A Professor of pharmacology at Oxford University, Baroness Greenfield has insisted that users of social networking platforms, who consistently expose themselves to online interaction, eventually lose sight of who they are, developing a sort of identity crisis for which one way of coping is getting constant attention online which they end up craving.

Greenfield claims that people who are partake in excessive use of video games and sites like Facebook or Twitter could end up rewiring their brain to seek social acceptance from these online networking means rather than through real life interaction. She also argues that the extreme use could lead to poor non-verbal skills and a reduced concentration span.

Her main issue is the ‘banality’ of the content on the sites, for example ‘why would someone be interested to know what someone else has had for breakfast’ she adds, saying it reminds her of an infant trying to impress their mother by announcing every little thing they do.

The Professor’s arguments, as strong as they may come across, lack scientific proof to back them up making them unsustainable. This means many people will most probably not listen and the 750 million Facebook users across the globe will therefore continue to do what they love, and I’m sure their mental health will not deteriorate. Besides what’s the harm in satisfying our inner child through playing games and online interaction?

I personally feel that everyone should be able to express themselves by whatever means they feel necessary and things like social networks and computer games provide an appropriate environment in which people are able to do this.

What do you think about the mental risk claims caused from excessive social networking and video games?

Brilliant, he knew perfectly well it was coming and the demo was probably ready at that point. Yet he let us believe that it may or may not be on its way. The official demo will be available on December 21st in the US and 22nd in the EU on the PlayStation store, this is a full 5 weeks before the release late in January.

So what will you be able to do in the demo? You will get to experience the new advanced suit, use a variety of the new weapons. Something I haven’t seen it mentioned anywhere is playing the online multiplayer mode but I am quite happy with a look at the story.

A lot of you are probably thinking that this was an instant buy already (as was I) but now we get a taster before the release which is fantastic. I guess this means Merry Christmas from EA, thanks guys.

Are you going to download the demo? Let us know in the comments below.

Source – Read

According to Robert Purchese at eurogamer.net a question was put to the games executive producer Steve Papoutsis in the Q&A video on their Facebook page that got everyone thinking and hoping. The question was “Can a demo be released as a Christmas gift for us all?” Steve’s response was “A lot of people are asking that question. Gonna have to do some thinking about that.” At the same time he drew a deep breath whilst clenching his teeth.

Steve went on to say “But I would stay on your toes, stick on the Facebook page and you never know.” he winked whilst saying this. Sounds pretty promising! You can view the video here.

Dead Space 2 is set on a large space station called Sprawl where you will be shooting your way through Necromorph monsters and from the video on eurogamer.com looks like a pretty chilling game. I for one am definitely looking forward to this and I am sure you are too.

What do you think of the addition of Multiplayer to the Dead Space series and do you think there will be a demo released in time for Christmas? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.