News and notes from around the world of sports video gaming:
• The Diamond Dynasty mode for MLB 12 The Show is extremely deep—last week, I hit the broad points, but still there are some details and features that you may not yet know about. Matt Vasgersian, the game's play-by-play announcer, tries to answer all of your questions in this guided tour of The Show's new fantasy-team mode.
• Madden Cover Contest Update: They're announcing the AFC East candidates today. The Buffalo Bills will field QB Ryan Fitzpatrick and WR (and free agent) Stevie Johnson—both of whom I picked in this column. The New England Patriots' candidates are WR Wes Welker and TE Rob Gronkowski. The New York Jets will be represented by QB Mark Sanchez and CB Darrelle Revis. The Dolphins candidates are NCAA Football 07 cover star Reggie Bush and WR Brandon Marshall.
In addition to Fitzpatrick and Johnson and Sanchez and Revis, I split with my picks of Gronk and the law firm of Benjarvus Green-Ellis, then Bush and Jake Long. Stick Jockey is 16-24 in its selections; we need more than 44 to win a bet with an unnamed third party.
• Want to help EA Sports get its basketball franchise back on track? The publisher is forming an advisory council for NBA Live 13, announced last week. "In 100 words or less, tell us why you should be selected as part of the inaugural Advisory Council. We are looking for passionate, dedicated fans to provide insight and feedback," says EA Sports. Winners will be selected by the development team at EA Sports Tiburon. Participants should enter here.