Video+Game+Update+3

=**Videogames Being Used to Solve World Problems**=
 * By: Whitney Porter**

A recent article in the Wall Street Journal talks about the effects of videogames, and using these effects for good. The article talks about the effects of playing games were the goal is to be productive and there are clear goals with heroic purposes. When people play video games they have this urgent sense of optimism. Research is looking at harnessing these positive effects and using them in problem solving games. Giving people the motivation to work on real world problems with a feeling of playing a game. They have already started producing games that work on goals such as: food security, clean energy and ending poverty. I think this may be a great idea, people are more inclined to work their best when they are doing something they love. To read more about this article visit: [|http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704590704576092460302990884.html?mod=WSJ_Tech_TECHEDITORSPICKS_3]

By: Erin Moran
 * EA Thinks Facebook and PC Games are the Future **

EA (Electronic Arts) thinks that Facebook and PC gaming are the future and will bring EA back to the top of the gaming world. Social games, MMORPG's and other PC games are the huge focus for finding new revenue. PC games are appealing because the user base for these types of games are huge and their are few rules in terms of approval. EA believes that PC free-to-play (freemium) games will eventually make it to the gaming consoles. Some of these games offer incentives to pay real money to buy game items. This may serve as a good way to gain revenue because people can play these social and PC games indefinitely. To read more about this topic the link in posted below.

[|PC Games and the Future]

By: Jeremy Los Early this week Microsoft was a victim of modern day thieves who found a way to cheat the company out of points for Xbox live. Thieves used an exploit that allowed them to use counterfeit Xbox live codes that could be used to redeem 160 points. After learning of the scam Microsoft shut down the exploit and is now on the hunt for those responsible.
 * Scoop Up Xbox Live Points; Microsoft Now On The Hunt For Those R **** esponsible **

It was thought that the scam had cost Microsoft upwards of $1 million dollars. That number, though, has since been refuted by Microsoft who said, “ We can't share specific numbers, but the figure is nowhere near the amount that has been reported." Read the full article at: www.gameinformer.com/b/news/archive/2011/03/10/xbox-live-thieves-steal-points.aspx

=Adobe Flash Games now playable on iPhone= By Trenton Villanueva According to MCV, a new application has been released that will allow Adobe Flash games to be played on the Apple iPhones and iPads for the first time. This "experimental tool" converts Flash to HTML5, the multimedia platform supported by Apple. Apple has, for the most part, blocked the use of Flash on the iPhone and iPad, instead preferring software developers to use HTML5, one of Flash's main rivals.

This is an important development for the gaming industry because of the penetration rates of both companies. According to Adobe, Flash is used by 99% of internet enabled PCs. Because of this, a variety of games are designed to be run on Adobe's Flash Player. Additionally, according to Nielsen, the Apple iOS (the operating system used by the iPhone and iPad) is used by 28.6% of smartphone consumers. As a result, many online games, especially free ones, have not been able to be played on Apple smartphones. This software development will allow online game players and iPhones more gaming options.

=**Seized PS3s released in Europe** =

By Alex Pegnato Just last month there were approximately 100,000 PS3 units confiscated in the Netherlands due to patent battle between Sony and LG. This dispute was over Sony alleged violating four of the patents with LG regarding the PS3. But as of today a Dutch court reversed the order, and over 300,000 units will be distributed back over Europe. Not only this, but LG now also has to pay around 180,000 in court fees. I found this article to only be interesting but well connected to what we have being learning in class about the importance of patents. http://www.gamespot.com/news/6303207.html?om_act=convert&om_clk=newstop&tag=newstop%3Btitle%3B1 

= GameStop Accused of Recording Personal Information =

By Bradley Tamura

The videogame store, GameStop, has recently been accused of allegedly requesting and recording personal information from their customers. Melissa Arechiga is filing the suit. She claimed that the GameStop she visited took down her name, credit card number, and personal identification information (PII) after she purchased an item. Arechiga believes that the store takes down customers PII to obtain the addresses of customers along with other personal information. If what GameStop is doing is true they are violating California Civil Code section 1747.08, which “prohibits corporations from requesting credit card users to provide and record their PII.” No comment has been given by the GameStop spokesperson. Link to [|Article]. A copy of the suit can be found [|here].