You gotta love that moment when you kill off the enemy in the most gratuitous, unrealistic and perfectly awesome way possible in your favorite video game. This video imagines that moment, to infinity, by pitting the heroes of games like Mass Effect, Halo and Battlefield against each other in the real world. They even tweak the music to each franchise. Can you name all the games referenced?
See the video after the jump…
Roger Ebert once wrote an article in which he claimed that video games can not be art. The internet promptly exploded in outrage. I happen to agree with the internet. Much later, he amended his original statements, but it’s always felt like he was trying to appease us while sticking to his original statements. The people behind Into The Pixel are out to prove him wrong with their annual selection of the best in video game art from around the world. The 2011 collection was on display at PAX East last weekend and it was as beautiful as anything you’d find in a museum.
See more artwork after the jump…
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What you’re about to read sounds too ridiculous to be true, but it appears to be. Roxanne Myers was working on a senior thesis on video game addiction. No surprise there, it’s a valid topic to research in today’s society. In the name of the thesis, she attempted to a weekend-long gaming marathon. That part happens across the country every weekend. The catch?
She fell asleep at her desk in a cross-legged position. For most people, that would just result in some stiff movements and soreness. However, she had an already existing condition that made her prone to blood clots. The end result was partial amputation of both feet. Now she’s saying she, “lost her feet to video games.”
While it wasn’t the gaming that caused her injury, it does make for a statement that can be easily twisted. She could have been studying or watching television when she fell asleep. Either way, the dangers of being sedentary for long periods are very real, especially if you have a pre-existing condition.
View an interview with Myers after the break.
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Fan films can be questionable, but this one comes with our recommendation. This almost seven minute video based on the video game Portal is of the highest quality. In the game, the player has to solve puzzles by teleporting his or her character or objects—but you don’t have to be familiar with the game to enjoy this video. The lighting, action, and music are all haunting, and the ending will surprise you.
Check out the fan film after the jump.
Video games are a way to escape from the real world, and it’s easy to take it too far. The line to addiction is fine and only takes a step to cross. Lawyer, make that ex-lawyer, Mathew Eshelman of Pennsylvania leaped over that line. He used video games as a method to escape stress from his job and problems at home, but it became an obsession. He was fired from a firm in 2007 over his addiction and the problem followed him when he tried to set up his own practice.
In the end he was found to have mishandled 17 cases, including bankruptcy, divorce, and debt collection cases because of gaming. He lied in a divorce filing, ignored calls from clients and lost track of client money. As a result he’s been banned from practicing for three years. In fact, the disciplinary board backed down from a 5-year ban because “Eshelman had once been a competent lawyer”.
It seems absurd that a 43-year old man would throw away a promising career over video games, but I’ll bet most of you have blown off homework or sleep on a weeknight to play, or maybe even taken a sick day or two.
(Philly.com via G4)
If you’re as curious as I am about Bioshock 3 aka Bioshock: Infinite, then getting a look at the new action figures from NECA will give you a little thrill.
The Ladysmith Splicer looks familiar, but the Brute Splicer and the Crawler Splicer definitely have that more Steampunk edge we saw in that amazing trailer a while back.
I may need that Brute for sure.
Product Page: Brute Splicer $15/ Crawler Splicer $15/ Ladysmith Splicer $15
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If you’ve ever wondered what Super Mario would look like as a first person shooter, The folks at Facerocker have made your dream come true.
I know it sounds funny, but my head hurts after watching this. Like, the top of my head. ::grin:: Gee, I wonder why.
I know I could say a lot of different things about this being Shae Vizla from Star Wars: The Old Republic and go on about her back story or how epic I think the game is gonna be.
But, honestly, it’s a hot, bounty hunter babe in Mandalorian armor. Do I need more that that to make me want it?
Nope 
Product Page $65 (and, yeah, I’m thinking it’ll pre-sell out)
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To quote Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young—”Teach your children well.”
An adorable (and informative) clip of a dad’s teaching his youngling to play Starcraft II. It’s always good to start them early, Cause those Zerg are tricksy.
“They got that drone.”
“Now it’s broken!”
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You know you’re addicted to video games when your entire world turns into one.
Of course, it could also be the lack of sleep combined with schrooms and Mtn. Dew.
Check out the video on CubicleBot…
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