There are plenty of ways to lose weight, but for many of us, none of them seem to work. Gym memberships are expensive, and making the commitment to regular workout trips can strain your schedule. Home workout products can be expensive as well, and they often fall into disuse after just a few sessions. Video games, however, are enjoyed by people of all ages. For years, video games have been synonymous with lazy couch potato behavior, but these great Wii games are doing away with that stereotype by helping you get in shape from the comfort of home.

1. Wii Fit Plus
   Many Nintendo fans are already familiar with the Wii Fit title, but what we have here is a great update to the game that has already helped tons of people start having fun while they exercise. Choose from lots of great flexibility, strength and balance training games using your Wii accessories. There’s something for everyone in this title, and it’s easily one of the best Wii games on the market for those who want to lose weight.
2. My Fitness Coach
   You can’t beat the benefits of a personal trainer for your exercise regimen, but with My Fitness Coach for the Wii, you can at least simulate the experience. Play through hundreds of unique exercise games with your own virtual coach for countless hours of fun workouts. Pick your own music, set the mood, and tell your trainer what kind of workout you want to try today–she’ll handle the rest, guiding you through everything from Pilates to kickboxing routines.
3. Dance Dance Revolution
   A veteran in the world of exercise games, Dance Dance Revolution is a popular choice even for those who aren’t concerned with weight loss. This series brilliantly balances fun and exercise, and there are several Wii offerings from which you can choose. Lay out your own dance pad and pick from the hundreds of songs available in each release. Ramp up the difficulty as you can experience to learn new dance routines and continuously challenge yourself with this fun and addictive exercise game.
4. Golds Gym Cardio
   When you can’t make it to the gym for a workout session, you can still get your daily exercise by turning on the TV and starting up Golds Gym Cardio Workout on your Wii. A vast array of fun cardio fitness activities await you, including classic training exercises like running and boxing. Golds Gym is also compatible with the balance board accessory, which opens up a range of new possibilities. This gym simulator is popular with amateurs and athletes alike, and can help you get in shape without leaving the house.
5. Walk It Out
   If you can’t stand exercise, Walk It Out is the game for you. This game offers you a fun walking exercise program that is enjoyable and easy on the joints, as well as a variety of delightful mini-games. Even those who avoid physical activity like the plague will be reaching for the protein bars and Calcet after they get hold of Walk It Out. Exercise should be fun, and great Wii games like this make it as enjoyable as it can be.

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We all know people that use software and websites created for the sole purpose of “sharing” media. If you’re being honest, you might even admit that you’ve enjoyed a pirated movie, music, or even a video game. You may, in fact, be one of those people who engages in rampant and undisciplined piracy of all types of media, refusing to buy anything since it’s all readily available for free online (although you’re risking spyware and malware with every download). Or worse, you might be the person ripping discs and posting files for others to download. The problem, apart from the fact that this is illegal, is that pirating copyrighted content has a cost. In fact, the Entertainment Software Association estimates that more than $8 billion a year in profit from handheld games alone is lost annually thanks to global piracy. And in the U.S. and Canada losses are somewhere in the neighborhood of $3.5 billion for video games in general. But there is a much more serious cost to consider.

For starters, there is the personal cost for those who post and download content illegally. It was only a year ago that Kit Dotcom, the founder of media sharing site Megaupload, was arrested in New Zealand, along with several other executives in the biggest anti-piracy bust to date. Mansions, cars, bank accounts, and other assets were seized and Dotcom was looking at 20 years for online piracy, copyright infringement, and racketeering, amongst other things. Of course, there were so many blunders made with the arrests and the warrants, not to mention the revelation of illegal spying, that Dotcom was eventually released and granted access to his accounts and assets once again. He is still confined to the country of New Zealand as he fights U.S. extradition orders, but in the meantime Megaupload remains defunct (although he has started a new site, Mega, which is positioned to provide more privacy for users to share whatever they wish).

