Microsoft’s 
Xbox Live is more than just a matchmaking service for gamers — it’s also a popular social networking tool. Authorities in Iowa, however, believe it was the genesis for a runaway plot conceived by four Iowa teens.
Two teenage girls from the town of Shellsburg and two teenage boys from Atlantic (which is about 200 miles away) were reported missing Saturday. According to police and parents, the runaways met though the online game service.
With 
the launch of the Wii U just over a month away, Nintendo has cut the price of the Wii console.
Effective immediately, the Wii price is cut from $150 to $130, with new bundles including copies of both Wii Sports and Wii Sports Resort. The company says the bundles are shipping now and it expects them to be widely available by Oct. 28.
While 
Atari first burst onto the video game scene in 1972 with Pong, for many gamers, the company’s lasting legacy will always be the Atari 2600.
October 14 marks the 35th birthday of the legendary game console, which landed with a bang in 1977. It wasn’t the first home video game system — that honor belongs to the Magnavox Odyssey — but it quickly became the most widely adopted and set the standard for many, many years.
It’s 
tough being a hockey fan these days. With the lockout now in its 27th day and no substantial negotiations to resolve the situation, fans of the ice are starting to get worried that there may be no season at all this year.
EA, though, is offering a small measure of relief to fans looking to scratch the itch.
For 
the tenth month in a row, video game sales took a shellacking at retail. This time, though, the finger of blame can be pointed squarely at iconic action star, Marcus Fenix.
Last year’s Gears of War 3 was such a hot seller that there was really no chance this year’s crop of September games could top it. When all was said and done, brick and mortar retail sales of video game software were down 18 percent to $497.4 million, according to The NPD Group.
Add 
PlaySpan to the ever-growing list of video game companies that have been targeted by hackers.
Online thieves and mischief-makers have reportedly released details for two million accounts online, with players of World of Tanks seemingly most at risk.
The 
nation’s schools have no choice but to adapt to and embrace technology as they prepare children for the modern world. But sometimes, that might go a little too far.
Pittsburgh’s Whitehall Elementary School has found itself in some hot water with parents for its decision to incorporate the Nintendo Wii into its recess program.
The 
big guns of the 2012 holiday season are still in their holsters — and will remain there for several more weeks. But we’re calling it right now: Today, Tuesday Oct. 9, is the biggest gaming day of the year.
Sure, Black Ops II and Halo 4 will sell more copies, but in terms of sheer quality, you’re not going to see a day like today for a long, long time.Of course, an embarrassment of riches comes with its own set of problems. Short of quitting your job and cutting ties with the people you love, there’s no way for you to consume all of this gaming goodness at once. That’s a cross you’re going to have to bear, though.
Kevin 
Butler might be utterly loyal to Sony and the PlayStation, but he’s not, you know, real. The comedic executive is played by actor Jerry Lambert, and while he’s had a great run with Sony, that relationship appears to be coming to an end thanks to a tire commercial.
The electronics giant has sued Lambert, his production company Wildcat Creek Inc., and Bridgestone Tires for a gaggle of scary charges including breach of contract and (essentially) theft of intellectual property. That property?
Kevin Butler.
Zynga’s 
streak of bad luck just keeps growing.
The social gaming company pre-announced some ugly third-quarter earnings late Thursday and significantly reduced its financial guidance for the year. Now, Wall Street analysts are beginning to wonder aloud if the company will ever be able to turn things around.
Chris Morris: Journalist 