Although golfing has always had a spot in the corner of my eye, it’s something I’ve never really pursued. Until now, thanks to a Playstation 3 game and a friend who’s been itching to go golfing again.
The video game, “Tiger Woods PGA Tour 12: The Masters,” utilizes Playstation Move controls for a realistic golfing experience. Players swing and putt just like they would on a real golf course, with the Move Eye camera registering every nuance of every move a golfer makes.
It’s realistic because I pretty much double bogeyed and tripled bogeyed every hole I played for the first few rounds of golf. And actually, I’d probably do worse on a real golf course.
The more I play the game, though, the better I get. As I learn to focus on the fake ball at my feet, my drives have become straighter, often landing on fairways 250 yards away, and my putts are improving to the point where sometimes it only takes two or three to get the ball in the hole.
I’ve gotten to the point where I’m actually parring, and occasionally birdieing, most holes. In fact, I won an amateur tournament in Arizona with a score of five over par, which was much better than the second-place golfer who had a score of 10 over.
Granted, it wasn’t a real tournament, but anything to boost one’s ego is always great. That’s probably why video games are so popular, because they offer an unlimited amount of such ego boosts.
When I screw up, I get angry at the Playstation Move controller, as well as my television. I’ve managed to curb the swear words, but that doesn’t stop me from huffing out some steam. I imagine on a real golf course, some of that steam will come in the form of a few swear words, as much as I hate to admit that.
My real life golf experience consists mainly of hitting balls at a driving range. In college, my friends and I often visited the driving range, because swinging at balls was a great way to forget about the stress of school. We would have golfed, but all of us were too poor to afford that experience.
I’ve only golfed one round in my entire life. A friend of mine from Wautoma took me out about seven years ago to learn the game. It was fun, and frustrating, but for some reason I never returned to the links.
I wasn’t sure I ever would, but the Playstation 3 game has inspired me. I knew my friend Brian liked to golf, but he hasn’t really been able to because none of his friends here do. So I sent him an email, asking if he would like to go golfing sometime, and serve as a teacher to me.
He was more than happy to oblige, and now we’re trying to arrange our schedules to hit one of this area’s many beautiful courses. I live just a quarter-mile away from SentryWorld, so we’ll probably start there. It’ll be like playing in my front yard.
****
Originally published in The Portage County Gazette on Friday, Aug. 19, 2011.
Showing posts with label videogames. Show all posts
Showing posts with label videogames. Show all posts
Wednesday, December 21, 2011
Friday, April 8, 2011
Playstation 3 does everything except serve food, beverages
With birthday funds and savings, I was able to purchase a Playstation 3 several months ago, and it’s the best purchase I’ve made in a long time.
The Playstation 3, for those not already familiar with its wondrous abilities, is the latest generation video game console that also serves as a Blu-Ray player, an MP3 player, Internet browser, photograph viewer and Netflix player. If it popped popcorn and served soda, it would have everything one would need to have the perfect movie night.
I decided to get a Playstation 3 mainly because I wasn’t happy with my Nintendo Wii. I’ve never really liked the motion controls of the Wii, and I discovered the games I played the most on that system were the ones in which I didn’t have to wiggle the controller, such as the classic “Super Mario Bros.” games, or I used a different controller altogether, such as the guitar with “Rock Band 2.”
I’ll admit I’m a full-fledged member of the video game generation. I got my first console, the original Nintendo Entertainment System, in 1988 as a confirmation present (thank you God) and have never been without a console since then. I’ve owned the Super Nintendo, the Nintendo 64, the original Playstation and the Playstation 2.
Of those consoles, the original Nintendo was my favorite, as I played hundreds of games through the remainder of middle school, high school and even college. My friends and I would stay up all night playing “Mega Man” and “Super Tecmo Bowl.” It was like the brother I never had.
The Nintendo also allowed me to forge a bond with my father, who became addicted to “The Legend of Zelda.” He played the game for hours as I told him what to do. It’s a memory I’ll always cherish of him.
