Last night famously famous folks like Carmen Electra, Paris Hilton, Benjia Madden and Danny Masterson descended on the T-Mobile Sidekick Tone-Def After Party during the Coacehella Festival in Southern California to drink (a lot) and play SingStar on the Playstation 3 (a little). The place was, I'd bet, pressure washed afterwards with a mix of bleach and acid. Still won't do any good, but they do try.

It is one thing if a child recognises it as a silly and stupid game. But the danger is that a nine-year-old fails to appreciate the irony and sees the bimbo as a cool role model. Then the game becomes a hazard and a menace. Children's innocence should be protected as far as possible. It depends on the background and mindset of the child but the danger is that after playing the game some will then aspire to have breast operations and take diet pills.

"We look forward to bringing the Blizzard Worldwide Invitational to Europe for the first time and sharing our latest news with players there," said Mike Morhaime, CEO and cofounder of Blizzard Entertainment.

2008 Blizzard Entertainment® Worldwide Invitational Announced

Blizzard Entertainment tournament and gaming event to take place in Europe over 28-29 June

MARLOW, UK. - February 11, 2008 - Blizzard Entertainment, Inc. today announced plans to hold its fourth Worldwide Invitational in Paris, France on the 28th and 29th of June. The 2008 Blizzard Entertainment® Worldwide Invitational will bring the company and gamers together in a convention atmosphere, celebrating the communities surrounding Blizzard Entertainment's Warcraft®, Diablo® and StarCraft® series as well as showcasing the skills of top eSports gamers from around the world. The first Blizzard Entertainment Worldwide Invitational to be held in Europe, the event will take place at Hall 5 of the Porte de Versailles Exposition Center in Paris.

"We look forward to bringing the Blizzard Worldwide Invitational to Europe for the first time and sharing our latest news with players there," said Mike Morhaime, CEO and cofounder of Blizzard Entertainment. "In addition to the great tournament gaming that will be taking place at the event, we're planning an entertaining show for all attendees."

Open to gamers of ages 16 and up, or younger if accompanied by a parent, guardian, or responsible adult, the 2008 Blizzard Entertainment Worldwide Invitational will feature exciting StarCraft, Warcraft III and World of Warcraft® invitational tournaments, with a variety of other activities over the two-day event, including:

* Discussion panels with Blizzard Entertainment developers
* Artist and developer signings
* Hands-on play with World of Warcraft: Wrath of the Lich King™ and StarCraft II
* Merchandise and other products based on the Blizzard Entertainment game universes
* A silent auction
* Musical performances
* And more exciting activities to be announced

Tickets for the 2008 Blizzard Entertainment Worldwide Invitational are limited and will go on sale in the next few weeks at the price of 70€/£55 per ticket. Further information on activities, tournaments and ticket booking will be provided on the official 2008 Blizzard Entertainment Worldwide Invitational website at http://eu.blizzard.com/wwi08 as the event draws closer.

Travel through Paris's airports just moved a notch closer to slightly enjoyable, as Sony Computer Entertainment France and Aéroports de Paris have signed an agreement to install video game stations in both Roissy/Charles de Gaulle and Orly.

CDG will be getting14 PlayStation 3 systems in its new Parisian Gallery departure lounge, each complete with a high definition Sony Bravia television. In addition, 80 PlayStation 2 systems have already begun being deployed between both CDG and Orly, with 34 play spaces created between 10 terminals, allowing travellers to try out the latest games with the extra added bonus of having something to deal with other than French people. DOn't get me wrong...I love the French. They just aren't too fond of me. *sniffles* Michael Fahey

Des PlayStation 3 à Roissy [Play France]

A study, commissioned by PopCap Games, showed that women love a good game of Cake Mania, and they aren't shy about it. After media content providers were determined to deliver advertisements catering to the young male bracket on consoles, the study by Information Solutions Group (ISG) reveals that casual gamers are "predominantly female."

In another article:

Leading Japanese mobile company NTT Docomo has published a study on mobile gaming demographics showing that female players are much more likely to play before sleep... Figures showed that 59% of female users play mobile games more than four times a week in comparison to 51% of male users.

