Game developers are making games more realistic by simulating realistic weather conditions. For example, in the racing game Forza Motorsport, they have created weather systems that include sun, fog, and rain. These weather conditions affect how well you can see and control your car. This makes the game feel more like real-life driving. Weather not only changes how the game looks, but it also makes it more exciting and tense.

Other types of games are also using advanced weather technology. In the strategy game Total War: Pharaoh, they have a dynamic weather system. This means that the weather can change during a battle, making it more challenging for players. The weather also affects the maps in the game, making it even more strategic.

Some players like the realistic weather in games because it makes them feel more immersed in the game. But others think that games should be fun first and foremost, and too much realism can make the game less enjoyable. However, some players think that realistic weather can also teach them things. For example, playing historical games can make them interested in learning more about the time period.

Including realistic weather in games is not new. People have always been interested in the weather and have studied it. Weather forecasts have always been important. By including weather in games, it shows that people in the past were just as knowledgeable as we are today. Overall, realistic weather in games makes them more immersive and realistic, making them more fun to play.

Original news source: Why weather in games is getting more realistic (BBC)

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Vocabulary:

Group or Classroom Activities

Warm-up Activities:

– News Summary
Instructions: Divide the class into pairs or small groups. Assign each group a different aspect of the article to focus on (e.g. the use of weather in racing games, the impact of realistic weather on gameplay, the opinions of players). Instruct them to read the article and create a concise summary of their assigned aspect. After a designated amount of time, have each group share their summary with the class.

– Opinion Poll
Instructions: Have the class brainstorm a list of questions related to the article, such as “Do you think realistic weather adds to the enjoyment of a game?” or “Would you be more likely to play a game that included realistic weather?”. Divide the class into pairs or small groups and have them take turns asking each other the questions. Encourage them to discuss their opinions and provide reasons for their answers.

– Vocabulary Pictionary
Instructions: Prepare a list of vocabulary words from the article related to weather and gaming (e.g. immersive, challenging, strategic). Divide the class into teams and give each team a whiteboard or large sheet of paper. One person from each team will come to the front of the class and choose a word from the list. They must then draw a visual representation of the word while their team tries to guess it. The team that guesses the most words correctly wins.

– Pros and Cons
Instructions: Divide the class into two groups: one group representing the “pros” and one group representing the “cons” of including realistic weather in games. Instruct each group to brainstorm arguments to support their stance. After a designated amount of time, have each group present their arguments to the class. Encourage the class to ask questions or challenge the arguments presented.

– Future Predictions
Instructions: Have the class imagine the future of gaming and how realistic weather may be incorporated. In pairs or small groups, instruct them to discuss and make predictions about how weather technology in games may evolve. After a designated amount of time, have each group share their predictions with the class. Encourage them to explain their reasoning and discuss the potential impact on gameplay and player experience.

Comprehension Questions:

1. How do weather conditions in racing games like Forza Motorsport affect your ability to see and control your car?
2. What is a dynamic weather system in a strategy game like Total War: Pharaoh?
3. Why do some players enjoy the realistic weather in games?
4. What is one concern that some players have about including realistic weather in games?
5. How can playing historical games with realistic weather make players interested in learning more about the time period?
6. Why is including weather in games considered a reflection of the knowledge people had in the past?
7. How does realistic weather in games make them more immersive and realistic?
8. Why is it important for weather forecasts to be included in games with realistic weather?
Go to answers ⇩

Listen and Fill in the Gaps:

Game developers are making games more realistic by simulating realistic weather conditions. For (1)______, in the (2)______ game Forza Motorsport, they have created weather systems that include sun, fog, and rain. These weather conditions affect how well you can see and control your car. This (3)______ the game feel more like real-life driving. Weather not only changes how the game (4)______, but it also makes it more exciting and tense.

Other types of games are also using advanced weather technology. In the strategy game Total War: Pharaoh, they have a dynamic weather system. This (5)______ that the weather can change during a (6)______, (7)______ it more challenging for players. The weather also (8)______ the maps in the game, making it even more strategic.

Some players like the realistic weather in games because it makes them feel more immersed in the game. But (9)______ (10)______ that games should be fun first and foremost, and too much realism can make the game less enjoyable. However, some players think that realistic weather can also (11)______ them things. For example, playing (12)______ games can make them interested in learning more about the time period.

Including (13)______ (14)______ in (15)______ is not new. People have always been interested in the weather and have studied it. Weather forecasts have always been important. By including weather in games, it (16)______ that people in the past were just as knowledgeable as we are today. Overall, realistic weather in games makes them more immersive and realistic, making them more fun to play.
Go to answers ⇩

Discussion Questions:

Students can ask a partner these questions, or discuss them as a group.

