Video Game's Sales Not Looking Good

Think hard to yourself. When is the last time you bought a game, as opposed to eating for the week? Depending on who you are, you might think that is crazy, and you would be right. But there is a small subset of Hardcore Video Game enthusiasts that would do it. The only problem is that they are not enough to keep sales going strong. This Tuesday, nearly all video game makers on Wall Street fell, the biggest of which was Electronic Arts. 

Most economist say it is the down economy, which I think is strange, because most of the time in a bad economy, Movie sales skyrocket. I guess that paying eight bucks for a movie ticket and sixty for a game is a little different, but there both about escapism. That is why people go to the movies during downturns in the economy, because they want to forget about there money problems. To me, video games are even more escapist, because you basically go to a different world for a couple hours. 

Either way, video games aren't doing so hot right now. So I am giving a call to action to all the Geeks out there. Go to your local Gamespot and buy the first awesome game you see. 

I know I'm doing my part.

The State of Computers

Today, October 19th, 2009, at 9:25 a.m. I had an epiphany. I sat in my "Foundations of Computer Science I" class and was thinking about programming. The main question I had was, "Why am I learning how to program in Java, when, to the best of my knowledge, most companies use C++ or Python?"

As I thought about this question, I realized the answer to this question. It's because of Java's portability. You can use a Java program on any computer, whether it be a Mac, P.c., or even a Linux box. That is the current state of computers. Computer Science students are being prepared for a future that is no longer dominated by P.C.'s. To a Windows fanboy, that's kinda disappointing.

Of course, Microsoft isn't helping itself out much. I don't know how many times I've heard someone say that there going to switch to Apple computers just because of Vista's terrible reputation (a reputation that, I think, should be done away with because of Sp1 & 2). Plus, the Apple advertising campaign that has been attacking television the last couple years actually has given Macs a feeling of "coolness" (NOT). 

So far, things are not looking good for Microsoft, but alas, a savior is on the way! 

It's a bird, It's a plane! NO! It's a computer with Windows 7 installed!!!!!!!!!!!

Well, maybe that's a little over dramatic, but with reading all the reviews that I have, and talking to people that used the beta and RC client, I am really optimistic about 7.

Let's just hope it's not 2007 all over again.

-Chris