Find Our Latest Video Reviews on YouTube!
If you want to stay on top of all of our video reviews of the latest tech, be sure to check out and subscribe to the Gear Live YouTube channel, hosted by Andru Edwards! It’s free!
Latest Gear Live Videos
Jon Stewart Vs Video Gaming Congressmembers
Posted by Josh Smith Categories: Culture, Editorial, Politics,
On the Daily Show Wednesday, Jon Stewart handed it to the members of congress who are self confessed gamers yet concerned by the violence in video games. Personally, this clip is above and beyond Jon Stewart’s previous thrashing of Crossfire hosts. The clip includes some great quotes from congress members, such as Rep. Terry Lee, who facilitates his children’s playing of violent video games yet doesn’t seem to figure out how he can stop it. Even better are the Pong sound effects provided by Rep. Fred Upton, “bup, bup bip bup.” To top it off, check out Rep. Joseph Pitts from Pennsylvania,
It’s safe to say that a wealthy kid from the suburbs can play Grand Theft Auto or similar games without turning to a life of crime. But a poor kid who lives in a neighborhood where people really do steal cars or deal drugs or shoot cops might not be so fortunate.
It truly bothers me that this is taking so much time in the government and that parents don’t take a stake in their childrens lives and learn about the games they are buying them. Back when I worked in retail, more often than not, parents would be upset that we refused to sell an M rated game to their child- end personal rant. Readers, what are your opinions on the government’s newfound interest in regulating videogames?
Read More 
| YouTube
Gallery: Jon Stewart Vs Video Gaming Congressmembers
Advertisement
PricewaterhouseCoopers has predicted that the video game market will explode in the next few years. If the prediction holds true the video game industry will outpace the film industry. The rapid adoption of high-speed internet service and wireless infrastructure is giving the video game industry a boost. However, the US market is expected to grow at a slower rate than the Asia Pacific region or the combined territories of Africa, Europe, and the Middle East. The only market the US is expected to outperform is that of Latin America, while the Asia Pacific region is expected to continue to grow at the fastest rate, and retain its current market-leading position. By 2010 the world-wide video game market is expected to reach $46.5 billion.
Read More | GameDAILY via Business Week
Gallery: Video Game Market To Explode
ESA Details “Commitment To Parents”
Posted by Matt Haselton Categories: Corporate News, Culture, Politics,
As more states enact legislation to restrict the sale of M-rated video games, the ESRB has unveiled it’s “Commitment to Parents” program as a means of self-policement. After meeting today in Washington D.C., a committee of industry leaders, senators, and retail representatives established the nine-point Commitment. Some of the more intriguing measures include “two ‘mystery shopper’ audits each year to measure…policy enforcement,” and “the sharing of best practices with other members,” highlighting the benefits of an internal policy over state-sponsored legislation.
No official implementation timeline was given, but it shouldn’t be long, given that retailers themselves helped craft the policy. It will be interesting to see if this has any bearing on the upcoming showdown between the ESA and Louisiana…
Read More | Next Generation
Gallery: ESA Details “Commitment To Parents”
While video gamers are stereotypically portrayed as slackers and losers in the media, it is the growing contingent of middle class children who play video games that push titles into the realm of mass sales. These same children are the reason that “The Sims” has not only become the best-selling game of all time but also continues to be popular today. The game has been particularly popular with girls. Girls as young as five may like playing with “The Sims” because it’s like playing “Barbie” but on the computer – you get to control the life of virtual people much like one would with a doll. Boys play “The Sims” too, but often the way boys play will differ from that of girls, mirroring real life differences. Adults and experts may spend time analyzing why this is so, but the kids just want to play.
Read More | Whittier Daily News
Gallery: Life As A Game
California Legislators Meet With Industry Representatives
Posted by Matt Haselton Categories: Culture,
“A knowledgeable source” has tipped off GamePolitics about the video game industry’s first state-level lobbying day, held in Sacramento, CA. About 150 people (legislators, and their staffs and families) attended the ESA-hosted event, playing games such as DDR and Rockstar’s Table Tennis, an example of the San Diego-based publisher’s more mainstream work. An ESA representative confirmed the event, and explained that it was an opportunity for ESA President Doug Lowenstein and “member company representatives” to spend the day meeting with the legislators, followed by a reception where “they could play video games and learn more about the industry and our products.”
The ESA representative also mentioned plans for future state-level lobbying events, though none are currently scheduled.
