Wii would like to play

I got an early Christmas present this year: a Nintendo Wii. I know it's late in the console's lifespan, with the WiiU coming out before long, but I'm still excited about it. Not just for the usual reasons, like Super Smash Bros. Brawl, either. I'm excited for multiplayer.

So, about those updates...

Things (like work schedules, being sick, holidays, etc.) have interrupted the regularly scheduled broadcast of Deranged Gamer as of late, and for that I'd like to apologize.

Modern Warfare 3 fan foils flaky thief

You want the next big game hitting the market, so you go to GameStop for the midnight release, but woah! That line's inane! What's an impatient, not-so-bright gamer to do? Obviously, the correct course of action is to find someone who bought the game first, follow them home and rob them at gunpoint! Right? ....Right?

Late in the game review: Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood

Game Title: Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood
Consoles: Xbox 360, PS3, PC
Deveoloper: Ubisoft
Release Date: November 16, 2010

Sony is patenting biometric controls

A patent found by the folks at Siliconera reveals designs for PS3 controllers and a handheld device that can monitor your heartbeat, your muscle movements, and how moist your skin is.

Most console gamers don't pay for games

According to a recent study, the majority of console gamers don't pay for the games they play.

Flexible sensors could revolutionize prostheses... and robots!

A group of researchers at Stanford University have created a stretchy sensor that could possibly provide sensation to touch screens, prostheses and even robots. Picture and video after the jump.

Working with video games

As of this week, I am officially employed in the gaming industry. I am a game tester working on EA titles. This is a fairly common job in Baton Rouge nowadays, being that the North American Testing Center employs hundreds of people. We are one of a handful locations that do this kind of testing in North America, and what we do helps games to get made.

Real-life Seattle superhero promises to keep fighting crime after court appearance

CNN reports that Seattle superhero Phoenix Jones appeared in court last week after he was arrested under four counts of assault the previous weekend. After being told he was not being formally charged with anything, he promptly walked out. On the street, he told reporters he would continue to fight against crime, then left without taking questions.

All settled in. Mostly.

After months of moving from one location to another, including an obscene amount of international flights, I hadn't slept in the same bed for more than one week until last month, upon arriving in Baton Rouge. Even then, sleeping arrangements were temporary until our permanent bed (along with a truckload of stuff we forgot we owned) arrived last week.

The Assassin's Creed Doctrine

We've all seen sequels. They're everywhere. Usually, as is often the case in the film industry, sequels take what was good about the original and try to recreate it. This only works rarely. In the gaming world, things can be reversed, with the original acting like a dry run for the sequels. This is something that I've started calling the Assassin's Creed Doctrine.

Ubisoft announces Self-Defense Training Camp for Kinect

Ubisoft has recently confirmed rumors that it is making a self-defense game for Xbox 360. The game, titled Self-Defense Training Camp, will be a Kinect exclusive and is set to release in North America November 8. Trailer after the jump.

Diablo III may be banned in South Korea

A law in South Korea may delay Diablo III's South Korean release - it might even be banned entirely.

Late in the game review: Mirror's Edge

Game Title: Mirror's Edge
Consoles: PS3, Xbox 360, PC
Developer: DICE
Release Date: November 11, 2008

Moving Mayhem

Due to rampant unpacking and the blatant mess that has overcome parts of my apartment, I will be unable to make a regular blog post today. I will resume the usual Tuesday/Thursday schedule on Thursday, so for the time being, here's a picture of a cat in a sock via Cute Overload. Enjoy.

Apple donating iPads to Teach for America

The Apple corporation is countering a bit of the "evil empire" karma with a move that puts technology where it's needed: education.

Online gamers triumph where scientists were stumped

Oregon Live reports that The University of Washington had made a discovery that could lead to big scientific advances, and it's all thanks to gamers. Teams assembled to play the downloadable game Foldit, where higher scores were awarded to teams with the most accurate model of a protease, which is a key protein retrovirals like HIV need to multiply.

Using a rough draft idea of the shape of the protease of a retrovirus that causes HIV in monkeys, UW researchers laid the problem before Foldit players. In 10 days, the winners had constructed a near-perfect model - a feat researchers hadn't pulled off after over a decade of work.

Extra Life: the gaming equivalent of the Relay for Life

On Oct. 15, 2011, participants of the Extra Life gaming marathon will put their thumbs to work to raise money by the hour for children all over the U.S. and Canada. 