This bond is now one I’m sharing with my 5-year-old son, Braden. He not only likes video games but is surprisingly good at them, and he and I have spent hours together this winter playing some of the “Lego” games, including “Lego Batman” and his favorite, “Lego Indiana Jones.” He just informed me he wants to dress as Indiana Jones for Halloween and he wants me to change his name to “Indiana Jones.” I told him no to that request, but that I would call him “Indiana Braden” as a compromise.
When I’m not playing kid-friendly games with Braden, I’m usually playing one game, “Uncharted 2: Among Thieves,” which I declare is the best video game ever created. This game, a third-person shooter adventure similar to the “Tomb Raider” series, boasts amazing graphics, fluid controls and superior gameplay. I’m nearly through the game, but even when I complete it I still have the online component to tackle in which I can take on other players in a number of battles.
Online play is one of the Playstation 3’s main attractions, yet it’s the only one that intimidates me. The few times I’ve ventured online to take on other human opponents I’m usually beaten quickly. That’s probably because so many people out there are extremely talented when it comes to video games, but also because I’ve let the whole notion of them being better get into my head.
I’m better with people I know, rather than strangers; however, I only have one Playstation “Friend.” Any local people interested in befriending me should send a request to “mtk93.” I’ll gladly accept it to have the opportunity to take on Gazette readers.
Although I’m late in getting a Playstation 3 – it has been out since 2005 – I don’t have to worry about a newer generation console replacing it anytime soon. It’ll be at least two years before any of those come out.
The Playstation 3, for those not already familiar with its wondrous abilities, is the latest generation video game console that also serves as a Blu-Ray player, an MP3 player, Internet browser, photograph viewer and Netflix player. If it popped popcorn and served soda, it would have everything one would need to have the perfect movie night.
I decided to get a Playstation 3 mainly because I wasn’t happy with my Nintendo Wii. I’ve never really liked the motion controls of the Wii, and I discovered the games I played the most on that system were the ones in which I didn’t have to wiggle the controller, such as the classic “Super Mario Bros.” games, or I used a different controller altogether, such as the guitar with “Rock Band 2.”
I’ll admit I’m a full-fledged member of the video game generation. I got my first console, the original Nintendo Entertainment System, in 1988 as a confirmation present (thank you God) and have never been without a console since then. I’ve owned the Super Nintendo, the Nintendo 64, the original Playstation and the Playstation 2.
Of those consoles, the original Nintendo was my favorite, as I played hundreds of games through the remainder of middle school, high school and even college. My friends and I would stay up all night playing “Mega Man” and “Super Tecmo Bowl.” It was like the brother I never had.
The Nintendo also allowed me to forge a bond with my father, who became addicted to “The Legend of Zelda.” He played the game for hours as I told him what to do. It’s a memory I’ll always cherish of him.
This bond is now one I’m sharing with my 5-year-old son, Braden. He not only likes video games but is surprisingly good at them, and he and I have spent hours together this winter playing some of the “Lego” games, including “Lego Batman” and his favorite, “Lego Indiana Jones.” He just informed me he wants to dress as Indiana Jones for Halloween and he wants me to change his name to “Indiana Jones.” I told him no to that request, but that I would call him “Indiana Braden” as a compromise.
When I’m not playing kid-friendly games with Braden, I’m usually playing one game, “Uncharted 2: Among Thieves,” which I declare is the best video game ever created. This game, a third-person shooter adventure similar to the “Tomb Raider” series, boasts amazing graphics, fluid controls and superior gameplay. I’m nearly through the game, but even when I complete it I still have the online component to tackle in which I can take on other players in a number of battles.
Online play is one of the Playstation 3’s main attractions, yet it’s the only one that intimidates me. The few times I’ve ventured online to take on other human opponents I’m usually beaten quickly. That’s probably because so many people out there are extremely talented when it comes to video games, but also because I’ve let the whole notion of them being better get into my head.
