golf93871

The video game industry is soon to undergo a serious change. A change that many feel is for for the better.

Currently video game manufacturers and publishers usually sign what is called an exclusive agreement. What this means is the video game hardware manufacturer, such as xbox, ps3, WII, etc. has the sole rights for that publisher`s particular game.

However this trend of exclusive deals may be coming to an end. In the November issue if Electronic gaming Monthly, Evan Van Zelfden says, "that the agreements between game publishers and hardware makers called as third-party exclusives may be ceased in the future." Van Zelfden explains further, "that more publishers and developers were willing to create computer games that can be used for different gaming platforms such as nintendo Wii, Sony Playstation, and xbox 360 than giving an exclusive license to only one platform."

Not having an exclusive license allows publishers to develop a video game for multiple platforms. Van Zelfden agrees, "their games would have a wider market if it will be available in multiplatform versions."

It may be a while before the entire industry jumps on this "bandwagon" however there are a couple of games on the way. The games that would soon launch in multiplatform versions include "Devil May cry 4" and "Grand Theft Auto IV".

Keep an eye out on this trend and the games that will be hitting the market soon. Soon you will no longer have to buy just the XBox to get a certain game and so on.

The highly anticipated xbox 360 video game exclusive makes its way to the public. For those three people who are unaware of halo 3, here is the breakdown. halo 3 is a first person shooter that transpires after the events of the xbox smash hit Halo 2. Master Chief is reprising his role as the protagonist all the way through the entire game, and he is accompanied by the Arbiter. Those who played halo 2 will remember that the Arbiter is now an ally of Master Chief. The storyline in halo 3 starts with Master Chief and his men fighting against the Covenant. The plot is definitely the best in the series, and it answers all of the unanswered questions from halo 2. In terms of gameplay, halo 3 is eerily similar to the previous iterations of halo and Halo 2. Avid Halo fans should have no problem picking up the controls of Master Chief or the Arbiter. Gamers will not be surprised with the assortment of weapons.

These entail the handgun, assault rifle, sniper rifle, shotgun, energy sword, grenades, bubble shield, and so much more. I seldom utilized the bubble shield, but it is still a nice touch. A grenade in an opponents mouth is my preference. The most grandiose part of the multiplayer is the cooperative gameplay. Gamers can enjoy the whole Halo 3 experience with three other players. That means a total of four people can play the game from start to finish. One player will be in control of Master Chief. Another will be in control of the Arbiter. The final two players will be in control of two soldiers that fight alongside Master Chief and the Arbiter. The visuals in Halo 3 are not impressive.

The game looks adequate; however, nothing anyone sees will make their jaw hit the floor. Some of the environments appear to be next generation. On the other hand, there are a few character models that look downright dreadful. Maybe I have been spoiled with the graphics from video games like Heavenly Sword, BioShock, graw, Killzone 2, fear, and gears of war. But I was disappointed with the graphics in Halo 3. For the most part, the graphics look exactly like the multiplayer beta. I might have high expectations, nevertheless I would have appreciated it if the visuals were better than the final product (especially for a next generation console like the xbox 360). Another blunder with Halo 3 is the artificial intelligence. All of Master Chief's allies act like asinine children. Fortunately, the frame rate runs smoothly throughout the duration of Halo 3. The audio in the game is amazing. All of the dialogue is rich and full of life; furthermore, the voice acting never seems to be insipid. The sound of gunfire and recoil gives a fairly immersive atmosphere.

There are even a few comedic aspects with your teammates. The musical score is one of the best I have heard in a video game. A live orchestral musical score has a flawless amount of crescendos and decrescendos. It significantly enhances the gameplay experience. The Covenant artificial intelligence adjusts accordingly to your every move, so do not expect to see all fights to be identical. The wide selection of vehicles is limitless. Some of them are reconnaissance vehicles, tanks, aircrafts, transport automobiles, and most notorious of all the Warthog. There are also some original vehicles to the Halo universe. Most notably, the Mongoose ATV (who the hell comes up with these absurd names?) is a vehicle that has a motorcycle-like feel to it. The multiplayer features up to sixteen players and eleven different maps. It is not as engrossing as the 32 player multiplayer that Warhawk supports, but sixteen that is not bad.

There is also a level and video editor. The video editor is like making your own Halo 3 movie. Even though Halo 3 is only a succinct ten hours, the game is still worth playing for the gameplay. The final verdict on Halo 3 is that fans of the Halo series will enjoy Halo 3 for months to come. Overall, gamers should believe in Halo 3 and finish the fight.

A correctly designed and installed home plumbing system is practically trouble-free. Should problems occur, there are standard methods for dealing with them for the do-it-yourselfer. And there are good reasons as well a neglected leak inside a wall, on the floor, or in the ceiling may cause serious damage.

Most plumbing systems provide numerous shutoff valves for controlling water flow in the supply system. Sinks and lavatories have individual shutoffs for hot and cold water; toilets have just one. The first thing to do in an emergency at a fixture is to close the shutoff valve.

Whether or not the home has individual fixture controls for the water supply, you will always find a main shutoff near the water meter or at the wall where the main water line enters the house. Leaks and overflows can be stopped quickly at the main shutoff, eliminating a search for individual shutoffs. Become familiar with all shutoffs so you can get to them quickly in an emergency.

What to do in an emergency:

Pipe leaks Joints that have corroded or frozen (and burst) will leak. Tightening a threaded joint or re-soldering (or re-gluing) it may cure the leak. Burst pipes can sometimes be mended with a clamp-on pipe patch. If not, they must be replaced.

Leak in a wall Most often caused by a faulty riser pipe to a shower or to fixtures on a higher floor. With this situation it is best to get professional help. A reputable plumber should be able to tell you whether he has to cut into the wall to make the repair.

Overflowing toilet tank A toilet tank overflowing into the toilet bowl will be heard long after flushing. Close the tank shutoff valve. Access the water closet where the flapper valve is located. Lift the float by hand. If the water stops, bend the float arm slightly to lower the float. Flush and test again. Adjust as needed. If the flowing persists I suggest replacing all the components in the water closet. It fairly cheap and easy to do this.

Stopped up sink drain First try a rubber plunger. If this doesnt break the clog then try a chemical drain-opener following the directions on the container. If this fails put a bucket under the trap (the U-shaped pipe), loosen it and remove it. Most home improvement stores sale a clog removal device made just for this problem. remove the clog, usually hair and soap. replace the trap and run hot water for a few minutes to flush everything.

There are a few of the common plumbing emergencies you may encounter. Most can be corrected by the homeowner without resorting to a plumber. If you encounter a problem you feel is more than you can handle then call a professional immediately. The longer you wait the more costly damage that may occur.

Chuck Lunsford is a successful Webmaster and publisher of JustGoDoItYourself.com He provides more tips and advice on do it yourself plumbing repairs.