To EZed: Good Point.

True the brainstem is required for some basic functions like
breathing and, as some think, video-gaming. One could say
the brain stem is prerequisite to theology. Some theological
debates, now that I think about it, are much like Pac Man I
suppose where the goal was to avoid the ghosts and eat the
banana. Donkey Kong was another great game where you
jumped flaming barrels of fire to rescue the maiden held
captive by the gorilla. One could almost think of the maiden
as Sophia as in Philo-Sophia (philosophy) - love of wisdom.

I admit defeat to the worthy EZed.

Anybody remember the fights breaking out over "Tickle Me Elmo"?

*That* one didn't make any sense to me.

Ok... neither does the PS3 mess, either.

DrBeyond wrote: "I admit defeat to the worthy EZed."

EZ Answer: Good thing this is just a video game. We can reboot and play again.

Oh Belle!

I agree with you but I don't even want to post for fear this wretched materialistic item will generate a conversation!

I used to play PS2 but had to sell it because it was taking up too much of my time. I think these people that are shooting each other over a game system are ridiculous. GET A LIFE!

I wonder if there is any correlation between the violence in the games and the reaction to the product? Food for thought.

Forget the PS3, anyways. Get a Nintendo Wii when it comes out!

It doesn't make sense but for some reason I still want one.

It sure doesn't make any sense to me. I figure if you wait till after Xmas at least you wont have to wait in line, and if you wait like 6-12 months it will likely come down in price. As far as I've seen the most the PS3 has gone for on Ebay has been two consoles for $12,000... now that is insanity!!!

I'm a gamer myself. But even I cannot understand what the big deal is. Setting aside the fact that there is only a cosmetic difference in graphics, and that games that do have superior graphics will necessarily have shorter game play, and the bloody cost of the damn thing is exorbinant. The fact is that its just a game console. A game console which, after you spend the $700, you wont be able to get games for anyway! So save your money, get out of hte rain, and go home!

It's the bird-flu-shots. They send you into an PS3 buying flurry.

Belle wrote: "Maybe EZ Squirrel knows something."

EZ Answer: It's all about Sony launching Blu-ray. How not to repeat Betamax failure.

I'm sticking with PS2. Let the hardcore gamers test the new stuff. Bring the price down. Let the market decide between new HD technology.

I prefer games with snipers, tanks and lasers.

I have to disagree with you there k_dog. I play games alot, mostly violent ones such as Halo and Hitman and the like and im definitly not turning into a nazi. As for the hype over the ps3, personally i don't want to have one. I have an X-box and am completely happy with it. The Nintendo Wii does sound kida interesting, playing Zelda will be a riot mon that one lol.

I'm with EZed on this one. I want more game selection and more backwards compatibility before I invest in one. Middle age has taught me to be patient anyway.

I'm up for the Wii, PS3 is just... There's nothing out there for it at the moment, I mean, all the titles they released are meh, all you're doing is waiting for them to release Final Fantasy and Metal Gear, so there is no reason to go so crazy over it.
And it's way too over priced

Although the Wii does have a stupid name

I just got the Wii and it's way better than the PS3. The reason for the violence is cause there are shortages and it was way too overhyped by Sony. Nintendo did not hype the Wii much and they had a lot more of them so there was no violence over it.

I heard about a person who got a PS3 and 2 guys w/ weapons were gonna mug him so the guy stabbed them both and one's in critical condition. I'd do the same thing cause it's self defense. It's in the law.

The Wii has better games and a better experience and is 280 dollars and not 650 dollars. Me and my parents were just playing it.

Yeah I saw a few people setting up camp outside wal-mart on thursday night. It's totally ridiculous. I love games, I play them a lot, but I'm not getting a PS3 until it's been tested (why don't they learn something from the PS2 launch?) and it goes down in a price atleast a bit, and there actually games that I really want. I'm getting a Wii though in january time because then there'll be even more available and probably go down a little in price after the holiday hype.

"The reason for the violence is cause there are shortages and it was way too overhyped by Sony. Nintendo did not hype the Wii much and they had a lot more of them so there was no violence over it."

That is just crazy to me. There was violence because of hype and shortages. The shortage was intentional on Sony's part, I'm sure to fuel the hype but as I said in my first post "It's a just game". It's not a necessity what is wrong with people that they will kill to have a game?

Gaming systems, with all of their carngage and whatnot, are ruining today's youth. They are the modern-day manifetation of Hitler. Play videogames, and you will turn into a Nazi!!

belle Read the Holy Scriptures instead playing games.

