Gamerlite

Poverty and the Global Financial Crisis

Aiza — Thu, 16 Oct 2008 02:17:41 +0000

I just started with my new work last Monday and admittedly it was a big huge culture shock for me. The company where I’m at now is uber conservative and formal as compared to the wild and crazy atmosphere where I came from.

But what struck me most is the almost personal way that the big bosses relate to all their employees, even with the rank and file. Like how timely that one of the bosses sent an email to everybody about the present global financial crisis and how we can deal about it as an individual.

I’m not going to post everything here since I really don’t have the guts to email him and ask if I can repost his email for all the world wide web to see. So here’s a gist of what he sent.The response to the crisis may be addressed to in three levels:

At individual levels, we can talk to our family members about the current financial situation and how each can contribute to the crisis at hand. And don’t forget to ask your kid’s opinion, you’ll be surprised at how much stuff school or even friends have taught them about saving and belt tightening.
At corporate level, as employees, we can also help by saving up on electricity, putting non-critical expenditure to hold. To avoid frills and to maximize our patronage of our own merchants will go a long way.
At national level, as citizens of this country, of what we can do to help out. It’s tiring (at least for me) to keep on pointing fingers at others as to why we’re experiencing these crisis. Its high time to think of what we can do to help and focus our efforts on it. Just like the 2nd level, patronizing Philippine made products will definitely keep more Filipinos in their jobs. I know, sometimes, imported goods are cheaper but a peso or two difference will go a long way. Just like what the boss shared in his email, instead of patronizing mineral water from Malaysia, served in an uppity resto, ask for a local product. Conserving energy, just like my BAD post last year, and avoiding wasteful consumption will go a long way to help our country.

Aside from all of this, we should remain calm at all times. Panicking WILL NOT help. And save up as much as three months worth of family expenses.

Its been a while since we ate at our favorite fast food chain and went malling, its one of the steps we thought of to belt tightening. We also spend a lot of time outdoors, when its not raining, so that the little girl gets to play with other kids in the complex and we get to save on electricity, too.

And instead of bringing the car (employee parking is free, wee) with just me in it, I take public transpo. I also try to walk instead of riding the jeep to save up and at the same time, the 5 minute walk will be beneficial for my health too.

So what has all of this got to do with poverty?

If everybody becomes more pro-active in fighting poverty, instead of pointing fingers and putting the blame on the government or to anyone else, I’m sure our lives will definitely become better.

Thank you, Mr. Boss, sir. Your email has become an eye-opener for me.

Image courtesy of Corbis.com

Tags: blog action day, blog action day 2008, crisis, filipino, financial crisis, global financial crisis, Philippines, pinoy, poverty

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Google Enters In-Game Advertising

Aiza — Tue, 14 Oct 2008 03:27:09 +0000

The long-awaited entry of one of the biggest web advertising firms now tries its hand on in-game advertising. According to this article from CNET, Google announced the beta of its Adsense for Games program. This must be the company’s answer to purchasing Adscape Media for $23M almost 2 years ago.

Click the image to show a bigger version of a screenie from a game with Adsense. This was embedded on Playfish’s Wordplay, a web-based flash game.

Image courtesy of CNET and Google

Tags: adscape, adsense for games, cnet, google, playfish, wordplay

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Great to be Back!

Aiza — Wed, 08 Oct 2008 07:53:53 +0000

From almost a month’s worth of sick leaves and a humongous pile of pending workload at my day job, thereafter, I’m back to blogging.

Whew, a lot has happened since I’ve been gone. Channel editors changing, co-bloggers leaving and the hullabaloo on the pay changes here at b5. Never in my wildest imagination that the blogosphere, well at least here at the b5 network, would have its own share of controversies.

Thanks to my CE, Kori, and the powers that be, for giving me another lease here at Gamerlite.

Hang on for more casual gaming stuff from yours truly.

Tags: b5 media, blogging, controversy, leave, pay cut, sick leave, sickness

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Wordless Wednesday 2: So NOT Fair

Aiza — Wed, 17 Sep 2008 06:50:22 +0000

Images courtesy of the author and Plurk.com

Tags: Facebook, hasbro, scrabble, Wordless Wednesday

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Jobs Heralded the iPhone Touch as the ‘Best Portable Gaming Device’

Aiza — Tue, 16 Sep 2008 00:11:37 +0000

Talk about loving your own in this article. Apple CEO Steve Jobs, at its seasonal product unveiling a few days ago, showed off the new models for its iPod line for the holidays. He revealed that the downloads from the Apple store have reached 100m. And amongst the 3,000 title offerings on the said store, 600 of which are games, mostly free, too!

