An article from a Southern Utah news website highlights gaming addiction in kids and talks about how dangerous it can be.

The article, from The Spectrum, is titled “Combat gaming addiction in kids.” It references various experts that claim that excessive gaming is a behavioral addiction similar to addictions to pornography or gambling.

The article goes on to explain the danger of games like World of Warcraft and Call of Duty, where “players build make-believe worlds that can overshadow real life.” We’re all familiar with the the addictive quality of Warcraft, but the author clearly threw Call of Duty in there because of its immense popularity without actually knowing what the game entails.

One therapist is quoted as saying “If Mom is always nagging that games are a waste of time, they say: ‘S- you, my friends online love me, and I’ll hang out with them.’” I don’t even know what “S- you” means. Shit you? Is that how the kids talk these days?

Later in the article the writer says “A drug user trying to kick his or her habit knows that cutting down until the behavior is conquered doesn’t work,” and “Computer game addicts face the same problems,” jumping right from behavioral addiction to chemical addiction. So which is it?

While it’s somewhat refreshing to read a criticism of videogames that doesn’t completely revolve around violence (though it is talked about), this article felt more alarmist than informative. I encourage all of you to read it and tell us what you think.

Last night I posted a rumor about the PC version of Modern Warfare 2 being a console port. Reading through the Digg comments, specifically the complaints directed towards the game and Infinity Ward, I was met with the same immature, aggravating garbage that I’ve been reading for the past month.

If I sound bitter, it’s because I am. The amount of vitriol pouring out of the internet over the PC version of Modern Warfare 2 was unbearable before it even started. That’s right. It’s so awful, it defies time and space.

I’m not a console gamer. I’m simply a gamer and I play on consoles and PC. All of my friends are on Xbox Live so that’s the version I bought, so I admit I was never affected by changes to the PC version. But here’s the thing: despite my anger towards PC gamers, I don’t necessarily disagree with them. I’ve never even thought about it, because I’ve been trying as hard as I can to avoid every one of you. I’m all for organized protests, but that’s not what this is, because most of you decided to scream at the top of your lungs, bang pots and pans together, and throw your shit at the walls.

And the only logical step anybody took, starting a petition, failed because of shit like this. I feel your guys’ pain. I really do. If I was a serious PC gamer like a lot of you, I would probably be just as disappointed. But the way people acted, and are still acting, needs to stop. This isn’t directed at everyone. Some of you are very sane, but for every John Kershaw there are ten slobbering idiots smashing bricks over their heads and threatening to never support Infinity Ward again, all the while playing Modern Warfare 2 on Steam.

If you guys think you can convince IW to patch in dedicated servers, a lean function, and all the other stuff you’ve been deprived of then, by all means, continue in a civilized and organized fashion. If not, wait until they butcher Modern Warfare 3, and then don’t fucking buy it. Or at the very least, play it offline and avoid looking like hypocrites.

The raging fires of rage surrounding the PC version of Infinity Ward’s Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 are already face-meltingly hot and now the above screenshot, supposedly taken from the PC version of the game, suggests that it’s just a console port.

I say “suggests” because there are commenters on the Digg page where the image originated that question its validity. That’s right. I waded through the cesspool that is the Digg comment section and found not only the worst contributions that the internet has to offer, but a few comments suggesting that the image is a fake or that, if it is real, it doesn’t necessarily mean the PC version is a console port. One user suggested that Infinity Ward simply shares code across multiple platforms.

In an interview about Borderlands, the creative director for Gearbox said that a Borderlands 2 seemed like a no-brainer.

“Everyone here loves the franchise, and it seems like the public is really coming back with praise and love. So yeah, if everything makes sense, Borderlands 2 seems like a no-brainer to me.”

That’s what Mike Neumann said in an interview with VG247. He went on to say that it just makes sense to do a sequel, but they’re still working on DLC content for the original and it’s just watercooler talk at this point.

The first DLC installment for Borderlands, The Zombie Island of Dr. Ned, will hit Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 on November 24th, exactly two weeks from today. It will cost $10 USD, meaning 800 MS points. Unfortunately, there is no set date for when the DLC will hit the PC.

And before you all cry “OH GOD MORE ZOMBIES C’MOOOOON,” let it be known that I love zombies and I will fight to the death to defend their honor.

