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A Bright Idea: Sims 3 USB Christmas Lights
To go with the reviewers’ copies of The Sims 3 Collectors Edition (plum-bob USB memory stick included), EA also sent a set of USB Christmas lights, also in the shape of plum-bobs. The tips of the lights are sharp enough to cut skin or a small child’s mouth should they attempt to gum them. According…
By AJ Glasser -
Games For Cheaper Auto Insurance
Allstate Insurance and Posit Science, a San Francisco start-up, are looking into brain-training video games as a way to give drivers a discount on auto insurance. SF Gate reports that a driver who played used the “brain-training software” game called Jewel Diver narrowly avoided a car accident when another driver ran a red light at…
By AJ Glasser -
E3’s Fuzziest Controller Causes Cute Overload
This "Pluff" controller/application is more than a graduate student’s master thesis — it’s the cutest damn thing ever. Diana Hughes from the University of Southern California created Pluff to function is a combination Furby/Tamagotchi pet that’s both a controller and a virtual pet. Petting him makes him happy, slamming his head against a desk makes…
By AJ Glasser -
11-Year-Old Genius Says Video Games A Waste Of Time
Normally, you’d never listen to an 11-year-old kid; but this one’s graduating with honors from East Los Angeles Community College this month with a degree in Liberal Studies. That could make him a genius, right? Moshe Kai Cavalin started college when he was 8. He tutored his older classmates, scored some martial arts competition awards…
By AJ Glasser -
Reviews
The Sims 3 Review: Delayed Gratification
After a more than three month delay—and more than four years on from the release of The Sims 2—The Sims 3 is finally here. So let’s get down to reviewing it. There are two types of Sims player: the Second-Life types who enjoy crafting and sharing stuff online and the God-types who look for new…
By AJ Glasser -
The Clips of E3: Day Three & Four
Day three of E3’s clip round up has a lot more gameplay and a lot less hardware to drool over; but you can still get another look at the PSP Go in action. Day four, meanwhile, was slim pickings — although that Fat Princess trailer really had me laughing. The Super Mario Galaxy 2 trailer…
By AJ Glasser -
Lord British To Officiate Zero-G Wedding
Richard Garriott, son of an astronaut and science fiction/fantasy video game icon, will join two self-proclaimed sci-fi addicts in holy matrimony 36,000 feet in the air. The New York couple Noah Fulmore, 31, and Erin Finnegan, 30, are paying a small fortune to throw their wedding on a Zero G Corporation flight. Zero G is…
By AJ Glasser -
The Clips Of E3: Day Two
Shigeru Miyamoto dominates day two of E3’s clips selection — appearing not once but twice to talk about the absence of Zelda from E3 and sort of talk about a new game mechanic. Other highlights include some hands-on with the PSP Go and the first real look at Final Fantasy XIV. Also, Mike McWhertor thinks…
By AJ Glasser -
Here, Have Some Professor Layton Screens
We’ve been waiting since Game Developers Conference 2009 to get a look at Professor Layton’s next US-bound adventure, Diabolical Box. E3, where would we be without you? Professor Layton and the Diabolical Box is the second game in the Layton series. Expect more of the maddening puzzles and cute characters, as well as a thrilling…
By AJ Glasser -
Zelda Attends E3 In Spirit Tracks
Yes, yes, we were all hoping Miyamoto would surprise us with a follow-up to Twilight Princess — but in lieu of a new Legend of Zelda announcement, here are some Spirit Track screens. The Legend of Zelda: Spirit Tracks is a Phantom Hourglass-flavored adventure for the Nintendo DS and DSi. Players take Link by train…
By AJ Glasser -
Sin & Punishment 2 Looks Sick… In A Good Way
Sequel to the Nintendo 64 shooter, Sin & Punishment 2 brings what the press release calls a “frantic arcade sensibility to a post-apocalyptic world.” Players take the role of Isa or Kachi, two young-ish looking people on the run from pretty much everything. Based on these screens, we don’t know much about them besides the…
By AJ Glasser -
Uncharted 2 Multiplayer Demo Is Now Live
Hope you got in on that inFamous voucher for entry into the multiplayer beta test for Uncharted 2. It’s live as we speak and people are already downloading it. No word on if the beta test is only for the online competitive modes, or if it will include the co-op multiplayer as well. It all…
By AJ Glasser -
Avatar Demo On The Way This Week
Ubisoft’s special guest star at their press event turned out to be James Cameron — action flick director extraordinaire. Now, every gamer who also loves Aliens, Terminator and True Lies probably has nothing but mad respect for Mr. Cameron. But I’ve never heard (or rather seen) so many Twitters about how boring the guy’s 13-minute…
By AJ Glasser -
Live Action Assassin’s Creed Short Films Coming This Fall
Two years ago, Ubisoft got into the film-making biz by encouraging would-be Assassin’s Creed fans to make short films exploring the game’s themes and possible plot points. The results actually weren’t that bad; so it seems Ubisoft intends to continue the trend with Assassin’s Creed 2. Liveblogging from the press conference, Luke Plunkett says that…
By AJ Glasser -
The Clips of E3: Day One
Between trailers, teasers and gameplay footage, there’s almost enough movie time here to warrant an entire evening’s worth of popcorn. My personal favorite of the day’s clips is the LEGO Harry Potter teaser — but I’m a sucker for all things LEGO-related. A close second is the Ayane gameplay footage, followed by the Old Republic…
By AJ Glasser -
Ubisoft Unveils U Play, “A Network For Games Already On Networks”
As part of a strategy of “confluence,” Ubisoft announced today at its press event that it would be launching an in-game serviced called U Play in the next year. The NXE-ish service includes a store, community aspects, media and other stuff that will turn Ubisoft games into online mini-fraternities. In the words of Luke Plunkett,…
By AJ Glasser -
Here’s Your Singularity Trailer
Raven Software‘s second Unreal 3-developed game after X-Men Origins: Wolverine, Singularity, is looking mighty spiffy in this trailer. Aside from all the Soviet-themed parade marching and sickle-flecked flags, there are also buildings exploding in reverse, some cool bullet/time control mechanics on display and a very emo soundtrack. Just remember, kids: in Soviet Russia, game plays…
By AJ Glasser -
Tintin: Secret of the Unicorn Gets Ubisoft Treatment
Ubisoft and Paramount Digital Entertainment have announced that the upcoming motion capture 3D-film adapted from the crazy-popular Tintin series is getting its own game. Stephen Spielberg is directing the film and, according to the press release, is directly involved along with producers Peter Jackson and Kathleen Kennedy in crafting the tie-in game. It’s being developed…
By AJ Glasser -
Watch Ayane Kick Some Ass
The best part about Ninja Gaiden games with the word “Sigma” after them is the chick gameplay. Never can a girl feel so objectified or empowered as when watching a ninja in a bright pink obi bow or a torture corset take down hordes of blood-spurting enemies. Get a look at these two Ayane gameplay…
By AJ Glasser -
Old Republic Gets New Trailer
Star Wars: The Old Republic might be all talk; but talking never looked as badass as it does in this new trailer of the BioWare MMO. Besides a massive lightsaber throw down, the vid also features girl-Boba Fett and Darth Vader prototype suit. Prototype-Vader marches up to the Jedi Temple which looks completely the same…
By AJ Glasser
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