1. What is a weather system in a video game?
2. How would you feel if the weather in a video game changed during a battle?
3. Do you like playing video games with realistic weather? Why or why not?
4. Do you think realistic weather in video games makes them more fun to play? Why or why not?
5. How would you feel if you were playing a racing game and it started raining in the game?
6. What do you think about the idea of video games teaching you things, like historical games teaching you about a time period?
7. How would you feel if the weather in a video game affected how well you could see and control your car?
8. Do you think including weather in video games shows that people in the past were knowledgeable about the weather? Why or why not?
9. What is a dynamic weather system in a video game?
10. How would you feel if the weather in a video game made it more challenging for you to win a battle?
11. Do you think video games should be fun first and foremost, or should they be realistic? Why or why not?
12. How would you feel if the weather in a video game affected the maps and made the game more strategic?
13. What do you think about the idea of video games being immersive?
14. How would you feel if playing a video game with realistic weather made you interested in learning more about a certain time period?
15. Do you think realistic weather in video games is a good idea? Why or why not?

Individual Activities

Vocabulary Meanings:

Match each word to its meaning.

Words:
1. realistic
2. simulating
3. weather conditions
4. affect
5. control
6. exciting
7. tense
8. advanced
9. dynamic
10. challenging
11. strategic
12. immersed
13. enjoyable
14. knowledgeable
15. immersive

Meanings:
(A) Able to change and be different
(B) Completely surrounding and involving you in something
(C) Having a lot of knowledge about something
(D) Looking or feeling like real life
(E) Making you feel happy and full of energy
(F) Creating something that is like the real thing
(G) Feeling completely involved and surrounded by something
(H) Difficult and needing a lot of effort
(I) Using new and improved technology
(J) To have an influence on something
(K) Carefully planning and thinking about what you do
(L) Making you feel nervous or worried
(M) The different types of weather that can happen
(N) Giving you pleasure and making you happy
(O) To have power over something and make it do what you want
Go to answers ⇩

Multiple Choice Questions:

1. How do weather conditions affect gameplay in Forza Motorsport?
(a) They change the game’s soundtrack.
(b) They determine the car’s top speed.
(c) They affect visibility and car control.
(d) They add extra obstacles on the track.

2. What type of game is Total War: Pharaoh?
(a) A racing game.
(b) A puzzle game.
(c) A strategy game.
(d) An adventure game.

3. How does the weather system in Total War: Pharaoh make battles more challenging?
(a) The weather determines the outcome of the battle.
(b) The weather affects the player’s health.
(c) The weather slows down the player’s movements.
(d) The weather can change during a battle.

4. Why do some players enjoy the realistic weather in games?
(a) It makes the game more difficult.
(b) It adds extra levels to the game.
(c) It allows them to control the weather.
(d) It makes them feel more immersed in the game.

5. What is one concern some players have about realistic weather in games?
(a) It makes the game less enjoyable.
(b) It makes the game too easy.
(c) It makes the game too expensive.
(d) It makes the game too long.

6. How can playing historical games with realistic weather benefit players?
(a) It can improve their reflexes.
(b) It can make them interested in learning more about the time period.
(c) It can make them better drivers.
(d) It can teach them how to predict the weather.

7. Why is including weather in games not a new concept?
(a) Weather forecasts have always been important.
(b) People have always been interested in the weather.
(c) People in the past were knowledgeable about the weather.
(d) All of the above.

8. How does realistic weather in games make them more enjoyable?
(a) It makes them more immersive and realistic.
(b) It adds extra levels and challenges.
(c) It allows players to control the weather.
(d) It makes the game more visually appealing.

Go to answers ⇩

True or False Questions:

1. The weather conditions in Forza Motorsport have no impact on visibility and car control, making the game feel less like real-life driving.
2. Realistic weather in games can also dampen players’ interest in learning more about the time period depicted in historical games.
3. Forza Motorsport is a racing game that features weather systems like sun, fog, and rain.
4. The dynamic weather in Total War: Pharaoh adds a challenge for players and affects the game’s maps, adding a strategic element.
5. However, others believe that games should prioritize fun over realism, as too much realism can make a game less enjoyable.
6. Total War: Pharaoh is a strategy game that includes a dynamic weather system, meaning the weather can change during a battle.
7. Game developers are not using advanced technology to create realistic weather conditions in video games.
8. Some players dislike the realistic weather in games because it disrupts their immersion in the game.
Go to answers ⇩

Write a Summary:

Write a summary of this news article in two sentences.

Writing Questions:

Answer the following questions. Write as much as you can for each answer.

1. How do weather conditions in racing games like Forza Motorsport affect gameplay?
2. What is the benefit of having a dynamic weather system in strategy games like Total War: Pharaoh?
3. Why do some players enjoy the realistic weather in games?
4. What is one concern that some players have about including realistic weather in games?
5. According to the article, what is the overall effect of including realistic weather in games?

Answers

Comprehension Question Answers:

1. How do weather conditions in racing games like Forza Motorsport affect your ability to see and control your car?
Weather conditions like sun, fog, and rain in racing games can make it harder to see the road and control your car. For example, in the rain, the roads might be slippery and your car might skid more easily.

