Hennepin County Library - TeenLinks: Librarians' Blog for Gaming

Game featuring Black Female superhero! -- Gaming blog post for Feb 14, 2013

Erica R. — Thu, 14 Feb 2013 17:18:21 CDT

Three students at Spelman college are developing a grant-funded video game called HERadventure. The game is being developed thanks in large part due to a large grant from the National Endowment of the Arts. Find out more information about HERadventure here.

Best/Worst video game box art of 2012 -- Gaming blog post for Dec 27, 2012

Erica R — Thu, 27 Dec 2012 13:37:51 CDT

IGN put out it's Best Video Game Box Art of 2012 and Worst Video Game Box Art of 2012 features this week. Do you think video game box art is art?

Time Magazine names the best 100 Video Games! -- Gaming blog post for Nov 16, 2012

Erica R. — Fri, 16 Nov 2012 15:05:34 CDT

Every played The Oregon Trail? How about Pong? Check out the list of the 100 All-TIME Greatest Video Games from Time Techland.

Like board games? -- Gaming blog post for Aug 13, 2012

Erica R. — Mon, 13 Aug 2012 14:43:25 CDT

If you are a fan of board games, check out the Board Games Geek website. There are reviews, images, play-aids, and session reports about all kinds of board games, from board gamers around the world.

A Brief History of Video Games -- Gaming blog post for Jul 30, 2012

Erica R. — Mon, 30 Jul 2012 16:51:42 CDT

A video showing the evolution of video games, set to a catchy tune: http://is.gd/84qaMB

Gamers + Tumblr -- Gaming blog post for Jun 20, 2012

Erica R. — Wed, 20 Jun 2012 15:47:51 CDT

The social networking site, Tumblr, has lots of awesome blogs devoted to games and gamer culture. Check out this list at Mashable: 12 Top Tumblrs for Gamers and Tumblring's Top 10 Tumblr Gaming Blogs To Follow.

Angry Birds - 1 BILLION downloads! -- Gaming blog post for May 9, 2012

Erica R. — Wed, 09 May 2012 13:03:51 CDT

The hit app game Angry Birds went over the 1 billionth download mark today! What do you think this means for mobile app game

CISPA passes the House -- Gaming blog post for Apr 27, 2012

Erica R. — Fri, 27 Apr 2012 12:15:20 CDT

The Cyber Intelligence Sharing and Protection Act was passed by the US House of Representatives yesterday. There have been reports that the Senate may block the bill. What do you think of the bill, and how do you think it will effect data privacy in the US?

SOPA and PIPA? What's that? -- Gaming blog post for Jan 19, 2012

Erica R. — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 00:00:00 CDT

Yesterday, Wikipedia, Boing Boing, Google, and several other popular websites shut down or put up information about protesting the Stop Online Piracy Act and Protect Intellectual Property Act. SOPA and PIPA are two bills that are currently working their way through the Congress and the Senate. What do you think of these bills? How do you think they will affect content on the internet?

Reality is Broken -- Gaming blog post for Dec 14, 2011

Erica R. — Wed, 14 Dec 2011 00:00:00 CDT

In her book Reality is Broken, game designer Jane McGonigal discusses harnessing the power of games and gamers to solve real-world problems. She dismisses the sterotype that gamers are "lazy" and "unambitious". Her research suggest that gamers are expert collaborators, problem solvers, and are very goal-oriented.

Video gamers and gamblers -- similar brains? -- Gaming blog post for Nov 17, 2011

Erica R. — Thu, 17 Nov 2011 00:00:00 CDT

A recent study from Ghent University in Belgium has found that kids who play lot of video games have enlarged areas of the brains that affect pleasure and reward. Adults who gamble compulsively also have similar enlargement in the reward centers of their brains. Read the story here.

Online game leads to AIDS research breakthrough -- Gaming blog post for Sep 19, 2011

Erica R. — Mon, 19 Sep 2011 00:00:00 CDT

An online game developed by University of Washington scienctists called FoldIt has lead to an important discovery that scienctists have been attempting to decipher for over a decade. In a matter of days, gamers were able to crack the structure of a protein called retroviral protease, which is the secret to the HIV virus's ability to multiply itself in the human body. Read more about the discovery at Cnet.com: http://news.cnet.com/8301-27083_3-20108365-247/foldit-game-leads-to-aids-research-breakthrough/

New Systems and Games - E3 2011 -- Gaming blog post for Jun 10, 2011

Ally B. — Fri, 10 Jun 2011 00:00:00 CDT

The Electronic Entertainment Expo (E3) just wrapped up yesterday. Among the exciting announcements: New Systems! New Controllers! New Trailers! Miss out on all of the action? Visit E3's website to watch the latest videos and let us know which games you're excited about.

