I contacted another local GameStop location for comment this morning, but they were busy on a conference call about this very incident.

This is a GameStop I visit on occasion, so I am very interested in seeing justice done here. Police are currently looking for any information that will help them catch the robber turned killer. Hit the link below for a video that includes the suspect's description as well as details on the car he used to flee from the scene. We offer our condolences to Matthew's friends, family, and co-workers.

Man Dies During Robbery At Video Game Store [WSB Atlanta - Thanks Captain Download]
Photo Courtesy of Mike Morris of the Atlanta Journal Constitution

Phylon is a persistent world third-person shooter, where players choose one of three factions and battle it out for control of the planet Anura. Characters gain levels and power, earn badges by completing quests to enhance their abilities, and battle it out either open world or in single player and team-based arenas.

From what I've seen of the game it has a quirky feel to it that I absolutely adore, with exaggerated cartoonish characters amidst an amazing sci-fi backdrop. The game play itself? Suppose I'll find that out tonight when I download it and give it a spin. The Direct2Drive download is only $14.95 (not sure what the ongoing fee is going to wind up being), which is certainly cheap enough for me to give it a look-see. Gotta support the home team! Michael Fahey

Phylon Online [Official Website]

Rapid Reality's New Sci-Fi Game, Phylon, Released

Following the successful Beta testing phase, Rapid Reality Studios announces the commercial release of their first MMO, Phylon. The game is now available for purchase on the newly redesigned website, http://phylon-online.com.

Tracy Spaight, Rapid Reality's COO stated, "We are excited to release Phylon as it represents a lot of work from our team and from gamers who provided tremendous feedback during the beta testing phase. We hope that players will enjoy the game, in particular, the battle arenas." He also stated, "Through focused surveys and general feedback in our forums, we will continue to tap into the creativity of the gaming community to help shape the game and its future expansions."

Phylon combines the fast-paced action of a traditional shooter with the persistence and depth of an MMO. Join players from around the world as part of the Bloblic Imperium, the Amphibian resistance, or the Terran colonists in their struggle for control of the planet Anura. Crush your enemies in instanced battle arenas, including Deathmatch and Domination. Advance in skill and unlock access to hundreds of unique items, including jet packs, energy shields, power-ups, and weapons.

The new Phylon website features a sleek new look, new video trailers, top player leader boards, in-game and game art showcases, forums and much more.

Founded in May 2005, Rapid Reality Studios is a video game developer located in Marietta, Georgia. The team of programmers, artists, and designers is dedicated to producing next generation online games. Their passion and mission is to make the kind of games you want to play. "There are no suits at Rapid Reality: we're gamers."

Kotakuite Howard L. wrote in about his harrowing "Zelda-like quest" throughout the greater Atlanta area to find the elusive Wii Nunchuk Controller. His journey took him to 2 Targets, 1 Wal-Mart, 2 Best Buys, The Fry's in Duluth, 1 Circuit City, and a Comp-USA where Wii-motes were plentiful, but nary a Nunchuk was to be found. During his 7 store trek, he inquired about the availability issue and was told by various employees that very few nunchuks were actually shipped. It seems that they averaged about 1 Nunchuk for every 3 Wii-motes. Finally, at a Best Buy in Duluth, GA. he found one that was being returned to the shelves by an employee.

Hopefully, this isn't indicative of a wider spread problem. Nintendo did an amazing job getting so many consoles in to so many hands but it seems like they may have skimped on the nunchuks. Has anybody else experienced this same issue in their area? Flynn De Marco

Since I didn't have time before my EB launch to go by Target, I put the Wii under lock and key in the car and trekked over to the Target parking lot. Can you believe my restraint? Trust me, my first instinct was to jump in the car and jam down on the gas, squealing wheels out of the parking lot as I laughed maniacally all the way home.

The line at Target was a bit smaller and apparently had started much later than the Best Buy line. The fellow in the front of the line (I didn't get his name, but I did get his picture) said he had arrived around 10pm. The others waiting all seemed to have come there in the last 45 minutes or so before I got there. I was cautious about letting then know I had my Wii in the car. I didn't want to start a riot of PS3 proportions, although I could tell by the attitudes of the people there that this wouldn't have been a problem.

Again, everyone was happy, in a good mood AND most of them had heard of Kotaku and were more than willing to pose for pictures. As with Best Buy, only a few were actually purchasing Wii's, with the rest there to keep their friends company. An admirable quality in these crazy days of launch shootings and muggings.

By this time, I just couldn't contain myself any longer. I had to get home and finally experience the Wii for myself... and I did. And it was awesome. Flynn De Marco

For the folks here, it's been a long couple of days. The first person in line got here 7AM on Wednesday, setting himself up with a cot and a thick comforter. The line has grown to a modest 35 people since then, with quite a few cots and one extremely elaborate tent, complete with four chairs and a dining table.

The amazing thing is that these folks are camping out for $1100 bundles. Each person in line is purchasing the system along with 8 games that they don't get to choose. You'd think Fry's would treat these potential sales with at least a little bit of respect. Apparently not.

"There was one guy who came out to help us earlier," says the list holder, a well-bundled up black man appointed by the crowd to take down names and keep things in order. "They suspended him from work for talking to us. He came out and got in line, and they told him he couldn't buy from this store, so he quit." Other folks in line were under the impression that Fry's would be taking care of them, providing hot drinks and possibly food. So far all they'd provided was open scorn and mixed information.

Over the course of the past day they've been told the store would be receiving anywhere from 8-26 systems. People have come to the line, heard the lower numbers, and then left, only to have the number arbitrarily change as soon as they were gone.

I thought maybe this was an exaggeration, but as I was standing there a man and a woman, both employees, came out to survey the line. They laugh, and as they are heading back in the guy says, "Wouldn't it be funny if a hurricane came in the night and washed them all away?" I was stunned. Then ten minutes later another pair comes out...young guys. The one who speaks looks like a grown-up version of the main character from Bully, complete with badly fitting dress shirt and unfortunate acne. "Folks, the Sony truck pulled up 10 minutes ago and took all but 5 of the PS3's away, so we're only going to have those 5 in the morning." The folks around me all simply stare at him incredulously until he breaks into a laugh, nudging his buddy back towards the store. "Can't keep a straight face in front of the PS3 campers!"

Despite the poor treatment, the line is in great spirits. There are actual gamers here. The list holder himself is one of them, excited about a whole 3 of the 8 games he is being forced to buy. An honest to goodness Final Fantasy fanboy conversation strikes up, with me in the thick of it...something that wouldn't have happened at the other places I visited today. They put me back in the spirit of things. After hearing person after person in line after line speculating on how much they money they'd be making it was nice to hear people speculating on how much fun was coming their way.

As for Fry's...these people are about to spend $1100 and change each at your store. I'd really like to see your employees trying to sell a plasma television to a customer while laughing openly at his desire to buy it. I know it's hard to staff a superstore without getting your fair share of assholes, but try to keep them away from the paying customers, kay? Michael Fahey

They're almost sure to get booted off the property, but for the time being, the crew camped out at an Atlanta, Georgia area Best Buy is camping in style. Not only are they armed with some serious console entertainment, they have a DVD player and a real life woman who is bringing them meals three times a day.

Check the jump for the sweet set up.

That's right, an Xbox 360, a Super Nintendo, two televisions and a DVD player to keep them occupied. All powered courtesy of the adjacent Bed, Bath & Beyond, whom I'm sure is just as thrilled as Best Buy to have them camped out on the sidewalk.

We'll let you know when the cops show up or they're assaulted for their 360.

Thanks for the info, Zach. Michael McWhertor