BBC Explore if Video Games are Actually Bad in New Documentary

This year the PlayStation marks its 20th anniversary meaning that those of us, like myself, born in Generation X (1990's-2000- the children born from the adult baby boomers) have been exposed to video games in someway for all of their lives. Because of this interest has snowballed into the effects of video gaming on gamers, now becoming one of the most controversial topics in psychology.

Many researchers in psychology and communication studies believe that video gaming and playing specific games makes a person aggressive, whereas other researchers have found that game playing can sharpen the mind and have a positive impact on cognition.

As it is now a social norm to have at least one gaming console in a household it is understandable why the area is so heavily researched- as it effects almost every household in the UK and USA. Because of this the BBC have created a documentary showcasing the debate and the research on both sides of the fence, research suggesting gaming causes aggression and research suggesting gaming causes prosocial behaviours and is cognitively beneficial to humans.

Check it out on BBC Iplayer (link below) and let me know what you guys think. Which side of the fence do you sit on? Are there particular games you deem 'better' or 'worse' for people? For yourselves or for your children?

http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b06cjypk/horizon-20142015-19-are-video-games-really-that-bad

Goodbye Elena: Nina Dobrev officially leaving The Vampire Diaries

It's official! And from the horses mouth too! Nina Dobrev has announced that season six, the current running season, of The CW hit television show, The Vampire Diaries will continue without her. The show was given the green light for season seven earlier in the season and it seems the series is going all steam ahed without the beautiful Dobrev.

Mere hours ago Dobrev posted a picture of herself along with executive producer, Julie Plec, on Instagram stating:

"I've just spent the most beautiful weekend on Lake Lanier in Georgia with my own TVD Family, the cast and crew of The Vampire Diaries. I want to be the first to tell you it wasn't just a holiday celebration, it was a goodbye party. I always knew I wanted Elena's story to be a six season adventure, and within those six years I got the journey of a lifetime. I was human, a vampire, a doppelganger, a crazy immortal, a doppelganger pretending to be a human, a human pretending to be a doppelganger, I got kidnapped, killed, resurrected, tortured, cursed, body-snatched, was dead and undead, and theres still so much more to come before the season finale in May. Elena fell in love not once, but twice, with two epic soulmates, and I myself made some of the best friends I'll ever know and built an extended family."

Rumours have spread like wildfire through the internet this morning with different interpretations at to what this news means to The Vampire Diaries, however the only facts that we have at the moment is that Dobrev is leaving, Micheal Trevino, who plays Mystic Falls' beloved and hottest werewolf Tyler Lockwood, will be leaving with his co-star. Finally, that Plec will change the focus of the show from Elena, to the Salvatore siblings.

It feels like that moment when Sarah Michelle Gellar wouldn't renew Buffy for an eighth season all over again. Delena fans certainly won't be happy to hear this news.

Yet, now Julie Plec, the series' writer and executive producer can steer the show in any direction she feels necessary. This could potentially open up thousands of potential storylines, that may have been otherwise dismissed. It's really quite exciting!

Nina Dobrev has given the successful supernatural show six strong years, having played an abundance of characters, died several times, become a vampire, lost her humanity, found it again, burnt down her house, and seen far too many people she cared about die. Elena clearly deserves a break from Mystic Falls' run of supernatural bad luck and I'm sure Dobrev could do with a few weeks off after all that!

In less than twenty four hours we've lost two of the hottest stars and characters from The Vampire Diaries. So with that we wait for the season six finale to hit in May, and wish both Nina Dobrev and Micheal Trevino farewell. 

Who will come to Starling City? - Arrow Season 3 Spoilers

Having the fast paced, storyline of season 2 finally come to an end we saw Oliver Queen and Starling City's other heroes (and villains) rise up to take down Deathstroke and his army of super-powered troops. After such a climatic season we can only imagine what will come next to be able to match the hype that was built around season 2 of Arrow.

Yet with only a matter of weeks before the third season of Arrow kicks off it seems that we have been given so much information on whats in store for the season, who will come into the show and which iconic DC heroes and villains we are likely to encounter fans are thrilled and overwhelmed with juicy gossip and information. Therefore this post allows us to look at all of the information we have been given from  the powers that be at The CW and allow fans to gain a further insight into some of the characters, themes and ideas that will be apparent through season 3 of Arrow.

