I've oftentimes thought about why gaming is such an important part of my life. Is it because I grew up with it? Possibly. Is it because I love tech and it's an extension of that? Maybe.

But I don't think either characterization really captures why I love gaming and why anytime I have some free time, I immediately push my computer aside, turn my HDTV on, and start playing with my Wii, PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, or the countless consoles that have littered my past.

In reality, I love gaming because it's an escape into a reality that can only be possible in the world of video games. It's not just a place where I can be entertained--though I am quite often--and it's not even a place where I can waste the day by immersing myself in a virtual world.

Video games create a world that's free from stress, and although some like to say they ruin our children and will ignite a wave of violence unlike anything we've ever seen, they're not nearly as violent as the "real world." If I wanted to look at the horrors of our society and see the worst human beings for what they really are, I wouldn't play a video game. Instead, I'd do a simple Web search and learn anything I've ever wanted to know.… Read more

The video game industry is abuzz over the possibility of Take-Two Interactive and Electronic Arts joining hands and become the world's most powerful video game developer. According to EA, such a move will improve its lineup of games and help consolidate its presence in the industry.

Take-Two hasn't been so delighted about EA's acquisition attempts. The company has let the offer deadlines slip countless times--the last happened just nine days ago--but it still can't quite shake EA. And this time around, the companies have signed a confidentiality agreement that would ensure both sides don't go public with the closed-door proceedings.

Some tout this acquisition as the next logical step for a video game industry that's becoming more consolidated. Others say that EA's takeover of Take-Two could actually increase the value of games and create a company that will offer some of the most impressive titles we have ever seen, thanks to the combined efforts of developers.

That sentiment may ring true in some cases, and every now and then, there's a flash of something unique, but if this acquisition becomes a reality and EA swallows up one of the biggest developers in the industry, it spells trouble for gamers and the industry itself.… Read more

With Nielsen ratings losing some of its relevance, Don Reisinger explores how we can measure TV ratings.

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Today I took a look at Madden 2009 for the Xbox 360. Find out what I thought!

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Press play to watch me discuss the Logitech Harmony One Universal Remote!

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With the upcoming release of Spore making just about every gamer's mouth water, I couldn't help but wonder if the game will be the greatest of all time.

I understand that it's premature to even suggest that a game we haven't ever played will somehow be the best game ever, but with the hype surrounding it and those that are "in the know" saying it's really that great, it's easy for all of us to get caught up in that kind of hype.

Daniel Terdiman, who writes the over at the Gaming and Culture blog here on CNET, recently interviewed Will Wright to discuss Spore and delve deep into the inner-workings of his mind and his creation.

After reading through that interview, a number of things stuck out in my mind. Does Will Wright truly believe that Spore will best the Sims franchise? Is Will Wright the industry's premier innovator and the one man that will be able to propel it forward into a new era? And most importantly, will Spore, after the dust settles, be considered the greatest game of all time by the majority of people?… Read more

Over the weekend, I spent some time playing online. I did so on Xbox Live and through games on both my PS3 and Wii. All the while, I was thinking about the one simple fact that kept sticking out in my head: for now at least, I can play online with my Wii and Playstation 3 and the experience is basically the same.

And considering Microsoft keeps losing ground to both Sony and Nintendo, why not find a new way to offer a more compelling alternative out of the company's most popular service?

Sure, it sounds radical and losing $50 per year from the millions of Xbox Live subscribers may be a major sticking point here, but it needs to be done. Microsoft's latest NPD numbers have been less than stellar and the Wii, DS, Playstation 3, and the PSP all sold better than the company's console in July. And if you want to compete in the hardware business, that's simply unacceptable.

To make matters worse, the big lead Microsoft had over Sony in the third-party sphere is practically eliminated and it doesn't look like Nintendo will slow down anytime soon, nor will the Xbox 360 become a force in Asia.

So what does Microsoft need to do to right the ship and really turn things around? Announce that all Xbox Live memberships will be free and all gamers can play online without a hitch. It's radical, for sure, but it's the best move Microsoft can make right now.… Read more

Today, I take a look at the home speaker system from Orb Audio. Check it out!

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Hey, remember the KWorld PlusTV ATSC 340U? (With a name like that, how could you forget?) It's a TV tuner that plugs into a USB port and pulls down over-the-air HD signals or unencrypted QAM signals (which are delivered via cable). The last time I posted it, Newegg was selling it for $14.99 after rebate, plus six bucks for shipping. Well, now you can get it for $14.99 after rebate, plus zero bucks for shipping!

This would make a killer second tuner for anyone already running, say, Windows Media Center with an analog tuner. The PlusTV is … Read more