott Pilgrim game has a fairly reasonable list of achievements and trophies, but the one called Invulnerable can be a pain. Or rather, it can be a pain if you don't watch this video.

Between posting news stories today, I've been playing a lot of Scott Pilgrim, trying to figure out the best way to grab the Invulnerable achievement. It requires that you play through an entire stage (not including the boss) without getting hit. It's tricky, so I did a little bit of online research, and I thought I'd share what I found in case you're having the same problem I was.

So watch the video, and happy achievement/trophy hunting!
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The video shows the trophy unlocking on the PS3 version, but I can personally confirm that the same trick works on the 360 iteration.

(Thanks to youtube user LKG21 for making the video)

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Mystery Game From Sony To Be Revealed On Wednesday

The Tokyo Game Show is coming up in September, and it looks like Sony is trying to build up excitement for a title that may be making an appearance. All we have right now is a mysterious countdown site, which will hit zero this coming Wednesday.

You can check out the site for yourself right here. At the moment, all you'll see is a well-dressed man knitting in the smoke and dark, surrounded by a couple other guys in suits. The countdown is on Sony Japan's site, so it's possible that whatever the game is, it may not even be bound for a North American release.

We'll know more at around on Wednesday evening (7:00 PM Pacific time). And, presumably, even more after TGS next month.

[via andriasang and GI tipster Meta77]

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Batman: Arkham City Wallpapers For Everyone

We've got images based on both covers for all types of monitors, PS3 and 360 backgrounds, and iPhones. Come and get it!

PC Instructions
Left-click on the proper resolution (click here to find out your screen's rez if you don't know), right-click on the image that appears, and select "set as desktop background" from the menu options.

PS3 Instructions
1. Download an image and save it to your Desktop.
2. Plug in PMD (Portable Memory Device -Memory Stick, Compact Flash, SD card or USB Flashdrive) to your computer.
3. Transfer your image to anywhere on your PMD.
4. Unplug PMD from your computer. Plug it into your PS3.
5. On the PS3 XMB go to your Photo section.
6. Highlight (Hover over) the PMD and press [Triangle].
7. Select [Display All] from the options menu.
8. Locate the image. Press Triangle.
9. Select [Copy] from the action menu and follow the on-screen instructions to complete the operation.
10. When viewing a photo, simply bring up the options screen by pressing the [Triangle] button and selecting "Set As Wallpaper" from the options displayed.

360 Instructions
1. Save the image to a USB Flashdrive like steps 1 through 3 above.
2. Unplug USB drive from your computer. Plug it into your 360.
3. Hit the guide button and go to the media blade. Select "Picture Library."
4. Select "Portable Device."
5. Navigate to the image and hit the Y button to "Apply as Background."

iPhone Instructions
1. Navigate to this page on the iPhone. Be sure you're viewing it in "Full Site" rather than the mobile edition.
2. Hit the iPhone rez link to bring up the image.
3. Hold your finger on the image to bring up a menu. Hit "Save Image."
4. Find the image in your photo gallery.
5. Hit the icon in the bottom left corner and select "Use as Wallpaper."

COVER ONE (Above)

Standard
1280x1024
1600x1200

Panoramic
1280x960
1680x1050
1920x1200

Dual Monitor
3840x1200

TV (PS3, 360)
1920x1080
1280x720
640x480

iPhone
640x960

COVER TWO

Standard
1280x1024
1600x1200

Panoramic
1280x960
1680x1050
1920x1200

Dual Monitor
3840x1200

TV (PS3)
1920x1080
1280x720
640x480

iPhone
640x960

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Guild Wars 2 Necromancer Class Revealed

"A Necromancer feeds on life force," reads the official Guild Wars 2 site. Sounds good to us.

The second caster class to be announced, Necromancers have a variety of positional effects, minions, and the ability to fight on beyond their own death for a limited time. As cool as the dramatic fireballs and ice storms that Elementalists throw around are, Necromancers may have them beaten in the badassery department.

Necromancers use wells and marks to generate static area effects. They can have a single well active at a time. The example given is Well of Blood, which significantly increases the regeneration rate of allies within its radius. Marks work a little differently. These spells are targeted on the ground and have a variety of effects, like the enemy-damaging Mark of Blood (I'm sensing a theme here) that also speeds nearby allies' regeneration.

Necros also get minions, which do their master's bidding in death as in life. For instance, the Blood Fiend (okay, ArenaNet, we get it already) heals its master every time it strikes an opponent and can be sacrificed for a larger heal. All pets will have an associated skill that becomes active only when the pet is summoned.

Death Shroud is going to drive enemy PvPers nuts. This intrinsic class ability lets Necromancers fight on using the life force they've built up during combat even after their own body is destroyed. Should the Necro get a kill in the Death Shroud state (or expend his stored life energy), he is bound once again to his own flesh.

