A few years ago, while working for a retailer, I had a mom approach me with a question. “What can you tell me about this game?†I get the question a lot, especially about the game she was holding (Grand Theft Auto 3). I told her it was a game where the main character was a guy who had just escaped from jail and was looking for work with the mob in town. The player is asked to complete a number of crimes for money and such, but the best part about the game was the freedom you had to do whatever you want. Very open ended I believe I said.
She looked at me shocked and said “WOW! That sounds awfully violent. Why do they make such violent games?†My response was because people like me like to play them. She continues: “Well, my son really wants this game, but I don’t think it’s the kind of game a 7 year old should be playing. Is there an address, or a phone number I can call to complain about the games they make?†I grabbed the gut for the game, flipped through the instruction manual and found the information for the developer and the publisher. I wrote them down on a company card so she could call back with any additional question about the retail end.
After all of this, I figure she’s going to take the card and leave, but to my surprise, she wants to buy the game. I asked her if she was sure and she responded “Yeah, my son really wants the game.†So, like any good employee, I sold her the game and she was on her way. I stood there for a minute completely perplexed. This woman had such a problem with violent games that she was going to call up the companies responsible and ask them to stop making them, but then bought such a horrific game for her 7 year old kid.
It'd be nice to think this was real, but I don't think the Stuff Logo would appear over an ad. Something tells me this is a fake. Probably a good idea for a real ad, considering the magazine.
Unless this is a promo by Stuff Magazine. It certainly fits in with the Stuff Magazine type image, but certainly not with the classic Nintendo image. But who knows, maybe Nintendo is looking towards a slightly older (but same maturity level if they're advertising in Stuff) demographic.
What do you think? Could this be a real print ad?
I decided to blur it, in cast someone is working at an office that's wound just a little tight. There's no nudity, but some prudes might consider it NSFW.
If you want to see a larger/clearer version, just click the picture.
A suprisingly inventive and funny commercial that's inspired heavily by Grand Theft Auto. It certainly appeals to a specific demographic, since most non-gamers would completely miss the point. With all the negativity surrounding GTA these days, I give them credit for coming any where near the subject matter
I dont think I've ever looked forward to the release of a board game. In fact, I think the last time I played a board game was a few years ago me and the friends decided to make Trivial Pursuit a drinking game. Every time you got a question wrong, someone on the team did a shot. Needless to say, it didn't end well.
But this game, should be fun for totally different reasons. Monopoly has just about every license out there, from Batman to the NFL. Whatever you're into, there's probably a Monopoly game for you. Now, us video game fans can get in on the fun.
Nintendo Monopoly was announced quite a bit ago, but now it's actually shipping! Amazon has it for 29.99. I can't even say if that's a normal price, since I haven't owned Monopoly for very many years.
I think it's the playing pieces that seem the coolest. Donkey Kong’s Barrel, Link’s Iron Boots, Hylian Shield, NES Controller, Mario’s Cap, and Koopa Shell. The properties on the other hand, are all famous Nintendo characters. Is it just me or wouldn't it have been cooler if the properties were Nintendo worlds? Like the Mushroom Kingdom or Hyrule?
Oh well. I ordered one and will put up lots of pictures and a review once I get it.
And while I'm not upset I just got paid to read an article about E3 for the past few minutes, I'm pretty sure my boss would disagree. Whatever, it's a damn interesting look back.
While we're all still reeling over the news of E3 (c'mon admit it, you're upset) some other shows are looking to fill the void left behind. While the "E3 media event" will cater to the select few, where will the rest of us go to check out the new games? Where can the smaller retailers go to show off their stuff? Shows like the Video Game Expo (VGXPO) are hoping to step up and provide just a place. (It's taking place October 27-29 in Valley Forge, PA)
What's most exciting (except the fact that it takes place about 30 minutes from my house) is that we're all invited. Unlike E3, and similar to the Tokyo Game Show, anyone can attend. It's a place to show the real people that matter (fans and consumers) the latest and greatest.
You can bet we here at bbps will be attending and blogging. Here's to hoping this and other shows will rise up to take E3's place, and make it even better. The show will include exhibitors showcasing the latest games for current and next-generation gaming platforms, conference panels vendors selling games from all eras, Halloween costume contests and COSPlay, 24-Hour Gaming: non-stop gaming action Friday night through Sunday, BYOC LAN Center, gaming competitions and tournaments, VGXPO Robot Wars, icons and legends, battle of the VideoGame Bands contest, and more.
