As the saying goes, “all good things must come to an end,” and that seems to be the case for Walt Disney World’s ambitious and ultra-pricey Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser. This one-of-a-kind immersive hotel, which provided a sleepover experience like no other, is closing its doors at the end of September, roughly 18 months after opening. But why would such a grand endeavor meet such a fate? Let’s dive into the journey of the Galactic Starcruiser and explore what led to its unexpected closing. The Galactic Starcruiser – A Universe of its Own The Galactic Starcruiser was more than just a themed hotel – it was a landlocked cruise ship, an elaborate choose-your-own-adventure theatrical experience, and a Star Wars aficionado’s dream come true. It was a project that refused to be boxed into a single category. Guests embarked on a two-night immersive journey that was as captivating as any Star…
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The Intersection of Cinema and Gaming: The Star Wars Phenomenon
A long time ago, in a galaxy far, far away… Oh, wait! This phrase seems familiar, right? That’s because it hails from the cinematic universe of Star Wars, a franchise that has enchanted audiences since 1977 with its awe-inspiring tales of good versus evil set against a backdrop of stars and spaceships. But what happens when this cinematic titan collides with the dynamic, interactive world of gaming? It’s no secret that the realms of cinema and gaming are two sides of the same entertainment coin, but when they intersect, as in the case of Star Wars, the result is nothing short of a spectacular phenomenon. So, grab your lightsabers and prep your X-wing starfighters as we prepare to warp speed into the intriguing cosmos where Star Wars games bridge the gap between cinema and gaming. Part 1: Star Wars – The Quintessential Space Opera The Saga Begins George Lucas’s Star…
How many Jedi survived order 66?
Order 66, also known as the Great Jedi Purge, was a key moment in the Star Wars franchise that occurred at the end of the Clone Wars. It was a directive issued by Supreme Chancellor Palpatine, secretly the Sith Lord Darth Sidious, to the clone troopers of the Grand Army of the Republic, ordering them to execute their Jedi Generals. This moment marked the end of the Republic and the beginning of the Galactic Empire, as the Jedi were essentially wiped out by the clones they had trusted as allies. But how many Jedi were able to survive this tragic event? According to an article from Collider, there were roughly 200,000 known Jedi at the time of the Clone Wars. This number includes both full-fledged Jedi Knights and Initiates in training. However, it is important to note that this number is likely an underestimation, as the Jedi Order was secretive…
21st Century Gaming Culture Is Shaping the Future of Slots
It’s no secret that the 21st century is the age of technology. Over recent years mobile phones have almost taken over; we wouldn’t be surprised to see them make a fry-up in the near future! From trying different online slots to live streaming shows, the possibilities for mobile entertainment are endless. All you need is a modern mobile to hand, and who doesn’t take theirs everywhere these days? Gaming Culture History Gaming software over the past few decades is exceeding our wildest expectations. Combined with the advancements in mobile technology, you now have a console right there in your hand. Gaming culture hit its first peak in the late 80s with arcade games like PacMan. Shortly after came the wave of consoles like the Sega Mega Drive, which revolutionised the way we like to play games. Some years later, as tech continued its relentless expansion, mobile apps became all the…
How Video Games Can Make Students Smarter
The gratuitous qualms of many parents come about when kids play video games. This is because these games are so riveting and enthralling that kids often forget that they have other activities such as exercise, sleep, house chores, and school assignments. Additionally, some parents fret that violent video games affect the attitude and behavior of their children in a negative manner. Nonetheless, there are some computer games which not only sharpen and improve the memory of children but also inclines them to assist other people in the real world. Furthermore, below are some of the other ways through which video games can make students smarter. Are brain-training games beneficial? Yes. These games are beneficial in various ways. Not only do they improve their intellectual skills but they also help sharpen their memory. For instance, if one finds themselves in a difficult situation, it may be easy for them to come…
Play More Video Games: They’ll Make You Smarter at School!
