Tuesday, January 28, 2020

Technological environment of video Game Industry Essay Example for Free

Technological environment of video Game Industry Essay The Video Game industry is constantly undergoing new innovations and ground breaking technology. New trends and innovations are introduced on a yearly basis that alters the marketing environment. The Level of technology in this industry is very high. The speed of technology and usage is ongoing and expanding throughout the country and the world. With the constant growth, a fast and a high rate of Obsolescence is the outcome. The video game industry also has social concerns pertaining to the overall health of the users. Within the past 10 years the video game industry has boomed to keep up with the rapid growth of technology. Each video game console starting from the Atari 2600 ( September 1977) to the Nintendo 64( September 1996) and to the recent Sony Play station, Nintendo WII, and Microsoft X-box franchise has evolved insignificant ways. Trends: Mega-Gaming, Interactive †¢Mega-Gaming A new trend like Mega-Gaming which has been becoming popular Schmidt, D(2013,November )â€Å"These last ten years have ushered in the age of the mega-game; video games with budgets of $100 million and massive marketing pushes designed to break single-week sales records† Video Games in the US. Retrieved from IBIS World Industry Report. This Mega-Gaming consists of a high return and in return comes with high risk ,where if one game does not meet sales then the whole gaming company can go under. The highest budget game is Grand Theft Auto 5 reaching 265 million dollars invested to production, but within the first 3 weeks their sales were above 1 billion dollars being the most successful release in all entertainment in the world. Such high budgets come from factors like developing and development staff. But the majority of the portion of their budget is put in to marketing. Even to the very little spent on development, a big part of it goes towards the non-gameplay parts such as motion capture and expensive voice acting talent. The result in this could either consist of a horrible outcome, or a big take home. †¢Interactive Gaming The Video Game industry is based around new and upcoming technology. Interactive Gaming is becoming more popular within the industry. In the age of technology social media is slowly integrating itself into gaming. Many game franchises are starting to focus on the aspect of playing online and the interaction between players. It is seen where in future consoles they can link their social media sites to share videos, gameplay, and statistics with friends. This has already been seen with android and IOS games, where many of the games have a link to sign in through Facebook,Twitter, Instagram to post their scores. Innovations: Motion Sensor, 3D, Neuro-Gaming †¢Motion Sensor With the more hands on Interactive gaming experience, the most recent motion sensor and even seen in the future Neuro-Gaming will take over the industry. The big break came from the notorious Nintendo Wii which monitored movement by sensors in controllers that the user held. This quickly branched out to Play Station’s Move, and X-box Kinect where Kinect is censored by actual body movement which was another new innovation. This type of interaction continues to grow, and the industry is trying to get the user more hands on within the game. †¢Three Dimensional (3D) The new state of the art 3D imaging is putting players as close to the game as possible. New faster, more efficient processing units and graphic cards create a game play experience that intermingles with every other component. †¢Neuro-Gaming. Neuro-gaming is a new innovation that is expected to revolutionize the gaming industry and alter the gaming experience over the next five years. As stated in an article by Forbes writer Aaron Frank (2013) â€Å"Driven by explosive growth in computer processing, affordable sensors, and new haptic sensation technology, neuro-game designers have entirely new toolkits to craft an immersive experience that simulates our waking life (Web). It will be made of sensors, processing power, fast bandwidth and incredible design talent creating a whole new platform for video games. Neuro-gaming incorporates a range of inputs, which monitor a player’s heart rate, brain waves, pupil dilation, hand and body gestures, and the change of your emotional state to make for amazing game play. Speed and Usage of Technology †¢Speed of Technology The speed of technology transfer in the video game industry is very high, and is transferred throughout in a positive and growing manner. The software, hardware, and methods are fast developing. The process of transferring these things among other franchises and institution for the development is a big part of growth and competition. As seen at the 2013 Neuro-Gaming Conference and Expo, various institutions came to demonstrate similar yet different innovations to put into future development. Licensing and turn overs on concepts consistently make it to the market in the video game industry. The transfer of technology to other less developed countries in the past have been almost non-existent but due to the on growing technology boom many video games, especially educational games are being sent over to less-developed countries. †¢USAGE of TECHNOLOGY The use of technology defines the video game industry. Every aspect of this industry relies on technology and technological advances. The high rate of obsolescence demands an increase in technology. The type of technology differs from each device. May it be hand held device like cell phones or tablets, video game consoles, and computers. Each have hardware and software that are key to its use. To computers and personal consoles it will be the hardware, the graphic cards and processing units. But without the technology of various input devices like the different controllers, keyboards, and other hand held devices the industry would not be what it is now. Rate of Obsolescence and Social Concerns †¢Obsolescence Obsolescence is an all too common thing in the video game industry, due to factors of so much growth and the new trends in the industry. Many video games either it be on a personal device, a home console, or personal computer are factor to being part of a series. The success of a game guaranties it for another title, or updated version. Once this new title comes out the previous game almost instantly becomes obsolete and although still in perfect condition, is no longer wanted. Carrying on from the video games, the consoles are updated with new innovations, hardware and software. This is seen common in the Play station and X-box Franchise each having 3 different version of each console, and therefore the trouble of only being accustomed to a specific sort of game. Such as were Play Station 3 console and games have thrived, but when the upcoming Play Station 4 is released, both the console and games will become obsolete. †¢Social Concerns What is most controversial about the video game industry and the social concerns is the damage it is seen doing to children. Although video games have their benefits for learning, the controversy of gaming violence are becoming a concern to society. The infamous game series Grand Theft Auto, being in the head front of this issue is often accused of giving young Americans the motive and ideas to carry out action in the games in real life. Shown in a medical study done by Gentil,Choo,Liau (2011) greater amounts of gaming, lower social competence, and seemed to act as risk factors for becoming pathological gamers. This is where depression, anxiety, social phobias, and lower school performance seemed to be the outcomes of pathological gaming in the video game industry. The Social Concerns categorizing itself with obesity, lack of exercise in the youth, addiction and social problems. 1. Schmidt, D. (2013). IBISWorld Industry Report NN003. Video Games in the US. Retrieved November 13, 2013 from IBISWorld database. 2. Frank, A (2013) The Future of Gaming- It May Be All In Your Head. Forbes. Retrieved from http://www. forbes. com/sites/singularity/2013/06/03/the-future-of-gaming-it-may-be-all-in- your-head/2/ 3. Gentile DA, Choo H, Liau A, (2011) Pathological video game use among youths: a two-year longitudinal study. Pediatrics. 2011;127(2):e319–e329.