Remember that poll Sega ran a while back on which game everybody wanted to see come to Xbox Live Arcade? For a while it looked like Earthworm Jim would emerge the victor, but Toejam and Earl pulled out the win in the end. Unfortunately for those who voted for the funky space duo, that may not even happen.

The problem – which is honestly sort of hilarious – is that Sega jumped the gun and doesn’t even own the rights to Toejam and Earl. That’s right! They promised us a game that they can’t legally give us! According to T&E designer Greg Johnson, Sega is currently in talks to acquire the rights, so everything may work out in the end. If it doesn’t, I’ll feel more than a little hornswoggled. There, I said it.

If you’re lucky enough to live next to a Blockbuster that’s throwing a midnight release party for Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2, you can head on over to check out a pre-release demo starting at 9:00 pm, whether or not you pre-ordered the game. Hit the jump to check out the full list of participating locations.

Atlanta 2002 Howell Mill Road    Atlanta    GA    30318

Chicago 724 N. Green Bay Road    Waukegan    IL    60085

Cleveland 4517 Mayfield Rd.    South Euclid    OH    44121

Dallas 5960 W. Parker Road    Plano    TX    75093

Denver 7777 E. Hampden, Unit 228    Denver    CO    80231

Detroit 610 N. Lapeer Road      Lake Orion    MI    48360

Houston 1743 Fry Road    Katy    TX    77449

Las Vegas 8460 W. Farm Rd.    Las Vegas    NV    89131

Los Angeles 5006 Rosemead Blvd.    Pico Rivera    CA    90660

Minneapolis 68 W. 66th St.    Richfield    MN    55423

New York 701 W. Montauk Hwy    West Babylon    NY    11704

Orlando 11849 East Colonial Dr.,    Orlando    FL    32826

Philadelphia 500 Route 38 West    Cherry Hill    NJ    08002

Phoenix 3244 South Mill Ave.    Tempe    AZ    85282

San Antonio 8725 Marbach Road, #205    San Antonio    TX    78227-2378

St. Louis 332 Festus Center Drive     Festus    MO    63028

San Diego 5620 Balboa Ave., Suite B101    San Diego    CA    92111

San Francisco 3097 Alamo Drive    Vacaville    CA    95687

Seattle 530 SW Everett Mall Way    Everett    WA    98204

Washington, D.C. 815 Rockville Pike      Rockville      MD      20852

The 2009 Today’s Gamers Internation Survey tells us something that a lot of us could of guessed: most Americans love playing videogames more than anything else.

According to the survey, 83% of the US citizens polled claimed that playing videogames was their number one past time, over watching the tube and surfing the net.

Europeans play less games, but not by much, as 72% admitted their gaming tendencies.

I just want to burst into the national anthem right now, but I’ll probably just play some videogames.

An attorney in Syracuse, New York is representing a four-year-old boy who suffered a seizure watching his brother play a videogame. The attorney is asking other victims to come forward to presumably set up a class action lawsuit.

The attorney, Michael P. Kenny, is taking Sony and Vivendi to court over Spyro: Enter the Dragonfly for the PlayStation 2, claiming that the game contains “seizure triggers” which harmed his client.

Kenny released the following statement:

“The video game companies know there is a problem, and they choose not to fix it. The video games seizures have a cause, and the manufacturers choose not to correct it.” Kenny asserts that the video game manufacturers knowingly place their financial gain ahead of people’s health. He added, “Without federal legislation to compel the video game companies to take action, we have no choice but to litigate on behalf of the victims.”

You can check out the website Kenny set up right here. What I want to know, and I’m sure I’m not the only one, is why that kid was playing a game with a metascore of 56.

Game Politics

Apparently Microsoft hands out “Microsoft Expert Zone” quizzes to retailers so that they can be better informed on the products that they’re selling. A recent quiz contained details on Mass Effect 2 DLC content, and as luck would have it, those details made their way to the internet.

Gaming blog Destructoid received word that the quiz listed “planned episodic combat via DLC,” downloadable characters for the “campaign experience,” as well as new worlds and campaign expansions. It also mentioned periodic updates that will happen through some in-game system called the “Cerberus Network.”

