The Sims 3: World Adventures expansion pack drops this week, and EA celebrates for a look at how far celebrities will go to have their music featured in the popular life simulation game. If I were a major label recording artist, I would get maybe one syllable out before turning beet red with embarrassment sand running out of the room. Then again, if I were a major label recording artist, I wouldn't be writing this.

"I was suddenly divorced, without a word of warning. That made me so angry," the official quoted her as telling investigators and admitting the allegations.

My god, do you know what this means? I need to start playing Maple Story immediately!

Online divorcee jailed after killing virtual hubby [Yahoo! News - Thanks Russ!]

amBX is a very cool and innovative technology that allows your games to stand out in a very crowded marketplace," commented John E. Williamson, President, Zombie.

Sure, I can see it making your game stand out, but is their enough consumer interest in the technology to make it more than a niche novelty sort of thing?

I find it amazing that the technology is gaining such support from the industry, seeing as it basically makes developers add in extra software hooks to their games to support equipment that the end user may or may not even have access to. I remember when rumble technology was in its infancy that often times developers opted to forego supporting it simply because not everyone would be using it, and that was nowhere near as complex or expensive as needing a specialized monitor or television to produce colored light.

Could I be completely off about the viability of amBX? Ten years from now will integration with Philips' technology be part of standard gaming review criteria? Of course it won't, and even if I turn out to be horribly wrong I'll have adopted a pseudonym and a very convincing wig by then and you'll never be able to find me to rub it in.

PHILIPS GIVES SIX OF THE BEST AT DEVELOP
Develop, Brighton, United Kingdom - Philips today announced six new developer license agreements to its popular amBX platform. Gearbox Software, Zombie, Riot Games, Brain in a Jar, Invictus Games and Instinct Technology, have all become amBX licensees.

Shorthand for 'ambient experiences', amBX revolutionises the gameplay experience by extending the gaming world out of the screen and into the real world. amBX delivers a full 'sensory surround experience' by equipping game developers with a tool box to use light, colour, sound and even air flow through enabled devices, including the Philips amBX PC Gaming Peripherals range of LED colour-controlled lighting, rumble peripherals and desktop fans.

The developer signings represent a strong cross section of the worldwide development community, including Hungary-based Invictus Games, Los Angeles-based Riot Games and Seattle-based Zombie joining Texas-based Gearbox Software, developer of the hugely successful and critically acclaimed Brothers in Arms and one of the largest independent developers in the world.

"amBX is a very cool and innovative technology that allows your games to stand out in a very crowded marketplace," commented John E. Williamson, President, Zombie.

The agreement with Ireland-based Instinct Technology will see amBX used through Instinct Studio as part of future middleware solutions to the game development industry.

"We're really thrilled that Philips has partnered with us to allow amBX features to be exposed through Instinct Studio, furthering our aim of offering best in class support for complementary technologies within the Instinct Studio development environment," commented Mike Gamble, Business Development Director.

Representing the best of British, amongst the raft of amBX signings, is Cheshire-based Brain in a Jar.

"With our move to latest generation technology in the form of our soon to be announced Xbox 360 and PC racing game, Philips amBX is the perfect partner for enhancing the gaming experience on offer from our studio," commented Carl Dalton, Creative Director.

Philips is setting a global standard by licensing the amBX technology to computer game developers, publishers and peripherals manufacturers and Gearbox Software, Zombie, Riot Games, Brain in a Jar, Invictus Games and Instinct Technology join a rapidly growing list of games industry companies supporting amBX-enabled games and peripherals, including Codemasters, THQ, Introversion, Kuju, Revolution, Sumo Digital, Rivers Run Red, Philips Peripherals & Accessories and SpectraVideo. Philips is currently in the closing stages of agreements with a number of other high profile companies regarding amBX-enabling all kinds of games.

While I'd like to think this has something to do with that unforgivable hedgehog-human kissing, this viral ad actually seems connected with that "big announcement" next month. You know, the one in which Sega says they'll stop driving the Sonic franchise into the ground. Can't wait. Brian Ashcraft

Dev Kidnapped [Sega Nerds]

This Amazon mistake (or perhaps it was on purpose) is very silly, true, but it still cracked me up. Sonic the upright vacuum indeed. Brian Crecente

Sometimes the simple things are the coolest. This 1Up cake is plain awesome. I'll refrain from the jokes about what happens when you eat it. Brian Crecente

The results:

Living room - 61%
Break room - 6%
Dorm room - 12%
At a party - 21%

What? No bathroom? Come on! Brian Crecente

Chris sends us word of his quirky video game sticker and pin site. That's right, the site sells video game-themed stickers and pins and they're quirky. Actually, the more I think about it, the more I think they fit in the dreamy category. The little pins feature game icons like Lara Croft with big Moo-Cow eyes lazing on her belly, her legs dangling behind her. Another features the disembodied head and buxomy bosom of Resident Evil 4's Ashley. She's a little cross-eyed, but I find that cute in proposterously large breasted women. —Brian Crecente

Gum-Gum