Monday, January 20, 2020

World Economy :: Consumer Confidence

Matsusaka & Sbordone (1995) used quarterly data from 1953 to 1988 to empirically investigate the relationship between consumer confidence and Gross National Product in the United States. Using vector auto regressions Matsusaka ( 1995) & Afshar, Arabian, Zomorrodian (2007) examined the effect of pure confidence on GNP by implementing control variables such as the Index of leading indicators & Consumer price index respectively; finding that confidence granger caused GNP for 1, 2, 3 & 4 quarter lag models. Through forecast error variance decompositions they concluded that 12%-26% & 8-23% of the variation in GNP can be attributed to consumer confidence. The slight variations in the decompositions can b accounted for by variable orderings and differing time periods. Similarly Utaka (2003) applied the same methodology used by Matsusaka & Sbordone(1995) to empirically investigate this relationship in the case of Japan. By using not only quarterly data, but monthly and semi annual data from 1980q1- 2000q3 they reconfirmed the consumer confidence- GDP relationship for Japan and found that it accounted for 9%-11% of variation in GNP. This showed smaller variation for Japan illustrating that confidence indicators influence on GDP movements are country dependent making it unwise to assume uniform relationship strength across countries. Golinelli & Parigi (2004) investigated this matter by analysing the consumer confidence relationship in eight country’s from 1970-2002. They modelled the CCI-GDP relationship using a co-integrated vector auto regression using a common set of macroeconomic variables that were country specific to control for correlation being driven by other variables; therefore avoiding the limits of the single equation approach found in previous literature. They tested the forecasting power by comparing the RMSE for unrestricted and restricted models for 1, 2 & 4 steps horizons. Golinelli (2004), Mourougane & Roma (2002), Taylor & Mcnab (2007) find that RMSE was generally lower in the unrestricted model at short term horizons (1-2 steps) for EU countries, illustrating its importance in short term forecasting. Much of previous literature has aimed at establishing whether consumer confidence indexes provide additional information in comparison to macroeconomic variables and not its forecasting power. However, these have received mixed results in most cases, yet it is acknowledged they maintained an autonomous role in forecasting, (see â€Å"Mueller 1963, Adams 1964, Suits &sparks 1965, fair 1971 a & 1971b, Adams & Klein 1972†). Opinion now acknowledges that the index can help predict economic activity (see â€Å"Garner 1991, Fuhrer 1993; Carol et al 1994, Kumar et al 1995, Bran & Ludvigson 1998, Eppright et al 1998†)

