Rosin Bag

 

If you're a baseball fan or softball fan (cricket, lacrosse, rock climber, etc..), I am sure you have heard of Rosin Bags.  Well, what are Rosin Bags and why should you use them?  The answer is quite simple.  Rosin bags are simply, bags of Rosin.  Essentially, Rosin is a product of the pine tree in various shapes or forms, some you don't want to know about and some involving complicated chemical processes including the by product of manufacturing paper.  Essentially a powder of pine.  So what does rosin do?  

 

Rosin Leaves Rosin

 

Well, Rosin does serve it's purpose on a lot of athletic arenas.  Only thing is, those that have used it, know, that Rosin leaves Rosin.  Rosin, to many is uncomfortable, think of taking  dried out tree sap, crushing it to a powder, and rubbing it on your hands to get a grip or withstand moisture.  Not good, eventually it becomes irritating, sticky, smelly, and can build up on your hand or any other instrument you are handling over time.  Not to bag, no pun intended, on rosin, but hey, this isn't medevil times here, we have options.

 

Baggin on Rosin

 

Rosin and Rosin bags have served their purpose for a long long time, but, if you could have the same desired effect, minus the sticky pine dust in between you fingers and the build up, would you want to give it a shot?  

 

I think yes.  Rosin historically has served a single purpose, grip.  Lack of grip is caused by sweaty hands.  Rosin attempts to cure sweaty hands by coating them in powder form, which is ok, but in this day and age, do we really want all the build up and powder?  No, we want an incognito sweat agent.  That's why we have GhostGrip.  It's a non-build up hand antiperspirant that keeps your hands dry for hours minus the worry of picking up a sack of pine dust every couple minutes.  It gives you hours of sweat free controll and game play, so you don't have to think about it.  Your hands are just dry and remain dry, no build up, no tackiness, just natural, pure, dry, comfortable grip so you can concentrate and be at the top of your game.

 

PC Game Controller Definition

 

A PC game controller can have many names, so let's just get a few of those out of the way first.  They can be called input devices, joysticks, joystiks, game pad, joypad, mice, steering wheels, paddle, trackball, plunger, footpad, the list goes on.  Basically a game controller is an input device that is used to control an object within a game environement that is being ran by a computing device or computer.  There are a wide variety of controllers, controller configurations and controller types and brands.  You can use the keyboard you already have as a pc game controller, as mentioned before, you can have a steering wheel, a light gun, even a replica of an aircraft cockpit, a throttle quadrant, a balance board, guitars, drums, how about a set of pedals to go with your steering wheel or a racing seat with wheel, pedals and shifter built in. The possiblities are endless.  Let's look at some of the major manufacturers.

 

Who Makes Game Controllers

 

Ok, first off let's consider that most if not all game controllers are manufactured in China or Japan by companies who's brand you will not recongnize.  So, we will not boil it all the way down to where the plastic in the controller actually comes from so to speak, so we'll just stick on major retail brands you will see at your local store.   Actually, let's skip this part of the conversation, you'll see the brands at the store anyway, which brings me to my next point.

 

Where Can You Buy Game Controllers

 

When some people think about purchasing game controllers one thing that comes to mind is where can I buy them?  I always reply with this, at the store.  Which brings me to my next point.  Actually, that was an incomplete answer.  There are a lot of big box stores out there that sell game contollers.  Some places that come to mind are Best Buy, Circuit City, Frye's, Wal-Mart etc.  However, if you want to get what you really need, you'll want to go to a shop that is more gamer focused.  Think Gamestop or Gamecrazy and if huge national chains aren't your thing, check around your township for a mom and pop video game shop, sometimes these mom and pops will even consult with you on what you want and special order it from one of thier distributors, nice!  Then there is an even more specialized place than that.  If you're into flight simulators, a lot of times, a good hobby shop will have what you need.  Like a place that sells a bunch of RC cars and planes, stuff like that.  These guys a lot of the time will also have that yolk you've been looking for or that throttle quadrant you've been dreaming about.