“Can you get smarter by playing video games?” That question right there is why this article exists. It (the query) forms the subject of hot debate among concerned parties. From parents to educators, and children, none are left satisfied when discussions on this contentious issue are made. Don’t believe me? Well, try searching “gaming and smart.” Then, scheme through the suggested articles to see the conflicting views people have. You will be baffled! Back to the question; well, gaming can really make you smarter. Studies have concluded that gaming significantly boosts memory, increases brain function, enhances kid’s problem-solving skills. Moreover, it increases the attention span of an individual, encourages spatial reasoning, fosters social skills, and promotes strategic planning. Nonetheless, there is a lot of negative this and that to justify the detriment that gaming inflicts on the education process. Do not let that fret you. Below are proven ways to…
How Gaming Helps Children Improve Their Learning Skills
If you ask a parent whether playing video games is necessary for a child’s education, you will get the same answer from most people, which is ‘NO’ accompanied by various reasons why video gaming is no good for children. Some of the most common arguments include inappropriate content or violence; inactivity and bad habits, which lead to obesity; inadequate social skills; waste of time; and minimal use of imagination. The point is that in some cases, these reasons are valid, but it refers to isolated incidents rather to a rule. The point is that researchers are discovering the positive impact of video games on kids concerning education. In this respect, gaming in the classroom has become a prevalent method of teaching due to the accessibility of the technologies. It is because there are more benefits of video games than harm. Video Games Makes Learning Easier Perhaps you and your friends…
The Star Wars franchise and its sustained success
Over $8 billion dollars in box office sales. Almost $38 billion in toys and merchandise. A sale to Disney around the $4 billion mark. These gigantic, record-breaking figures are enough to suggest that Star Wars is one of the world’s most phenomenally successful movie franchises of all time. There’s also the millions of fans from around the world who name Star Wars as either a favourite movies series, a creative influence, or even a life-changing piece of cinema. So why is Star Wars so popular? Back in 1977, there were plenty of Sci-Fi movies from relatively unknown directors, and 1977’s A New Hope was just another space-flick with a couple of big names. The big difference however was the depth, the vision and the scale that the original Star Wars movie had that made it such a smash-hit success, as well as the brilliant visual effects, well-paced storyline and superb…
This is Why SWTOR Matters
Ever gotten on a soapbox when it comes to talking about video games? You certainly wouldn’t be the first to do so. In fact, gamers are often so passionate about their video games that they find themselves on a soapbox quite often. Adam Harshberger of Pexielsordeath.com has a soapbox opportunity to tell us all why SWTOR matters. It seems everyone who has played the game has a strong opinion one way or another about it. For some, SWTOR is just another MMO attempting to rival WoW that will probably wither and wane just like so many others. To some, it doesn’t matter at all. However, to others SWTOR matters and here is a glimpse into why. Harshberger says: “But, regardless, Bioware has succeeded in igniting my brain in ways that only single player games have previously – and, to frank with ya’ll, I can’t stop playing it.” He says that…
Star Wars’ universe is getting a lot bigger Says USA Today
For those people out there who have yet to hear about SWTOR, USA Today brought them the news this morning in a feature piece about the very popular MMORPG. According to their report by Mike Snider, “That disturbance in the Force is millions of voices crying out in delight as they join the battle of Jedi vs. Sith in Star Wars: The Old Republic, a huge new online game and universe.” While regulars to this site already know about SWTOR, it’s great to see a mainstream media source reporting on the game and its popularity on launch day. First, they tell us a little about BioWare: “The Edmonton, Alberta-based developers are hardly video-game padawans. BioWare’s recent role-playing successes include series such as the fantasy Dragon Age and the sci-fi saga Mass Effect. And the company has a history with the Star Wars universe, having developed 2003’s Knights of the Old…
I’m Flip-Flopping on Star Wars: The Old Republic
“My biggest problem now with Star Wars: The Old Republic is that I recently switched my home computer to a Mac,” says Stephen Totilo from Kotaku. This is in the intro to his story of why he’s flip-flopping on SWTOR. All he needed to change his mind about TOR was to play it again for a second time. He says it was like playing a completely different game. He says his first experience was impaired by high expectations and that he is not usually a MMORPG player as getting enchanted with the one MMO can limit you from playing other games. He says, “I tried World of Warcraft for a weekend in 2007, had some fun, but ran away to save my time for real-life activities like playing video games that last less than infinite hours.” He had a chance to try the game again, at NYCC it seems, and…
You Control the Story in the Next Generation of Video Games
A story on NPR yesterday talks about the next generation of video games where story is of the utmost importance and gamers get to take the reins. This isn’t really a new concept, especially to game companies like BioWare who have been doing this already for decades, however, it’s nice to see mainstream media bringing attention to the matter. Like most media pieces written by non-gamers, this article had some flaws, but nevertheless it was an informative piece that brings attention to the fact that games are just child’s play. There is a serious market for good games and video game developers know this which is why companies like BioWare are putting out great story-based games like the highly anticipated SWTOR. Speaking of TOR and BioWare, the article makes a reference to it: “Daniel Erickson, the lead writer of the “Star Wars” game, said the amount of…
PC Gamers prints two new screenshots
The latest issue of PC Gamer has a 4 page writeup on Star Wars: The old republic. The article takes up and angle on how the game will change the MMORPG genre for ever – some for good and some for the bad. The article also shows 2 new screenshots I don’t believe have been published before. – First one is a screeny of what appears to be an Imperial Agent dual-weilding some sort of daggers and sneaking up on a Cathar (NPC?) from behind. – The second one is a group of 3 Republic characters… a human Smuggler Gunslinger, a human Trooper and a Mirialan Jedi Knight. The Trooper has no helmet on, is huge, and carrying a huge weapon. In front of a Republic base on… maybe Belsavis? There is nothing new revealed in the article apart from the new screens – well maby a dual-weilding melee Imperial…