He claims that the games for the iPod are getting pretty fantastic. To prove it, he had Apple’s SVP for product marketing demo Gameloft’s Real Soccer 2009 and EA’s Spore Origins and Need for Speed Undercover.

He pointed out that the iPod is not just for music, but for games, too!

“Now you can make a pretty good argument that it is the best portable device for playing games on - and a whole new class of games,” he said.

But after reading and believing Chris Wright’s article, I would beg to disagree.

Image taken from Apple.com

Tags: apple, apple store, gaming device, ipod, Steve Jobs

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New Games from Alawar Entertainment

Aiza — Mon, 15 Sep 2008 23:43:11 +0000

This just got in from the mail. Alawar Games has 3 new game offerings and one of them is slashed at 75%.

Red Cross Emergency Response Unit
The Red Cross gives help to people in need all over the world regardless of skin color, nationality, beliefs or gender.

Diner Dash - Seasonal Snack Pack
Diner Dash: Seasonal Snack Pack takes you down memory lane with Grandma and Flo as they reminisce about their favorite seasons.

Super Offer: Natalie Brooks - Secrets of Treasure House – 75% OFF!
Here is your chance to take advantage of our Super Offer: get our hit game “Natalie Brooks – Secrets of Treasure House” at $4.99

Hurry, sale offer is only until the end of the month!

Tags: alawar entertainment, Diner Dash, Natalie Brooks, new releases, Red Cross

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EA Developing for the iPhone

Aiza — Sun, 14 Sep 2008 22:10:02 +0000

EA is developing 9 titles for the iPhone, as spotted in this news item, adding up to the three that were already released in the market. This just show EA’s confidence in the Apple gadget and it wasn’t the first. They were also the same company who brought the first iPod games.

Its titles in development are: Yahtzee Adventures, EA Mini Golf, Lemonade Tycoon, Mahjong, Monopoly: Here & Now The World Edition, SimCity, Tiger Woods PGA Tour 09, Need for Speed Undercover and The Sims 3. Spore Origins will be released soon, too!

Image taken from EA.com

Tags: apple, ea, game developer for iPhone, Iphone, iPhone games, ipod, iPod games, Spore for iPod

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Ubisoft Promotes Disability Awareness

Aiza — Sun, 14 Sep 2008 21:51:12 +0000

Ubisoft is partnering with Handicap International to produce a casual game that will create awareness of the issues faced by disabled people, according to this news post, and this one and this. The game, aptly named Handigo, focuses on making the young and old comprehend and understand the effect of those who are physically impaired.

The title is a collection of three minigames, each deals with a different kind of impediment. It may be played online for free. The game is presented in English, French and German, to reach to a wider audience.

This educational game can be found at www.abilitytogether.com.

Image courtesy of Ubisoft

Tags: disability, disability awareness, Handicap International, partnership, Ubisoft

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Meet the New Atari Mass Market Games Head

Aiza — Sun, 14 Sep 2008 20:29:38 +0000

Singstar senior producer, Paulina Bozek was hired by Atari, to head a new online games studio up in London. According to this article, Atari is looking at “innovating and developing mass-market consumer games and services for online-enabled devices including personal computers and game consoles”.

Bozek is the executive producer and game director of the popular karaoke video game series for the past six years. And is one of many key appointments by the old-school company, seeing it as a significant step in expanding Atari’s online game capability.

“Paulina is one of the industry’s most respected creative leaders with an outstanding track-record of commercial and creative success and I’m delighted that she will bring her unique vision, consumer insight and proven ability for creating amazing entertainment experiences to Atari.”

She believes that there’s a huge opportunities for gaming platforms now that gaming platforms has become more connected. She believes in Atari’s vision can’t wait to realize this with their upcoming products and services.

Image courtesy of PS3Italia.it

Tags: Atari, mass market consumer games, paulina bozek, singstar

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Politically Offending Game Slammed by Religious Groups

Aiza — Sun, 14 Sep 2008 06:47:50 +0000

A computer game in which players control an American soldier sent to “wipe out the Muslim race” has been condemned as offensive and tasteless by British Muslim groups. Honestly, I’m enraged by the game, too. If this is some game developer’s way to make himself known, he should be ashamed of himself instead.The game originally appeared on SomethingAwful.com, but now has its own online home. Players control an ‘American Hero’ armed with a machine gun and rocket launcher, blasting away characters that look like Muslims.

The game’s creator, Eric Vaughn, told interviewers that the bottomline is that he enjoyed making it and its fun to play.

What kind of sicko enjoys making games that sets off on a bloody killing rampage? And its against a particular race?

Later, he added: ‘The Muslims represented in the game aren’t meant to be based on actual Muslims.

Duh?

News and Image taken from CasualGaming.biz

Tags: muslim massacre, racism, racist game

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