As the 2012 election 
draws near, the number of safe havens from politicking is shrinking fast. Facebook was compromised nearly three years ago. Now, some of the most popular games on the social network are at risk.
Candidates and strategists have fully embraced the gamification theory, it seems — and Farmville is squarely in their sites.
Treating a cancer 
patient is usually done through a regimen of drugs, radiation or surgery. But researchers at the University of Utah have put together a new video game supplement to those scary methods.
Unveiled last week, PE Interactive is a motion-controlled game meant to help kids get through rough treatments by building their physical and mental health and giving them a sense of empowerment.
Electronic Arts 
really wants to screw up your last minute Christmas shopping this year.
After months (or years, even) of anticipation, the company has finally unveiled the launch date for Star Wars: The Old Republic — and it’s a bit of a head-scratcher.
One of the biggest 
games of 2011 won’t be out until 2012.
Diablo III, Blizzard Entertainment’s much-anticipated role-playing game, has been officially moved into next year in order to give developers time to further polish the title.
There’s an interesting 
trend taking shape in the gaming world these days: First-person shooters where the player can’t actually shoot anyone.
An Australian development team has put together a prototype for Warco (short for War Correspondent) — a game that puts you in the boots of a reporter in the midst of a war zone. Instead of bullets, you’re shooting footage via a video camera.
45 years after Star 
Trek beamed into our lives, the show continues to be one of sturdiest brands in pop culture. Beyond spawning five spin-off series, 11 feature films, hundreds of novels and even a Las Vegas attraction, it was a natural fit for the video game world.
Publishers have put out nearly 70 different Star Trek video games over the years (not counting fan-made titles and Star Trek-themed mods of other games), but they’re notoriously hit or miss. Here are five of the best — and five that belong on the other side of the nearest worm hole.
Communication and 
financial problems are the two leading causes of divorce today, but a new study shows that video games are quickly climbing the list.
Conducted by Divorce Online, the study breaks down the reasons couples split. Of the wives that pointed to “unreasonable behavior,” 15 percent said their husbands put gaming before them. One year ago, that figure stood at 5 percent.
Heard the incessant 
praise about the Assassin’s Creed franchise, but still haven’t gotten around to playing the original game? For shame!
The good news is you’ll soon be able to overcome this gaming faux pas — and no one has to be the wiser.
For years, customers 
and analysts have pestered Netflix to add video games to its rental operation. In a few weeks, they’ll finally get their wish.
Netflix has announced plans to add titles for the Xbox 360, PlayStation 3 and Wii to its catalog in the coming weeks. The new options will come as part of the company’s plan to split off its DVD-by-mail service into a separate brand and website called Qwikster.
The PlayStation Vita 
has plenty of cool features to brag about, but battery life ain’t one of ’em.
Sony has released a new spec sheet for the upcoming handheld system, revealing that gamers can expect between 3-5 hours of game playing time per charge — meaning if you bring one along for a cross-country flight, you might want to have another entertainment option at your disposal as well.
Chris Morris: Journalist 