Then of course you can always shop online, which brings me to my next point.  No matter what controller you get, you're going to want to get your hands on a tube of GhostGrip if you want to unleash it's full potential.  Well, I mean, if you don't like playing with sweaty hands, unleashing the controller's true potential in entirely up to you young Skywalker.  

Highly Anticipated Sequal to Mass Effect Will Not Disappoint

 

The moment you fire this game up you will be hooked.  The opening of this game is something you would expect to see out of a highly successful t.v. drama or even a Hollywood block buster.  The opening sequence sets the tone of the game nicely.  I have seen some games that have had tremendous opening sequences only to fall flat on thier faces once you actually get into the game play, but this one does not disappoint.  

 

So You've Played Mass Effect, Even Better

 

I really can't think of too many games that let you do this if any, but, Mass Effect 2 let's you take that character you've so lovengly raised in the first one, holding it's hand along the way and teaching it everything you know in hopes that it would one day have a better life and opportunities than yourself and import that into the sequal.  Yep, maintaining it's appearance, class, history, and tendancies.  Take this even further, make your character look like yourself of anyone else you choose with the character customisation features of Mass Effect 2. 

 

Let's Get On To Gameplay

 

A lot of you may be asking yourself, what's the major differences between Mass Effect and Mass Effect 2 gameplay wise and I don't blame you.  Actually, that's the first question I always have when considering a sequal, is, how have they improved the actual gameplay?  Well, there are several major differences, the top two being combat and role playing elements.  While the first one may have been a little more RPG in a way, this one makes up for it by refining the finer things in a game, like, uhh, action and shooting stuff.  No need to worry about managing inventory and mixing this weapon with that and this sheild with this trinket, etc.  Use the left bumper to pull up the weopons menu, pick what's best for you and your team (this pauses the game, which is nice because you won't be getting pwwned while selecting your weapons), and release; your team takes the necessary action and you're ready for combat!  Wait, situation has changed, use the D pad to issue on the fly commands to your AI teammates.  

 

Not to worry though, it's not all run and gun.  Mass Effect 2 still uses character developement and backstory to draw you into the game.  There is strategy and dialogue involved just like the first one, the combat is just more evolved and smooth, let's put it that way.  It's the best of both worlds.   In Mass Effect 2, one thing I noticed is that you can actually utilize the variety of weapons to great effect and it's fun to do so.  There are a lot of titles out there that have variety but for some reason a shotgun and a melay attack are all that's needed to effectively navigate the campaign.  Not so in Mass Effect 2, you'll want to make use of your armament buffet.  The combat in Mass Effect 2 can be intense, look to products like GhostGrip Sweat Controller to help eleviate any sweaty hands issues you may have during intense gameplay.  

 

Traveling Mini-Games

 

Instead of instantly transporting by pressing A you have to now navigate the Normandy around the galaxy map, watch your fuel, and scavange for resources.  Kind of tedious and time consuming, but, whatever, some people might like it, me, not so much.

 

With it's extraordinary replay value and vast landscape and excellent gameplay, Mass Effect 2 is a keeper not a renter and will definately have a spot in my collection.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Modern Warfare 2 and Good Grip Go Hand in Hand

It's no secret that Modern Warfare 2  is one, if not the best shooter to come along since, well, since Call of Duty Modern Warfare.  Like the original Modern Warefare, Modern Warefare 2 brings intense action to your gaming experience.  It has totally gone over the top, adding new weapons, new vehicles, new maps, bigger maps, new scopes, the list goes on.  The pre-game lobby is even better.  With all these upgrades comes an even greater and more intense gaming experience than the original.  Which brings me to my point, if your hands aren't sweating when playing this game in campaign mode or online, you're not trying hard enough.  To take advantage of everything this title has to offer and rank up fast, don't get caught wiping your hands on your pants, the action is too tight, too sharp, there's no time for it, unless you like taking a round to the dome piece.  You know how hard it is to snipe when your thumb slips off the thumb stick?  You're in campaign mode climbing up an ice cliff, do you think you'll have time to blow dry your paws?  How about racing a snowmobile down a mountain barely escaping trees and cliffs on either side of you, do you think a set of stickers on your controller is going to help you there?  Here's what I do, I settle in, apply some GhostGrip, and I know I'm good for hours of sweat free game play, period.  It even stays effective in between games when I have a need to reach for my favorite frosty beverage.  Speaking of online gameplay, unlock the spec-ops missions and you and others can run through some missions together online!  Sometimes you'll have a guy on the ground while you're piloting a gunship, do you really want the enemy to smoke your friend because your bright idea of putting baby powder on your hands reeked havok on your controller?  No, I didn't think so.  GhostGrip is formulated to not leave residue build up on your controller, unlike other "home remedies" out there.  GhostGrip is the real deal.

