As if you haven't heard enough of President Barack Obama, even gaming news from gamespot seems to have information on the new President.
If you are one of the only 12 people to miss yesterday's historic inauguration, you may still be in luck.
For a limited time, Microsoft is including President Obama's inauguration as well as other Obama related content for download on the Xbox Live Marketplace.
There also is news that the United States may have a "First Wii."
That's right, amongst the plethora of moving boxes and furniture into the White House; there is reportedly a Nintendo Wii aboard for President Obama and his family (mostly his two daughters) to enjoy.
Finally, evidence that video game consoles are making there way into the White House. Let's just hope that Obama doesn't further restrict video game content.
How strange would it be if Barack or Michelle Obama accidently purchased a "T" or "M" rated game for the first kids?
Wednesday, January 21, 2009
Inaugurating Your Console
Saturday, January 17, 2009
Cool Zelda CGI Film
For your viewing pleasure, check out this pretty cool CGI Zelda movie created by Jack Curran:
Wednesday, January 14, 2009
The Wii can be hazardous for your Nintendogs
A MSNBC report yesterday stated that a family nearly killed their dog in the process of playing their Wii.
If it sounds unusual - it is.
According to the report Marquette, Michigan dog owner Kathy White struck her five-month-old miniature Sheltie in the temple while playing the Wii.
Apparently, "Ozzy" jumped at the prociese moment White was following through her bowling swing on "Wii Sports."
White then enlisted the help of neighbor, Pene Honey, after panicing at the site of the lifeless dog.
Honey reportedly provided four or five breathes to poor "Ozzy" through his nose. After that, "Ozzy" coughed and woke up. Seems like a mere phoenix down would have sufficed.
Veterinarians discovered that "Ozzy" had severe brain swelling and was in cardiac arrest from the incident. However, he should be fine within a couple of weeks.
I guess that is why Nintendo provides a disclaimer before games warning users not to play near objects or PETS!
Nevertheless, we at VGF want to wish a heartfelt recovery for poor "Ozzy." It seems that Microsoft and Sony are not the only two being harmed by Nintendo's uber-popular console - of puppy doom!
If it sounds unusual - it is.
According to the report Marquette, Michigan dog owner Kathy White struck her five-month-old miniature Sheltie in the temple while playing the Wii.
Apparently, "Ozzy" jumped at the prociese moment White was following through her bowling swing on "Wii Sports."
White then enlisted the help of neighbor, Pene Honey, after panicing at the site of the lifeless dog.
Honey reportedly provided four or five breathes to poor "Ozzy" through his nose. After that, "Ozzy" coughed and woke up. Seems like a mere phoenix down would have sufficed.
Veterinarians discovered that "Ozzy" had severe brain swelling and was in cardiac arrest from the incident. However, he should be fine within a couple of weeks.
I guess that is why Nintendo provides a disclaimer before games warning users not to play near objects or PETS!
Nevertheless, we at VGF want to wish a heartfelt recovery for poor "Ozzy." It seems that Microsoft and Sony are not the only two being harmed by Nintendo's uber-popular console - of puppy doom!
Tuesday, January 13, 2009
Video Game Violence Addressed
Violence in video games appears to be the topic of the day with two stories coming through Gamespot concerning violence in video games.
First, is a murder conviction of a 18-year-old man dubbed the "Halo 3 Killer" after he shot his mother and father because his mother took away his favorite video game - Halo 3 - because he was playing it too much.
Daniel Petric had killed his mother while injuring his father in the incident.
The young man's defense attorney said Petric became "obsessed" with the game citing him as both aggressive and irrational when he was not allowed to play it.
Just like an addiction.
Petric's sentencing gave way to other violence in video games news when US Representatives Joe Baca (D-California) and Frank Wolf (R-Virginia) introduced the "Video Games Health Labeling Act of 2009."
The act would mandate that all video games rated "T for Teen" or higher consisting of violent content would display a caution, warning parents of the affects of video game violence.
In the proposed act, the label would read "WARNING: Excessive exposure to violent video games and other violent media has been linked to aggressive behavior."