America's VideoGame Expo is a celebration of video and computer games for the avid and casual gamer. Attendees will have the opportunity to play the newest, coolest games, meet game industry celebrities and legends, compete in tournaments, and buy new and retro games.
VGXPO is a gaming festival that celebrates the positive impact that videogames have had on the US culture since the 1970s. The convention provides a forum for the game industry to celebrate its stars, icons and legends. When a gamer comes to VGXPO he will have the opportunity not just to play & buy the latest games (and the classics) but also have the opportunity to meet the people responsible for their creation.
Now in its second year, America's VideoGame Expo was created to provide US game players with conventions on par with similar international game events, such as the Tokyo Game Show, Korea's G-Star convention and the German G|C expo. In 2005, VGXPO attracted 17,000 attendees and over 40 exhibitors.
I've never understood the cosplay thing. It seems like you're going through a lot of trouble to be stared at. Don't get me wrong, alot of times I think its kinda cool (especially when it's cute Japanese girls). And normally, I'd think this was awesome:
It should've ended here, then I could've just said, "that's cool". See while I know in my heart this is beyond geeky, I have a soft spot for LucasArts games and UberGeeks in general. Don't ask me why, I'd never do this personally. But instead they decide to take it a stop further.
This is the kind of story that makes Jack Thompson cream himself. After years of trying to convince everyone that GTA "literally trains kids to kill", along comes a game that actually claims to train people to use guns. NRA Gun Club is a non-violent target game, a la Point Blank. The game includes over 100 faithfully re-created guns to practice shooting. The game includes indoor and outdoor ranges, and has a certification mode to test the would-be shooters skills. The game is being developed by Crave Entertainment, oddly enough the same company behind Bible Adventure.
Can a game, even one that purports to train a person how to shoot, really increase someones shooting skills? No matter how exact the digital replica of an actual gun, does moving an analog pad and pressing a button to fire in any way train one to fire an actual gun? To handle real world conditions?
It's a sticky area, but if you asked me if playing Gran Turismo made you a better driver, I might have to say yes. You see I believe a game like that, with exact replicas of courses, can make you more prepared for a particular course. You can know that you need to be going into turn 2 at 80 mph and where to get back on the gas. The game is so real in that sense that playing it could make you better at driving the real course.
I would disagree with those however that think that translates into knowing how to drive the CAR itself. Pressing a button to hit the gas and brake will NEVER teach one how to drive. If that were the case, I would've been a race car driver long before I got my license. As well as a fighter pilot, tank driver, submarine navigator, and a number of others.
I would not argue that a game like Splinter Cell or Ghost Recon can help me understand how to stay under cover or properly clear out a room in a tactical scenario, but that doesn't mean I have any idea how to fire a weapon. Holding down the Left Shoulder button to aim in no way helps me in the real world.
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A few years ago, while working for a retailer, I had a mom approach me with a question. “What can you tell me about this game?†I get the question a lot, especially about the game she was holding (Grand Theft Auto 3). I told her it was a game where the main character was a guy who had just escaped from jail and was looking for work with the mob in town. The player is asked to complete a number of crimes for money and such, but the best part about the game was the freedom you had to do whatever you want. Very open ended I believe I said.
I didn't really think about it much when I clicked on this 
While we're all still reeling over the news of E3 (c'mon admit it, you're upset) some other shows are looking to fill the void left behind. While the "E3 media event" will cater to the select few, where will the rest of us go to check out the new games? Where can the smaller retailers go to show off their stuff? Shows like the 
Well I'm heavenly blessed and worldly wise
This is the kind of story that makes Jack Thompson cream himself. After years of trying to convince everyone that GTA "literally trains kids to kill", along comes a game that actually claims to train people to use guns. 
Bloguin is the revolutionary blog network specifically focused on helping bloggers get the most out of their websites. We're currently working on building a large network of online communities and hope to expand our blogging coverage to include a wide range of topics. 
The Bloguin Network allows advertisers to promote their products and services to our ever-growing number of visitors. We offer both site-specific ad placements as well as the ability to run a network-wide campaign. If you're interested in working with Bloguin to meet your advertising needs, please contact us.
The Bloguin Network is always looking to expand. We're specifically looking for blogs in the sports, entertainment, and video games field, but are open to adding any type of quality site.. If you're a blogger and interested in joining our network, please fill out our application form.
The Bloguin Login gives you full access to everything our network has to offer. Your name and password will work for each and every one of our sites. Signing up is simple, and will allow you to post in all our forums, create member blogs, and access other cool features! What are you waiting for? Create an Account! 