Sunday, January 12, 2020

Ben Sliney

Benedict Sliney was the National Operations Manager for the Federal Aviation Administration on the 11th September in the year 2001. On that day, he was working at the Command Center located in Herndon Virginia. This was his first day as the manager and the gentle man was on a promotion. He had previously worked at the Air Traffic Control since the year 1964. Ben Sliney is the lawyer who at one time in the place of the Air Traffic System had sued the FAA. On the 11th September, Ben was the one who primarily gave the order that all the planes stateside be grounded.Ben made this decision to have the United States air space closed. Private and commercial planes were forced by his orders to land or they would have to remain grounded. Ben did this on his own, even without the consent of President George W. Bush . Very few people could have had the competence and courage to take that bold step and make such an important decision on their own without anxiety and needing affirmation from thei r seniors or colleagues. On this day, Ben Sliney interrupted the daily meeting by the senior staff at the command center of FAA in Herndon, Virginia.The manager was giving a report that there could have been a possible planned hijacking that could have been progressing at that moment. The command center had come to learned that Flight 11 had been hijacked approximately two minutes prior. During this time that Ben Sliney was making his report, a certain supervisor interrupted the same meeting claiming that there was a chance or even a probability that one flight attendant on the allegedly hijacked plane could have been stabbed. This meeting was then spontaneously broken up a few minutes before the very first crash of the WTC.This happened at exactly forty six minutes after eight o’clock in the morning. At this time no one who had attended the meeting made the effort to contact NORAD. At 9:42, the center came to learn from the local television reports that a certain plane had j ust struck the United States Pentagon. During the next few minutes, at around 9:45 am, the FAA was given the final order by Ben to have all the civil aircraft land at any closest airport within the shortest time possible. It was reported that the approximate number of planes that were flying in US was 4; 452. This was the decision that carried the day.Ben Sliney, on his own and being his first day as manager made the decision to have all the planes land. This order was quite unprecedented. The traffic control system however managed to handle the order competently and with a lot of skill. All the 4,500 general aviation and commercial aircrafts landed moments latter without any reported incidents. I identify with Ben Sliney because he is a very experienced person who knows the requirements of his job as a manager. A manager is supposed to take charge of his department and give orders or advice to the juniors.Ben Sliney applied the principles of management effectively, a factor that co ntributed to the successful landing of all the 4,500 planed that were on air on that day in the US. He is a competent manager who is very decisive and accurate. Being the person in charge of traffic control, Ben within no time was able to plan for the emergency. On receiving the news of the hijacked plane, he did not hesitate but went strait to organize on the next step with the senior staff that was having the daily morning meeting at the command center.There was no time to sit down and strategize on the next course of action since the next piece of information suspecting that a staff member on the hijacked plane could have been stabbed. Despite the nature of information, which was rather intense, Ben calmly and urgently acted just like a manager should. He effectively and efficiently within no time directed the rest of the traffic control staff to make the necessary arrangements and urgently prepare for the emergency landing of the planes on board. The planes were meant to land at the nearest port possible.Ben was doing all this for the safety of the passengers on board as well as the crew. I am professionally aspired by the then FAA’s manager for National Operations. This is because on his very firs day as manager in a very sensitive department, he single mindedly managed to bring down all the planes on air at the time of the hijacking. Being his first day as manager, he was very confident and he knew exactly what to and when to do it and even how to do it. He aspires me because he turned out to be a very effective manager.In addition, Ben did not make any consultations because the time and the circumstances did not allow it. He used all the experience he had gained at his previous position before getting the promotion to bring order and avoid chaos. He successfully did this and all the staff at the FAA will never forget the toughest decision that one of their own had to take. Ben has inspired me to be confident in the strong professional decisions t hat I have to take and especially being in a senior management position. The following lessons have been learned from the Ben Sliney decision.†¢ Quickly plan for emergencies without having to get the rest of the people anxious, †¢ Organize all the necessary arrangements to ensure that the laid plans fall in place respectively. †¢ Direct the senior staff to carry out the plans collectively as a team †¢ Coordinate the activities of the people to ensure that within the shortest time possible, they are harmoniously working to the attainment of the objective within the shortest time possible. I agree with the decision and immediate actions taken by Ben Sliney on that material day.There was not enough time to make elaborate consultations and arrive at a unanimous decision from all the senior personnel. Ben quickly did what he could have done at that moment to save the situation. In my opinion, Ben took the best decision by not risking the lives of thousands of passenge rs who were on board alongside the cabin crew. By not taking time to consult, the operations manager saved time to handle the rest of the issues. He put plans in place to have all the planes land. This work well and demonstrated his efficiency since all the planes landed without any incidences.Being in his position, I would have done taken the same measures to bring calm to the Federal Aviation Administration in the midst of such an emergency that could have spread a panic arrest to the United States in general and FAA in particular. Conclusion In a nut shell, the decision taken by Ben Sliney on the 9/11 to bring down all the private as well as commercial planes flying above the United States was remarkable. It took a lot of courage to do what the manager did to save the situation. ReferencesRetrieved from, Ben Sliney, was the National Operations Manager for the FAA on September 11 http://baylink. pitas. com/ Accessed on 14th November, 2007. Retrieved from, Sept. 11 is Slineyâ€℠¢s first day on the job as national operations manager, http://my. metafilter. com/ Accessed on Accessed on 14th November, 2007. Retrieved from, Mr. Benedict Sliney, http://www. sfgate. com/ Accessed on Accessed on 14th November, 2007. Retrieved from, Ben Sliney, www. findarticles. com/ Accessed on Accessed on 14th November, 2007.

