Munchkin: The Card Game

"Kill the monsters. Steal the treasure. Stab your buddy."

These three tenets, emblazoned on the box to the dedicated card game Munchkin, is a fairly accurate assessment of what you can expect when your group of 3-6 players sits down to play a game. Munchkin is essentially a dungeon crawling style role-playing game, just without the pencils and paper, heavy rulebooks, and role-playing. Much of the seriousness is removed as well, since nearly every card is dripping in satire lampooning traditional D&D styled games. Humor which is only built upon with cards brilliantly illustrated by John Kovalic, best known for his Dork Tower comic series.

So if you take all that boring stuff out of a role-playing game, what does that leave, you ask? Namely a faster paced game filled with monsters, loot and experience levels. In a race to be the first player to reach level 10, you and your friends will find yourselves teaming up to take down bigger monsters, all the while screwing each other over on a regular basis. The comical nature of the game helps in defusing resentment when a player starts to feel picked on, but the right crowd could still find themselves in heated debates over the occasionally ambiguously worded card. Don't take it too seriously though. Munchkin publisher Steve Jackson Games certainly doesn't, with rules like, "Any disputes in the rules should be settled by loud arguments with the owner of the game having the last word" and cards like Cheat that let you break established rules and equip items that you normally wouldn't be able to.

The game is played with two different types of cards, door cards and treasure cards. All players start as a level 1 human with 'no class (heh heh)' with two of each type of card in your hand. A player's turn begins by entering a new room in the dungeon by 'kicking down the door' (by drawing a door card face up). Door cards often consist of curses/traps, monsters, or cards that modify the player's class or race. If the player isn't forced into battle by drawing a monster face up, they can go 'looking for trouble' and choose to fight a monster by playing one from their hand. There's a wide array of monsters, ranging from a level 1 Potted Plant to a level 20 Plutonium Dragon. Be careful not to bite off more than you can chew, though. Opposing players can make your fight tougher by playing cards on your monster that gives it bonuses such as Enraged or Intelligent, increasing its fighting power.

Defeating a monster in combat will net you an experience level and some treasure. Treasure cards are usually items that modify your combat rating such as the Mace of Sharpness or the Big Rock or special cards like Bribe The GM With Food, which allows you to immediately go up one level. If you're unable to defeat the monster, you'll have to roll the die to run away. Fail to escape and you are forced to face the Bad Stuff, consequences of your defeat that are unique to each monster. Lose a fight to a level 10 Floating Nose and you might only lose a level. Go up against a level 18 Bullrog and fail and you might get killed, forcing you to start back at level 1 and draw a new hand of cards. If you're in a tight spot, you can try to convince someone at the table to help you in battle, adding their battle rating to yours, but they're not likely to help you out for free, and you might need to watch your back.

The game is published by Steve Jackson Games, a company that has created and published a myriad of card, board and role-playing games for over 30 years, including Car Wars, Chez Geek, and GURPS (Generic Universal Role Playing System). Since its original publication in 2001, Munchkin is far and away one of SJ Games' best sellers. No wonder, since it's such a fun and amusing game, and good for small to medium groups. In addition to multiple expansions, there have also been several spin-offs such as Munchkin Conan, Munchkin Zombies, western-themed The Good, The Bad and the Munchkin, and the upcoming Munchkin Apocalypse. Several Munchkin titles are available at your local Slackers today, and according to SJ Games, all spin-offs and expansions are compatible with the original Munchkin base game.

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Texas Holdem A Common Player Error - Miscalculating The Overlay Profit

As a poker coach, I am asked a lot of questions about how to win playing holdem. Two recent, important questions were, "What is an overlay and how do you calculate it?" You will always win in the long run playing Texas Holden if you know how to always create a real overlay. Here is how to do it.

Good poker players are always calculating the odds of completing their hand and winning more money than they have invested over all. This is figuring the odds of winning the hand against the number of bets in the pot called pot odds.

As an example, 18 bets in the pot with a one in three odds (2:1 ) of winning the pot should create an overlay. (There is a string attached.) Many players figure that if they miss their draw twice and catch it once they will come out ahead when they catch their draw when there are 18 bets in the pot.

Here is an example of this using a $3/$6 fixed limit game to figure the pot odds. It is easier to calculate this by setting $3.00 as the amount to count as a bet. When the bet doubles to $6.00 count that as two bets. If you bet or call all the way to the river but miss your draw and fold on the river twice and bet all the way to the river including a bet on the river you will have made 16 $3.00 bets for a total of $48.00. The same formula is used at every limit no matter how high the blinds are. That would still be 16 $200.00 dollar bets in a $200/$400 blinds game.

If the hand you win has 18 $3.00 bets in the pot, the total pot is $54.00. Your cost from all three hands, the two you missed your draw and the one where you caught it, is $48.00. The difference is only $6.00. (Here is the string attached.) You will have only won $1.00 in a casino poker room. The rake and the promotional drop would have taken $5.00. Oops, don't forget the dealer tip. You just broke even and it will get worse. Keep reading.

Most casinos now days are raking 10 percent of the pot up to pots of $40.00. They also drop $1.00 to pay for promotions such as bad beat jackpots and payouts for four of a kind and larger hands. It is important to always subtract $5.00 for this and $1.00 for a tip.

Now how many blinds did you go through before you caught your draws. In a game with a $3/$6 blind ($1/$2 in most Nevada poker rooms) you pay $3.00 or $4.00 every time you go through the blinds. Now you will win other hands that will help you cover your cost of the blinds. Most players fail to count anything for the cost of the blinds when they win a pot. I find it is accurate to subtract the amount of one small and one big blind from the number of bets in the pot when I win a hand. When I do this, I find that I am not drawing to hands that do not have a possible overlay. This means that you will need 22 bets in the pot to earn a real profit.

It is important to note that you can not come out ahead in the long run unless you receive an overlay on most of the pots you win. And an overall overlay is the money you actually win. Figuring the overlay is a matter of counting the number of bets placed in the pot in relationship to the number of bets you place in the pot. Then you calculate the odds of you winning that pot against the number of players in the hand. You can win some pots and lose some pots and still make a consistent profit with the right overlay potential in every pot you play.

This may sound difficult. But by playing the right cards in the right position this happens almost automatically. Here is a link to an eBook that will show you how to always have an overlay. Overlay means profit for you. Play to win. Winning is more fun.

http://bookstore.booktango.com/Products/SKU-000580757/Your-Guide-To-Winning--Texas-Holdem.aspx

I have earned money playing holdem for 18 years. I put a lot of effort into learning how to always come out ahead in the long-run. The way to win is to only play with the odds in your favor. This means that there is an overlay. I have coached for the last eight years.

Find out more on how to always win click here: http://spiritmountainpoker.webs.com/

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Plants Vs Zombies IOS

Let me just say that I really like zombies. I mean, I doubt I'd be saying that if (and, let's face it, when) they rise up and start looking to munch on our juicy innards, but for now they're a-okay in my book. I never met a film or game zombie that I didn't like, and despite the fact that the game was made for a smartphone, Plants vs. Zombies for Apple's iOS platform is one incredibly addictive playing experience.

Plants vs. Zombies is a typical tower defense game. Here, your house stands on one side of the screen and the encroaching zombies are on the other, separated only by your lush green lawn. To keep the undead from waltzing in, you have to set up plants which will effectively combat the various enemy types that appear on the screen.

It might sound a little boring on paper, but it's actually quite fun. What an interesting mash up of differing worlds: zombie apocalypse and gardening! The plants at your disposal act almost as characters themselves. They each serve a differing purpose (some peashooters are like machine guns while some plants sit idly waiting to reach out and eat a nearby enemy) but the cartoonish design gives them a personality that makes watching them get eaten by a stronger zombie almost sad. Also, players have to be on the lookout for drops of sunlight which must be collected in order to grow new plants for when a horde of last minute zombies comes shambling toward the house.

The first few levels are more introductory, so fending off attacks isn't all that difficult. But, that just makes some of the later levels all the more challenging when you find yourself suddenly attacked by zombie pole vaulters who can jump your walnut blockades, or old newspaper-reader zombies who rush at your plants once they start taking damage.

The environments offer some nice variety, too. The action starts on your lawn, but then shifts to nighttime (when it's harder to collect sunlight), then to the backyard with its pool and a different set of water-based enemies, before finally winding up on the roof, where the angle of the playing field and lack of soil make things like corn on the cob catapults and flower pots a necessary consideration. Everything leads up to a rooftop boss fight pitting you against a really big baddie.

The game is a blast. And the music that plays walks a nice line between fun and slightly sinister. Honestly, if I hear that music playing in my house someday, I'll probably bob my head along with it while going to check all the windows for undead quarterbacks or zombies wearing traffic cones on their heads, just like in the game.

Plants vs. Zombies does nothing to sway me against the oncoming zombie apocalypse. If anything, it's reassuring to know that when I have to defend myself against zombified quarterbacks and undead disco dancers, I can do so from the relative safety of my home with little more than a few lily pads and giant walnuts.

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The Secret World Character Progression Overview

In an any role-playing game, one must know how to develop a character in order to progress deeper into the game. However, unlike most of the MMORPGs, the upcoming game called The Secret World does not have classes nor levelling systems. Instead, Funcom has created a game that allows players to build their own characters through their own choices of weapons, skills, and abilities with the help of talismans, gears, and other consumable items. So what will the player's joinery be like?