Loved GDC? Maybe you should go into design! -- Gaming blog post for Mar 5, 2011

Jessi S. — Sat, 05 Mar 2011 00:00:00 CDT

Now that the annual GDC has come and gone, are you thinking about games on a deeper level? Consider becoming a game designer! Princeton Review does a great job of reviewing the top ten performing schools, both graduate and undergraduate. GamePro breaks it down even further, with class sizes, prices and number of faculty. They also feature tips on how to get in! Good luck gamers!

GDC: The Game Makers Con -- Gaming blog post for Mar 3, 2011

Jessi S. — Thu, 03 Mar 2011 00:00:00 CDT

Check out the sixth annual Game Developers Conference! Unlike other Gaming Cons this one is specifically for the creative minds behind your favorite games. You don't have to attend to be a part of the action. True to their profession, the g ame developers have brought the experience to you! Get up to the minute streaming of over 450 sessions, summits and tutorials. Tap in before March 4, to "learn, network and inspire." Of course, archives will be available for late adopters!

New Handhelds! -- Gaming blog post for Feb 10, 2011

Ally B. — Thu, 10 Feb 2011 00:00:00 CDT

On the heels of the release date for the Nintendo 3DS (March 27th!), Sony announced their new handheld system, the NGP or Next Generation Portable to be released Winter 2011. How do the two compare? Are you wary of the warnings that come with 3DS technology?

On a side note, Kotaku, a great gaming blog, changed its layout over the weekend. Love it? Hate it? Meh?

2010s Video Game Awards and 2011s Blockbuster Year -- Gaming blog post for Jan 10, 2011

Jessi S. — Mon, 10 Jan 2011 00:00:00 CDT

The Video Game Awards (VGAs) were held on Dec. 11 and showcased some of the best games from last year, as well as glitzy celebs and sports stars! Despite the high profile event, it was the games that truly shined. Rockstar's Red Dead Redemption proved to be the biggest winner of the evening, as well as being my personal pick of the year!

But 2010 has come and gone! Thankfully, 2011 looks like it will be a giant year for blockbuster game releases. How will you keep up?! IGN can help, with this handy dandy release calendar. I can't wait for Bioware's new creations (Three in one year!!!) and Uncharted 3, PS3s cinematic gem. Speaking of which, who do you think should play Drake in the upcoming movie?!!!

Video Games as Art, Entertainment, or Both? -- Gaming blog post for Dec 6, 2010

Ally B. — Mon, 06 Dec 2010 00:00:00 CDT

Are video games art? Do they have significance or are they just entertainment? The debate is not new, but the pro-art side has surprising new allies in the the form of a popular author and a new book. Where do you stand in the debate? What video games, if any, have added meaning to you and why?

Wii! Kinect to Move! -- Gaming blog post for Nov 18, 2010

Ally B. — Thu, 18 Nov 2010 00:00:00 CDT

With the launch of Kinect, Microsoft has created a hands-free gaming system. With the Nintendo Wii and Sony Move already available, which one are you would you prefer? PCMag.com recently evaluated all three here. Agree? Disagree? Want to play them all?

Schwarzenegger vs. Violence in Video Games -- Gaming blog post for Oct 5, 2010

Jessi S. — Tue, 05 Oct 2010 00:00:00 CDT

In what could be seen as an ironic move (considering his career in violent film) Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger's lawsuit against video game developers hit the Supreme Court this month.

Some say the current rating system doesn't work, but will a ban fix it? This Columbia Law Professor says it will. IGN and the Gaming industry claims this will curb free speech because it violates our constitutional rights.

What do you think?

Use the Force! -- Gaming blog post for Sep 18, 2010

Ally B. — Sat, 18 Sep 2010 00:00:00 CDT

Star Wars fans rejoice! Season Three of Star Wars: The Clone Wars is airing on Cartoon Network and The Force Unleashed II drops October 26th. Will you being waiting impatiently for a copy, now with dual-wielding lightsaber action and new Force powers? What other games are you looking forward to?

MOVE to the 2010 Tokyo Game Show -- Gaming blog post for Aug 31, 2010

Jessi S. — Tue, 31 Aug 2010 00:00:00 CDT

Hoping to cash in on the motion sensitive controls of the Wii, the PS3 Move claims to have perfected the science of slash! Available Midnight, September 19. If your parents are REALLY cool (...I mean, if they let you camp out for a controller...) maybe they'll let you go to the Tokyo Game Show, the Otaku version of E-3 (*^O^*)!!!

