Virtual lives

There has been talk recently about Eureka Springs becoming the new headquarters for gaming, hosting the yearly seminars and such. Also, there is a new company forming here called Brainstem Games, which my husband may be helping with the sound design work. I have been pretty disconnected from the whole "gaming" community for a long time, since we have small children and just don't have any extra time right now.

Looking at some of the new games, I am amazed at how detailed the graphics are compared to games from when I was young and how much hype revolves around games that are played online against other users. Games like starcraft even have fan sites like CreepColony with forums for players to share experiences and tips. There are over 1,100 members registered and the forums are very active, with members even planning to meet up in person.

When you combine the popularity of social media sites and gaming these days, it is possible for people to have a completely virtual existence separate from their real lives. This is a good outlet for teenagers who find their daily lives too difficult, but users must maintain a healthy balance and not get too caught up in their online world while ignoring what is going on in the real world. In the case of children and teenagers, limits must be imposed by parents to ensure this balance.

Lowest bid wins

Many people play online games when they have some free time during the workday. Why not play one where you can win a cash prize or free gifts? Bid4Prizes is a reverse auction game where the lowest original bid wins the prize. The best part is, if you win you don't even have to pay what you bid, you win the sweepstake prize for free.

There are new winners everyday and the prizes range from $500 cash, to laptop computers, to an 8-foot outdoor widescreen theatre system, to a new BMW 3 Series automobile. Give Bid4Prizes a try and see what you can win!

How about a friendly game of Backgammon?

Backgammon has gained popularity lately in the online game market. The most famous backgammon page on the net, Backgammon Masters, has given birth to a new marketing idea to promote their site. Their new mascot is Jean-Claude, the suave, smooth talking French animated tiger. Jean-Claude is the #1 Player at Backgammon Masters. He was created to teach people more about the game and its rules. He also shows us that backgammon is for everyone from all walks of life. His videos can be viewed through YouTube in a five part animation series. Read their news release for more information on this fun, innovative approach to teaching people about the game of backgammon:

http://www.BackgammonMasters.com is using a ground-breaking and original approach to promote and establish their skill game software in the online game market. Introducing the #1 Player at BackgammonMasters, Jean-Claude the animated tiger. BackgammonMasters creates a new dimension in online backgammon branding in their 5 part interactive animation series titled 'Life According to Jean-Claude'. Jean Claude - Backgammon Masters Animated Tiger Movie BackgammonMasters brought this character to life in a well-designed and cleverly scripted effort to illustrate to a wide audience the appeal of backgammon as a skill game truly loved and played by all people, from all walks of life from around the world. Jean Claude is BackgammonMasters' pioneering mascot who is setting a new standard in online game entertainment. Viewers win prizes for trivia questions after viewing, and are offered rewards for suggestion any script ideas used. Clips can be easily forwarded to friends who will create the viral marketing buzz that only a character like Jean-Claude is capable of generating. "BackgammonMasters creates a new dimension in online backgammon branding in their 5 part interactive animation series titled 'Life According to Jean-Claude'." In the series we are exposed to a hilarious explanation and comparison by Jean-Claude of how to succeed at everything from playing backgammon to chopping onions, to fulfilling ones dreams and make important life choices. In the opening clip we, find Jean-Claude, a tiger, humoristic, mafia type, dressed in 70's clothes (bell-bottoms and cream-colored shoes, a button-up shirt with a dice print and a large dollar sign chain around his neck) sitting in his trailer in the used junk car lot he manages. No, he doesn't feel pathetic or sad amidst the junk, on the contrary. He is full of street smarts obtained during his many years in the University of Life. BackgammonMasters has maintained a high profile in the news lately not only because of Jean-Claude, they also recently launched a 3-in-1 game lobby offering games such as Backgammon, Poker and Perudo (Liar's Dice), all in one download. To get a sneak peak at the animations go to: http://www.backgammonmasters.com/jc.html To download the BackgammonMasters 3-in-1 free software go to: www.backgammonmasters.com Report by Gammonish.com - online backgammon resource for news and information. To learn more about the backgammon game and online backgammon rules visit http://www.gammonish.com.