It finally feels like Spring! Here’s what I’ve been up to lately…

Playing Assassin’s Creed 

I know I’m playing it late in the game but that’s how I roll. I wait for the price and the hype to level off before I buy my games. 

I like Assassin’s so far. The meta-play is the most interesting aspect of the game. I can’t think of another title that gives the player an explanation as to why he or she can control the movements and actions of a video game character. The game play is bordering on the repetitive mission-of-the-day-antics but the rich graphics and story line are keeping me engaged for now.

Hooked on Chelsea Mind Games

If your gaming habit has given you carpal tunnel syndrome then it’s time to revisit old school gaming and trivia. To give my tortured hands a rest, I stopped by Chelsea Market for the Mind Games Geography Bee in Manhattan. I had a good time and now I’m thinking of attending the upcoming Vocabulary Bee to make sure I sharpen my vocab muscles before classes start in the fall. 

Decisions, Decisions

I’ve also been thinking about the future a lot lately. I have big decisions to make. Where should I live? Should I get a roommate? Should I get another cat to keep me on my toes? Where will I end up in two years? Should I find an internship in California so I can finally learn how to surf? Or should I intern on the East coast and surf on the bunny slopes with Shaun White?

I have no idea. I do know that life is far sweeter when I refuse to settle for anything less than awesome. 

Last week, I decided to extend my gaming reading list beyond my Google Reader. I ordered two books you might want to think about getting if you’re a gamer.

Please note: This isn’t a book review post. They just arrived on my door step. I’ve flipped through the pages of each one but I haven’t read through them yet. This post is composed of my initial impressions and thoughts. 

Print Media is Dying: Why Should You Care?

Books can be well researched and stocked with information and accounts that haven’t made their way into the digital realm yet. As many of you know, print media is going through a rough patch now. The internet is turning media business models upside down. I’m torn as to how I should feel about it. On the one hand, print media companies should be ashamed of themselves for not getting with the program sooner. But when I encounter well researched tomes that required a team of artists, writers, and researchers to produce, I fear that we might be losing something special as the web rises to prominence. I hope we can continue to support good quality books (and not just the Twilights and Seventeen managzines of the world).

Guinness World Records 2009: Gamer’s Edition

The Gamer’s Edition is packed with up-to-date achivements, high scores, and comprehensive lists of games by genre. I’m looking forward to the History of Gaming section that covers gaming from 1889 through 2008. The Gaming Awards Round Up charts and the Collectors sections are also worth checking out. Did you know that the largest Playstation collection is owned by a man named Jason Dvorak? He owns a 1,500 piece collection consisting of hardware, games and guides. It’s also a pretty book. The hardcover and it’s pages are well designed with colorful charts, images and photographs. 

The Ultimtate History of Video Games: From Pong to Pokemon and Beyond

This 600+ page book has been described as the definitive history of computer and video games. It was published in 2001 and authored by Steven L. Kent. According to Twitter friend, Mike Brothers, UHVG is a good read as well as highly detailed and well researched. I’m looking forward to the following chapters:The Battle for the Home, Mortal Kombat and The Mainstream and All its Perils.

I tend to read books out of order. I like picking over interesting chapters to get straight to the good stuff. But I’ve been told that I should read this book from front to back. Some say that Steven Kent wrote the historical narrative as a riveting novel. 

Have you read either of these books? If so, drop me a line in the comments or via e-mail and share your thoughts with me. 

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Felicia Day is the writer and cast member of the wildly popular gaming show, The Guild.  Yesterday Ms. Day’s Twitter was hacked. The exchange between Felicia Day and her hacker (now identified as Ryon Day) highlights the dangers of failing to log out of one’s Twitter account.

Since regaining conrol of her account, Felicia’s been tweeting about her time at the SXSW show. You can follow her here.

For more adventures with Ryon Day on Twitter click here. 

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Welcome to the first Gamers on Twitter post! I’m bringing some of the amazing conversations I’ve had with my fellow gaming and technology enthusiats. This will also help you stay on top of business trends in the gaming industry. I have over 400 followers of gaming, technology and social media professionals on twitter. This is my way of sharing their insights with you.

A full listing of the twitter users featured in the edition will be provided at the end of the post.

First up! Sony’s impending demise? I’m sure you’ve read all about it. Now what should Sony do to reboot their business? I started off the discussion with this tweet. 

Why not come out with a pared down version of the PS3? PS3 Skinny!

Maybe Sony should forgo Blu Ray capabilities to make the PS3 cheaper to produce and sell? Maybe that would work better during these tough economic times. Futhermore, a deal with Netflix could drive sales. 

Price Drop! 

Askbillmitchell and rkalajian bring up a great point about the PS3’s price. It currenty stands at $400.  Unfortunately, Sony STILL loses money on each console they sell (about $50 US dollars). They’re screwed.

Bundle the PS3 with a Headset?

Carocat suggests Bundling the PS3 with a headset, a pricedrop and working on cross-game chat. All fantastic points. Microsoft’s Xbox does a marvelous job of helping gamers find each other online. PS3’s online experience pales in comparison. In addition, adding more actractive add-ons to the 400 console could alleivate issues with it’s current price. 

Better games on the PS3?

Digitalsin  and rkalajian recommend better exclusive game deals and higher quality PS3 game translations.

Show Bluray Love in Ads

Still, others (like Seth) think that Sony should differentiate and embrace Bluray capability. 

Special thanks to my followers and their insights! Be sure to follow them if you aren’t already.

1. @rkalajian
2. @sirmichael
3. @seth410
4. @Askbillmitchell
5. @carocat

What’s your advice for Sony? Share them in the comments!