We need your "how-to" articles!

[Chris]

We're looking for some helpful advice articles that other gamers will find helpful. If you've got a topic you think is worth writing about, please go ahead and submit it here and we'll archive it so that others will be able to read it over in an "article" type format (as opposed to a discussion). Topics we'd like to see written about include:

- Building a PC for Gaming (and specs)
- Overclocking
- Intro to Online Gaming
- Sound Card/Video Card Basics
- What to look for in a Game (choose a genre)
- Specialty Controllers - how to choose one
- Detailed Walkthroughs and Tips for any Game

Here's your chance to show everyone your skills in gaming - we'll consider sending out a "little something" to those who submit the best articles. Let's see those articles!

[ShotgunShy]

Umm... may I ask who you are representing? Because, and with all due respect, it would be pretty irritating for some, if not all, if one labors at writing an excellent article without having anyone finding it helpful (due to lack of publicity as such).

[Lara]

<div class=\"smallfont\">Umm... may I ask who you are representing? Because, and with all due respect, it would be pretty irritating for some, if not all, if one labors at writing an excellent article without having anyone finding it helpful (due to lack of publicity as such).</div>

Chris must have written this before we got the sites up and running and before registration, thus the "guest" beside his name. You can see by the date it was posted, the site wasn't live yet. The post should have been deleted and rewritten, but we missed it! Rest assured, it's us asking for your help. We would love to have you guys to write up any "how to" articles for VideoGameReview.

Lara

[ShotgunShy]

oops... sorry my bad. Yeah, the guest status threw me off. hehe, okaaay next time I'll just stay quiet...

[Lara]

<div class=\"smallfont\">oops... sorry my bad. Yeah, the guest status threw me off. hehe, okaaay next time I'll just stay quiet...</div>

Nah! It was a legitimate question. No Worries :)

[ShotgunShy]

<div class=\"smallfont\"><div class=\"smallfont\"></div>

Nah! It was a legitimate question. No Worries :)</div>

Ok. That makes me feel better. :D

[I.B. Chance]

Obviously, anyone who has been in the game world for long knows that "multi-player" online gaming is booming in one form or another. There are two forms of online gaming--those that make you pay and those that don't. If you're new to video gaming altogether than I would recommend you do not venture into pay-for-services such as Ultima, Everquest and the like. I just don't think it's a good place to start and once you buy a game off the shelf, if you find that it's not for you then you will eat the cost for the game and have some nice table coasters and that's about it.

Now for your first "online" experience whether you're a new gamer or not, there is one obvious choice--Diablo. This is the best first experience on the market for online gaming. You can play single player to get the hang of it and then you can move on to Battlenet where you'll be able to have quite a bit of control over what environment you play in. You can create a game and then keep or kick who you want. That's a nice touch for a newcomer.

The reason I recommend either of the Diablos- 1 or 2 is ease of gameplay. Should you read any reviews about Diablo you'll be told that it's simple, mindless "hack and slash" and they're right which is why you should start with it. Simple is what you want. As you play try to increase your efficiency and reflex actions to your environment. In multiplayer games, speed is not essential but it's sure appreciated.

Now there is a chance that you may not like your Diablo experience at all. That will pose a problem for most multi-player games because you'll see soon enough that components of Diablo will be found in almost every one of them. Now what separates Diablo and games like it from pay for play types of games?

The first major difference is world size. Where most single/multiplayer option games are linear and push you along a certain path, pay for plays are exactly the opposite. This can become a problem many, for others the freedom offered is what they are looking for. Let's move on to pay-to-play games and rather than go indepth to everyone we'll look at a few broad generalizations on all of them.

The first consideration to choosing an online world is whether you're going to be comfortable with the setting. In the beginning there was only the sword and sorcerer style to choose from. Everquest, Ultima, Asheron's Call were the first big games on the scene followed by Dark Age of Camelot and then Horizons and Shadowbane. They all center around this style of play. So if you're not into the Middle Ages then you're seriously going to be strapped to find an enjoyable atmosphere. The only other real choices out there are City of Heroes, Star Wars Galaxies and Anarchy Online.

Anarchy Online would be more closely resemble a science based game, Star Wars is obvious and City of Heroes is comic book heroes. Deciding what type of world you'd like to play is only the beginning. Once you've decided upon this then you need to do a little research. The worst way to research a game is to go to a site such as Game Spot and the like because they will concentrate on the game's mechanics and seldom post anything about it once it's released.

