"The Gamer's Brain": How Neuroscience, and UX Can Impact Video Game Design by Celia Hodent

As a gamer we are mostly aware now of the mental gymnastics taking place within the corporate side of the gaming industry due to informative journalistic leaks regarding questionable moneymaking efforts. We are aware of the mental manipulation that takes place, and the UX (user experience) tactics that experts utilize to create lucrative business endeavors. As we are aware so too are the game developers, and publishers. Developers, and publisher who hire UX experts like Celia Hodent (Epic Games/Fortnite, Ubisoft ...) to be a panel adviser. While this particular book, "The Gamer's Brain", isn't directed at us as gamers in that regard I feel it can still serve a dual purpose for both gamers, and game creators alike if they care to learn a little more about the industry they partake of. The book is very telling in it's detailed breakdown of how the gamer brain works on a neurological/psychological level, and how to best work that knowledge into game design for profit sake, and business sustainability. Using college level explanations, and various graphic references to backup information such as data pertaining to neuroscience, and UX understanding Celia Hodent unveils the inner workings of the user experience through her own personal industry experience. Broken up into two parts that each span seven chapters Celia eases the reader into things like perception, attention, cognitive bias, and eventually methodology as well as application in the processes of the creation of successful video games. It's more or less a comprehensive guide for a better business perspective.

2015 Is Just Around The Corner ...

It has definitely been a disappointing year for gaming in many ways. The year 2014 has brought with it MANY gaming problems including half-assed products, money mooching to the extreme, and even the latest hacking fiasco. Some gaming studios along with gamers have felt the hurt of poorly made decisions all across the board. In fact some gaming studios are on the brink of self-destruction as we speak due to such poor choices. With the way things are going it's hard to tell if gaming will survive the hard hits it's been dealt, and continues to be dealt. I personally hope gaming companies, and certain gamers get their shit together in 2015. The trolling, modding, cheating, and hacking seriously needs to stop. The younger generation of gamers in particular needs to lay off the stupid sauce, and get educated on how to act in a social environment. While hopes, and dreams for a better year of gaming may seem foolish, and far fetched I'm gonna hang onto the hope that things will improve.

Rise of the King: Companions Codex II (Book)

In a fantasy world that slightly mirrors our own author R.A.Salvatore continues his tale of the dark elf named 'Drizzt Do'Urden', and those who aim to make, or break the world around him. The times, and setting of this follow-up tale continue to be darkly lit, and foreboding leaving the reader anxious to see what each page entails. The pages themselves are filled with the epic battle mongering of orcs, dwarves, and elves who are each engaged in a territorial war akin to J.R.R.Tolkien's "Lord of the Rings". Within it's pages kings are betrayed, and killed as the orc's new alliances make way for the promise of a new bloody age for orc-kind. In the not so distant background of the ongoing conflict Drizzt, and his newly found troupe of followers also find themselves drawn into the fray as they look desperately for lost comrades. Their unlikely band of wartime heroes which is comprised of an elf, a halfling, a barbarian, and a dwarf come to know true danger at the hands of their many enemies, and even from Drizzt himself.