In conclusion: BioWare is going to go the extra mile with Mass Effect 2 support and Microsoft needs to keep a tighter lid on things.

I hate most commercials, but I don’t hate this one, because it’s actually pretty good. I may think that just because it’s Modern Warfare 2, or it may be because it’s actually funny. Not crap-your-pants funny, but chuckle worthy, which is more than I can say about most commercials.

With Netflix coming to PlayStation 3 next month, the rumors are already flying about the service coming to the Nintendo Wii as well.

Dan Rayburn over at Streaming Media apparently has inside information that Netflix is, indeed, coming to the Nintendo Wii. He claims to also have pictures of it in action, but doesn’t want to post them in fear of getting his source in trouble.

According to his info, Nintendo originally wanted Netflix this year, but is also considering holding off until they release the supposed Wii 2 in 2010.

Oh thank the heavens, Jonas comes out in November, so I won’t have to decide between that or Brutal Legend. But I will have to change my Modern Warfare 2 preorder.

Oh October, how I despise you and all of your delicious game releases. Having already sunk my money into Brutal Legend and pining for Uncharted 2, Borderlands is down there on my list, but it’s on my list all the same. Let’s all start taking bets on whether or not I’ll buy more than I can afford and overdraft my checking account.

The upcoming dark, creepy, and downright awesome looking Mickey Mouse platformer Epic Mickey will be a Nintendo Wii exclusive. Hit the jump for gameplay details.

According to Gamezine, the game will involve painting and erasing levels, which sounds just like the unique functionality the Wii is perfect for. Epic Mickey currently has a release date of Fall 2010, but given how far away that is, don’t be surprised if it changes.

It was announced a while back that Splinter Cell: Conviction was being pushed back into 2010. Hell, it was announced last year that the game was being delayed until this year. But we’ve finally got a solid release date in February 23rd, 2010, so mark your calendars. Mark it with pencil, though, in case the game gets pushed back.

The God of War collection smashes onto the PS3 in less than two months featuring the full version of the first two games in the series. While that was enough to make me run out and preorder it (I actually powerwalked), the pot has just been sweetened: the collection will also come with a voucher to download the E3 God of War III demo. That’s right! There is a God. Of War. And he’s on his way.

With a lot of heavy hitters – ok, with Modern Warfare 2 coming this November, a lot of big titles were pushed back to 2010 to avoid the competition. According to Ubisoft CEO Yves Guillemot, those titles could get pushed back even further.

Yves had this to say to MCV:

“We now have a situation where there are a lot of good games due for release in the first half of next year, but I think some publishers will move again. The first quarter of 2010 is looking pretty crazy. So I expect some movement from the other players – some of those delayed games will be moved again.”

It’s solid logic – a slew of high profile games got pushed back to a less busy release window, just to make Q1 2010 a really busy release window. The funny thing about Guillemot saying this is that a good number of Ubisoft titles have been pushed back from this holiday season to early next year.

PSX Extreme

Rumor has it that the God of War games, including a demo for the upcoming third game in the series, are coming to the Sony PlayStation 3 on a single Blu-ray disc.

The rumor comes from a translated post on the Twitter account of MarkPlayStation, the supposed manager for Sony Mexico. This “trilogy” would be coming this December.

With a little over four months to go, you’d think that Sony would’ve formally announced this by now. I certainly hope it’s true, as I’ve only ever played part of the first God of War and I’m not lucky enough to own a backwards compatible PS3.

PSX Extreme via Gamezine

I love Johnny Cash. You love Johnny Cash. These guys love Johnny Cash. Everyone loves Johnny Cash. The late singer and his song Ring of Fire appear in Guitar Hero 5, which hits shelves September 1st.

I enjoyed 50 Cent: Blood on the Sand a lot more than I thought it would. On top of the ridiculously awesome premise, it was actually a pretty solid shooter. Now, that doesn’t mean I like 50 Cent and I want him anywhere near my Call of Duty. Unforunately, the damage has been done, and 50 Cent is indeed doing a voice in the upcoming shooter.

A post made on his website earlier today reads “50 was cast as The Multi-Player Voice.” That sentence is all sorts of screwed up, but Robert Bowling of Infinity Ward later confirmed via Twitter that “he’s one of the squad voices in Multiplayer/Spec Ops.”