I say, all this proves is that our boyfriends aren't doing a good job entertaining us. Kim Phu

Study Says Women Dominate Casual Gaming [Wii QJ]
Who Plays Before Bed? [Next Gen]

Oooooh, this one looks vintage! This invader comes from Ulix, a Kotaku commenter, who saw this little gem on vacation in Paris near the Church "Sacre Coeur". Since Invader, the artist, started putting these tiles up in Paris in 1998, this could be one of the originals as time has obviously seen the wear and tear of time (and possibly vandalism). This inspires me to do some tiling in our new apartment or at least getting a few Space Invader pillows for the living room.

Thanks, Ulix! Kim Phu

If you found yourself drooling over the Swarovski crystal covered pink DS Lite designed by Paris Hilton we posted a few weeks back, then not only is their something wrong with you, but there is also a spark of hope, as one is now up for auction on eBay UK. I am assuming the seller simply had too much taste to keep the item for himself.

He also mentions that only 20 of these were made, a fact that I cannot seem to back up from any source. Everyone knew it was limited edition, but only 20? For an item this spectacularly fabulous? Come on. There's gotta be a warehouse full of these somewhere, and that warehouse needs to be bombed.

I do like how it comes with spare crystals and a glue kit, as if they expect someone to actually play this monstrosity and not lock it in a vault deep underground somewhere so it never hurts anyone again. The auction starts at approximately $670, with a buyout of $1465, depending on which conversion rates you believe. A small price to pay to save humanity from shiny pink doom.

PINK NINTENDO DS LITE - PARIS HILTON SWAROVSKI EDITION [eBay.co.uk - Thanks EZ]

Well, this is nice. The Nintendo Wii just launched in Paris' most beautiful street, the Champs-Elysées. Yeah, I know it's dark and probably cold. And for people living in Paris, heading over to Virgin Megastore on the Champs-Elysées (where incidentally I met AC/DC a few years back!) is no big whoop. Still. I spent my Wii launch in a smoky parking garage. You? Brian Ashcraft

Wii Paris Launch [Nintendo Difference, Thanks Blayrow!]

Photographed numerous times clutching her PSP, and famous for having her Sidekick hacked, Hilton is, in her socialite heart, a geek. Hilton attended the gamer's Mecca, E3, and even stars in her own mobile game, Diamond Quest.

Top ten girl geeks [CNET.co.uk - Thanks Jason]

Documentary games aficionado Ian Bogost has unearthed an interesting mod that uses Medal of Honor: Allied Assault to create the Paris Riots.

In the game, the player takes on the role of police responding to the rioting in the suburbs of Paris. A very interesting concept, that is still very much in its early stages. Bogost points out that all that is available so far is a very basic demo. Make sure to check out this trailer as well. Brian Crecente

Have a Paris Riot [Water Cooler Games]

Like everyone and their brother, long dead author and poet Geoffrey Chaucer now has a blog, and covers very modern topics like Parys Launcecrona (Paris Hilton), Henri le Potier (Harry Potter) and video games. With The Canterbury Tales, Chaucer brought us a written record of just how effing different English was over six hundred years ago. For that, high school students will forever hate him. Chaucer blogs:

By Seynt Nintendus, ich thoghte to myself, thes aren thos 'video games' the which Lowys ys alwey pleyinge. A grete curiousitee dide posess me, and so ich askede Lowys to shewe me of the propertees of the games. He taughte me the lore of thes merveilous stories, the which aren peyntures that moue and haue sounde and often are made yn Japan, and aren controllid by a small devyce or engine ycovered wyth buttones that ys helde yn the hand.

Yes, the entire blog is like that. There is a Middle English glossary, thankfully. Delightfully nerdy! Brian Ashcraft

Ich Pwne Noobs! [Geoffrey Chaucer Hath a Blog] Thanks, Steve!

Gameloft got their spiel out for Paris Hilton's Jewel Jam in good time, managing not to mention the dreaded B word. You know the one we mean: Bejeweled. And yes, unlike Ms Hilton, Gameloft's rep got the name of their game right.

Paris Hilton unveiled her new video game on Thursday, but inexplicably called it by the wrong name as she greeted throngs of fans and photographers.

Wearing a green minidress and red platform pumps, Hilton made a brief appearance at the Electronic Entertainment Expo to promote "Paris Hilton's Jewel Jam."