It's better to go to an actual fan site and if they have forums, just ask them. Skip over obvious flames and silliness and focus in on those that give you some actual specifics. All games at some point boil down to a few basic ideas--combat, loot acquisition, crafting and wealth. If combat is your game then you can be assured that they all have that and it's all pretty much the same in alot of ways. Crafting though is a different story. Most all games have it, but most crafting is quite a bit different from one game to the next. If you like crafting make sure you know exactly what you're getting into.

So you've decided on the game you want and you're ready to go. There are two ways to approach online games--solo or part of a dedicated group. Each and every guild usually is distinct and different than others. Remember that most of these games are adapted to solo but it can be a lonely experience as well. If you don't feel being alone is wher you want to be then I suggest you find a group.

In the long run it's better to take your time then it is to jump into a group and waste time with people that you really don't like. What I mean by that is that you need to have your objectives somewhat meet theirs. If not then you'll have a miserable time and you don't want to pay for that. Most good guilds have some form of website. Avail yourself of them and pick out the ones that look interesting and beneficial. Take your time browsing around them and seeing what their attitude seems to be.

Once you land in a good group you can be assured that there will always be someone who is better than you in their knowledge of the game. Don't be afraid to come off as a newcomer because you'll usually find people to be quite helpful to less experienced players. The one thing you'll learn about online games is that it's easy to become emotionally involved with players around you.

I suggest refraining from emotional investments. That's not to say you shouldn't care about your fellow players and the guilds you join but it's certainly not worth sharing in the drama that some people seem to thrive off of. Pass on this whenever you can. Once you realize that these are no different than other hobbies you should be fine.

With that, remember that you really are investing in an online venture. Your time as well as your cash is being staked on the most enjoyable experience possible so you want make every minute count.

[eltonjohn24]

i have a tons of article on "How to" just try to go to my site.

[kav101]

hi everyone. jus thought as my first post i'd do a mini research assignment...hope it benefits everyone who reads it

Internet games use the cyber world technology for playing. Games are extremely popular and constantly evolving.

There are:

• Games played using e-mail.

• Games played on a browser window by using a web address.

• Games played using Internet Relay Chat, Telenet, MUD client, or a Web based forum.

• Games that are graphic need stand-alone software that permits players to play with or against one another using an Internet connection.

The first game, MUD, was developed in 1978, and the market has burgeoned since then.

To play, one needs:

• A reliable Internet connection.

• A personal computer or game console.

• Selected software required by specific games.

One can play simple board games like scrabble, or bingo, or games like poker, mahjong, and pool. Another popular category is simulation games—these imitate real-life situations and cover aspects like combat, city planning, strategies, as well as flight simulation.

For serious gaming the computer performance must be optimized. This can be done by:

• Running the disk defragmenter and organizing the computer files. This should ideally be done once a month at least.

• Correct folder and file errors by using scandisk---use once a week and the computer will give trouble free performance.

• Clean your hard drives—get rid of Internet files, temporary files, as well as files in the trash/recycle bin. Clear the cache and uninstall programs that are not in everyday use.

• Update the operating system software. Download any new security patches. Keep video drivers updated.

• Clear space on the hard drive---store files on a back up system.

• Clear any spyware you have inherited from websites.

• Minimize number of programs running—when playing a graphic intensive game if there are too many programs running simultaneously the graphics will become choppy and game will be slow.

• Delete add on game files—wall papers and other paraphernalia will just clutter the computer.

• Run an anti-virus program regularly but disable it when you are loading/playing games. Antivirus programs slow down games.

• Always shut down the computer properly.

The Internet allows gamers to compete with people across oceans, on the other side of the world and anywhere in the universe. Some use PCs while others use consoles. What you use is a personal choice and depends on issues like costs and so on.

Before you buy a game you must:

• Consider “system requirements” – some games can run on systems that are not exact others need specific hardware.

• Find out if the game is single player or multi-player. Many games need the Internet—and, the broadband connection is more efficient than the dial-up connection. Many like Xbox Live only work on a broadband connection.

• Find out if the game can be played using a mouse/keyboard or whether it will need a full-featured joy stick.

Be wise and try a demo before making an actual purchase. Playing a demo benefits the player as well as game developer. Many online games offer free trial periods ---beta testing is a great opportunity to find out if the game suits your taste as well as pockets.

Do your research thoroughly—usually there are several games competing for players within a genre. Read game reviews before taking the final step.

[allmywebsite1]

it is a quite interesting post. the questions and answers to them are really nice.

[Florita]

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how to sink ships on pirates of the caribbean online game. This site and the article are #1.I would like to know if it is helpful. Have no friends that play.
THANKS email ritawimbs@hotmail.com

[Florita]

This Site is great .Thanks for leaving my link (others don't).