2. What is a dynamic weather system in a strategy game like Total War: Pharaoh?
A dynamic weather system in a strategy game means that the weather can change during a battle. This can make the game more challenging because you have to adapt your strategy to the changing weather conditions.

3. Why do some players enjoy the realistic weather in games?
Some players enjoy the realistic weather in games because it makes them feel more immersed in the game. It feels like they are experiencing the weather in real life, which can make the game more exciting and realistic.

4. What is one concern that some players have about including realistic weather in games?
Some players are concerned that too much realism in games can make them less enjoyable. They think that games should be fun first and foremost, and too much focus on realism can take away from the enjoyment.

5. How can playing historical games with realistic weather make players interested in learning more about the time period?
Playing historical games with realistic weather can make players interested in learning more about the time period because it gives them a glimpse into what life was like during that time. They might want to learn more about how people dealt with different weather conditions in the past.

6. Why is including weather in games considered a reflection of the knowledge people had in the past?
Including weather in games is considered a reflection of the knowledge people had in the past because it shows that people have always been interested in the weather and have studied it. It also shows that weather forecasts have always been important, even in the past.

7. How does realistic weather in games make them more immersive and realistic?
Realistic weather in games makes them more immersive and realistic because it mimics real-life weather conditions. It can affect how well you can see and control your car or how you strategize in a battle. This adds to the overall experience of the game and makes it feel more like real-life.

8. Why is it important for weather forecasts to be included in games with realistic weather?
Including weather forecasts in games with realistic weather is important because it adds an element of strategy. By knowing the weather conditions in advance, players can plan their actions accordingly. It adds another layer of challenge and realism to the game.
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Listen and Fill in the Gaps Answers:

(1) example
(2) racing
(3) makes
(4) looks
(5) means
(6) battle
(7) making
(8) affects
(9) others
(10) think
(11) teach
(12) historical
(13) realistic
(14) weather
(15) games
(16) shows
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Vocabulary Meanings Answers:

1. realistic
Answer: (D) Looking or feeling like real life

2. simulating
Answer: (F) Creating something that is like the real thing

3. weather conditions
Answer: (M) The different types of weather that can happen

4. affect
Answer: (J) To have an influence on something

5. control
Answer: (O) To have power over something and make it do what you want

6. exciting
Answer: (E) Making you feel happy and full of energy

7. tense
Answer: (L) Making you feel nervous or worried

8. advanced
Answer: (I) Using new and improved technology

9. dynamic
Answer: (A) Able to change and be different

10. challenging
Answer: (H) Difficult and needing a lot of effort

11. strategic
Answer: (K) Carefully planning and thinking about what you do

12. immersed
Answer: (G) Feeling completely involved and surrounded by something

13. enjoyable
Answer: (N) Giving you pleasure and making you happy

14. knowledgeable
Answer: (C) Having a lot of knowledge about something

15. immersive
Answer: (B) Completely surrounding and involving you in something
Go back to questions ⇧

Multiple Choice Answers:

1. How do weather conditions affect gameplay in Forza Motorsport?
Answer: (c) They affect visibility and car control.

2. What type of game is Total War: Pharaoh?
Answer: (c) A strategy game.

3. How does the weather system in Total War: Pharaoh make battles more challenging?
Answer: (d) The weather can change during a battle.

4. Why do some players enjoy the realistic weather in games?
Answer: (d) It makes them feel more immersed in the game.

5. What is one concern some players have about realistic weather in games?
Answer: (a) It makes the game less enjoyable.

6. How can playing historical games with realistic weather benefit players?
Answer: (b) It can make them interested in learning more about the time period.

7. Why is including weather in games not a new concept?
Answer: (b) People have always been interested in the weather.

8. How does realistic weather in games make them more enjoyable?
Answer: (a) It makes them more immersive and realistic.
Go back to questions ⇧

True or False Answers:

1. The weather conditions in Forza Motorsport have no impact on visibility and car control, making the game feel less like real-life driving. (Answer: False)
2. Realistic weather in games can also dampen players’ interest in learning more about the time period depicted in historical games. (Answer: False)
3. Forza Motorsport is a racing game that features weather systems like sun, fog, and rain. (Answer: True)
4. The dynamic weather in Total War: Pharaoh adds a challenge for players and affects the game’s maps, adding a strategic element. (Answer: True)
5. However, others believe that games should prioritize fun over realism, as too much realism can make a game less enjoyable. (Answer: True)
6. Total War: Pharaoh is a strategy game that includes a dynamic weather system, meaning the weather can change during a battle. (Answer: True)
7. Game developers are not using advanced technology to create realistic weather conditions in video games. (Answer: False)
8. Some players dislike the realistic weather in games because it disrupts their immersion in the game. (Answer: False)
Go back to questions ⇧