U.S. Spies Use Custom Videogames to Learn How to Think So this is something that is a few days old, but it was kind of buried. So I figured I'd bring it up here. The short and dirty of it is that the U.S. Government is paying for a few games to be built to help train spies and interrogators on their craft. So not just tactics, but quick thinking and analysis. Something that games have been proven to provoke a great response with. Read More...

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We all know that America’s financial situation is getting worse, especially with the gas prices rising, the housing market suffering, and the war in Iraq which has cost the United States an estimated $3 trillion. There is one thing in the American economy that is keeping afloat and growing, which is gaming, and the nations largest retailer of games and consoles is GameStop. "As we analyze our sales deployment, we can't find evidence of the economy affecting our business," GameStop company officials said recently. "In fact, like we did after 9/11, we're seeing [comparable] store growth as consumers travel less and stay at home more, as well as trade in more games on new game purchases. Read More...

Epic Games has now launched their new "Make Something Unreal" PC game mod contest. Sponsored this time by Intel, the contest will give aspiring game creators a way to win cash and prizes for making mods based on Epic's Unreal Tournament 3. Over $1 million in cash and prizes will be given to the winners and just like the first "Make Something Unreal" contest (for mods made with UT 2003/2004) the new version will have a grand prize of a full Unreal Engine 3 license for the overall best mod. Last time the winner was Tripwire Interactive for their Red Orchestra mod; they later formed a full dev team and released the game as a stand alone commercial title. Judging will begin in June 2008 in the first phase of the contest; the final winners will be determined in fall 2009 after all four phases are complete. Read More...

So I normally don't write two articles in an hour, but I just checked my email, and this was featured in my Thinkgeek.com Newsletter... SUPER Pii Pii brothers is a crazy, imported Japanese game for the Wii that requires you to... well... wee!! Complete loads of mini games by attaching your Wii-mote into the support harness provided and AIM AWAY!! Score extra points by tinkling on cats and other fun creates who pop out of the urinals and lose points for getting too much on the floor. Verse your friends in the fun multi-player mode and if the humiliation wasn't enough, just the mere ability to say you own Super Pii Pii Brothers is worth the $34. Read More...

One of the most anticipated games of the year, Grand Theft Auto IV, is finally making its grand debut this April and Rockstar Games is making sure that this Grand Theft Auto experience is like no other! In addition to the game, Rockstar is also launching a website to make Grand Theft Auto more competitive, community based, and statistical. In Rockstar’s press release today: “The Rockstar Social Club is more than just a standard gaming site. It features all of the statistical leaderboards that gamers have come to expect, and combines them with performance-based competitions and awards. Read More...

GameStop's Grand Theft Auto IV Contest Could you use 10K? I know I could. I could also take a trip to NY again. You can get in on possibly getting this just by going to the GameStop site, link below, and either entering in via their web site or by texting your answer to the question they have on the site. Either will get you into the running. You can also pre-order the game if you haven't already. Read More...

    Mario. You say the name and almost anyone will instantly associate it with what is arguably the most recognizable character to ever hit the videogame world. The theme song is iconic, his features are undeniable, and slap the name on any product almost guarantees instant success. But how much do we know about the man besides his love for a variety of colourful mushrooms and blondes in dresses (hey, sounds like a great Friday night, yaaaamean?? *wink wink*)? Read More...

Unreal Engine 4 Targeting Consoles As I am sure a lot of you are, you have seen or played with the Unreal 3 Engine. I know I got overly excited when I first saw it back in my college days, not too long ago but still. Needless to say, but I'm still going to say it, it was beautiful and I couldn't look more forward to it. Now this drops out there in cyber land and I am actually curious to see it. That and it will go mainly toward Consoles instead of for PC games, at first. Read More...

A recent survey done by the ESA (Entertainment Software Association) boasts that a staggering 38% of all gamers are female! Spending an average 7 hours a week playing games. According to Nbc4.com, 30% of all online gamers are women, with the catagory of "women 40 and over" making up the largest percentage of online gamers across all online games.< In a separate survey, Sony Online Entertainment found that 60% of all females in the gaming industry found the male dominance in the field off-putting in their career making decisions. Sadly, only 12% of the gaming industry workforce is female. Read More...

My Experience At The Gamestop Release. Yes, I know there were a few about this already here, but this is an actual event that I thought needed to be out there. So please bare with me, it is a fun story that needs telling. So myself and a friend of mine, Mythicgriffon, went to the release of Smash Bro's last Saturday night. It was kind of a cool event. For the most part. Read More...

GarageGames Places InstantAction.com Into Open Beta So I have been puttering around on this since it was in Closed Beta. Now I bet you are wondering,"Hades, what is InstantAction?" Well here's what I got for ya. It is a website that uses a mixture of flash and a new engine that the people at Garage Games have put together to do some pretty cool applications and games on the interwebs. InstantAction.com is the site where it can all be checked out and enjoyed. Read More...

FC Twin: Almost Perfect for Classic Gamers. The FC Twin is a video gaming system by Famiclone that allows you to play Nintendo Entertainment System and Super Nintendo Entertainment System. The FC Twin has separate circuitry and card slots allowing it to play for both game systems. The switch can be set to on/off, NES, or SNES. This system is almost perfect for lovers of classic Nintendo games. The only down side is that it is not compatible with 10-15% of the NES and SNES games and not compatible with the NES Zapper. Read More...

When browsing through the various console sections at the local Best Buy, a gamer is likely to pass up the Nintendo DS, chalking it up to child's play given the exorbitant amount of games based on children's movies for the system. And after all, who can really trust the credibility of a handheld that comes in PINK? However, this fangirl is about to tell you exactly why the DS is the most multi-faceted system available on the market, and one of the best investments you can make with your hard earned gaming allowance. To me, the Nintendo DS (and when I say that, I mean my DS Lite) is like my Ipod. Read More...

Information on the Zerg from Startcraft II Starcraft is another one of those games that is anticipated in the coming times. I've been looking forward to it ever since I saw it at the blizzard booth at Comic-Con 2007. I know I'm chomping at the bit to get more and more on it. But any ways, this may not be the best thing ever. It also might not be 100% true. But here is what was leaked out onto the net. Read More...