Ideally the act would hold parents more accountable for purchasing violent video games for their children.
In essence, they can trade off not reading the ESRB warning for violence for not reading a federally mandated warning signaling an inconclusive contention to video game violence that disregards other factors in a child's life such as socioeconomic status, mental health issues, and the overall rearing strategy of the parents.
What do you think?
First, is a murder conviction of a 18-year-old man dubbed the "Halo 3 Killer" after he shot his mother and father because his mother took away his favorite video game - Halo 3 - because he was playing it too much.
Daniel Petric had killed his mother while injuring his father in the incident.
The young man's defense attorney said Petric became "obsessed" with the game citing him as both aggressive and irrational when he was not allowed to play it.
Just like an addiction.
Petric's sentencing gave way to other violence in video games news when US Representatives Joe Baca (D-California) and Frank Wolf (R-Virginia) introduced the "Video Games Health Labeling Act of 2009."
The act would mandate that all video games rated "T for Teen" or higher consisting of violent content would display a caution, warning parents of the affects of video game violence.
In the proposed act, the label would read "WARNING: Excessive exposure to violent video games and other violent media has been linked to aggressive behavior."Ideally the act would hold parents more accountable for purchasing violent video games for their children.
In essence, they can trade off not reading the ESRB warning for violence for not reading a federally mandated warning signaling an inconclusive contention to video game violence that disregards other factors in a child's life such as socioeconomic status, mental health issues, and the overall rearing strategy of the parents.
What do you think?
Sunday, January 11, 2009
Video Game Photos from CES 2009
The Consumer Electronic Show is underway in Las Vegas and the gaming industry is making its presence felt.
Here is a look at new photos from CES 09 that Gamespot has collected:
Here is a look at new photos from CES 09 that Gamespot has collected:
Resident Evil 5 - Xbox 360, PS3
Street Fighter IV - PC, Xbox 360, PS3
Resistance: Retribution - PSP
DC Universe Online - PC, PS3
Dead Rising: Chop Til You Drop - Wii
Dark Void - PC, Xbox 360
Flock - PC, Xbox 360, PS3
Tuesday, January 6, 2009
EGM: Electronic Gaming Monthly Magazine No More?
Word appears to be flooding in everywhere namely 1up itself that 1up.com has been sold to UGO Entertainment.
UGO Entertainment is owned by the Hearst cooperation who owns several large newspapers as well as the magazine Cosmopolitan and portions of ESPN.
However, 1up.com's magazine counterpart Electronic Gaming Monthly may have printed its last issue.
According to Kotaku and GameSetWatch.com, the monthly gaming magazine will no longer be published and January's edition may well be its last.
No official word on the fate of the longtime industry magazine until tomorrow.
UGO Entertainment is owned by the Hearst cooperation who owns several large newspapers as well as the magazine Cosmopolitan and portions of ESPN.
However, 1up.com's magazine counterpart Electronic Gaming Monthly may have printed its last issue.
According to Kotaku and GameSetWatch.com, the monthly gaming magazine will no longer be published and January's edition may well be its last.
No official word on the fate of the longtime industry magazine until tomorrow.
Top Ten Most Memorable Video Game Characters
We all have our favorite video game characters from Mario to Sonic or Master Chief to Samus, but one thing remains the same - they are all memorable characters.
Now join us for a look back at the top ten most memorable video game characters of all-time:
10. Samus Ar
an
The world shuttered in the moment when one of the greatest video game revelations spanned across the globe: Samus is a girl!? Ranging from a versatile killing machine to a wise choice in the Super Smash Bros. series, Samus is a character that Nintendo fans and casual gamers alike seem to have a soft spot for. Or maybe it's because the games she had been in are fantastic.