The point is that governments are looking for ways to cut down on piracy, and they apparently aren’t afraid to cross international borders in order to stop the criminals involved in this theft. Perhaps this is because the U.S. is claiming more than two and a half billion dollars in lost tax revenue annually associated with media piracy. You can steal from the artists and creators of intellectual property, but when you start dipping into the government’s cut there’s going to be a problem. And with plenty of sites realizing their folly and finding ways to put the onus of legality back on the shoulders of the public (through privacy policies that prohibit employees from being aware of content shared by users), the government could start coming after individual citizens next.

Of course, there is also the cost to society to consider. When piracy is allowed to flourish, it not only makes it difficult for creators to earn a living, but it could actually backfire by causing them to seek out other forms of gainful employment. Plenty of people complain about rich recording artists, actors, or video game publishers that have loads of cash and still charge too much for their wares. But the truth is that people who create something have every right to charge money for it. If you were making games and selling them you might feel the same way. People who engage in piracy seem to have a sense of entitlement that causes them to believe their actions are justified, but piracy is stealing. Would you steal a pair of jeans from a store because they’re overpriced? No, you’d simply walk away and find a cheaper pair of jeans. So use your burning software from CyberLink to share music and videos that you have created. And if you want a video game, for goodness sake, wait for it to go on sale.

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Just because you like video games doesn’t mean you can make them. But if you’re keen on the idea of participating in the process of creating the games of tomorrow, then you can certainly head to college in order to learn the art of video game design and earn a degree that will lead to a lucrative career in the modern gaming industry. However, you’ll want to start by selecting a school that is conducive to reaching your professional goals. And here are some of the top picks for your consideration.

1. University of Southern California. Some students are set on attending a prestigious private school, and when it comes to a video game design program you can meet this goal by going to USC. Their school of cinematic art offers a minor in video game design and management that allows graduates to earn an entertainment degree that includes an emphasis in gaming. And with proximity to a number of highly regarded game developers (EA, Blizzard, Activision, and more), not to mention a huge network of entertainment industry contacts, USC can offer students access to opportunities for both internships and jobs.
2. Massachusetts Institute of Technology. MIT is not just a school for math and science anymore; it’s also one of the top schools for video game design thanks to a focus on computer technology and engineering that attracts those that are interested in the technical side of game development. With a wide variety of classes related to gaming, a commitment to practical applications, and the opportunity for student/faculty collaboration on game-related projects, MIT makes the prospect of learning this trade fun and exciting.
3. Carnegie Mellon University. Although Carnegie Mellon has only recently been recognized for their game design program, it turns out they have a lot to offer prospective students in this field. The school has an early starter option via the National High School Game Academy (NHSGA) that helps interested high school students explore this growing career option. But their undergrad and graduate programs are the real draw for any college student that ultimately dreams of a job in video game production.
4. Art Institute of Vancouver. Plenty of art institutes are starting to offer both courses and majors devoted to the art and science of video games, but the Art Institute of Vancouver consistently receives top marks in all areas, including scriptwriting, animation, production, and more. Students will not only learn the theory and practice of game creation, but they’ll also build a portfolio that will help them to get jobs upon graduation.
5. Southern Methodist University – Plano, TX. If you want a career in the military, you might go to Norwich University. If you want a legal degree your best bet is Harvard Law. But if your goal is to design video games, then you might be surprised to learn that Guildhall at SMU offers one of the best programs around. Not only do students present work at a semiannual exhibition and benefit from industry speakers, but they also have the option to publish their work. And the school has an excellent placement rate for grads with some of the top companies in the video game industry.

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Gaming laptops are some of the fastest portable computers in the world, and this is because of the unique demands that gaming imposes on a computer. Today’s games require more power than ever to run, and the laptop industry is making leaps and bounds to keep up with the demand. Be sure to consider these 5 important things when you go shopping for a gaming laptop.

