There's a more or less constant trickle of mainstream articles discussing people 'finding love in all the wrong places' — but Tom Francis has a hilarious look at his attempts to play the dating game in MMOs. He tracks his progress in EVE Online, WoW and City of Heroes. The CoH section is my personal favorite, featuring Francis' trenchcoated character, 'Manley Power,' whose bio page read "Power's two favourite things are commitment and changing himself.":

Although some of the female gamers I know only play sexy characters, all of them object to luridly over-sexualised body shapes. This did not seem like the sort of physiology a real woman would choose.

Still, I invited her to do a mission with me. She accepted and suggested I take the lead. Manley Power approved. I didn't want to spring the obvious question too soon, as it'd be a shame to creep her out if my intuition was wrong. But after skewering most of the goons in the warehouse together, an easy way to broach it occurred: "So, from the sheer size of your character's breasts, I'm guessing you're male in real life?" At exactly the same time, a speech bubble appeared over her own head: "lets go out."

Wait, what? Is Manley Power that attractive that she'd instantly ask his player out? Or was she referring to some sort of cyber-relationship? God, maybe she was male and still wanted to hook up in-game. I should have known when I found myself warming to my creation: I'd made him too pretty. I'd created a manly monster. Hang on, she probably means the warehouse. We've finished, we can leave now. "Yeah, im male lol" Correction, he probably means the warehouse.

It's a clever and funny look at the intricacies of introductions in MMOs - and a hell of a lot more fun to read than an article on some guy who left his real-life wife for a Second Life vixen.

The Dating Game [ComputerAndVideoGames.com via Rock, Paper, Shotgun]

ROMANCE OF THE THREE KINGDOMS®XI COMING TO WINDOWS-BASED PC

One of Video Gaming's Longest-Running Historical Simulation Series Returns to PC on July 29, 2008

Burlingame, CA - April 23, 2008 - KOEI, recognized worldwide as the premier brand of strategy and action games, announced today that the Historical Simulation game, Romance of the Three Kingdoms®XI (RTK XI) is coming to Windows-based PCs for gamers throughout North America on July 29, 2008.

"Following KOEI's successful launch of Warriors Orochi for Windows-based PC earlier this year, the response to bringing more of KOEI's popular franchises to the platform has been overwhelming," said Amos Ip, Senior Vice President at KOEI Corporation. "For PC releases, the Romance of the Three Kingdoms series has always been at the top of our fans' wish lists. We are looking forward to bringing Romance of the Three Kingdoms XI to Windows-based PC this summer."

About ROMANCE OF THE THREE KINGDOMS XI

From legendary video game producer Kou Shibusawa comes his next historical simulation masterpiece. Rediscover an ancient civilization with an explosive history in the most stunning edition of Romance of the Three Kingdoms.

Set during the end of China's Han Dynasty and the 2nd and 3rd centuries A.D., RTK XI presents the most visually captivating evolution in the history of the series. Blurring the line between video games and art, RTK XI features visuals evocative of classical Chinese ink-paintings along with debates and duels rendered in real-time 3D animation.

As the ruler of a kingdom, each player will have complete control over their territories. More than 40 base commands give players the power to govern cities, manage their personnel, practice diplomacy and much more. Complete freedom to develop markets, shipyards, outposts, forts and military units expand on the already substantial benchmarks established by previous editions of the series. Furthermore, players will watch the era come to life through the uniquely individual personalities of the more than 780 officers and supporting characters they will encounter.

Players will need to dig deep within to prove themselves adept at both the military and political arts in order to bring China under one rule. Domestic affairs, diplomacy and warfare are all conducted on a single vast 3D relief map, dramatically bringing to life the eight massive scenarios that lie before them.
For improved control over each military campaign, RTK XI's turn-based game play allows the player to plan their movements without undue time constraints, and then execute their battle tactics when ready. RTK XI also introduces an entirely new system for researching military techniques, as well as an Advanced Tactics System that allows players to drive or lure enemies into devastating ambushes. Skilled players will be able to link together tactics for maximum damage.

