Gaming Guru

This Blog Has Moved To A New Home

2006-12-16T08:27:00.000-05:00

With the re-launch of WRAL.com, the Gaming Guru blog has moved to a new address.

http://wral.com/entertainment/blog/1028423/

Please bookmark the new URL.

Visit Gaming Guru blog.

SikeTV "VGAs" Celebrate Videogames

2006-12-12T11:28:00.000-05:00

LOS ANGELES--The stars came out Friday night to celebrate the videogame industry. Local game companies Epic Games and Red Storm Entertainment were a big part of the show. Epic won four VGAs (Video Game Awards), including Studio of the Year for its best-selling "Gears of War" game. The new franchise, which has already topped sales of over 1 million units, also took home Best Shooter, Best Multiplayer and Best Graphics awards.

Red Storm Entertainment debuted the first trailer for the upcoming next generation title, "Tom Clancy's Ghost Recon Advanced Warfighter 2." That game, due out in 2007, is currently in development in Raleigh. The original is one of the best-selling Xbox 360 games of the year.

Hollywood stars, ranging from show host Samuel L. Jackson to Brandon Routh to Eva Mendes were all on hand to honor the people who make their favorite videogames. Jack Black performed with Tenacious D and AFI also sang. Sarah Silverman did a videogame comedy stand-up act and a host of athletes, actors and musicians were on hand to present awards to the people who make the games.

You can watch all the action starting Wednesday at 10 p.m. on SpikeTV. The show will be re-run throughout the week, and there's also a lot of content online at GameTrailers.com and SpikeTV.com.

Videogames Support Children's Hospitals

2006-12-11T12:38:00.000-05:00

With Christmas just around the corner, the videogame industry is working with Children's Hospitals around the world to donate games to kids who are sick in bed. There's not yet a North Carolina hospital on board, but new hospitals are welcome to join in by contacting ChildsPlayCharity.org. With the number of local game companies in the area, it shouldn't be hard to equip a children's hospital in the area with games.

More than $495,000 worth of toys, games and books on the wish lists of more than 35 participating children’s hospitals have already been purchased as part of the gamer supported charity, Child’s Play. This week, the Child’s Play charity auction dinner in Seattle, Washington on December 13 is expected to enable the purchase of more games for sick children as attendees bid on rare and hard to get items including a new Nintendo Wii game system autographed by the company’s President and COO, Reggie Fils-Aime, a speaking line in the "Halo 3" videogame under development by Bungie Entertainment, a Sony PlayStation 3 and an appearance in a Penny Arcade comic strip. Anyone can go online and donate money to this very good cause.

The charity work is the result of Penny Arcade, best known for its videogame comic strip, as well as its annual videogame show in Seattle. The group has reached out to hospitals across the world, including Children's Hospital of New Orleans, Methodist Children's Hospital of South Texas, Tulane Hospital for Children, Carilion Hospital for Children, Legacy Emanuel Children's Hospital, BC Children's Hospital, Children's Hospital at OU Medical Center, Women and Children's Hospital of Buffalo, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Children's Hospital of Boston and Children's Hospital of Michigan as well as Mater Health and Sydney Randwick Children's Hospital in Australia.

Child’s Play is a non-profit organization begun in 2003 by Gabe and Tycho, the creators of the Penny Arcade comic strip, as a way to help sick children and show the world the softer side of people who play videogames. Through the generosity of gamers and the videogame industry, Child’s Play has raised over 1.5 million dollars in toys, games and cash for sick children through an ongoing online toy drive and annual charity auction. Now in its fourth year, Child’s Play is developing a worldwide network of beneficiary Children’s Hospitals in order to brighten hospital stays for children internationally.

The organization is also looking for volunteers and reporters from high schools and colleges to get involved with local hospitals to reach new kids, as well as gain support for new gamers to donate time, games or money for this cause. In a day and age when the mainstream media only focuses on negative games stories, this is a great cause.

Sony Introduces Digitally Distributed PlayStation Games

2006-12-07T10:00:00.000-05:00

Sony's PlayStation Network, which connects PlayStation 3 and PSP gamers to digitally distributed content, now has downloadable PlayStation games. Sony's introduced five classic games, including "Snow Boarders," "Crash Bandicoot," "Hot Shots Golf 2," "Syphon Filter," and "Tekken 2," which cost $5.99 each to purchase.

Once bought, these games can be downloaded to a PSP wirelessly or through a USB cable and played on-the-go. New classic games will be updated on a regular basis, including a second batch of games heading to PlayStation Network later this month. This is just the beginning for those gamers who have or buy both a PS3 and a PSP. A new upgrade allows gamers with Wi-Fi homes to watch PS3 content through their PSP anywhere in the house. Next year, this feature will be upgraded to any hotspot anywhere in the world. That means if you have content on your PS3 hard drive, you can watch it or listen to it remotely anywhere there's a Wi-Fi hot spot.

Sony's also following Microsoft's lead with the PlayStation Store. This online store, like Xbox Live Marketplace, allows gamers to download free movie trailers and game demos. Over time, original games for PS3 will be sold here, as well as movies, TV shows and music. Microsoft already is selling TV shows and renting movies via Xbox Live Marketplace. Nintendo also has a rich offering of classic games for Wii. Gamers can buy an assortment of classic Nintendo, Sega and Turbo Grafx16 games through the Wii Shop and play them with the new Wii classic controller. All three systems support Wi-Fi and broadband connectivity, which opens up the gaming console to new digital distribution possibilities.

CBS Jumps On Pro Gaming Bandwagon

2006-12-05T11:55:00.000-05:00

CBS is the first major network to jump on the professional videogame phenomenon that's been quietly sweeping the nation. After networks like MTV, GamePlay HD, G4, HD Net, SpikeTV and USA Networks (through an ad buy with Major League Gaming) have all been airing or greenlighting programming around pro gamers; CBS will air a full one-hour special on the World Series of Video Games (WSVG) on December 30 at 3 p.m. The special will explore the lives of pro gamers--young college-aged kids who win hundreds of thousands of dollars by playing PC and console videogames at tournaments around the world.

CBS already has delved into pro gaming through "60 Minutes" with two segments featuring Johnathan "FATAL1TY" Wendel, who's considered the best PC pro gamer in the world today. He even signed on as a consultant for that show. Now the network is going to test the waters even more with a full hour of pro gaming. If that show gets decent ratings, don't be surprised if CBS Sports gets interested in e-sports. After all, most of the young audience today aren't watching network TV shows when they air. Most TiVo what they want to watch and game during prime time hours. Pro gaming is one way to try to lure these viewers back. Gamers are the key demographic for advertisers today, which is why in-game ad deals are through the roof.

The WSVG will also be seen on GamePlay HD in high definition, as well as CBS-owned College Sports Television (CSTV). These two networks will broadcast about 19 hours of pro gaming drama. The Finals are being held in New York City this month. They'll be taped and rolled into multiple segments for these two networks.

Burger King Partners with Konami's "Dance Dance Revolution"

2006-12-04T12:26:00.000-05:00

Burger King continues to target gamers with its fast food. The Home of the Whopper is currently selling a trio of $5 Xbox 360 games starring the King. The fast food giant, which has so far avoided the type of negative publicity that rival McDonald's has received with "Super Size Me" and "Fast Food Nation"--despite the fact that Burger King is the home to some of the most fattening sandwiches; is teaming up with Konami Digital Entertainmentto promote "healthy" living with the "Dance Dance Revolution" videogame franchise.

Rather than offering some type of game demo, something that now has a precedent with the original Xbox 360 games, Burger King is supposedly promoting healthy living by giving away one of eight "Dance Dance Revolution" toys in their Kids Meals from December 4 through 31. Although the Kids Meals offer low fat milk and apple sauce as choices, the odds are most kids aren't going to a fast food restaurant for these products.

The irony in this deal is one of those things that makes you read the press release twice. The reason America is the fattest nation and that many kids are overweight and obese is because of fast food and videogames. Konami's hit game franchise, along with Nintendo's new Wii, are the exception to the rule in the videogame world; because they encourage kids to get off the couch and interact with the on-screen characters. That's why the "Dance Dance Revolution" game is being used by school's across the country to help kids exercise. The game's even in the 24 Hour Fitness gym chain.

What could have been a win-win for kids--giving everyone a free demo of the game on PlayStation 2 or Xbox--now seems like a wasted effort. Giving away free toys does not promote healthy eating--at least not any more than fast food in the guise of a healthy Kids Meal. I'm all for Konami's "Dance Dance Revolution" franchise, I just think this could have been a great promotion for healthy kids, rather than just making a fast buck.

GamePlay HD Bring Pro Gaming to the Web

2006-12-01T15:27:00.000-05:00

Pro gaming continues to grow as an industry in the U.S., which is behind the times when it comes to professional gamers battling it out for hundreds of thousands of dollas. Eruopean countries and Korea have elevated pro gamers to sports athlete status.

Voom HD Networks' GamePlay HD, the high-definition game channel available on the DISH Network, is bringing the World Series of Videogames to anyone with a computer starting today. Gamers who haven't yet made the leap to HD TV can view full episodes of pro gaming shows in HD online. New episodes will be posted every Friday.

In December, the GamePlay HD Web site will feature the network's coverage of the World Series of Video Games presented by Intel. Episodes posted online will focus on three of the tournaments - LANWAR: Quake 4 in Kentucky, DREAMHACK: CounterStrike, the world's largest LAN party hosted in Sweden, and the heated tournament battles of the Intel Summer Championship waged in Dallas, Texas.

Aimed at the 76 million gamers in the U.S., GamePlay HD is now the only 24/7 high-definition video-game network. G4, which never focused on HD programming, but launched as a game network, has changed its focus away from games this year. GamePlay HD covers the top game tournaments from around the world, and produces a slate of original programs that provide entertainment, news, reviews and previews for all kinds of gamers.

You can also catch pro gaming coverage on MTV's Web site.

"Dungeon Siege" Movie Shows Promise

2006-12-01T15:12:00.000-05:00

"In the Name of the King: A Dungeon Siege Tale," the $60 million fantasy movie based on Gas Powered Games' PC game franchise, "Dungeon Siege," is finished. Director Uwe Boll, who has focused on turning videogames into movies--many of which were pretty bad--finally has made a decent film. I was able to screen a rough cut of the theatrical film, which clocks in just north of two hours, in Vancouver, British Columbia this week. I was on the set of the film twice last year to interview the cast, which includes Jason Statham, Ray Liotta, Leelee Sobieski, Ron Pearlman, Claire Forlani, Matthew Lillard, Burt Reynolds and John Rhys-Davies. So it was interesting to see the near-final product.

There are several factors that separate "Dungeon Siege" from debacles like "House of the Dead" and "Alone in the Dark." For one, Boll brought in acclaimed action director and choreographer Tony Ching ("House of Flying Dagger," "Hero") to helm the film's many action sequences. That's worked wonders in the film, which has several massive battles between the Krugs (the human-like monsters from the game) and the King's armies. These battles, which occur in the woods and feature tree fights as well as in the rain at night, have a big budget feel. In fact, the entire movie looks like a $100 million production. The special effects are all top notch. The only thing in the movie that lacks a "Lord of the Rings" feel are the krugs, which at times look like stuntmen in rubber suits rather than monsters.

The other thing that's in Boll's favor are the actors. In the past, Boll has directed actors like Steohen Dorff, Tara Reid and Michelle Rodriguez. This time around, Boll brought in a truly great cast of actors and it shows on screen. While not everyone is on top of their game, John Rhys-Davies, Jason Statham, Ron Pearlman and Leelee Sobieski all deliver solid performances. Ray Liotta is fun to watch as the film's villain, although the actor doesn't need to worry about any new Oscar nods. With so many characters to follow, the story could have been bogged down with boring dialogue--something Boll has not done well in past films--but the pace of this movie moves briskly and there's enough action throughout to keep everything moving forward at a solid pace. This is the first film that Boll has made that I can honestly recommend to people. It's not the best movie ever made, but it is the best movie Boll has ever done. He's certainly come a long way over the years, and faced off against (and even boxed against) very harsh critics.

"Dungeon Siege" has screened at the American Film Institute and several critics have praised the film. Boll has sold the movie to 20th Century Fox for a German release in summer 2007. The movie is expected to open in North America at some point next year, but Boll is still negotiating with movie studios.

Microsoft Teams Up with ESPN "SportsCenter"

2006-11-28T14:22:00.000-05:00

Gamers looking for a free Xbox 360 or a trip to ESPN's Bristol, Connecticut headquarters need to tune in to tonight's "SportsCenter" at 8 p.m. or one of its reruns. Microsoft is sponsoring the broadcast tonight and is showing seven minutes of ads, including a new "Cops and Robbers" spot and "Gears of War." The broadcast kicks off a three-week online sweepstakes that will ask gamers five questions about the ads. Anyone who gets three answers correct will be entered into the sweepstakes.

"The Ultimate Xbox 360 Entertainment Experience" runs through December 18 and prizes include that trip to Bristol, Xbox 360s and entertainment centers, and Xbox 360 games. If you miss the original broadcast, you can always catch the ads online to enter for your chance to win.

ESPN has ramped up its videogame coverage in recent years. ESPN.com, which I write for, now has its own videogame section with lots of news, previews and athlete interviews. If you haven't checked it out yet (it's not that easy to find on the home page), here's a link.

The second season of "Madden Nation" debuts December 13 on ESPN2 at midnight and it will rerun throughout the week. Gamers go for $100,000 in cash over the course of this show, which pits the best "Madden NFL 07" players against one another.

Local Game Sells Epic Numbers

2006-11-22T18:11:00.000-05:00

"Gears of War," the Xbox 360 exclusive shooter developed here in Cary, NC by Epic Games, has sold 2 million copies in its first two weeks. It's the fastest-selling next generation game this year. (EA's "Madden NFL 07" sold over 2 million copies in its first week across platforms.) The game also nudged aside "Halo 2" to become the most popular online game on Xbox Live. And people are also buying Xbox 360s to play the game or jumping online for the first time because of it, as Xbox Live Gold membership purchases are up 50 percent since the game launched.

Gamers are fickly customers and they only buy quality titles, especially this time of year when there are so many games flooding store shelves. "Gears of War" has been named the best next gen game by 45 game outlets around the world and has rated a 95 percent average score at GameRankings.com, which aggregregates game reviews from print and online game outlets.

There's good news for gamers who have played through to the first game's ending. According to a recent interview with Jeff Bell, Microsoft's corporate vice president of global marketing for Interactive Entertainment Business, "Gears of War" is the first of a trilogy of games. Anyone who's played through the first game's single-player story knows that a second one was coming, but this means that "Gears" will get the "Halo" treatment from Microsoft.

When the dust settles at the end of this year, two local game makers, Epic and Red Storm Entertainment, which made "Tom Clancy's Ghost Recon Advanced Warfighter," will be responsible for two of the best-selling games in the world in 2006.

PlayStation 3 or Taco Bell for Life?

2006-11-21T12:05:00.000-05:00

Taco Bell is the latest company to jump in on the PlayStation 3 frenzy. The fast food giant is offering one PS3 owner the chance to trade in his or her new gaming system for $12,500 worth of Taco Bell bucks, which the company said will last a lifetime of Mexican food. In exchange for this trade, Taco Bell will donate the next generation console to the Stanton Teen Center of the Boys & Girls Club of America. This offer is only good for the first gamer to make the trade.

Of course, anyone who finds a PS3 can also flip it on Ebay.com, where people are paying thousands of dollars for the console. One insane gamer actually paid $15,000 for a PS3 online. Many of the people who stood in line for the PS3 weren't gamers, but were middlemen looking to make some serious cash by selling the next gen consoles online for a quick profit.

Despite all of the reports of PS3 being in short supply nationwide, there is always the chance of finding one here in the Triangle. A friend of mine got a $500 PS3 at a Wal-Mart yesterday. It was just sitting there. So those who are intrepid enough to seek out the PS3 may indeed find one.

Wiis will be in more plentiful supply this Christmas. Retailers are already getting fresh hardware stock for Nintendo's new system. When new PS3s hit stores is still a question mark, so it's more likely you'll find a Wii than a PS3 this year. And for those thinking about flipping a Wii on Ebay.com? They only are bringing in a few hundred dollars more than the $250 price point.

Win a Free PlayStation 3

2006-11-20T13:38:00.000-05:00

While some retailers, like CompUSA, are forcing gamers to buy $1,799 Sony HDTVs to get a $600 PlayStation 3 this holiday, others are giving the hot next generation consoles away for free. TigerDirect.com, which sells computers and electronics, is giving away five PS3s this week.

The sweepstakes began November 17 and runs through November 26. Participants are automatically entered via any purchase on TigerDirect.com, or by completing all requested sweepstakes information. A total of five $600 PS3s will be given away and one winner will be selected in a random drawing every other business day for 10 days from among all entries received the prior two days. Winners’ names will be posted on the Web site for 24 hours, and entrants must visit the Web site daily to see if they have been selected as a winner.

With supply shortages expected thoughout the first quarter of 2007, the only other way to get a PS3 this Christmas is to pay extortion prices for the hardware on Ebay. Of course, some people have also resorted to stealing the consoles from stores or robbing the lucky few gamers who had pre-ordered the devices. But that kind of illegal activity is just plain sickening. It's just a videogame system, and for those who have the patience to wait--and the money to spend--it won't be any different next year. In fact, there will be a lot more great games for PS3 then.

The Next Generation War

2006-11-17T13:44:00.000-05:00

While there will be plenty of mainstream news stories on PlayStation 3 and Wii throughout Christmas, the real battle for next generation supremacy won't kick into gear until 2007 and beyond. The $500 and $600 PS3 price tags are clearly aimed at the hardcore gamers that think nothing of spending any amount of money to be the first to own a new console. Just check Ebay.com and see what people are paying for the console, or head over to CompUSA where the only way to buy a $600 PS3 is to fork over an additional $1,800 or more for a Sony HDTV, as well.

Sony will drop the price of its console next year, and will continue to do so over the coming years. That $130 PS2 you can buy today launched at $300 six years ago. Prices will come down for Microsoft's Xbox 360 as well, which currently sells for $300 and $400. This is where Nintendo will have the clear advantage in 2007, because it's starting at $250 off the bat. Unlike Sony and Microsoft, which lose money on each piece of hardware they sell; Nintendo has streamlined its box. It's not losing a boatload of money at $250 and this will allow it to reduce the price next year when the price is right. Factor in the free game that comes with Wii and you already have a bargain--as long as you can find one of these devices.

One that that was established with the current generation war is that there's room in the market for three competitors. Sony, Microsoft and Nintendo aren't going anywhere. That means gamers will have three choices for next generation consoles and beyond. The hardcore gamer's going to buy all three consoles. When you factor in the price points, mainstream gamers who already have an Xbox 360 can pick up a Wii and a seven games for just the price of a PS3 system.

People are always asking me which system is better: PS3 or Xbox 360. Well, today, it's Xbox 360. Microsoft has 160 next gen games out now, including must-haves like "Gears of War" and games for the whole family like "Viva Pinata." Beginning November 22, you'll be able to buy TV shows on Xbox Live Marketplace and download HD movies for rental through your game box. And HD games, HD-DVD movies (if you pick up the $200 add-on) and HD content via Xbox Live all look awesome through Xbox 360. So this is a safe system to buy, especially considering the three new "Halo" games in development.

While "Resistance: Fall of Man" is THE game to have on PS3, the initialial line-up, while large, isn't on part with some of the second generation Xbox 360 games. But if you remember back to some of those PS2 launch games like "Fantavision," "X-Squad" and "Wild Wild Racing;" it wasn't until the following year that the system really started to take form. The same will happen with PS3, as developers get a handle on the hardware and larger games that take advantage of the Blu-ray Disc's 50 GB of storage are released. Those who wait will also save some money on the hardware. And there are plenty of people who will wait, because Sony has done a great job of building its PlayStation brand. Next year will also see the digital distribution of music, movies and TV shows via PlayStation Network.

As for Wii, that system stands in a class by itself. It's next generation in name only, when it comes to visuals. But it's revolutionary when it comes to its controls. You can't go wrong buying a Wii. The real choice for most people will be to go with Microsoft for what's best now, or wait for Sony to reduce the price and realize the power of PS3 next year.

Wii Test Drive

2006-11-16T13:57:00.000-05:00

Wii is gaming at its most basic form, which is a great thing for an industry that has turned away a lot of potential gamers with complicated controllers and button schemes. Nintendo has proved that there's a huge untapped gaming audience that's open to new interactive opportunities with its Nintendo DS Lite portable and games like "Brain Age" and "Nintendogs." This same philosophy has been implemented into Wii.

Anyone who can hold a TV remote control can get hooked on Wii games. I've seen it happen with friends and non-gamers alike, since I've had a Wii here to play with. Wii is all about the controls, which uses the Wii Remote like a wireless PC mouse to navigate the on-screen options. Once you pop in a game--and Wii is the only console to come packed-in with a full game with "Wii Sports"--the controller can be used in a myriad of ways to connect the gamer to the virtual world. With "Wii Tennis," the remote is used like a tennis racket to hit backhand and forward shots back across the grass. In "Wii Bowling," the controller is used to replicate rolling the ball down the lane. In "Excite Truck," the controller is held like a steering wheel to steer the off-road vehicles at blazing speeds through dirt roads and mountains. In "Tony Hawk's Downhill Jam," the controller is held the same way to control the skateboard as you zoom down crowded city streets.