9. Lara Croft
Although no Tomb Raider game has even been above par, Lara Croft has been well received by gamers worldwide. Gee, I wonder why? It wouldn't be too much of a stretch to say that the design of Lara Croft has been mimicked as a standard in outlandish female character design and has brightened the faces of young boys who love to see her jump and run everywhere. Now it's almost like we see some form of Lara Croft in nearly every game
8. Mega Ma
n
Who doesn't love this little guy. He's cute, he's blue, he runs and jumps funny, and he sucks the super powers from his foes' bodies after he annihilates them. The star of Capcom's painfully difficult series has always been a favorite for those very reasons. We all - at least secretly - wish that the classic Mega Man would return some day to vaporize the cartoonie reiteration of what our blue little friend once was.
7. Sonic the Hed
gehog
If this was about 15 years ago Sonic would be near the top. Sadly, the glory days of Sonic appear to be over, but we can't forget about the fastest guy in the video game world. Running through our video game memories from childhood, Sonic is certainly the character that not only helped to build the once great Sega empire, but was a key figure in the ruthless battle between Nintendo and Genesis owners.
6. Solid Snake
Certainly the grittiest character on the list, Solid Snake still manages to capture our hearts with his winning smile. Okay, maybe not, but Solid Snake has been our constant hero from one of the greatest video game franchises of all-time. At some point or another, everyone has wanted to walk in Snake's shoes just to know how cool it feels to be the coolest and most stealthy guy on the video game block. I'm surprised he didn't infiltrate first place
5. Cloud Strife
Outside some gaming circles you will find people who don't even know his name, but if anyone knows anything about Final Fantasy VII they know about Cloud and his big sword. Certainly not the most sociable of video game characters, Cloud is someone you would certainly want on your side in a fight. Being one of the most dynamic and mysterious video game characters of all-time in one of the greatest video game stories of all-time, it is easy to see why Cloud Strife is so memorable.
4. Master Chief
Fear not, your beloved Master Chief made the list. Perhaps being the most played video game character of all-time it is hard to believe that Master Chief's faceless, identical features make him so memorable. Of course, he does have his gruff voice that I'm sure woes the ladies. Nevertheless, I'm sure that the fact that the Halo series pretty much created the standard upon which all other online multiplayer fist-person shooters are judged has something to do with it as well.
3. Link
What can we say about Link aside from "heeeyaaaa!" Although this cute little elf guy in green has yet to say a single, audible word he is one of the most memorable video game characters of all-time. Acting as the star in some of the greatest video games of all-time it is easy to see why we love him so much. Also, the complexity of classic Zelda puzzles and environments mean that we have all spent many intimate hours with him as we scratch our heads in the proverbial "I'm stumped" mode. This poor guy has been through a lot and we have been with him experiencing some of gaming's greatest moments of all-time.
2. Pac-man
Everyone, and most literally everyone, knows that a yellow circle with a triangle cut out of it is not just a yellow circle with a triangle cut out of it, it's Pac-man. You will be hard pressed to find anyone these days who has never played Pac-man: gamer and non-gamer alike. He is one hungry yellow circle with a triangle cut out of it and he really loves his blinking white balls. Too bad he's afraid of ghosts, but aren't we all? Pac-man has been changed and reintroduced in several different ways but he still remains one of the most memorable icons in the entire world.
1. Super Mario
When you hear the words "video game character" or even "video game" I am willing to bet that you will be thinking about the happy Italian plumber created by a Japanese guy. Mario is THE video game character that has captured the hearts and countless hours of millions - perhaps billions - of people across the globe. Mario is also easily the single image that the entire industry - and Nintendo's lifetime profits - can be described by. Everyone loves Mario and anyone who tells you they don't is a lying because for many of us, Mario is the first thing we can remember about the early days of playing video games dating back to his debut in 1985. Yet he still manages to be included in fantastic, well-received games to date. That is one character that has withstood the test of time and reins as the most memorable video game character ever.
Now join us for a look back at the top ten most memorable video game characters of all-time:
10. Samus Ar
anThe world shuttered in the moment when one of the greatest video game revelations spanned across the globe: Samus is a girl!? Ranging from a versatile killing machine to a wise choice in the Super Smash Bros. series, Samus is a character that Nintendo fans and casual gamers alike seem to have a soft spot for. Or maybe it's because the games she had been in are fantastic.
