Games

Microsoft loses a Zune retailer

GameStop, a leading video game retailer, has decided that it will no longer stock Microsoft's Zune players, citing poor sales. And while I don't quite agree with my fellow-blogger Don Reisinger that this is the beginning of the end for Zune, it's hard to see any silver lining in the news.

Microsoft's entry into the consumer electronics space came with a thorny channel problem. Microsoft sells the vast majority of its products through PC makers, who bundle Windows (and often Office and other software) on new PCs, and through well-established partners who specialize in selling to … Read more

Get a refurbished Xbox 360 Premium system for $219.99

Cash-strapped game junkies can score a refurbished Xbox 360 Premium console for just $219.99, plus a very reasonable 10 bucks for shipping. That's a pretty solid deal considering that it sells for $350 new.

The Premium version of the mega-popular game system includes a wireless controller, a 20GB hard drive, and a headset. Reseller Blue Bay Electronics doesn't specify the warranty period, but based on other Xbox refurbs I've seen, it's probably 60 days (you should definitely check with the company before ordering).

In addition to playing kick-ass games, the Xbox 360 supports movie and … Read more

Social gaming coming into its own

SAN FRANCISCO--When you're one of the earliest adopters of a new technology, or one of the first companies into a new space, you tend to be very bullish on its future.

That energy was very much in evidence Thursday at InterPlay, the first-ever conference solely devoted to social gaming.

If you're not familiar with the concept of social gaming--small, casual game applications designed to be played on social networks like Facebook--you soon will be. That's because there is a lot of interest--and a growing amount of venture capital--being focused on the young space.

Examples of the early … Read more

BioShock headed to the PlayStation 3--is exclusivity dying?

After countless rumors, it appears that last year's underwater dystopian masterpiece, BioShock, will see the light of day on the PlayStation 3 after all. The critically acclaimed title had recently been in the news regarding its big-budget Hollywood adaptation.

Now, Computers and Videogames is reporting that the latest issue of the UK magazine PSM3 is showcasing a preview of the PS3 version of the game along with a handful of screenshots. While there's been no word from 2K Games officially, once the magazine hits newsstands on June 5 we'd imagine a press release will follow shortly after. … Read more

'Guitar Hero World Tour' coming out this fall

Gentlemen, start your Gibsons: The Guitar Hero World Tour is about to begin.

The next version of Activision's hit title promises to take the shredding experience to the next level with "a cooperative band experience that combines the most advanced wireless instruments with revolutionary new online and offline gameplay modes," according to the company. Among the new elements will be a new guitar controller, virtual drums, and microphone, as well as master recordings from Van Halen, the Eagles, Linkin Park, and other artists. The selection can be expanded further with downloads through its "Music Studio," … Read more

Zynga CEO: Facebook, MySpace should share user data

SAN FRANCISCO--Huge social media services like Facebook and MySpace should allow application developers access to intelligence about their users' behavior.

That was the message from Mark Pincus, CEO of social-gaming network Zynga Thursday as he and others spoke on a panel called "The future of online social gaming" at the InterPlay conference here.

The confab is the first devoted entirely to social gaming, and it has attracted a packed house for a series of discussions on things like advertising and marketing on social games, how to fund such games and how to build these games on social media … Read more

Retro Tech: Mego's 2-XL

When I was growing up, the closest thing we had to artificial intelligence was something called 2-XL (if you're younger than 30, you probably have no idea what I'm talking about). We've always had trivia games--what made this one interesting, especially to a generation that's just seen Star Wars, was that these trivia questions were asked by a plastic robot.

In 1978, when I got my hands on 2-XL, I was ecstatic. It was the it toy back then. 2-XL was a trivia robot created by Michael J. Freeman, an inventor with an interest to educate … Read more

GamePie: GameFly's social Facebook application

GameFly has launched a new Facebook application, called GamePie, which allows gamers to share what they are currently playing; review and score video games that they have played in the past; and make a wish list of games that they want to play in the future. While GamePie does not feature any direct hook-ins to the GameFly service, it aims to build a better community around games and allow for better sharing and discovery.

During a walk through of the service with GameFly co-founder Sean Spector and product manager Jason Wade, they emphasized that this is not a money-making venture … Read more

PSP gets the blues for Madden

It's been awhile since we saw the PSP change its colors, maybe because it had nowhere to go but down after champagne. But the latest version of Sony's handheld comes in metallic blue in a special edition to commemorate the 20th anniversary of John Madden's pioneering football titles.

The color isn't much to write home about, as CrunchGear says, but the $200 "Madden NFL 09" package is a decent deal that includes a video titled NFL: In Just One Play, a PlayStation Network voucher, and a 1GB flash drive. Unlike the new DS Lite, … Read more

Acer gets predatory over gamers

One look at the Acer Predator design, and we were sold. Seemingly inspired by the iconic masked aliens from the movies, the angular body kicks girlish, curvy designs in the rear and (almost) makes gamers feel like real men-at-arms.

Under the panel lies a Core 2 Extreme processor, three-way SLI graphics support, TV tuner, and up to 8GB of system memory (for 64-bit operating systems). Though there is currently only a desktop on display, from the teaser site we gathered that a line of Predator notebooks seems likely. Availability, pricing, and other details are unknown so far.

(Source: Crave Asia) … Read more