Wii's graphics don't feature 1080p HD visuals, but they don't need too. They look better than GameCube games (and Wii plays all old GameCube games). But you'll get lost in the game experience. The visuals don't matter. When you look at the greatest games of all time--those that have resonated through the decades--"Pac-Man," "Donkey Kong," "Mario Bros.," "Pong," and "Asteroids"--none of these games had great visuals. But they're great, addictive games. Wii takes gaming back to these days and adds a new physical dimension to gameplay. Gamers are forced to get up off their butts and interact with these worlds in new ways. Wii will be bought for kids, but parents will be sucked into these games. And Nintendo has made almost all of its games multiplayer for up to four players--and you can even share the same Remote controller.

There will be more Wii's around this year than PS3, but don't expect the console to be easily found. Nintendo's spending $200 million to market this awesome new gaming device, and the word-of-mouth is already spreading. This is THE game console to own this Christmas. And there are plenty of great games ready for launch, and more to come next year and beyond.

Like icing on a cake, Wii also offers a Virtual Console that allows you to buy classic Nintendo and Sega games and play them on the new system. It's like an arcade machine in a very small, ergonomically-designed white box. And it's the box that most kids (of all ages) will want under their Christmas trees this year.

PlayStation 3 Test Drive

2006-11-15T14:02:00.000-05:00

I've had a PlayStation 3 and Nintendo Wii since last Friday and I've had some time to play around with a handful of games. Both Sony and Nintendo have been focusing on retail, so media members are still waiting for the bulk of the launch titles from third-party game companies.

I'll focus on PS3 today, since it ships Friday November 17. The device is sleek and heavy, especially when compared to the slim PS2. For those who haven't bought a PS2 yet, Sony just shipped a silver limited edition model for $130. For those keeping track this year, Sony's PS2 has been selling Xbox 360 all year long, so it's still a viable system with at least another four years of life left in it and 100 million consoles in global homes (35 million in the U.S. alone).

Back to PS3, the games slide into the front right slot, as well as Blu-ray Disc movies. The first 500,000 PS3s will include a free "Talladega Nights" movie in the box. That movie is one that can be enjoyed over and over again, and the colors really stand out on a 1080p HDTV. I've been testing the next generation systems on a 720p Vizio HDTV, which you can purchase for $1,000. Sony's expecting a lot of people to buy HDTVs this year with their game consoles. They're promoting their Bravia HDTVs at 15,000 retailer kiosks nationwide. In general, HDTV prices will drop this Christmas to about $1,000 for many 42" screen devices. By the end of the year, a total of 30 million HDTVs are expected to be in U.S. homes.

Although PS3 games and movies play on standard definition, they don't look nearly as good as they do in HD. The one game that really stands out from the crowd of PS3 launch titles is "Resistance: Fall of Man" from Insomniac Games, maker of the "Ratchet & Clank" franchise. This Mature-rated sci-fi shooter throws you right into the action in single-player. It's the kind of game that you can jump into and immediately lose hours playing. I was able to play multiplayer at the Insomniac Studio in Los Angeles a few months back and that's where the replay value is. Up to 40 players can take part in the online action, playing as humans or Chimera in a variety of team-based and every-man-for-himself style games. Anyone who can actually buy a PS3 this year (and there will only be 1 million in the U.S. by year's end) will want to pick up this game.

Other games I got to play around with include "NBA 2K7," NHL 2K7," "Madden NFL 07," "Tony Hawk's Project 8" and "Marvel: Ultimate Alliance." All of these games are also available on other platforms, some for both Xbox 360 and Wii. There are some new features that take advantage of the SixAxis controllers. The new PS2 wireless controllers are very light, because they no longer have the rumble capabilities of PS2 controllers. Instead, they have a motion-sensor controller that allows you to shoot free throws by pushing the whole controller forward or make saves in hockey by positioning the goalie at the right angle to stop a blistering slapshot. Most of the PS3 games have some type of motion-sensor control options to make up for the lack of rumble. It's a toss-up, because a lot of gamers are used to the vibration of the older controllers. Others, who like the Wii controller, get a simplified version with the SixAxis.

Although $600 seems like a lot of money to some for a game console, PS3 is much more than that. It's an entertainment hub for the living room. It's broadband PlayStation Network offers free online gaming. In the near future, music, movies and TV shows will be able to be downloaded to the PS3 hard drive. And it plays next generation Blu-ray Disc movies and games out of the box. And since it will be in short supply this year, most gamers will have to wait until 2007 to get one of these systems in their homes. But next year should also bring about the first wave of price cuts on hardware. I expect games to stick with the $60 price tag for as long as consumers are will to pay that.

MTV Goes Gaming 2.0

2006-11-10T11:41:00.001-05:00

MTV, which has lost its top slot in the music business to videogames, continues to embrace the medium. Beginning November 14, the MTV networks will broadcast 40 hours of videogame programming to coincide with the launches of PlayStation 3 and Wii. MTV's Gamer's Week 2.0 will include specials on the PS3 and Wii, as well as "Gears of War: Race to Launch," which features local developer Epic Games.

The network will offer content across all of its TV channels, as well as online via its new gaming portal. There will even be 20 segments available via MTV Mobile to play on cell phones. It's a huge push for the network, which has recently purchased its own game developer in Harmonix (maker of "Guitar Hero II") and bought up gaming sites like Gametrailers.com and Xfire.com. Both of those sites will be part of the festivities. And MTV is working on several "Guitar Hero" segments, including a full show around the hit franchise.

November and December typically account for over half of the game sales in the U.S. each year. This month will be especially important with two next generation console launches. The fact that MTV has decided to make this an annual event shows that gaming IS a part of pop culture today...and that's not going to change.

The Voting Has Just Begun for Best Games

2006-11-10T11:41:00.000-05:00

While the political elections have come and gone, voting has just opened up for the fourth annual SpikeTV Video Game Awards (VGAs). Gamers can go to Spiketv.com and vote in 28 different categories, ranging from "Game of the Year" to "Best Cast" to "Most Addictive." Once all of your votes are tallied, SpikeTV will tape the show in Los Angeles on December 8 at the USC Galen Center. The show will debut on SpikeTV on December 13 in a two-hour block.

Because there are so many Hollywood actors and big bands in games today, these categories have been created to infuse the show with star power. Samuel L. Jackson will host the show for the second time. And Hollywood names that will attend include Johnny Depp, James Gandolfini, James Woods, Patrick Stewart, Kiefer Sutherland, and Brittany Murphy.

The big games of the show, in terms of nominations, are "Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion," which had 10 nominations including "Game of the Year" and "Most Addictive." Local developer Epic Games earned six nominations for "Gears of War" including "Studio of the Year" and "Game of the Year."

Make sure you vote for your favorite games and watch the show. There will be a slew of new game trailers debuting on the broadcast, just like last year.

A Marvel-ous Time for Games

2006-11-07T13:11:00.000-05:00

Marvel comic book fans are in for a very big videogame year in 2007. In addition to a slew of new movies hitting the big screen, there will also be many new interactive experiences from a variety of game publishers.

After releasing the original "Fantastic Four" movie-based game last year, Activision has dropped the license. 2K Games will bring "Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer" to current and next generation game consoles in June along with the new movie. 2K Games is also bringing the game based on the February "Ghost Rider" movie and comic out early next year.

Activision does have plenty of Marvel games. In addition to the recently released "Marvel: Ultimate Alliance," Activision has "Spider-Man 3" slated for May 2007 in conjunction with the third film's release. Activision also has "Spider-Man Trilogy" shipping next fall. Activision also owns the rights to the "X-Men" franchise and released a game with the third film this past summer.

Sega just picked up the rights to "Iron Man," which is the first movie being made by the new Marvel Studios. The game publisher is also working on another, undisclosed, Marvel game.
Electronic Arts has a new "Marvel Nemesis" game in development for late 2007. And Konami is bringing its popular "Marvel vs." card game to game systems early next year.

"South Park" Targets Nintendo Wii

2006-11-04T15:02:00.000-05:00

Just a month after developing an entire story around the "World of Warcraft" game with the help of game maker Blizzard Entertainment, the "South Park" creators have turned their attention to another gaming phenomenon--Nintendo Wii. The first of a two-part episode is currently airing on Comedy Central. Unlike the "World of Warcraft" episode, which focused solely on that massively multiplayer online game and had a lot of humor that only gamers would get; this Nintendo episode was done the traditional way--without the approval of the company.

And unlike the "World of Warcraft" episode, which was pretty tame by "South Park" standards, this new show has Wii as the central story line, but intercuts that story with everything from sex change operation jokes to homosexuality. Clearly, this is not the type of comedy Nintendo, a game company known for kid-friendly games like "Mario" and "Donkey Kong," would approve of. So far, the first of the two-part story is nowhere nearly as funny as the "World of Warcraft" episode, which actually used in-game footage to tell the story.

The new show focuses on Cartman, who can't wait to buy Nintendo Wii and EV Games, so he buries himself in snow to be awakened by Butters on November 19, the launch day. An avalanche happens, causing Cartman to be lost until 500 years later (a la "Buck Rogers and the 25th Century"). The fact that the Wii, which hasn't even shipped, has been the subject of "South Park" is good for Nintendo from a marketing perspective. Anyone who watched that show knows that 90 percent of the ads are for videogames. The Nintendo Wii episode was packed with ads for Sony PlayStation 2-exclusive "Final Fantasy XII" and Xbox 360-exclusive "Gears of War." There were no ads for Wii shown, although with this type of free in-game placement, it's not like Nintendo needs it.

Microsoft Game Contest Offers Students Trip to Georgia Aquarium

2006-11-01T10:48:00.000-05:00

Microsoft Game Studios is giving students the chance to win a free trip to the world's largest aaquarium, the Georgia Aquarium. In conjunction with its new PC game expansion pack, "Zoo Tycoon 2: Marine Mania," kids in Grades 6 through 8 can submit a 250- to 500-word essay focusing on why ocean conservation and the protection of marine mammals is important.

The grand prize winner of the contest receives a trip for four to Atlanta and a special behind-the-scenes tour of the Georgia Aquarium, where the winner and his or her family can observe whale sharks and African black-footed penguins in their natural habitats from exclusive views of the exhibits. They can also speak directly with staff biologists to learn more about how to take care of the marine animals. Runners-up receive copies of “Zoo Tycoon 2” and all franchise expansion packs, including “Zoo Tycoon 2: Marine Mania.”

According to Microsoft research, aquariums are the top choice when kids are asked about field trip destinations. The Georgia Aquarium has 100,000 animals from 500 species. Those students who can't make it down to Georgia can build their own aquarium and take care of the mammals in the new PC game expansion pack.

Those who do visit the Georgia Aquarium will soon be able to play the game in its Learning Loop. Microsoft has teamed up with the aquarium for its education programs and will use the "Zoo Tycoon" franchise as an educational tool for kids.

Videogame Halloween Costumes

2006-10-31T12:42:00.000-05:00

Videogame fans now have options available at stores to slip into their favorite game character costume for Halloween. California Costume Collections has licensed Capcom and High Moon Studios vampire western videogame, "Darkwatch," for Halloween. It's the first officially licensed game character costume for the company. Available at retailers like Spencer's Gifts and Party City, gamers can don the official duds of vampire-hunter Jericho Cross.

The Darkwatch costume line includes the Jericho Cross costume package in three adult and two child sizes, with Hat, Eye Patch, full-length Western Duster, Cowl Hood, Vest, Badge, Belt and Boot Tops. Accessories include the Darkwatch Redeemer Revolver, Armored Gloves and Armor Knee Pads.

If sales this Halloween go well, it's likely we'll see more characters from this game, and other game companies targeted for licensed costumes. With the popularity of videogames today, it makes sense for the game makers to cash in just as Hollywood and comic book companies do with licensed costumes every fall.

Gears of War Goes Hollywood

2006-10-27T17:29:00.000-04:00

I had the privelege of spending the day at Epic Games in Cary, along with 25 winners of Microsoft's "Gears of War" Backstage Pass Contest from around the globe. These winners got a behind-the-scenes tour of the state-of-the-art studio, an introduction to the game by videogame creator Cliffy B, and the first chance to play all of the multiplayer maps in the not-yet-released game. November 12 is "Emergence Day," but beginning November 7 the Xbox 360 game will begin arriving in stores around the country.

It's been a busy week for Epic. Cliff and the gang attended a Hollywood launch party at a cemetary mauseleum earlier in the week with Lindsey Lohan and other stars in attendence. Then it was back to Cary for the Backstage Pass. Part of Hollywood came with Epic, as MTV production crews taped the entire event as part of a 30-minute TV show called "Gears of War: Race to Launch," a follow-up to the "Gears of War: Race to E3" show that aired earlier this year. MTV had multiple camera crews following the day's events and interviewing the game makers, the winners from other countries (including a guy who already has a "Gears" tattoo"), and some of the journalists covering the event, including me.

Another Hollywood tie-in will come to anyone who sees a movie this weekend. Microsoft has the "Gears of War" trailer playing on the big screen across the country. That same trailer is available for download on Xbox Live. It's quite a piece of powerful marketing and everything in the trailer is gameplay.

As for that "Gears of War" game. The multiplayer is excellent. All of the maps were up and running, including a cool subway station with moving trains that will run over anyone in their way. The single-player game is something that I'll get a better feel for this weekend. But having played a bit of it, I can tell you that so far, the game matches the unprecedented amount of hype that Microsoft and the gaming community has created for it. "Gears of War" is definitely the killer app that will help Microsoft sell Xbox 360s this year and beyond. And it has the potential to be a strong franchise like "Halo."

This marks the second blockbuster game this year from the Triangle, as both Red Storm Entertainment's "Tom Clancy's Ghost Recon Advance Warfighter" and Epic's "Gears of War" will top the sales charts for the year when all is said and done.

Videogame Prices Are Falling

2006-10-26T11:14:00.000-04:00

Just as the leaves fall to the ground around this time every year, so do current generation videogame prices. Electronic Arts, the largest game maker in the world, was the first to slash prices this week on PlayStation 2 and Xbox games. Anyone who's familiar with the game industry knows that those who wait till be rewarded with savings.

EA cut the price of its bestselling "Madden NFL 07" on Xbox and PS2 from $50 to $40 this week. A total of 10 EA games across PS2 and Xbox all received similar slashes, including "Tiger Woods PGA TOUR 07" and "NCAA Football 07." Other games, like "NHL 07" ($30) and "NBA Live 07" ($40) shipped at lower rates because of competition from 2K Sports, which still sells brand new games like "NBA 2K7" ($30) and "NHL 2K7" ($20) for low prices from the get-go on Xbox and PS2.

The reason for these cuts, and I expect other companies to follow suit as we head into Thanksgiving, is to try to sell as many copies as possible before the shelves get really crowded. November and December account for over half the annual videogame sales for the industry. As a result, all the game publishers release their biggest games in October and November, which crowds shelves. This year, we also have the launch of two new systems with PlayStation 3 and Wii.

One thing that won't change is the pricing of next gen games, which still go for $50 to $60. That's because the gamers are willing to spend whatever price to get the best games first. The current generation gamers are often more casual, or those who are willing to wait for a better deal. And they're being rewarded at the cash register.

The Top 50 Videogame Journalists in the World

2006-10-21T12:04:00.000-04:00

The international daily videogame news service Next-Gen.biz recently did a feature on the 50 most influential videogame reporters in the world today. Yours truly made the list (page 4) and this very column is mentioned in the story. While it's an honor to be on this short list, it's worth noting the wide range of TV, online and print journalists who are behind the burgeoning gaming industry. Each writer has a picture, which allows some of you to put a face to the names you're probably very familiar with.

According to a recent online survey from GamesPress, there are roughly 17,000 journalists in the world today covering videogames. While this number doesn't cover every small blog and gaming Web site, it does show that there's quite a lot of writing going on in the games business.

And yet as the game industry grows (it's expected to top $44 billion from it's current $30 billion in a few years), the industry is pretty small. Every time I attend a press event, it's the same small group of 50 or so reporters who are there. Even the international events rarely have more than 100 reporters, outside of an E3. And once you're in the industry, it's something you never leave. Whether a reporter, marketer, PR rep or developer, the same people tend to move from company to company and job to job, but almost all of them stay in the industry. It's not surprising, though. I also cover beats like sports and entertainment for some of my outlets, especially since just about everything converges with videogames these days. There's simply not another field out there as interesting and entertaining to cover. So those who are fortunate enough to enter this club, never, ever leave.

EA Takes Def Jam Next Gen

2006-10-18T13:16:00.000-04:00

Electronic Arts is bringing its best-selling "Def Jam" game franchise to Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 in March 2007. "Def Jam: Icon" is the latest game developed in Chicago in collaboration with Def Jam Interactive.

The fighting franchise will feature a long list of hip hop stars like Ludacris, Big Boi, and T.I. who will be playable characters in the game. For the first time in the series, music and rythmn will be incorporated into the fighting mechanics of the gameplay. In addition, the environments will be more interactive than past brawlers with more hazards.

The new game will allows gamers to live the life of a hip hop mogul, going from rags to riches. Those riches will come from beating down opponents. Each of the hip hop stars featured in the new game will have unique fighting styles. New controls will better replicate these styles, making each fighter feel unique.

For those who don't want to wait until March, "Def Jam Vendetta" and "Def Jam: Fight for New York" are currently available on current generation consoles. All of these games are rated Mature for violence and language.

2006-10-17T16:14:00.000-04:00

Nintendo DS is helping the videogame industry to a record year--and that's before the big months of November and December are tallied. Traditionally, these two months account for half of all game sales in a year.

According to new data from The NPD Group, through September's end, the U.S. videogame industry experienced revenue growth of 11 percent when compared with the same period in 2005. Nearly all of the growth came from the portable DS--without it, the industry would have reported a mere 1.6 percent growth over the past nine months. DS hardware and software units posted a robust gain of 203 percent when compared to the same period in 2005.

The news is the same globally: Nintendo recently announced estimated full-year shipments for DS hardware will grow to 20 million units from 17 million units worldwide, while estimated DS software shipments increased to 82 million units from 75 million.

The NPD numbers also indicate that during September, Nintendo has reached an installed base in the U.S. of more than 6.2 million units. That total includes more than 1.4 million units of the new Nintendo DS Lite systems, which launched just 16 weeks ago on June 11.

This summer, Nintendo launched its Touch Generations brand to help newcomers to video games identify which nontraditional and pick-up-and-play titles are appropriate for them. The response from consumers has been enthusiastic, as four of the top 10 best-selling Nintendo DS games are Touch Generations titles: "Brain Age: Train Your Brain in Minutes a Day" and the three versions of "Nintendogs." And at the same time, avid players also are fueling growth: the "New Super Mario Bros." game is the third best-seller among all video games this year, including console games.

According to internal statistics, Nintendo said the Touch Generation games are attracting a significant percentage of female gamers. In addition, many of these gamers are over 25 years of age. Traditionally, Nintendo's Game Boy and Game Boy Advance portables targeted a younger demographic, but that's evolving with Nintendo DS as gamers grow up and new consumers are trying out the dual screen system.

Nintendo Launches Pokemon Contest

2006-10-17T14:15:00.000-04:00

"Pokemon" fans can win a free Nintendo DS Lite system and the new "Pokemon Mystery Dungeon" videogames. A new contest, which runs through November 5, challenges "Pokemon" fans to create photos or artwork that explain why there were turned into a Pokemon and what life is like as one of the videogame characters.

The new games, which both ranked in the Top 10 for September game sales in the U.S. and helped Nintendo sell over 400,000 Nintendo DS devices in one month, allow gamers to become Pokemon for the first time. They can also interact directly with these creatures, which have starred in a number of feature films and have a TV series, collectible card games, toys and other merchandise.

Nintendo has had great success with the "Pokemon" franchise over the past decade. Each new console and handheld system has had multiple "Pokemon" games. That tradition will continue when Nintendo launches its new Wii system, which will be available November 19, although any "Pokemon" games won't be released until next year for that system. Gamers have Gam Boy Advance SP and Nintendo DS "Pokemon Mystery Dungeon" games to tide them over until then.

Superman Returns in Videogames and Current and Next Gen DVD

2006-10-12T13:28:00.000-04:00

After a delay from its original summer release to fine-tune the gameplay, Electronic Arts will ship "Superman Returns: The Videogame" on November 20. The game marks the next generation debut for the Man of Steel on Xbox 360. It will also ship for PlayStation 2, Xbox, and Nintendo DS. Developed by EA's Tiburon Studio, the makers of the "Madden," "NCAA Football" and "NASCAR" game franchises; "Superman Returns" blends actors and elements from Bryan Singer's film with original content taken from the 60 years of comic book lore.

Gamers know that there has never been a decent Superman game released, but next generation technology may well change that. EA has invested a lot of money into this game, which creates an open world with 80 square miles of Metropolis to explore by air. The game also packs 100 missions into its interactive storyline. Aimed at the mass market, Superman will come equipped with all of his superpowers from the get-go, which means players will be able to fly, use X-Ray vision, freeze things with his breath and shoot intense heat rays from his eyes. This will come in handy when battling Lex Luthor and his minions, as well as classic comic book villains like Bizarro and Metallo.

"Superman Returns" will also be part of an extensive current and next generation DVD onslaught on November 28. Warner Bros. Home Entertainment is shipping the new film on DVD, HD-DVD and Blu-Ray Disc (BR-D), which means PS2, PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 owners will be able to play the film on current DVD and next gen DVD. Xbox 360 ships its $200 HD-DVD player in November and PS3 plays BR-D out of the box. Warner Bros. is also releasing the original "Superman: The Movie" and the new "Superman II: The Richard Donner Cut" on DVD, HD-DVD and BR-D.

