Here’s a good 
way to ensure your kid gets his lunch money stolen on a regular basis.
Meet Dovahkiin Tom Kellermeyer. That’s right, Dovahkiin. As in, the protagonist of The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim. Born 11/11/11 — the same day that the game was released — he’s made his family the winners (?) of a contest that ensures free Bethesda games for life.
Aquaria has appeared 
on other gaming platforms, but it feels at home on the iPad, offering an experience that is both intriguing and serene. As Naija, you’ll explore a stunning underwater world trying to fill holes in your memory. While there’s some combat, this is a game about character development. The most interesting element to the game is the use of music. Learning new abilities (such as transformation or shields) is essentially a game of Simon (i.e. parroting back notes), but the songs of Naija, blended with the background music, make this an incredibly soothing game that makes time fade away. The app suggests playing with headphones — and it really does improve the experience.
The records 
keep tumbling for Modern Warfare 3.
Activision’s action shooter has set a new standard for the entertainment industry, earning more than $775 million in five days, beating all gaming, theatrical and book sell-through totals. The previous record, not surprisingly, was last year’s “Black Ops” installment of the Call of Duty franchise, which took in $650 million.
Critics aren’t 
the only people falling in love with the latest installment of The Elder Scrolls.
Bethesda Softworks says it has shipped 7 million copies of The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim to retailers, with about 3.5 million copies being sold through in the first 48 hours. Making that number even more impressive? That was just for the Xbox 360 version.
Oh PETA, you 
crazy kids. First, you get the gaming world up in arms by squaring off against one of its most-loved characters. Then, when the backlash hits, you quickly claim the whole thing was “tongue-in-cheek.”
After slamming Nintendo icon Mario for wearing a ‘Tanooki’ suit in his latest game, the animal rights organization says the outcry, which included the creation of a disturbing parody video game called “Super Tanooki Skin 2D,” was just a publicity stunt.
The SOPA anti-piracy 
bill might be strongly backed by the Hollywood community, but the Consumer Electronics Association – the group behind the annual Consumer Electronics Show – wants no part of it.
In a statement to the House Judiciary Committee on H.R. 3261 – the “Stop Online Piracy Act” (or SOPA) – the organization voiced concerns about the bill, warning of collateral damage to innovation in the electronics field.
Bob Iger, 
Disney president and CEO, is joining the Board of Directors at Apple.
The company today announced his appointment to the board as well as the company’s audit committee. At the same time, long-time board member Arthur Levinson (co-founder of Genentech) has been named chairman.
The initial criticisms 
surrounding Nintendo’s 3DS handheld were pretty straightforward: The price was too high and there was a paucity of good games.
Nintendo took care of the pricing problem in August. Now, it’s taking on the quality concerns.
Super Mario 3D Land, which hit shelves earlier this week, combines elements from the classic 2D side-scrolling Mario games as well as more recent free-roaming 3D Mario titles, plus it brings back the much-loved Tanooki suit from Super Mario Bros. 3. And critics are cheering.
In this analysis, 
Gamasutra editor Chris Morris asks if this year’s post-Thanksgiving Black Friday sales will provide a notable boost for the gaming industry, and if it will actually hurt the industry more than it helps.
As happens every year around this time, circulars advertising post-Thanksgiving “Black Friday” deals from major retailers are starting to leak online – and, as always, the gaming deals are pretty phenomenal.
A Wii for $100? Batman: Arkham City and Gears of War 3 for $30? It’s enough to tempt even the most cynical shoppers to bravely venture forth into the retail madness that is Black Friday.
Sure, this app 
has a vested interest in getting people to buy a copy of Disney’s Beauty and the Beast, but don’t let that distract you from all it has to offer. Blending a high-quality storybook app (you can read it yourself, listen to the narration, or record your own telling of the story), with extended song (and other) clips from the film, art opportunities, and games, it has something to interest every child. It’s also easy to navigate, a bonus considering how much there is to explore.
The only point of hesitation is the price. At $8.99, it’s an expensive app — especially for something aimed at children. The price, admittedly, is a tough pill to swallow, but the deep catalog of offerings makes it worth serious consideration. And if you see it on sale, grab it.
Chris Morris: Journalist 