Produced by Kou Shibusawa and developed by KOEI Co., Ltd, Romance of the Three Kingdoms XI is rated "RP" (Rating Pending) by the ESRB. The suggested retail price is US$19.99.

I want a guy who looks like link. from the game. I thought to myself that I might as well be honest. I look like zelda, so why not ask for it? who knows.. I know theres a guy like that. So if you think you look like link, the blonde skater cut, and light eyes look email me. Im a simple chick who loves zelda. I know thats a corney one to ask but heck we might as well be honest as to what we like? am I right? I want a guy like that and a guy who is romantic and believes in chilvary, love, old school ways, and doesnt have a problem with european culture. Thanks a bunch!!! If I like you, and you have a pic, ill email you back. PS I WILL NOT RESPOND to guys without FACE SHOTS. period. Thankyou for understanding. Im not a body chick. more a face and Please only guys 30 and below. And please do not email me rude comments... this world has too many jerks and I delete them and report to the authorities. Its extreme I know But please have respect.

KOEI Entertainment Singapore Pte Ltd today announced that its inaugural production, Romance of the Three Kingdoms Online (English working title), has been launched in Japan on 29th February 2008. This is an all-new Massively Multiplayer Online Role Playing Game (MMORPG) offering players a chance to experience life during the historic 2nd and 3rd centuries of China's Han Dynasty.

KOEI was one of the first major global game developers to begin game development operations in Singapore. The epic adventure, Romance of the Three Kingdoms Online is KOEI Entertainment Singapore's debut title, and promises to be Singapore's first blockbuster in the interactive digital media industry.

"Singapore is a dynamic and vibrant city with a talented, highly-motivated and diverse workforce," said Mrs. Keiko Erikawa, the Founder & Chairman Emeritus of KOEI. "Singapore's positioning as a global media hub is coherent with our vision to provide exciting online content for the global markets."

"Romance of the Three Kingdoms Online is the first Massively Multiplayer Online Role Playing Game (MMORPG) which is developed in Singapore. Koei is a recognised leader in games and we are proud that Koei's Singapore team has contributed to the company's pioneering game development reputation. This is a landmark development which underscores Singapore's reputation as an Interactive & Digital Media capital, where creations are made for global consumption," said Mr Manohar Khiatani, Assistant Managing Director, Singapore Economic Development Board.

Since its inception KOEI Entertainment Singapore Pte Ltd has invested heavily into training the local workforce. It has also ignited the dreams of creative talent with a passion for developing games and created new types of job opportunities in the new digital media industry.

The highly-anticipated launch of Romance of the Three Kingdoms Online comes after successful customer trials in Japan. The game will be available initially in Japan, followed by localized launches in select territories around the world.

"KOEI's Romance of the Three Kingdoms series is a phenomenon that has captured the imaginations of gamers around the globe," said Mr. Kenji Matsubara, President and Chief Operating Officer of KOEI. "With Romance of the Three Kingdoms Online, KOEI Entertainment Singapore has created a new way to explore this rich episode in Chinese history. Gamers will not only find new ways to interact with this legendary world, but also new ways to interact with each other."

The magic of The Sims is that you are both in control and not in control. You can live out your fantasies, imprinting on these fictional characters, deciding what they'll do next, but you can't be sure if it'll all turn out okay. In the moment between ordering a Sim to kiss and seeing the response... that's where the erotic sparks. It's not the animation that's the pay-off - but that you were accepted, the seduction worked, they wanted you after all. And it's not that you've kissed someone, but you know who that person is due to having spent so much time in their simulated company. The Sims is sexy because it creates a complete naturalistic context for it to occur in.

The idea that video games are 'most enthralling when you're least in control' is an interesting one (the author points to the horror games, where the fumbling during the learning curve makes everything that much more terrifying and immersive) - and unlike career choices or bricking your Sim up in a room to die in a puddle of filth from starvation, romantic aspects of the Sims remain one area at least partially out of the player's control. It's an interesting theory, and one I'm willing to buy into at least partially.

ErotiSim: Sex and The Sims [Rock, Paper, Shotgun]

Three song's $6.25. Sure, if you're a fan of My Chemical Romance, that may not be too high a price to pay. But more than $2 a pop seems absolutely ridiculous to me. Activision really needs to start rethinking their pack prices with Rock Band looming in the not too far distance.