Saturday, January 4, 2020

Essay on Growing Up in California - 550 Words

Growing up in Long Beach, CA 90804, there would be various ethnicities that were my neighbors. According to 2010 Census, Long Beach population consists of 40,311 people. Long Beach contains 38.6% of whites, 16.9% of blacks, 14.8% of Asians, and 37.8% of Hispanics, as we can see in Long Beach, Hispanics and whites make up a great percentage in the population and I think this is true. For example, in high school half the school consisted of whites and the rest were Hispanics, Asian, black, and others. Long Beach is a diverse city, but it can also depend exactly what part of Long Beach people live. As the years have passed I was considered middle class, but with the top 1% earning more than half the money in the country we are considered†¦show more content†¦If statistics are based on the population, they might not be fair. For example, people in LA, 90210 have a small number of population and many of those people have good jobs and a good education and statistics cannot be based on only those people because might want to live there, but do not have money and go to a city that is poorer and population rises. Also, in the LA Times â€Å"Mapping LA† interactive website, the counties in the right tend to have a lower education percentage of residents of 25 and older with a four year degree, it seems that those counties who have a low education percentage are close to each other and are separated from counties who have a higher education percentage. Around my neighborhood, it is considered a quiet and safe zone, but sometimes there are shootings and robberies doing around. Homes around my neighborhood are kept clean and many are apartments. There are various languages spoken when I walk around my neighborhood such as English or Spanish. Also, my neighborhood is pretty quiet, but there have been many incidents are police pass at least 3 times a week to see what’s going on. Also, mostly everyone in my neighborhood own cars and almost everyone has a used car, but for the exception of two or three people own a new car, Living in Long Beach, 90804, I do not see many challenges living here, seeing police take a look around myShow MoreRelatedThe Geographic Diversity Of California1403 Words   |  6 Pagesalso its geography. California has the greatest variety of regional landscapes, climate zones, flora, and fauna in all of North America. The geographical diversity of California is deeply tied the geological theories of it scie ntific origins especially its sculpting through the movement of plate tectonics. California consists of 11 diverse regions with diverse landscapes. Regional diversity was greatly contributed by Europe. This was because European settlement in California began pretty late. 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