Mom's Minute

Video game controller invented by University of Utah professor

Mechanical engineering professor, William Provancher and three of his engineering students have invented a video game controller that not only rumbles when you play, but has thumb-sized joysticks where you can move your thumbs to simulate force feedback.

The video game controller is designed so you can feel, for instance, the tug of a fishing reel or the direction and impact of a video game explosion.

Basic force feedback was introduced by Nintendo 64 in 1997, followed by other gaming consoles, including the Xbox 360 and PS3 which have built in basic rumbles in the controllers.

The difference in the new controller and those currently available is it attempts to add immersion along with sight and sound.  There are additional motors that move the tiny joysticks independently.

The professor and his students will be introducing the new controllers at a symposium in Vancover which is a conference about the physical feedback between computers and human operators.

Professor Provancher hopes to have the new technology implemented in the next generation of game consoles that are purported to debut in the next few years.

Hawken video game will be released December 12, 2012

Would you like to play a video game that has been in development for some time and is long awaited?  Hawken, an online, downloadable, free-to-play video game has launched its beta for the game.  Hawken  will be released on December 12, 2012.

Hawken, published by Meteor Entertainment and in development by Adhesive Games, is a first-person shooter sci-fi mech combat multiplayer game in which war weapons include gatling guns, rocket launchers and rifles are used for combat. Hawken also has jetpacks where players can traverse the terrain.

Graphic for Hawken

The cockpit is the game's hub and lets you know the status of your health as well as how much ammunition is remaining. This game is categorized as a mech-warrior or mech-battle type game.

To date, over 200,000 gamers have signed up for the closed beta testing of Hawken.

The monetizing part of this free-to-play game is the purchase of virtual goods such as better weapons, armor and defenses.

Posiive feedback so far has been received about Hawken, including statements that the game has stunning visuals and groundbreaking gameplay.

Darksiders II release date is June 26, 2012

Are you a Darksiders II fan?  If so, you may be interested in taking advantage of preorder bonuses being offered by THQ for early purchasers of this video game.

Darksiders II will be launched on June 26, 2012, however, if you preorder now you can get a free upgrade to the limited edition.

Scene from Darksiders II

If you preorder from GameStop, you will receive a free pack with multiple side-quests.  You will also be able to aid in the ancient construct, fight the bloodless and retrieve Karn's lost treasure during gameplay.

Choosing to preorder from Amazon will net you the despair pack, that will let you traverse the world faster.

The preorder Angel pack at Best Buy includes enhanced armor with angel inspired designs with matching scythes. You will also receive an exclusive purple colored visual path.

Darksiders II Limited Edition

Darksiders II will be playable on the Xbox 360, PlayStation 3 and PC.  A version is also planned for the WII with an unannounced release date.

Call of Duty Modern Warfare 3 is available for one day free rental at Redbox

Would you like to try playing a video game before you buy the game?  Or would you just like to enjoy renting a video game free for one day?  You are in luck.  Redbox, the video game/dvd rental kiosk service, is offering a free one day rental of designated video games from Sunday, February 26, 2012 until  Thursday, March 1, 2012. 

Redbox's website showing the Free one day rental video game promotion 

However, there are requirements.  You must rent the video game online as well as provide a valid credit card.  The credit card is for payments beyond the free one day rental just in case you decide to keep the video game longer than one day.

Redbox is providing 30 video games for you to choose from.  Some titles include Call of Duty Modern Warfare 3 (pictured above), UFC 3 Undisputed, Soul Caliber V, Assassins Creed, The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim, Twisted Metal (pictured below), and many others.

Scene from Twisted Metal

The video game rentals are playable on the Xbox 360, PS3 and Nintendo Wii.

Video games usually rent for $2.00 a day at Redbox, so you can save  $2.00 if you decide to keep the game beyond the one day rental time period. After the first free rental day, you are charged the regular daily rental rates.

If you want to take advantage of this promotion, you can reserve/rent the video games online at the Redbox website, or through Redbox's iphone and android apps.  

Tom Clancy's Ghost Recon Future Soldier Video Game Releases on May 22, 2012

If you have been waiting to play a high tech, futuristic battle video game, you will not have to wait much longer.  Tom Clancy's Ghost Recon Future Soldier will be released on May 22, 2012 for the PS3, Xbox 360, Nintendo DS and PC. The game's publisher is Ubisoft, and the developer is Ubisoft Paris.

This is the game's fourth installment with development announced back  in 2009.  The battle gameplay is a combination third and first person shooter.

Scene from Tom Clancy's Ghost Recon Future Soldier

This video game has cutting-edge technology as well as state-of-the- art gameplay in single-player and multiplayer modes.

In this game, you will play untraceable soldiers called the Ghosts, using unique set of skills on and off the battlefield while playing the video game.  Some of these elite soldiers will fight in a raging, global hidden war. You will be using some of the most futuristic weapons and equipment during the war gameplay.

Interested?  Preorder bonuses are available.  If you preorder Tom Clancy's Ghost Recon Future Soldier from GameStop, you will receive a free upgrade to the Signature Edition while supplies last. This edition includes a bonus Moscow suburb multiplayer map, two ingame bonus weapons, bonus customization mode, and a limited edition penny arcade weapon skin.

You will also recieve a code to register for the VIP beta as well.

Scene Tom Clancy's Ghost Recon 

This video game is going beyond the core Ghost Recon franchise.  You are promised to experience fresh gameplay while at the same time using groundbreaking technology and prototype high tech weaponry