1. Screen Size and Resolution
   There are many things that are important to a good laptop gaming experience, but your screen can really make or break a computer in this regard. Unlike a traditional desktop, you can’t simply buy a new monitor when you want a better display. Large screens are recommended, and look for one with high resolution as well. LED displays are considered the best in terms of image quality. Try to find a way to see a laptop’s display in action before committing to buy.
2. Comfortable Keyboard
   You’re going to be spending a lot of time using the keyboard on your laptop for basic gaming input, so it should be one that you feel comfortable using. Look for a keyboard that is a comfortable size for you. This, unfortunately, is entirely subjective, so there is no single best choice. You don’t want to find yourself struggling to adapt to an uncomfortable keyboard. Try out several keyboards and see what works best for you.
3. Lots of Memory
   Gaming is a very high intensity activity for your computer, and it needs a lot of memory to run efficiently. It is recommended to have at least 6GB of RAM on any gaming computer, and many have the option to upgrade to as much as 16GB. More RAM allows your computer to load information quicker, which is especially important for today’s fast paced games. You really can’t have too much memory, so look for a laptop with plenty of RAM, as well as the option to upgrade in the future.
4. Graphics Card
   Games have come a longway in a relatively short period of time. The games of the past featured simple two-dimensional graphics and lots of text, whereas today we have fully rendered lush 3-D environments in which to play. Graphics processing requires a lot of work on your computer’s part, so look for a high end graphics card in any gaming laptop you may be considering. Top of the line offerings from NVIDIA like the GeForce series are regarded as some of the best. They will keep your graphics running fast, smooth, and fully detailed so that you can get the most out of your gaming experience.
5. Processing Power
   If there is one thing to look for in a gaming laptop above all, it should be the CPU. The central processing unit is your computer’s brain, and it has a hugely significant effect on how well the computer runs. You can get by without a GLC -T transceiver, but a state of the art CPU like Intel’s Core I7 is essential. Don’t skimp on processing power, or you’ll never be able to get the full gaming experience.

Interior design is definitely one of the most exciting careers that you might possibly choose. If you’ve got a great sense of spatial awareness, and maybe even something of an artistic flair, interior design is probably a great career choice for you. Few jobs really give you the opportunity to be creative in a way that’s very, very functional. When you’re working as an interior designer, your job is to make sure that spaces for people to live, work, and play in are set up and arranged properly. Though you might not realize it, figuring out how to best put stuff in a room is a lot tougher than you might have thought. It’s not as simple as just finding yourself a job if you’re looking to become an interior designer. You’re going to have to go to a full four years of college, earn yourself a legitimate degree, and maybe even get yourself some extra certification when you’ve finished all of that. When all is said and done, though, and you’re finally able to get to work as an interior designer, you get to enjoy a very unique profession.

Over the course of your studies, you’ll learn how to best set up a room for a specific function. Whatever someone needs to do in a given space, you’ll be able to help them get it done by telling them how they can best set up their furniture, appliances, equipment, and other things. There’s a lot that goes into interior design, however, and each job brings with it unique challenges. One of the biggest challenges that comes with a career as an interior designer is the fact that you’ve got to be very, very adaptable. Almost every project you work on will be different, so practice is important. If you’ve got a smartphone, however, practicing just got a whole lot easier.

Not a terribly huge amount of jobs let you sharpen your skills as you wait in line to get your coffee, but with the new iPhone game Home Design Seasons, you’ll be able to do just that. While you’ll have to wait a bit if you’re wanting to play on an Android phone, Home Design Seasons gives iPhone users the full interior design experience! You can view furniture and other items from four different angles, and there is no shortage of knick-knacks and other objects that you can use to decorate the in-game space.

While a game like this might have a tough time coming up with ways to really motivate players, you can unlock new parts of the in-game house by completing the levels that are available to you when you first download the game (which is completely free). While you might not be able to use items like the ones you’d find over at http://www.lonestarwesterndecor.com/westernbedding1.html, you will nevertheless be able to work with an exciting array of home items that will let you decorate just the way you like. If you’re already an interior designer, this is a great game to help you practice your skills. If you’re thinking about this kind of career, then a game like Home Design seasons is perfect to help you learn about what you might expect.

