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The compelling plot behind the blockbuster motion picture The Da Vinci Code has bloomed into a video game spinoff that seems worthy of all the attention its release has garnered. Whereby most games that take their cues from books or movies may seem lackluster or untrue to the original, The Da Vinci Code is jam packed with enough thrills, mysterious puzzles, and a variety of things to see and do that will make this game worth your while.

Click to continue reading The Da Vinci Code Impressions


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Meijer is having a sale on video games this weekend.  Their entire selection of video games is buy one get one 50% off on Saturday from 6 AM to Midnight.  Meijer is located in Michigan, Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, and Kentucky (store locator).  They have a good selection of video games for Xbox, Xbox 360, PSP, PS2, Gamecube, GBA, and DS.  In the past I have had luck getting Best Buy to price match Meijer, in case you do not have a Meijer nearby.  This would be an excellent sale to stop by for anyone picking up a Nintendo DS on Sunday.


Read More | Meijer (PDF link)


New Super Mario Bros. New Super Mario Bros. is tearing up the US and Japanese sales charts. The sequel for the DS added another 334,000 sales this week in Japan to push it over the million sales mark, and Nintendo DS titles occupied seven of the top ten sales spots in Japan. The additional sales is also driving adoption of the DS in Japan, leading all console sales with 135,614 units sold. The next highest on the chart is the PSP, at 24,595 units, marking an over 5:1 sales ratio. On the US side, New Super Mario Bros. debuted at number one, pushing Kingdom Heart 2 for the PS2, Ghost Recon: Advanced Warfighter and The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion for the Xbox 360 down in the standings. While in the US, Xbox 360 titles lead the pack, the PS2 is selling strong, with 232,000 units sold versus 221,000 Xbox 360 consoles in the same month.


Read More | Gamasutra
Read More | The Magic Box


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ThrillvilleThrillville, an amusement park-themed simulation game from Frontier Developments and Lucas Arts has been announced. The game will allow players to build their own completely outfitted amusements parks, and interact with guests. The game’s roller coaster building interface has been specifically designed for console gaming platforms. Thrillville includes dozens of midway minigames (which visitors can play at the amusement park), over 100 attractions (a full day’s worth of virtual fun), and the ability to build roller coasters just as in “RollerCoaster Tycoon” – a well-known Frontier title.


Read More | Thrillville Product Page via XboxSpace


In an interestingly timed announcement, Sony’s top PR executive Molly Smith has said that she will be leaving Sony. Smith has presided over the launch of the original Playstation and the PS2, working with them since 1994. Given the amount of bad press Sony’s been receiving for the price of the PS3 lately, I can’t say I’d blame her. No official statement about her resignation has been given yet, so we don’t yet know what the impetus was for this decision - although we’re guessing an official statement will simply say that she’d like to “pursue other interests.”


Read More | Gamasutra


AOL has announced a partnership with the World Series of Video Games (WSVG).  This partnership brings the global presence and reach of AOL together with the video game tournaments and presence of the WSVG.  AOL will be dedicating a page to the the group which will feature AOL profiles, videos from the circuits, along with tips and tricks from the pros.  The partnership also includes deals with Future US publishing which will cross promote the events in their many publications.  Editors from Future US’s magazines will be at tournaments to host panels on how to “Break into the Video Games Biz”.  Down the road AOL will host PC gaming events for the WSVG which is owned by Games Media Properties.

The article states that the World Series of Video Games is the first international video game circuit on multiple platforms.  This may come as news to Major League Gaming who have hosted tournaments on both the Xbox and the Gamecube in 28 countries.  The World Series of Games appears to offer much more variety to the gaming circuit.  They offer competitions for many games including, World of Warcraft, Halo 2, Ghost Recon Advanced Warrior, Quake 4, and Project Gotham Racing 3.  The tournaments will also feature pick up games of Dance Dance Revolution and other games.


Read More | biz.yahoo.com


Following last weeks brutal murder of a Florida man, Jack Thompson has asked authorities to search the teenager’s home for video games.  The detectives searched the suspects home and found M rated video games.  Jack Thompson became involved in the case after reading a report about the crime which “raised a red flag” in his mind.  While murder is no laughing matter Jack Thompson’s description of an individual who shoots someone in the face is.

“Nobody shoots anybody in the face unless you’re a hit man or a video gamer.” - Jack Thompson

Jack Thompson goes on to state that the circumstances of the crime are similar to that of GTA, because the juvenile wanted to borrow a car and then killed for it.  Funny, I don’t remember playing that mission last time I booted up.  Thankfully the article provides a counterpoint by an industry rep who points out that teenage violence predates video games.  The full article contains a few more Jack Thompson gems.


Read More | 2 The Advocate


Playstation 18 Wheel Experience

Are you ready for the Playstation 18 wheel experience?  Don’t confuse this with that Sega CD game Penn & Teller’s Smoke and Mirrors which featured hours long 18 wheeler action.  The Playstation truck experience will be rolling to a stop in 5 cities across the US in through July 1 st.  The 18 wheeler will be stopping in “only the hippest of hot spots” ranging from the Bombardier Learjet 500 and Ozzfest. The tons of fun truck features a PSP bar, Gran Turismo 4 pit stop with full on driving setup, and a competition stage.  The competition stage will allow you to woo the crowd with your sweet power braking skills as you leave your opponents and their sense of pride in the dust.  Don’t forget to hit the Eye Toy display on your way out of the air conditioned gaming utopia. 

If you can’t make it to the hippest spots in town check out the Playstation LockerRoom Challenge hitting the Wal-Marts from DC to Arizona


Read More | us.playstation.com


DescriptionJune 3rd Video Games Live will be stopping in Philadelphia, PA.  Video Games Live is a live concert which features games and performances from such classics as Mario, Zelda, Halo and Final Fantasy.  The show will be at the Merriam Theater and tickets start at $25 dollars.  The event has already received much praise for past performances and is definitely worth checking out for fanboys of all backgrounds.  The event will kick off with a video game inspired costume contest at 7PM.  The concert also features a Guitar Hero contest with a special guitar being bestowed upon the rockingest video game fan in Philly.

More shows will be coming to Rosemont (IL), Hollywood (CA), and Toronto (Canada).  Tickets are available on Ticketmaster for all the events.


Read More | Video Games Live


ChocoboDevelopers at Square recently dropped some details on the new Chocobo breeding feature in an update on the official site for Final Fantasy XI. Chocobo breeding was announced as a part of the recent expansion pack, The Treasures of Aht Urghan, but the functionality was not in place at launch. Instead, the feature will become available in a soon to be released version update for expansion owners. The feature is billed as an upgraded form of the gardening functionality, and should allow both dedicated and casual players to try and raise a Chocabo; according to the website, the player “can raise a chocobo by taking care of it for a minimal amount of time each day over a span of roughly 1-3 months…” Player’s must first find a Chocobo egg to access the feature, and each egg will apparently have its own unique DNA that will control how the Chocobo develops. Eventually, gamers successful at raising their Chocobo will be able to match up with other players and breed new animals, allowing for more varieties and development.


Read More | PlayOnline.com


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