I’m better with people I know, rather than strangers; however, I only have one Playstation “Friend.” Any local people interested in befriending me should send a request to “mtk93.” I’ll gladly accept it to have the opportunity to take on Gazette readers.
Although I’m late in getting a Playstation 3 – it has been out since 2005 – I don’t have to worry about a newer generation console replacing it anytime soon. It’ll be at least two years before any of those come out.
Wednesday, August 26, 2009
Fattening videogame systems can now help people lose weight
In January I wrote in this column that one of my New Year’s Resolutions was to lose weight, and I’m happy to report that one of the things that helped make me overweight is now one of the things that’s helping me to lose it.
Back in the early 1980s, my grandparents introduced me to my first videogame system when they purchased an Atari system for their home. My sister and I spent many hours there playing “Pac-Man,” “Space Invaders,” “Centipede,” “Lost Luggage” and even “E.T.: The Extra-Terrestrial,” a game based on the film of the same name that is considered one of the biggest videogame flops in history because it sold only a fraction of the cartridges made for retail. The rest were buried in some pit in Arizona.
My grandparents were farmers, and the concept of them having something as technologically advanced as a videogame system was mind-blowing at the time. They probably bought it to keep us grandkids occupied when we came over, but my grandpa seemed to play it as much as I did, so he may have bought it for himself.
By the end of the decade, our home had its first videogame system, the Nintendo Entertainment System. My sister and I, along with our father, spent hours playing “Super Mario Brothers,” “The Legend of Zelda,” “Duck Hunt,” “Metroid” and a ton of other classics.
I spent so much time playing them I got fat. Whereas before getting the Nintendo I spent hours outside playing, as we didn’t have cable or air conditioning, after getting it my primary favorite location was on the chair or couch in front of the television playing videogames.
Videogames had some benefits – I learned all the rules to many sports I didn’t care about before, like football, baseball, hockey and even golf, and my hand and eye coordination improved greatly – the negatives greatly outweighed them, as my new videogame-playing body greatly outweighed my old one.
It’s a situation that only got worse as videogame companies came out with new systems and games. I bought them all: the Super Nintendo Entertainment System, the Nintendo 64, the Sony Playstation and Playstation 2. For every dollar I invested in these systems and games, I probably gained an ounce or two of weight.
I lost the extra weight one summer when I put the videogames away and started running, but it came back within five years after I gave running up in favor of more videogames.
Last summer, having become bored with my Playstation 2, I purchased a current generation system, the Nintendo Wii, as well as a game for it, “Wii Fit,” with a goal of using it to help me lose weight, as this system and its games rely on motion activation to play. Players are required to get off their butts and actively move in order to use it, and with “Wii Fit” people can do everything from yoga to skiing.
The problem is most games can still be played by sitting on your butt and wiggling the controller, and “Wii Fit” is great for improving balance but not for actually working out.
It wasn’t until EA came out with “EA Sports Active” in May that I actually started using my videogame system to actually lose weight.
The game, which comes with a leg strap and resistance band, requires people to run, jump, lunge, crunch, lift, curl, shoot baskets, hit tennis balls, play volleyball, pitch baseballs, roller skate and even dance, through a wide variety of exercises.
The Wii controller, as well as its accompanying nunchuck, keeps track of your movements as you follow along to the game to make sure you are doing everything properly, and the resistance band adds an element that makes those movements a little more difficult.
It’s also Oprah Winfrey-approved, as her fitness guru, Bob Greene, puts people through a 30-day challenge in the game. He sets up a variety of exercises that require between 20 and 40 minutes a day to complete, and which burn between 120 and 250 calories a workout.
I completed the 30-day challenge this week, and although I only lost five pounds, I believe that’s because I gained 10 pounds in muscle mass during that time, which limited my actual weight loss. As I continue, I believe I’ll lose a lot more weight.
In addition to some great workouts, the game also has people keep track of their lifestyle habits, such as how much sleep you get, how much water you drink, how many fast food meals you eat, what your stress and energy levels are at, and how many vegetables you eat.