9. Lara Croft
Although no Tomb Raider game has even been above par, Lara Croft has been well received by gamers worldwide. Gee, I wonder why? It wouldn't be too much of a stretch to say that the design of Lara Croft has been mimicked as a standard in outlandish female character design and has brightened the faces of young boys who love to see her jump and run everywhere. Now it's almost like we see some form of Lara Croft in nearly every game
8. Mega Ma
nWho doesn't love this little guy. He's cute, he's blue, he runs and jumps funny, and he sucks the super powers from his foes' bodies after he annihilates them. The star of Capcom's painfully difficult series has always been a favorite for those very reasons. We all - at least secretly - wish that the classic Mega Man would return some day to vaporize the cartoonie reiteration of what our blue little friend once was.
7. Sonic the Hed
gehogIf this was about 15 years ago Sonic would be near the top. Sadly, the glory days of Sonic appear to be over, but we can't forget about the fastest guy in the video game world. Running through our video game memories from childhood, Sonic is certainly the character that not only helped to build the once great Sega empire, but was a key figure in the ruthless battle between Nintendo and Genesis owners.
6. Solid Snake
Certainly the grittiest character on the list, Solid Snake still manages to capture our hearts with his winning smile. Okay, maybe not, but Solid Snake has been our constant hero from one of the greatest video game franchises of all-time. At some point or another, everyone has wanted to walk in Snake's shoes just to know how cool it feels to be the coolest and most stealthy guy on the video game block. I'm surprised he didn't infiltrate first place
5. Cloud Strife
Outside some gaming circles you will find people who don't even know his name, but if anyone knows anything about Final Fantasy VII they know about Cloud and his big sword. Certainly not the most sociable of video game characters, Cloud is someone you would certainly want on your side in a fight. Being one of the most dynamic and mysterious video game characters of all-time in one of the greatest video game stories of all-time, it is easy to see why Cloud Strife is so memorable.
4. Master Chief
Fear not, your beloved Master Chief made the list. Perhaps being the most played video game character of all-time it is hard to believe that Master Chief's faceless, identical features make him so memorable. Of course, he does have his gruff voice that I'm sure woes the ladies. Nevertheless, I'm sure that the fact that the Halo series pretty much created the standard upon which all other online multiplayer fist-person shooters are judged has something to do with it as well.
3. Link
What can we say about Link aside from "heeeyaaaa!" Although this cute little elf guy in green has yet to say a single, audible word he is one of the most memorable video game characters of all-time. Acting as the star in some of the greatest video games of all-time it is easy to see why we love him so much. Also, the complexity of classic Zelda puzzles and environments mean that we have all spent many intimate hours with him as we scratch our heads in the proverbial "I'm stumped" mode. This poor guy has been through a lot and we have been with him experiencing some of gaming's greatest moments of all-time.
2. Pac-man
Everyone, and most literally everyone, knows that a yellow circle with a triangle cut out of it is not just a yellow circle with a triangle cut out of it, it's Pac-man. You will be hard pressed to find anyone these days who has never played Pac-man: gamer and non-gamer alike. He is one hungry yellow circle with a triangle cut out of it and he really loves his blinking white balls. Too bad he's afraid of ghosts, but aren't we all? Pac-man has been changed and reintroduced in several different ways but he still remains one of the most memorable icons in the entire world.
1. Super Mario
When you hear the words "video game character" or even "video game" I am willing to bet that you will be thinking about the happy Italian plumber created by a Japanese guy. Mario is THE video game character that has captured the hearts and countless hours of millions - perhaps billions - of people across the globe. Mario is also easily the single image that the entire industry - and Nintendo's lifetime profits - can be described by. Everyone loves Mario and anyone who tells you they don't is a lying because for many of us, Mario is the first thing we can remember about the early days of playing video games dating back to his debut in 1985. Yet he still manages to be included in fantastic, well-received games to date. That is one character that has withstood the test of time and reins as the most memorable video game character ever.
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