the camera was too level with the ground in an spot where an elevated view would have allowed me to better judge whether my jump would land me on safe

Some of this was due to my famously poor gaming skills.But some, Sony's producer pointed out, were because of non-optimized camerawork.For example, the camera was too level with the ground in an spot where an elevated view would have allowed me to better judge whether my jump would land me on safe ground or upon magma.The replica Omega 2804.52.37 watch camera can't be tilted up and down to adjust, though I could swivel it left and right.More Interesting Platforming: Can developers make platforming as interesting as it used to be?

Or do we gamers just have to get used to it and move on, so new players who haven't jumped over lava pits or skipped over collapsing bridges can feel that such features are new? I fear this is a style of gameplay that wears thin as it becomes familiar and your tenure as a gamer exceeds a decade or two.There isn't much novelty in platforming for replica Omega 4617.11.02 watch old-timers like me.Jak has nice moves, including a jet-pack kind of jump and the ability to build bridges, but his basic running, jumping and shooting didn't feel fresh.

What Should Stay The Same?The Engine: High Impact knows how to make smooth-running, good-looking PSP games.The studio's experience with the system shows, and it results in games that look and run as well as the best on the system.That's not to be ignored.The Air Combat: Yes, I liked this a lot.Good thing, since I'm told it will comprise some 40% of the game.Jak is in a plane of sorts.He has missiles, a machine gun and a vulcan cannon.The replica Omega 2901.50.37 watch mission I played had Jak flying amid a mountain range, trying to take out a massive flying pirate cruiser.The big enemy ship had propellers and guns and all sorts of targets I could lock onto and shoot.

Eurogamer also writes of a rumored "reboot" and "rethink" of the PlayStation 3 and PC bound MMO

Eurogamer reports that producer Matt Wilson, art director Corey Dangel, and producer John Smith have all defected from SOE and The Agency, setting up their own studio, Detonator Games.Eurogamer also writes of a rumored "reboot" and "rethink" of the PlayStation 3 and PC bound MMO, speculation that SOE reps flatly deny.We heard a little loose talk at Comic-Con that the game may have been having some development issues, replica Omega 2918.50.83 watch probably related to the departure of key Agency staffers.The game is tentatively scheduled to hit in 2010."No reboot" to The Agency as staff leave News [CVG]When I think of Jak & Daxter I don't think of flight combat.

But if that's going to be 40% of the new game, so be it.It's fun.What Is It?Jak & Daxter is an October PSP game set after the events of the console Jak & Daxter trilogy (that racing game doesn't count).It's in development at High Impact Games, the replica Omega 4641.30.32 watch creators of a couple of Ratchet & Clank PSP adventures.What We SawAt a Sony showcase in New York this week, I got a Sony producer to take a break from demoing Uncharted 2 to show me a PSP with the new Jak game on it.I tried a platforming level made dangerous by the presence of instant-death lava.

And I tried a flight combat level that I expected to think was silly and unneeded.How Far Along Is It?The game is set for October release, but it's got a bit to go.A couple of glitches in the game had the producer telling me that it wasn't as far along as, say, replica Omega 2223.80 watch Uncharted 2.But I see no reason for the game not to be in good shape by release.What Needs Improvement?Camera: The game's camera simply isn't optimized yet.The platforming sections, which have Jak running around, hopping and needing to use guns and special powers, sent me into a few too many spills into lava.

I would argue that gaming also helps children and teenagers prepare for life's challenges in a non-threatening way

More interesting, though, is the association's take on the importance of gaming and play."Board games, card games, and videogames are, in essence, information, and the human act of telling stories, presented in new formats that involve the player.Games may fulfill a library's mission to provide cultural, recreational, and entertaining materials; to replica Omega 1501.51 watch provide academic curriculum support; or to provide resources and support their industry or profession."I would argue that gaming also helps children and teenagers prepare for life's challenges in a non-threatening way, allowing them to confront problems in a setting that allows for failure, and teaches through it.

The site is a fantastic jumping off point for lots of fascinating discussion, including a look at the connection between literacy and gaming, the cathartic effect of gaming, the health aspects of gaming and the importance and nature of fun play.Jim Rettig, president of the association, sums up the values of gaming in libraries best:"Games of every type play an important role in developing fundamental competencies for life.They require players replica Omega 2318.30 watch to learn and follow complex sets of rules, make strategic and tactical decisions, and, increasingly, collaborate with teammates and others: all things they will have to do in college and in the workforce.

"I'm convinced, hopefully this more formal roll-out of gaming through libraries will help to convince others as well.The Librarian's Guide to Gaming [ALA, via Joystiq]It was a tough quarter for Sega's parent company, Sega Sammy Holdings, as the company announced losses of 10.293 billion yen ($108.85 million USD).It also revealed sales replica Omega 95 1177.15 watch data on recent games The Conduit and Virtua Tennis 2009.Sega Sammy pulled in $639.4 million during the quarter, including video game sales, arcade and pachinko revenues.The company noted that growth in the home video game business had "leveled off in Japan and North America, due to the popularization of the current generation of game platform," but called demand in Europe "relatively firm.

CU outreach librarian Deborah Fink told the universitythat the center could provide a break to students

CU outreach librarian Deborah Fink told the universitythat the center could provide a break to students."I think education is waking up to the fact that we are whole beings," she told the Colorado Daily."We know it's important to take breaks and to refresh yourself."Nicholson says the inclusion of a gaming area is no different than having a replica watches gift coffee shop in a university library."The cafe does not support the mission of the library, but draws people in and makes the library a more comfortable space for people to explore information and get to know each other," he said.

"Gaming is a similar activity - if the goal of the library is to be a place for relaxation and socialization, then it fits into that goal."The inclusion of video games in libraries isn't much different than earlier movements to include pieces of art, movies and music as items that could be checked out.By opening the door to video games, libraries and replica Omega 1164.75 watch communities nationwide are reflecting the growing importance of gaming not only as part of today's popular culture but as a medium that can confront serious issues and spur emotional and intellectual debate.Well Played is a weekly news and opinion column about the big stories of the week in the gaming industry and its bigger impact on things to come.Feel free to join in the discussion.Why exactly should libraries carry video games?

Or music or movies for that matter? Don't get me wrong, I'm a big fan of free gaming, but I can't help but question the increasing multimedia nature of libraries.Good thing, then, that the American Library Association is prepared with an answer for me and librarians nationwide.This past November, nearly 600 libraries checked out more than replica Omega 4813.50.01 watch games on National Gaming Day.But why?Adding games to the growing list of content that libraries check out helps establish the neighborhood library as a third place, a community gathering spot between home and work or school.That third place, according to the Librarian's Guide to Gaming, encourages play, socialization and cultural enrichment.