Floridian "vampire" woman arrested for assaulting an elderly man

Last week, a Florida woman named Josephine Smith was arrested for felony aggravated battery Milton Ellis, a 69-year-old man who was confined to a motorized wheelchair. Just before the attack, Smith announced "I am a vampire, I am going to eat you." Also, this all took place in front of a vacant Hooters in St. Petersburg. Yeah.

Late in the game review: Left 4 Dead

Game Title: Left 4 Dead
Consoles: Xbox 360, PC, Mac
Developer: Valve
Release Date: November 17, 2008

The U.S. Army - soon, powered by Android

The U.S. Army wants to equip their soldiers with reliable, fast communication devices coupled with GPS navigation. Until recently, the Army was independently developing its own devices through the Nett Warrior program, but Wired reports that things have taken a more commercial turn.

Replay value in today's market

Think of your favorite game. Go on, take a minute. Stop reading this and think.

Homeward bound

Before long, my lovely wife Victoria and I will be gathering the belongings we still have in the U.K. and boarding a series of very long flights that will eventually land us home in the U.S. We originally left the U.S. on August 31st, and that's the same day we'll be heading back.  It's been one of the most unique years I've ever experienced, and while I've grown homesick, I wouldn't trade it.

The rise of mobile gaming

When most people talk about gaming, they're specifically referring to games for the PC, PS3, Xbox 360 or Wii. Games exist everywhere, though. The popularity of social networking games, services like OnLive and gaming on mobile devices are providing alternatives left and right.

You know the first thing I'm gonna do...

You know that part of the first Pirates of the Caribbean movie, when the cursed pirates are trying to decide what they want to eat first as soon as the curse is lifted? I've been trying to decide the something similar myself for when I return to the States. While Europe is far from a curse, I still have my list of things I miss stateside ready to go.

The 3D and motion control fads

Two growing trends have made themselves inescapably popular lately, and I'm not entirely sure why: 3D and motion controls. Both have proven themselves to be permanent, or at least long-term, additions to gaming.

On co-op's disappearance

Much of today's gaming market focuses on the multiplayer aspect. It's becoming increasingly easy to connect with friends worldwide, but playing with a group at home, especially cooperatively, is getting harder. More and more, game companies are making a game that has multiplayer, not co-op.

Bon Voyage

Starting the day after tomorrow, my incredible wife and I will be heading out for our last European tour (for the immediate future, anyway), this time accompanied by my lovely mother-in-law and aunt-in-law (I guess that's how you say it). 

North Korea employs gold farmers to fund the government

Five hackers in North Korea have been charged with creating bot farms in several MMOs, then selling the in-game gains for real-world cash on several well-known sites. Afterward, most of the proceeds were sent to the Korean government.

Norway pulls games because of murderer's manifesto

In the wake of the recent attacks by Anders Behring Breivik in Norway, which took 77 people's lives, two game retailers are refusing to sell some of the video games listed in Breivik's 1,5000 page manifesto.

Movie Review: Captain America

Captain America: The First Avenger lets audiences worldwide experience an American icon. It drops the audience right into World War II and sets the tone perfectly. The Avengers couldn't have asked for a better set-up.

U.S. Navy isn't screwing around - laser/ machine guns coming soon

Have you ever watched a sci-fi movie and wished photon torpedoes or laser pistols were real? You're not alone. The folks at Boeing and BAE Systems are with you, and they have the means to make it, at least partially, a reality.

Chinese couple sells their three children for game money

In an act of startling inhumanity, a young couple in China sold all three of their children in order to afford more time at an Internet cafe.

Late in the game review: Pokémon Black Version

Game Title: Pokémon Black Version
Console: Nintendo DS
Devolopers: Nintendo and Game Freak, Inc.

Release Date: March 6, 2011

FemShep to appear in Mass Effect 3's marketing

BioWare, the creators of Mass Effect, have asked the people, and the people have spoken: They want FemShep to step into the limelight. Via a Twitter campaign back in May, Bioware polled fans, and as a result, has decided to feature the female version of the main character in at least one trailer and on the collector's edition box art.

Late in the game review: Spiral Knights

Game Title: Spiral Knights

Consoles: PC, Mac

Developer: Three Rings Design, Inc., Sega

Release Date: April 4, 2011

Google+ spreads like web-based wildfire

Google+ has been sweeping the Internet for the past two weeks, with the amount of users quickly approaching 10 million. Paul Allen, founder of Ancestry.com, projects that the number could grow to over 20 million this weekend. This is with the site still being in beta and membership being invite-only.