Player's progression in reference to the Secret World leveling guide depends on the amount of experience points that players acquire. Players receive experience points mainly by killing monsters, winning in PvP battlefields, completing missions, and crafting items using transcribing system. These experience points are shown at the bottom of the screen in the experience bar. When one third of the bar is filled up, the player receives an ability point. This ability point is to be used to purchase abilities in the ability wheel. There are 525 abilities available for all players, and a player can potentially learn every single ability in this game. However, player must pick 7 active abilities and 7 passive abilities. There are tons of combinations of weapons and abilities that players could try. Using those combinations, players can move further into the game's storyline.

On the other hand, when a player fills up the whole experience bar, the player receives a skill point. A skill point is used to specialize in a weapon. The weapon skills in The Secret World guide contains a levelling system starting from 1 to 10. Players may equip up to two weapons at a time. Each weapon has two roles, where one role is always to damage the target. Second role varies from healing ability, supporting ability, and to player's survivability. For example, weapon skills of hammers include survivability skills such as mitigation buff and increase in health. Whereas, blood magic includes healing ability such as blood shield, which creates a shield-like barrier that helps restore the target's health. By increasing the weapon skills, players may equip stronger weapons, and may develop one's own form of gameplay.

The amount of experience points needed to gain an ability point or a skill point is set statistically by the developer. However, there are tons of battlefields, war zones, and missions that will provide players with experience points. There are xp-bonus for players who have successfully kills a strong monster. There is a coloring system that tells if a monster is lower, equal, or higher than oneself; monsters will be colored green, yellow, or red respectively. Gain as much experience points as possible to build one and only one character in the world.

The Secret World is a recently released massively multiplayer online game developed by the video game developer, Funcom. Learn more about it by visiting http://fycgaming.net/tsw-the-kingsmouth-code-walkthrough-guide/ right now.

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Saints Row: The Third - Talk About That!

The Saints are back with a whole new city to conquer! Unlike the previous Saints Row games, Saints Row: The Third takes place in an all new city, Steelport. The legendary criminal fraternity, the syndicate has taken over Stilwater and drive the Saints right out of their own city, and force them to move to the decaying city of sin, Steelport.

Now, in Saints Row: The Third, The Third Street Saints must defend their title as the top gang of all! You must help the Saints dominate the city of Steelport and now that they're well known and loved by most of Stilwater's citizens, you can enjoy all the fame and glory that has paid off from all of the hard work of killing gang rivals, and running over the occasional pedestrian every now and again. Store owners displaying Johnny Gat bobble heads, people wearing Saints sneakers, and thirsty pedestrians quenching their thirst and boosting their energy with Saints energy drinks!

The Third Street Saints must now tackle and demand the respect of new enemies including the legendary criminal fraternity, The Syndicate, and trained military forces. The Saints must defend and maintain their status as the top gang and fight their way to the top yet again in the decaying city of sin, Steelport. Especially now that the Syndicate has decided they want to shove the Saints out of Steelport too!

In Saints Row: The Third, you must fight three new gangs all run by the Syndicate:

The Morning Star - a group of European businessmen, led by Viola and her twin sister Loren along with Kiki DeWynter, who control Steelport's sex and weapons trade.

The Deckers - a cyber punk gang of professional, elite hackers that uses Tron-like clothing, vehicles and weapons who launder money for the Syndicate.

The Luchadores - a group of heavily armed Mexican wrestlers ran by their leader, Killbane.

Once again, like in the previous Saints Row games, in Saints Row: The Third, you play as the leader of the Saints in this action-adventure, open world, urban warfare in this critically acclaimed series whom you can customize with all new wacky details such as green, gold, and shiny skins! You must acquire respect in order to take on the missions which lay ahead by completing mini-games and all new activities. This time, respect earned can also be spent on new skills and upgrades for your weapons!

Buy Saints Row: The Third HERE

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Make Healing Possible Using This WoW First Aid Guide

As a ton of you might currently know, this WoW first aid guide combined together with these suggestions and ideas is surely an indispensable ability that may practically help you save a raid from a wipe. First aid is actually a supplementary profession and has now grown to be an enormous part of World of Warcraft game for all characters and classes. Are you sick of barely dying, especially when you thought you were likely to win the battle? Then you need to most likely have the first aid career! It is important to keep area inside your pocket's simply because you'll have to carry cloth that you simply locate on your travels so you are able to convert them to healing bandages.

It really is common to start thinking about the components aspect from the game for example where to locate the mats you will need. Properly, they are going to be all more than the location so forget that thought now. We have all played the professions that make discovering mats an endless battle, am I right? But, that's not first aid, particularly not with this wow first aid guide. This can be not like herbalism where you have to go out and hunt for them. It could not be less difficult, since they will truly discover you on your journey. Most of my supplies for first aid are found in dungeons while I fight with my clan anyway, so this tends to make it so easy. Just before you get right into a random location to acquire components you need to search about to determine if that place drops a bunch of what you will need first. Before you venture out on the hunt for any material be sure you take a look as much as see if that's the optimal spot to get the most for your time. Quit wasting time! This one trick can aid you minimize your wasted time looking for supplies and rather focus on creating you components quicker.

If you like tailoring you discover this portion in the game especially easy simply because you're searching for cloth fairly typically also. Should you get tired of hunting constantly there's yet another way, and that's the auction residence. Want a single of my very best ideas for making a bunch of gold in World of Warcraft? This is certainly going to be my quantity 1 tip to take advantage in the auction residence along with your added mats. Play intelligent. Should you have ANY added materials go ahead and sell them for gold.

For those warriors as well as other individuals whom can not cure themself this could be the very best move yet. It could be helpful to heal oneself in struggle with first aid. If you do not have first aid and don't know if it will aid you, then you have to grab it since it will. This is especially correct for any class with few chances to heal themselves. You clearly need to have as numerous chances to self-heal as you possibly can. As opposed to dying in the midst of fighting, you are able to continue to live on and battle another battle.

Anybody that runs out of mana simply because they heal too often should also look into first aid. It may take a ton of time out of the daily tasks to quit and heal yourself, and this can be multiplied by the amount of people inside your party. So, it's greatest to avoid this wasted time at all expenses by staying ahead from the group and getting ready in terms of healing with first aid. Quit dying so frequently and get your first aid bandage collection going! Even when you've a ton of heals, first aid will really help you as to avoid using a ton of mana all of the time. Being able to stay alive and battle a bit longer is in the long run everything we look for with all the first aid profession.

It's fairly clear now to most game enthusiasts precisely why first aid is really beneficial. It is feasible with the usage of first aid to restore your own partners, level quicker, and a lot much more. Should you waste a large amount of time walking through the graveyard maybe this really is the perfect time to get first aid as a profession. I hope this WoW first aid guide helped you in you happen to be road to learning to be a stronger WoW figure.

If you really seek much more insight on me personally as a general game lover or writer just go more than to my web site wow first aid guide which is devoted to helping individuals like you turn out to be better with gaming general.

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Call of Duty: Black Ops 2 Multiplayer Premier Initial Thoughts!

We told you it was coming, today at Gamescom Activision and Treyarch demoed live streaming to the world through Xbox Live, the first views of Call of Duty: Black Ops II.

The highly anticipated next iteration of the Call of Duty franchise, Black Ops 2 we demoed today at Gamescom in Germany, and streamed live over the internet and Xbox Live to the world. Not only did Treyarch and team show off what looks to be an awesome addition to an addicting franchise, but they introduced multiple new features and game play modes that will be available in Black Ops 2.

A great update to the game is that now up to 18 players can play all the time instead of just in ground war!

First Impressions of Gameplay Footage:

Fluid, that's the first thing that comes to mind. The game play looks smooth and seamless, from the main user interaction to the surrounding elements everything seems very polished and ready to go. The environments look familiar, which is to be expected, but the maps are what make the multiplayer, and these new maps are different and look awesome.

This game will certainly scratch the itch that fans of the franchise have. It keeps the familiar feel and elements that make the game successful and loved by players. Because it's a Black Ops 2 game, it brings back diving, which we've all missed! They've added new weapons, new perks, new attachments and updated character models and movements. These all add to the updated and refreshed feeling of the game that will get you hooked back in to the franchise if you've drifted away to say, Battlefield 3?

Newly Announced Features:

Multi-Team Team Death Match - six teams increases the level of carnage within Call of Duty. Players can pick six different factions to play as and team up against up to 18 players in these mosh pit style games. Communication is important here, with this level of mayhem you have to stick together and call out enemies or else your team is going to lose.

Hard Point - Similar to king of the hill or headquarters, teams have to defend specific areas within a map to earn points. The location changes and teams have to move to recover the position.

COD-casting - a way to share your game with viewers, adding to the entertainment level of the game. One of the things that Treyarch has said that they want to do is increase the competition and "sport" of playing COD. COD casting adds a way to save games and share them out into the world along with adding in color commentary. This is something that is certainly going to make a big push on YouTube because one large source of videos is gameplay tips and tricks, this will certainly make these types of videos easier to put together.

Live Streaming - Yes live streaming, it's exactly what you think it is, you can stream gameplay live to other viewers.

Target Finder - A weapon attachment that helps you identify targets at a distance. Cheap yes, useful of course!

League Play - A new gameplay type that pits you against equally skilled players to level the field and increase the competition level. You're playing against people who are as good or as bad as you.