The pack includes "Teenagers," "Famous Last Words" and "This is How I Disappear" as performed by My Chemical Romance Which seems to mean they're not covers, which is nice, but next time, maybe try $1.50 a pop or so.

San Jose will be the first place to hold this year's Play!, a "video game symphony", complete with full orchestra and visuals. This two-hour concert is performed by the Symphony Silicon Valley Chorale (fancy word for "choir") and has a playlist that includes music from Final Fantasy, Castlevania, Metal Gear Solid, The Legend Of Zelda, Super Mario Bros., World Of Warcraft, Sonic The Hedgehog, Shenmue. Even though it's part of a world tour, the only date that has been set is in San Jose.

Come on fellas, you know us gals like it when you take "the initiative". Kim Phu

Play! Video Game Symphony Hits San Jose [Wired Game|Life]

-The barrel is upended, Romance of the Three Kingdoms IV drops out. Someone prods it with the toe of their shoe.-

So yes, all Wii are getting this week for the VC update is Koei's fourth entry in its venerable Romance of the Three Kingdoms series, Wall of Fire for the Super Nintendo. Experience all the fun and frivolity of bringing about the reunification of ancient China. One of the better games in the series, though if you are really interested in the setting I'd suggest you pick up IX for the PS2 instead of spending the 800 points here.

And that's all she wrote. Just one healthy dose of classic strategy gaming. Perhaps they're holding off to make room for the new games Sega announced, or maybe - just maybe someone at Nintendo is reading this right now with a shocked look on their face, wondering who tipped us off about the whole barrel thing. Michael Fahey

WII-KLY UPDATE: NEW CLASSIC GAME ANNOUNCED FOR WII SHOP CHANNEL

March 26, 2007

Today Nintendo adds a classic Super NES game to the popular Wii video game system's Wii Shop Channel. The game goes live at 9 a.m. Pacific time. Nintendo adds new games to the channel every Monday. Wii owners with a high-speed Internet connection can redeem Wii Points to download the games. Wii Points can be purchased in the Wii Shop Channel or at retail outlets. This week's new game is:

Romance of the Three Kingdoms IV: Wall of Fire (Super NES, 1-8 players, 800 Wii Points): Romance of the Three Kingdoms IV is a tactical simulation game in which the player takes the role of a ruler seeking to unite China in the era of the three kingdoms of Wei, Wu and Shu. The role of the ruler is to command a range of officers with differing characteristics - some cunning strategists, others brave warriors - and strengthen the military might of his or her kingdom. Foreign policy, involving forming alliances with certain kingdoms and hatching plans to weaken others, will play a major role in this process. Once players have developed a powerful enough military, it will be time to expand their borders through military conquest. Ultimate victory will only be achieved once all 43 cities in China lie within a player's control.

For more information about Wii, please visit wii.com.

A ton of new releases coming out this week with a little bit of everything from RPG's and strategy games to racing and sports titles. The PS2 gets quite a bit of love this week with five games on it's dance card. The rest of the titles are pretty evenly distributed amongst all the portables and consoles, with the exception of the PS3 which is strangely absent from this list.

• Diddy Kong Racing DS DS Diddy Kong makes a bid for the Mario Kart throne.
• Ar tonelico: Melody of Elemia PS2
  Pure, unabashed Japanese RPG goodness.
• Final Fantasy VI Advance GBA
  The classic RPG is given a facelift for it's re-emergence on the GBA
• UFO: Afterlight PC
  Be an intergalactic space strategist!
• The Sims Life Stories PC
  Enjoy controlling the lives of your tiny minions with a new story mode.
• Capcom Puzzle World PSP
  Five classic Capcom puzzle games including: Super Puzzle Fighter II Turbo , Buster Bros., Super Buster Bros., Buster Buddies and Block Block
• Fuel PC
  An around the world race on ATV's.
• Lunar Knights DS
  Battle space vampires from beyond the grave.
• Romance of the Three Kingdoms XI PS2
  Eleventh game in the long running strategy sim series.
• Winning Eleven: Pro Evolution Soccer 2007 X360, PS2, Wii, PSP
  Pro soccer debuts on the next gen consoles.
• MVP 07 NCAA Baseball PS2
  More baseball on the PS2, now with a new pitching style!
• SnoCross 2: Featuring Blair Morgan XBOX, PS2
  Blair Morgan is kicking it olde school on the PS2 and Xbox.