For those super fans, Warner Bros. is releasing the $100 "Ultimate Superman Collection" on DVD. It spans 14 discs and includes all six films, as well as over 20 hours of extras. It also comes packed with a Superman comic and movie posters in a special collector's casing.

New Career Guide for Aspiring Game Makers

2006-10-12T13:01:00.000-04:00

Anyone interested in getting a job in the videogame industry now has a new online resource. The CMP Game Group, organizer of the Game Developers Conference (GDC) and producer of the Webby Award-winning Gamasutra.com, has created GameCareerGuide.com, the first Web site dedicated to unbiased career guidance in the video game industry. The CMP Game Group has taken their expertise offered through reports, such as Game Developer magazine's annual Game Career Guide, salary surveys, industry research and conference content to a live
forum with the new Web destination. The site provides comprehensive editorial coverage of career and workplace issues and offer resources to get into the game industry, including school and employment listings, tips, and networking support.

Aimed at a broad range of applicants, including high school and college students, academics, entry-level video game professionals and people involved in associated industries; the new site will offer guidance on what jobs are available and where, as well as how to get them. Videogame development is one of the leading growth industries today, and that's not expected to slow down any time soon.

The average videogame salary has increased 19 percent since 2001. Artists, game designers and programmers have average starting salaries from $45,000 to $55,000. Until now, there was no comprehensive, one-stop resource for those interested in making games to get information on everything from local and national job fairs, job openings and networking opportunities.

GameCareerGuide.com will also present the Game Career Seminar, Oct. 28 - 29,
2006 at the VGXPO which will take place at the Valley Forge Convention Center
outside of Philadelphia. In an effort to reach out to all aspiring game industry professionals, GameCareerGuide.com is now offering 5.000 free copies of the 2006 Game Career Guide digital edition.

Win Cash By Showing Your "F.E.A.R."

2006-10-10T16:33:00.000-04:00

Vivendi Games has partnered with GameTrailers.com to give gamers a chance to create a short film that focuses on their greatest fears. The "Show Us Your F.E.A.R." contest has a grand prize of $1,000 and the 10 finalists will have their short featured on the videogame channel at iFilm.com.

The promotion is for the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 introduction of "F.E.A.R.," a survival horror first-person shooter that Monolith created last year for PC. (F.E.A.R. stands for First Encounter Assault Recon.) Gamers can submit either live action or machinima videos (the popular art form that uses videogame technology to tell stories). On October 24, 10 finalists wil be announced and viewers will be able to cast their votes for the winner through october 29. On Halloween, the winner will be announced.

The new Xbox 360 (November 7) and PS3 games (November 14) introduce new single-player content to the franchise and expand the action-packed multiplayer gaming for next generation consoles. In addition, a PC expansion pack, "F.E.A.R.: Extraction Point," ships October 24. All of the games blend close-quarters combat with cutting-edge graphics, high-tech weaponry and an eerie single-player story line that has influences from Japanese horror films like "The Grudge."

Hilary Duff Stars in "The Sims 2 Pets" Game

2006-10-05T14:07:00.000-04:00

Electronic Arts has partnered with Hilary Duff for "The Sims 2 Pets" videogame. Duff and her Chihuahua Lola are featured in the PlayStation 2, GameCube and PC games, which ship October 17. Rod Humble, executive producer for The Sims Division of EA said that Duff was involved in creating her character and her dogs, as well as deciding which tricks Lola could perform in the new game.

“I’ve logged hundreds of hours playing The Sims games, so I jumped at the chance to be in 'The Sims 2 Pets,'” said Duff. “I love creating Sims characters and guiding them through life, designing their houses and then blinging them out with cool furniture. Now, in The Sims 2 Pets, EA has combined two things I really enjoy—pets and The Sims!”

"The Sims" is the most popular videogame franchise of all time with over 70 million units sold worldwide. Over half of these players are female. The new game focuses on Sims' pets like cats and dogs. Players, who already bond with their Sims, will now be able to interact and grow with these pets.

"The Sims 2 Pets" will allow players to create and control characters throughout their life while determining the outcome of their relationships and adventures. Players will be able to choose from a variety of existing cat and dog breeds and the hottest designer mixes. They’ll also be able to personally design their new friend with the Create-a-Pet feature. The ability to customize gives fans the opportunity to create their ideal pet by choosing their body shape, unique markings, and even their pet’s personality.

"South Park" Enters "World of Warcraft"

2006-10-05T13:47:00.000-04:00

Having tackled everything from Tom Cruise and Scientology to Mel Gibson and "The Passion," "South Park" creators Matt Stone and Trey Parker have set their sites on videogames. The new episode, called "Make Love, Not Warcraft," was developed in conjunction with massively multiplayer online (MMO) videogame developer Blizzard Entertainment, makers of "World of Warcraft."

For those who haven't heard of this gaming phenomenon yet, "World of Warcraft" has over 7 million players around the world hooked on exploring its fantasy world. The game is the first huge hit from a U.S. game maker in the MMO space, which is dominated by Korean companies like NcSoft and Webzen. Bizzard's 7 million subscribers has significantly raised the MMO bar. About five years ago, Sony Online Entertainment's addictive "EverQuest" game used to hook over 400,000 gamers. That game was called "EverCrack" by those who played, or those who knew people who played.

"World of Warcraft" has taken this addictive community questing to the next level. The new "South Park" episode features actual videogame graphics as the central characters from the show like Cartman, Stan, Kyle and Kenny explore the game world. Hearing their voices and seeing in-game graphics is funny in itself. But the show also pokes fun at Blizzard executives and at the gamers who spend all day "leveling up" in this world. One cartoon Blizzard exec says these players have no lives. And one of the running jokes, once an in-game character has mastered the game and is slaying all players, is how do you kill someone who has no life?

It's refreshing to see "South Park" work with the game development community to poke fun at this online phenomenon. Maybe this type of interaction with gamemakers will entice Stone and Parker to try out the videogame world again. The creators of the show were outspoken about the shoddy "South Park" games that Acclaim put out early in the show's 10 year run. In the right hands, "South Park" could emerge as a fun game, especially after seeing what 2K Games and the "Family Guy" creators have done with that new console game.

Fast Food Turns to Gaming

2006-10-02T19:00:00.000-04:00

The King is getting his own videogames. The popular mascot who shells Whoppers for Burger King made his videogame debut earlier this year in EA Sports' "Fight Night Round 3" as an unlockable player. Now the King is starring in his own Xbox and Xbox 360 games, which will cost $4 each with the purchase of a value meal between November 19 and December 24.

"Sneak King" allows players to interact in stealth gameplay. The objective is to sneak up on people and give them free Burger King food in locales like the city, a construction site and the suburbs.

"Pocketbike Racer," (pictured above) serves up five levels of racing action featuring
Burger King mascots like the King, the Subservient Chicken and Whopper Jr. Also included in this list is E! Entertainment's Brooke Burke, who doesn't look like she's ever eaten any fast food. This game supports up to four players on one Xbox or Xbox 360 and up to eight players over Xbox Live.

The same cast of mascots are also driving around in bumper cars in "Big Bumpin'," which includes various theme park settings. In addition to knocking into the competition, players will have to avoid obstacles like saws and bottomless pits. Multiplayer support will also be featured offline and online for this game.

Last month, McDonald's teamed up with Nintendo to offer active toys in Happy Meals that promoted fitness and featured videogame characters like Mario, Yoshi, and Donkey Kong. Unlike Burger King, which seems to be promoting eating fattening food and then sitting on the couch for a few hours, the McDonald's promotion was part of its recent focus on getting kids to exercise.

New Exer-Gaming Leagues Forming

2006-09-29T14:59:00.000-04:00

Competitive gaming is about to become more like a real sport. Powergrid Fitness has signed a deal with Teknik Digital Arts to create a joint venture company that will develop, manufacture, and market physically interactive videogame controllers and software to be used in new gaming leagues that will focus on sports games. Powergrid's technology is already in many gyms across the country. The Exer-station translates physical exercise into in-game movement.

John Ward, CRO of Teknik Digital Arts, said the Exer-station's sensors will make gameplay more immerseive because it puts players' mind in the game and gives their bodies a workout at the same time.

The Exer-station uses ISOCOR technology, which requires the use of isometric muscle contractions to control the game characters. Recent research has indicated that the system can increase metabolic rate five times resting levels and can burn 350 calories per hour. The technology integrates sensors to measure forces applied to the 24 inch tall universal video game controller (compatible with PlayStation, Xbox, GameCube, and PC). Two microprocessors are used to translate the pressure readings into a joystick data stream. An LCD status display shows total workout time, pounds lifted, calories burned, and current effort level.

The consumer version of the Exer-Station costs $200, but has the same type of health benefits as the Exer-Station PRO, which health clubs buy for $2,500.

Professional gaming leagues are taking off in the U.S., thanks in large part to coverage on TV networks. So far, all of these leagues allow gamers to sit on their butts. This new league will separate the athletes from the couch potatoes and bring professional gamers much closer to the pro athletes of today's sports arenas.

Gamers Can Win a Trip to Korea in Charlotte Competition

2006-09-28T00:14:00.000-04:00

On September 29, Pump It Up (PIU) players from across the nation will meet in Charlotte, NC to kick off the first-ever United States Pump It Up Festival (USPF), a two-day event centered around Pump It Up, the internationally acclaimed arcade dance game. The inaugural USPF will include PIU-themed activities and will feature the National PIU Competition to determine who advances on to represent the U.S. at the World Pump Festival later this year in Seoul, Korea, where top prizes of $30,000 await the winners of each division.

"Pump It Up: Zero," the latest dance game in the franchise, will be used in the tournament. The PlayStation 2 and Xbox game comes with a five-panel dance pad that allows gamers to move to the beat of the music. Unlike Konami's "Dance Dance Revoution," this game encourages players to actually dance to choreographed steps rather than just stomping on the right spot. The arcade game, which was created in Seoul, Korea, swept across Asia and South America and is now taking on the U.S.

The competition will be held at Shay Stage at Lake Park in the Charlotte suburb of Pineville, NC. On September 30, the U.S. Pump It Up Champions will be crowned in the divisions of Male Speed, Female Speed, and Freestyle. The event is free is free event for spectators who want to watch the best dancers in the country pull off their moves on the dance pads.

The U.S. winners will head to the World Pump It Up Finals 2006 this November in Seoul. This international competition will feature 20 nations vying for their share of the $146,000 purse. In addition to meeting the best players in the world, participants and guests to the WPF spend a four-day weekend together touring the host city, experiencing the local customs, and enjoying special events planned for the Festival.

"Stay Alive" DVD Adds New Twist to Hollywood Games

2006-09-26T11:36:00.000-04:00

There are over 40 movies in development in Hollywood based on videogames. While most directors attempt to take franchises like "Doom," "Halo" and "Castlevania" to the big screen, the gamers behind "Stay Alive" took a different approach.

Filmed in New Orleans before Katrina, this low-budget horror movie features an original videogame, called "Stay Alive," which unleashes a spirit that kills each gamer in real life the same way he or she died in the game world. The cool thing about this movie, which is now out on DVD, is that it's completely accessible to anyone. It plays like a solid horror movie with plenty of gore in the unrated director's cut. Gamers will pick up on a lot of the terminology, although there are a few mistakes (like horror survival instead of survival horror) in the script.

The one thing this film proves is that videogame graphics (in this case CGI done by a special effects house) can move a story on the big (or small) screen in traditional linear entertainment. There are several sequences completely in CGI that offer the same level of intensity as the live action sequences. Each of the actors, which includes Frankie Muniz and Jimmi Simpson, was recreated in the game world using a cyberscan. It's very easy to follow their virtual adventures in the game.

Another cool aspect of the story is that the evil spirit is based on a real legend. The film actually ends with sequel potential, which will allow the filmmakers more time to explore this evil entity down the line. "Stay Alive" performed well enough at the box office to warrant a second go-around.

There's also a local angle to this film, as Epic Games' Cliff Bleszinski served as the videogame consultant for the movie. He worked with the writer and director to ensure that the videogame aspects of the film were realistic.

New Hockey Games Hit the Ice

2006-09-16T14:11:00.000-04:00

Cam Ward makes a save in 2K Sports' "NHL 2K7" on Xbox 360. With the NHL training camps in full session, both EA Sports and 2K Sports have released their new hockey games. EA Sports' "NHL 07" is available now for Xbox 360 ($60), PSP ($40), and PC, PlayStation 2 and Xbox ($30 each). "NHL 2K7" is out for Xbox 360 ($60) and PS2 and Xbox ($20 each). Both games will ship for PlayStation 3 this November for $60 each.

Anyone who picked up last year's "NHL 2K6" on Xbox 360 was left with an Xbox game with slightly better visuals and far fewer features. 2K Sports has done its franchise justice on next generation this time around, offering a full hockey experience complete with Franchise mode, online gameplay with Xbox Live, new ProControl movements on offense, new defensive Pressure Control that allows specific players to be defended and CineMotion camera angles. If you haven't upgrade to Xbox 360 yet, you can't beat $20 for a new hockey game.

EA makes its next generation debut with "NHL 07" and the game sports completely new controls. Instead of skating with the left analog stick and shooting with buttons, players can control their swing with the right analog stick for slap shots, wrist shots and dekes. This next gen game also has a complete Franchise mode with salary cap, online gameplay on Xbox Live and lifelike visuals and animation that bring the players to life.

Both "NHL 07" and "NHL 2K7" are available as a free demo on Xbox Marketplace for Xbox 360 owners. EA has offered a free Hurricanes for Oilers Shoot Out demo and 2K Sports has an Exhibition Game available.

"America's Army" Game to Feature Real Heroes

2006-09-16T13:44:00.000-04:00

"America's Army," the free online PC game that has attracted over 7.5 million registered gamers, is blending the real world witht he virtual. The latest iteration of the game, "America's Army: Special Forces Overmatch," will feature eight actual soldiers and their heroic stories.

The soliders depicted in the new game include: Staff Sergeant Timothy Nein, 503d Military Police Battalion, Distinguished Service Cross for heroism in Operation Iraqi Freedom; Sergeant Tommy Riemen, 51st Long Range Surveillance Infantry (Airborne), Silver Star for heroism in Operation Iraqi Freedom; Sergeant First Class Gerald Wolford, 82nd Airborne, Silver Star for heroism in Operation Iraqi Freedom; Sergeant Matthew Zedwick, 2-162 Infantry, Silver Star for heroism in Operation Iraqi Freedom; Sergeant Leigh Hester, 503d Military Police Battalion, Silver Star for heroism in Operation Iraqi Freedom; Sergeant Jason Mike, 503d Military Police Battalion, Silver Star for heroism in Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan; Master Sergeant Scott Neil, 5th Special Forces Group, Bronze Star with V Device for heroism in Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan; and Major Jason Amerine, 5th Special Forces Group, Bronze Star with V Device for heroism in Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan.

In addition to the in-game integration, America's Army will release action figures featuring the likenesses of these Real Heroes at retail locations around the country in the coming months. It's part of an effort, including "America's Army" t-shirts and other merchandise, to turn the videogame into a major brand. Originally created as a virtual recruiting tool that shows people what Basic Training and the Army experience is like. Gamers have logged over 160 million hours playing the first-person shooter game, which requires players to choose a specialty and fight in the Global War on Terrorism.

The new game also has a local angle, as the Cary, NC development studio, Virtual Heroes, provided vehicle physics, artificial inteligence and other key technology for the new videogame. The new game introduces weapons like the CROWS and Javelin Missile, as well as cooperative gameplay against advanced enemy soldiers that react like humans. The game's available for free on PC and Ubisoft has released retail console versions of "America's Army: Rise of a Soldier" for Xbox and PlayStation 2.

Wii's Virtual Console Brings Back the Classics

2006-09-16T13:29:00.000-04:00

Nintendo's $250 Wii system will be backwards compatible with the entire library of GameCube discs, but there are many more gaming options that open up through the Wii Virtual Console. This digital distribution system will launch with 30 games from NES, SNES and Nintendo 64 which will cost between $5 and $10 each. All purchases will be made through Wii points, similar to Xbox Marketplace points. Gamers can buy points cards at retail stores or directly from Nintendo through the Wii Shop channel.

The plan is to ultimately release over 250 classic games from Nintendo systems as well as Sega consoles and Turbo Grafix 16. Activision is expected to bring its classic games to Wii, as well. Once you buy a game, it's yours forever. Up to 48 classic games can be stored on Wii at one time and Nintendo will keep track of every purchase for those who buy more than 48, so you can swap out games at any time.

Nintendo will release 10 new games every month beginning in January. Some of the initial wave of games include "Tecmo Bowl," "Starfox," Super Mario 64," "Castlevania," "Mortal Kombat," "Bonk's Adventure," "Duck Hunt," "Kid Icarus," "Sonic the Hedgehog," "F Zero," and "Excitebike." There will also be a Wii classic controller that mimics the early days and allows gamers to relive these classics without having to move around their arms.

Nintendo Wii Wows in November

2006-09-15T11:24:00.000-04:00

Nintendo will ship its next generation console, Wii, on November 19 for $250. That price will include a pack-in game, something the game industry hasn't done with a new system launch in ages. Gamers will also get both parts of the revolutionary motion-sensor controller, the Wii remote and the Wii nunchuck. The price of an additional controller will be $40 for the remote and another $20 for the nunchuck. Roughly 40 percent of the games will utilize the nunchuck for two-handed controls of the on-screen action.

I was able to play a good number of the launch titles at a New York City press event this week. Wii will launch with 30 games, which will sell for no more than $50 each. There will be 15 games on day one and an additional 15 will be rolled out by year's end. Some of these games were really impressive. While the graphics aren't on par with PlayStation 3 or Xbox 360, these games offer a visual upgrade over GameCube. (GameCube owners can play all of their old GameCube games on Wii.)

Wii games are all about the controls. The pack-in game, "Wii Sports," is a great way to test this new way to game. Rather than sitting like a couch potato hitting buttons, Wii challenges gamers to swing an invisible bat (using the controller) in "Wii Baseball" or to pull back and whack the cue ball in "Wii Pool." "Wii Boxing" uses both controllers, allowing pugilists to punch into the air and duck and weave, as their in-game counterpart follows suit. This type of gaming adds a whole new level of fun to videogames. It's simple and addictive. Wii also has the potential to grow the gaming audience beyond the core gamers. People young and old, gamers and non-gamers, can easily pick up and play most of the games that Nintendo is shipping. And the company is also offering more challenging games to keep the Nintendo faithful happy.

Vote for Your Right to Game

2006-09-12T11:21:00.000-04:00

Tired of grandstanding politicians who are clueless about videogames trying to ban videogames as part of their re-election campaigns? Now you can do something about it. The Video Game Voters Network (VGVN) has launched its "Play For Real: Gamer Voter Drive" to prepare for the coming November elections. The outreach has already resulted in 10,000 registrations.

According to the Entertainment Software Association (ESA), less than half of 18 to 29 year olds voted in the 2004 elections, compared to 68 percent of voters 35 or older who did go to the polls. Although the average age of a gamer is 33 today, there are many younger gamers of voting age who can have a say in making sure politicians don't ban videogames. The First Amendment has allowed the ESA to shoot down every bill in multiple states that try to ban what politicians deem "violent"--the same politicians who have never picked up a controller or bothered to play any of these games. But it's important to get out and vote and be heard.

In the past, MTV has been successful in getting kids to vote. Now the videogame industry, which in many ways has replaced MTV (at least in the new music area), is stepping in. The VGVN Web site, which is a grass roots initiative of the ESA, is filled with information about videogame statistics, the various bills that states have passed to ban games and the truth about "violent" videogames. It's worth a look, because as long as there are old politicians, there will be grandstanding to try to censor videogames. Hollywood and the music industry had to endure this, and videogames are the main target today, so fight for your right to game.

Free Cell Phone Games

2006-09-11T12:05:00.000-04:00

Anyone who hasn't tried using their cell phone for something other than talking or text messaging can try gaming for free. A new Web site, Gamejump.com, is offering 100 free mobile games to consumers. The games, which range from spinoffs of popular arcade, puzzle and board games, include an advertisement before you start playing and right before you turn off the game. Those two ads save you $5 to $6, which is the going rate for downloading most mobile games these days.

With the popularity of the "Sudoku" these days, it's at least worth trying that game's download. Fans of "The Any Bully" will find the only Hollywood licensed game on the site--it's a puzzle game that's great for kids. Other games range from casino to blackjack to variations of "Frogger" and "Tetris." While you generally do get what you pay for, this is a good way to test the interactive waters with your phone. Blackjack is blackjack, no matter how many variations of the game there are out there.

Even though I own a PSP and a Nintendo DS, I do spend some short free time spurts playing "Tetris" or "Jamdat Bowling 3D" on my Verizon phone. The average length of time a consumer plays a cell phone game is 10 minutes, so these types of games are perfect. The best bet is to try out some of these free games--more are constantly being added to the site--and then move on to licensed pay content, if you want, down the road.

New Affordable Portable Gaming Options

2006-09-05T19:38:00.000-04:00

Gamers looking to relive the past without forking over $130 for a Nintendo DS or $200 for a PSP have some new options. Game peripheral maker Performance Designed Products (PDP) has created the VG Pocket portable gaming device, or Caplet, for short. Like a pill, the game makers recommend playing the device "daily, as needed." Packed into the new portable are 35 classic games, including "Space Invaders," "Bubble Blaster," and "Bust-A-Move" from Taito and my personal favorite, "Burger Time," from G-Mode. The games are played on a 2.5 inch backlit color screen that brings 16-Bit graphics to life. The device costs $40 and for an extra $10 you get a cable that allows you to play any of these games on TV, as well as a hard case to store the portable player in and a screen protector. Players can choose from four colors for the shell: blue, gray, orange and magenta.