Perk Combinations - not exactly new but they are enhanced now and the combination system is improved.

Ryan Carroll is a technology enthusiast interested who shares his opinions and insights of technology through his blog http://www.techstify.com/. He founded his blog after seeing other technology blogs and feeling that they did not provide the insight that he was looking for when it came to technology, video games and phones.

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Learn More About Online Jigsaw Puzzles

Just as so many other things have shifted into the online universe, jigsaw puzzles now have as well. You won't believe how amazing these online games and puzzles can be once you begin seeing them for yourself. Basically, the way it works is that you can select any puzzle you want, and there are thousands of different options out there across all sorts of topics and categories. Then, within your internet browser, the puzzle will pop up onto your screen. By clicking on a piece with your mouse, you can then drag pieces around and start completing the puzzle.

So that's great and easy, but online puzzles can do even more, including things that traditional puzzles never could. For example, when you are underway with your puzzle, you can select your difficulty in terms of the size and number of pieces. Just want to spend a few minutes completing something easy? That's fine, or you can select very small pieces in the hundreds or thousands for a time-intensive project. You can instantly change this, providing yourself with an endless variation for activity.

Not only that, but you can also create the pieces into unique shapes such as triangles or flat-sided squares for more fun and a greater challenge. That's something you could never do with a traditional puzzle, of course! You'll also be able to shuffle the pieces around on the screen to give yourself a fresh perspective, and all sorts of fun and interactive ways to use the puzzle system.

Clearly, jigsaw puzzles from online sites and directories are a great way to go. Even better, many of the sites and services which offer these online jigsaws do so absolutely free of charge. That means you can gain access to an unlimited selection of puzzles without paying a dime. Imagine all the money you can save by never having to buy a puzzle again! Not to mention that you won't need to worry about losing or damaging the pieces, or not having the physical space in your home to put the puzzle as you're working on it.

If you're a fan of puzzles, then it's time that you begin checking out jigsaws which are available online. The options are endless, and the price can't be better. From there, you'll see how convenient and fun they are, with unique and innovative new ways to enjoy your puzzles and be interactive in how you complete them.

Philippe is an internet entrepreneur who specializes in developing free online jigsaw puzzles. For more information about his jigsaws check out his newest update about city jigsaws.

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Why Sports Trivia Quizzes Can Increase Revenue For Your Bar Or Pub

If you own or work in a sports bar or pub, running a regular sports trivia quiz on a weekly basis can help to increase your sales. At the same time, everyone has loads of fun, making your establishment THE place to be. Word spreads and we all know how powerful that can be.

Everyone thinks (or likes to think!) that they know a little about something. This is why in general, trivia is not only fun, but it works. Whenever Jeopardy! is on TV, we feel good when we answer a question correctly (thereby impressing others in the living room who have no knowledge it's a repeat, which is why you knew the answer in the first place!)

Turn Trivia Into Profit

This love of trivia can and has been turned into profits. Many places all over the world run trivia nights because they know just what a powerful advantage it is to their establishment. If you own, or work in a sports bar or pub and with the right help, it's very easy to run sports trivia games or quizzes that will keep customers hooked and coming back. As word spreads, you can expect crowds to get bigger, turning your sports trivia night into your best night of the week. Staff would want to work on these nights as well, since they can make more tips.

There are companies who specialize in producing sports trivia questions with a wide variety of material which includes baseball trivia, basketball trivia and all sorts of intriguing sports facts to keep your customers on the edge of their seats! Imagine a packed bar playing a fun sports trivia quiz in teams that grow bigger and bigger.

Customers Become Loyal

You'll be pleasantly surprised to see that some of the same teams will turn up week after week at your bar or pub. You've now got loyal customers who cannot wait to be at your establishment on quiz night. By offering prizes, it's the icing on the cake for your customers. Prizes don't have to cost much but it's a great incentive thrown into the equation. People are competitive by nature and even more so in a sports bar running a sports quiz!

In choosing a company that can help you set up your sports trivia nights, you want to look for someone with experience, who is helpful and courteous. When you find a company that will help you set it up, you can turn your evening into a fun and profitable night while your customers have a blast - a truly win-win situation.

Peter Hill is an ardent follower of trivia quizzes. In his extensive travels, he has gained a wide knowledge on his passion for trivia and played in quizzes in many parts of the world. He highly recommends On The Ball Sports Trivia http://www.ontheballtrivia.com/ for sports bars considering this great form of entertainment.

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Do You Want To Download A Flight Simulator?

Do you want to be an airline pilot or are you an aspiring private pilot? Or maybe you are already a professional pilot? Do you want to go flying without spending thousands of dollars on flight school, or plane tickets, all in the comfort of your own home? If so, then ProFlight Simulator is just the thing you are looking for.

Flight Simulator software has advanced greatly recently and graphics have gone from very basic to awesome to say the least. These advances allow you to enjoy the best flying experience ever! Now, you don't even need to leave your home to know what it's like to be a pilot.

Picture yourself sitting in the pilot's seat of a Boeing 737 getting ready for take off. You are waiting on runway 25 and you hear the sound of light rain bouncing gently off the flight deck window. Air traffic control gives you the go-ahead for take off and you ease the thrust levers forward, delivering a rush of incredible power. Amazing!! Is being a pilot your dream job? Do you want to try it from the comfort of your home using graphics that actually make you feel like you are in the thick of it all? Now you can!

ProFlight Simulator is so advanced that there are too many features for me to list in a short article, but here are a few of the most important.

The most recent flight sim X puts you right into the action by:

1.Providing a dynamic, virtual world alive with lifelike moving aircraft, wild animals, vehicles at airports, air traffic and much more.

2. Enabling you to fly pre-programmed missions all over the globe including: Airline pilot missions, flying a red bull stunt plane, tutorials just to name a few.

3. Share the skies with traffic flying past you and moving alongside you on the ground. You can even connect online and fly with your friends anywhere!

4. Fly 21 state of the art aircraft from an airbus A321 to an Extra 300 S and fly to an from thousands of airports all over the world.

With ProFlight Simulator, you can download the game and fly in the comfort of your own home instantly. Save yourself the cost of an airline ticket, flying lessons and even other, less power software that costs hundreds more.

Give ProFlight Simulator a go now! You'll be glad you did.

Go To http://www.flyingacesimulator.com/ to download the most advance flight simulator ever developed.

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Top Five Best iPhone Endless Runners

Thought I would mix things up a bit and do a top five list of my favorite games in one of my favorite genres, endless runners. I'm not sure of the real name for them, but endless runners will do.

Usually the idea of an endless runner game is to get as far as possible before your character dies. And your character will die at the end, there is no chance to really win the game.

#5 - Solipskier - This is a different twist on the endless runner game. While most games have you controlling the character, in Solipskier you are controlling the ground that the character is skiing on. By swiping up and down you control the height of the ground allowing the skier to pass through gates and avoid walls. You can even lift your finger up and create a pit that the skier will hopefully sail over.

#4 - Tiny Wings - A game I've already reviewed is Tiny Wings. While not really a runner, it still fits the bill because it is endless. Or at least so far as I've been able to get it is endless:) You control a little bird swooping up and down hills trying to get as far as possible before the sun sets. Gorgeous graphics and beautiful music make this a standout game.

#3 - Temple Run / Temple Run:Brave - Another game that I've reviewed before and I still find myself playing it from time to time. The idea in the first game is that you are running away from a group of monkey... things after what I'm guessing is robbing a temple. Temple Run features tilt, swipe, and tap controls with each doing a different thing. Having a power up system as well as utilities that will grant various bonuses will keep you coming back. The DLC is still around, but it isn't really a necessity to buy anything to have fun playing the game. It looks like Temple Run: Brave is just a reskinned version of the game featuring characters from the recent Pixar movie "Brave." I haven't given that version a download just yet but when I do, I'll update the review with my thoughts.

#2 - Jetpack Joyride - An endless runner with a sense of humor, Jetpack Joyride has you controlling Barry with the aforementioned jet - pack as you escape science lab. As you go along you must avoid missiles flying your way along with electric rappers and lasers that cover most of the screen. You also gather coins, vehicles power ups, and spin tokens that can be used after your character dies. There is a bit of a IAP, but it isn't terribly bad or intrusive. I've played this game far too much when I should have been sleeping.

#1 - Canabalt - Canabalt is the game that I would consider to be one of the best examples of the endless runners genre that exists for the iOS. Featuring a retro style graphics and such an excellent soundtrack that the game even recommend wearing headphones. You are running along the rooftops of a city that appears to be under attack by aliens. As you run your character must jump over the gaps between buildings, break through windows, and leap over what look like cars that are dropped from the sky. As the distance increases, so does your running speed until it feels like you are almost out of control. By that point, I usually try to run into some convenient boxes to keep the speed down since my reflexes aren't what they used to be. The game also looks especially great on the iPad and since it offers a bigger screen you won't be blocking as much with your fingers as you play.

So that's it, my list of the best endless runner for the iOS. Did I leave a better game out or have issues with the order? Then just leave me a comment below.

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Download Flight Simulator Games

No doubt you have a pile of software CDs that have been thrown into a box or a drawer somewhere to collect dust. When you grab one, you find that it is most likely buried under a bunch of junk at the bottom or it is scratched and no good any more. Rather than buying a CD, why not trying a flight simulator download to save yourself all the trouble?

