I’ve heard a man proclaim that, “I do something each day that is outside of my comfort zone.” Wow, what a concept. Taking moments to stand outside the safety of doing what’s ordinary is extremely difficult. As mentioned, we choose not to do because it could shake or change our little foundation.

By no means can I say go and do. I stand with you, the rest scared to do because its not easy. Scared because we feel like we will affect too many others. When in reality, we may hinder. Therefore, I ask anyone to tell me what is it they would like to do and the excuses of why not and can not. Let me learn from you. Let you learn from you.

The Nintendo Wii can be given a great deal of credit for further expanding this market, but they have always existed. Take Tetris for example. Few hardcore types really got scores close to a Rambo kill count. Nonetheless, a great many played the game at their leisure. Since then many a system has been developed to cater to those not wanting the glory of an 8 hour boss battle. Instead, a mere ten minutes fake bowling or racing on a PSP while in line at the post office is all they need.

This group buys less software, but when they do it’s in the masses. Nintendogs goes case in point. We’ve seen teenagers, to girls, to grandparents catch the wave of casual play. Eye opening is another statistic concerning the disabled. About 20% of this “Casual” group are such; disabled in some way. Now, the survey that retrieved this bit of info attributed it mostly to being an escape mechanism. Sadly, they fail to realize everyone plays games to escape. Boredom, drudgery of standing in line, stress, the limits of ones own experience, and finally sometimes….their own lives.

However, this is not the rule. Being a disabled person allows me to relay how the disabled, unfortunate, and non-experienced all get into gaming for its sole purpose; to have fun. We’ve already targeted the non-experienced via systems and games currently available. What about those however who wish to play but are thwarted by simple game design issues. Others too may be in wait due to incapable use of current control mechanisms.

It is understandable that companies can’t extend lines far enough to appeal to everyone. Costs become too high and margins too small. Nonetheless, can’t they do a little bit more. work with a few more people to provide options. Even make available information about third parties that make play available? With a sizable chunk of the population being in some form hindered, it would only make sense to try.

If the studies are as if they say true, then wouldnt these companies jump at an opportunity to hook people waiting for an out? The pain point is there, wheres the aspirin?

I hope soon to provide some.

All around us are sounds waiting to be received, translated, and made into another wrinkle in that noodly brain of ours. Nonetheless, we run into that limited space problem. We hear many things, but actually listen to few. We’ve all heard how there is a difference between the two. I simply desire to expand on that idea and give reason as to why and how it may benefit us all.

Hearing involves simple awareness of the various pitches and dynamics surrounding us. Listening is the active engagement of such and making it into an understandable thing or idea. The active part means we choose to do so. We can build this further but im sure the gist of it is well had. The sad part is that most understand the definition while missing the application.

Too many times we hear the background noise that is our partner, family member, friend go on and on only to choose what we want to hear all the while making some premeditated response. By doing so however, so much is lost. My sales experience is minimal but i have been around long enough to watch this dilemma play out in a presentation. The salesperson listens to their first objection mentioned by a buyer and in turn spitfires all they know to counter. In the end the salesperson loses the sale and sits dumbfounded. All because they dont listen completely.

Listening alternatively is not just processing words. It is taking note of inflection, tone, body language, situation, etc. The best of the best are aware of all these factors and look for cues on how to proceed. Providing a list of such would be both cumbersome and utterly wrong as each factor plays at varying degrees. What can be offered are a few scenarios to learn from.

A common miscommunication between partners is how one feels about a subject but is unwilling to directly portray those feelings into words. We often hear our partner tell us something is fine to do while missing the inflection of sadness, sarcasm, anger, or anxiety. Instead the “yes” turns into a green light. we have fun, go home, and wonder why the next day is argument ridden.

Much goes the same way for business. When in negotiation by simply taking all in the situation we can tell how much or little a client will give. If said a figure is too high while relaxed yet direct portrays one getting close to the maximum they will dish out. stern, direct, and a bit of anger might signify stepping overbounds. Either situation has other facets coming into play as well. Setting, number of people, etc all fit into the equation.

Above all to consider however is that in order to gain the upper hand in any situation is to keep the other talking. Not prodding, Talking. The more information you have, the greater the power. Questions are also they key here. The right ones unlock more talking and thusly more information. Asking do you like the service gives a yes or no. how do we expand that? What aspects of the service did you like or dislike? If we could improve our service, what would you suggest? Open ended is the right path.

Remember, this goes for any situation. Watch how much a relationship can improve, business or otherwise, by just asking and actually listening.

We all know relationships have their rollercoaster moments. How we ride or choose to ride dictates how much or little we care about it. As cliche as this all may sound, many forget the good comes with bad. Especially with their ideas. All great things come from ideas. If you’re lost here go and watch James and the Giant Peach. However, great ideas are handled into fruition by the devoted and patient. Because with all great ideas come kinks and setbacks.

Listening to the more acclaimed CEO’s will all point to how they clung to their ideas steadfast and true. Not rigid, but flexible. Not obsessive, but cautious. Too many a great idea has fallen out of the owner falling out of love with it. Now, some loves are truly not meant to be. However, a great many are given up or exchanged for a more flashy and superficial model.

I have talked to a few entrepreneurs as of late and what gets me excited about them is the love they have for their idea and how they want to take the world with it. Ambitious and immature maybe, but if they grow along with their ideas the sky’s the limit.

This growth is more than going with the flow or sticking to it. It’s constant learning and adaptation. Ask any couple over 25 years strong and they’ll tell you how they’ve changed and adapted. Mr. Dell himself had to when he moved from the dorm room to multi-billion dollar business he has today.