Flynn De Marco

Aw. This really does squeeze a single drop of the ichor of love out of my cold, black, dead heart. Okay, Zack's a dork, but his Guild Wars Valentine's Day message at least takes dork love to an unmatched extreme. Florian Eckhardt

Gamer love doesn't merely cuddle close to the homerotic. After we posted the tattoo of a Hot Topic employee's Luigi tattoo and explained that it was a testament to his passion for his best friend (their love ripped asunder by different college acceptance letters), Kotakuite David S. wrote us:

My wife, Erin, and I got married on April 23rd this year. I"m a huge gamer, and she actually reviews games for a living! (yeah, I know, it's really sweet). For our evening party, rather than a dance or something humiliating like that, we went to Dave & Buster's for our after-party to celebrate that night with our friends. So we could be seen, we made these really nifty t-shirts. I'm the one on the left, if you didn't figure that one out. :p

Too bad. The one on the right is rub-a-dub-dub. Anyway, nothing says 'hep couple' like a husband and wife dressed in matching t-shirts. And when those t-shirts are gaming themed? Le Mario Juste! Florian Eckhardt

Aaron Stilton, intrepid Lothario and part-time ROM hacker, hacked apart Super Mario World to be a 16 bit mash note to his girlfriend. He wrote elaborate love messages in gold coins across World 1, hinting that a limo would pick her up at 7:00pm and that she should wear her sultriest pair of underpants. At 7:00pm, a limo did indeed pick her up, whisking her and Aaron away on a romantic date to see...

... the utterly, categorically terrible Da Vinci Code.

Scornful ellipsis. Astounded aposiopesis! Aaron, what the hell is wrong with you, man?

Okay, it could have been worse. He could have taken her to see Irreversible instead. But way to squander some excellent execution there, Aaron! FLORIAN ECKHARDT

Using Mario to Create the Perfect Date [About.com]

In Spend the Night, players would have congregated virtual social lounges, desperately trying to catch the attention of some polygonal babe. Once a babe was procured, the couple would gravitate to a private room, where they would fool around until — at the highest moment of passion — the girl would whisper in her lover's ear, "LOLZ! I'M A D00D, U FAG."

Alas, Babylon. Republik just couldn't get the money together to make Spend the Night a reality.

Coitus Interruptus [Next Generation]

First, the professor is a woman. I appologize for the assumption that the professor was a man. But Professor Nina Beth Huntemann sounds a little defensive in her email and I don't buy the whole "I have to start somewhere" argument. I can't see why she can't just a general call for people who are romantically involved with a gamer.

It sounds like I'm not the only one making gender assumptions.

The full email is after the jump:

Hello Brian,

In response to Kotaku's post today about my research, I would like to clarify two things. One, I'm a woman. Yes, believe it or not, female professors do exist. Not only that, I'm a gamer. I know, it is hard to believe there are women play games and have PhDs.

And two, my field is media studies. This research project is serious, though my tone in the Craig's List post was informal. I've also been asked why I am studying only wives and girlfriends. I'm not. I will also conduct similar group interviews with guy gamer widows, but I have to start somewhere. Only so many interviews I can conduct at once.

I teach at Suffolk University in the Department of Communication and Journalism, if anyone should want to check me out.

Thanks,

Nina

A college professor in the Boston-area is looking for some wives and girlfriends of gamers (specifically MMORPG gamers) for a study he's working on. The prof is trying to figure out how loved ones put up with all the gaming. He wants to do group interviews in which he can "listen to 4-5 women talk/rant/bitch about life with a gamer." Bitch? Did a professor just use the word bitch? What exactly is this guy a professor of?

Wanted: Boston Area Gamer Wives and Girlfriends (for a study) [IGDA Sex]