http://www.sciencedaily.com/news/computers_math/video_games/ Video Games. Read about innovative new video games, trends in gaming, the effects of video game violence and more. en-us Wed, 11 Nov 2009 06:05:01 EST Wed, 11 Nov 2009 06:05:01 EST 60 http://www.sciencedaily.com/images/logosmall.gif http://www.sciencedaily.com/news/computers_math/video_games/ For more science articles, visit ScienceDaily. http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/11/091110211037.htm Although often seen as an inconsequential feature of digital technologies, one's self-representation, or avatar, in a virtual environment can affect the user's thoughts, according to new research. Wed, 11 Nov 2009 14:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/11/091110211037.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/11/091106102658.htm Researchers in Spain have designed a system for the mobility of military troops within a battlefield following the mechanisms used by ant colonies to move. The scientists have used settings of Panzer General, a commercial war video game, for the development of this software. Sat, 07 Nov 2009 17:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/11/091106102658.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/10/091027170850.htm A mathematician who has applied mathematical modeling techniques to elucidate the dynamics of run scoring in baseball has computed the probability of the Yankees and Phillies winning the World Series. He also has computed the most deserving of Major League Baseball's prestigious 2009 Most Valuable Player (MVP) and Cy Young awards. Wed, 28 Oct 2009 02:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/10/091027170850.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/09/090904071955.htm Poor image and sound quality is encountered all too frequently in the world of video and telephone conferencing, but powerful compression technologies are set to consign these problems to the past -- even in the humble living room. At this year's IFA international consumer electronics exhibition in Berlin, researchers demonstrated the power and flexibility of these new technologies by holding games sessions in which players compete against each other via the Internet. Tue, 20 Oct 2009 05:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/09/090904071955.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/10/091014102037.htm Rugby players worldwide could benefit from a new virtual reality training program. "The advantages of this technology are that unlike playing a video game on a normal desktop computer, the rugby player or athlete is totally immersed in a realistic simulated environment," said the lead researcher. Thu, 15 Oct 2009 23:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/10/091014102037.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/10/091014144731.htm With the League Championship Series set to begin tomorrow, NJIT Mathematics Professor Bruce Bukiet has, once again, analyzed the probability of each team winning their post-season series. Bukiet updates his calculations daily during the Major League Baseball post-season. Thu, 15 Oct 2009 08:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/10/091014144731.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/10/091013162748.htm A new study has found that high volume action video game players -- those who play around 40 hours per week -- actually had more difficulty keeping focused on tasks requiring longer, more proactive attention than those who played video games less than a couple of hours a week. Wed, 14 Oct 2009 17:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/10/091013162748.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/07/090727204540.htm Aliens are stealing your beloved sheep and you've got to stop them. That's the premise for TowerMadness, a new 3D iPhone game that is one of the most cheat-resistant iPhone games available, according to its three developers, all with ties to the University of California, San Diego. Mon, 07 Sep 2009 11:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/07/090727204540.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/09/090901105155.htm What do hide-and-seek, police searches and video games such as Half-Life 2 have in common? More than you would think, say researchers. Wed, 02 Sep 2009 11:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/09/090901105155.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/08/090831080957.htm Autism can build a wall of poor communication between those struggling with the condition and their families. While a personal computer can help bridge the divide, the distraction and complexity of a keyboard can be an insurmountable obstacle. Tue, 01 Sep 2009 23:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/08/090831080957.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/08/090818083224.htm While video gaming is perceived as a pastime for children and young adults, the average age of US players is 35. Investigators analyzed survey data from 500+ adults (19 to 90) on health risks; media use behaviors and perceptions, including those related to video-game playing; and demographic factors. They found measurable correlations between video-game playing and health risks, including a higher BMI and a greater number of poor mental-health days. Tue, 18 Aug 2009 14:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/08/090818083224.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/08/090817143638.htm A rare "thought experiment" -- using a computer game format -- is being carried out in order to focus the creative genius of hundreds of scientists on solutions to one of the 21st century's most daunting problems: Finding sustainable new sources of energy. Tue, 18 Aug 2009 14:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/08/090817143638.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/08/090803222448.htm Creating a Second Life avatar, or virtual representation of oneself, that is thin and physically fit may encourage individuals to become healthier and more physically fit in their real lives, according to a new study. Wed, 05 Aug 2009 14:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/08/090803222448.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/08/090803173127.htm Sedentary behaviors such as TV viewing and "screen time" involving computer use, videos and video games appear to be associated with elevated blood pressure in children, independent of body composition, according to a new report. Tue, 04 Aug 2009 11:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/08/090803173127.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/06/090624111917.htm Researchers are developing programming tools to enable engineers in the defense industry to utilize the processing power of GPUs without having to learn the complicated programming language required to use them directly. Fri, 31 Jul 2009 05:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/06/090624111917.