February 24, 2012 New Gaming’s next legal hotbed
Privacy is 
fast becoming a legal hotbed, and while it’s something that’s certain to impact traditional game makers in one form or another, it’s mobile developers who are increasingly finding themselves in the crosshairs.
It’s an election year. And despite 2011′s historic Supreme Court ruling, you really didn’t think video games were going to be dropped from the political agenda, did you?
As predicted, privacy is fast becoming a legal hotbed — and while it’s something that’s certain to impact traditional game makers in one form or another, it’s mobile developers who are increasingly finding themselves in the crosshairs.
Tags: app store, coppa, ftc, gamasutra, privacy, video game privacy
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- Posted under Gamasutra
February 23, 2012 Study: World of Warcraft boosts brain functions in seniors
Forget 
golf: today’s retirees should be playing video games.
Or at least World of Warcraft.
A new study out of North Carolina State University finds that the massively-multiplayer behemoth can have a beneficial impact on the brains of elderly players.
Tags: video games and mental health, world of warcraft, wow, yahoo
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- Posted under Yahoo! Games
February 23, 2012 5 ways gaming has changed the military
Games 
have had a profound influence on everything from how we watch football on television to how we lose weight. As it turns out, they’re also changing the nature of the U.S. military.
While it’s still essential for soldiers to be in peak shape and prepared for traditional ground combat, today’s modern warfare has a strong digital component — and gaming’s influences extend far beyond the battlefield. The Army, for example,spends between $10 million to $20 million a year on licenses, modifications and development of video games.
Tags: yahoo, navy, air force, army, marines, drones, predator
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- Posted under Yahoo! Games
February 22, 2012 Nintendo talks new Brain Age, Mario Tennis, role-playing games
You 
didn’t expect Nintendo to let the launch of the PlayStation Vita go unanswered, did you?
The Sony competitor held a pair of online presentations Wednesday to tout new software that’s on the way to its 3DS system (as well as the Wii) and deflect attention away from Sony’s new, bleeding-edge gadget.
Tags: 3ds, devil training, new brain age, nintendo, wii, yahoo
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- Posted under Yahoo! Games
February 22, 2012 Sony Bets Big on Its New Handheld Gaming System
While the 
handheld gaming market has evolved dramatically in recent years, Sony’s betting there’s still money to be made there – and it’s betting a lot.
The PS Vita, the company’s next generation handheld gaming system, went on sale in the U.S. today. And though the electronics giant remains optimistic about the market, analysts are significantly less certain.
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- Posted under CNBC
February 21, 2012 EA’s Bernard Kim on taking The Simpsons freemium
EA social 
and mobile vice president Bernard Kim explains to Gamasutra why America’s most treasured dysfunctional family just might give the company the Smurfs’ Village its portfolio lacks.
When a franchise has aired 500 different episodes on television (and that’s not counting the three years it ran as a series of shorts) and 24 separate video games, figuring out the next move can be tricky.
A big console game is a risk for a licensed property these days. A $2 or $5 iOS game might make an initial splash, but its sustainability is questionable given the constant flood of new titles. But freemium? That’s something The Simpsons hasn’t tried before.
Tags: ea, ea mobile, freemium, gamsutra, the simpsons
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- Posted under Gamasutra
February 21, 2012 PlayStation Vita games already discounted
Usually, 
there aren’t a lot of deals to be found on a system’s launch day.
As early adopters and die-hard fans scramble to be the first on their block to have the latest gadget, companies capitalize on that fervor and have no trouble commanding full retail price, usually for several weeks or even months.
But the launch of the PlayStation Vita is a bit different than other devices.
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- Posted under Yahoo! Games
February 21, 2012 Rare Skylanders figures fetch over $1,200
You know 
a game is a hit when it sells on eBay for higher than its retail price. You know it’s a smash when pieces of that game are commanding premium pricing on the auction site. But when six of those pieces sell for well over $1,000? That’s when you’ve officially got a monster on your hands.
Activision is in that fortunate position as six Skylanders: Spyro’s Adventure figures in the U.K. have sold for £797, roughly $1,260. And the winner will have to toss in another $50 or so for shipping.
Tags: activision, rare skylanders figures, skylanders, yahoo
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- Posted under Yahoo! Games
February 20, 2012 Happy birthday, Chuck E. Cheese
Most 
mice only live a few months. But Chuck E. Cheese’s turns 35 today.
The kid-friendly restaurant chain was launched this day in 1977, bringing its curious blend of animatronic rodents, arcade games, Skee-ball and pizza to millions. It’s faced more than a few hurdles over the years, but it’s still going strong, with over 500 stores around the world and quarterly revenues of nearly $200 million.
Tags: chuck e. cheese, nolan bushnell, showbiz pizza, yahoo
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- Posted under Yahoo! Games
February 17, 2012 ‘Scramble With Friends’ puts successful spin on ‘Words With Friends’ formula
A hit 
game sequel is a powerful thing indeed, but it can be tricky to pull off. Do you just repeat the first game? Come up with something new? Split the difference?
Maybe you should ask Zynga, who have managed to follow up their blockbuster Words With Friends with a Boggle-like game using the same elements. And it’s hitting just the right notes.
Tags: iphone games, scramble with friends, yahoo, zynga
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- Posted under Yahoo! Games
With over 20 years of journalism experience under my belt, including senior management roles at CNN, Yahoo! Finance and Forbes, I'm now a freelance writer and editor, specializing in video games, consumer electronics and personal finance matters. My current clients include Variety, CNBC, Yahoo!, Official Xbox Magazine, Bankrate.com, Common Sense Media, VentureBeat and more. 