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If you’re a college student who has been seriously considering going overseas to study for a semester or two, the first thing that comes to our minds is “Great! It is a life-changing experience that will only broaden your horizons and cause you to grow in ways that no other opportunity could.”

Of course, it is a big step that requires a certain level of personal maturity and responsibility, so if you’re not yet totally sold on the idea, but you’re looking for some clear and concrete reasons to take going aboard under serious consideration, we have five for you right here:

It will develop you personally. Anytime you are around a different kind of culture, it challenges you to develop a different side of yourself as you learn more about the uniqueness that is around you. By studying abroad, not only does it take you to a new level of independence, but also it helps to increase your confidence levels as you interact with a world that initially is unfamiliar and eventually becomes a part of your everyday life (even if it’s temporarily).

It improves your academic skills. What grows a person is not doing the same thing all of the time, but branching out and trying something different. Studying abroad not only enhances your learning abilities and helps you to better retain what you’re studying, but if you are staying in a place that speaks a language that is foreign to you, it can help you to learn how to communicate bilingually and that’s always a huge asset in the workplace.

It teaches you (more) about the world. It’s one thing to sit and watch movies about another country. It’s another matter entirely to go somewhere and experience it for yourself. By “it” when mean the food, the people, the language, the architecture—the culture. When you make a concerted effort to immerse yourself in surroundings that are unfamiliar to you, it helps you to appreciate another side of the world. It can also help you to be more compassionate and cooperative with others as well.

It can solidify your career path. Many people have been known for studying one field, going abroad and then returning to do something totally different. For instance, you might leave as a junior in college studying communications. However, after a semester of not just studying abroad, but also teaching English, you might return with a desire to get a masters degree in education instead of becoming a journalist. The moral to the story is there: There’s no way that going to live in another country for a few months won’t change your life and for many, it’s not just personally, but professionally too.

It’s a nice resume-builder. Just like colleges look for well-rounded high school students (individuals who didn’t just get good grades, but were also involved in community services and extracurricular activities), many employers have a similar mindset. Once you graduate and you apply for a job, you definitely want to stand out from the rest of the applicants. To have spent some time in another country, undoubtedly, you will appear exceptional and not the “rule”.

For some of us, the gaming experience dates back as far as the original in-home Atari system or the Commodore 64. Others started with cartridge consoles like the Nintendo and Sega, while a shocking number of video game veterans have only ever known a world with discs, HD machinery, and online gameplay (man, some of us are feeling old right now, remembering how cool Pong was once upon a time). In any case, you may have reached a point in your life where seeing your old games gathering dust on the shelf (and taking up space that rightfully belongs to newer games) is too depressing for words. And considering that there is a whole new segment of the population devoted to restoring old machines and playing original games, you stand to make a little dough by handing off your collection of hard-to-find titles. So here are just a few ways to reap the rewards of your collector mentality by selling your old video games.

Perhaps the first and best place to go when selling your vintage games is eBay. This forum is a virtual treasure trove for anyone seeking, well, just about anything (although you can no longer buy shares in other people’s souls, more’s the pity). If you want to reach the largest potential audience for the items you’re selling and secure the best possible price, set the minimum and let the bidding begin. Any games that don’t sell can be listed again and those that do will at least net your asking price, if not more. Of course, this could make for a lot of work if you have a relatively large collection, so you may want to consider other options.

One possibility is that you could sell your collection of games as a whole or in small lots, rather than trying to get rid of them piecemeal. This will definitely save you some time, and you might not end up taking a huge hit on the price, either, although bundling may reduce the number of interested buyers since people may be willing to pay for some games but not others. On the other hand, it could help you to pawn off some of the games that have little value otherwise. Another option is to hand everything over to some type of consignment store that sells stuff on eBay. They will certainly take a cut of your profits, but it may be worth it to avoid the hassle of having to list and ship every item.