PDP also is celbrating the 25th Anniversary of Konami Digital Entertainment's "Frogger" with a separate portable device. Dubbed the "Tablet," this portable game player comes packed with 25 classic 8-Bit games, including "Frogger," "Track Star," "Sudoku Quiz" and "Whack the Critter."
The games are displayed on a 2 inch backlit screen on a round device that comes in off-white, lime green, magenta or orange. There's also the $10 start-up kit for TV cables, carrying case and screen protector. Because it's 8-bit and features fewer games, this one sells for $30.

While these devices are great for younger gamers, because they're sturdy and affordable, they also make nice gifts for more casual gamers. Even adults today have likely played "Space Invaders" or "Frogger" at some point, and these simple, yet addictive games still hold their weight today. Of the two VG Pockets currently available, the "Space Invaders" one offers a better selection of games, and better visuals.

There are other videogame collections under the VG Pocket brand, including a 50 game and 75 game compilation. Expect more of these branded classic game collections in 2007 and beyond.

Spark Unlimited Readies Two New Games

2006-09-04T12:18:00.000-04:00

Spark Unlimited, the Los Angeles developer that created "Call of Duty: Finest Hour," is working on two original next generation games for fall 2007. Both games are first-person shooters that involve the blending of fantasy, history and action into unique story-driven experiences.

Codemasters will publish "Fall of Liberty" for PlayStation 3, Xbox 360 and PC next fall. The game is set during an alternate world 1950s in which Nazi Germany invades America. Winston Churchill is killed by a taxi in New York City in 1931, an event that actually happened, only Churchill survived to walk with a cane the rest of his life. Without his leadership, the Normandy Invasion never occurred and the Nazis ruled all of Europe by 1945. Hitler invades New York and occupies most of the U.S., including Washington, D.C., where Nazi flags replace the American flags. It's at this juncture that the game allows players to fight on American soil to defend freedom and stop the Nazi plan to attack Manhattan with a nuclear bomb.

There are a lot of WWII shooters out there and most of the big franchises, including "Call of Duty," are moving on to next generation consoles. But with so many games focusing on the same war, gamers are experiencing familiar battles. This new alternate history take on the WWII genre promises to bring something fresh to the genre by introducing 1950s American cities as a backdrop to battling the Nazi invasion. From a videogame perspective, it's hard to top blowing away Nazis.

Spark Unlimited is also developing "Pandora" for next gen platforms. This first-person shooter, which Vivendi Games picked up from Atari, will blend modern day warfare with fantasy. The story will send players around the globe to battle creatures from mythology that have escaped to wreak havoc on the world today. This blend of monsters versus high-tech weapons promises to be another fresh shooter experience.

"NASCAR 07" Revs Into Stores

2006-09-04T11:00:00.000-04:00

NASCAR fans will have to wait another year for a next generation version of EA Sports' videogame franchise, but Xbox, PlayStation 2 and PSP owners have a new game on store shelves this week. "NASCAR 07" marks the first time that the franchise has appeared on Sony's portable player, and according to cover athlete Elliott Sadler, that's a good thing for those in the sport. He told me that PSPs are extremely popular with drivers, pit crews and others involved in racing. EA gave him an advanced copy of the PSP game and he's been playing it ever since. You can catch the full interview with Sadler at SportsGamer.com.

I've been playing the PSP version of the new game and it brings PS2-quality visuals to the portable. While the PSP version includes just about every feature that the PS2 version has (minus a few of the Dodge Challenges), there is an exclusive arcade-style feature for the portable. Players can acquire Skill Points and use them at any time during a race to Instant Rewind. That means that if you get into a crash or brush the wall, you can press the button and go back in time to correct your mistake. Anyone who's played Sega's "Full Auto" is familiar with this concept, and it works nicely on PSP where players don't always have as much time as PS2 or Xbox players.

EA Sports has improved the visuals in the new game, as well as the handling of the cars. One thing that really adds to the PS2 or Xbox game is playing with a steering wheel. I recommend Mad Catz' MC2 Steering Wheel. Make sure you pick up the Universal version, which can be used with Xbox or PS2 and costs the same $60 as the standard wheel. This peripheral comes with the wheel, shifter and brake and accelerator pedals for a full racing experience on "NASCAR 07" or any other racing game.

Win a "Mortal Kombat" Trip to San Francisco

2006-08-28T11:28:00.000-04:00

Midway Games, maker of the best-selling "Mortal Kombat" franchise, is offering gamers the chance to go mano-a-mano with Ed Boon, the creator of the game, in San Francisco in October. Entering its 15th year, the "Mortal Kombat" franchise is appearing for the last time on current generation consoles. "Mortal Kombat: Armageddon" ships for PlayStation 2 and Xbox on October 9 and a new Nintendo Wii version launch early next year and take advantage of the unique controls of that next generation system.

The Ultimate "Mortal Kombat" Fanatic Contest, which runs September 18 through October 6, encouragers gamers 18 and older to create their own short films that explain why he or she is the ultimate "Mortal Kombat" fan. All of the short film entries will appear on GameSpot.com and editors from that game site will also judge the winners of the contest. While the ultimate fan will get that free trip to San Francisco for two to GameSpot's headquarters during the "Mortal Kombat Armageddon Tournament," the three runner-ups will get an autographed copy of the new game from Boon.

With the popularity of community-building video sites like MySpace.com and YouTube.com, Midway is tapping into this short film trend and adding some good, old-fashioned fanatacism to the mix. Gamers are a devoted bunch, and there are plenty of fans who've played "Mortal Kombat" from the early arcade and 16-Bit console days in 2D, digitized graphics form to today's 3D fighting contests. Now those who are savvy enough to create a short film, whether tongue-in-cheek or dead-on serious, the world will be able to view their work and the best video guarantees a free trip to San Francisco to take on the creator of the franchise.

Lots of Football Action for Gamers

2006-08-26T20:14:00.000-04:00

It's the most wonderful time of the year for gridiron fans, both on the real fields around the country and the virtual videogame fields. For those of you who picked up "Madden NFL 07" in any of its formats, you may want to check out SportsGamer.com for free tips from pro gamers on everything from how to utilize the new blocking feature to the best offenses and defenses in the game. There's also a complete player and team rating system from the new game. This is the type of information you normally have to pay for in strategy book form, so improve your game for free.

While it may seem like it, "Madden" is not the only game in town. EA Sports has chosen famboyant receiver Chad Johnson of the Cincinnati Bengals as its cover athlete for "NFL Street 3." The new arcade take on the sport ships for PlayStation 2 and PSP on November 14. New to the franchise this year is the ability to pull off outrageous style moves in mid-air. Also new is the ability to control the action of the Gamebreakers, rather than simply watching the super moves they can perform on offense and defense. There are also an assortment of mini-games packed in this title.

For those not interested in the NFL, which Midway Games has dubbed the No Fun League, "Blitz: The League" is heading to Xbox 360 and PSP for the first time. Midway has signed former NFL player Bill Romanowski to share cover status with NFL Hall of Famer Lawrence Taylor, who was on the cover of last year's Xbox and PS2 games. Despite the lack of the NFL license, the Mature-rated football game sold over 1 million copies to date, opening up the door for this new portable and next generation game.

Romanowski plays linebacker Bruno Battaglia in the game, which features a story written by "Playmakers" scribe Peter Egan--the show that was too contraversial for the NFL's taste. This football videogame includes excessive violence, foul language and the use of performance-enhancing drugs, just like the NFL. Only the real NFL would never allow this type of content in a licensed videogame. Hence, the canceling of the TV show "Playmakers." For anyone looking for a more violent arcade take on the sport, what "Blitz" lacks in real players and team logos, it more than makes up for with its M-rated content. And the game will be available in high definition on Xbox 360 and in portable form on PSP this fall.

"Silent Hill" Haunts DVD

2006-08-19T13:04:00.000-04:00

While saying that "Silent Hill" is the best adaptation of a videogame that's ever been done may sound great, it doesn't give this horror film its just recognition. Most gamers know that the vast majority of videogame films have sucked. From big budget disappointments like "Doom" and "Super Mario Bros." to low-budget debacles like "BloodRayne" and "House of the Dead," Hollywood has failed to capture the essence of what makes a game franchise great and translate that into a linear experience. "Resident Evil," which is the second most lucrative franchise for Sony Pictures behind "Spider-Man," is the only videogame to successfully translate to the big screen and find an audience.

Director Christophe Gans ("Brotherhood of the Wolf") and screenwriter Roger Avary ("Pulp Fiction") are both avid gamers. I've interviewed both of them about this movie and it's obvious that they both loved the game franchise and played through all of the games. It's this type of passion that's nexeccasry for a successful adaptation of any sort.

"Silent Hill" works as a horror movie even if you've never played any of the four games. But if you have played the games, especially the first one, many of the monsters from the game will be familiar. Gans has added a few disturbing new creatures to the mix, as well. And Konami is considering adding at least one of them to a new "Silent Hill" game.

Set in the desolate town of "Silent Hill," the movie delves into a backstory that wasn't as well-defined in the game. From this perspective, even gamers will learn something new about this haunted town and the Darkness that invades it. With a $50 million budget, this movie offers elaborate sets that literally come alive when the Darkness invades. The monster special effects bring the horror to life. There's never a moment during this gripping two-hour long experience where you feel like the filmmakers tried to cut corners. All of the money's on the screen, and the truly horrifying elements of the game come to life perfectly on DVD.

Gamers will also want to check out some of the bonus featurettes. Gans and Avary talk a lot about translating the game to film. Konami also released "The Silent Hill Experience" on PSP, which takes a closer look at both the film and the game franchise. A new "Silent Hill" game is in the works for PSP, as well. And you can expect the best-selling franchise to venture onto next generation consoles in the coming years.

Madden Challenge Stops In Charlotte October 28

2006-08-19T12:30:00.000-04:00

With Maddenoliday this week--that's the official take off work and play "Madden" all day promotion that EA Sports drummed up, gamers will have plenty of time to gear up for this year's Madden Challenge. Beginning September 1, the best Madden gamers in each city will converge at an EA Sports event to win the top gaming crown on Xbox or Xbox 360. A $15 registration fee is all that's needed, besides some serious "Madden" skills. Each of these regional winners will then be flown to Hawaii the week of February 8 for the Pro Bowl, where they'll battle it out for the top Madden gamer in the world. That's right, this year marks the first time that "Madden" is going international. There will be tour stops in Hong Kong, London, Mexico City, Frankfurt and Toronto.

The top prize in Hawaii includes a $100,000 check. Each regional winner will receive a $1,000 check and that free trip to Honolulu in February. Last year, over 16,000 gamers competed for the top "Madden" prize, but only Jarvis Thomas of Upper Marlboro, MD walked home with the cash. Over 73,000 people attended last year's tour, most of them watching friends and family take to the virtual gridiron against the best players in their region.

The Concord Hills Mall in Charlotte on October 28 is the closest tour stop for local "Madden" gamers, although the Lenox Mall in Atlanta on September 23 and Fed Ex Field outside of Washington, D.C. on October 22 aren't that far away. Many times, the top "Madden" players enter several regional competitions to better their chances of winning. A full list of tour dates is on the Madden Challenge Web site.

Retro Games Go Portable

2006-08-18T16:06:00.000-04:00

Thanks to the popularity of portable game systems like PSP and Nintendo DS, what's old is new again. A slew of new game compilations and stand-alone games are heading to portable screens.

Sega is bringing the "Sega Genesis Collection" to PSP this fall, which will include 30 classic games from its 16-Bit era. Games included on the disc include all three "Golden Axe" games, three "Ecco the Dolphin" games, "Shinobi III,""Phantasy Star II, III and IV," "Altered Beast," "Vectorman 1 and 2," "Alex Kidd--The Enchanted Castle," "Columns," "Comix Zone," "Ristar," "Sword of Vermillion," and "Sonic the Hedgehog 1 and 2." Many of Sega's best game franchises were born during this arcade era and it's great to have such a diverse line-up of games on one disc.

Electronic Arts is working on its own compilation for PSP. "EA Replay," which ships next month, will include 14 classic games. The first three "Road Rash" games, always one of my favorite franchises on Genesis, will be included. Another favorite from those Genesis days was the helicopter combat franchise, "Desert Strike," which is included along with its sequels, "Jungle Strike." Also included in this collection is "Syndicate," "Wing Commander," "B.O.B." and "Mutant League Football." While there aren't as many games as Sega's collection, there are plenty of strong offerings in this compilation, which will likely have sequels if the $30 original sells well.

Those who played games on the Commodore 64, like I did, will be happy to know that some of those games are heading to PSP next year. Game maker System 3 is bringing Epyx Games back from the vaults with updates of "Impossible Mission" (January release) and "California Games" (May release) for PSP and Nintendo DS. As an added bonus, these games will also be released on Nintendo Wii to take advantage of the motion sensor controllers. The trilogy of "Last Ninja" games is also heading to handhelds next April.

Activision is bringing 40 of its classic Atari 2600 games to PSP with "Activision Hits Remixed." Games like "Pitfall," "Kaboom," "Chopper Command," and "Stampede" will be included on one disc. The compilation features an '80s soundtrack and updated visuals. These games will take advantage of PSP's sharing capabilities, which means one player with the disc can play against a second PSP player without the disc.

Calling All Girl Gamers: Free Trip to Sweden

2006-08-18T10:26:00.000-04:00

This may look like an ordinary house from the outside, but it's not. For one thing, the Home of Chrome is located in Stockholm, Sweden. It also happens to be the world's only officially sponsored professional videogame players house created for girl gamers. The Girls of Destruction, a pro gaming team sponsored by VIA Technologies.

Now any girl has the chance to visit Sweden and learn how to game like a pro with the "Get the Girl in the Game" contest. Any girl can be nominated for this all-expense paid weekend getaway to Stockholm by filling out the form at the official Home of Chrome Web site. As an added bonus, the winning girl can take a friend along with her. The contest ends September 10 with the winning weekend taking place September 22 through 24.

Getting back to that six-bedroom house, inside those walls is one a 24/7 training facility for pro gamers. Four of the seven members of the Girls of Destruction live in the house. It's equipped with one of the fastest Internet connections in the world, and it's filled with high-end PCs and gaming gear from VIA and S3 Graphics Chrome products.

Now's your chance to check out what it's like to live the life of a pro gamer and see the sights of Stockholm, Sweden for free. Pro gaming is one of the fastest-growing events in the U.S. today with multiple TV networks covering the big tournaments from the six international leagues that offer millions of dollars in cash and prizes to the best gamers.

Now Anyone Can Become a Videogame Critic

2006-08-16T14:21:00.000-04:00

Legacy Interactive, the gaming company that has turned TV shows like "Law & Order," "Law & Order: Criminal Intent," "E.R." and "The Apprentice" into videogames, is now giving gamers the chance to become game critics. The game publisher has launched a new blog that will actually pay gamers for the best reviews. While anyone can write up a game review and send it to the site, every game review that's actually posted will result in a $25 check. The guidelines for submitting reviews explain the rules and the game publisher is looking for reviews of its games that connect the games to the world today. Samples of winning entries are on the site.

Because many of the games that Legacy Interactive makes are casual games, most of the winning entries so far have been written by women. This opportunity is open to any gamer who's played one of Legacy's games. And it's a good way for aspiring journalists to get published. The one question I get asked most by people is how do you get your foot in the door in the game reviewing business. In today's world of blogs, it's easier than ever to voice your opinions, but getting paid for it is a different story. Something like this paid blog review is a great thing to have on your resume.

The other opportunities require moving to a big city like San Francisco, where most of the videogame publications and Web sites have set up shop. New York City and Los Angeles also are home to some big gaming sites. Many of these sites and magazines offer free internships with the opportunity to get published and many of today's game editors started off as interns, so these companies tend to promote within.

Microsoft Opens Up Videogames to Universities and Gamers

2006-08-14T08:29:00.000-04:00

Microsoft is currently hosting its annual Gamefest 2006 for PC and Xbox 360 game developers. The game company used this forum to announce a new product, XNA Game Studio Express, which will be available in Beta form beginning August 30. The new software, which will be a free download for anyone with a Windows XP PC, will allow gamers, independent game studios and novice developers the tool set and technology to create PC games. For those gamers who want to go next gen, there will be an annual fee of $99 to join the "creators club," which will allow them to build, test and share their games on Xbox 360.

While XNA Game Studio Express will allow gamers to create their own addictive games experiences for Xbox Live Arcade like "Marble Blast Ultra," Microsoft believes that this tool set will allow experiences on par with "Halo 2" for those creators with the dedication and expertise to bring something new to the table.

To help more students learn how to best utilize this new gaming technology, Microsoft has partnered with 10 universities, including the University of Southern California, Georgia Tech College of Computing and Southern Methodist University Guildhall. These schools will offer curriculum that focuses on the creation of games for Xbox 360, athough XNA allows for PC versions of any of these games to easily be released. Students who come out of these programs will have hundreds of game development studios to choose from around the globe at a time when game companies are looking for fresh new talent.

Microsoft will have 5 million Xbox 360s in U.S. homes by the end of this year and 10 million Xbox 360s around the world. The company has a good head start on Sony and Nintendo, which both release their next generation platforms this fall. Microsoft also has an overwhelming lead in the digital distribution of games with its Xbox Live Arcade and Xbox Marketplace. It's this infrastructure that will allow gamers, college students and garage start-ups to bring new ideas to the gaming masses. During a time when many gamers are sick of sequels and Hollywood-licensed games, Microsoft, a company not known for opening its technology to the masses, is putting the future of gaming in the hands of gamers.

Ricky Bobby's Got Game

2006-08-06T18:28:00.000-04:00

Executive producer/writer/star Will Farrell and his comedy cohorts, executive producer/director/writer/actor Adam McKay and producer Judd Apatow worked with EA Sports to integrate the "NASCAR 07" game into "Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby." In fact, anyone who watches the hit comedy, which is one of the funniest movies Farrell has done yet, will see the EA Sports brand plastered on several of the featured NASCAR vehicles driven by Farrell's Ricky Bobby and Sacha Baron Cohen's Jean Girard.

The videogame was incorporated into a scene featuring Ricky Bobby playing the new "NASCAR 07" videogame at a sitdown arcade machine at a bar in Charlotte, NC. In the film, Ricky Bobby wipes out in the videogame race and a digitized Jean Girard comes on screen and comments that he drives like Ricky Bobby. Ricky Bobby wonders aloud how Jean Girard managed to get into a videogame so quickly. The short scene is funny on several levels, and is yet another example of how more videogames are being incorporated into movies. This is the second comedy this summer to feature videogames, as "The Break-Up" with comedian Vince Vaughn, interweaved several different games into its story.

"The Break-Up" was an early summer hit, which raked up over $117 million domestically. "Talladega Nights" raced to the top of the box office with $47 million opening weekend, the largest opening ever for a Farrell comedy. With strong word-of-mouth, Farrell's comedy shouldn't have a problem topping Vaughn's success this summer. At the end of the day, the success of these films is good news for gamers. It shows that Hollywood is starting to understand videogames, and it proves that videogames can be funny. Sure, videogames didn't help either of these movies succeed at the box offive, but they showed the cultural relevance of the interactive entertainment medium in today's world.

Look for more videogame integration in films moving forward, whether they're comedies or not. And for those looking to play that new "NASCAR 07" game on PC, PlayStation 2 or Xbox, it ships September 6 from EA Sports. There's no reason to wait, though. Just drive over to the official "Talladega Nights" Web site and play "Ricky Bobby's Fast Track," a free Shockwave racing game on a NASCAR track. The game even gives you an official NASCAR nickname before getting behind the wheel. On a side note, Ricky Bobby fans can pick from a large assortment of Ricky Bobby merchandise from the film at the site, as well.

MTV Gets in the Game

2006-08-05T13:06:00.000-04:00

After 25 years, MTV is finally promoting videogames as part of its annual Video Music Awards celebration. Two videogame categories have been introduced: Best Videogame Score and Best Videogame Soundtrack.

The nominees for the Best Score include: "Dreamfall: The Longest Journey," "Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion," "Elektroplankton," "Ghost Recon: Advanced Warfighter" and "Hitman: Blood Money." Up for Best Soundtrack are: "Burnout Revenge," "Driver: Parallel Lines," "Fight Night Round 3," "Marc Ecko's Getting Up," and "NBA 2K6."

MTV spent decades virtually ignoring videogames, while the pendulum shifted and music labels turned away from the network to introduce new bands and music through videogames. Today, videogames are among the leading ways that new music is introduced to the masses. Sports games, especially, like the "Madden" and Tony Hawk games, are great ways to introduce original music. "Grand Theft Auto," while lambasted by mainstream media for its violence, has been one of the most significant franchises in the evolution of music's role in videogames. Rockstar even released a 5-CD collection of music from "Grand Theft Auto" a few years back.

MTV now has its own videogame Web site and videogame Web show. It also has built programming around videogames, hosting shows like the Xbox 360 launch last fall. It makes sense that the network, which still makes a ton of cash from videogame advertising, gives videogames their due within its established shows. With SpikeTV now hosting its annual VGAs (a videogame award show), can an MTV awards show focusing solely on games be far behind?

EA Sports Fantasy Football Links to Games

2006-08-05T12:37:00.000-04:00

EA Sports kicks off its third season of Fantasy Football with a free EA Sports Fantasy Football Commissioner's Account included in "NFL Head Coach." For those who don't buy this game, it's $50 for a commissioner's account and $10 per team for your league.

