New Mario, Zelda games coming to Wii U in 2013

Posted on January 23, 2013 by Chris Morris

The Wii U has taken some heat from critics post-launch. The system is slow, they say. There haven’t been any new games. Where’s Zelda?

Nintendo met those accusations head-on Wednesday in the company’s latest Nintendo Direct online press conference, unveiling a collection of new games and enhancements that would cheer even the most skeptical fan. Before the year is out, Wii U owners can expect a double dose of Mario, Yoshi’s return to the spotlight and a high-definition take on a classic Zelda game.

Read more at Yahoo! Games

While studies loom, vidgame biz can use some sensitivity training

Posted on January 23, 2013 by Chris Morris

The nation and its politicians are desperately seeking an answer for a horrific event that no sane mind can grasp. And that’s leading to calls for studies. Unfortunately, some parties are announcing the results they’re hoping to find before they’ve done any research.

In the days after the Dec. 14 Sandy Hook school shooting, Sen. Jay Rockefeller said, “Recent court decisions demonstrate that some people still do not get it. They believe that violent video games are no more dangerous to young minds than classic literature or Saturday morning cartoons. Parents, pediatricians and psychologists know better.”

Atari files for bankruptcy

Posted on January 22, 2013 by Chris Morris

One of the most famous names in video games has run out of lives.

Iconic video game company Atari has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection and plans to auction off all of its assets, including its famous logo.

Read more at Yahoo! Games

Scenes From the Adult Entertainment Expo

Posted on January 22, 2013 by Chris Morris

Every January, the adult entertainment industry converges on Las Vegas, bringing its biggest stars, new companies hoping to break into the big time, and thousands upon thousands of fans.

It’s a carnival of flesh — with films looping hardcore scenes, women in barely-there outfits and lingerie, and people jostling in line to get a moment, perhaps a smile and a hug, from their favorite actress (or, occasionally, actor).

The Adult Entertainment Expo (AEE) is also a place where deals are signed. Toy companies court distributors to carry their new lines and big mergers have been known to happen here.

While the industry’s most ardent fans make a pilgrimage here each year, not everyone is able to make the trip. For those people, here’s a slice of life in a day at the porn show.

Adult Toys are All the Buzz at Wal-Mart and CVS

Posted on January 18, 2013 by Chris Morris

Only a couple years ago, anyone in search of adult novelties had to brave the local porn store or hop online and hope the packaging was discreet. But times have changed – and quickly.

Today, you’re just as likely to find a vibrator at your local drug store, local mall or Wal-Mart. And they’re likely to become even more prevalent in the years to come.

Texas gamers build real-life Mario Kart

Posted on January 18, 2013 by Chris Morris

It’s one of the best-selling video game franchises in the world, but what if you could play Mario Kart for real?

A group of Texas gamers/engineers from Waterloo Labs decided to give it a go, and the results are pretty amazing. This real-life Mario Kart racing track features actual power-ups, including mushrooms, lightning bolts and even those pesky turtle shells.

Read more at Yahoo! Games

Do video games have a future at CES?

Posted on January 18, 2013 by Chris Morris

The circus has left town here in Las Vegas. The 100-inch Ultra high definition sets have been packed up. The tens of thousands of unread show dailies have been recycled. And the folks at Razer are back at their headquarters gleefully polishing their Best of CES award.

As the hangovers dim and perspective starts to set in, though, it’s worth taking one look back at CES and seeing what it means – and could mean – for the video game industry as a whole.

CamGirls: The New Porn Superstars

Posted on January 17, 2013 by Chris Morris

It’s not just porn films that have been disrupted by the Internet. It’s porn stars, too.

Ten – or even five – years ago, the highest earners of porn were the actresses whose names marqueed big films. Today, they’re more likely to be models who will never perform a hard core sex scene on camera – and whose face will never appear on a DVD cover.

Big games slip out of Wii U’s launch window

Posted on January 17, 2013 by Chris Morris

Some of the biggest titles in the Wii U’s initial lineup have met with some big delays.

Nintendo today announced the delays of Game & Wario, The Wonderful 101 and Wii Fit U – which, alongside the previously delayed Pikmin 3, were initially promised to hit stores by the end of March. The company now says they’ll arrive in the “first half of the year.”

Read more at Yahoo! Games

Obama orders CDC to investigate video game violence

Posted on January 16, 2013 by Chris Morris

President Barack Obama, as part of a wide ranging proposal to reduce gun violence, has ordered the Centers for Disease Control to launch a study into the correlation between violence in video games and the real world.

The order, which does not require Congressional approval, was part of a Presidential Memorandum that laid out 23 actions designed to curb violence.

Read more at Yahoo! Games