Game point

The world may be going through an economic crisis,but like they say,the ‘game’ must go on. “On Sony’s PlayStation 3,Microsoft’s Xbox 360 and Nintendo’s Wii,the three new hot contenders,” tells Dhruv Goyal,a city-based industrialist,who’s addicted to Play Station 3. With Command & Conquer: Red Alert 3 being his favourite for the moment,“Priced at Rs 3,000 for just one game CD and over Rs 25,000 for the game,it is my most treasured buy. It is my companion after a long day’s work and my stress-buster,” he says looking up from the console as his friends cheer on. “It’s become our bonding centre,” chips in Vineet Khara,a Merchant Navy Officer,who says that while they had long set aside the board games,this one’s a revival of carefree times. “Besides,the game knows no age or designation constraints and helps build new bonds,” adds Khara,who’s favourite games include FIFA Street 3,Metal Gear Solid 4,Konami,Grand Turismo 4 and FIFA 2009.

Though online PC games and those on the dish like Tata Sky are on a roll too,video game consoles,they tell us are preferred. “Clear graphics and video output,improved multimedia and everyday functionality,they take the cake,” Sahil,who’s working with a multi-national bank,shares his reason,but with a word of caution. “While choosing one for yourself,it’s important that you pick a console that suits your mode or style of gaming,provides a variety of game titles,offers multimedia features and technical support,” he says,adding that Nintendo Wii does it for him. “With limited time for exercising,this one provides active and healthy gaming. I need to really box to see it virtually and do a bit of stationary jogging to make my player run,” smiles Sahil. While Wii is a little reasonably priced,the game has motion-sensitive remote which allows you to play the game by moving your arms rather than pressing a button. “Tennis,golf,boxing,bowling and baseball,I now can play them all — thanks to the game,” chirps Rahul Jain,a sales manager,who’s made a lot of contacts on the real golf course because of the virtual practice.

Besides,with news of salary cuts and lay-offs flooding the markets,“it’s all the more important to keep your head clear and morale high. And there’s no better way than a few hours on Xbox,” feels city-based Ankit Bhardwaj,who’s presently working with Honeywell Technologies,Bangalore. While,he bought his game after a bit of saving,Vivek Bansal,Project Manager at Nokia,is waiting for OnLive,a new gaming system,to hit the market. “No high-end hardware,no upgrades,no endless downloads,no discs,no recalls,no obsolescence,OnLive,will be about the size of a deck of cards,which gamers can connect through their TV,PC or MAC to game servers through the Internet,” Bansal’s hopeful to bag one which will suit his travelling profile. While,this was about the games people play,which one’s yours?