It seems that EA is putting out a new Simpsons game in what I can only assume will be a tie in with the upcoming movie. Going to this page on EA's website, we are presented with a classic Simpson's yellow screen featuring the title "XXII" done in a mock GTA IV style. Underneath is a counter using the now famous Matt Groening font that is counting down the time, which at the writing of this article was down to exactly four days. So, by Wednesday afternoon we should be treated to some kind of announcement having to do with this mysterious game.

This better not be some sort of Island of Rhodes fiasco where on Wednesday the clock just rolls over to add two more days on. Although, if that did happen it would be pretty damned funny and I'm sure I would laugh heartily after throwing my laptop across the room. Flynn De Marco

What is surprising is that it may or may not be offered at the Kwik E Mart!

The Times in Virginia is reporting that efforts are being made between 7-11 stores and the Simpsons Movie to turn eleven stores across the US into Kwik-E-Marts where customers also will be able to buy products usually only available in the show like KrustyO's cereal, Buzz Cola and iced Squishees (the cup says Squishee, but the contents are pure Slurpee.)

Which just begs the questions: Who needs the Kwik-E-Mart? ME! Kim Phu

Real Kwik-E-Marts? Woo-Hoo! [Richmond Times Dispatch]

The trailer for the Simpsons Movie just hit the Xbox Live Marketplace. Man, if this movie had come out like five years ago, I would have been all over it. Now adays the Simpsons is what I watch to kill time waiting for the Family Guy.

I do love that everyone but the French can watch the trailer of the Simpsons on Live. I wonder why the primates capitulards et tou-jours en qu te de fromages can't watch it? Brian Crecente

The Simpsons Movie [Major Nelson]

100 undergrads between the ages of 18-21 were polled, making this a sample size so small as to indicate almost nothing at all. Half played Grand Theft Auto 3 and used baseball bats to beat up hookers; the other half played Simpsons: Hit and Run.

"The researchers found, young men who had played the violent game were less cooperative and more competitive in completing an assigned task with another person, compared to those who played the Simpsons game. They were also more likely to have permissive attitudes toward alcohol and marijuana use." Hey, what undergrad doesn't have permissive attitudes toward alcohol and marijuana use?

The article closes with this winning quote: "Brady urges parents to be aware of what sorts of video games their children are playing. And kids themselves, she adds, should understand that violent games can change the way they think."

Just like education, reading, writing, film, travel — a cornucopia of human experiences which expand our horizons and make us think differently about things. It's the old brainwash bogeyman. You may remember it from the way parents reacted to film, jazz, rock and comics, when those forms were nascent.

Violent video games linked to risky behaviors [Reuters]