When you download one, you will skip all the lines and all the waiting. The installation takes only a minute or two, then you're ready to experience the awesome feeling of virtual flight!

When considering which software to download, you should first figure out what features you are looking for. Don't just jump at the first one you see. First, consider factors like available memory and other resources on your computer.

If you're looking for amazingly realistic visual effects, you will need a lot of RAM to do the job. Check the software's specifications and make sure your graphics will be clear as bell. Also make sure that you get the best image quality and frame rates. To do this, you may even want to upgrade your audio or video card or install a new set of speakers to get the maximum effect.

Read the manual carefully to make sure your computer can handle the software download. You'll probably be able to find the manual online or download and print it. You can also check out an online forum to see if other users can answer your questions.

Make sure your download has features that will allow you simulate an actual flying experience. Aircraft simulators each have something unique to offer. For example: Some feature functionalities that allow the user to change virtual environments more quickly and easily than others. These are a couple of factors you'll need to consider.

Flight simulator software featuring mid-air combat often trades realism for playability. It depends on what you need in a flight simulator game. The level of sophistication has progressed to where you can learn an incredible amount about various aircraft and really put yourself in the action.

Whichever simulator software download you choose, be sure it has all the features you want, so that you will be getting your money's worth. Consider the software first. Then you'll be able to rest assured that you'll experience the awesome sensation of real flight!

Everyone is talking about this flight simulator. To download it instantly, go to http://www.flyingacesimulator.com/.

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Power Leveling In Diablo III

Discovering the best power leveling techniques in Diablo III is one thing that enables a lot of gamers have the most fun with the game as they can. Gamers who use these strategies reduce the amount of time they spend at the boring lower levels and learn to supercharge their characters to the highest level. This is where Diablo III gets exciting, with intricate arrays of skills and powers, thrilling adversaries, and magnificent rewards are aplenty. The most effective strategies can be discovered easily with only the best, high quality Diablo III guides.

The basis of just about every power leveling strategy for Diablo III is discovering the activities that produce the greatest return of experience for the time spent for any given class or level. Basically, if grinding (killing monsters repeatedly) will provide a character 500 experience per hour, performing arbitrary quests will provide that same character 800 experience per hour, and carrying out a particular set of quests will deliver you 1,000 XP per hour, the latter choice is the quickest and most desired alternative.

In Diablo II grinding was pretty much the only way to power level. However, with the new revamped and redevelopment of Diablo III, grinding is no longer an efficient method to gain more experience and level up faster. Gamers are better off now performing random quests, although a centered, specific approach produces a lot more rewards in terms of experience.

This is certainly an excellent design choice by Blizzard, in fact, most of the game is invested at the intermediate levels, and it truly is a lot more interesting for the gamer when they can do a variety of things and earn exciting prizes in the process instead of simply beating the identical group of adversaries constantly. Nevertheless, it certainly does make power leveling much more challenging.

Although you could figure out the appropriate sequence of quests to take to be able to speed level from level 1 to level 60 on your own, it would probably take a long time. The whole point of power leveling is not to waste time, but to get to the maximum level as fast as possible.

A better solution to power leveling is to take advantage of more experienced players' knowledge. There are a number of Diablo III guides available online that can provide gamers with an in-depth, structured, quick, and dynamic path to the highest levels in the game, while earning tons of gold and gear on the way.

Find the best Diablo III guide to help you power level and experience everything Diablo III has to offer at http://www.mmo-strategy-guides.com/diablo-3-guides.html

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How to Bluff Online

What about the opposite? Just how do you bluff your opponents online? For a similar reasons outlined above, I rarely recommend a flat-out bluff online against greater than a few opponents. Many players like to take a draw with bottom pair, hoping to catch two pair or a set for the turn. In the event you haven't even made a couple, they'll beat you each time inside a showdown. In a passive pot with quite a bit of callers, disregard bluffing. However, I highly recommend the semi-bluff online, especially every time you're in position. What exactly is a semi-bluff? Merely put, it is a gamble or raise with a hand which has outs to enhance, except probably is not the very best hand at the moment. Let's take a look at an example hand let's consider a move that have been highly successful for me playing online.

We're inside a $1/2 no-limit ring game and I'm one over button. There are a couple of callers in advance of me and I actually have Ad-Jd. I now flat call, the button folds, and the big blind stays in. The flop comes with 10d-4d-8c. The primary two players check, as well as the third player bets $6. Once i'm up, I happily toss in $20 to head into the $15 pot. Why? To begin with, there's a good chance that I'll win the pot right there. Although I get known as, I'm still in just right shape. I even have the nut flush draw and two over cards towards the board. A lot of cards will aid me over the turn, and if I hit the flush my hand is quite well-disguised. This can be a semi-bluff, as I don't have a full trash hand, save for it also isn't worth anything along at the moment. I enjoy betting into draws when I've position as it puts me in control. Many timid players will fold to me on this situation, and if I run into a tremendous reraise I won't be an immense underdog if I commit to call. This move is leading played from last position relative to one other player, since you'll regularly get to look at a free card for those who don't improve within the turn.

I've heard from many online players who could shield their blinds unnecessarily or call their opponents down very soon to keep them honest. They hate the indisputable fact that someone has to be running over them without a hand. Why get so upset about it? If you happen to would not have a hand yourself, you wouldn't have any business calling their raise. Must you're at the big blind and acquire raised by a notorious bluffer, the worst thing that you would be able to do is just call to peer the flop. Most of some time, the flop goes to overlook both of you. Because you're from position, you'll only like to check the hand. He, correctly, bets and also you would like to fold your hand. All you've done is wasted a few larger chips because you did not want to be bluffed. Toss in a big re-race in the event you ought to, other than have a very hand if you happen you're going to go into conflict which includes a bluffer. Do not get keen on confidential revenge or try that they are the table sheriff - you will only be hurting your individually our bankroll. Don't be concerned, somebody else will be at liberty to position to the badge on the table.

Frequently, you're going to run into such a lot of bluffing online. Rather a lot of any time, you will not be able to know for distinct that your opponent doesn't have you beat. I like to recommend ignoring betting and time patterns and instead taking inventory of past hands using your opponents. While you want to choose up one more pot, I like to recommend the semi-bluff much more frequently online than a straight-bluff. In case you're intending to make an out-of-line steal attempt, guarantee to have some outs to a possible winning hand. Every time you hit your hand, you'll just come across such as you got fortunate for a steal attempt. This also succeeds in securing you future action to your monster hands. Oh, and next time you visit the local poker room, try putting the cards for your mouth and rolling your eyes back inside your head.

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What Are Online Casinos?

Online casinos are also known as virtual casinos. These are casinos where you can play the same games you e play in a real live casino, but online. So in other terms, you don't have to dress up and go to a casino to play, but you can stay at home relaxed enjoying a beer or a cocktail and play as much as your heart desires. These casinos are also available 24/7, meaning you can play anytime. All you need is a visa or any other form of payment method which is deemed correct by the provider, you must also be 18+ years and you're good to go.

What are the different categories one finds in online casinos? Well, you can find almost anything in online casinos, being slots, or table games, you name it and they have it. Normally, these are classified into the following categories:

· Slots - games like virtual poker, and the normal slot games you find in a casino

· Scratch - scratch games which are a perfect replica of the scratch cards you buy from lottery booths

· Table games - Roulette, Blackjack, Poker etc.

· Live casino - here you are connected via webcam with a live casino where you have direct confrontation with the dealer, normally being a lady. Chatting service is also available on most of the live casinos

· Games - Games which look like slots, ex Hulk, Ironman, scarface etc. Various providers of these games are GTS, NetEnt etc

· Jackpots - Slots with very high jackpots

Most of the casino providers offer bonuses and freespins to clients as an incentive to deposit more money. These bonuses are complimented with a wagering requirement (for casinos, normally it is 35 times the amount given). Once the wagering criterion is met, the money can be withdrawn.

What is a wagering requirement? A wagering requirement is a calculation set by casino providers to customers where a customer has to play the requirement worth of bets in order to be able to withdraw his money. Let us take an example, so that we can understand more what a wagering requirement is:

You have a bonus offer of 100% up to $100 and you take the full package, therefore you deposit $100 and be given $200 in total to play. The wagering requirement set up by the provider is 20 times. Therefore in order to be able to cashout your money, you must play 200 X 20 times ($4,000) worth of bets. Once this number is reached, you can cash out your money.

Normally, providers set a separate wallet for casinos, since they would offer bonuses on casinos, they wouldn't want customers to play the bonus money on sportsbook or poker. Therefore, a separate wallet is used. But you can transfer your deposited money anytime to and from the wallets. This is also required, since wagering requirements for sportsbook betting is normally 3 times to 5 times.

So, enjoy the adrenaline rush when playing online games and win. one last thing not to forget, always use money management as your first option. Never play more than 5 - 10 % of your bank, otherwise you will make betting companies easily richer.

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How to Use a Casino Free Spins Bonus

Did you know online casino's give away money for free? Through free spins bonuses you can (most of the times even with no deposit) play for free on slot machines. The profits you make while playing are then yours to keep. Do you want to know how this works? You can read all about this in this article.