 

Modern Warefare 2 and Grip Review

 

Let's review, why is it important to have a good dry grip and maintain it while playing Modern Warfare 2.  1.  You don't want to get popped because you're wiping your hands on your pants.  2.  You want to be able to own peeps with your sniper skills.  3.  You don't want to fall off a cliff  4.  You don't want to slam you snowmobile into a old growth pine tree.  5.  You don't want to fail your partner in spec-ops and get removed from his friends list.   

Controller Grip Is Important to PS3 Players

Recent studies have shown that have a good dry grip on your gaming controller is important.  Not only can it help you become a more competitve gamer, it can also help you avoid Playstation Palm.  A medical condition charactarized by a redness and tenderness of the palm and caused for friction between your hands and the game controller.    

What's Available To Help Get a Better Contoller Grip

Fortunately there are solutions to sweaty hands.  Among them are hand antiperspirants such as GhostGrip.  These are a lotion or liquid that prevent your hands from sweating.  GhostGrip works for up to four hours per application, is none staining, and washes off easily with soap and water.  You can also use other things to keep your hands dry such as talc, rossin, pine tar, saw dust, etc.  Problem with these solutions is that they are messy and will leave a build up on your controller or can leave residue inside the controller leading to controller failure.  There are also other solutions to the problem including perscription medication and surgery, but if you get sweaty hands from gaming, some of these methods may seem to be a little overkill.  

 
So to recap, you've been invited to your friends house for some PS3 action and when you get there you go to give him a handshake and you grab his hand to shake it and he squinches in pain.  You wonder what is going one, so you take a look at his hands and they're all red and sore.  You ask him what's up and he tells you he has Playstation Palms because his hands sweat when he plays PS3. Now let's pause it right there, here is the perfect opportunity to break out the tube of GhostGrip you carry with you and educate your buddy on why it's important to play with a dry set of paws while gaming, however, you have now reached a moral impass.  Do you help your friend out, thus, bypassing all the future trash talking and beat downs you'll be handing him on PS3 because you have dry hands and he has Playstation Palms, or do you keep GhostGrip a secret and continue to own your friend in every game out there?  That my friend is something you will have to answer for yourself.

So let’s take a look at both scenarios to help you better decide how you will handle the issue. Let’s say you go with option A.  You’re going to break out your tube of GhostGrip and educate your friend. 
After all, this is your buddy and it’s the right thing to do, look at him, he’s suffering and you can help.  Possible outcome to this are that he will really appreciate at first, take your advice use GhostGrip and then proceed to either own you in the future because now you are an even playing field or he will take your advice use GhostGrip and provide you with a more worthy opponent, thus increasing the level of your game and working out good for both of you. 

So I guess introduce the dude to GhostGrip unless you’re scared he’s got more skills than you.  Option b is let your boy continue to try to deal with his sweaty hands while gaming, thus allowing you to easily own him and laugh as you watch his anguish in getting defeated while dealing with a slippery controller. 