I'm not going to lie. This class sounds awesome, just like the other announced Guild Wars 2 classes do. At some point ArenaNet is going to have to let us play the freaking game already.

For more Guild Wars 2 talk, check out this week's Respec Radio podcast, where I hold forth at great length about the game's dynamic PvE content. You can get largely similar information in written form in the huge novel I wrote about it from Gamescom, if you're more into reading than hearing Andy and me make fun of Phil's guild.

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Trailer For Gameloft's Ultimate Spider-Man: Total Mayhem

Marvel's Ultimate Spider-Man comic series is the only Spider-Man book I can read these days without rolling my eyes and saying "this is even worse than the Clone Saga." The last few years have been tough for Spidey in print, but all signs point toward this web swinger having a good year in video games. Game Informer's associate editor Ben Reeves has been singing praises for Activision's upcoming console game Spider-Man Shattered Dimensions. Gameloft's upcoming Ultimate Spider-Man: Total Mayhem for iPhone and iPod Touch also looks promising. It'll be available in Apple's app store on September 1.

Here's a teaser video for the game. Don't give up on the video early; gameplay is at the end.

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The Worlds Of Dungeons & Dragons

To trace the history of characters, role-playing, leveling, and character growth in gaming, one need look no further than the humble beginnings of Dungeons & Dragons. Likewise, long before Mass Effect and Elder Scrolls were shaping massive fictional settings, Dungeons & Dragons set the standard by building one fantastic world after another in its early years, giving players a huge number of locations, characters, and events to integrate into their own home games. Now in its fourth full edition, D&D has continued its trend of deep and complex campaign settings through annual releases, each highlighting a different world for players to explore. We talked with longtime Wizards of the Coast veteran, Rich Baker, about the job of building worlds, and went in depth on the newest and soon-to-release settings of Dark Sun and Gamma World. Before we finished, we even got some hints of where Wizards will be heading after that.

“Every world wants to have a strong, unique hook. You want to be able to look at a particular world and know why that world matters – what’s different and special about it – as compared to a lot of other settings that can look a lot like each other,” Baker tells us. Baker has been a part of D&D for almost 20 years, contributing to dozens of products that have evolved the game over its numerous incarnations. His chief responsibility these days is creating D&D’s new campaigns. However, years ago, he had no idea that his career would be shaped by the game. “I sort of backed into this career. Back in 1991, I was on active duty in the Navy, and I decided to go ahead and wrap up my service time,” Baker tells us. “While I was getting out, I was throwing resumes to all sorts of companies. I sent one to TSR for the devil of it. I’d been a D&D player since I was 10 or 11 years old. I was a big fan of fantasy and sci-fi, and I knew I wanted to write for a living.“ He got the job at TSR (the original publisher of D&D) and became an instrumental part of the team that worked on projects like the original Dark Sun, Spelljammer, and Birthright settings for 2nd edition.

Through it all, the appeal of building a fiction has remained paramount. “Having a chance to create a vision of this fantastic world, and make that vision unique and special – man, that’s the World Series,” Baker declares. “That’s the thing you’re in this business for. The opportunity to create a world from the ground up and be the vision behind it –  I’ve been very fortunate, as I’ve had this opportunity on a couple of occasions throughout my career. And I won’t lie – I look forward to the next opportunity I have to do it. It’s the best.”

Next up: The menacing world of Dark Sun

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Charity Game Chime Headed To Steam

The addictive block puzzler is moving to PC, and adds Portal's "Still Alive" song into the mix.

Earlier this year saw the release of a great puzzle game for XBLA called Chime. Beyond the high quality of the gameplay and audio, the game doubled as a worthwhile way to put your money towards a good cause – proceeds from sales of the game went to Starlight Children's Foundation and Save the Children.

Developer Zoe Mode created the game pro bono for publisher OneBigGame, and that same developer is now releasing the new version to Steam. The special "Portal" edition will include the gamer culture standard "Still Alive." In addition, Zoe Mode plans to continue the charitable efforts of the original game by donating part of the proceeds (5%) to the two childrens' charities.

Even though the game's profits go partially towards charity, it'd be a mistake to assume the game was of low quality. Chime was great fun when we played it on XBLA – we don't have any reason to believe that the PC version will be any different when it releases before the end of the summer.

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Portal Required Reading At Best College Ever!

Wabash College recently announced that it would be adding Valves popular puzzle game Portal to it’s syllabus of required “reading” materials, a list that includes famous works such as Gilgamesh, Aristotle's Politics, John Donne's poetry, Shakespeare's Hamlet, and the Tao Te Ching.