Fantasy players don't need to leave the virtual world to keep up with their team. Anyone who buys "Madden NFL 07" can check fantasy scores, get trade notifications and earn trophies within the game.

Separate from the in-game capabilities, EA Sports Fantasy Football offers additional content at its Web site. The EA Sports Edge allows team owners to optimize line-ups with a slider tool. The Warmup offers a fun take on NFL pros and community happenings for pigskin addicts. There's also a Weekly Scramble trivia game and a Weekly Pick 'Em Game with prizes.

For the season, the top overall scoring fantasy team will take home an EA Sports "Madden NFL Football" Standard cabinet. This arcade machine boasts a 29 inch hi-res monitor inside of a 79.5 inch tall cabinet. Each league winner will receive an EA Sports Xbox game. Other prizes include autographed football.

EA certainly is making the most of its NFL license with "NFL Head Coach," "Madden NFL 07," NFL Street 3" and EA Sports Fantasy Football. A new season of "Madden Nation" is heading to ESPN in a few months, as well. And the first season comes packed with the "Madden NFL oy Hall of Fame Edition" of the game.

"Gears of War" Ships November 12

2006-08-03T11:14:00.000-04:00

In the battle for next generation consoles, Microsoft has fired another volley. The most-anticipated Xbox 360 game of this year, "Gears of War," will ship November 12--just days before the November 17 launch of PlayStation 3. Microsoft has named the launch date "Emergence Day" and there will be two versions of the game available at stores. In addition to the $60 game, there will be a limited edition "Gears of War Collector's Edition" game for $70. This version will come in a metal box that includes a "Destroyed Beauty" art book and a bonus DVD that explores the making of the game.

Developed locally in Cary by Epic Games, "Gears of War" has been dubbed the next "Halo" franchise for Microsoft. The third-person perspective sci-fi shooter follows the epic battle between humankind and the monstrous Locust Horde. With tactical combat and survival horror elements, the game introduces an extensive single-player experience. But it's the innovative, squad-based multiplayer gaming that has had gamers salivating since E3. The multiplayer experience will be completely different than "Halo," which is a good thing, since Microsoft wants both "Halo" and "Gears of War" to live on through sequels for Xbox 360.

Amidst a line-up of solid fall Xbox 360 games, "Gears of War" stands on its own as a killer app that will help Microsoft sell hardware. Like "Tom Clancy's Ghost Recon Advanced Warfighter" ("GRAW") from Raleigh-based Red Storm Entertainment, "Gears of War" shows the potential for next generation gaming and the strength of Xbox 360. "GRAW" has earned worldwide critical and commercial success, making it one of the best Xbox 360 games available. The first-person shooter sends a team of Ghosts to Mexico City to rescue the President of the United States and stop a nuclear threat.

By the end of the year, two of the best-selling games for Microsoft's Xbox 360 will come from local game developers. That's quite a feat within the global landscape of the videogame industry.

Duke's J.J. Redick Gets Videogame Cover

2006-08-01T21:46:00.000-04:00

For the second year in a row, videogame publisher 2K Sports stays in the Triangle for its NCAA basketball cover athlete. Former Duke Blue Devils star J.J. Redick will be featured on the cover of "College Hoops 2K7," which ships for Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, PlayStation 2, and Xbox this fall. The current 2K Sports game, "College Hoops 2K6," features UNC Tar Heel Marvin Williams, a member of the 2004-2005 NCAA Championship team.

Redick, who was drafted by the Orlando Magic, will serve as the official spokesperson for the game. Over his career at Duke, Redick became the NCAA's all-time leader in free throw percentage (.922) and set Duke and ACC records for points scored (2,769).

The June DUI charge didn't deter 2K Sports from putting Redick on the cover of its popular college basketball game. Erik Whiteford, vice president of 2K Sports, said in the press release that Redick "embodies exceptional talent, drive and spirit--all of the characteristics of a collegiate basketball player and winner." He added that Redick is working closely with the development team contributing his knowledge and passion for basketball.

In the press release for the game, Redick said he's a huge gamer and he's always been a fan of the "College Hoops 2K" franchise. He said from what he's seen so far, the new game is going to be mind-blowing.

"College Hoops 2K7" features an enhanced college atmosphere, revamped defensive artificial intelligence and defensive controls, expanded broadcast presentation and the post-season NIT. The game will face off against Electronic Arts' "NCAA March Madness 07" this fall.

It's the End of E3 As We Know It

2006-07-31T16:25:00.000-04:00

The E3 trade show, which stands for the Electronic Entertainment Expo, will be downsized beginning next year. The show, which has been held at the Los Angeles Convention Center for the past 12 years (minus a two-year stint in Atlanta), will no longer be the Hollywood spectacle filled with booth babes (although they were banned this past year), loud music (noise ordinances kicked in this year, as well) and enough plasma TVs to power Raleigh.

Beginning in early July 2007 (yes, the show will no longer be held in May), the E3 Media Festival will become a much smaller event. How small? Rather than the 60,000 to 70,000 attendees from around the globe that traditionally journey to Tinseltown, the show will be closed to all but a small group of media, analysts and retailers. It's expected to be about 5,000 people that will receive the golden tickets necessary to check out the latest games.

With no more football field-sized convention center floor space, the new E3 will take place in smaller suites in a Los Angeles venues yet to be announced--likely a pair of hotels. It's here that game companies will showcase better builds of games. That extra two months of development time means that the games shown at the new E3 will be better representative of the games you'll be able to buy at stores later that year.

The show itself will also be shorter. E3, although its always been a three-day event, has grown to a full week in the recent past. That will end next year. Any parties, press conferences and events will take place over the course of just three days. That means those who do attend won't have as much walking to do or as many days to spend in an LA hotel. For hockey fans like myself, it also means that I won't have to worry about missing any Hurricanes playoff games at the RBC Center.

I'm looking forward to the new format E3. The show has grown outdated in recent years, as media members check out games at publishers' headquarters throughout the year. The week of the actual show rarely has much news any more outside of the Sony, Nintendo and Microsoft pres conferences that occur before the show begins. Most big announcements come before or after the actual show.

It will be nice to focus time on the games, rather than running from one hall to the next, wasting time navigating through throngs of people who seem to be there only to collect swag.

Hollywood Crime Makes Big Play in Gaming

2006-07-31T12:28:00.000-04:00

This fall will see an onslaught of Hollywood crime new and old hitting PC, console and portable gaming systems. "The Godfather," "Scarface," "Reservoir Dogs" and "The Sopranos" are all being translated into interactive entertainment.

Electronic Arts will ship new versions of "The Godfather" this fall, having already released PlayStation 2 and Xbox versions of the game earlier this year. Each of the three new games for Xbox 360, Wii and PSP will stand on its own and take advantage of the capabilities of that system. The Xbox 360 game will get a graphics overhaul to bring the film world to life in high definition. In addition, there will be new missions added to the game and a crew member will aid you along the way. Other improvements include a favor system that expands the gameplay and a new auto-targeting shooting system and better vehicle handling. "The Godfather: Mob Wars" for PSP is a card-based game similar to the board game "Risk" that will blend strategy with some short action sequences. Not much has been revealed about the Wii game, other than the fact that it will take advantage of the unique controllers (likely for shooting action).

"Scarface: The World Is Yours" ships October 6 for Xbox, PS2 and PC. While Vivendi Games has killed the Xbox 360 version of the game, they have added an original PSP game. "Scarface: Money. Power. Respect." blends turn-based strategy with real-time combat. Based on the original film (it's not a sequel to the film like "The World Is Yours"), the original PSP game will recreate key scenes from the movie in the single-player game. Up to four players can compete online in a race to build up the largest drug cartel in the multiplayer mode.

While THQ has offed the Xbox 360 version of the game, "The Sopranos" is still heading to PS2 this fall. With the recent delay of the final season of the HBO show, the new game is the only way to experience New Jersey's favorite family until March 2007. The new game introduces an original character, Joey LaRocca, who interacts closely with AJ Soprano. The player will have dealings with Tony Soprano, Christopher, Paulie and other characters from the hit TV show.

Eidos is bringing "Reservoir Dogs" to PC, Xbox and PS2 this October. The game features the voice and likeness of Michael Madsen, who played Mr. Blonde, but none of the other actors are on board. Since the film features a lot of talking, the game jumps back in time and recreates some of the action that's talked about, while taking things beyond the final frame of the film to wrap up some loose ends.

PSP Games Get Price Drop

2006-07-25T13:10:00.000-04:00

After dropping the price of the PSP hardware from $250 to $200 earlier this year, Sony Computer Entertainment America has introduced its Greatest Hits brand to PSP games. Like PlayStation 2 titles, all Greatest Hits games are certified best-sellers that have been re-packaged and re-priced at $20.

The first PSP Greatest Hits games include: "Ape Escape: On the Loose," "ATV Offroad Fury: Blazin' Trails," "Hot Shots Golf: Open Tee," "Twisted Metal: Head-On," and "Wipeout Pure." Additional games that will be added to the program in the coming months include: Ubisoft's "Lumines," LucasArts' "Star Wars Battlefront II," Rockstar's "Midnight Club 3: DUB Edition," Activision's "Tony Hawk Underground 2 Remix" and Sony Online Entertainment's "Untold Legends: Brotherhood of the Blade."

While newcomers will enjoy these original launch titles for the first time, most gamers have already played these older titles. The good news is that even many of the new PSP games have dropped a bit in price. Sony has kept a $40 price point on its games from the start, but now most third-party game publishers have followed suit. Big games like "Madden NFL 07," "Tekken Resurrection" and "NCAA Football 07" all cost $40. Some new titles, like Codemasters' "Micro Machines V4," retail for $30 out of the gate.

Game publishers will still charge top dollar for some games. The upcoming Rockstar PSP exclusive, "Grand Theft Auto: Vice City Stories," will ship October 17 for $50. Due to the popularity of that game franchise, a lot of gamers will fork over the extra dough to be the first to play that title. However, those who wait may get a bargain. Rockstar recently released last year's "Grand Theft Auto: Liberty City Stories" on PlayStation 2 for only $20--and that game is now a huge best-seller.

"Madden" Gets TV Shows

2006-07-25T11:07:00.000-04:00

As part of its 15 year exclusive licensing deal with ESPN, Electronic Arts has entered the TV business. Last fall, "Madden Nation" aired on ESPN 2. For those who missed that first season, it will rerun this month on ESPN Classic and come on a bonus DVD on the "Madden NFL 07 Hall of Fame Edition" game. ESPN will bring a second season of "Madden Nation" to gamers this fall.

But that's just part of the "Madden" TV offerings. EA and ESPN have tag-teamed on a first-ever "Inside Madden NFL 07" pay-per-view special, which debuts August 4 on cable, satellite and online at www.espn.com. For $20, "Madden" fans will get an inside look at the new game. EA flew five of the best "Madden" gamers down to its Orlando-based Tibron Studio, where "Madden" is made.

Dwayne "D-Train Harrison," winner of the 2002 Madden Challenge, Jarvis Thomas, winner of the 2005 Madden Challenge, Justin Chow, regional winner from Washington, D.C. of the 2005 Madden Challenge, Will Kinsler, co-owner of www.MaddenNation.com, and Rod "Reality" Winn, a first-season competitor on "Madden Nation" star in this pay-per-view special.

The 60-minute show follows this trip, as the gamers interview the producers of the game and test out some of the new features. In addition, NFL pros Warrick Dunn, Eddie George, Steve Hutchinson, and Marshal Faulk were given advanced copies of the game and interviewed about it.

In addition to this "Madden" coverage, ESPN will once again cover the Madden Challenge Finals that are held annually at the Pro Bowl, about a week after the Madden Bowl occurs during Super Bowl Week.

And if "Madden" is not your game, ESPN is expanding its videogame offerings. "NBA Live Nation" will debut this fall. The show will allow the best basketball videogamers to compete for cash and prizes. Ultimately, if these shows take off, EA could work with ESPN on similar shows for other sports.

Mattel Creates Hybrid Card and Videogame System

2006-07-24T08:48:00.000-04:00

Mattel will introduce HyperScan to gamers and collectible card fans this October. The toy giant is merging the best of both worlds with its plug-and-play device, which connects to any TV.

Aimed at the tween market that plays collectible card games like "Yu-Gi-Oh!" and "Magic: The Gathering," the Hyperscan system will cost $70. That price includes the console and one controller, an "Marvel X-Men" CD game and six collectible Intellicards. Additional CD games will retail for $20 (which includes a CD and six Intellicards) and booster packs will cost $10 (for six Intellicards).

The videogames will feature 32-bit graphics, which dates back to the original Sony PlayStation days. Gameplay evolves through the cards. Every CD game will have up to 20 character Intellicards and over 80 modification Intellicards. Players scan a character Intellicard into the device and that character appears in the game world. Each one of these cards features 20 to 40 hours of gameplay. Players can continually modify their characters as they play through the game. At any time, the character card can be scanned again and it will save the updated game info.

By this November, players will have several games to choose from, including "Cartoon Network's Ben 10," "Interstellar Wrestling League," and "Marvel Heroes." All of these games are being designed for kids eight and older. Rare Intellicards will be released throughout the fall to encourage the collectible aspect of this hybrid experience.

The "Dance Dance Revolution" Will Be Televised

2006-07-20T11:45:00.000-04:00

Konami has sold over 4 million copies of its "Dance Dance Revolution" games on PlayStation, PlayStation 2, GameCube and Xbox in the U.S. since it made its way to these shores from Japan in 2001. The home versions of the popular arcade franchise challenge players to dance on a mat to the beat of licensed music, following the on-screen symbols for high scores. Participants get hooked on the game without realizing they're also burning a lot of calories along the way. This has lead to the games being used at health clubs and in public schools in West Virginia.

Come this fall, there are more dancing options heading home. In the past, you had to own a game console to play this game. Konami is offering new vaue-priced plug-n-play options that will allow anyone with a TV to take part in the dance craze. The two new games, which require no gaming console, are "My First Dance Dance Revolution" and "Dance Dance Revolution Disney Mix." Both of these titles are aimed at a younger demographic. The Disney version features Mickey Mouse and other characters and music like "It's a Small World" and "Zip-a-Dee-Doo-Dah!" These games come with a dance pad for instant exergaming.

In addition to these stand-alone games, Konami has a full slate of new "Dance Dance Revolution" games heading to current and next generation systems. "Dance Dance Revolution Universe" debuts on Xbox 360, "Dance Dance Revolution Ultramix 4" hits Xbox and "Dance Dance Revolution SuperNOVA" ships for PS2 this fall.

CBS is working on a new TV show for Saturday Mornings that will feature contestants competing on the videogame to new dance music from a live band. So if you haven't put on your dancing shoes yet, there are plenty of new games to choose from.

"NCAA Football 07" Kicks Off College Season

2006-07-18T15:32:00.000-04:00

The college football season has officially begun. EA Sports has released "NCAA Football 07" for Xbox 360, Xbox, PlayStation 2 and PSP. The best-selling franchise, which annually ranks in the Top 20 in game sales each year just a few notches below "Madden," makes its next generation and PSP debut this season.

For anyone who's purchased an Xbox 360, the next generation version of this game is a must-have. The high definition details from the stadiums (which have accurate signs on the scoreboards) to the players (whose helmets reflect their surroundings in real-time) bring the visuals of the college game to life. In addition to having 3D crowds, students and alumni will have artificial intelligence to behave like fans. At certain schools, fans will even perform unique actions like the Gator Chomp in "The Swamp" of Gainesville, Florida.

EA has virtually replicated 119 college stadiums to include real-time day-to-evening lighting and variations in shadows depending on the month and time of year. To get an idea of just how big a leap in visuals this is, a stadium in the Xbox game features 5,000 polygons of detail, while the Xbox 360 stadiums boast 125,000 polygons. An Xbox college player is made up of 2,500 polygons, while the Xbox 360 player has 25,000 polygons of detail.

Visuals are nice, but a game is only as good as it plays. The Xbox 360 version offers 21 different formations and 300 plays per team, which is double the amount of offense that the Xbox version sports. Xbox 360 gamers will also get a trio of exclusive mini-games to jump into, as well as the full Dynasty mode to build your college program over the years.

No matter which version of "NCAA Football 07" you pick up, there are new gameplay features like the Momentum Meter, which replicates the ebb and flow of the college game. Whether on offense or defense, big plays will turn the tide in favor of the team that's performing better. In addition, a new kicking mechanism has been added to the game that is similar to the golf swing in "Tiger Woods PGA Tour Golf 06." (The new "Madden NFL 07" game will use this same new kicking mechanism next month.)

The PSP game, which features online gameplay, allows fans to bring the game experience on the road--including to those tailgate parties before the actual game.

"Madden" Gets Hall of Fame Edition

2006-07-17T13:08:00.000-04:00

Football fans who own an Xbox 360 or PlayStation 2 will have a choice this year when August 22 rolls around. In addition to the standard "Madden NFL 07" game for Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, PS2, Xbox, GameCube, Wii, PSP, Nintendo DS, Game Boy Advance, and PC; a "Hall of Fame Edition" will be on store shelves for Xbox 360 ($70) and PS2 ($60).

For the extra $10, gridiron fans will get a bonus DVD that offers an inside look at the game. On the PS2 version, this includes a G4 special segment exploring the PS3 "Madden" game. Both the Xbox 360 and PS2 "Hall of Fame Editions" come with the complete first season of the ESPN TV show, "Madden Nation." Also included is a career retrospecitve on John Madden. ESPN's Trey Wingo takes fans inside of EA Sports' Tiburon Studio in Orlando, Florida, where all the football games are made. Rounding out the bonus content are interviews with the featured bands from the "Madden NFL 07" soundtrack.

For those keeping count, this is the 17th edition of "Madden." Over the years, the football dynasty has sold over 51 million copies. The new "Madden" game introduces the ability to control the lead blocker on offense and then jump into the running back position to run through the hole. There's a new NFL Hall of Fame mode that allows players to pick a position and play that position (anything but kicker) throughout every game of a season over a career to try to make it into the Hall.

"Gears of War" Heading to the Big Screen (Sort of)

2006-07-13T16:58:00.000-04:00

Local game developer Epic Games, which is based in Cary, is currently working on the most-anticipated Xbox 360 game of the year. "Gears of War" wowed attendees at E3 in May. Now the rest of the world will get to see the game's E3 trailer on the big screen, just as those who attended the Microsoft E3 press conference did.

A trailer for "Gears of War" will play at a theater new you this summer before R-rated movies like "Miami Vice," "Pulse," "A Scanner Darkly," "Clerks II," and "Little Miss Sunshine." Commercials before the movie previews are annoying, but I don't mind watching videogame ads. Games like "Halo 2," "Advent Rising" and "Doom III" all received theatrical advertising in recent years, which allows movie goers to see games on huge screens with 5.1 surround sound.

As for whether or not "Gears of War" ever becomes a movie, that's a possibility. Hollywood agency CAA represents Epic Games and CAA worked with Microsoft to get a "Halo" movie into development with Fox and Universal Pictures footing the bill. Developer Bungie was able to work with screenwriter Alex Garland to craft a story before pitching the movie to Hollywood and getting Peter Jackson on board as executive producer.

With "Gears of War," the sci-fi story, character development and action is all there for a big screen treatment. It's just a matter of the game shipping and selling through the roof for Hollywood to get interested. The game is a new franchise for Epic and Microsoft, so the focus will be on creating a great game and great game sequels. A movie would always come second, just as it did with Bungie and "Halo."

But for right now, the team at Epic is just working on getting the game done for this fall. With no "Halo 3" game expected until 2007 (likely next fall), "Gears of War" is the killer app Microsoft is counting on to sell even more Xbox 360s this Christmas.

Electronic Arts Supports Nintendo Wii with New Games

2006-07-13T13:28:00.000-04:00

The potential success of any new videogame console often can be traced to the support of the world's largest videogame publisher, Electronic Arts. Sega didn't have the support of EA when it launched Dreamcast in 1999, a solid system that crashed and burned after PlayStation 2 entered the market with EA's support the following year.

Nintendo's next generation console, Wii, will have at least six EA games available for launch this fall, including stalwarts "Madden NFL 07," "Tiger Woods PGA Tour Golf 07," "Need for Speed Carbon," "The Godfather," and new "SSX" and "Harry Potter" games. EA said additional games will be announced down the line.

What's interesting about the EA Wii games is that a separate development team is working on these titles to take advantage of the motion sensor controller that differentiates the Nintendo console from Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3. What that means is that gamers who buy the Wii "Madden" will get a different playing experience than any other version. The same goes for "Tiger Woods." Both of these sports titles will utilize the controller's ability to translate physical activity into on-screen gameplay. To throw the football, you'll need to motion like you're throwing the ball in real life.

Driving games will use the controller for unique steering options and games like "The Godfather" can use the controller as a lightgun to take out enemies on screen. The bottom line is that these games will be different than other versions, opening up new gameplay options.

With EA on board, and a console price tag that won't top $250, Nintendo Wii is shaping up to be a solid console. Nintendo seems to have learned from the mistakes it made with GameCube, which is now a dead system. Wii, despite the bad name, looks like it will give Xbox 360 and PS3 a run for their money.

Emmanuelle Vagier Has a "Need for Speed"

2006-07-11T17:08:00.000-04:00

Hollywood actress Emmanuelle Vagier, who is a regular on the CBS sitcom "Two and a Half Men," will star virtually as Nikki in Electronic Arts latest racing game, "Need for Speed Carbon." Nikki is the ex-girlfriend of the game's leading man, who returns home to face his past in the game's single-player story mode.