"Sorry I'm late," the heiress said. "I'm really excited to have my new video game, 'Diamondquest.' Thank you all for coming, and you can download the game," she said.

It really should be called Paris Hilton's Pearl Jam, don't you think?

Hilton Causes Stir at Video Game Expo [Yahoo News]

By far the most retarded thing we've heard so far at E3 came this afternoon courtesy of a lady from Chicago in line at Gameloft's booth, who said, with absolutely no trace of irony, "I've been waiting an hour and a half to see Paris Hilton! I'm going to feel really stupid if she doesn't show!"

Unfortunately, it all turns out to have been a sham — the 'Bush Killa' video wasn't made by Islamic terrorists at all, but instead was the creation of Battlefield 2 fan SonicJihad. More embarassingly, both SonicJihad's name and the title of the video that sparked the controvery are references to the hip-hop artist Paris, who released the Sonic Jihad album with a track called 'Bush Killa' on it... referring not to chimp-faced Dubya, but George Bush Senior.

In other words, overreactions all around. Although if we're guilty of being lazy in our research, so is the Defense Department.

Fan-made Battlefield 2 video mistaken for terrorist propaganda [Ars Technica]
Previously: Al Qaeda Using Video Games For Recruitment

The list of famous people getting free access to the E3 is starting to bulk up.

While I'm a huge fan of Adam West, who will be showing up to pimp the Family Guy game, I'm probably most excited about the fact that Clint Eastwood is showing up for Dirty Harry and, get this, Paris Hilton for her cell phone game. I shit you not. Paris Hilton will be hanging at the Gameloft booth signing autographs and projecting an auroa of vapid, rich hate. I've already tried to land an interview, but apparently the only person she's doing a formal with is Entertainment Tonight.

Seriously, sometimes I just couldn't make this stuff up. Gameloft has teamed up with Paris Hilton Entertainment Inc to develop, publish and distribute a line of cell phone games based on the rich airhead and her drug-fueled shenannegans.

The best part of this whole dealio is that the press release includes a quote from Paris Hilton in which she uses her own name. I love when people speak about themselves in the third person.

"I'm excited to collaborate with Gameloft to bring the Paris Hilton brand and the glamour of young Hollywood to the cell phones of all my fans around the world," said Paris Hilton. "My phone has become an all in one entertainment device and mobile games are an integral part of that. Mobile gaming is really hot right now and I'm excited to be part of this project."

Cool, now you won't need a bottle of cheap wine and a camcorder to play with Paris.

Sony UK's PlayStation Portable ad campaign continues to smut up London streets. Thought it was impossible to top the previous adverts? Think again. The pictured image may have something to do with the handheld's GPS, but also makes blatant reference to Paris Hilton's infamous porn tape. Lovely how it's on a red double-decker bus. That way Sony can maximize their product alienation. Way to go!

Not Lewd Ad [Kotaku] Thanks, Chaz-206!

This fine knock-off comes via too cool for Christmas merchant, White Trash Charms. The oh-so-hip LA-based luxury accessories company has designed the piece. The website says, "Evoking the iconic imagery of rock 'n' roll culture, White Trash Charms jewelry is created in precious metal, enamel and stones and meticulously crafted to the highest levels of quality." (What doozy of a sentence.) So yeah, the White Trash Charms is total cheek. The brand has been covered by the fashionista press and championed by the likes of Paris "I'll Promote Anything for Cash" Hilton. Guess I'm required to make a white trash joke here, but whatever, I'll leave that to the Peanut Gallery.

Play Me [White Trash Charms] Thanks, Chilly!

About 1.5 million Xbox 360s were sold from Nov. 22 to Dec. 21, with 900,000 consoles in North America, 500,000 in Europe and 100,000 in Japan.

Wow, that s shockingly bad, especially in Japan. Msoft puts the blame squarely on the shoulders of shortages. Maybe this is why no one likes to do global launches.

On the plus side for Msoft, the attach rate was amazingly high. In other words, people bought lots of games for their 360s. The rate was more than four per console and accessories were more than three per console. And we know that s where the real money is.

Since the launch of the Xbox 360, people have downloaded 4 million things from Live. Many of those things likely cost money, though there s tons of free stuff on Live as well.

Msoft sold more than 2.2 million Xbox 1 consoles in the first half of the fiscal year. They still, however, won t say if they are still actually making the consoles and not just selling off their supplies.

