Category: Gaming

Treasure hunts are a classic & popular party game idea and great fun for kids of all ages. Creating a treasure hunt game is not as challenging as it might sound, by following just a few simple steps and using a little creativity you’ll have your hunt up and running for your childs birthday party or holiday event in no time!

Step 1: Choose your hunt location: Decide where you will hold your hunt. Options might include around your house, outside in the yard or neighborhood, in your classroom at school, at a park, or any other special location you might have in mind

Step 2: Choose your hiding spots: Look around your location area for good locations to hide your clues. You may need larger hiding places if you plan on putting goodies at each stop, but any size spot will do if you are just planning on leaving a paper trail of clues.
Make a list of these hiding spot locations. I suggest 10 hiding spots for a typical treasure hunt game. Ive created a sample list of possible outdoor treasure hunt hiding spots for us to work from. Mailbox, window, gutter, fence, ball, flag, bike, dog chain, doorbell, welcome mat, bush

Step 3: Find Keywords associated with each of your hiding spots: Lets take our first hiding spot from our outdoor sample game above, Mailbox. The key to making good clues is to think of words that you might associate with this hiding spot. Here are some words that come to mind: letters, packages, mailman, flag (on the box), post, delivery, sender, communicate, stamps, etc. These will be your “keywords” for making your clue.

Step 4: Find Rhyming Words: Next, choose one of the keywords that we just came up with and write down words that rhyme with it. For example, if we choose “stamp” from our keyword list above, we can come up with the rhyming words – ramp, champ, lamp, damp, camp. I like “champ”, because I can then say, “you can be a champ!”

Step 5: Putting your Clue together: Use your keywords and your rhyming words to make your clue. The difficulty level of your clues should be adjusted to be age appropriate for your hunters. For younger children your clues should be pretty evident, and conversely a little trickier for older children and teens
Lets go through an example that Ive created for younger players for the mailbox hiding spot, using the keyword stamp – and the rhyming word – champ. Notice I was able to incorporate 2 additional keywords – delivered & letters from our keyword list into the clue, as a little extra hint. (Always a good idea for younger players)

“Find the next clue to become the champ,
Where letters get delivered with a stamp.”

Now lets try creating a harder clue for teens and older children. This time Im going to work with the primary keyword “sender”. My rhyming words include bender, lender, tender, slender, spender. I choose “tender” because it makes me think of love letters!

“Where you might receive words that are tender,
Created by a secret admiring sender”

This clue is a little more complex, in that hunters must first figure out that were talking about a love letter, before they can figure out that a letter would be received in the mailbox!

Now that you have the basic process down, you can continue forward creating clues for each of your 10 hiding spots one by one until you have an entire hunt ready to go!

Step 6: Set up your hunt: Once you have all of your treasure hunt clues prepared. Remember that you will have to hand the first clue to the children at the start of the hunt. So, if the first clue leads to the mailbox, the clue in the mailbox must lead somewhere else. (DONT put your “mailbox” clue in the mailbox!) Hide the clues one-by-one as you walk yourself through the hunt so that you dont get confused.

If you dont have the time to create your own treasure hunt game. You can leave this part of your party planning to someone else, as there are great affordable ready-to-play treasure hunt games available online. Have a great treasure hunt party and happy hunting to all!

How To Win Lotto: The Most Effective Way To Pick Your Winning Numbers

Mark Collard

When you consider the potential multi-million dollar fortunes on offer, picking your lotto numbers can seem like a complicated and stressful affair. Nothing could be more rewarding than cashing in a one- or two-dollar lottery ticket for a million-dollar jackpot.

You only have to scan the daily tabloids or internet search engine listings to know that everyone and their dog possesses some unique method of busting the odds or predicting the winning numbers of any lottery in the world.

In spite of the enormous odds, and regardless of the type of prize you are seeking to win, you can always depend on three universal principles* or laws every time you play lotto anywhere, anytime. The most important of the three ‘laws’ is this…

Lottery Numbers Are Totally Random

Lotto is a game of chance based on a random selection of numbers. It is not possible to consistently and reliably predict a random event. Full stop. End of story. Grasp this concept, and you are well on your way to lotto success.

Consequently, do not concern yourself with coupon patterns, hot numbers, frequency statistics or other implausible good luck charms. Although interesting, these systems have absolutely no bearing on your ability to predict the winning numbers, nor your chances of winning a prize. A random selection of numbers can not, by definition, form a pattern.

I am yet to see any computer system or software package that can reliably and consistently predict the winning numbers of any lottery in the world. It just cant be done, nor will it ever be possible. To this end, any product that claims to analyze patterns in actual lottery results or help you predict the winning numbers of your favorite lottery is a scam. If you just heard yourself say “No theyre not,” dont bother reading on youre fooling yourself, and I dont want to waste your time any further.