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/07/090728104320.htm A new computer game prototype combines work and play to help solve a fundamental problem underlying many computer hardware design tasks. Thu, 30 Jul 2009 20:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/07/090728104320.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/07/090729140931.htm The first comprehensive census of video game characters finds Latinos nearly invisible and women and other groups underrepresented. Combined with wide reach of video games and heavy play by minorities, findings suggest lack of representation in games may have significant social impacts. Thu, 30 Jul 2009 02:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/07/090729140931.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/07/090716123318.htm Scientists have found that playing active video games can be as effective for children as moderate exercise. Fri, 17 Jul 2009 08:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/07/090716123318.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/07/090706161209.htm Children who play an online game promoting healthy foods and beverages appear more likely to choose nutritious snacks than those who play a game promoting unhealthy products, according to a new report. Tue, 14 Jul 2009 05:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/07/090706161209.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/06/090622152035.htm Researchers have developed a computer game therapy that is now ready for treating adults. Fri, 10 Jul 2009 08:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/06/090622152035.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/06/090630153406.htm It's a frequent scene in television crime dramas: Clever police technicians zoom in on a security camera video to read a license plate or capture the face of a hold-up artist. But in real life, enhancing this low-quality video to focus in on important clues hasn't been an easy task. Until now. Researchers in Israel have developed a new video "perfection tool" to help investigators enhance raw video images and identify suspects. Sun, 05 Jul 2009 11:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/06/090630153406.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/06/090630075449.htm Technology that allows gamers to control game functions with only their eyes is helping to open virtual worlds such as Second Life and World of Warcraft to people with severe motor disabilities. For people suffering from conditions such as cerebral palsy, motor neurone disease (MND) or so-called locked-in syndromes, being able to move around and interact in a virtual environment is a “truly liberating experience,” says a computer scientist who helped develop the software. Wed, 01 Jul 2009 08:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/06/090630075449.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/06/090623143054.htm Intimate procedures such as breast exams, while a routine and critical part of medical care, are notoriously tough to teach. Engineers have now crafted a solution: a hybrid computer/mannequin that helps train students not only how to correctly perform a breast exam — but also how to talk to, and glean information from, the patient during the procedure. Mon, 29 Jun 2009 08:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/06/090623143054.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/06/090611084130.htm A realistic computer game will soon be used to help dental students worldwide learn and reinforce dental implant procedures. Tue, 23 Jun 2009 20:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/06/090611084130.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/06/090623133525.htm Researchers have developed a game for HIV-positive youth, +CLICK, designed to reduce secondary transmission of the virus. Tue, 23 Jun 2009 00:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/06/090623133525.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/06/090617171819.htm Some video games can make children kinder and more likely to help -- not hurt -- other people. Thu, 18 Jun 2009 20:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/06/090617171819.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/06/090611120744.htm The Nintendo Wii may help treat symptoms of Parkinson's disease, including depression, a researcher says. Fri, 12 Jun 2009 14:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/06/090611120744.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/06/090608071802.htm Computer/console gamers who play for more than seven hours a week, and who identify their gaming as an addiction, sleep less during the weekdays and experience greater sleepiness than casual or nongamers, according to new research. Mon, 08 Jun 2009 20:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/06/090608071802.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/05/090526171811.htm Hours after Hurricane Ike roared ashore in Texas, more than two million homes were without power, which left some scrambling to preserve food and others looking for ways to entertain children, a move that proved to be, in some instances, poisonous. Researchers found that 75 percent of children treated for carbon monoxide poisoning caused by gasoline-powered electrical generators were playing video games. Thu, 28 May 2009 14:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/05/090526171811.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/04/090429170554.htm One of the main themes of Racing the Beam is the strong affinity between the Atari VCS and the CRT television. The system was designed around the TV and it interfaces with that display in an unusual and specific way. Mon, 04 May 2009 11:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/04/090429170554.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/04/090430101445.htm A forensics toolkit for the Xbox gaming console has been developed. The toolkit could allow law enforcement agencies to scour the inbuilt hard disk of such devices and find illicit hidden materials easily. Fri, 01 May 2009 20:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/04/090430101445.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/04/090420103547.htm In a new national study of 1,178 American youths, psychologists found nearly one in 10 of the gamers (8.5 percent) to be pathological players according to standards established for pathological gambling. Tue, 21 Apr 2009 14:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/04/090420103547.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/04/090417083856.htm Researchers have developed a suite of tools to add non-verbal cues to email, phone calls, chats and other channels of electronic communication. It is fascinating work, and the real-world applications are even more compelling. Mon, 20 Apr 2009 02:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/04/090417083856.