Msoft has officially lowered their expectations for the 360 to 2.5 million for the first 90 days. Even with that lowered expectation, Msoft expects the console and its bits and pieces to bring in $1.5 billion (with a big-ass B) in the first three months.

A third plant has been brought online to make the 360.

By the end of June there will be 50 high-def games for the console.

All of these factoids plucked from the withered soul of Msoft marketer John Porcaro. I kid, anyone who calls the vacant space between Paris Hilton s ears a country is OK in my book.

Xbox News from Today s Earnings Announcements [Gamerscore]

Somewhere along the line, celebrity impersonators moved from wigs and make-up and onto to blogs. Madonna's Personal Blog is the latest to enter this amusing genre (even more amusing when folks believe that someone like Quentin Tarantino is blogging — dude doesn't even know what a blog is, let alone how to turn on a friggin' computer). Anyhoo, read this big fake gem from the immaculate one.

I received my FREE Xbox 360 yesterday! Too bad though. The thing over-heated and doesn't work. I was going to play a game with my friends in Japan, but it crashed on us. The power supply on this device is HUGE! At least I know why they called it the Xbox 360 and not the Xbox 2. The damn thing gets up to about 360 DEGREES!!!! It's frightening!

Oh well. My Xbox 360 is in a Japanese dumpster. I just don't have time to fool with getting it replaced. I'm not much into TV or video games anyways. My children aren't allowed to play them either. I guess they were dumb to give me one knowing that I don't really have any use for them. I know they gave them to other celebrities as well. Paris Hilton got one. Barf. That's even more reason to trash the glitchy console!

Think we've got a slightly pissed, 360 frustrated celebriblogenator here. Yes, that's a new word. I just made it up. Yay me.

Blog Impersonators [Madonnas Thoughts] Thanks Fuzz!

An exec for Virgin Megastores USA says that Microsoft's dropped the ball when they decided to hand out Xbox 360s to a bunch of celebrities who will never play them when the company's hardcore fanbase was going without because of stock shortages.

The backlash from gamers unable to get hardware has started, mainly due to the continuing images of celebrity gamers like Paris Hilton being given Xbox 360s while there is a distinct shortage available to buy.

Personally I would query the strategy of the worldwide launch: the world didn't ask for it, nor expected it and as such Microsoft gave themselves a huge task. If they are able to meet demand by Christmas they will have pulled off a feat no other format holder has ever managed.

I couldn't agree more. Trite photos of Paris Hilton fondling your product for pay are great when there's no demand, but not so nice when gamers can't get what they want.

Time Celeb 'Gamers' Were Forced to Wait [Next-Gen]

For only $7.50US, you too can have this "X" monogram print to totally wrap a next-gen Xbox. The ready-to-apply hi-res design is printed on premium grade adhesive-backed cast vinyl. According to the manufacturer, the skin is then covered with a clear portectant layer for the ultimate in durability.

Uh, sure. Trying posting something like this and not using the words "bling" or "Paris Hilton." I double dare you.

Order Here [DecalGal] via GeekOnStun

The Grumpy Gamer points out that Microsoft probably had to give more than an Xbox 360 to Paris Hilton to get her to be photographed walking around with it. GG says her going rate for a 20 minute "personal appearance" is $200,000. Unless you have a camcorder, than I hear she's pretty cheap.

Zing!

Paris Hilton and the Xbox 360 What they aren't telling you [Grumpy Gamer]

Saturday s Teen People Young Hollywood Party drew quite the crowd to the Cabana Club, most of them Sims fans. Paris Hilton, Hillary Duff, Lindsay Lohan, Wilmer Valderama and Ashlee Simpson all made the party, which was sponsored by Sims 2 Nightlife. The new PC expansion pack for Sims 2 is all about taking your Sim out for a night on the town, practicing lines and hooking-up.

Apparently, Duff is a huge Sims fan and Lohan was quick to pick up a copy for herself as well. Even Matthew Underwood (of Zoey 101 fame) is a huge fan, he even uploads his Sim creations to the official site. (His Angelina Jolie is a real stunner.)

I love the irony of a bunch of fake beautiful people playing with fake beautiful people. I wonder which group has better artificial intelligence?