Children running to their nearest GameStop to buy GTA IV should think twice. A recent survey conducted by the Federal Trade Commission revealed that overall, 80% of underage shoppers were denied purchase of M-rated video games.

This is an improvement over a 2006 FTC survey, which indicated that a mere 42% were not allowed to make such purchases. The results are part of a larger nationwide survey on retailers’ vigilance against unaccompanied children purchasing CDs with the Parental Advisory Label, M-rated video games, tickets to R-rated movies, R-rated DVDs, and unrated DVDs that were R-rated in theaters.

In terms of M-rated games, the survey gathered data from eight major retail chains: Toys R Us, Wal-Mart, Hollywood Video, GameStop/EB Games, Kmart, Circuit City, Target, and Best Buy.

The results revealed that GameStop was the most stringent, refusing sales of M-rated titles to minors 96% of the time, followed by Wal-Mart’s 82%. On the other hand, the biggest offender was Hollywood Video, which turned down sales to minors only 60% of the time, followed by Circuit City with 62%.

Source: FTC.gov via Gamasutra.com

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Upon a recent journey to my local Wal-Mart, I found myself in the electronics section like I mysteriously always do. What I found, however, was a slight surprise – a Rock Band Special Edition bundle with an included wireless guitar.

While I’ve read several times that the Rock Band wireless guitar would become available separately come April, I don’t remember hearing anything about the guitars being included in the bundle. Perhaps it just wasn’t advertised or maybe I just don’t pay attention since I already own the game, but it came as a surprise to me.

The bundle I saw was for the Xbox 360. I looked in the PS3 section also, but they didn’t have one. That’s not to say they don’t exist, but I can’t confirm it because there weren’t any there. If you didn’t know about this new bundle, then guess what? You heard it here first!

Riptenites assemble! Form of — Blaznats!

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