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.