A free spins bonus is a special casino offer on slot machines to get acquainted with the corresponding slot machine and casino. Usually you can only play specially selected new slots games. The offer differs a bit depending on the casino, but the principle is always the same; play for free, and the winnings are then converted into a bonus, which has to be unlocked through a wager; the number of times you will have to play with the money you have won, before you can withdraw the funds. Such a wager is usually between 20x and 30x. If you continue playing with your winnings you can keep the money you have won, including the profits that you make along the way. When you use a no-deposit bonus, the wager will normally be slightly higher than the usual 20-30x. After you have finished clearing the bonus, most casino's also offer you another bonus on your first deposit, so you will get even more money to play with.

Another possibility to play for free in an online casino is the free play bonus. With this offer you get a set amount of time to play in the online casino for free. After this time has ended, you are allowed to keep your winnings. Mostly these winnings have a maximum of $100 or $200. The amount you have won is then converted into a bonus that has to be wagered, the same as mentioned above.

If you do not want to play for money at all, you do not have to of course. Many slot machines also have a play option where you can just play for fun. You can play without making an account, or downloading anything. For example you can play amazing Netent and Microgaming video slot machines without a time limit, and without risking your money. A great way to get some distraction from your busy work or study.

Please be aware gambling can be lots of fun, but also can be addictive. Be sure to only play for your own entertainment and with money you do not need for other purposes. A good tip I can give you is to set a limit for yourself to play with. This can be a time limit, or a certain amount you have won or lost. And remember; while playing, do not change your limits anymore!

http://www.free-spins-casino.com/ offers you the best and latest online casino bonuses. Enjoy playing with free spins on the slots, or play slot machines for free.

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How Video Games Helped Me Quit Smoking

In somewhat recent years, there was a campaign of anti-smoking commercials from BecomeAnEx.org, and I loved them. It was the first time I felt like someone really discovered the secret to quitting smoking, and offered it from a sympathetic perspective, with a sense of humor and a sincere desire to help smokers.

I have seen many commercials against smoking over the years. Somehave tried fighting cigarettes by unveiling statistics about smoking and its industry, with this self-righteous "look how clever we are" approach that is rather alienating. It's like being told to quit smoking by someone who is more invested in their marketing pitch than the problem at hand.

And then there have been the deluge of "scare tactic" commercials that show you blackened lungs and people living with tracheotomies. While I think these commercials hold some worth, they are more likely to give a smoker pause, rather than actually helping them to quit. Our selective memory kicks in, and kicks out the bad ones.

The aforementioned campaign, however, nailed the essence of the smoking problem in a few brief moments. It pointed out that smoking is strongly connected to habitual behavior; you smoke with your morning cup of coffee, during your morning routine, or during happy hour at the bar. These commercials suggested that you can relearn all of these activities without a cigarette. The one about happy hour even suggested you "keep a beer in one hand and anything but a cigarette in the other". That is smart advice.

Physical addiction of nicotine is nothing when compared to the mental addiction of smoking. This is why wearing a patch doesn't instantly fix the problem; a smoker still wants to hold and smoke a cigarette. Mental addiction is king. I was quite lucky; I gradually gave up smoking simply because I was not enjoying it anymore, and that made it far easier to walk away. But some of that habitual smoking through association was still rearing its ugly head. Getting rid of those last few lines of defense can be the hardest.

When you quit cigarettes (or are in the process of doing so), you may notice certain new habits taking over temporarily. Once of them is the famous one: eating. And other ones pop up, like chewing the caps from pens (until they are completely unrecognizable). However, one activity that interfered with my smoking was entirely by chance, and yet so effective at keeping my mind and body off of smoking, it should be recommended in support groups: playing video games.

It is probably arguable that the total sensory experience of playing a video game contributes in distracting the player from other activities like smoking (or socializing... kidding!), but I believe that the controller is the key. Keeping both hands fully occupied and working hastily makes you forget about holding a cigarette.

And why not? People tend to smoke the most when they are unoccupied, bored and feeling lazy. People smoke on their breaks. People smoke at their laptops and during a football game on television. It's down time, time to drink a beer, have a smoke and watch a movie!

Video games are down time too, but don't allow for a half-hearted relationship with them. I remember when I would play games like Halo 3 online, discussing strategies with friends and controlling my Spartan Soldier. I was way too engaged with the game to smoke (or use the bathroom, for that matter!). In fact, when I would light up a cigarette between matches, I would take my first puff and put it down, as we would already be back in the firefight. By the time I reached for my cigarette again, nothing remained save a long log of ash, burning away in the ashtray. That's a powerful moment to note; I had made my choice. That wouldn't be the last cigarette I ever had. But it wouldn't be the last time I ignored them in favor of playing video games, either.

Playing video games is not a magical solution, and there are a lot of variables when quitting smoking, so your mileage may vary. I already wanted to quit smoking, but video games helped by running interference, and it helped to keep me occupied once I quit smoking entirely.

Around this time, I was spending a good deal of my gaming time with portable systems, like the DS Lite and the PSP (the best part is when you easily justify your PSP purchase, based on the amount of cigarettes you're not buying). When I would return from work and settle down for the evening, I would lie on my back in bed playing games. That worked great for me, as I was in even less of a position to reach for a cigarette, and even more relaxed than normal. That said, I think a stronger case could be made for taking your portable on the go, as it's intended for. Now you're waiting for the subway or sitting during your lunch break at work, and you're working on your game, with no free hands or time to smoke. Try reading the newspaper instead, or worse, just standing or sitting there. Smoking will become a lot more tempting.

I can't stress the importance enough of video games occupying your hands. While Freud would likely tell us smoking is an oral fixation (see: eating, chewing pen caps), we hold a cigarette in our hands; it is part of the appeal. So, when our hands are busy, we are less likely to be holding a cigarette. Playing a game engages the upper half of your body arguably more than driving a car does. When driving, you have one free hand to smoke with. Also, most people drive the same roads ad nauseam, and it largely becomes a mindless activity, second nature even. In contrast, video games frequently change things up, producing new challenges and garnering your full attention just to master (and even survive) them.

And they're fun! Video games cause your brain to release endorphins, much like smoking, but as a result of genuinely enjoying yourself, rather than the intake of chemicals.

Like I said before, video games are not magical, and they are not going to suppress all the addictive urges your body and mind will produce, as you try and quit. Nothing will. When quitting smoking, it's all about help, and what the best crutches are. Video games are a wonderful substitution, and for every cigarette you refuse, that's a little more money in your pocket, money to buy that next awesome game. Personally, I want to live longer and play a lot more games, so it's a win-win situation. If you're quitting or thinking about quitting, or even if you aren't considering it at all, next time you reach for that pack of smokes, try putting both your hands on that video game controller instead.

Thanks for reading!

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Super Mario Crossover 2, A Remarkable Twist On An Old Classic

Are you ready for a version of Super Mario Brothers that you've never played before? If you're into the world of Mario like millions of other people around the world then Super Mario Crossover is a must play game for you.

Super Mario Brothers is one of the most popular video games of all time and there are so many gamers out there that can't seem to get enough. Nowadays you will even find a lot of the gamers playing this game are adults. This is because Mario came out in the 80's and that's when they were kids.

Today the new programmer minds of the day are resurrecting these old classics and adding a new feel to them. Once they have their latest version available we then find access to it online for our enjoyment.

Super Mario Crossover is by far one of the best remakes of an old classic to date. The game was developed with care and not much was overlooked. The reason for the word Crossover in the title relates to the added characters that can be played in the game. Some of the more famous characters from the same time in the 80's like Megaman and Link from the Legend of Zelda can be used to play in Mario's world.

This remake is done with accuracy as well. All of the characters are in their full 8 bit mode and work with all the standard rules of Mario's world. As you must know from playing the original Super Mario Brothers, when you want to get your small little character to power up you must do things like collect flowers and stars. This still holds true in this version for Mario and Luigi but the other characters power up in their own way. They power up according to the weapon that comes with them from their original game. So if you power up with Megaman you will be able to fly farther and shoot fireballs with his cannon. This accurate element to each character adds a unique game play experience.

Super Mario Crossover gets even better when it comes to the music soundtrack of the game. When you decide to play with a different character; the game music changes to the characters original score. So after you've played with Mario and heard the music we all know and love you can then play with Link from the Legend of Zelda and play with all the original music from that game. It makes the feel of the game different and adds a true nostalgic touch.

A few tips when using different characters in the game, for example some of them tend to have a height advantage and will be able to make kills from a few different positions. Some of them can lie down or crouch down in order to kill. In order to control them to make such a move just press down on the keyboard. Again these abilities add yet another level of capabilities to this great game.

Super Mario Crossover and the latest Super Mario Crossover 2 are games that can be and should be enjoyed by gamers from all age groups. You can find the game available for play online in a flash enabled browser or for download to your personal computer.

Want to play this really cool game for FREE? You can play the latest version Super Mario Crossover 2 via my blog and you can also play the original version, Super Mario Crossover via this location. Have fun and enjoy this really great game:)

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The World Of Gaming Consoles

Gaming becomes an important phenomenon of any child's life as they grow up. By definition gaming is basically the act of playing games primarily on electronic devices such as computers, laptops and electronic consoles. However, this action cannot be restricted to just children. Nowadays, adults are much more involved in this activity than children. There are competitions held all over the world, in which people of all ages come in from all over the world to compete and show their skills.

