France-based Ubisoft rolled out a new form of digital rights management that require players of their PC games to stay online at all times to play. Japan-based Sony tested out a new system that would require people purchasing one of their Playstation Portable games used to pay an extra $20 to play online. And Nintendo, taking a page from the music industry, levied a $1.5 million dollar suit against an Australian for copying their games.”

Read more at Kotaku

Now that’s what I call a deal.

The Legend of Zelda: Spirit Tracks can be bought from Wal-Mart’s online store, walmart.com. Who would’ve thought we’d get such a great price this early in the product’s life? If you haven’t purchased your copy yet, this is the time to do it. $25 shouldn’t be passed up. The site didn’t say when the sale would expire.

Update

It looks like Amazon.com has the better deal. For $25, you get the game plus free shipping.

When I was in college, student organizations would chalk sidewalks for upcoming events and to make announcements. I’ve heard, though, that some universities did not allow for chalking. At the time, this included the University of Texas at Austin. I’m not sure if that is still the case. But, I can say that I love UT Austin. I love Austin, in general. This is without even discussing their powerhouse football and basketball teams.

Wow… tangent. My point is that I am very happy that the school allowed students to express their love for video games in this way.

The chalk art done by students at the College of New Jersey is simply amazing. It may not be fit for any metropolitan museum, but to a fan of video games, it brings back memories.

Let’s face it, if any gamer found the Black Mage while looking for Waldo, I don’t think they’d be upset. The set also includes characters from the games Bubble Bobble, Excitebike, Donkey Kong, and… Mega Man.

If you’re asking, “Who?” Please direct yourself to Wikipedia.

Here is the flickr set.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/7660214@N03/sets/72157600063385069/

Advertising is a way for companies to get their products noticed by consumers. Two games that have seemed to find ways to pop in front of my vision starting at the end of summer and continuing to now are Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2, and Dragon Age: Origins.

First-person shooters were never my choice of games. The game that I played the most from that genre was the original Half-Life, and that was only in multi-player mode. I guess you can count Metroid Prime 1 and 2, but Nintendo likes to refer to them as first-person adventure games rather than first-person shooter games. Goldeneye is another one, too, but that’s essentially it. I’ve played 3 games made for the first-person perspective.

Advertising for Modern Warfare 2 and Dragon Age is everywhere. And, it’s effective. I’ve never wanted to play a video game so much from mere advertisements. The agencies behind these two juggernaut games did a heck of a job. The developers brought their best work to the table and the high reviews scores are rolling in.

If you’re looking for a first-person shooter, go with Modern Warfare 2.

If you’re looking for an RPG, go with Dragon Age: Origins.

If you can get them both, you’ll be a happy person.

The game that lacked in advertising but should have been as heavily advertised? Metroid Prime Trilogy. Get it together, Nintendo.

House of the Dead: Overkill is light-gun game. Remember Duck Hunt? Now, replace the ducks with zombies, the fields and blue sky with buildings, rooms, and night-time, and the laughing dog with a talking partner. Now you’re thinking, “Oh! I know how to play this game!”

Exactly. Point and shoot.

It really doesn’t try to be anything else other than what it is- a video game take on B-movie horror films. And from the work the put into the trailer, it looks to be a funny and entertaining time.

Here’s a trailer for you, and a disclaimer:

The following trailer contains shooting, blood, zombies, profanity, and a stripper. Watch at your own risk.

Still with me? Want your own copy?

Click this link and head on over to Newegg.com for your $12.99 deal.

HUGE

I had been playing it almost every day and would only get as high as level 14. Sometimes I even dropped down to level 13 due to the beating delivered onto me by other Tetris Friends players. They’re so good, you think that they were cheating! But, alas, there’s more strategy to this new form of Tetris than what the world first encountered back in 1989- or as one of my former private students would say, “The 1900s”.

After gruelling defeats at the hands of other Tetris masters, I finally was able to go on my own streak and, thus, dealt my own flying-air-dropkick-to-the-neck to reach the coveted “RANK UP” award. 3 KOs and 58 lines sent. Somebody call 9-1-1.

Below are the fruits of my labor. Names have been blurred out to protect the innocent. I’m sure I’ll see them at the next level, anyway. I better savor this victory while it lasts.

Ah victory… tastes like chicken.

To play Tetris online, go to http://www.tetrisfriends.com