Anthony Steward Head is still up for Buffy The Vampire Slayer Spinoff 'Ripper'

For years there has been talk and meetings, pitches and ideas for a spinoff show from Buffy The Vampire Slayer focusing on everyone's favourite watcher Rupert Giles (Head). Of course our prayers weren't answered and the show never became reality like 'Angel' did, however all hope isn't lost.

Cassie Cage - Daughter of Johnny Cage & Sonya Blade and so much more announced!

Finally at the E3 conference this week Ed Boon announced new playable characters, locations and moves for the upcoming game Mortal Kombat X, and we were not disappointed! Ed Boon explained to us that this game will pick up just where the previous Mortal Kombat 9 (or 2011) left off and will span for twenty five years after. He then went on to explain that due to the time frame we will see new characters introduced into the MK Universe along with aged iconic characters.

Mortal Kombat X Announced with Trailer

\ Mortal Kombat X (MK X) the tenth consecutive game of the series has been officially confirmed by Ed Boon, Creative Director of Netherealm Studios and Co-Creater of The Mortal Kombat series, whom earlier today released this trailer for the upcoming game.
The above trailer incorporates iconic characters from the Mortal Kombat series. Sworn enemies Sub-zero (left) and Scorpion (right).The game will be available on many gaming platforms such as PS4, Xbox One, PS3, Xbox 360 and PC and will be available in 2015 (further release details will be given closer to the time).

The Penultimate Episode S5 TVD - Death of a Hero and Hope in a Psycho...

If you haven't seen the penultimate episode yet, I would advise you to look away or discontinue reading. This post includes the biggest spoiler in The Vampire Diaries history.

The penultimate episode that aired in the states last night was crazy! And I mean crazy! After a whole season based on the Doppelgangers and the people who want to kill them, never in the world did we expect to actually see one of them die. Until last night... Stefan Salvatore, the original love of Elena Gilbert's life was murdered at the end of last night's episode. Julian, the traveller inhabiting Tyler Lockwood's body ripped Stefan's heart out in front of the (just as shocked as us) Caroline Forbes.

With Stefan then shown to move on to the other side through the Anchor- Bonnie, Stefan truly died. But surely The Vampire Diaries can't kill Stefan off?! Is there a way for him to come back from the other side before its impending collapse. Or was this the only way to throw fans off the track and achieve that shock factor they were looking for-  having the rumours of Damon Salvatore's death in the final episodes of the season, already been read by thousands of fans across the globe. Was Stefan's death a change of plan to get the ratings up? Will this truly be the end for the 'good brother' Stefan. As much as I hate to admit it, the feeling I got from his 'moving on' scene was that it is the end of Stefan. Unfortunately this is reinforced by Paul Wesley's (Stefan Salvatore) tweet.

Hope can still be found within Mystic Falls, as if we've learnt anything over the past five years, it's that no one truly leaves Mystic Falls and its very rare that a character really dies. We've seen an abundance of characters come back from the dead so why not Stefan? If anyone deserves another go at life it's Stefan. Could this be the pathway for Stefan to come back as a human and be truly happy. After all resisting the urges of being 'a ripper' must get tiresome from time to time.

My last comment is that I believe Bonnie is the key to Stefan's resurrection. Not due to being the Anchor, but due to being a descendant of Qetsiyah- originally a traveller. Does this mean that some how Bonnie could access the archaic forms of 'Pure Magic'? We have yet to see the limits of traveller magic, and Bonnie's magic. She just needs to find away to get out of the sticky situation that is being the Anchor to the other side. Or could Qetsiyah herself somehow return to help the charming Salvatore brother? Ahhhh this show makes my brain hurt! Either way we all have our fingers crossed for Stefan's return, be that next week or next season.

Batman Prequel 'Gotham' gets a Trailer

Fox has finally released a trailer for their upcoming Batman prequel series 'Gotham' and we're so excited!

The series will focus on a young Commissioner Gordon and will include many heroes and villains from The Batman and DC Universe such as The Riddler, Catwoman and The Penguin, just to name a few. The show is said to lead all the up to Batman 'putting on the cape-'-so a pretty long run is presumed if everything goes to plan. We're hoping for a dark, gothic 'Smallville' like show (except way, way better). I've got high hopes with this show!

What do you guys think? Pretty awesome! This will be worth waiting for! Gotham is due to air this Autumn. 

What do you guys think? Pretty awesome! This will be worth the wait! The series is due to air this Autumn.