You could also post on gamer forums to see if anyone is interested in purchasing your old games, although you’ll probably have to sell the whole bunch as one lot if you opt to go this route, just for the sake of expediency (and not getting booted from the forums for spamming). Or if you feel that credit is just as good as cash since both will lead to more new games on your shelves, consider hitting up a store like GameStop to see if they’ll take a trade-in. They may not accept truly vintage fare, but they will likely take the more modern games that you no longer want and give you credit in return. After all, their store signs have “game” right in the name.

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Plenty of adults grew up having lofty career aspirations. Many of us wanted to enter fields that seemed helpful and humanitarian; we wanted to be doctors, nurses, firemen, and veterinarians. Then there were those of us that had dreams of grandeur; we wanted to become famous actors, rock stars, or even the President. I myself wanted to be George Washington at a young age, shortly after which I harbored dreams of becoming Grover Washington, Jr. (after my dad signed me up for saxophone in the 5th grade band class). But we grow up and learn that some of us are cut out to be doctors and lawyers while others are better suited to marketing, restaurant management, or in my case, writing. And yet, for kids growing up in a world rife with technology, it seems like there are now more opportunities for “dream” careers. For example, kids being raised on a steady diet of video games often dream of becoming game designers. And this career is far more realistic than, say, becoming the next Michael Jordan, Brad Pitt, or Barack Obama.

Of course, it’s not like you can become a game designer simply by spending the larger part of your adolescent life glued to Halo, Madden, or Need for Speed. This competitive field requires you to have both an in-depth understanding of game mechanics (from a player standpoint) as well as the knowledge and skills to create technically sound and aesthetically appealing game worlds. So in addition to harboring a love of all things gaming you’re going to need to get some schooling under your belt if you want to nab a job in the industry, or even strike out on your own.

In truth, all you really need to get a foot in the door is a high school diploma or equivalent. Many developers and publishers hire an army of testers to act as quality assurance and so long as you can follow directions you can get such a job. The only problem with this strategy is that it’s a far cry from testing to design. You’ll start as a minimum wage temp that spends months trying to break build after build of the same level of the same game – not very sexy. And your odds of moving up from there are slim to none, especially if you fail to obtain further education. Your time would be better spent skipping what amounts to an extended internship and enrolling in school instead.

Although they are not always easy to find, there are schools that specifically cater to those interested in video game design. But many colleges and universities are also beginning to offer programs aimed at helping students prepare for careers in this growing field. Whether you’re interested in engineering the code for games, creating characters and landscapes, or writing the scripts that give these elements direction, you can find degree programs to help you gain the skills and knowledge you’ll need to compete for jobs. In most cases a bachelor’s degree will do the trick, but if you want to shoot for a master’s in game design you certainly can. And whether you attend a school specifically for game design or you’re more interested in online animation schools, it behooves you to look into internship opportunities during the course of your schooling. This is one industry where who you know can be just as important as what you know.

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The holiday shopping season is now in full swing, and if you weren’t one of those people standing in a 24-hour line in order to land the newest gaming titles you’ve probably got quite the list for Santa Claus. This is the time of year when all the major game companies release their biggest titles, those blockbusters that can now be expected to outperform even the huge tentpole releases out of Hollywood. And you want them all. But after paying for the upgraded system, a handful of new controllers and a monitor that stands up to your uncompromising eye, how are you supposed to afford the games? You’re going to have to put the gamer in you aside for the season and act like a savvy shopper instead. Succeed at your mission using one or more of these five ways to save money on popular video game titles for the holidays.

First of all, do your research. Video game release dates are announced months and sometimes even years in advance, and you should have them on your calendar. This will help you budget sufficient funds to pick up the must-haves, while also acknowledging if you have too many titles on your list and need to bump some down. Of course there’s always Santa to lean on, but let’s face it, you probably haven’t been all that nice this year.

When you do have certain games in mind, look for ways to confirm their worth before plunking down your hard earned dollars. Read reviews, both by industry experts and the game blogs you respect, to avoid the outright clunkers that many developers promote during the holidays. But take it a step further and get your hands on the game. Many popular releases offer demo levels you can play, so you know what you’ll be getting. Check your platform’s downloadable store to see if your favorite upcoming titles have released a demo.