By all means, go ahead and have fun using these products to choose your weekly numbers. Just never bet your house on them.

So, what IS the most effective way to pick your winning numbers?

The answer is simple. Anyway you choose.

Your choice of selections has absolutely no bearing on the numbers which will be drawn this week, or any week for that matter. To suggest otherwise is to appear gullible and stupid.

If you want to know, I always choose my numbers randomly (it’s a function of the winlottosystems wheeling software I use) because it’s easy, and I don’t have to think.

Never Change Your Numbers?

This advice is dispensed about as frequently as a new system for picking this week’s lucky numbers is announced.

But seriously, should you change your numbers, or stick with the same numbers all the time (in case they are drawn)? It’s a good question, and one that vexes more lotto players than they care to admit.

You can also control your Xbox 360 console with a single touch or a flick of your wrist. Steering your way through games, music, menus and movies together with your voice is simply incredible. This is only something a lot of people would normally see inside science fiction movies, but now its here. Voice command gadgets are simply just breathtaking.

If the past motion sensing games were cool with just your hands doing the exercise, are you able to imagine what using your whole body is usually like? This experience seemingly and genuinely new. If motion games until now were limited to palm based sports, Kinect is often a complete body based athletics experience. You can utilize everything you have. Exactly what includes your voice to consider control and enjoy the games is usually a one-of-a-kind gaming experience.ce.

Having the ability to signal for a machine or say very similar to “enhance, upgrade, and evolve” and still have it actually know just what you command in technology fiction is translated into reality is more or less mind boggling and mentally invigorating. Try to visualize doing more of these not only for games, but for your computer help computer, changing from your email to your browser to other applications either having a simple flick of your wrist or a quick command of “Computer, head over to my website. ” Earlier is past. The future is not too far away. This is actually the future.

Many people would argue that Dance Central because quintessence of this futuristic gambling platform. Learning how to night is embarrassing enough for many beginners and those devoid of the natural talent to transfer gracefully. Joining a dance class sometimes reveals your insufficient rhythm to 10-20 people at any given time. But with this morale boosting electronic fitness professional, you have nothing that they are ashamed of. Nobody would know that you are a newbie except you as well as your living room. The gadget could possibly be tempting to people whom enjoy dancing and tunes games. However, if you broaden your mind set you’ll be able to imagine what possibilities with this technology within your attain.

Set your mind zero cost and imagine what more you can learn in the privacy of your office. The Kinect sensor is arguably essentially the most significant part of this technique, and for obvious reasons. It is a fairly large device at the start, and it’s highly recommended you not tamper or decide to put is on dangerous situations whether on or off of. The Kinect has somewhat electronic device in it that provides it the ability to tilt up and down. Attempting to tilt the device might damage that continuous-duty motor. Mount the device securely on the safe and elevated area. Finally, make sure your playing area has a wide space because you’re going to need it.

The Up and Coming Xbox Kinect, and How It Stacks Up Than the Competition in Motion Sensor Gaming

With all the Wii having come out there with motion detection at an incredibly low cost point, and the PlayStation Move coming onto the scene next, the Xbox 360 Kinect provides big shoes to complete.

In terms of recognizing fine depth of movement, there’s hardly any question: the Kinect just simply plain wins.

the author is a technology and video game columnist.The opinions expressed are those of the author and do not necessarily represent someone else.

360 kinect, buy 360 kinect, buy 360 kinect

Truth is subjective. If there is one word of advice I would leave to my children it would be, youre better off being DIFFERENT. If the majority of people are doing something and you choose to be a part of it then youre probably on a fast track to self-destruction. In my quarter century of time on this earth, I’ve had the opportunity to observe disturbing changes in the mentality of the people. Should I cast blame on the media? Obama? Conspiracy theories? No, I blame you.

One of these disturbing changes I mentioned is the fact that my fellow oxygen users allow themselves to be fooled so easily. Its almost as if no one can think on their own anymore. We let trends dictate how we dress, talk and interact. Where Im from, in the 90s you couldn’t be caught dead with tight pants (unless you were Caucasian). Now, a couple of rap artist wear “skinny jeans” and its okay? Now Im not saying that theres anything wrong with wearing fitted clothing, but does media have to give you a green light for everything? Live your life for you.

Have you ever asked yourself, who defines your perspective of “cool?” When you see a commercial on TV advertising some new shoes that aren’t economically friendly, are you interested in the actual design of the shoe or are you more concerned about how you are perceived wearing an expensive brand? Its just like buying art. People are more than likely to buy a piece of artwork from a well-known artist (even if its a picture of rocks being kicked) v.s. the intricate masterpiece of a no named Joe Blow Six-pack. That mentality is poison and youll never be at peace within yourself.