Miss Comic-Con? -- Gaming blog post for Jul 31, 2010

Ally B. — Sat, 31 Jul 2010 00:00:00 CDT

Miss any of the news from 2010 Comic-Con in San Diego? Check out G4's coverage . My personal favorite: Street Fighter X Tekken (or Tekken X Street Fighter) . With both Capcom and Namco Bandai releasing versions, fans of both series should be happy. Which version will you play?

The real game of "Life" -- Gaming blog post for Jul 12, 2010

Jessi S — Mon, 12 Jul 2010 00:00:00 CDT

Check out this free online game! SuperMe is a "life skills" game that lets you level up as your avatar (you) learns different ways of being a happier person. I'm totally going to play this, and then brag about what an enlightened gal I am! (Wait...Do you think I'll get docked points for bragging?...hmmm...conundrum...maybe just a smug little smirk?)

E3-Gaming Expo -- Gaming blog post for Jun 22, 2010

Jessi S. — Tue, 22 Jun 2010 00:00:00 CDT

Check out the final tell-all of the E3 Gaming Expo. I'm a particular fan of the hilarious "Lowlights" section.

I seriously CAN NOT WAIT to try Okamiden, for the DS. As a typical adventure/first person gamer, I was surprised to fall in love with the original in this series Okami (from my old-school PS2 days.) It stars a chibi -version of our old doggy-god friend. So creative!

Art and Gaming -- Gaming blog post for May 15, 2010

Jessi Ann Schulte — Sat, 15 May 2010 00:00:00 CDT

Take a look at how Mario has inspired more than just generations of gamers- but also artists!

This profound sculpture entitled "Game Over" is reminiscent of renaissance greats!
http://www.designboom.com/weblog/cat/10/view/9567/michelangelo-nintendo-remix.html
These young musicians have truly captured that 16 bit sound!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TSBIAGCulDw

Deleting old accounts -- Gaming blog post for Nov 17, 2009

Camden T. — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 00:00:00 CDT

You know that myspace page or flickr account you made three years ago that you really really hate? Check out this article to learn how to delete an account from all the different online social networking sites.

National Gaming Day!! -- Gaming blog post for Nov 7, 2009

Camden T. — Sat, 07 Nov 2009 00:00:00 CDT

is November 14th! Party in Teen Central, 12pm-5pm. Play chess & other board games, enter a Super Smash Bros. tournament, or challenge me to a Guitar Hero match!!

Name Generators -- Gaming blog post for Oct 6, 2009

Camden T. — Tue, 06 Oct 2009 00:00:00 CDT

Not sure what to name your fifth Runescape character? Check out these random name generators for ideas:
Fantasy Name Generator
Seventh Sanctum

Hoping for a future in game design? -- Gaming blog post for Jul 18, 2009

Camden T. — Sat, 18 Jul 2009 00:00:00 CDT

Check out the video-casts available here to learn all about game design from history to development to testing.

Video Games for President! -- Gaming blog post for Mar 4, 2009

Camden T. — Wed, 04 Mar 2009 00:00:00 CDT

IGN published a list of the top 10 games President Obama should play to learn how to be a great president. So tell your folks if you play these games, you might get to be president some day!

Your Website is Ready! -- Gaming blog post for Dec 4, 2008

Camden T. — Thu, 04 Dec 2008 00:00:00 CDT

Tired of waiting around for your favorite MMORPG or social networking site to come back online from its latest crash? Use Ding It's Up to get a text message when it comes back on!!!

Parents Like Video Games! -- Gaming blog post for Nov 9, 2008

Camden T. — Sun, 09 Nov 2008 00:00:00 CDT

parents giving you a hard time about playing video games? Check out this article on IGN

Prince of Persia -- Gaming blog post for Oct 11, 2008

Camden T. — Sat, 11 Oct 2008 00:00:00 CDT

Not to plug a book two blogs in a row, but...we all know the new Prince of Persia game is coming out soon, but did you know they just published a graphic novel based on the original game? The game designer was actually involved, so it promises to be interesting. I haven't read it yet; someone will have to let me know if it's worthy of the franchise.

Little Brother -- Gaming blog post for Sep 18, 2008

Camden T. — Thu, 18 Sep 2008 00:00:00 CDT

If you're a gamer, you have to read this book!!! Little Brother by Cory Doctorow ...what would you do if your hometown suddenly turned into a police state? W1n5t0n decides to fight back. "Taking back the world, one hacked gaming console at a time." (download it free here).

p.s. if that number/letter jumble doesn't make any sense to you, check out the wikipedia article on leet