Late in the game review: Team Fortress 2

Game Title: Team Fortress 2
Consoles: Windows, Mac, Playstation 3, Xbox 360
Developer: Valve
Release Date: October 9, 2007

Fox News gets hacked, reports Obama assassinated

In the wee hours of yesterday morning, one of Fox News' Twitter accounts was hijacked by the hacker group Script Kiddies, who used the account to tweet six times that President Barack Obama had been assassinated. The tweets stayed up for several hours, although they have since been deleted.

Late in the game review: Kingdom Hearts: 358/2 Days

Game Title: Kingdom Hearts: 358/2 Days
Console: Nintendo DS
Developers: Disney and Square-Enix

Release Date: September 29, 2009

U.S. Supreme Court gives video games First Amendment rights

Yesterday, the United States Supreme Court ruled 7-2 that a bill from California criminalizing the sale of "M" rated video games to underage customers was unconstitutional. This ruling gives video games the same First Amendment protection as books, movies, music and television. 

Al Gore weighs in on gaming's impact

Former Vice President Al Gore spoke yesterday at the Games for Change conference at New York University and commended games as having "arrived as a mass medium." He singled out social games like Farmville as promoting cooperation over competition and seemed pleased that similar games were gaining momentum over "the lowest common denominator games."

LulzSec strikes again, and again, and again

This summary is not available. Please click here to view the post.

Nintendo announces fancy new console, stock drops

It's fair to say the biggest reveal at E3 this year was undoubtedly the Wii U, Nintendo's new console. This piece of hardware will have 1080p HD capabilities, a touch screen in the controller, a killer set of launch games, motion controls and is intended to bridge the gap between casual and core gamers. And yet, since revealing this console on Tuesday, Nintendo's stock has dropped roughly 10%, from ¥17960.00 to ¥16160.00, the closing price last night.

It's E3 time once again

The annual pilgrimage to gaming Mecca is upon us once again, and while the everyday gamer might not be allowed entry to the Electronics Entertainment Expo anymore, E3 is still where many of our favorite game developers unveil exciting new games and concepts that keep us chomping at the bit for another year. Through live TV, online streaming or gaming news portals, gamers get to taste the newest flavors of their favorite dishes. 

There's nothing like a fistful of lightning, now is there?

Have you ever been in a fistfight and thought, "Man, what I wouldn't give to be Thor right now." No? Then you're not David Brown, inventor of The BodyGuard. 

Sony exec will appear before U.S. congress

After declining a request to appear before the U.S. Congress at the beginning of May, Sony Computer Entertainment America has now agreed to send Tim Schaaf, President of Sony Network Entertainment International, to a hearing on June 2. The hearing will focus largely on online security and data theft prevention, so Sony's input regarding the recent Playstation Network (PSN) debacle will surely be helpful. 

Off for a jaunt

Hey all, my parents are on their way to Edinburgh today, and we'll be doing a little Europe-hopping over the next two weeks. There probably won't be updates during that time, but I'll be sure to regale you with stories upon our return. Thanks for reading!

Video games are officially art

It's been a topic of debate for decades, but now an authoritative voice has passed judgement. According to the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA), video games are now officially an art form.

iBrick

A couple nights ago, after a bit of regularly scheduled maintenance, my 5-year-old past-warranty MacBook flatlined with no chance of resuscitation. As a result, this post was originally written with the analogue form of typing. Oddly, the bricked laptop served as bracing for the paper, so in a sense, it helped to write its own eulogy. Fare the well, MacBook, as you carry on to the great recycling plant in the sky.

Superman renounces U.S. citizenship, pundits go nuts

In DC's Action Comics #900, Superman plans to renounce his U.S. citizenship on the grounds that his actions are interpreted as America's actions. Supes has long been an American icon -- who among us can't call up an image of him in front of the flag, cape waving in the wind? It's easy. But now "truth, justice, and the American way -- it's not enough anymore." His words.

Movie review: Thor

A few years back, somebody at Marvel had an idea: 

"Let's make an Avengers movie!" 

"But wait," someone inevitably said, "won't all those superheroes be confusing as hell for anyone unfamiliar with The Avengers?"

"Alright, we'll make some origin movies, then The Avengers!"

