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Violent video games were seized from the home of a teenage suspect as possible evidence in an investigation into the slaying of a 55-year-old Florida man. Several “M” rated video games were seized from the home of Edward Neher, a 16-year-old suspect. The investigating officer stated that he was “not drawing any conclusions from the findings.” The other suspect in the case is 17-year-old Hunter Everette. Both suspects have been booked with first-degree murder and armed robbery charges.
Neher will be tried as an adult in juvenile court. The deceased was the owner of a lot where the 16-year-old’s mother has a trailer parked. In statements to police, the youth apparently said that he and Everette killed Gore because the man would not let them borrow his car. A similar scenario can be played out in the game Grand Theft Auto.
Read More 
| The Advocate
Gallery: Games Seized in Murder Investigation
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Muslim Video Game Company : Afkar Media
Posted by Josh Smith Categories: Culture, First Person Shooters, PC, Strategy,
The Christian Science Monitor reports on a Muslim company called Afkar Media which is producing games with an emphasis on positive roles of Muslims in gaming. The company focuses on providing an alternate view of Arabs to westerners through the use of video games. Afkar’s latest game is based on the first 100 years of Islam History and is titled Al-Quraysh. Other than bolstering a positive view of Muslims in the western world Afkar media hopes to provide positive role models for Arab and Muslim youth. Al-Quraysh appears to be a RTS game along the lines of World of Warcraft and the Command and Conquer series.
Afkar Media previously published Under Siege (not the Steven Seagal Movie!), a first person shooter which dealt with tension between Palestine and Israel. Under Siege was released in 2005 and had a lukewarm reception due to lackluster graphics, however the title sold over 100,000 copies sold in the Arab world alone.
Read More | Christian Science Monitor
Gallery: Muslim Video Game Company : Afkar Media
West Virginia Schools Use DDR in Gym Class
Posted by Michael Cardiff Categories: Culture, PlayStation 3, Sports,
Schools are finally figuring out that jumping around playing Dance Dance Revolution still counts as exercise, even though you’re staring at a TV. This latest use of DDR is being studied by exercise physiologists at WVU’s school of medicine, who note that early results of the program are “stunning”. 450 students at Suncrest Middle School in Morgantown, W.Va. are currently enrolled in the trial program, which is even receiving a lot of support from the school’s football coach. There are some interesting comparisons in this article, especially the fact that playing DDR for 45 minutes can burn as many calories as running 1-2 miles.
Can we look forward to a day when Samba de Amigo (or Wii Sports or Donkey Konga) plus DDR constitutes a full-body aerobic workout?
Read More | Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
Gallery: West Virginia Schools Use DDR in Gym Class
As games have gone mainstream, so too has the industry that produces them. Even island nations like Ireland are taking note of the change. Whereas before talented students heading off to university would aim to become a doctor or lawyer, today’s promising youth can opt to become game programmers and designers or even Irish dancers. Schools like the Carlow Institute of Technology now offer a degree in computer games. Students have the chance to study a program of interest along with others as fanatical about the subject as they are. No longer are gamers merely rationalized as closeted “nerds” who lack the social skills and graces, for the entire evolutionary leap from avid gamer to big time game maker has become more cosmopolitan. Don’t be surprised to hear little Jimmy say he aims to be a gamer (for pay) when he grows up. Be proud, he might be leading the next revolution.
Read More | Unison
Gallery: Institutionalized Gaming: Getting a B.A. in Games
Ms. Pac-Man On The iPod nano
Posted by Michael Cardiff Categories: Culture, Mods/Hacks, Portable/Mobile, Retro,
Remember all the rumors from a few days back about how Apple is possibly hiring game designers to work on iGames for the iPod? Well, they’re definitely going to want to send this guy a job offer. Some guy known only as “Scott” used his iPod nano, some enginuity, foamboard, and really tiny print-outs for a MAME cabinet to make the world’s smallest Ms. Pac Man machine. This thing has to be seen to be believed. It stands just over 5 inches tall, and “it works”.
The idea of one day carrying around an arcade in my pocket makes me all warm and fuzzy inside. Mr. Smallest MAME cabinet in the world inventor, we salute you.
Read More | “Scott’s” Photo Gallery via Kotaku
Gallery: Ms. Pac-Man On The iPod nano
AOL Partners With World Series of Video Games
Posted by Josh Smith Categories: Corporate News, Culture, First Person Shooters, PC, PlayStation 2, Xbox, Xbox 360,
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
Gallery: AOL Partners With World Series of Video Games
Jack Thompson Claims Violent Video Games Caused Florida Murder
Posted by Josh Smith Categories: Corporate News, Culture, PlayStation 2, Xbox,
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
Gallery: Jack Thompson Claims Violent Video Games Caused Florida Murder
The Louisiana Senate Judiciary Committee recently approved a piece of violent video game legislation for debate in the state senate. The bill, HB1381, was originally authored by Representative Roy Burrell with the help of Jack Thompson, the one-time “Man in Miami”, and vocal critic of violent video games and media entertainment.
Critics of the bill, such as New Orleans William Rittenburg, claim that it is too vague in its definition of violence. If passed, the bill would fine those who sell violent video games to minors between $100 and $1000, and in addition face serving up to a year in prison.
Read More | Shreveport Times
Read More | Bill HB1381
Gallery: Louisiana Senate Judiciary Committee Passes Video Game Bill
Video Games Live in Pennsylvania June 3rd
Posted by Josh Smith Categories: Culture, Nintendo, PlayStation 2, Retro, Xbox,
June 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
Gallery: Video Games Live in Pennsylvania June 3rd
Nova Scotia Troops Trained By Video Games
Posted by Josh Smith Categories: Culture, First Person Shooters, PC, Simulation,
Reservists in Nova Scotia may soon be training in Canada’s largest virtual battle lab known as Gagetown Labs. The training features games such as Steel Beasts, First to Fight and SWAT 4. In the article Major Tim Workman points out the flaws in training troops with video games which were made for retail shelves. The problems include unlimited ammo, no fatigue, and the ability to be shot and continue fighting. These all add together to reinforce the Rambo mentality which is deadly in the real battlefield.
The LAN Party headquarters of Canada is currently trying to tweak Virtual Battlespace to allow for more realistic situations. In other attempts to impart realism into video games Gagetown has started requiring half of the 8 man squad complete a mission alive in order to pass and by removing a soldier from play after one hit. While the training is not yet in widespread use Gagetown envisions SWAT 4 which requires players to warn hostiles and use non lethal force first to be helpful in urban combat situations present in Iraq.
Read More | Chronicle Herald
Gallery: Nova Scotia Troops Trained By Video Games
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