Gaming is of varying types; primarily video games, but also card ones and tabletop too. Every act of playing a game, even role playing is considered to fall in this category. People indulge in such behaviors for purposes of leisure and people of all ages can find one that is appropriate for them. The gaming industry is the biggest industry in the world and console designers and manufacturers are amongst the most successful businesses in the world nowadays. Multi-national corporations such as Sony, Panasonic and Nintendo are the titans of the gaming console industry, with the Xbox and Play Station that is a worldwide phenomenon now. Amongst the most popular ones played by children, teenagers and even adults include FIFA, Assassins creed, World of Warcraft, Call of Duty and DOTA. These games are visually fantastic providing its players with the most realistic appeal there is. Great video stimulation, graphics and player controls enables players to experience a 3 dimensional screen play.

When talking about games, one cannot help but talk about gaming consoles, which have come a long way since the very first ones such as Nintendo, Atari and Sega which were the most popular ones in the 80s and 90s. These were the second generation consoles, which have been long forgotten. The seventh generation consoles seen used throughout the world are Wii, PlayStation and Xbox 360. These gaming consoles provide live streaming that allows players from all over the world to play as one team. These consoles play Blu-ray and HD DVD disks that are said to be beyond high definition. These consoles have removable hard drives with up to 40 hours battery time regarding their controllers. These consoles also allow social networking through which they can communicate with other players via text messaging, phone calls, emails and voice chats! Over the years, the world of gaming has modernized and evolved into an entirely new phenomenon, back from the first generation consoles to now the eighth generation consoles.

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Enjoying What Tank Games Have to Offer

Gaming has emerged as one of the leading applications on computers. Persons who love gaming have in the recent past found themselves with quite an array to choose from. One of the best game-plays that one would want to play is the tank games. This game, like many others, has various sub-types from which one can choose to play. Most tank games involve shooting and destroying of opponents tanks. They require the player to take into consideration various factors including speed of wind, terrain of game play, characters, and weapons knowledge. The player should also know when a weapon upgrade is required. Upgrade involves purchasing of sophisticated weapons which include items like teleports, repair equipment and air assistance.

So, what makes them interesting?

Generally, there are a number of features that make this game one everyone would wish to play. A few of these features are described below:

1. The main aim of playing the game is to find enjoyment. This is guaranteed with tank games. As one navigates through the terrains and encounters the enemy, one cannot help but feel excited at how interesting it is to finish off the enemies or to be finished when one least expects.

2. Other than enjoyment, is adventure? The terrains, deserts, forests as well as the mountainous landscape, gives one an idea of what it takes to be in a battle field. Additionally, as one moves from one level to another, they encounter new things and as such go through an adventure worth the time.

3. The challenge is also one of the things that make the game interesting to play. Most tank games offer an opportunity to define the kind of challenge one wants to encounter. One can choose the number and types of opponents to activate. As levels go up, more and more tough challenges are encountered giving one a sense of achievement upon completion of a level.

4. The appearance is also one of the interesting features one may want to encounter. With tank games, one is able to select the color of the tank to use and hence generate the kind of view they like.

Generally, these are just amongst the few things that will make one enjoy tank games to the extreme. Those who have not tried it, are no doubt missing something that could make them feel relaxed and happy. Generally, the games are the ideal challenge one may want to ward off boredom.

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Pub Trivia - The Rules

Having a pub quiz is one of the best ways to bring people together. A Trivia Night will pack people into pubs. It is a great incentive for friends to take the time to meet up and enjoy each other's company. However, in order to keep people happy with the pub quiz, the rules need to be clearly stated at the beginning of the night and fairly enforced for the duration of the night. Check out this easy guide to simple rules to run a fair Pub Trivia Night.

Team Members

The teams should be composed of six members or less. Any more than that and things just don't seem to work smoothly. Only team members should be allowed to sit at the table to avoid outside help from people that aren't part of the team. There doesn't need to be a minimum number of team members. There are plenty of people that have enough trivia crammed in their heads to give a fair fight in a one-on-six battle.

The Scourge of Technology

One of the biggest problems with modern trivia nights is the ease of cheating with smartphones, iPods and the like. This is one of hardest things to control and enforce. There are two ways to approach this. The easiest way is to simply make everyone playing turn in their cell phones to the quiz director at the start of play. The other way is the honor system, but this can lead to problems as many people aren't honest.

Cheating with an electronic aid needs to be punished very severely. Trivia nights being played for money need to disqualify anyone that is caught with a cell phone on their table or in their hands, whether or not it is apparent that the phone has been used to cheat. This harsh punishment is necessary to maintain fairness in the game.

Number of Rounds

This is largely a matter of personal preference. Some trial and error will be needed over the weeks to determine the most popular number of rounds at a particular pub. Some places may like a short game with only five rounds. Other may like a long game with a dozen rounds. Most pubs run trivia games with somewhere in the neighborhood of eight to ten rounds. This seems to allow for the right balance of difficulty and excitement.

Format

Each round should have a theme for the most enjoyment. Make sure to have many different themes like sports, movies, music, history, etc. Be sure to keep teams apprised of the score after each round. Have a tiebreaker round ready if the game is tied at the end of regulation. Above all be fair, yet firm. This will lead to happy players that will be sure to come back for the next trivia night.

Ryan Bloom writes about all sorts of topics. He recommends you check out Pub Stumpers for more about pub trivia.

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What to Look for When You Buy a Gaming Chair

If you are a serious gamer it is necessary for you to buy a chair that offers the comforts you need. In case you sit on a chair that is not suitable for sitting for a long time in the same position, you will develop various aches and pains. When you concentrate on these unnecessary distracts, your gaming skills cannot be used properly. The best solution for the problem is to buy a gaming chair. However, you must know what to look for when you buy one.

Height of the chair

You need to have the correct height with your chair if you are to be comfortable. When your chair is of the right height your legs will be in the right position and you will be able to move your feet freely. Buying a height adjustable chair is a good option.

Comfort and ergonomic shape

When you sit on the chair, it should fit into your body contours in a perfect manner. In addition, the comfort level provided by the chair should be at a high standard. It is a good idea to buy a chair that has memory foam cushions and vinyl arm rests. The cushion covers may be made out of artificial leather or fabric.

Style of the chair

There are rocker chairs as well as fixed ones that do not have this facility. Rocker chairs are always better as they are more comfortable. You have the option to buy one with a pedestal or one without it. The choice is yours.

Audio connectivity

This is one of the most important features that should be there in any gaming chair. Try to buy one that has speakers mounted on the headrest. It is always good to buy one that has a volume controller and also RF input and output terminals. Ones that connect with your audio sources with wireless connectivity are the best. Headphone jack is also necessary in case you need to use headphones.

Color and the ability to fold and stow away

These chairs are available in attractive colors. Therefore, it is a good idea to choose one that suits your home environment. In addition, there are many chairs that could be folded and kept away when not in use. These are also two of the features you need to look for.

When you consider all these factors and purchase your gaming chair, you will enjoy every minute of gaming because you are sitting so comfortably.

It is a good idea to look at the features offered by gaming chairs when you buy one. When you do so, you will be able to find the perfect gaming chair to fulfill your needs.

It is a good idea to look at the features offered by gaming chairs like the Pyramat gaming chair when you buy one. Before going to buy a perfect gaming chair, please visit us here.

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Setting The Stage For Your Live Action RPG

Introduction

There are a lot of elements that go into a successful LARP: well-crafted plots, intriguing characters, exciting NPCs. But one aspect that's often overlooked is the one of ambiance - atmosphere, for those of you who prefer plain language.

Suppose you're running a Cthulhu Live game set in a mysterious abandoned manor house. Which setting is going to get your players in the mood? A brightly lit cafeteria at the Booster's Club, or a cold and gloomy room with boarded over windows and strange noises emanating from the walls? Set the right ambiance, and you're halfway to a successful game.

Ambiance doesn't have to be expensive, nor does it have to be all-consuming. There are several ways in which a game-master - and the players - can ratchet up the atmosphere in a game. Those can be broken down into lighting, sound f/x, set dressing, props and costuming. Let's go over them one at a time...

Lighting

Cheapest

If you're running a horror game, or something set at a nightclub/temple/den of vice, turn down some - but not all - of the lights. Simple darkness goes a long way to setting the right mood for an event. Have you ever been to a bar that's lit up like a CNN set? Nope, and that's why. Borrow as many strings of Christmas lights as you can get your hands on. Everyone has at least a few hundred of these things in their attic. String them up here and there throughout the room - very festive!

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Buy some colored light bulbs and put them into the fixtures instead of regular white bulbs. Buy blacklight/UV fixtures, and plug those in - careful, they run very warm, so they should not be left near anything even remotely flammable, and left to cool completely before handling. Go to your local photo or theatrical supply and buy a couple of sheets of colored gels. Gels are a little expensive, but very reusable. Attach them with wooden clothespins over your light fixtures - or use some other not-too-conductive clip. Buy and set out candles, but be careful of the fire-risk! I prefer to use 'church candles' - I'm not sure what they're really called, but they're those candle-in-a-jar that you often find in the 'ethnic' section of your grocery - or floating candles. Floating candles have a built-in extinguisher in that if anyone knocks over the candle, the bowl full of water is going with them. Beware, wax is a bitch to get out of clothing, carpets and hair!