The game, which ships for PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, Wii, Xbox, PS2, GameCube, PSP, Nintendo DS, Game Boy Advance and PC this fall, employs new live capture technology that captured Vagier's fancial and phsyical performance and digitally transferred it into the game world.

Gamers are familiar with Vagier after her roles in "House of the Dead 2," "Saw 2," and "40 Days and 40 Nights." The actress has also starred in "Smallville" and "One Tree Hill," which is filmed in Wilmington, NC. And other gamers have probably seen her in Maxim Magazine.

The new racing game introduces an open racing world with multiple online racing options. The game allows players to hire a team of drivers and mechanics to supe up their street racers in the garage with licensed after-market parts and strategically aid them in races through blocking competitors and offering slipstreams to tail off of.

More "Pirates of the Caribbean" Set Sail in Videogames

2006-07-06T15:25:00.000-04:00

The adventures of Captain Jack Sparrow continue beyond the big screen this summer. With "Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest" now breaking box office records, fans of the film franchise have several choices in the videogame arena to expand these pirate adventures.

Buena Vista Games has released PSP, Nintendo DS and Game Boy Advance games based on the new film, which reunites the characters from the first film and introduces a new aquatic villain in Davy Jones. These games follow the plot of the film, which takes our heroes to new exotic locales where they face off against canibals, kraken sea monsters and Davy Jones' army of half-men/half-fish.

Fans of Johnny Depp's entertaining portrayal of Captain Jack Sparrow will be able to play a new adventure in Bethesda Softworks' "Pirates of the Caribbean: The Legend of Jack Sparrow." This is the only game to feature both the likeness and the voice of Depp as Captain Jack. The PlayStation 2 and PC game tells new tales involving Captain Jack that take place before the events of the first film, "Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl." In addition to adding new stories to the film's rich mythology, players will be able to relive key sequences from the first film. The twist is that this is Jack's interpretation of events, which means these adventures won't replicate what you've seen on the big screen.

And this is just the beginning for games set in the world of "Pirates of the Caribbean." Disney Online is developing a massively-multiplayer online game, "Pirates of the Caribbean Online" for release next year. Buena Vista Games is working on next generation games set in the film universe. And Bethesda Softworks has more current generation games in development.

That's good news for "Pirates" fans. The new movie equals the original in terms of engaging characters, blockbuster action, realistic special effects and exotic locales. With the third film, "Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End," due next May, these videogames give fans something to do while they await the conclusion of the second film's cliffhanger ending.

"Lord of the Rings" Continues Through Videogames

2006-07-05T16:28:00.000-04:00

Electronic Arts has united the "Lord of the Rings" literary rights from J.R.R. Tolkien's estate with the New Line Cinema movie rights to Peter Jackson's trilogy. The first console videogame to merge these two properties is "The Lord of the Rings: The Battle for Middle-earth II" for Xbox 360.

Traditionally, real-time strategy (RTS) games have never taken off on consoles. Even huge franchises like "Command & Conquer" failed to draw a large audience on PlayStation. The main issue has always been the controls. A PC mouse has always allowed finer movement than a console controller.

"The Lord of the Rings" was designed from the ground up for Xbox 360, rather than being a straight port from the PC game. The controls were created to make selecting and commanding troops, whether a single unit or an entire army, an intuitive endeavor. Novices will be able to get a handle on the controls through a tutorial, while veteran gamers can use shortcuts to speed through the massive maps and position troops, dragons and beasts for war. Even building fortresses and amassing naval fleets is a snap with this game.

There are two single player campaigns that feature Hugo Weaving from the films as the narrator. One adventure allows players to control the dark forces of Sauron. The other focuses on The Fellowship of the Ring. While these new stories are refreshing, it's the multiplayer gaming that is the heart of this title. Xbox Live opens up new gameplay modes not seen on the PC version, which adds depth to this already deep RTS experience.

By merging the film and literary worlds, EA has been able to introduce new elements to the game. Louis Castle, vice president of creative development at Electronic Arts, told me that
you’ll be able to command vast Elven and Dwarven armies in epic battles in the Northern Lands of Middle-earth – or you can control the dark lord Sauron’s forces as they try to dominate the entire world in the War of the Ring.

"You’ll control new heroes like the Elf warrior Glorfindel, the Dwarf leader Gloin, the evil Mouth of Sauron, and 14 others," said Castle. "Your armies will include 40+ new warriors, soldiers, weapons, and creatures ranging from Dwarven Guardians to Elven archers, goblins on spiders, fire-breathing dragons, and huge Giants. You’ll fight in new locations like the Dwarven mountain stronghold of Erebor and Sauron’s dark fortress of Dol Guldur on the edge of Mirkwood. At the same time, you can revisit the iconic locations from the movie trilogy, bring the Fellowship into the action, and build up armies using the classic soldiers, creatures, and weapons from Isengard, Gondor, and Mordor."

While the films are now over, there is plenty more adventure on the videogame side. EA is already working on a new next generation "Lord of the Rings: The White Council" game that is an open world game that features the voices and likenesses of Christopher Lee, Cate Blanchett, Ian McKellen and Hugo Weaving. The game, which tells an original story inspired by the workd of J.R.R. Tolkien, ships for Xbox 360, PlayStation 3 and PC in fall 2007.

The long-term goal is to turn this film franchise into a very healthy videogame franchise, and the literary rights open up new opportunities for interactive entertainment.

Gamer Elliott Sadler Is Cover Driver for NASCAR 07

2006-07-01T12:38:00.000-04:00

Self-professed videogame player Elliott Sadler is on the cover of EA Sports' "NASCAR 07," which ships September 6 for PlayStation 2, Xbox and PSP. While Sadler has made a name for himself since he entered the NEXTEL Cup Series in 1999, what got the attention of EA Sports was his victory in last year's EA Sports Drivers Gaming Competition in Bristol, TN. It didn't hurt that he was one of only four drivers to be in the Top 10 throughout the entire season for the inaugural Race for the NEXTEL Cup last season.

“I’m thrilled that EA has chosen me as their cover athlete for the game this year,” said Sadler, driver of the No. 38 M&M’s Ford Fusion for Robert Yates Racing. “I’ve been a big fan of this game for a while now and play it as often as I can whether I’m on the road or at home.”

“The changes for the game this year are really going to impress folks,” Sadler added. “They’ve brought the excitement and speed aspects of our sport to the forefront and put the control in the hands of the player. It’ll feel like you are right there in the car with me, feeling that adrenaline rush I get every time I’m out there on the track.”

EA is sticking with current generation consoles again this year, but is taking "NASCAR 07" portable with PSP for the first time. The new game features enhanced special effects like screen blurring and in-game camera shaking to replicate the speed of the sport. Gamers can also modify their car’s handling to their exact specification with a sliding scale. Kenny Wallace gives tutorials in NASCAR 101 for those new to the sport. The heart of the game remains the same: winning the Chase for the NEXTEL Cup.

I'll get a test drive of this game later this month and report back with more details. After not showing the PS2 and Xbox game at E3 last month, NASCAR fans should be happy that this new game is on the way.

Most Cell Phone Gamers Are Female

2006-06-30T12:23:00.000-04:00

While the guys tend to spend their mobile free time playing Nintendo DS and PSP, a new report from Parks Associates found that females represent 59 percent of all U.S. consumers who play games on mobile phones. Not only are more females playing games more than males, they're playing games longer. The study of 2,000 U.S. gamers found that 61 percent of females were playing mobile games one to four hours per month and 58 percent of gamers were playing over four hours per month.

The report found that the guys who do play games on their cell phone opt for action and role-playing games. This data correlates with the top-selling cell phone games, which are almost all puzzle, board and car games, with a few classic arcade games tossed in for good measure.

Compared to the European and Asian cell phone gaming market, the U.S. is still behind in terms of technology (it takes a year or longer for the newest Japanese cell phones to hit the U.S.) and games (one of the biggest mobile game crazes in Japan are location-based games that use the built-in GPS functionality within a game world). By the end of this year, a large number of cell phones will support 3D graphics, which experts believe will make the gaming experience (minus the smaller screen) closer to that of a PSP or Nintendo DS.

U.S. gamers have stuck with simple and addictive games that don't require fancy graphics. Many cell phone games are played while waiting for a meeting or at airports or in between classes. They're usually quick 10-minute bursts of killing time. Puzzle and trivia games are perfect for this type of duration.

Lugging a PSP or Nintendo DS everywhere you go is not the best option for even the most hardcore gamers, so cell phones allow people to get their gaming "fix" when stuck some place with free time.

The Casual Online Gamer

2006-06-29T14:16:00.000-04:00

Online casual game sites like Pogo.com, TryGames.com, King.com and Yahoo Games are booming these days. A new survey from Macrovision, which owns the TryGames site, found that 37 percent gamers who play online casual games are 35 to 49 years old and 28 percent are 50 to 60 years old. For those wondering about casual games, these PC games include card and board games, as well as puzzle games like "Bejeweled"(pictured here).

The survey of 789 gamers found that many casual gamers (37 percent) frequently play more than nine sessions per week. These sessions typically last at least one hour for 66 percent of the respndents. Nearly one-third of casual gamers (31 percent) spend over two hours per online session. Prime time seems to be the most popular gaming hours, as 73 percent of casual gamers play at night. Over half (55 percent) of casual gamers spend time on weekends gaming. Unlike console gamers who play Xbox 360 or PlayStation 2, casual gamers are mostly women (79 percent). Only a small fraction of men (29 percent) spend time online playing casual games. Casual online gaming is an activity that many people (48 percent) do when they're home alone. A whopping 84 percent of casual online gamers have broadband at home, which is interesting, since these types of games play fine on dial-up.

When it comes to the type of games they play online, puzzle games are the most popular (67 percent), followed by card games (44 percent), strategy games (35 percent), and action games (34 percent). Casual online gamers like to download games, as 30 percent have downloaded over 21 games in the last year. Most gamers (70 percent) have bought a game after playing a free demo online, which makes try before you buy a worthy proposition to game makers.

"DOA" Movie Coming to a Theater Near You

2006-06-28T11:17:00.000-04:00

On August 25, gamers will get to see the gorgeous girls of the best-selling "DOA" videogame franchise on the big screen in Dimension Films' "DOA: Dead or Alive." The videogame franchise has been translated for the silver screen by Paul W.S. Anderson, who wrote and directed the original "Mortal Kombat" and "Resident Evil" movies. Anderson produced the "DOA" movie, hiring J.F. Lawton ("Under Siege 2," "Pretty Woman") to write the script and Hong Kong action director Corey Yuen ("The Transporter 2") to direct.

North Carolina native Jaime Pressly stars in the film as Tina Armstrong, along with Eric Roberts as Donovan, Kevin Nash as Bass, and Sarah Carter as Helena Douglas. Anderson told me that he chose the most popular fighters from the games, including Kasumi, Hayate and Ryu Hayabusa, to focus on in this first film.

Shot in remote regions of China over four months, Anderson said the film will bring lush locales to life that have never been seen before on the big screen. Fans of the videogame, especially "DOA 4" on Xbox 360, know that the background scenery for these fighters have been dazzling to watch. Anderson said the film replicates the games by using beautiful girls in the foreground and breathtaking backdrops.

Anderson is currently in Mexico City producing "Resident Evil: Extinction," the third film based on Capcom's best-selling survival horror movie. He also wrote the scripts for all three of those films, which are second to "Spider-Man" in terms of Sony Pictures' most lucrative franchises. Anderson is also working on a movie adaptation of Konami's "Castlevania."

NHL Videogame Cover Athletes Named

2006-06-22T13:22:00.000-04:00

In what's likely to be the last hockey videogame update until the fall, EA Sports and 2K Sports have announced their respective cover athletes for "NHL 07" and "NHL 2K7." Unfortunately, neither player is a member of the Stanley Cup Champion Carolina Hurricanes.

EA Sports selected Washington Capitals rookie sensation Alexander Ovechkin, who is thrilling to watch and has been a major force in the way the Caps battled the Canes in many of the close regular season match-ups this past season, was selected first overall in the 2004 NHL Draft here in Raleigh. The 20 year old forward finished third overall in the NHL in points (106) and goals (52) and lead the league in shots (425).

2K Sports chose Art Ross Trophy recipient (for leading the NHL in points) Joe Thornton of the San Jose Sharks. The first pick in the 1997 NHL Draft has made three All-Star appearances and was a leader on the Boston Bruins until his trade this past season to San Jose. As a Shark, Thornton helped turn the team into a Western Conference force. Thornton has been nominated for both the Hart Memorial Trophy as league MVP and the Lester B. Pearson Award.

Caniacs have a good chance at seeing one of their Stanley Cup Champions on the box of a videogame in the near future. One of the 2008 iterations of the NHL videogames could feature Conn Smythe Trophy winner Cam Ward or NHL Playoff Points Leader Eric Staal, as long as these two stars have strong follow-up seasons. Both are big videogame fans, which is always a plus when it comes to marketing a hockey videogame, and both now have worldwide recognition thanks to the Stanley Cup win.

The Canes are no longer a team hidden in Raleigh. They've made their statement to the world this year. And when it comes to selling videogames, that's a huge step in the right direction. After winning the Stanley Cup, a pair of Tampa Bay Lightning players, Vincent Lacavalier and Martin St. Louis, appeared on dueling game boxes during the lock-out. And Tampa wasn't on the hockey map until that Cup win, so there is precedent and hope that at least one Canes star will grace a hockey videogame box.

Videogames Allow Caniacs the Chance to Relive Magical Run

2006-06-20T11:47:00.000-04:00

It's finally over. After what has been a very long season, and a grueling playoffs, the Carolina Hurricanes finally hoisted the Stanley Cup--on home ice before many of the devoted fans that showed up night in and night out throughout this amazing season and before. It's the type of indelible experience that stays with everyone who witnessed it live at the RBC Center on June 19 for the rest of their lives.

While the 2005-2006 NHL Season is officially over, Caniacs can relive the magical run through videogames. With Canes players already planning their specia day with the Stanley Cup during the short off-season, fans will have to wait it out through what will seem like a few long months before the new NHL season begins in early October. But there are hockey videogames like "NHL 06" and "NHL 2K6" (that's the game they play on the Jumbotron during intermission as part of the MDX Challenge) that can be tweaked through trades and postseason brackets to bring this past playoff scenario to life again. In retrospect, it was an "NHL 2K6" simulation that predicted that this series would go the full seven games and that Erik Cole would be in the line-up.

Come September, Caniacs won't have to do any tinkering with their videogames. Both "NHL 07" and "NHL 2K7" will come with the exact line-ups of the Stanley Cup Champion Carolina Hurricanes in tact. The games will offer a match-up between the Canes and the feisty Edmonton Oilers as the default teams when you turn on your console.

The NHL and NHLPA announced that they've re-upped their agreements with EA Sports and 2K Sports to allow these two hockey videogame franchises to live on for years to come. "NHL 07" will make its Xbox 360 and PSP debuts this fall, and also ship for PC, Xbox and PS2. "NHL 2K7" will be the solo hockey game for PlayStation 3 come November. 2K Sports will also ship a new edition of its franchise for Xbox 360, Xbox, and PS2 this September.

There will be no more "Gretzky NHL" hockey games from Sony and no more "NHL Hitz" hockey games from Midway Games. But the two best hockey videogame franchises are still out there, giving hockey fans something football fans don't have the luxury of--a choice of which game they want to buy. When two sports game makers battle for dollars on the virtual ice, the games tend to get better. And for Carolina fans, that means there will be two great hockey games featuring their Stanley Cup Champions just a few months away.

Don't be surprised if Conn Smythe winner Cam Ward or NHL rising star Eric Staal one day grace the cover of a hockey videogames. These are both young NHL stars that have shown the world what they can do on the ice. They're also both big videogame fans. That's the perfect recipe for getting cover treatment down the road.

Are You Ready for Some Football?

2006-06-19T12:29:00.000-04:00

While the rest of the world is focusing on soccer, EA Sports is delivering real football action to gamers this week. “NFL Head Coach” is a new coaching simulation from the makers of “Madden” that is clearly aimed at the Fantasy Football crowd and the larger category of NFL armchair quarterbacks. Now those same guys who yell at the plasma screen every Sunday, second-guessing the choices that their team’s coach made when the game was on the line, can put their money where their mouth is.

“NFL Head Coach” allows players to chose any NFL team and take over operations. As the new coach, you’re responsible for everything from hiring your coaching staff to scouting players to running practices to calling plays in the big games. Unlike the text-based soccer management simulations that are popular in Europe, this NFL coaching sim is full of 3D graphics and real-time action.

Rather than controlling the quarterback, running backs and receivers on the field, as the coach, you’re job is to call the right plays and keep team morale high even during the toughest moments. Plays can be barked into the headset (the game uses voice recognition technology) in real-time, while you also tend to ay theatrics on the sidelines, including consoling your quarterback after he’s thrown an interception.

“NFL Head Coach” is the first football game to feature dynamic player statistics. This means that each pro player has a range potential of on-field performance. Depending how good you are at coaching during practices and in games, a Michael Vick might see his full potential rise, or fall. This adds a Fantasy Football element to the videogame, because your entire team has the ability to get better, or get worse, as the long season progresses.

Although “Madden” sells over 3 million copies a year, there are those who find the control schemes too complex (especially when playing with the vision and precision passing option turned on). This new game allows those that aren’t as dexterous with their fingers to enjoy the sport in dramatic fashion. The game allows you to take your team and compete online against other coaches. You also have the potential to build a virtual dynasty over the years and become one of the best coaches in history.

With another month before “NCAA Football 07” is released and two months before “Madden NFL 07” his store shelves, football fans ready for some football now can try their hand at coaching in the NFL.

Lara Croft Returns

2006-06-16T13:47:00.000-04:00

Lara Croft is making a big comeback in the videogame space. After almost being completely killed off from the game industry three years ago with the Hollywood fiasco "Lara Croft Tomb Raider: The Cradle of Life" and the videogame debacl "Tomb Raider: The Angel of Darkness," Miss Croft is back atop videogame sales charts with "Tomb Raider: Legend."

Videogame publisher Eidos moved the franchise from UK developer Core Design, which had made every Lara Croft game, over to California-based Crystal Dynamics, which was best known for game franchises like "Gex" and "Legacy of Kain." "Legend" erased the control, gameplay and camera problems that plagued the series and offered gamers a new-and-improved Lara Croft. The Xbox 360 and PC versions of the new game especially shine in the graphics department. The PSP "Tomb Raider Legend" game ships next week.

Now gamers can prepare for another Lara Croft game this fall. It's been 10 years since the bosomed archeologist first appeared on Sony's PlayStation and helped sell that game console to the masses. To commemorate the occasion, Eidos has announced that it will ship a "Tomb Raider 10th Anniversay Edition" for PS2, PSP and PC this fall. Crystal Dynamics is currently working on the "new game," although details have not been released yet. Rather than launch the franchise in a new direction, this will be a stand-alone adventure.

In related news, the remains of Core Design have been purchased by UK game developer Rebellion. The building, computers and remaining staff at Core are now working on an original game for Rebellion, which publisher Eidos will publish.

Gaming for Real Prizes

2006-06-14T15:50:00.000-04:00

I can't tell you how many times my parents told me I was wasting my time playing videogames as a kid. Now I get paid for writing about games. But there are much better excuses for gamers today to tell their parents--like I'm trying to get a new 2006 Jeep Wrangler.

Activision has teamed up with Best Buy to give Xbox 360 gamers the chance to win that new Jeep, or a Best Buy gift card worth $500 and $200. Anyone who owns the Xbox 360 "Call of Duty 2" game can log onto this site to register through June 16 to enter this tournament. There will be a total of 512 four-person teams that will engage in WWII battles in a single-elimination, bracket-style competition on Xbox Live. The top eight players will duke it out on July 22-23 for the chance to take home the top prizes.

This is just one example of the opportunities that are available to any gamer. Microsoft is flying the three best Xbox Live players of EA's "FIFA World Cup" on Xbox 360 to Berlin, Germany for the real World Cup. David McLeese (18 from Dix Hills, NY), Eddie Terrell (17 from Brownsburg, IN) and Greg Hengeli (25 from Hinckley, OH) will be flown to Germany on June 29 to represent the United States in the Xbox Cup at the adidas World of Football. In addition to playing the game in front of 8,500 fans in a stadium, these gamers (and the friend they chose to take with them) will get tickets to the FIFA World Cup quarter final match. But wait, there's more. They also get adidas sneakers, an Xbox 360 and a collection of EA Sports games. Not bad for playing soccer online.

Just as professional videogame players are receiving new opportunities to win larger cash sums at international tournaments, the average gamer is getting the chance to win more prizes than ever through online gaming tournaments. Once the realm of PC gamers, Xbox Live (and this fall's launch of PlayStation 3) opens up new ways for the best gamers in any city to prove their mettle online in an assortment of games.

Maybe you can give your Mom, girlfriend or wife a drive around town in that new Jeep. It should stop any nagging about where gaming's going to get you.

New Nintendo DS Lite Perfectly Portable

2006-06-12T13:09:00.000-04:00

Nintendo has owned the portable gaming space since it entered the arena in 1989 with the original monochrome Game Boy. Since then, competitors like Atari, Sega, SNK and Sony have tried to compete with the Game Boy brand. All but Sony and its PSP have failed.