Once you’ve nailed down the winners and luckily avoided the losers, how can you still save money on their purchase? The savvy gamer will take advantage of trade-ins and used purchasing. Most video games have a limited shelf life. Once you beat them, you probably won’t be returning to play any but the most classic. So trade them in to receive in-store discounts and coupons you can put towards other purchases. If you’re an avid gameplayer you’ll have plenty to get rid of. In addition, skip the most current release and buy used. A game that is six months old is often deeply discounted, as stores want to make room for new stock. So if you can wait that long you’ll be able to afford twice the amount of games.

Look around for gaming communities to join as well. Some online communities are completely focused on deals. Members will help each other find discount sites with great prices, or local retailers with the best price tags on new games. At the same time, gaming communities often trade used games amongst members. You could find someone who has already completed a game you want to try, and is willing to trade for a title you are done with. It’s a perfect system, and will reward those with the most patience.

Finally, consider renting games. Almost all of the movie rental services also rent video games, which is a fantastic way to try out a title for $6 or less. Play it for the weekend and decide if it is worth buying, or perhaps you’ll have your fill at that point. Netflix is one fantastic option, and they’ll ship it right to you. Couponloco has Netflix trial offers if you aren’t a member yet. Obviously someone can’t gift you a video game rental. But you can ask for a gift card for any of these rental services, which will end up filling the same need.

Most people approach video games as a challenging diversion or brainless entertainment, but few take the time to consider all of the elements that go into creating an immersive experience. For example, can you imagine how different some of your favorite games might be without the musical scores that have become inextricably linked to them? You might not necessarily add some of these scores to your iPod or use them as ring tones (then again, you might), but games certainly wouldn’t be the same without them. And here are just a few that have quickened the pulse of pop culture.

1. Super Mario Bros. Composed by Koji Kondo (who also hit audio pay dirt with the music for Legend of Zelda), the soundtrack to this early video game is a happy-go-lucky blend of synthesizer blips and bloops that blends perfectly with the ping of collecting coins, the boing of bouncing, and the ribbit of stomping goombas and koopa troopers in the game. Anyone who hears this simple and memorable score can’t help but be transported back to long summers spent guzzling Tab and munching Reese’s Pieces.
2. Grand Theft Auto. The idea of letting the player pick the soundtrack for their game was a novel one when GTA was first released back in 1997 (yes, it’s been that long). The gangster rap theme music was well suited to the premise of the game, but once players loaded up, they could either choose from one of several radio stations to find the perfect soundtrack to evade the police or pop in their own CD for totally custom cruising sounds.
3. Halo. When Master Chief first hit the video game scene in this space-age story of humanity’s struggle against the alien Covenant, it quickly became the hottest FPS on the market. The soundtrack was equally revolutionary, with dynamic music designed to change according to the gameplay in order to reflect the mood. The result is alternately a symphony of sweeping strings that sounds like it came from an epic adventure film, Gregorian chants, staccato marches, and new-age, ambient synth. In short, it was everything a player could want in audio enhancement geared at matching the action on the screen.
4. Final Fantasy VII. Part slasher film, part crazy fun house, part rock opera, and part futuristic military march, this seemingly schizophrenic soundtrack nonetheless captured the feverish and intense feeling of the game in the series that is commonly considered the pinnacle of the Final Fantasy franchise. Nobuo Uematsu composed many other tracks for the Final Fantasy banner, but the score for game number seven is easily some of his best work (or at least his most recognizable) in the video game world.
5. Tetris. Any child of the ’80s (and beyond) will recognize the iconic electronica that emanates from this long-lived puzzle game, although it wasn’t composed by any top artists. The music has a distinctly foreign flavor due to the fact that it is based on a popular Russian folk tune (no surprise considering that the original game was created by a Russian programmer). And its unique and recognizable sound has probably contributed to the soundtrack’s immense popularity and multiple samplings by musicians and DJs.