At this point, this is kind of like Fable, do you want to be the good guy or the bad guy?  Problem with option b is it’s just not right.  While it may offer temporary enjoyment, it’s just not a good long term strategy for you or your friend.  For one, you’re going to get bored owning all the time and for two, that’s not going to help you improve your own skills.  We all know it’s fun laying a beat down on your friend on PS3, but it’s also fun doing it online to a stranger.  Introducing your buddies to GhostGrip will ultimately help you take your game to the next level and showcase your skills in a bigger arena.  So, we choose option b at first obviously.  You beat up on your friend for a little on PS3 and then when he’s crumpled up crying and pouting this is the moment we spring out the GhostGrip and say, check this out.  Be careful here though cause you got to preface your approach.  Don’t get to trigger happy, set it up with something like, “You know Bob, I’ve been owning you all day on the PS3 and it’s getting a little boring, I know that my skills are far superior to yours, so I have no problem letting you in on a little secret…”  That’s when you break out the GhostGrip and say, “Check this out.  This isn’t entirely the reason you’ve been getting thrashed all day, but you’re my friend, and I can’t continue to see you suffer and struggle.  Besides, like I said, I need you to be a little more competitive because you’re bringing my game down by sucking so bad.  I’m going to leave this here for you, take a couple days off and let yourself heal up and then use this next time you play.  Get some practice in, I’ll stop by next weekend to check in with you and this time I don’t want you crying like a little baby cause you’re getting worked.  If you run out, go to GhostGrip.com and order a two pack, one for you and one to pay me back.”That should do it, leave the tube of GhostGrip, you can always order more at GhostGrip.com. 

The key here is to make sure you stay sharp.  Remember, your buddy is now using GhostGrip and his skills may be rapidly improving, you don’t want to go back there and walk into a dang hornet’s nest and get worked yourself.  Tell next time.

 

November Brings Hot Game Titles

 

Every November new and highly anticipated game titles are released.  Let's take a look at just a few of these titles.

 

New Super Mario Bros.

I've been waiting for an excuse to buy a Wii for my nephew and I think I just found one.  Nintendo is releasing a new/old school Super Mario Brothers!  All the great action of the original, plus some extra goodies.  The kicker, 4 game multiplayer action, so now you can swipe your buddies coins and magic mushrooms, sweet.

 

DJ Hero

 

Guitar Hero was a blockbuster, and for good reason, it's fun.  So now we haw DJ Hero, which has no choice but to be a huge seller.  It's on PS# Xbox 360, Wii and the kicker, all you PS2 peeps can get in on the action.  

 

Borderlands

 

PC, PS3, Xbox 360.  From 2K Games, this game may suffer some ratings issues because, hey, it's not Fallout 3, but for some reason, a lot of people think it should be.  If you don't like, go play Fallout 3 some more, seriously.  I think this game is very good and worth taking a serious look at.  Plus you can create your own custom weopans, get outta here...

Idiopathic Eccrice Hidradenitis or PlayStation Palmar Hidradenitis

For those lacking a degree in science, that title may be a lot to swallow.  Let's break it down real quick, because it is a real medical condition.  Idiopathic Eccrice Hidradenitis symptoms include red sore lumps that occur on the hands or feet and usually occurs in athletes that do repetitive motion which involves sweating and friction, long distance running for example.   Ofcourse, when we are referring to PlayStation Palmar Hidrandenitis we are referring to the condition as it refers to a gamer who plays with sweaty hands for an extensive amount of time.  "It's thought that the problem was caused by tight and continious grasping of the consoles hand grips and repeated pushing of the buttons, alongside sweating cause by the tension of the game".

 

At least that's what they're calling it in Switzerland and we all know how awesome Switzerland is.  Dermatologists recommend keeping your hands as dry as possible limiting your use of a console controller if you begin to experience discomfort, redness or soreness. 

 

Remember, using GhostGrip will help prevent sweaty hands.  

 

 

October Game Releases

 

The season is upon us.  We all know that October kicks off a run of blockbuster titles.  Let's see what October 2009 has in store for us.

