Gamertell

My introduction into computer gaming was with the game Myst. Its photo-realism blew my mind away and its complex puzzles enamored me. It was the first game that actually took my breath when I first laid eyes on it.

Now, thanks to Nintendo’s innovative DS I can relive it all over again. The game will have re-vamped sounds and video and will also have an extra world, known as Rime, to explore. It is being published by Midway and developed by Cyan Worlds with the original source code ...

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In a perfect world, I’d be able to play games for a living for the rest of my life. If only I had gotten started at it when I was a wee bit younger, like this little guy. Victor M. De Leon (AKA Lil’ Poison) started playing games professionally five years ago… when he was Four! He’s now listed in the “Guinness Book of World Records” as the youngest professional gamer ever and he has also been profiled on “60 Minutes’ as one of seven of the world’s most exceptional children.

Now at 9-years-old he will be competing in an MLG (Major League Gaming) event in New Jersey hoping to beat out 2,500 other gamers for cash and prizes worth up to $25,000. He is also at the center of a documentary being filmed chronicling his career and rise to fame. The article provides some interesting insight into the mind of a kid who just plays games but happens to play them better than you or I. Hit the link for the full story, and hope that you don’t see him on-line where I’m sure he lays the smack down.

Read [NY Times] Via [Kotaku] Also Read [Gaming Today]

Ouch! It’s gotta be tough to be the most hyped kid on the block. It looks like a new term has started to creep into the medical vernacular. Wiiitis is a condition that closely resembles the condition known as “tennis elbow.” Dr. Julio Bonis, of Spain, has submitted a letter to the New England Journal of Medicine, in which he entails his own suffering of this condition.

If you happen to come down with this ailment he recommends the taking of some Ibuprofen and (here’s the hard part), abstaining from playing with your Wii (haha, still funny) for one week. So put the WiiMote down and go outside or read a book and curse the gaming gods for your weak constitution.

Read [Gearlog] Also Read [PCMag]

It seems that the new old kid on the block has defeated all of the naysayers, haters and raving mad fanboys, to become the supreme ruler of this medium known as video games. I point towards the cover of Fortune Magazine and bow humbly to my new leader, Nintendo. Nintendo has taken its new concept of embracing casual gamers and appealing to their delicate sensibilities and are running with it.

The Wii has been the surprise success of the current gen console war, which is evidenced by the unheard of profit off of each console sold (whereas Sony and Microsoft lose money for each sold), and the difficulty still present in actually getting one in a store due to high demand.  The article does a great job of profiling Nintendo as a company as well. With sections on the legendary Shigeru Miyamoto and his wonderful creations, this is a must read for any Nintendo fan and any gamer in general. Here’s to the mainstream accepting our hobby.

Link [Joystiq] Via [Fortune]

Link [MSNBC] Also [Gaming-Age]

Rockstar’s upcoming Wii game, Manhunt, will certainly be the topic for many heated discussions when it is released early this summer. But until then you can get your sadomasochistic grove on by hitting the link and checking out the recently released pics. From what I could tell it looks like the plastic bag of death is back and ready to bring the groceries home (not funny, I know but at least I tried).

If that isn’t good enough for you, IGN has an awesome preview story about the mutiple ways that the Wii-mote can be utilized to dismember enemies. My favorite might just be the pliars which allow you to do unspeakable things to a certain part of the male anatomy. OUCH! They also detail the use of the Wii-mote as a saw using back and forth motions to detach appendages from the body. Quite gruesome indeed but definitely worth a look and a read for those with a strong stomach.

Link [Joystiq] Also [IGN]

The information just keeps coming. Yet again, we are treated to some enticing tidbits of info regarding the finished product that will be Halo 3.

The first bit of info are videos that players have posted of both the Wraith and Covenet Energy Sword in action. Also of note in these videos are the high flying shenanigans of the players as the leap over buildings with a single bound and run faster than a speeding bullet. This would indicate that the rumors of being able to adjust player speed and gravity in multiplayer games is quite true.

The next bit of information comes from Xbox 360 Fanboy. They’ve gotten their hands on some scanned images of the upcoming issue of GamePro magazine and what they show is quite exciting. It looks like this game has a lot more in store for fans on September 25th when it will be released in the United States.

Link [Joystiq] Link [Xbox 360 Fanboy] Via [HaloAnyone]

The folks over at Destructoid have allegedly unearthed information about Metal Gear Solid 4: The speculation that MSG4 will be a PS3 exclusive is not true. Destructoid claims it has received confirmation that the game will appear on both the PS3 and the Xbox 360. A firm release date has not been mentioned but MGS 4: Guns of the Patriots is expected to be available late 2008.

Exclusive content will be included in the 360 version as well as some downloadable goodies that will will give 360 owners some to gloat about.

This also comes on the heels of other major Sony first party exclusives including Devil May Cry 4 and Grand Theft Auto 4 also jumping ship on the PS3 and giving some love to 360 owners. This should become increasingly common as we see development costs rise and developers are left with the option of limiting their profits by sticking to one console or trying to expand their core audience and let everyone in on the fun.

This is especially unfortunate for the struggling PS3 which needs exclusive content for people to feel as if their respective $600 investment is worth it.

Read [Destructoid]

It seems a few fanboys did a little bit of digging with the current Halo 3 Beta’s code and turned up a few things that are not yet activated.

First we had word of the possibility of Four Player Co-Op over Xbox Live. Now it seems that deeper delving into the code has revealed some character customization that should make many fans happy.

In multi-player, players might be able to choose different classes of armor for both the Spartan and the Elite model. To make things even better it also seems that sections of the armor could be replaceable. Separate listings for helmet, shoulder, and body types appear to be selectable, which could make for some interesting armor combos.

If this is the case, this could be the answer to the character customization so many fans have been asking for. The good news is that, thanks to the recent announcement of a September 25, 2007 release date for the game, players will not be left in the dark for too much longer.

Site [7th Columnist] Via [Evil Avatar]

As a former Marine, I understand the inherit tediousness and boredom that comes from a long deployment. Often the days drag on as you wait for something interesting to happen. Well, some enterprising young servicemen and women have decided to take things into their own hands.

Following in the footsteps of everyone’s favorite console FPS (Halo), they have decided to hold an RPG convention. Ziggurat Con, as it is called, is being held from 1200 to 2100 hours on on June 9, 2007, at Camp Adder/Tallil Airbase (that’s Noon to 9 p.m. for you laymen out there) and is open to all military and civilian contractors.

One of the biggest problems for these guys is that they are in short supply of materials needed to play. That’s where you, the faithful reader come into play. Check out the Toys4Troops site where all of the details on how to donate are included.

So, regardless of you political affiliations or how you feel about the current conflict, help the guys out who help us enjoy our day to day lives.

Site [Toys4troops] Read [Midnight Hour] via [G4TV]