Nintendo DS Lite ($130) is the latest portable gaming device from Nintendo, which continues to support Game Boy Advance SP ($80). The new Lite version of Nintendo's dual screen gaming device is less than two-thirds the size of the bulky original and 20 percent lighter. Other new features include the ability to choose from four brightness settings for the two screens, which can increase battery life for gaming. (The device already last between 6 to 10 hours on one four-hour charge.) The microphone has been centered and the "Start" and "Select" buttons have been moved for easier access. There's also now a removable cover for the cartridge slot, which keeps dust out.

If you haven't yet made the jump from GBA SP to Nintendo DS, there's never been a better time. Don't just take my word for it, Nintendo has sold 14 million units of the gaming system worldwide, including nearly 5 million in the U.S. And that was for the bulky original. The new Nintendo DS Lite is actually small enough to tuck into your pocket or purse and pull out to kill some free time.

There are plenty of killer apps for this system, including games aimed at a very wide age demographic. Nintendo's "Brain Age" and "Big Brain Academy" ($20 each) are exercises for your mind created by a Japanese PhD. No gaming skills are required for these short, addictive brain teasers. "Nintendogs" still stands out as one of the best games for DS. It's a virtual puppy simulator that allows you to train a puppy (you pick the breed) by using voice commands (speaking into the microphone) and positive reinforcement (petting with the stylus and offering virtual treats). "Tetris DS" allows fans to play alone or against others using the system's Wi-Fi connectivity.

Gamers have solid entertainment in the form of titles like "New Super Mario Bros.," "Mario Kart DS," "Metroid Prime Hunters," and "Cars." The great thing about games designed for DS is that they take advantage of special features like using both screens and online gameplay. This makes any game experience on DS different from PSP or GBA SP games. And because DS is backwards-compatible, all of your old GBA games will play on the new system.

The only negative is that the hot new Nintendo DS Lite is hard to find. It's selling out in most stores right now. But Nintendo will have plenty of new ones available throughout the summer.

"Disney/Pixar's Cars" Game Makes for a Fun Road Trip

2006-06-09T09:55:00.000-04:00

Videogame publisher THQ's adaptation of Disney-owned Pixar's latest CGI feature, "Cars," provides a lot of mileage for kids of any age. Unlike the movie, which features breathtaking visuals, colorful characters and a very slow middle portion that will likely bore younger kids, the "Cars" game keeps its engine revving to fun for the whole family.

THQ collaborates with Pixar on each of its movie-based games, and it shows in the quality of this game. Anyone who watches the movie will become familiar with Radiator Springs, the sleepy town along Route 66 that time forgot. The open-world game allows players to explore much further into Pixar's imagination. Gameplay goes beyond Radiator Springs and expands to Carburator County and Ornament Valley. This provides fans of the film the opportunity to take in the views that Pixar dreamed up, but wasn't able to incorporate into the final film.

Although there are only 10 drivable vehicles in the game, the story mode features 50 vehicles. The entire cast of the film spent time in the recording studio to breathe extended life into their vehicles. For fans of the film, the game offers the chance to get behind the wheel of Owen Wilson's Lightning McQueen, Larry the Cable Guy's Tow Mater, and Richard Petty's King. The voices add authenticity to the interactive experience.

The coolest thing about this game is the diverse range of gameplay that it offers. "Cars" is more than just a racing game. Players will be able to partake in mini-games taken directly from the film, including tractor tipping with Mater and doling out speed tickets as the Sheriff. Races range from off-road affairs to NASCAR-style Piston Cup races on tracks from the film.

The odds are that kids will have a much better time playing through this game's many levels than they did sitting through the film. Adults will find that this kids' game also plays well, making it the perfect way to bond with a child through some split-screen racing through Pixar's gorgeous CGI world. The game's available for Xbox, PlayStation 2, GameCube, PSP, Nintendo DS, Game Boy Advance and PC.

Dallas Mavericks Win Virtual NBA Title

2006-06-08T10:23:00.000-04:00

While EA Sports and 2K Sports are competitors in the sports videogame business, both publishers agree on one thing--the Dallas Mavericks will be NBA World Champions this year. Both game companies ran simulated NBA Final series on EA Sports' "NBA Live 06" (shown here on Xbox 360) and 2K Sports' "NBA 2K6." Dallas emerged the victor in both simulations.

According to 2K Sports, Dallas will win the NBA Title in five games, while EA Sports predicts the Heat will be a more worthy match in a full seven game series. Both simulations have Dallas' Dirk Nowitzki taking home the MVP award.

In the EA Sports simulation, Dallas won Game 1 at home 97-90 thanks to Nowitzki's 27 points, 11 rebounds and 2 blocked shots. Miami rode Dwyane Wade's 28 points, 9 rebounds and 9 assists to a 101-97 overtime victory in Game 2. Game 3 wasn't pretty for the home town fans, as Dallas snuck by Miami 93-90 on Nowitzki's 32 points (including 11 for 12 free throw shooting) and 12 rebounds. Shaquile O'Neal's 22 points and 11 rebounds weren't enough for Miami. Game 4 brought another overtime contest, which Dallas won 102-101. Nowitzki's 30 points and 8 rebounds edged out Wade's 29 points and 6 rebounds for the win. Miami won Game 5 93-81 on Antoine Walker's 22 points (including 6 for 10 from the three-point line) and 5 rebounds. Miami returned to Dallas with an 87-84 win. Shaq contributed 28 points, 11 rebounds and 3 blocked shots and Wade had 21 points, 7 assists and 4 rebounds in the win. Game 7 went down to the wire with Nowitzki dunking the winning basket at the buzzer for a 90-88 victory. Nowitzki had 27 points (including 8 for 9 at the free throw line) and 11 rebounds in the clincher.

2K Sports' simulation made it a lot easier on Dallas. The Mavericks won Game 1 97-90. Miami evened the series in Game 2 with a 110-86 victory. But that was all the Heat could muster. Dallas takes the next three games by scores of 107-93, 101-97 and 119-101.

Ironically, both "NBA 2K6" and "NBA Live 06" feature Miami players on their respective covers. Shaq graces the cover of "NBA 2K6" and Wade is the cover boy for "NBA Live 06." Look for one of these two games to feature Nowitzki on the cover for this fall's version.

Carolina Hurricanes Win Virtual Stanley Cup

2006-06-05T12:37:00.000-04:00

Sports videogame publisher 2K Sports has taken its upcoming hockey game, "NHL 2K7," and run a simulation of the Stanley Cup Finals that begin tonight in Raleigh. According to the new game, which doesn't ship until this September, the Hurricanes will win the Stanley Cup in a grueling seven game series.

According to the simulation, the Canes lose the series opener by a score of 2-1 with Rod Brind'Amour scoring the lone goal. Carolina brought home a win in Game 2 with a 6-4 tally that included a goal and an assist by Eric Staal. In Edmonton, the Oilers edged out the Hurricanes in a 4-3 game that had Chris Pronger score two goals. Carolina regained home ice advantage in Game 4 in a 7-6 barnburner that included a game-winning goal by Ray Whitney. The Canes brought another home town win to their fans in Game 5 in a 3-2 victory. In a rerun of the real Buffalo Sabres Eastern Conference Finals series, the Canes lose Game 6 in Edmonton by a 504 score, only to return home and win the Stanley Cup in front of their home crowd in Game 7 by a 4-2 tally. Eric Staal had two goals in the final win.

While it's nice to see that even videogames are picking Carolina to win, this particular simulation had some flaws. For some reason, 2K Sports failed to plug in the complete rosters of the Canes. As a result, Erik Cole was playing in this virtual series and had two goals in Game 5. As much as Canes fans would love to see Erik on the ice, the Canes have announced that that will not happen. Also, the sim had Martin Gerber starting in net, rather than the real starter, Cam Ward.

Speaking of Cam Ward, I was able to speak to him this weekend after practice on Saturday about videogames. According to Eric Staal, Cam is the best videogame player on the Canes. You can check out what Cam had to say about videogames here.

One impact that the Hurricanes success this season will have on upcoming hockey videogames like "NHL 2K7" and Electronic Arts' "NHL 07" is that gamers around the world will see a lot more of Carolina. The Hurricanes and Oilers will be the default team for the new fall games, which means the simulation that runs when you're not playing will be these two teams battling for the Stanley Cup. In addition, the Hurricanes will have higher, more accurate player and team ratings in the new crop of games. Last year's batch of games were based on Hurricanes stats from two years ago, because of the lockout. So Canes fans won't have to do as much editing to get a virtual team that replicates the success of the real team.

As a Canes season ticket holder who moved to Raleigh four years ago to follow Brind'Amour and the Canes, this has been a thrilling season. And in a few weeks, videogames will allow Canes fans to relive the magic season over and over again.

"The Break-Up" Is a Must-See Movie for Gamers

2006-06-01T11:27:00.000-04:00

Vince Vaughn and Jon Favreau know videogames. The duo broke into Hollywood in 1996 with "Swingers," a film that put both actors on the map--along with director Doug Liman ("The Bourne Identity") and actors Ron Livingston ("Office Space") and Heather Graham ("Boogie Nights").

In addition to changing the way millions of college guys talked, "Swingers" stood the test of time as the film with the best videogame sequence in cinematic history. It's obvious that Vaughn and Favreau spent some serious time playing Electronic Arts' "NHL Hockey 94," because the fact that EA removed fighting from the videogame (even though it was allowed in the real sport), was addressed in one of the film's funniest scenes. The fact that you couldn't fight, but could make Gretzky's head bleed was also part of a hilarious scene that resulted in Vaughn and the gang getting into a real fight over a videogame playoff game.

I spoke with NHL All-Star Jeremy Roenick last year (his videogame character is the one who makes Gretzky's head bleed in "Swingers") and he said he ran into Vaughn at an LA club the previous year where the two met for the first time. Roenick said Vaughn chose the Chicago Blackhawks for that scene because he grew up in Chicago and was always a huge Roenick fan. Anyone who played the old Genesis "NHL" games knows that Roenick's character was the highest rated player in the game.

With "The Break-Up," Vaughn is back in the game after a decade. Although he's playing a thirty-something guy, he's still logging a lot of time on PlayStation 2 playing "Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas" and "Madden NFL 06." There are several videogame sequences in the new film, but the one with "Madden" manages to equal the humor of "Swingers" "NHL" game. In an attempt to make Vaughn's character, Gary, jealous, Brooke (Jennifer Aniston) brings over a date. While she's getting ready in her bathroom, the two guys bond over a game of "Madden." Brooke ends up reading a magazine while her ex and her date play an entire game of "Madden," which Vaughn's character wins. The dialogue that transpires between these two guys, just like the dialogue in "Swingers," is funny because it's truthful.

Both of these films manage to bring out the humor of the videogame culture and the way that it impacts guys and the girls they date or marry. Although "The Break-Up" is obviously being marketed as a date movie, it's a must-see for gamers. One of the videogame sequences involves Jennifer Aniston parading through the condo buck naked.

Beyond the humorous videogame sequences, Vaughn, who had his hand in writing the story and put together the cast and crew, really excels at his fast-talking best. And your wife or girlfriend will enjoy some of the more heartfelt relationship moments that are portrayed in the film. So it's a win-win for gamers, and yet another successful comedy for Vaughn, who knows his way around a game controller.

New Cameras Allow Players To Put On Game Face

2006-05-31T16:14:00.000-04:00

While it may still be difficult to make it into the movie or TV business, this fall, anyone will be able to star in their own Xbox 360 videogame. Come September 19, Microsoft is shipping the Xbox Live Vision Web camera. This new camera will be used for upcoming games like Crave's "World Championship Poker with Howard Lederer" to allow poker players the ability to read their opponent's eyes via long-distance Xbox Live games.

What's more interesting is that the camera will allow game publishers like Ubisoft to take headshots of gamers and then insert their entire head onto a playable character in a game. "Rainbow Six: Las Vegas," one of the stand-out games at the recent E3 show, will allow Vision owners the ability to take front and side pictures of their heads, which will then be mapped into the game world. Activision will implement similar technology for its "World Series of Poker: Tournament of Champions" game. And you can expect many other games shipping this fall to offer similar gaming extras for Vision camera owners.

Taking a cue from Sony, which was first to introduce interactive camera technology into gameplay with its Eye Toy peripheral, new Xbox Live Arcade games like Totemball will allow players to interact with the game world using their arms. The camera registers the movement and inserts it into the game world. The Xbox 360 dashboard and music player will also allow gamers to interact with virtual settings and music videos.

And gamers will be able to play online games while seeing their opponents on screen. Voice chat over Xbox Live will become video chat. In theory, businesses could use these cameras for video conference calls across the country or across the world. (Talking on Xbox Live is free!)

Sony is expected to bring a new Eye Toy out for PlayStation 3 at some point down the line, but PS2 owners have a full range of games that allow gamers to star in the TV screen in fun mini-games through the "Eye Toy Play" franchise and even exercise routines with "Eye Toy Kinetic."

And gamers who haven't upgraded to cameras that sit on top of their TVs can still get their face into games with some work. Electronic Arts has incorporated its Game Face technology into several sports games like "Tiger Woods PGA Tour 06," which allows you to create a custom golfer with enough options to replicate your actual face in the game--along with your physique.

THQ's "Cars" Videogame Gets NASCAR Premiere

2006-05-30T11:37:00.000-04:00

THQ and Pixar have been making games together for years. After collaborating on videogame hits like "Finding Nemo," "The Incredibles" and a direct-to-videogame sequel, "The Incredibles: Rise of the Underminer," Pixar and THQ have finished buffing and waxing the "Cars" videogame. After making its E3 debut earlier this month, the new game, which ships June 6 for PlayStation 2, Xbox, GameCube, PC, PSP, Nintendo DS and Game Boy Advance, made its NASCAR debut in Concord, NC at Disney's "Cars" world premiere at the Lowe's Motor Speedway.

THQ had two videogame kiosks set up for the festivities, allowing press, celebrities and race car drivers the opportunity to get behind the wheel of the new game during the film junket on May 24 and 25. On May 26, the day of the world premiere, the game was on display at the Children's Charity Event tent and up in the racetrack suites for a separate Disney charity event. (The world premiere raised $1 million for children's charity.) THQ also had playable PlayStation 2 game kiosks at the NASCAR FanFest from May 24 through May 29.

"Cars" marks the first time that every actor involved in the Pixar movie also spent time in the recording studio excusively for the game. That means that when you pick up the videogame, Owen Wilson is voicing Lightning McQueen, Bonnie Hunt is Sally, Larry the Cable Guy is Tow Mater and that's really Paul Newman voicing Doc Hudson. NASCAR fans will also hear familiar voices like Darrell Waltrip and Richard Petty in the new game.

THQ's Rainbow Studios, which has excelled at racing games like "MX Unleashed," "ATV Offroad Fury 2" and "Motocross Madness 2," brings driving excitement to the "Cars" videogame. If ever a movie translated well for a game, this is it. Players can get behind the wheel of 50 vehicles in the game, including exclusive cars that weren't in the movie. NASCAR fans will be able to relive the opening and closing races from the movie's Piston Cup races. There are over 30 races in the game, including off-road monster trucks races and rally races throughout Ornament Valley. The game allows fans to explore beyond the Radiator Springs setting of the film and get behind the virtual wheels of those cool cars.

Nearly 40,000 NASCAR fans were able to watch "Cars" drive-in style on four, five-story tall screens at Lowe's Motor Speedway last week--making it the largest Hollywood premiere in history. Judging from the crowd's reaction to the movie on Friday night, this film is going to be another big hit for Pixar. Of course, the 15-lap race featuring Darrell Waltrip before the movie (which beats Coming Attractions any day), fired them up. Watching a NASCAR race on a NASCAR track before taking in a movie that features NASCAR-style driving was quite the synergy feat for Disney and NASCAR.

The pre-show Brad Paisley and Chuck Berry performances were also a welcome respite to the rain-drenched fans who stood in long lines to get in, weathering two severe thunder storms that delayed the red carpet arrivals of the cast and NASCAR guests like Richard Petty, Darrell Waltrip, Jeff Gordon, and Jimmie Johnson.

Xbox 360 Game Prices Falling

2006-05-25T17:23:00.000-04:00

While the price for next generation hardware remains $400 for Xbox 360 (the $300 Xbox 360 package doesn't come with what you really need for online gaming on Xbox Live), the prices of some new and old games have recently dropped from $60 to $40.

Electronic Arts released its Xbox 360 "Burnout Revenge" game for $40 and dropped the price of last year's launch titles "Madden NFL 06," "NBA Live 06," "FIFA Soccer 06: Road to FIFA World Cup," and "Tiger Woods PGA Tour 06" from $60 to $40. Granted, EA is selling "FIFA World Cup 06," the second next gen soccer game for the system, for a full $60. And the new "Madden NFL 07," which ships in August, will cost $60. (I recommend skipping the 06 Madden for 360, because it's a bare-bones verion of the game, while 07 is a complete next gen package.) In fact, the new 07 sports line-up from EA is expected to retail for $60, but for those stragglers who just upgraded, there are some bargains out there.

Ubisoft dropped the price of "Peter Jackson's King Kong" from $60 to $40, and that next gen version of the game is definitely worth the price of admission. THQ slashed $20 off the price of "The Outfit," the military arcade action game that's fun to play offline or online.

A pair of recent releases for Xbox 360 debuted at $40 each. Rockstar Games' "Table Tennis" and Koei's "Dynasty Warriors 5," both niche products, are much more attractive at these prices. While the $60 next gen price point isn't going to go away (PlayStation 3 games are expected to carry this price, as well), it's good news for gamers that publishers are already slashing prices on select titles. For those looking for a bargain with next gen, Wii games are expected to cost $40 to $50 and the hardware won't top $250.

Nintendo Will Ship 6 Million Wii Consoles

2006-05-25T11:34:00.000-04:00

Nintendo wowed the 60,000 attendees of E3 with its next generation console, Wii, which introduces new motion sensor control to gaming. The Japanese game giant confirmed that its next generation console will not sell for more than $250, which makes it the most affordable choice this Christmas with Xbox 360 clocking in at $400 and PlayStation 3 pushing the price barrier to $600.

Nintendo will ship 6 million Wii consoles worldwide between its expected November launch (no launch date given yet) and March 31, 2006. While that may seem like a large number, that includes the entire world, which mean you can expect shortages this Christmas as more kids will be asking for Wii under the tree than there are Wiis on store shelves.

Sony plans on shipping 4 million PS3s this fall globally and a total of 6 million by the end of March. Even with the higher price point, which hardcore gamers don't care about (Xbox 360s sold for $2,000 on Ebay last Christmas when they were in short supply), it will be hard to find a console this Christmas.

This translates to good news for Microsoft, which has plenty of Xbox 360s on shelves now after a slow launch. Microsoft plans on selling 10 million Xbox 360s by the end of thi year. What will likely happen this holiday season is people will head to Best Buy, EBGames and Wal-Mart looking for a PS3 or Wii, and will only find an Xbox 360. So if they want to make the leap to next gen, Microsoft will be the only choice until next year. Of course, there will also be plenty of PSPs (reduced to $200) and Nintendo DS Lites ($130) available for portable gamers.

It won't be until this time next year that Wiis and PS3s can match demand, so if you are planning on making the next gen leap this Christmas, pre-order now, or expect to pay through the roof on EBay.

The Best of E3 2006: Next Generation Games

2006-05-19T13:14:00.000-04:00

It takes a while to digest the sensory overload of E3 (and the jet lag of the trip to LA). The one advantage anyone who watched the show this year through outlets like E3Insider.com and GameTrailers.com is that viewing from the comfort of your own home is much more relaxing--and quieter. That said, this year's show painted a pretty clear picture of the coming year in games. The following is a rundown of what stood out from the 1,000+ games that were on the show floor.

Nintendo stole this year's show not with smoke and mirrors and promises (as Sony did last year with its PlayStation 3 videos), but with a strangely named next generation console that truly opens the door to new gamers. Wii (pronounced we) utilizes a revolutionary wireless controller that can be juxtapositioned in a variety of ways to give gamers new control over games. "Wii Sports Tennis" used the controller as a real tennis paddle, while Activision's "Tony Hawk Downhill Jam" used the controller as an actual skateboard that you could steer. The only negative comments that I've heard about this new console, which is also very compact and easy to carry, is that the graphics aren't on par with Xbox 360 or PS3. Well, they don't need to be. People play good games because they're fun to play. Graphics take a second seat to that any day. And Wii offers a nice leap in technology over GameCube. With the expected $250 price point, look for Wii to be the hottest game console not just for this Christmas, but for years to come.

There were a lot of cool Wii games, including "Metroid Prime 3" and "Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess," but for me, Ubisoft's "Red Steel" was the game that showed the most promise (and best controls). Set in the modern day, players battle the Yakuza using the Wii controller as both a gun and as swords in a truly immersive action game. Ubisoft worked closely with Nintendo to craft a killer app that appeals to older gamers. (Nintendo has plenty of games aimed at the younger crowd, as well.)

Microsoft had a very good show with Xbox 360. With plenty of consoles now in stock, this $400 game system now looks like a bargain compared to $600 for a PS3. And game developers have had a few years to get used to this next generation system, which could be seen in the large assortment of great games on display at E3. There were plenty of must-have Xbox 360 games at the show, but the one game that will do for Xbox 360 what Halo did for Xbox is "Gears of War." Created by local game developer Epic Games, "Gears of War" is a sci-fi shooter that features mind-blowing next gen visuals and addictive gameplay for both single-player and multiplayer action. Other standouts for Xbox 360 include Bioware's "Mass Effect," Capcom's "Lost Planet," Microsoft's "Shadowrun," and Microsoft's "Crackdown."