I discovered that by taking this survey every day I made sure I ate more vegetables, I ate a lot less fast food meals, I drank more water and I got more sleep. I felt guilty when I had to take the survey and didn’t meet the game’s expectations.
Now that videogames are helping me get in shape, I’m hoping someone will invent a game that can put hair back on my balding head.
Back in the early 1980s, my grandparents introduced me to my first videogame system when they purchased an Atari system for their home. My sister and I spent many hours there playing “Pac-Man,” “Space Invaders,” “Centipede,” “Lost Luggage” and even “E.T.: The Extra-Terrestrial,” a game based on the film of the same name that is considered one of the biggest videogame flops in history because it sold only a fraction of the cartridges made for retail. The rest were buried in some pit in Arizona.
My grandparents were farmers, and the concept of them having something as technologically advanced as a videogame system was mind-blowing at the time. They probably bought it to keep us grandkids occupied when we came over, but my grandpa seemed to play it as much as I did, so he may have bought it for himself.
By the end of the decade, our home had its first videogame system, the Nintendo Entertainment System. My sister and I, along with our father, spent hours playing “Super Mario Brothers,” “The Legend of Zelda,” “Duck Hunt,” “Metroid” and a ton of other classics.
I spent so much time playing them I got fat. Whereas before getting the Nintendo I spent hours outside playing, as we didn’t have cable or air conditioning, after getting it my primary favorite location was on the chair or couch in front of the television playing videogames.
Videogames had some benefits – I learned all the rules to many sports I didn’t care about before, like football, baseball, hockey and even golf, and my hand and eye coordination improved greatly – the negatives greatly outweighed them, as my new videogame-playing body greatly outweighed my old one.
It’s a situation that only got worse as videogame companies came out with new systems and games. I bought them all: the Super Nintendo Entertainment System, the Nintendo 64, the Sony Playstation and Playstation 2. For every dollar I invested in these systems and games, I probably gained an ounce or two of weight.
I lost the extra weight one summer when I put the videogames away and started running, but it came back within five years after I gave running up in favor of more videogames.
Last summer, having become bored with my Playstation 2, I purchased a current generation system, the Nintendo Wii, as well as a game for it, “Wii Fit,” with a goal of using it to help me lose weight, as this system and its games rely on motion activation to play. Players are required to get off their butts and actively move in order to use it, and with “Wii Fit” people can do everything from yoga to skiing.
The problem is most games can still be played by sitting on your butt and wiggling the controller, and “Wii Fit” is great for improving balance but not for actually working out.
It wasn’t until EA came out with “EA Sports Active” in May that I actually started using my videogame system to actually lose weight.
The game, which comes with a leg strap and resistance band, requires people to run, jump, lunge, crunch, lift, curl, shoot baskets, hit tennis balls, play volleyball, pitch baseballs, roller skate and even dance, through a wide variety of exercises.
The Wii controller, as well as its accompanying nunchuck, keeps track of your movements as you follow along to the game to make sure you are doing everything properly, and the resistance band adds an element that makes those movements a little more difficult.
It’s also Oprah Winfrey-approved, as her fitness guru, Bob Greene, puts people through a 30-day challenge in the game. He sets up a variety of exercises that require between 20 and 40 minutes a day to complete, and which burn between 120 and 250 calories a workout.
I completed the 30-day challenge this week, and although I only lost five pounds, I believe that’s because I gained 10 pounds in muscle mass during that time, which limited my actual weight loss. As I continue, I believe I’ll lose a lot more weight.
In addition to some great workouts, the game also has people keep track of their lifestyle habits, such as how much sleep you get, how much water you drink, how many fast food meals you eat, what your stress and energy levels are at, and how many vegetables you eat.
I discovered that by taking this survey every day I made sure I ate more vegetables, I ate a lot less fast food meals, I drank more water and I got more sleep. I felt guilty when I had to take the survey and didn’t meet the game’s expectations.
Now that videogames are helping me get in shape, I’m hoping someone will invent a game that can put hair back on my balding head.
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