Like the earlier Nintendo craze of the 80s, our culture has reawakened to gaming. We all play games and the latest technology like iPads and iPhones only makes it easier. The University of Missouri recognized this which is why they created a course devoted entirely to game design and competitive gaming as a whole.

While some skeptics will never look at gaming the same way they look at other “valid” hobbies like biking or jogging, the fact remains that gaming has become a real way of life for some. People go to tournaments, win money, play games for a living and thanks to colleges like the University of Missouri and their open-minded approach to the field, gamers all over the world may finally get the recognition they deserve because – let’s face it – as far as anyone is concerned, if college professors are taking it seriously than certainly everyone else must.

Many gaming tournaments are run purely online. There are hundreds of websites that organize online tournaments, so you never have to leave the comfort of your home. Many of these can be played for money; open an online account and put your money where your joystick is. Some tournaments are small and cheap, while some are expensive and prestigious; take your pick.

Some tournaments are live events. One of the most prestigious, the Clock Chaos Tournament, is a warm-up for the Midwest Gaming Classic. You can also find Major League Gaming sponsored tournaments all over the Midwest.

But what causes lag and what are the actual affects? Many of us have heard the term and have experienced it, but are unsure as to why it happens and why it results in poor gaming. Lag generally is caused by a slow and choppy internet connection or a busy, used internet connection. The high latency results in the loss of acceptable frame rates for game play, which leads to terrible connections. You typically can tell when you are experiencing lagged game play, as your player cannot keep up with the tempo of the rest of the game.

There are ways to reduce lag, however. Try to avoid downloading content while playing. Also, try to avoid keeping other computers on your gaming network, as this will slow game play.

Although gaming on the console is the ideal way for gamers to sit back and have a good time, gaming on the internet is also an exciting adventure. For those gamers who would prefer using their console, there are also other ways to play on the internet. Many consoles are equipped for online gaming. For the gamers who would rather play with another person, they now have many opportunities to use their gaming console as a gateway into the online world. Instead of playing alone, gamers can simply hook up their systems to the internet and experience gaming with people from all over the world. This makes gaming on the internet just as good as gaming on the console.The information party rocks on: Inafune envisions a future where portable gaming consoles and Smartphones coexist

Practice improves most skills and helps with learning to play a musical instrument. People need to learn the controller buttons if they want to increase their speed. The problem may then become an issue with learning different controllers. The options to move up, jump, or move down may simply be some button command. Players should remember that they are being conditioned. The action to move up could be translated into a stroke by their index finger. People that want to move up in a chair will just slide forward without pushing anything on a two sided, multiple button controller.The information party rocks on: Could This Be The Best Way To Play ‘Portal 2′?