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Gaming Not all gamers are the same A tongue-in-cheek cheat sheet on the major players and how to spot 'em. \ Plus, in time for the holidays, a few gift suggestions. BY SCOTT JONES 1 v seu 3,000 tion titles that allow I them to reign over a tan” level on God of War 11. ■ Discuss hedge funds via an on- line gaming headset while waiting for a game to load. ■ Are most at peace with the world when blowing up mem bers of the covenant with a rapid-fire plasma rifle. Gift ideas: The Xbox 360 Messenger Kit ($29.99) lets players text during gameplav. Toshiba’s REGZA Super Narrow Bezel LCD TV (40-inch is $1,899.99) has three HDMI inputs for multi ple consoles and a “Game Mode” that minimizes the normal lag between button pressing and onscreen action. THE TRASH-TALKING VIRTUAL ATHLETE GAMERS ■ Work up a sweat playing survival honor games and sports titles (usually inebriated). ■ Actually do “warm-up laps” around the living room before facing an opponent online. ■ Can’t point to Afghanistan on a map. Can name all 279 offen sive plays for their favorite team in Madden. ■ Stand on the sideline of their chil dren’s pee-wee game yelling the play ground slang they picked up from NBA —/185 /ej\ Street Homecourt. /v *wjf Gift ideas: Creative’s Fatality Gaming I / \ Keyboard ($59.99) has an eerie glow and shorter keystrokes for quick . action. The design of Heelys V Ci!//y\ Gamer shoes ($44.99) is in- spired by game control- -rs /I lers. The sneakers come / I I with controller-like but- ITfl tons embedded into them soles. r Y_^****^ > v 14 USA WEEKEND • Dec. 7-9,2007 THE ALPHA BUSINESS PROFESSIONAL GAMERS THE DAD-WHO-WANTS-TO-PLAY-MORE THAN-HIS-SON GAMERS ■ Are addicted to military simulations, rac ing and rhythm games. ■ Tell their spouses they’re “staying late for w'ox - k” and then come home with tell tale blisters on their fingers. ■ Consider a few hours of two-player mis sions on Star Wars Battlefivnt II “qual ity time” with their 10-year-olds. ■ Tend to go by screen names > like “RhodelslandDad2ooo.” [A Gift ideas: Art Guitar’s Riff Ma ster Guitar Controller ($399.99) is a real Peavey guitar that works , with the PS2. If your gamer drives 4 a Hyundai to work, the Porsche 911 Turbo Wheel ($350) is a to-spec reproduction, designed by Porsche for the PC and Play Station 3. THE IRON-ON T-SHIRT-SPORTING NERD GAMERS ■ Pull all-night marathon sessions playing fantasy and online role-playing games that feature interworld travel and fully customizable avatars. ■ Typically respond to “How are you doing?” from a total stranger on the street with “Level 57.” ■ Think the only thing worse than going on a date is an outbreak of the deadly T-Virus. ■ Despise social gatherings, unless they’re 31*7 — part of the annual festivities at Gen Con. RN ■ Favorite reading material: a book of cheat / codes for the latest It game. / ■ Them idea of getting some fresh air is traipsing through the forest in Zelda. « 1 Gift ideas: Logitech’s Gsl Surround Sound // Speaker System ($199.99), designed specifically for gamers, offers high-performance audio and custom designs. WizKids’ Halo ActionClix (from / $9.99) shrink the Master Chief the Covenant, even the Flood into miniature game pieces. 1 I \ \ \ THE SENIOR CITIZEN GAMERS ■ Prefer familial* brands and are into puzzle, casino and arcade games. ■ Believe that ColecoVision is when video games got “too fancy” and that memory sticks are made of real wood. ■ Keep a photo album of shots from a “pil grimage” to Tokyo’s Akihabara district to buy obscure electronics. ■ Will argue for hours that the movie Iron is a documentary. ■ Hang out at the nearby Dave & Buster’s, challenging random teens to “bring it” in two player modes of Frogger and Asteroids. Gift ideas: Nintendo’s Flash Focus (S2O) is an adult vision training game for the DS hand-held system and includes eye exercises and fun mini games. Microsoft’s Xbox 360 Live 12-Month Gold Card ($49.99) lets gamers keep in touch with the grandkids through online play, ca ■LUSTRATIONS BY OAVID BAMUNDO FOR USA WEEKEND