The following is a description of the class:

Enduring Questions is a required freshman seminar offered during the spring semester. It is devoted to engaging students with fundamental questions of humanity from multiple perspectives and fostering a sense of community. Each section of the course includes a small group (approximately 15) of students who consider together classic and contemporary works from multiple disciplines. In so doing, students confront what it means to be human and how we understand ourselves, our relationships, and our world.

The daily activity of the course most often involves discussion, and students complete multiple writing assignments for the course. As such, assessment of student performance emphasizes written and oral expression of ideas.

Students may not withdraw from the course. All students must pass the course to graduate from Wabash.

Portal sounds like a great choice for this class to us. We tried playing GameBoy during our college classes, and as a result we got a D-; looks like we were just born in the wrong era. To read more about how Portal got chosen check out TheBrainyGamer.

If you were to pick a list of games that were “required reading” what would they be?

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Check Out The Stupid Map I Made In Halo: Reach's Forgeworld

I just wrapped up two marathon days of playing Halo: Reach. In my over 20 hours of playing this week, I beat the campaign, played a ton of multiplayer, and messed around quite a bit in the new Forgeworld. Like many gamers, I didn't spend too much time in Halo 3's Forge. It wasn't the most user-friendly interface, and the opportunities for creativity were somewhat limited. Thankfully, Reach features a hugely improved Forge mode, complete with its own massive canvas named Forgeworld. Naturally, I immediately felt the need to turn that canvas into a really dumb battleground.

My creation was Rock Monster, a CTF map featuring dueling monsters composed mostly of giant stones. Up above, you can see a wide shot of the titans duking it out. Rock Monster on the left is heaving stones at...um, we'll just call him Dragon Mountain or something.

This is Rock Monster. The Red Team's flag is on top of his head. Sorry for the picture quality, I had to use my cell phone. We were playing on demo kits, so there was no way of saving direct screens from the game.

Red Team starts near the base of Rock Monster. Down near his legs, you can find rapidly respawning jetpacks to help out with the journey to Dragon Mountain. To get to the blue flag, they'll have to ascend these platforms until they enter the back of his mouth.

Once inside Rock Monster's mouth, they'll find a man cannon that propels them directly towards Dragon Mountain's open mouth (where the Blue flag is).

Things are a little tougher for the Red Team, because the trip will kill them if they don't ease the impact with a jetpack. However, Blue Team can still return the enemy flag here even if they die. The capture plate is directly where your dead body will fall if you do it wrong, so it's possible to sacrifice yourself and still earn a capture point.

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Guy Gets Hysterically Angry At Halo 3 Teammate

Halo 3's theater mode allows players to watch post-match gameplay footage to revisit strategies and gawk at memorable moments. As this YouTube video demonstrates, it's also a great way to torment your friends' lack of skill.

This video, posted by user LtMkilla, is definitely not safe for work, elementary schools, or anywhere else that frowns upon an unrelenting hail of F-bombs. It is absolutely hilarious, though.

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Vikings Outraged (Kind Of) Over Exclusion Of Long Snapper In Madden

EA Sports' slogan "if it's in the game it's in the game" apparently doesn't apply to special teams long snappers. Though Madden NFL 11 supports full 53-man rosters, they often exclude the less glamorous specialists in favor of practice squad skill players. One NFL team has taken notice, and it doesn't sit well with many of the players.

Minnesota Vikings long snapper Cullen Loeffler has been on the team for seven years, but he has yet to appear in a Madden game. "I'm very disappointed that they overlooked one of the best players on the team," said Vikings superstar running back Adrian Peterson. "He's invaluable."

Loeffler isn't the only long snapper left out in the cold by developer EA Tiburon. Only one true long snapper is included in Madden NFL 11, Zak DeOssie of the New York Giants, but he'd probably rather not be. His long snapping rating? A slanderous 0 out of 100. The player currently listed as the Vikings long snapper in Madden is center John Sullivan, who said "I did long snap that one day at practice, but I did terrible." Apparently Madden ratings czar Donny Moore, who determines each team's depth chart in the game, thinks he can handle the job.

Vikings public relations director Bog Hagen believes something must be done to recognize these overlooked players. "I think it's a slap in the face to the profession of long snappers," he said."How can long snappers get in the Pro Bowl, yet not be in one of the topvideo games in America?"

When reached for comment, Loeffler said he doesn't even bother checking out Madden anymore. "I don't even play it, mainly for the reason I'm not in it," he admitted. "I feel disrespected." With 31 of 32 long snappers missing from the game, they've created a quasi-support group to deal with the pain of being left out. "It's brought us together, we've kind of formed a band of brothers since we've been disrespected for so long," Loeffler joked. 