Now, veering slightly off course with the allegory here. Being in love with the idea also requires proselitization and charisma. If you don’t show others you’re in love, how will they come on board. Showing is more than the third grade classroom edition. It is the whys and hows.

More than just a business adaptation, this goes for most things. Us in general. We love ourselves and others will love us. It’s true. Alright, now departing cliche city.

Networking is a mechanism to use the power of social interaction and influence. This who-you-know factor enables many to succeed where potential and experience alone could not simply boost them. The great part about this is; it’s easy. Talk and get to know people. various types and backgrounds. Beyond simple business relation, networking allows us to see the world. Live vicariously in a way. I only wish more people embraced others and what they offer. Many of us try so hard to push others down to get ahead. This may work for a while, but as the saying goes, “it can get lonely at the top.” Rather, take head from a greater philosophy. By lifting those around you, you may raise higher.

We all noticed how in the later 90′s when AOL launched it’s instant messenger and chat rooms how many a person flocked to an opportunity to connect with others halfway across the world to down the street. Nowadays even phones use this technology. What started was simply a way for two people separated by distance to communicate in a cost effective and direct manner. What has developed is something different, and the topic of discussion here today. I pose one question, are we really communicating, or are we just sending?

Before the eggs and other various fruits and vegetables come flying at me hear me out. We have changed from sociable creatures transferring and translating an interrelated web of meanings to a web based culture of one way streets. Crazy right? listen. As early as AIM, hell, even e-mail. We were given plenty of time to create and send a message from even a source under the guise of a different person. While communicating we would receive a message, take time, and send something back. Only, as fast as we could type of course. This is direct right? No, even the fastest typer could unsend an e-mail, delete mid type, or leave the situation alltogether. What we’ve been left with is one way speaking that is only caught on by those interested. If so, some form of communication begins, yet still incomplete.

Delve further into things like social networking sites, blogs, etc. Even now, my communication with you the reader is limited and fragile through a blog post. you may comment, but that is not really a conversation is it? Social Networking sites crack me up. I’m a big proponent of them I admit. However, lets look at how vain these things are. Status updates, pictures, about me’s, wall posts, etc. All of these features allow one to basically flaunt themselves shamelessly. These things are fun and help distribute knowledge. I love the internet and all of it’s wonder.

I love change, and watching as things do. I’m only trying to recognize a problem that may exist. how we communicate. are we only portraying a vapid and timed display of our self we’ve always thought others see, or are we still in a natural state of communication? let me know. let’s “communicate” haha.

Now i know we’re talking entertainment, but really, what is a good length? I hate the quality versus quantity argument developers shamelessly throw out there to defend their horridly premature gameplay. Call of Duty 4, one of my favorite gaming experiences ever. A tad bit too short gameplay wise but a great game nonetheless. Smartly, this game’s online component lengthens gameplay exponentially. Thats another topic alltogether though. For now, lets stick to single player campaigns.

We’ve recognized too short or too long. So where’s the middle ground? Honestly, I don’t know. When it comes down to it, we never want to stop playing something unique and new at every level. As well, we hate droning on and doing basically the same thing for hours on end. I think the best developers can do is keep consumers engaged long enough to positively rate the game. Almost like good lovin’, it feels good most of the time but you have to find a good length of time to rate it as a good experience. Even then there will be complainers, but they still liked the game.

Multiplayer fits within this mix, and thusly will be the next post. look for it soon.

The biggest drawbacks are how i must stay here in the area even longer than desired while taking a job doing something i may really not like or do well in. Thats the beauty of it though, sometimes we must wait longer or take the unmarked road to get ahead.

Only now, the classrooms are bigger and consequences greater. Without getting too philosophical I think we all reach this point in our lives where we wonder which road to take ahead. Some begrudgingly, others with full force and intent, and others unknowingly. Branches always exist in the future but every once in a while we do hit this crossroads.

For me, the paths observable are those directed at a good sales job, something marketing related, or a chance to really surprise myself. I’m good at sales and want to reach the top one day. However, any semblance of a family seems iffy and hard to balance. A marketing job would bring me great joy, but I don’t know where or even how to start. Lastly, the surprise. I’ve always wanted to travel. God intended this world to be a beautiful place. There is much ugly brought by our own actions. Nonetheless, I’ve always wanted to somehow capture the great things this world holds. Knowing one place, few people, and few situations i think is the saddest things one can do. This is where ignorance and indifference live.

My only hopes in life are to make a good living, build a good family, and travel. Either way though, all three must take more than an equal share. The pie is only 100%, so which road do I take. Hard choices are ahead. The only way i think to get through them are to just chose and try. Too many waste time trying to find the answer. Others jump and regret. However, if i can chose and make the best of it; i’m golden. Only if more people realized that their choices weren’t anything but their own. As well as something to cherish. We own what we do and are shaped by those actions. Take a stance, pick a road, have some fun.

That is the real question here. Now, some games share many commonalities to another, but still offer enough difference to be worthy of note. However, instead of just taking something from one game while creating a better or different experience all together some companies have decided to completely copy the original idea. Guitar Hero 4 having a drumset complete with cymbals? Konami’s Rock Revolution? These games are absurd copycats. Guitar Hero did start things off, but they could have still chosen another route.

Marketing wise, I’m sure this makes sense as these other companies can squeeze some profit out of their endeavors and not really do that much work. Nonetheless, actually taking time to research other options may even seem more profitable. A keyboard would be easy enough. Maybe these companies can find other venues outside of music and make peripherals for better fishing or hunting games. Everyone loves Duckhunt!