Source

While nothing official has been announced, it looks like Swedish Heavy Metal band Opeth may have spilled the beans on an upcoming Saints Row PSP game.

Opeth gave the go ahead for their song The Lotus Eater to be featured in the game, saying:

“We may not like playing videogames all that much but we do like it when our music is featured on them! Makes us a bit proud even when it’s a game as big as Saints Row for the PSP… So if you love playing videogames: the game is expected to hit the streets around March 2010.”

We’ll let you know when an official announcement is made.

Gamer Center Online

In a recent speech at the NAACP 100th anniversary event, President Obama encouraged parents to “put away the Xbox.” Microsoft took the President’s slight condemnation and spun it into a positive.

The President remarked:

To parents, we can’t tell our kids to do well in school and fail to support them when they get home. For our kids to excel, we must accept our own responsibilities. That means putting away the Xbox and putting our kids to bed at a reasonable hour. It means attending those parent-teacher conferences, reading to our kids, and helping them with their homework…

-to which Microsoft answered:

We agree with President Obama that it’s a time for families to work together so that kids use media in ways that are safe, healthy and balanced. Xbox 360 is the only console gaming system that has a timer feature allowing parents to set time limits for their kids, as well as parent controls to enable parents to set limits on what their kids are playing and watching.

That’s some pretty crafty work from Microsoft there, turning Obama’s remark into an endorsement of sorts. Put away that Xbox, kids!

Game Politics

A new bill recently passed by the senate means that playing videogames while driving in the Big Apple can net you you a $150 fine. The bill also covers texting and surfing the web while driving. It’s a secondary offense, which means you’ll only get cited if you get pulled over for something else first. That also means that the $150 fine will be tacked on top of whatever you got pulled over for in the first place.

The law still needs to be approved by Governor Patterson, and if does approve it, it will go into effect this November.

That Video Game Blog

For those of you out there who never picked up the full version of Battlefield 1943, the demo timer has been reset, giving players another 30 minutes to enjoy the slam-bang action. For Xbox 360 users, the server issues seemed to be fixed now, so if you couldn’t get into a game before, you should be able to now.

Gamers Digest

Speaking about the Wii Remote recently, Miyamoto called it a “continuous evolution” and mentioned technological advancements and videogaming.

“It’s a continuous evolution. Not all the Wii software requires Motion Plus, so it is appropriate for us to position it as a peripheral. Also, it was not technically feasible for the technology to be realised with such a compact size. The fact we are now being able to sell Motion Plus at this price, at this size, is the result of technological advancements in the field of microelectro-mechanical systems, which took place after Wii launched.”

I know a few people that think the Wii MotionPlus is a total gimmick, but I love it. I love the idea that Nintendo is a taking a few core features and perfecting them as much as current technologies allow. The joker over at GoNintendo remarked that he’s ready for the Wii MotionPlusPlus in 2010, but while he was most likely being sarcastic, I am eagerly awaiting the Wii MotionPlusPlus.

I want this game right now, but apparently I can’t have it until August 25th. Well screw that! Screw that right to heck!

On Major Nelson’s Twitter, he posted that “it looks like” the Coral Sea Map is going to be unlocked today on Xbox Live. I fired up Battlefield, and sure enough, it says that the map will be unlocked today. The ticker also says “43,000,000 kills was to easy!” complete with the wrong form of “to” in there.

Grammatical errors aside, this is a great day!

The Fallout 3 DLC for PlayStation 3 is coming in late September and Bethesda is mixing up the order a bit.

The first bit of DLC to hit PSN will be Broken Steel, due to it being the most popular content. The great thing about Broken Steel hitting first is that it raises the level cap from 20 to 30, allowing players to beef up quite a bit before tackling the other content.

They also want to get Operation: Anchorage and The Pitt out as soon as possible, so they’ll probably be released simultaneously shortly after Broken Steel.

Edge

While I’ve read a lot of positive feedback regarding the Prestige Edition, I’m not too hot on the idea. It needs to be affordable for gamers, so it’s probably going to be a rather shite pair of goggles, or it’s actually going to be a good pair of goggles and cost two kajillion dollars. I could always be wrong, and given my track record, I almost assuredly am.