Despite the negative publicity surrounding the PS3's price point, Sony did have a decent assortment of games. While not on par with the second wave of Xbox 360 games, these PS3 games are clearly better than what was available for the PS2 launch. Anyone who remembers last year when people were buying the $400 Xbox 360 console on Ebay for $2,000 because of shortages already knows that gamers will spend money to get the newest console. Both PS3 and Wii will be in short supply this fall because of the typical launch problems that plague any new game console's introduction. You can rest assured that beginning next year, PS3 will be priced lower. As far as games go, Insomniac's "Resistance: Fall of Man" looks like a solid first-person shooter for launch, and Sony's "Heavenly Sword" was a beautiful fighter. "Gran Turismo HD" brings next gen racing to life, and Ubisoft's "Assassin's Creed," which was shown on PS3 but will likely appear on Xbox 360 as well, was one of the most impressive games on any system at the show.

If you're a gamer, there are plenty of great games coming your way this fall. I'll delve more into great games for current gen and portable game devices in the coming weeks.

Gamers Can Knock Out Former Heavyweight Champ Lennox Lewis

2006-05-19T13:13:00.000-04:00

Former Olympic Gold Medalist and Heavyweight Champion of the World Lennox Lewis has a passion beyond the sport of boxing. Since he was a kid, Lewis has been an avid chess player. The retired boxer, who had a 41-2-1 record in the ring, now challenges gamers to "knock him out" in an online chess match at online casual gaming site King.com. Anyone who thinks they have what it takes to match chess wits with the former champ can log on between 4:30 pm and 6 pm on Tuesday May 23. Any gamer who beats Lewis will receive $1,000 and a document that certifies that they "knocked out" the champ. Lewis warned me that he's very aggressive when it comes to chess, so knocking this chess king out won't be an easy feat.

Lewis said he became involved in chess back in public school by joining the chess club. He stuck with the game throughout his career and used the game as part of his training for fights. When he's not following boxing for HBO as a commentator, he likes to play chess at home. Online gaming has opened up the world as potential opponents through casual online gaming sites.

While people traditionally think of "Everquest" and "Halo 2" when it comes to online gaming, casual gaming sites at MSN, AOL, Yahoo! and Lycos draw the largest numbers of players. From simple card games to board games to addictive arcade-style games, these sites attract a large, mostly older demographic that tends to lean heavily toward female gamers. (The guys prefer to blow away enemies on Xbox Live playing games like "Call of Duty 2" or "Madden.") Many of these sites offer incentives to play through cash and prizes, but for the most part, it's the simple, but addictive nature of games like chess, and the ability to chat and gather with others in a virtual environment, that makes this one of the fastest-growing gaming areas.

All About Gamers

2006-05-17T13:26:00.000-04:00

Every year around the time of the E3 Expo, the Entertainment Software Association (ESA) releases new information about the demographic of gamers. Games are like movies in many ways, which means that when you're a kid and you start playing games (as early as 5 to 6 years of age), you don't stop playing as you grow older. Half of all Americans play videogames. Women make up 43 percent of game players today. The average age of a gamer today is 33. And that's a statistic that will increase every year as parents who grew up playing games now play games with their kids. In 2005, one-quarter of all game players were over the age of 50.

According to the ESA, 35 percent of parents today game with their kids. The typical gamer parent is 37 and 47 percent of gaming parents are women. A few decades from now there will be grandparents gaming with grandkids. The average age of a game buyer is 40, thanks to the Moms who buy games for their kids and husbands.

Despite the negative publicity that surrounds games thanks to political grandstanding and negative media coverage by people who are clueless about interactive entertainment, 81 percent of all games sold in 2005 were rated Everyone (the equivalent of PG movie) or Teen (the equivalent of PG-13). The breakdown was 49 percent E-rated games, 32 percent T-rated games and 19 percent Mature-rated games (the equivalent of an R rating). The ESA said that 16 of the Top 20 best-selling games last year were rated E or T.

The game industry is big. Globally, it accounts for annual sales of over $25 billion. In the U.S., game sales alone generated $7 billion in 2005. There were 228.5 million games sold last year. And for 2006, 42 percent of Americans plan on buying at least one new game.

Games are big business and big entertainment. The gaming audience will only continue to grow every year as new kids get introduced to interactive entertainment and older gamers find more M-rated choices to select from.

Next Generation Sports Games Bring Home the Action

2006-05-15T02:06:00.000-04:00

Sports videogames are big business, accounting for roughly one-quarter of annual videogame software sales every year. Thanks to huge franchises like "Madden NFL" (which sells over 3 million copies a year), "NBA 2K," "Major League Baseball 2K," "NCAA Football," "College Hoops," "NHL 2K," and "FIFA World Cup;" gamers are programmed to cough up another $40 to $60 (for next generation versions) every year for the latest improvements, roster updates and new features.

In addition to a whole new slew of next generation games heading to consoles this year, there's more sports videogame coverage than ever before. A new site launched last week called SportsGamer.com (which I happen to write for). Hurricanes fans (I'm a season ticket holder--Go Canes!) can read about NHL star Eric Staal's love of videogames on this site. ESPN signed a deal with Ziff Davis last week to start covering videogames again. They last covered games a few years back (I used to write for them), but have ignored the booming videogame business until this year. Sites like IGN.com cover the convergence of games and sports. And even Xbox.com features athlete interviews. Hurricanes fans can read about Mike Commodore's passion for games here.

Last week's E3 show had a wide array of cool new sports games. Looking at some of these next generation games playing on HD TV monitors, especially "NBA 2K7" or "Virtua Tennis 3," it looks just like the real deal. Being able to control your favorite athlete in college or pro hoops or football, or on the ice in the NHL, or on the field in soccer (which is always a big deal within a World Cup year), is the ultimate sports fantasy. These sports are so realistic that some athletes (like Oscar de la Hoya) actually use them as part of training (Xbox 360 "Fight Night Round 3")--he told me this the other day on the phone. I've also interviewed NASCAR drivers who practice laps on EA's game before the actual races.

Beyond the amazing visuals that Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 games will deliver this year, there was also some innovative new takes on sports gaming on display at the show. Most of the cool new takes on playing sports came from Nintendo's Wii--the next gen console launching this fall. EA made a separate "Madden NFL 07" game that allows you to use passing, hiking and kicking motions with the motion sensor controller to interact with the virtual players on the field. It's a whole new take on the sport that doesn't require memorizing buttons. This same technology works beautifully with Nintendo's new "Wii Tennis" game, which is a fun little workout for 20 minutes or so.

Other technology that can be used with Xbox, PlayStation 2 or PC games were on display at the QMotions booth. Real golf clubs can be used in their "QMotions Golf Game," a special bat is used to swing at pitches in "QMotions Baseball," and skateboarding and snowboarding games can use the new "Qmotions XBoard" for interacting with the on-screen action.

While nothing can replace playing your favorite sport, or watching it live, these new videogames are opening up a whole new fantasy world for fans. Videogames allowed hockey fans like myself to get through the NHL Lockout. And "Madden" makes the NFL an all-year affair.

Clint Eastwood Makes My Day

2006-05-11T01:04:00.000-04:00

Clint Eastwood, pictured here with Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment Head Jason Hall, was on hand at E3 to debut his new "Dirty Harry" videogame. Eastwood will provide his voice and 40-year-old likeness for the next generation game, which ships in 2007. The original story is set between "Dirty Harry" and "Magnum Force," the first two films in the franchise that spawned five movies and has sold 12 million DVDs. Eastwood said that fans always ask him when he's going to do another Dirty Harry movie, but he's past any detective's retirement age. Thanks to next generation videogame technology, Eastwood can reprise the role of Detective Harry Callahan and look a youthful 40. Joining Eastwood in the new game are actors Gene Hackman (who will also look a youthful 40 in the game) and Laurence Fishburne.

Eastwood showcased the first footage from the next generation game. He looked good in the virtual 1970s San Francisco, and the Mature-rated game will contain the same edge that the films had. Harry's game character has the same penchant for brutality and has a sharp wit. When a thug yells for someone to call the police after Callahan has punched him, Harry whispers, "I am the police." Hall said the gameplay will offer gamers choices on what kind of cop Harry will be in the game--a good cop or a bad cop. There will be consequences for every action. Having seen the game footage and Eastwood's enthusiasm for the project--he will record voice work for the original game later this year--I'm looking forward to this game. Grabbing a virtual .44 Magnum and patrolling 1970s San Francisco seems like the perfect way to enjoy Xbox 360 or PlayStation 3.

Hollywood continues to bring old franchises back to life through videogames. Gearbox Software and Titan Productions are working with Michael Mann on a videogame sequel to the Robert DeNiro/Al Pacino action heist film, "Heat." The next generation game will expand the story of the film. With Mann on board, the team is in talks with Al Pacino to become involved in the new game. Pacino is already on board for the "Scarface: The World Is Yours" game sequel. The new "Heat" game will allow players to form a crew and take part in a new heist. The gameplay will feature first-person perspective action for single-player and multiplayer gaming. The game's due out late next year on next generation consoles, which should allow for the type of visuals that I saw in "Dirty Harry." I had the chance to see Gearbox Software's first next generation game, "Brothers In Arms: Hell's Highway," today, and if "Heat" is half as impressive as that game, fans of the film are in for a real treat.

Sony, Nintendo and Microsoft Hold Conference at E3

2006-05-09T17:04:00.000-04:00

The Big Three in the videogame industry have spoken as the world readies for E3. Sony kicked things off Monday night by announcing a whopping $500 and $600 price tage for its PlayStation 3, which will come with either a 20GB hard drive or a more expensive 60GB hard drive when it ships this November 17. Sony plans on selling all 4 million units that it ships worldwide this fall. Sony will have over a dozen PS3 games playable on the show floor this week, including new games like "Gran Turismo HD," "Warhawk," "Resistance: Fall of Man," and "Madden NFL 07." PS3 will feature a new lighter, wireless controller that will feature motion sensors that enable players to tilt the controller in different directions for more control in games.

Nintendo was quiet when it came to pricing for its next generation offering, Wii (formerly called Revolution, which was a much better name). The system, which experts believe will be as little as $200, will be on store shelves in time for Thanksgiving. Nintendo will have 27 Wii games on display at E3 this week, including "Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess" (which will also ship for GameCube), "Super Mario Galaxy," and "Metroid Prime 3: Corruption." Nintendo's new console features a one-handed controller that will result in innovative new control in games. The new "Madden" game will let players motion with their arm that they're passing the ball to get the in-game trajectory of the virtual ball.

Microsoft, which got the head start in the next generation gaming war, will have 5 million Xbox 360s in homes around the globe by the end of this month. Bill Gates said there will be 10 million units in homes by the end of this year. Gates was on hand to announce Microsoft's foray into mobile gaming on cell phones. He also showed a trailer for a little Xbox 360 game called "Halo 3," which won't ship until next year (which is when the Hollywood film is expected to launch from producer Peter Jackson). There will be 160 Xbox 360 games by the end of this year, including "Fable 2," "Gears of War" (by Raleigh-based developer Epic Games), "Alan Wake," and "Forza Motorsport 2."

Other big news is that Rockstar Games' "Grand Theft Auto IV" will ship this October for Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 simultaneously. Xbox 360 users will actually get the game first, because of the later PS3 hardware launch. Xbox 360 gamers will also get additional exclusive episodic content via Xbox Live Marketplace.

Videogames Invade TV

2006-05-09T01:09:00.000-04:00

At a time when TV networks are losing male viewers ages 18 to 34 to videogames, E3 week has kicked off some new initiatives to try to lure these viewers back to programming. After all, these gamers are still using their TVs, they're just interacting with them rather than simply watching them.

CBS is bringing Konami Digital Entertainment's best-selling "Dance Dance Revolution" videogame franchise, which has sold over 4 million copies in the U.S. alone, to its "Saturday Morning Secret Slumber Party" line-up. The TV show will feature teen and tween contestants performing on the game in front of a Dance Revolution House Band. To keep viewers engaged, the show will challenge them to participate through onscreen cues. The show is part of a new inititiative that promotes exercise and healthy eating.

"Dance Dance Revolution" has become an international sensation since it launched in Japan in the lates 1990s. Introduced in the U.S. in 2001, the game requires players to perform dance moves in tune to the on-screen avatar by using a dance pad. The game even has a workout option that counts calories while a player is participating. Konami has shipped 10 different games in the U.S. over the past five years across all game platforms. Each new game brings licensed pop and dance songs. Kids become hooked on the game and end up getting a great workout without even realizing it. The game has been so successful at getting kids active that fitness centers like 24 Hour Fitness and the entire West Virginia Public Schools System use the videogame and dance pads as part of children's exercise programs.

DirecTV used E3 to announce its new professional videogame league. The satellite company has partnered with Best Buy, Mountain Dew and IGN.com to create the Championship Gaming Series. The new videogame league will launch in early 2007 and offer a full season of eight tournaments where professional videogame players can compete in teams on hit Xbox 360 and PC games for large cash prizes. The events will be tapes and televised through DirecTV as a live sporting event. IGN.com will cover the events online and offer round-the-clock information on the players and events.

Pro gaming had been popular in other countries for years, but it's just starting to take off in the U.S. DirecTV will hold three tune-up tournaments this year, beginning July 21, where it will focus on new technologies that will take viewers inside of the videogame worlds to watch the cyber athletes compete in games like "Ghost Recon Advanced Warfighter" and "Halo 2." The idea behind the league is to build rivalries between teams just as real sports do. DirecTV will offer a full spectrum of original programming surrounding this league, profiling players and offering gamers tips and strategies on how to play better.

There are currently seven different professional gaming leagues in the world today. Each offers hundreds of thousands of dollars in cash and prizes to the best gamers in the world. While networks like MTV, HDNet, and G4 have featuring pro gaming, DirecTV will be the first to actually offer a full season league atmosphere. This fall, USA Network will air seven one-hour taped shows that chronicle the Major League Gaming series. And GSN is introducing a new show that will follow the top casual online gamers.

It seems like networks are taking the old "ff you can't beat them, join them" approach with videogames--offering new alternatives to get gamers in front of the "boob tube" passively, at least for an hour or two.

"Scarface" Gets Videogame Sequel

2006-05-05T13:56:00.000-04:00

Despite the fact that Al Pacino's Tony Montana died a violent death at the end of the now-classic 1983 film, Vivendi Games is rewriting cinematic history with "Scarface: The World Is Yours." In the game, that climatic mansion shootout is relived by the player, and this time Montana survives. It's up to the player to expore the game's open world and build his drug empire from the ground up, and then seek revenge on those who tried to kill him.

Al Pacino provided his likeness for the new game, which hits stores this Christmas. A sound-alike is recording original voice work for the Mature-rated game, which is filled with the same type of "colorful" language as the film. Some of Pacino's lines from the film, including "Say hello to my little friend," will be incorporated in the game, as well.

But Vivendi Games has recruited an all-star cast to fill the game's other parts, hiring actors from the original film and seeking out new actors for original parts. Robert Loggia, who played Frank Lopez, Steven Bauer, who starred as Manny Ribera, and Al Israel, who played Hector the Toad, will all be in the new game.

Other actors that brought new characters to the game world include: James Woods, Robert Davi, Michael Rapaport, Ice T, Oliver Platt, Jay Mohr, Miguel Sandoval, Daniel Dae Kim, Willa Holland, Roma Maffia, Robert LaSardo, Brenda Strong, Cheech Marin, Ricky Gervais, Michael York, Michael Rooker, Tommy Chong, Jason Mewes, Anthony Anderson, Rick Yune, Wilmer Valderrama, Kevin Dillon, Jerry Ferrara; Elliott Gould, Richard Roundtree, Tiny Lister, Bai Ling, Bam Margera, Cree Summer, rapper N.O.R.E., Tommy Lee, and Cypress Hill's B. Real and Sen Dog. Even NASCAR driver Dale Earnhardt Jr. took on a role in the new game.

"Scarface" follows in the virtual footsteps of Electronic Arts' "The Godfather: The Game," which has shipped over 1 million units worldwide. Both games introduce a new gaming audience to the classic film worlds, while expanding the story. Most importantly, the games allow players to take on the starring role in an interactive crime story. Like "Grand Theft Auto," "Scarface" provides the gamer with a huge world to explore that spans Miami, Cuba and the islands in between. Along the way, players will be able to chart a new course by living out a virtual sequel.

Play "The Sopranos"

2006-05-04T11:22:00.000-04:00

"The Sopranos" is the latest TV show to get the videogame treatment. This Christmas, PlayStation 2 and Xbox 360 gamers can get "made" if they play their cards right in THQ's new game, which is based on the hit HBO crime drama. The Mature-rated game puts players in the role of an original character--the illigitimate son of "Big Pussy." Tony Soprano takes you--the gamer--under his wing and you become a foot soldier for the Soprano family. Gameplay involves performing minal tasks like making collections, as well as more action-oriented missions that may require some bones to be broken. As a last resort, players will have weapons to eliminate any "problems" that arise from business.

Bringing authenticity to this game, actors James Gandolfini (Tony Soprano), Tony Sirico (Paulie Walnuts), Michael Imperioli (Christopher Moltisani), and Steven Van Zandt (Silvio Dante) all signed on to provide voice acting and likenesses for the game. Players will interact with these virtual mobsters, running "errands" for Tony and Paulie. Locations from the show like the Bada Bing! strip club, !, Nuovo Vesuvio’s and Satriale’s have all been faithfully recreated in 3D.

David Chase, the creator of the show, worked on the original script, which introduces a new crime family from Philadelphia. The game's story takes place between Season 5 and Season 6, the current season. Although Season 7 will be the last for HBO, THQ plans on releasing additional games, which means fans will be able to interact with Tony and the gang beyond the show's final episode.

There's a growing trend for TV networks to expand their hit shows to games. ABC is bringing "Desperate Housewives" to PC gamers this fall. That game will take a "Sims" approach to the show, allowing gamers to move into a house on Wisteria Lane and interact with the show's cast. ABC is also exploring the opportunity for a "Lost" videogame, according to an executive I recently interviewed. This game would go beyond the "Lost Experience," a free online game that launched this week with the show and will run throughout the summer. ABC's last console game was "Alias," which Acclaim brought to Xbox and PlayStation 2 a few years ago. Despite the fact that Jennifer Garner and the entire cast were on board, the game was bad and crashed and burned at retail.

Other networks have had success with TV shows on the PC, which tends to be an older audience, and more female-driven. Legacy Interactive has turned NBC shows like "Law & Order," "Law & Order: Criminal Intent," "E.R." and "The Apprentice" into PC games. Unisoft has had success with "CSI" and "CSI: Miami" on PC. In fact, Ubisoft has released three "CSI" games and even brought the show over to Xbox last year.

"The Simpsons" has been videogame fodder for years, but Electronic Arts is bringing America's first family to next generation consoles next year--just in time for the feature film. 2K Games, which released a PS2 "24" videogame earlier this year that featured the entire cast of the hit show, is bringing "The Family Guy" to consoles next year. And fans of "The Family Guy" and "American Dad" can play a free online "American Dad vs. Family Guy Kung Fu" game that pits characters from both shows against one another at this site.

With more people spending time in front of their TVs playing games, this trend of TV shows heading to games should pick up speed in the coming years.

E3 Is Coming

2006-05-02T12:53:00.000-04:00

Once a year, over 70,000 videogame professional from around the globe converge on the Los Angeles Convention Center for the Electronic Entertainment Expo (E3) to take in over 1,500 new videogames that will be released over the next year. Everyone from game developers and publishers to retailers, analysts and journalists spend the week in Los Angeles traversing the five halls and 540,000 square feet of games (that's over 27 city blocks of interactive entertainment).

May 10 marks the official start of this year's show, but for gaming journalists, it's become a year-long event. I've already seen many of the big games at various pre-E3 events over the past few months. And E3 begins for me next Monday with the press conferences from Sony and Microsoft. Then Tuesday it's Nintendo, Activision, Square Enix and Nokia. And that's before the actual show floor opens at 9 a.m. on Wednesday.

While the mainstream media still doesn't give the $30 billion global videogame industry the appropriate attention (outside of the Christmas season--November and December account for half of annual game sales), E3 ensures that every Web site, newspaper and TV outlet has some kind of videogame story. The event is such a big deal that it's impossible to ignore. The fact that it's closed to the public also increases the attention the show gets, as gamers seek to get an inside look at the show floor through Web sites like E3Insider.com, IGN.com and GameSpot.com. Microsoft is offering Xbox 360 owners an inside look at this year's show through its Xbox Live service. All next week, that paid subscription service will be free and gamers can download over 60 high definition game trailers straight to their Xbox 360.

Over the past few years (I've been covering E3 shows for over a decade now), game companies have been expanding the show well beyond the week of events and parties. The past few weeks have been inundated with game news like Nintendo's next generation Revolution being changed to Wii (pronounced We). Game publishers announce E3 line-ups well before the show now, as Namco Bandai recently did by confirming that Ridge Racer 7 and Tekken 6 will be available on PlayStation 3 and MOBILE OPS: The One Year War will hit Xbox 360 later this year. Electronic Arts' brand new Montreal Studio will bring ARMY OF TWO to Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3--a new cooperative combat game set in present day hot spots. Ubisoft is bringing the Japanese role-playing adventure game Enchanted Arms to Xbox 360.

This year's show is all about next generation gaming with PlayStation 3, Wii and Xbox 360 taking the lead in a console transition from PlayStation 2, GameCube and Xbox. This blog will keep you up on the latest news and trends in interactive entertainment throughout the year. E3 just happens to be the launching point, but gaming is a year-round entertainment.