 

10-02-09 

Get you ODST Rookie figure

 

10-06-09 

Alpha Protocol PS3 360 

Demons Souls PS3 

GTA Chinatown Wars PSP

HAWX Wii

NBA 2K10 PS3 360 Wii PS2 PC PSP

NBA LIVE 10 PS3 360 PC

Operation Flashpoint Dragon Rising PS3 360

Painkiller Resurection  PC

Ringling Bros Barnum and Baily Circus Wii DS

Saw PS3 360

 

10-13-09

Brutal Legend PS3 360

Cars  PS3 360 PS2 PSP DS

Cop The Recruit DS

Fallout 3 360 PS3 PC

Imagine Artist DS

Ju-On The Grudge Wii

Learn Chess DS

Mario & Sonic at the Winter Games DS

Might and Magic Clash of Heroes DS

Petz DS

Silent Hill Shattered Memories Wii PS2 PSP

Spore Hero Wii

Squeeballs Party Wii DS

Sushi Academy DS

Tony Hawk Ride PS3 360

Uncharted 2 Among Thieve PS3

Way of the Samurai 3 PS3

Where the Wild Things Are PS3 360 Wii DS

10-20-09

 

Astro Boy Wii PS2 PSP DS

Bukagan PS3 360 PS2 PSP DS

Ben 10 360 Wii PS2 PSP DS

Borderlands PS3 360

CSI Deadly Intent 360 Wii PC DS

Diner Dash DS

Dragon Ball Wii

Fifa 10 PS3 360 Wii PS2 DS

Half Minute Hero PSP

Korg DS-10 Plus DS

Lips #1 Hits 360

Marvel Super Hero Squad Wii PS2 PSP DS

Naruto Wii

Remington North American Bird Hunter Wii

Secret Saturdays Wii PS2 PSP DS

10-27-09

Come back later for these titles, there's a bunch.  I'll post these next blog. 

Wii Fitness Titles

 

Like the old saying goes, "there's more than one way to skin a cat". Why a cat is involved, I don't know, google it.  Anyway, I'm under the impression that there are a ton of people that own a Wii that believe that Wii Fit is the only workout "game" out there.  This is simply not the case.  There are several.  Let's take a look at them.

 

Wii Fit

 

The grand daddy of them all.  I'm not going to get into detailed descriptions of these titles, I'm just gonna tell you what they were rated in a recent article in Game Informer by a professional personal trainer.  The title were rated on a scale of 1-5, 5 being the best for keeping you motivated and workout value.  In this article Wii Fit received a 2.5.

 

My Fitness Coach  2 out of 5

Jillian Michaels' Fitness Ultimatum 2009  1 out of 5

EA Active  4.5 out of 5

Gold's Gym Cardio Workout  4.5 out of 5

 

So there you go, before you invest in a title to help you get into shape, just remember you have choices.  

Avoid Wii Injuries or WiiInjuries (whine-jur-ees)

 

In order to avoid getting injured or sustaning a sports injury while playing Wii it is necessary to take a few precautions.  The right mind set is the perfect place to start.  Yes, the Wii is a gaming console and a toy, but treat it like a BB gun, with respect.  We all know that on the Wii it is necessary to make certain body movements and motions to play, so it makes sense to loosen up a bit before playing.  Here is my pre-Wii routine.

30 seconds each, calf stretch, hamstring stretch, quad stretch, shoulder strecth, back stretch.

1 minute arm windmills

1 minute alternating toe touches while having feet spread beyond shoulder width

15 Jumping Jacks

30 seconds run in place

30 seconds arm shake outs (relax arms and wrists loosely on side and shake lightly to loosen shoulders, elbows and wrists)

Deep breathing combined with shoulder shrugs and neck rolls until you feel you have the right mental attitude for Wii play.

 

Ok, so now we're all nice and loose and warm now what.

For one, remember it is not necessary to do really forceful moves with the Wii controller.  You are not really playing tennis, so please, don't get tennis elbow when playing Wii.  Take it quick and easy.  Smooth is what you're looking for, proper form is the key not erractic forcefull movements.

Also, make sure you use the wrist strap and have a firm but not tense grip on the controller.  Here is where a grip aid can come into play, like GhostGrip for example.

 

Lastly, make sure no one is with your range of motion.  This will help you avoid injury to yourself and others.  This article is just my personal opinion and tips and is not professional medical advice.  If you are experiencing pain or discomfort while playing Wii, I would suggest you stop and consult a professional.  Again, just my opinion, you should consult a doctor before attempting any exercise routine.