New video games continue to be developed as time goes by. With the growing number of people getting into gaming whether in the technical or playing side, it’s no surprise that these new video games pop up every now and then.

Not all newly developed games, however, are released to the public. One of the reasons is lack of financial support.

Fortunately, there’s Kickstarter that helps find backers to the creations of persevering developers. This largest crowdfunding platform has been instrumental in pushing the development and release of unique video games.

In fact, some of the games it has supported have raised millions of dollars, way more than their target goal. We share several of them here and take note that gaming fans can conveniently buy Kickstarter products online.

Broken Age

Image via emgnow

Originally, the goal of this game by Double Fine was only to get $400,000 in funds. But with the 87,000 backers it gained, the Broken Age game raised a whopping $3.3 million.

This adventure set for release in January 2014 features a girl who flees her village to avoid becoming a sacrificial lamb. A space boy by his lonesome is the other character.

Dreamfall Chapters

Image via forbes

Dreamfall Chapters is a sequel to The Longest Journey, a point and click adventure game by Funcom set to be launched in November 2014. From its goal of $850,000, it gained support amounting to more than $1.5 million.

It features two different worlds – Stark which is considered to be a world of logic that’s technologically advanced and Arcadia which involves magic and fantasy. So far, this game has produced one of the most popular female characters in the history of adventure games – the protagonist April Ryan.

Homestuck Adventure Game

Image via maximumpc

The Homestuck Adventure Game is a parody of the classic adventure games that allows players to supply commands for what the characters should do next. It is considered a spinoff of the series which is expected to be released by second quarter of 2014.

The original goal for the game was only to raise $700,000 but in the end, it gained nearly $2.5 million.

Massive Chalice

Image via kickstarter

A creation of Double Fine Studios which is behind Broken Age, the Massive Chalice game is considered a tactical RPG. Players in this game are able to take on the role of an immortal ruler whose goal is to protect his kingdom against demons.

Expected to be released by September 2014, the game also involves the task of creating heroes through the journey in a bid to form the best armies that will fight against the demons. Funding-wise, the game has attracted more than $1.2 million in pledges from backers.

In the real world, plumbers are viewed as hard-working folks who know the plumbing system like the back of their hands. In the gaming world, plumbers are nothing less than heroes who can jump 18 feet high, enlist the use of magic, and win battles against big, bad bosses.

Plumbers in gaming are more common than you think. Let’s take a look at the following 6 iconic plumbers in gaming.

Mario & Luigi

Image source

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Tags: characters, Super Mario Brothers

Avid fans of the Angry Birds and Star Wars should know what this game is all about. But for those not in the know yet, this game features the angry birds depicted in various characters from the famous Star Wars movie. They retain their colors but their made to appear as some famous characters of that intergalactic film complete with hairdo and costumes.

The Angry Birds Star Wars game was produced by Rovio and here, the birds are in a mission to battle it out with the Pigtroopers in their intergalactic journey.

Meanwhile, the second version of the game that will be out soon allows players to unlock their favorite characters any time they want to. They can do this using the new interactive toys that come with the Angry Birds Star Wars Telepods. Read the rest of this entry »

Tags: angry birds, angry birds star wars, Star-Wars, telepods

In recent years, the gaming consoles that became well known were the PlayStation 2, PSP Go and Vita, the Wii and Xbox. The tablet has also entered the scene as a popular gaming device these days. Now, a new gaming console is out and it’s called OUYA.

The device went on sale this week in the U.S., U.K. and Canada. Priced at $99, it reportedly sold like hot cakes and was sold out Tuesday on Amazon. Other sites that sell the device include Best Buy, Target, Gamestop and GAME in the U.K.

OUYA is an open gaming console that any user can develop for or even hack as they find necessary. Launched on Kickstarter last year, the device underwent improvements as the company developing it received feedback from gamers, developers and backers. In fact, the 2012 launch enabled Kickstarter to set a record for its funding that reached a total of $8.6 million.

This Android device has been getting flak from people but Kickstarter developers explained they’ve done a lot of tweaking to the console in recent months before its release. The device now has a better store interface and playlists while each game page features large screenshots. Read the rest of this entry »

Tags: gaming, gaming console, Kickstarter, Ouya

FPS gamers who want to take their gaming to the extreme in terms of realism would be pleased to know that the controversial Delta Six FPS controller is now available for pre-order.

The unit is available for $225 each, with the website listing this as the special discounted price for June buyers. The Delta Six will cost you $300 per gun after June.

While the Delta Six may already be available for pre-order, it still hasn’t stopped getting flak for its super realistic look. Obviously, in a country where the debate on stricter gun laws continues to rage on amidst multiple tragic events surrounding random shootings, a game controller like this would raise a lot of eyebrows. But this hasn’t fazed the makers of Delta Six nor its Kickstarter backers, having raised almost double the original target of $100,000, which now brings it to the pre-order stage.

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An attractive case not only makes your device easier to find in a crowded apartment or busy conference hall, it adds a fun element of personality to your technology. From cell phone and ultrabook cases to smartphone wristlets and e-reader screens, there are many different types of cases you might need. Learn what type of protection each offers to ensure that you’re getting the best value for your technology.