Unfortunately, there are many people who cling to materialism rather than cling to the Word of God. We have people who are williing to shoot and/or physically injure others to get something, some item. It seems that greed, unhealthy desires and impatience has taken over. You can even see it in something as simple as driving a car. I'm glad that this has been brought up, I happened to be discussing it with my mother today. My mother recalled the hype for cabbage patch dolls and so forth. I think its important for all of us to grasp onto Him rather than items which don't last and cannot give what God can.

sylviac

You misread me. I wouldn't know how to play a video game if you gave me a PS3. And thank you I have I read the scriptures.

My colleague stood in line all night in Toronto for PS3. Apparently, he found out that people were paying the homeless to sit in line for them--the manager at Best Buy was in on it too, recruiting the homeless, and I suspect he'll sell them on eBay for at least $5K each.

And I heard one of the "shootings" occured at a "perfect" time while a TV crew was filming, but no one checked in the hospital, so some suspects it might have been staged.. what a crass, crazy world..

Anyway, I might go for the Wii instead, looks very very fun, affordable, and can get some light exercise while gaming.

It's pretty incredible how these technological "gadgets n gizmos" can isolate and illustrate the dynamics of racing, sport, adventure, etc. and help us experience them. I learned a lot about the rules, strategies and real-life athletes who compete in basketball, tennis, soccer/football, and even Olympic sports, from exploring video games.

Of course, everything in moderation--easier said than done though. I had to lock my system away so I could get some real life work done, when I realized I was controlling the daily routines of the Sims but neglecting my own routines, like eating and taking a shower..

This is in the realm of animal theology,
or more precisely the lizard family. It is
unfortunate that this group lacks the
higher brain function to reason let alone
engage in theology, although politics for
lizards is possible. There is some similarity
between video games and global markets.

DrBeyond wrote: "It is unfortunate that this group lacks the higher brain function to reason let alone engage in theology"

EZ Answer: Now where would theology be without a brain stem?

Cheesemaker, but don't the images we are exposed somehow effect or colour or soul? We may not go on a shooting spree or turn into Nazi's. But we may not be inculcating aspects of our soul or psychological make-up that are for our good and fulfilment. (pretty deep for a gaming thread,eh?)

It's called supply and demand. Sony will only make a certain number of PS3's for the first few months, creating a huge demand with little supply. This rioting that's been going on is great press for Sony, it creates a buzz , people start asking what's so special about it? Creating a curiousity for the product to the point where they have to go out and see one for themselves. Will you buy one, or simply just walk away? Sony doesn't care, the fact that they got you to go check one out when you weren't planning on doing so is good enough for them.

As far as someone shooting someone else over this system, that's not sony's fault, it's that individual. His/hers pursuit to be the first to have it drove him/her so far he/she cared nothing for human life. I bet if you talk to that person right now, they couldn't explain why they did it. Is it advertising fault for pushing more and more to an all ready over commercialized and over consumerized market? Or have we allowed ourselves to fall into this cycle.

This topic isn't just about a gaming sysytem, it's about consumer madness. You can't blame anyone, it's to easy to point a finger and wipe it clean from our conscious. Well, advertising drove me to shoot that person. Video game violence made me buy a gun and bullets, load it and shoot another humanbeing over a PS3. These are all easy answers to a very complex question.

I hate when people can't take responsibility for there own actions. We blame video games, we blame music, we blame advertising, we blame the government, we blame or neighbour, we blame hollywood, we point our finger until it's soar. The fact remains is that as individuals we have all become lazy, over indulgent and greedy. Anyone weho denies any of this is lying to themselves, including me.

geez, I get stuck playing spider solitaire way too much !! My kids don't have a game system, but they make up for it on internet games (much friendlier) and tv- it sucks their brains out though. Even my son (gr.3) knows the feeling of having had his head in a screen all day, and will admit he's had enough for awhile. Screen De-tox takes about a day and a half, and then you'd be suprised at how they rediscover toys, board games (battleship is popular) and books -really! I've seen it - its magical!

The gaming companies create the hype and should be held accountable for some of the mess - why? because they pump the new thing, withhold a full market share and prey on people's Bling attitude- more publicity is better for them no matter what

Ryan, I think that you hit the nail on the head. Very good answer.

I would love an Nintendo Wii, I'm a big Zelda fan and so am chomping at the bit to get one. But I can't ever imagine paying over retail for it. I'm not too keen on the retail price either and thus will not be purchasing one until I can get a bit of a bargain on it.

I can't imagine people going crazy over these game systems, though I'm not a big believer in video games and violence any more than I believe that certain board games cause violent tendencies.

Wait a year, get em when their a measily $500.