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Manuel Marino

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Manuel is a passionate, driven, and techsavvy AV technician, artist and music composer with over ten years of experience, specializing in the captivating world of music and entertainment.

Manuel is an expert in creating soundtracks for short filmsfeature films and video games.

Manuel Music Blog is a diverse digital platform where creativity and intellect converge, covering a wide range of topics from 3D Art to Music, and Technology to Philosophy.

It’s a collaborative space that features the insights of both Manuel, contributors and participants, appealing to enthusiasts across various fields.

With dedicated sections for different arts, instruments, and cultural reflections, this blog serves as a rich resource for those seeking inspiration, knowledge, and a deep dive into the myriad aspects of artistic and technological exploration.

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The Assassin’s Creed Franchise – An Overview

Assassin’s Creed is a renowned adventure series cherished by fans worldwide for its unique and clever gameplay and the expansive environments it allows players to explore.

The series has been going strong since its initial release in 2007, centered on Desmond Miles, who gradually uncovers the life and times of his ancestor Altair.

Through Altair (and Ezio Auditore in the sequels), players complete quests and assassinations, each revealing more of the story and information about the corruption of the times and its connection to the bigger picture and Abstergo.

From the very beginning, the series’ storyline captivates your attention with constant twists, turns, and hints about what is truly happening between Desmond and Abstergo Industries.

Not only does the story get you hooked, but the characters and events portrayed are historically accurate and thoroughly researched by the Ubisoft Montreal team, adding an extra layer of appeal and credibility to the saga.

In October 2009, Ubisoft released a short series of films based on the Assassin’s Creed saga called Lineage. The story follows assassin Giovanni Auditore, who witnesses the murder of the Duke of Milan. As he investigates the crime, the information he uncovers puts his own life …

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“The Assassin’s Creed Franchise – An Overview”

Gaming Systems and What You Should Consider

There are significant differences among the top three video game consoles: Wii, Xbox 360, and PlayStation 3. Choose the Wii if you’re looking to play games with the whole family; the Xbox 360 if you’re a hardcore gamer; and the PlayStation 3 if you’re a movie-watching enthusiast. Your preference in games can also influence your choice of gaming system.

What types of games do you enjoy playing? Only 21 popular games are available for the PS3; the Xbox has about 160; the Wii, over 60. Sony claims the PS3 is backward-compatible with older games, while the Wii is backward-compatible with GameCube games, which require additional controllers.

Your budget also plays a role in your decision. A Wii from Nintendo costs at least $250. An Xbox system ranges from $300 to $400, while the stripped-down Xbox Arcade is not a recommended gaming system. The Sony PlayStation 3 is priced around $400 to $500.

Some consoles allow you to watch high-definition movies: The PlayStation has a built-in Blu-ray player, and you can also download high-definition films through Sony’s PlayStation Network movie service. The new Xbox Live can stream high-definition movies from Netflix.

Leaving your PlayStation 3 running all …

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“Gaming Systems and What You Should Consider”

Do Computer Games Cause Attention Deficit Disorder?

It seems somewhat obvious that the average attention span of the average teenager is comparable to that of a gnat. This is clearly evident when you watch them surf the internet The World-wide-web Niche - The global economy has been severely impacted. Millions of people have lost their jobs, many are losing their homes, and retirement portfolios are disappearing at an alarming rate. What happens in the World Wide Web? We often discuss the global financial tsunami, an economic crisis on a scale that rivals the Great Depression of the… , spending less than 10 to 12 seconds on a single page, or when you observe them texting their friends and then continuing the same conversation in the real world. Furthermore, any parent can tell you that while video games may hold a person’s attention for hours of play, they could also be contributing to attention deficit disorder.

There have been studies that both confirm and refute this, but through real-world observation, it appears that video games aren’t all that great for improving attention spans. Let’s discuss this for a few moments. I found it quite ironic when I read an interesting article in the Wall Street Journal’s technology section not too long ago on August 1, 2012; “Can Video Games Treat ADHD? Startup Seeks FDA Approval for Games That Help Attention Disorders,” by Brian Gormley.

In other words, this is a specialized game that rewards the player for improved attention spans on a given task, and as they play the game longer, they must pay more attention to a …

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“Do Computer Games Cause Attention Deficit Disorder?”

Aliens Vs Predator – The Movie Titans Clash on Your Console

Videogames
by Cаt

The latest Aliens Vs Predator video game is out after several unsuccessful attempts at Alien, Predator, and AVP games, raising the question of whether developer Rebellion has finally created a video game that satisfies hardcore AVP fans.

In short, the answer is yes. Released for Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, and Games for Windows, the new AVP video game features three campaigns, allowing the player to control the hunter, survivor, or prey. The Colonial Marines campaign starts with the player as a rookie on a small spacecraft witnessing a massive Predator ship destroy their mothership. The only option is to land on an undisclosed planet.

The following cutscene features the character waking up after blacking out during the drop and being informed by Tequila (resembling Vasquez from Aliens) that this mission will be a “bug hunt.” The next few stages allow the player to familiarize themselves with the controls, which will be recognizable to most FPS players. Players will fend off hordes of xenomorphs while waiting for an elevator to safety.

It’s during this scenario that players will appreciate the impressive lighting of the new AVP video game, creating tense and uncertain gameplay. The weapons look and sound authentic …

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“Aliens Vs Predator – The Movie Titans Clash on Your Console”

Videogames As Art – The Battle Continues

While it undoubtedly remains an essential aspect of my life, I sometimes find it increasingly challenging to defend the gaming community. Allow me to elaborate.

Some time ago, film critic Roger Ebert asserted that video games could not be considered art, which sparked outrage among a vast number of gamers who were eager to prove him wrong.

Recently, Ebert reiterated his stance, much to the dismay of the many individuals who had previously rallied against him. In his latest blog post, he briefly revisits the subject.

This leads me to my point, which I address to a specific demographic: those who vehemently opposed Ebert’s argument and adopted a vocal, insulting, or patronizing approach to counter his opinion. The issue I am discussing, in essence, is ignorance.

There is a distinct difference between disagreeing with someone and attempting to discredit their opinion based solely on your own perspective. Opinions are inherently subjective, and it is natural for individuals to hold differing viewpoints on various topics. Engaging in a reasoned debate is the appropriate way to address such disagreements. However, telling someone they are wrong without any factual support is a display of ignorance.

Unfortunately, a considerable portion …

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“Videogames As Art – The Battle Continues”

Setting Benchmarks Toward Videogaming

For many players today, visuals take priority over gameplay, while some still value gameplay more. As technology advances rapidly, so does the development of computer gaming. Each year, developers showcase their latest game engines, featuring updated graphics and effects such as high-definition textures and real-time physics simulations.

Benchmarking is a way to evaluate a PC’s performance and capabilities, similar to a student taking an exam to assess their knowledge and expertise. Various benchmarking tools, such as 3D Mark Vantage and 3D Mark 11, are available for this purpose.

2011 was a significant year for gaming, with blockbuster releases like Dead Space 2, Dragon Age 2, and Homefront. Crysis 2, another highly anticipated title, was released in March of that year. Crytek, the company behind the Crysis series, had previously wowed PC enthusiasts with the original Crysis game, which set a new standard in gaming performance.

Crysis became a benchmarking tool for various gaming hardware. Even in 2011, the original Crysis remained a game that defined computer performance standards. If a PC could run Crysis, it was likely capable of handling most other games on the market.

As more games supporting DirectX 11 were released, developers continued to adapt …

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“Setting Benchmarks Toward Videogaming”