Not Really Cheap At All

Give everyone glow sticks for raver-flavored fun. If you look online, you can usually find them at a decent price, in bulk - about $2 apiece for the five-inch sticks that last two or three hours. Rent or buy club lights - look at the links, below, for sources. Be careful when using club lights. You have to have proper trusses and, quite often, a mixing board. You also don't want to pull more amps than your location can provide and blow your building circuit. I recommend this route only for those troupes that have an experienced lighting-person on hand. Ask around, they tend to congregate with LARPers. Failing that, talk to your resident film-student. Buy or borrow glass lanterns - preferably the fully-enclosed type - again, you have to worry about that fire risk! Alternatively, battery-powered lanterns are good for games set in extreme circumstances. If you're at an outdoor location, get some "Tiki" torches. They're about $25 apiece, and burn for hours on a few ounces of lamp oil. If you're going to have any open flame at your event, have a fire extinguisher - better yet, have several - close to hand, and make sure everyone in your game knows where they are!

If your event is set at a trendy nightclub - like most Vampire LARPs I know - you want something that's subdued, overall, but still colorful. Set up colored lights and Christmas lights all over the place, and downplay the plain white light sources. If you can afford glowsticks and such, hand them out, too.

For that spooky horror event set in the abandoned hilltop mansion, you want to keep things dark and gloomy. Turn off all - or most - of the lights, and give your players flashlights and lanterns to find their way around.

For a fantasy setting, see if you can get away with turning off all electric lights and get by with candles, lanterns and torches - or use flashlights as "torches", if you want to minimize the fire risk.

A note on smoke machines. Smoke machines are a hoot. They can diffuse light - great for spooky houses with flashlights, and trendy clubs with brightly-colored bulbs here and there. But they can be a pain in the ass. First of all, you've got to make sure that running a smoke machine is okay at your location - it will be very embarrassing if you accidentally set off a smoke alarm and the sprinklers come on. Secondly, you have to make sure that none of your players have any respiratory problems. Even the 'hypo-allergenic' brand of smoke can cause problems for people with asthma. But, if you can go for it, then do so! Smoke machines can be rented from party suppliers, DJ agencies, or theatrical agencies. Or ask around, you might have a friend who already owns one - like I do. My friends buy me the coolest Christmas presents...

Sound Effects

This is a sorely neglected area of LARP ambiance - mostly because it can be very difficult to do beyond the 'boombox full of CDs' level. Here are my ideas.

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You can guess what's coming? Yes, a boombox full of CDs. Be they music, or sound effects, it will be preferable to dead silence. If you have a CD burner at home, create mix CDs of appropriate tunes and sounds, so you don't have to spend the entire night hovering over your stereo and switching out tunes. Borrow a friend's stereo - one that can fit in the back of your car. It will at least sound better than your boombox. If you need sound F/X, many libraries will have CDs of these things available. Also ask around your social circle, as one of your friends may already have a fine collection of "Thunderstorms" or whatever you need. If you're feeling adventurous, go out with a tape recorder and try to record your own effects. Very hand for things like ocean-side, or strange scratching noises emanating from the walls. If you're extraordinarily lucky, you might have a friend-of-a-friend who is a DJ. Find out if they will cut you a price break because you're such al lovely person. Better yet, work out a trade with them. He spins tunes at your event tomorrow, and you agree to help him move his house next week.

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If your local library is bereft of sound effects CDs, then you can buy them. Look at your local record store, or stage-supply store, or go online. If you can, assemble a mix-CD of the f/x you know you're going to want, so you don't have to fumble with multiple disks as the game progresses. If you've managed to borrow a decent stereo, see if you can scrounge up some more speakers, and a friend who's into surround sound. Rig up a decent sound system at your location. Again, it's got to be better than just a tinny boombox, and speaker wire isn't that costly.

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Rent a DJ. They're expensive, but they'll do the job right, and bring a bitching sound-system with them.

If your setting is a trendy club, then all you really need is a stereo and a selection of tunes. Pick your music to match the locale. The discreet gentlemen's club is going to have classical music quietly piping through the air. The hard-core industrial joint is going to have lots of noise, all turned up to eleven. Just make sure that the music doesn't run out! Nothing is worse at a club than a sudden silence.

For the spooky locale, you want lots of sound effects. Howling wind, rumbling thunderstorms, rats skittering in the walls, that sort of thing. If you can, put your stereo and speakers in hidden locations, so the players aren't entirely sure where the noises are coming from (or when you're about to cue up something new) It can be more challenging to put together, but it's worth it to watch them jump when that thunderclap rings out!

For a fantasy locale, some folk music would be good idea for background noise. Celtic music is increasingly popular and easy to find at any music store. Also consider upbeat Mediterranean or African tunes - because, let's be honest, a lot of people are into Celtic tunes these days. You might also want some sound effects, depending upon your plot - crashing thunderstorms, collapsing trees, shrieks in the middle of the night, etc.

Set Dressing

This is the area where the costs can get away from you without your hardly noticing it. So, decide what you want, determine your budget, and then go looking for what you can afford. Once you've realized that what you want costs three times more than what you have to spend, revise your plans and act from there.

There are several ways to dress up the "set" - by altering the walls, by creating new walls - thereby breaking up a big empty space - or by adding lots of 'little touches' here and there.

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Go to your local home-improvement store. Buy several "drop cloths", the throwaway kind that are backed with plastic. These are light enough to hang on walls with thumbtacks or staples. Leave them blank for "plaster" walls, or decorate them with spray paint for a 'club' or 'urban' look. Tip from one who did this: do your spray painting outside, and the day before! Go to a craft store and buy a lot of colored butcher paper. They sell it in rolls thirty-six inches wide, usually priced by the foot and the yard. Hang it up on the walls - either solid, or alternate colors, like black and red. Combine this with a few lighting effects, and it's really funky. However, if you're trying to clad a big room, the cost quickly mounts, so figure out your yardage and the projected expense before you go to the store.

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Convince your host to let you paint the walls - highly unlikely, but you can always ask! A twist on the 'butcher-paper' idea. If you're lucky enough to live near a cheap fabric outlet (see below for resources in the SF Bay Area) look for very, very cheap polyester fabric. If you hunt around, you can usually find 45" wide fabric for a dollar or two per yard. Buy swathes of that, and hang it on the walls. Be careful, as it will weigh more than paper. If you do decide to clad your walls in butcher paper, go one step further. Ask your more artistically talented players to create 'murals' to hang on the walls. If you take them down carefully at game's end, they can be re-used. Go to a party supply company and pick up rolls of patterned paper. You can get rolls that are eight feet wide by thirty feet long for about $50, and they have all sorts of patterns on them - from brick walls, to starry skies.

Create New Walls (Not Cheap at All)

Using your fabric or drop-cloths, some poles and stands (and possibly a sand bag or two) create some fake walls to break up a large location - indoors or out. Create stands by nailing two inch doweling onto a plywood base, or scrounge up your neighbors volley-ball net stands. At one point, I used PVC pipe set into sand-filled umbrella stands bought at the local home improvement center. Whatever works.

Set your stands up every seven feet or so, and attach your 'walls' to them with nails or staples. Take a look at the illustration, left. The walls will sag a bit, just relax and accept it. Drop cloths are better for this project, because they are usually ten feet by twenty, so you only need to use a couple side-by-side, rather than sewing lots of long, narrow bits of fabric together to create a seven foot tall 'wall'.

This is a great way to break up a big empty space into several smaller spaces. You'll be amazed at the difference in game-energy when your PCs can't all see each other immediately. If you treat your materials carefully, this set-up can be re-used many times.

Another way to create walls is to use sheet Styrofoam - such as is used for insulation and is sold in three-foot by eight-foot lengths at DIY centers - but it's not trouble-free. The problem with Styrofoam is twofold. One, you can't roll it up and put it in your back seat. It's tough to transport unless you've got a pickup truck or a big van. Secondly, it will 'bend' and sag over your players, unless you reinforce it somehow - although it won't sag as much as a fabric or paper wall will. However, the stuff is reasonably sturdy, can be painted - once it's primed - and if you go all the way and build 'joists' with PVC pipe and connections, with sandbags at the base to keep it standing upright, you've got some nigh-permanent walls for your event.

Little Touches

Buy some cheap fabric - less than you would for wall-covering - bunch it up and hang it as 'swags' from the windows and door frames. Trust me, it's a very 'in' look right now. If you're using polyester, do NOT drape it over anything warm, like a light fixture. It will melt, give off awful fumes and possibly catch fire. Rearrange the furniture in your host's house, just to make it a bit different. Cover that furniture in aforementioned cheap fabric. If your gang is playing in a spooky locale, crank up the air conditioning - even if it's wintertime. Nothing says 'spooky' like a cold, dark room! Black out your windows with black butcher paper to ease Suspension of Disbelief when you're forced to run a Vampire game during the daytime - or you're trying to establish that the characters are all alone in the empty woods... Get some crepe party streamers and put them all over the place - or use only black streamers and be gothic and strange... If it's close to Halloween, buy up a ton of glow-in-the-dark products. String, scotch tape, paint, hairspray. The stuff is fabulous and there are many uses for it. For a fun clue in your haunted house, paint strange sigils on your plain-paper walls. They won't be visible until the storm knocks out the power and the lights go out... Put glow in the dark stars - painted or stickums - onto your butcher paper walls, the furniture, even other players, if they'll hold still long enough. Use the tape to mark any protruding edges of your furniture, to ensure a minimum of player ouchies when the lights go down.