Read More | Game Politics
Gallery: California Legislators Meet With Industry Representatives
A US District Court Judge has issued a temporary restraining order against the five-day-old Louisiana law, after the ESA and IEMA (Interactive Entertainment Merchants Association) sued the state, claiming the law’s unconstitutionality. The law, written by Democratic Representative Roy Burrell with help from the infamous Jack Thompson, classifies violent video games as obscenity, using the same guidelines that govern sexual obscenity – most notably that such games lack “serious literary, artistic, political, or scientific value.” In an interview, Thompson stated that he believes in the law’s constitutionality, but added that it is “impossible ‘to predict what a court is going to do.’” Jeez; you’d think an attorney would have more insight into the legal process than that…
The official hearing will take place on June 30.
Read More | ArsTechnica
Gallery: Louisiana Video Game Law Halted
Brandon Daiker of N-Sider has posted an in depth look at the Play! A Video Game Symphony concert in Stockholm Sweden. For those of you unfamiliar, Play! is a world tour featuring live symphonic renditions of music from various best selling video games, including Super Mario Bros, Halo, Chrono Trigger, World of Warcraft , Silent Hill and the Final Fantasy series. The atmosphere seemed to have been much more relaxed than that of a typical concerto, with fans cheering on their favorite compositions and becoming perhaps overly enthusiastic when the perennial fanboy favorite, One Winged Angel from Final Fantasy VII took center stage, prompting a three minute standing ovation followed by an encore.
Also of note are Daiker’s interviews with Yasunori Mitsuda (composer of the Chrono series and Xenogears/Xenosaga) and Nobuo Uematsu (composer of Final Fantasy and President of Smile Please), in which Uematsu clarifies that he will only be composing the main theme for Super Smash Bros Brawl and Mitsuda announces the release of a Chrono Cross remix album within the next year.
Read More | N-Sider
Gallery: Play! A Video Game Symphony Impressions
A Quest for the World’s Largest MMORPG
Posted by Thea Davis Categories: Corporate News, Culture, MMORPG,
Creating Kaos, an online reality-based video documentary series, will go live today on Games.net. The documentary follows the life of Damon Grow, CEO of Shattered Reality Interactive, Inc., located in San Francisco. Grow, whose game development company employs all volunteers, hopes to create the largest MMORPG, and wrest the crown from the current title holder, World of Warcraft. Although he faces huge obstacles and undergoes some difficult events, Grows optimism and dedication doesn’t waver. Watch his story unfold in this weekly series. Each Friday a new episode of the documentary will be made available on the Games.net website. Five episodes are completed and another 15 are in production.
Read More | TMCnet
Gallery: A Quest for the World’s Largest MMORPG
As hard-core video game playing becomes a mainstream pastime, medical science is discovering some disturbing side affects. Video game playing is now being looked at and treated as an addiction by an emerging field. Keith Bakker, director of Smith & Jones Addiction Consultants, stated “Video games may look innocent, but they can be as addictive as gambling or drugs, and just as hard to kick.” His agency has created the first detoxification center for videogame addicts. The center, located in the Netherlands, plans to use a 4-8 week program to help gamers beat their addictions.
As with other dependencies, videogame addicts evidence certain symptoms when going through withdrawal. Bakker has treated some 20 videogames addicts and has observed reactions such as sweats and shaking. Because scientific research into the effects of long-term habitual videogame playing is just beginning, much of this is uncharted territory. And so the experts are still arguing over the nature of the “disease.” Meanwhile, troubled gamers are already seeking help via Mr. Bakker’s agency.
Read More | CBS
Gallery: Game Addiction? Check Into a Clinic
Thanks to some new videogame/exercise equipment, gamers don’t have to choose between playing games and exercising. Kilowatt Pro, which is compatible with most videogames, connects to a television or to a videogame console, and requires players to physically interact in order to play the games. The intensity of the workout is misleading, as players don’t realize they are exercising. But the resistance and levels built into the machine insures players will use core muscles. There is also a Kilowatt system for kids. Current pricing varies by model and ranges between $500 and $1,600.
Read More | K-FOX TV (El Paso)
Gallery: Press Play and Exercise
Advertisement
© Gear Live Inc. {year} – User-posted content, unless source is quoted, is licensed under a Creative Commons Public Domain License. Gear Live graphics, logos, designs, page headers, button icons, videos, articles, blogs, forums, scripts and other service names are the trademarks of Gear Live Inc.