EA Tiburon's exclusionary policy toward long snappers has created yetanother schism in the Vikings locker room, which is no strangerto controversy. While some teammates have come to Loeffler's defense, other haveused it as yet another tool to alienate the special teamers. Three-time Pro Bowl defensive tackle Pat Williams loves to give Loeffler a hard time about it. "[He] was laughing at me all day long yesterday for not beingin the game," Loeffler admits. "He said I don't even exist."

The team's grey bearded gunslinger Brett Favre, who worked with EA Tiburon when he appeared on the cover of Madden NFL 09, may be in on the conspiracy.  "I think it probably makes the game better," said the all-time NFL leader in touchdowns/interceptions. "Who the f*** is Cullen Loeffler?"

With the help of punter Chris Kluwe, who calls himself "Chris Warcraft" in the third person, we polled the Vikings, and the controversy has the team split down the middle. Here's what they had to say:

Set The Long Snappers Free Camp
Kevin Williams – "I think it's a travesty, you should always have the snapper in the game."

Sidney Rice – "That's messed up.Madden's supposed to be for everyone in the league; it's not right tobe missing a person. Handle that!"

Percy Harvin – "It's a total disrespect to long snappers."

E.J. Henderson – "Tragedy."

Antoine Winfield – "That's disappointing and disrespectful."

Visanthe Shiancoe – "Why the hell isn't he in there?  ...for real, why not?"

Ray Edwards – "That's f***ed up!"

Ryan Longwell – "I actually returned the game once I got home and found out, that's how much [Cullen] means to me."

Chris Kluwe – "As an avid gamer, it wrenches my heartstrings to seethis unfortunate lack of respect for one of the best snappers in thebusiness. Also, [EA] should bump my stats up."

Rhys Lloyd – "I think it's a disgrace, when wetalk about realism in the game, that we don't have the real snapper andholder (Tarvaris Jackson is currently the holder) in the game. CullenLoeffler is a fantastic human being. Boom."

Who Cares Camp
Jared Allen – "I do NOT care."

Steve Hutchinson – "I DO not CARE."

Pat Williams – "I feel good about that, that's the greatest thing I've heard all day."

ChadGreenway – "I feel like, as a snapper, he should be grateful to be inan NFL organization, so he should shut his mouth and not worry about avideo game."

Ben Leber – "I think it's appropriate. I don't think he deserves to be in there. I'm not even sure he's a human being."

Jim Kleinsasser – "Awesome!"

Cullen Loeffler – "Seems like just another day at the office."

Will EA Sports do the right thing and start including the the long-overlooked long snappers in future roster updates? We've reached out to them for comment and will update the story when they respond.

Content manager Matt Bertz contributed to this report.

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City Of Heroes: Going Rogue Giveaway

Last week, NCSoft launched Going Rogue, the second expansion pack for their superhero MMO City of Heroes. I'm a big fan of the game and this latest add-on, so I'm pleased to announce that we'll be giving away 10 copies of the full City of Heroes package. Check below for details on how to win a ticket to Paragon City!

For your chance to win, you need to leave a comment on this story telling us your best idea for a superhero -- give us his or her name, powers, and, heck, even a brief origin story if you're feeling ambitious. Here's all it takes:

1. Log in to your Game Informer account and leave a comment on this story with the name and superpower of your hero. Do so by 12:00 a.m. CST tonight (i.e. midnight). Be sure to leave your Twitter name in the comment as well!

2. Around midnight, I'll dig through the entries and pick out 10 winners. I'll update this post with the winners and their entries tomorrow.

3. You'll receive a Twitter DM from the @gameinformer account with your code if you're a winner.

Winners will receive a download code that will give you access City of Heroes: Going Rogue as well as the original City of Heroes and City of Villains. The code will also provide a month of game time and a bunch of bonus items.

Remember that in addition to leaving a comment, you'll need to be following our @gameinformer account on Twitter in order to receive the DM with your prize! Good luck!

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Sony Exploring Own Version Of EA�s Online Pass

A variety of publishers have explored ways to get money from the used-games market, and Sony could be among them. In an interview with GamesIndustry, Sony’s European president, Andrew House, says that Sony supports backs publisher efforts to recoup money by charging players who don’t have a code included with new games.

"On the principle of making online portions of the game available or unlocked from the disc-based release for a fee, we're broadly supportive of that," House said. "And we're exploring actively the same option for our own content," he added.

While Sony might be flirting with the idea of an EA Sports-style Online Pass, House says that flat-out charging for online on a game-by-game basis doesn’t line up with PlayStation’s business model.

"In terms of just a charge for basic online play, that's something that we have to talk about a lot more and we struggle with a little bit because we feel very vindicated and base a lot of the success of PSN today – a 70 per cent connection rate across consoles – on the fact that we've removed that major initial barrier to entry."

Check out GamesIndustry for the entire interview here.

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