Types of cases

Laptop, ultrabook and tablet cases provide a measure of protection for these computers. Look for soft, cushy cases to protect devices from getting scratched during transport. Sleeve cases support the device only, while larger cases offer pockets or pouches that can also carry flash drives, power cords and peripherals. Think about how you’ll use the case before you buy it. If you’ll be tossing it into a laptop bag, then a slim sleeve may be your best bet. If you’ll be carrying it, you’ll need a bag style case with handles.

Cell phone covers protect the device and may be hard-sided or soft-sided. As with laptops, If you’re the clumsy type, look for a case that offers protective padding first and shows your personality second. If you’re very careful with your tech and need the case more for storage, a wristlet style cover may be best. This can even function as your wallet by holding important cards and cash in addition to your phone. With wristlets you’ll want to be careful not to leave them unattended when in public. They’re so small that a stranger could easily swipe the entire case from your table at a crowded cafe.

Finding the perfect case

This is really a balancing act. Naturally, you’ll want a case that expresses your personality. Maybe it has your favorite color, favorite animal or features your favorite designer. You’ll also want to keep that case looking modern and actually providing the useful function of protecting your gear. For example, tablet and e-reader cases should secure the device, but some offer more style than function. Test out potential cases in the store. If the case doesn’t truly secure your gear from slipping or falling, continue looking.

Finally, look for a case that is easy to use. You don’t want to be fussing with your case all the time to get at your device, so something like a locking iPad case may not be the best for everyday use, even though it does appear practical.

When evaluating different cases, think about how you’ll use them and how well the material will wear. A rhinestone-encrusted smartphone case may be very “you,” but those pretty stones can also fall off if you’re not careful. If you know you treat your gear kind of rough, you may want to select a different design. Likewise, consider how the detail or design will wear over time. A cheap screen printed case may not weather well. If the design is really important to you, consider spending more for one that’s better made.

If you’re a device geek, then you’ve probably got a large collection of technology in need of protective cases, so make a budget and start shopping. You’ll find the widest inventory for these cases if you shop online, but can evaluate case quality best in a retail environment.

Tags: protect technology devices, protective cases, technology fashion

Game consoles continue to advance through time, no doubt about it. Major manufacturers are currently in the race to launch their newest
game consoles. The latest to introduce a new model was Microsoft which unveiled its Xbox One.

Nintendo earlier introduced its Wii U which is now in the market while Sony will launch its newest game console PlayStation 4 late this year.

The new Xbox One console is also equipped with the Microsoft Kinect motion and voice capture and control system. It’s more advanced than the one for Xbox 360 as it can read up to six skeletons at once, can detect faces and expressions, works better in smaller rooms and is better able to detect small objects. Read the rest of this entry »

Tags: Microsoft, Nintendo, PSP, sony, Wii U, Xbox One

Gamers or aspiring game developers can now create their own video games without the need for a technical background. The tool to use? Pixel Press.

This new Pixel Press tool lets anybody, young and old, to make their own video game levels. The only materials you will need are a pencil, graph paper and your iPad or iPhone.

Creator Robin Rath explained players can design their levels by hand and they can create any kind of traps for their avatar to hurdle. Avatars can climb five stories to reach their goal.

Rath said his tool also makes use of character recognition that allows the iPad or iPhone’s camera to convert the sketches to graphic elements. The next step is for the create to test his level, make further refinements and add skins to create a more polished game. Read the rest of this entry »

Tags: building your world, mario-brothers, Metroid, Minecraft, Pixel Press, video game

Several studies have shown that playing video games has its benefits. One study has found that it helps relieve the pain suffered by children as it diverts their attention.

Another study has revealed that playing block-building games such as Tetris can help fix the lazy eye problem. Known as amblyopia, laze eye is a condition in which a person’s vision in one eye does not develop correctly. If not treated immediately, this can lead to sight problems as the brain will no longer correct the blurry images being experienced by that particular eye.

The traditional way of treating this vision issue is to cover the eye with the correct vision using an eye patch. This step will allow the weaker eye to exert more effort. The downside is that this type of treatment can take months to fix the condition. Read the rest of this entry »

Tags: fix eye problem, tetris, video game

Whether you’re a casual or hardcore gamer, it’s always nice to have a space in your house set aside for gaming. If you have a basement, this is the perfect location, but another idea is to convert an unneeded formal dining room into a game room. Regardless of where you put the room, you’ll need to go through several steps to set it up with everything you need for a gaming paradise.

Pick the Right TV: You’ll be spending a lot of time looking at a screen, so you want one that’s best suited for gaming. We actually addressed this in another blog post recently, so read up on the type of TV to choose for your the best gaming experience.

Install Surround Sound: The image is only half of the experience when you’re playing a video game. You also have what you hear, which can significantly enhance the realism of the game and draw you into the world more fully. Don’t let those wimpy built-in speakers on the TV be your only source of sound, but instead, install surround sound in the room.

Add Comfortable Seating: When you’re sitting for hours, you want to be comfortable, so choose your seating carefully. A couch may be ideal if you often play multiplayer games. Otherwise, a gaming chair or beanbag may be more comfortable, especially if your TV is positioned lower. Keep your seating close enough to easily see the screen.

Get a Coffee Table: You’ll need somewhere to set down your controller, plus keep food & drink close at hand. A coffee table is the perfect height if you’re down on a gaming chair, and it’s also within reach of a couch. You may also want to consider matching end tables if you have a couch. Read the rest of this entry »

Tags: controllers, game room, surround sound, tv