And so they did. And that's what Thor is. Prep work.

Mallorca

I've found that, as expected, my years of education in Spanish haven't prepared me for jack. I'm sure most of that is my fault for having a leak in my memory bank, but a problem's a problem. Thankfully, since I spent the last five days in a mostly tourist-themed section of Mallorca, Spain, most people I needed to talk to understood English. And, oddly, German. 

Headed to Spain

So tomorrow I will see 5 a.m., and the two of us have never been on good terms. At least there is a worthy reason, though. I've got a RyanAir ticket to Palma de Mallorca, Spain with my name on it, and I can't wait to see an actual beach again. 

Boy Scouts approve new robotics merit badge

When I was a kid, I was a Cub Scout, and later a Boy Scout. Like a lot of kids in town, I spent good, wholesome time learning how to tie knots, pitch tents, and start fires. The solutions nowadays are glue, getting the kind of tent that pitches itself and lighters, respectively. Still, the Boy Scouts of America (BSA) have always taught kids important lessons. Now the BSA plans to keep up with the times by teaching Scouts the value of robotics.

Springtime in Scotland

One of the nicest parks in Edinburgh is called The Meadows, and it's right next to the University of Edinburgh. It's basically a giant semicircle of green expanse divided up into several sections by tree-lined paved walkways. The park provides a much needed place for people, mostly students, to unwind in traditional collegiate fashions. 

You are now suing EA

If you've bought an EA Sports made football game (Madden NFL, NCAA Football, or Arena Football League) from 2005 onward, you are now involved in a California class-action lawsuit against Electronic Arts concerning an alleged monopoly on the football game market.

The Governator is no joke

Apparently comic god Stan Lee and Ex-California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger weren't kidding around when they announced a new comic series entitled The Governator. What's more, an animated TV series, video game, and movie are reportedly planned. 

Dragon Age 2 sparks sexuality in gaming debate

In Dragon Age 2, your character's relationships with NPCs are a big deal. You can make them your best friend or your worst enemy, depending on how you choose to interact with them. One of the biggest choices you can make is weather or not to enter a romantic relationship with any number of NPCs, whether they are a different sex or not. It sounds like a good system on paper, but its implementation has upset more than one fan.

Highlights of the North American broadband conundrum

Over the years, broadband Internet speeds have been slowly improving, with ISPs providing (for a pretty penny) the maximum speed possible with current technology. Right? Wrong. Not even close, as it turns out. What's more, Canadian ISPs actually limit to how much content their users can view or download per month. Here's a rundown of a few issues that have arisen within the current predicament. 

Marvel giving free digital comics to Starbucks customers

Starting April 23, 2011, Marvel plans to give full access to the Marvel Digital Comics Unlimited library to anyone connecting to the Internet thorough a Starbucks server. Why would Marvel be giving away such a large volume of content for free? In a word, exposure. 

Gaming greats unite for Japan relief fundraiser

Japan has always been a driving force behind the video game industry and technology in general. The country had given the gaming world its foundation, so it is time the gaming industry gave back. That's the thought behind "Gamers Heart Japan," a TV special sponsored by a plethora of game developers and journalists aimed at providing relief for Japan's victims of earthquakes and tsunamis.

Ubisoft hunting for an Assassin's Creed historian

Ubisoft Montreal, the company behind the Assassin's Creed series, has painstakingly recreated cities like Jerusalem and Rome in-game (with some alterations for better platforming), and has included in-depth histories of landmarks that can be read at the player's leisure. It doesn't come as a shock that it would be searching for a historian, but what is surprising is the historian's desired specialty. 

Anarchy in the UK

When I was gearing up to move to Scotland, I mentally prepared myself for the frankly horrendous exchange rate between dollars and pounds, I knew I would be taking the bus or walking more, and I knew the slang would change, and I knew I'd see the occasional guy in a kilt. I can tell you one thing, though: I never saw the punks coming. 

Kinect is lending a hand in the OR

First off, no, I'm not talking about a Trauma Center game for Xbox 360, and don't you ever bring that up again. It makes me cringe. It turns out that a group of doctors led by Dr. Calvin Law in Canada have begun using Kinect, Microsoft's motion-sensing hardware for the 360, to assist during cancer surgery. 

Welcome to Deranged Gamer!

Welcome, and thanks for visiting the blog. This is my first post on one ever, so here's to trying new things. Cheers.