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/03/090329143326.htm Video games that involve high levels of action, such as first-person-shooter games, increase a player's real-world vision, according to new research. The ability to perceive changes in shades of gray improves up to 58 percent. Mon, 30 Mar 2009 11:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/03/090329143326.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/03/090324131454.htm Using cell phones and playing video games may not be as harmful to children's academic performance as previously believed, according to new research. Mon, 30 Mar 2009 11:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/03/090324131454.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/03/090317095028.htm Scientists have created an Augmented Reality system for use under water. A diver's mask with a special display lets the diver see his or her real submarine surroundings overlaid with computer-generated virtual scenes. In the pilot application, an AR game, the player sees a coral reef with shoals, mussels and weeds, instead of a plain indoor pool. Applications for professional divers are being investigated. Tue, 24 Mar 2009 08:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/03/090317095028.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/03/090302120102.htm Children's moral behavior and attitudes in the real world largely carry over to the virtual world of computers, the Internet, video games and cell phones. Interestingly, there are marked gender and race differences in the way children rate morally questionable virtual behaviors, according to new research. Sat, 07 Mar 2009 11:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/03/090302120102.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/02/090227130934.htm Computer scientists show that online, interactive gaming communities are now so massive that they mirror traditional communities. Sun, 01 Mar 2009 17:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/02/090227130934.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/02/090224222716.htm Internet-addicted teens seem more prone to aggression than other adolescents, according to new findings from Taiwanese researchers. However, Americans who study violence are not ready to make any conclusions about a possible link. Fri, 27 Feb 2009 14:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/02/090224222716.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/02/090224132910.htm Researchers have developed a software tool that will make it faster and easier to translate video games and other software into different languages for use in various international markets -- addressing a hurdle to internationalization that has traditionally been time-consuming and subject to error. Tue, 24 Feb 2009 00:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/02/090224132910.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/02/090214162754.htm Researchers have analyzed a "gold mine" of networking data from EverQuest II, a fantasy massive multiplayer online role-playing game, along with a survey of 7,000 players. Their findings include that many players underestimate the amount of time they spend playing the games, the number of players who say they are depressed is disproportionately high -- and surprisingly -- most people played with people in their general geographic area. Mon, 23 Feb 2009 11:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/02/090214162754.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/02/090210134746.htm Playing and studying are not incompatible activities. A team of researchers looked into integrating virtual graphic adventures into online education platforms and analyzes the educational and technological aspects that lead to success. Fri, 20 Feb 2009 23:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/02/090210134746.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/02/090219202831.htm Violent video games and movies make people numb to the pain and suffering of others, according to a research report published in Psychological Science. Fri, 20 Feb 2009 17:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/02/090219202831.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/02/090204161845.htm A graduate student has found a way to optimize virtual reality environments for high resolution video. Tue, 17 Feb 2009 20:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/02/090204161845.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/02/090217112608.htm An innovation for mobile gaming and video entertainment, a new interface enables 3D video or 3D gaming while using specially-designed video glasses. Leveraging a single HDMI connection to the mobile phone, the solution generates both left and right SD video streams onto the microdisplays embedded within the glasses, thus allowing gamers and video enthusiasts to view and/or interact with their favorite multimedia content while on the go. Tue, 17 Feb 2009 00:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/02/090217112608.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/02/090203192427.htm The software code underlying violent computer games can be used to train people in fire safety, new academic research has found. Commercial games such as Doom 3 and Half Life 2 can be used to build virtual worlds to train people in fire evacuation procedures by applying the games' underlying software code, according to researchers. Fri, 13 Feb 2009 17:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/02/090203192427.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/02/090211122410.htm Researchers are working on a bold rescue plan to recover and safeguard the rapidly vanishing technology and cultural information about the generation born and brought up in the digital age. They are building the world's first general purpose emulator, a piece of software which can recognize and ‘play’ or open all previous types of computer files from 1970s Space Invaders games to three-inch floppy discs. Other emulators exist which are specific to certain platforms or types of media but the new version will be able to emulate media in any format. Wed, 11 Feb 2009 00:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/02/090211122410.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/02/090203192425.htm Playing games against a computer activates different brain areas from those activated when playing against a human opponent. New research has shown that the belief that one is playing against a virtual opponent has significant effects on activation patterns in the brain. Thu, 05 Feb 2009 17:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/02/090203192425.htm