Walls

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Take down the art that's on the walls, if any.Hang up posters - yours, or ones borrowed from the players - that fit the game's mood.A cheap 'bohemian' wallpaper effect - take pages from old newsapers and tape them up onto the walls, floor to ceiling. Old, yellow newspaper looks particularly funky. Good for the decrepit mansion, or lair of the deeply nutso Vampire.

For a gala atmosphere, clad your walls in butcher paper - either completely or partially - then take it one step further. Tape up split-open garbage bags underneath your 'wallpaper', give your players gold, silver and black markers and encourage them to write on the walls. This was a big hit at a 'nightclub' owned by my Malkavian character. Get bunches of helium balloons, too - cheap and fun. However, I don't recommend those 'mini-tanks' you can buy at the store, as the balloons they supply aren't very good at keeping the helium in, unless they are treated with that secret polymer that all balloon suppliers have. I've provided a link for the stuff, below.

For the spooky haunted house, go with plain drop cloth taped on the walls. The drab color suggests old plasters. Stain the paper here and there with strong tea - and let it dry! - before hanging it up. For the magician's sanctum, put stars on the ceiling - or starry-patterned paper.

For a sumptuous location, use fabric swags on the windows and doors, cover up your furniture with fabric - or even borrowed slipcovers. Clad the walls in butcher paper and stencil on some pretty floral pattern near the ceiling - or all over if you have the time! Make sure your paint doesn't soak all the way through your paper! Use brick-patterned paper for that industrial/80s-comedy-club feel.

For a fantasy game, see if you can splurge on some that printed paper I mentioned above. It's available in a 'stone block' pattern that's perfect for the bad guy's castle!

Props This is where I always blow my budget. I just fall in love with all the cool prop-shaped things I can bring into a game. Again, make a budget before you go shopping, and then stick to it! Questions to keep in mind when making your decisions are: Will the game collapse without this? Can I re-use it? Am I just buying this for the 'cool' factor, rather than for its utility in the game? If your answers are "Yes, yes, no" then your purchase is fully justified. Otherwise, think long and hard before putting down a ton of money and time for items. An essential prop would be the ten dollars' worth of slime and glitter for the mysterious Glob that is the star of your horror game. A non-essential prop is the $100 first-edition of the Necronomicon...

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To help establish a 'gala' setting, borrow silverware, dishes, glassware, tablecloths etc, from whichever of your friends has the most taste. Remember, you break it, you bought it! For 'mysterious items', talk to anyone you know who dabbled in the New Age movement. They probably have a fine collection of interesting crystals and such that would make for occult props. Do not ask to borrow your pagan friend's athame because it looks "cool". Trust me on this. Find out who runs the prop shop at your local theater or community college drama department and become their best friend. Borrow whatever you can wheedle out of them. You probably have players that are of an artistic bent. Ask for their help in creating a prop, and offer them experience points as a reward, if you can't afford to pay them, or work out some sort of trade. Remember that your players can suspend their disbelief. Take that battered old library book from your brother's bookshelf and tell the players it's an ancient grimoire. You can go a long way with paper mache, a glue gun and spray paint! Just try it and see!

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Learn to love your local thrift stores. From tacky costume-jewelry that can double as the Cursed Ruby of Siam, to wineglasses for your nightclub, to stuffed toys for the Malkavian's 'come as your inner child' party, thrift stores are the first place you should go. Always go to several stores during your prop-scavenging expeditions, as you'll find something interesting at every one of them. Ditto for garage sales. I once scored a ninety-year old typewriter for $30 at a local garage sale, yay! Buy fancy plastic 'glassware', golden plates and serving platters, fancy napkins and tablecloths from a party-supplier. Also, get party accoutrements like streamers, door hangers, glittery confetti. Nothing says 'class' like matching stemware.

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Buy furniture from garage sales and thrift stores - then you don't have to worry about replacing it if you accidentally spill stage blood all over it. Rent things like tables, folding chairs, flatware and glassware from a party supply company - look in the Yellow Pages for listings. Go all out and buy elements from a prom/party supply company. You can get everything from 'stone' pillars, "gas" streetlights, to giant horseshoes (how Batman!). There's a link to a good supply company, below. Not cheap, but very re-usable!

For a gala setting, do what you can to make the place look classy - nice table-settings and pretty centerpieces, tidy furniture, etc. If you can rent fixtures from a party supply company, then do so. Otherwise, just borrow or buy what you can. Matching tablecloths and nice glasses can go a long way, believe me. Also, insist that your players put away their soda pop cans and their Doritos bags. If they have to eat, tell them to put their food "into" the game. Nothing blows that exclusive nightclub look like a bag of Taco Bell on the table.

For your haunted house, buy used furniture and then beat the hell out of it before game day. If the furniture is just wood, take steel wool to it, or leave it out in the rain and sun for as long as possible. If the furniture is upholstered, take a pair of scissors (or an ill-trained cat) to it and cut it up so that it looks really ragged. Such furniture is a great place to hide clues! Get your artistic friends who have read too much HP Lovecraft to create an 'old grimoire' for your players. Never underestimate the spooky power of a hard-boiled egg that has been painted gold, and has a little blue pentagram daubed on one side.

For a fantasy setting, look for 'rustic' elements at the thrift stores or from your friends' kitchens. Wooden bowls, earthenware plates, unadorned knives and forks. Gather up all your friends who attend Renaissance Faires and ask them to loan you their gear - particularly flatware, tankards and cups. By all means, stay away from plastic flatware, paper plates and obviously polyester table coverings.

Costuming

It's really up to the player to take care of their own costuming. But a good game-master will do their best to help a player put a costume together. For my advice on costuming, please read the article Costuming Tips For The Cheap And Desperate for the basics. Here, I'm just going to get into the Not Really Cheap At All aspect.

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Rent costumes. Look in your phone book for theatrical costume rental. Be prepared to put down a sizable deposit, particularly if your rental house uses vintage clothing. Learn how to sew, and make your own costumes. It can be quite expensive, but it's worth it for the custom fit and fabric! Create a shared 'costume closet' - a collection of costume items that are shared between several GMs and several game troupes. Ask your players to donate bits of appropriate clothing, or troll through thrift stores, looking for things that can be added to the pile. Tape a home made label - laundry tape and a magic marker - into every item with your name and your phone number, lest the item go wandering off.

Conclusion

As you might have guessed, I love running live-action games, and I love trying to establish the ambiance that goes beyond the plot and characters. But keep this in mind: Your plot and characters are the most important things in your game. Don't sacrifice time you should be spending on their development to go out and buy party supplies for your "Vampire Club". Sometimes, when I'm bogged down by a thorny plot problem in my game's development, I get distracted by the 'kewl prop' pixie - which is bad news all around. A lot of what I have described is gravy - but it can be done!

Ideally, there should be several GMs in any large-scale LARP. At least one of them will be dedicated solely to ambiance - gathering and tracking props, putting together set elements, making sure the stereo and the right music will be on-scene come game-day. A specialized position such as that will stop the plot-GMs from becoming overwhelmed. If you can't spare a game-master to just ambiance, then do your best to split up aspects of the game's atmospherics between you. One GM is in charge of making props that have to be hand-crafted. The other is in charge of getting the wall-decorations and tableware together, etc.

However you decide to split up the work, it will be worth it! Don't forget to take pictures!

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Laser Tag - An Exciting Game For Family And Friends

Laser tag is an arcade style game that is popular with kids and adults alike. Many kids' birthday parties are also based on this theme. The game basically consists of scoring points by 'tagging' opponents using laser beams. These beams are emitted by hand held infrared devices. The players also need to wear jackets having infrared target readers that keep score about the number of times one has been tagged. The winner is the one that has been tagged the least number of times, though, rate of fire, amounts of lives and other such parameters are used for varying game play and declaring the winner.

Laser tag is a game that can be played both indoors and outdoors; but players find it especially exciting to play in dark rooms having different colored lights, fog and a space or military themes. Arcade owners of the this facility also use boxes, podiums, and several raised places for the players to hide and surprise their opponents. All these effects are known to add excitement to the game.

Based on the technology and applications of the game systems, the game play and mechanics can differ widely. The quality of the game also depends on the hardware, embedded software and also on the communication systems that are used between players. It is believed that, before laser tag became popular as a game, the military used similar infrared devices to train its members for combat. The history of the game can also be traced to TV shows and movies like Star Wars and Star trek which were supposedly the inspiration behind the equipment used in the arena game.

Normal versions of laser tag include matches between individuals or teams. There are several variations to the game like "Capture the flag" or "protect the president" where players are given various objectives while preventing the opponents from getting there first. These variations enhance the challenges and the excitement of the game and one gets to see the competitive spirit of their family and friends.

Indoor laser tag games are played in large arenas that use "artificial fog" and similar visual effects for creating an exciting atmosphere in the game. The infrared signal fired from the handheld gun like devices are also encoded with information such as where the beam has originated from and for other aspects like game score etc. The outdoor game equipment differs from the indoor ones, in that the lasers used are seen in daylight and naturally require higher output power.

The game is extremely popular worldwide and many international tournaments of laser tag have also been held. There is even a museum dedicated to laser tag, where visitors can see laser tag memorabilia.

Fun City is among the most popular amusement centers in Melbourne. People who enjoy playing games with their friends and family, can enjoy laser tag here.

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