Currently, we seek that peace in the wrong places. Did you know that its human nature to desire to be a part of something? The sooner you understand that, the faster you can combat it. Do you really want to be out all night drinking with the guys/girls? Who celebrates turning 33 with shots? Is that the only common interest for your circle of friends? You think it makes you cool in their eyes because youre always “down for whatever?” Now if partying all night floats your boat then by all means have at it. Thats just one example of a situation people put themselves in seeking a social life. Choose to be a part of something positive. Constantly seek to better yourself and your circle.

Life can be discouraging at times. We subconsciously corner our souls until the point where we have to escape by any means necessary. Even to the point of doing things we wouldn’t normally do. Reaching the bottom of a 750ml bottle of Croc could be emotional survival. Same goes for participating in prostitution, drugs and other escapes we’ve created. At times, your reality is your escape. As I stated before, the truth is subjective. Look at all the different religions in the world. In every religion, its followers believe their religion to be solely true. Are you subconsciously a member of a church/organization not knowing its really just your desire to be a part of something? Its past time to wake up from your slumber.

Sometimes we lose focus on the vital things in life and we fall victim to another one of our human nature attributes, the desire to be “desired.” This can cause you to commit yourself to dead end relationships/marriages. It can also destroy what once was a beautiful relationship/marriage. Show your partner an appropriate amount of attention before someone else does. Now outside of human nature, when did it become cool to be a heart-breaker? To deceive people for your own selfish agenda. This goes for both sexes. Guys take care of our women. Theyre fragile. Tricks, “go-dig” yourself a career.

Women, one of the biggest issues with todays time is the lack of self-respect. I love me a good twerking video, but it has to stop. What kind of future do you expect to have with a twerk video online? Imagine youre trying to land your dream job, they search your name on YouTube and a twerk video comes up. Youll probably be hired, but for the wrong reason. The most attractive woman in the world is “classy in the streets, and a freak in the sheets.” How can you expect respect from someone else if you dont respect yourself? Have a standard. For yourself and others around you.

Find your happiness. Not the temporary gratification from substance-less things. The highlight of your day should not be watching “Real Housewives of ___.” Take a break from consulting your many Facebook psychologists. Think on your own for a change. Evaluate your current status and plan for where you want to be. Change your surroundings. Everyone doesn’t have your best interest at heart. Dont be control or consumed by the media. Form your own opinion based off of your observations. All cops aren’t bad. Every black man sagging his pants isn’t trying to rob your local convenience store. Every conspiracy theory you hear isn’t accurate. Every conspiracy theory you hear isn’t inaccurate. Find your truth, and live it.

With the tremendous popularity of Facebook and the appeal of real-time simulation games, social gaming has acquired extensive acceptance. Social gaming has become an online phenomenon and the runaway success of FarmVille and other social games such as Zoo World, Happy Aquarium, Pet Society and Restaurant City is said to triple by the year 2012.

The revenue in many of these games is usually through the sales of virtual goods. Relatively few of those gamers are paying to play or to purchase virtual goods and currency, although those revenue streams make up a large percentage of total social gaming dollars. On the other hand, one can play the games for free, and invest time instead of money. Although not paying directly, the free players are effectively helping either directly or indirectly, by inviting more people from their network over time to play the game. Typically a few percentages of the total users convert into paying ones, a factor which depends hugely on the game design and target audience.

There are two significant metrics DAU/MAU and K-Factor — that are the means to understanding if a game goes viral and popular in its early stages. For most social games DAU (daily active users) and MAU (monthly active users) are important to achieve critical user reach and engage them to retain the DAU/MAU count and grow. The Facebook platform has a captive audience presence that makes it an appealing marketplace to launch such games. With more players getting hooked on these games, they continue to build cities, farms, slay dragons, and dig for gold on their PCs and mobile devices. Measured by metrics like ARPU, these players start spending small chunks of money that becomes a significant revenue stream over a period of time. As real revenues can be delivered by critical insights consequent of understanding user engagement and in-game behavior, it becomes imperative to constantly analyze the social activity of the numerous users. Social Gaming andsocial analytic companies must essentially measure the success of these games on a regular basis.

The social-gaming-market represents immense opportunity for marketers, and in the coming months there are bound to be more marketers muscling into the social gaming space through brand marketing tactics such as display ads, video ads, custom games, in-game enhancements, product placements and sponsorships. The social gaming industry is definitely starting to generate real revenues, and it is a marketplace that could soon constitute a good chunk of the social e-commerce market.