In case you haven’t heard, a somewhat popular console/PC game called Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas has come under fire. Some extra content was found in the code and unlocked by a ‘hacker’. The extra bits involved the euphamism of ‘hot coffee’, because in the game as released, you can gain girlfriends around town and then they invite you in their house for coffee. Boom-chicka-wow-wow.

The ESRB today recalled the mature rating on GTA San Andreas and recommended it be relabelled AO (adults only) or pulled from stores until a new version is released, without the ‘objectionable’ content. Amazing what a little sex mini game will do, in this country. Violence to the nines? no problem! Simulated sex? OMG! Protect the kids!

Wukka-wukka-wukka-wukka-wukka-wukka…

There’s going to be an orchestral concert tour that will play only video game music called, Video Games Live. They’ll also have screens showing gameplay from the relevant games. I can’t believe Akihabara isn’t on the venue list.

The following games have been confirmed although we have a few other tricks up our sleeves as well. For now you can bet on the following…

Marioâ„¢, Zelda®, Halo®, Metal Gear Solid®, Warcraft®, Myst®, Final Fantasy®, Castlevania®, Medal of Honorâ„¢, Sonicâ„¢, Tron, Tomb Raider®, Advent Rising, Headhunter, Beyond Good & Evilâ„¢, Tom Clancy medley (Splinter Cell®, Ghost Reconâ„¢, Rainbow Six®), EverQuest® II and a special retro arcade segment that goes from Pong® to Donkey Kong®! Some other confirmed games for our “Arcade Classics” segment include Centipede, Robotron, Satan’s Hollow, Punch-Out!, Ghosts ‘n Goblins & Outrun just to name a few.

It would be safe to assume that instead of cigarette lighters the audience will be waving backlit GBAs.

Rockstar Games is making a video game based on the 1979 movie, The Warriors. They must have acquired that license for a song.

Here’s a site that has over 2400 video game commercials. Check the Shatner on the Vic-20 ad. Sorry, no Duck Hunt.

A company, GamePal.com, will rent you a pre-played character for the massively multiplayer game of your choice, already leveled-up to the point where the game starts to get really fun, without having to do all that tedious grinding. If you like your rental character, you can buy it. The rental works by sending discs with the game, reg code, and character through the postal mail. An interesting idea. I think they really understand their target audience by making their mascot look like a blue-haired manga-type blow-up doll.

A bunch of German teens got together to make a reenactment of Counter-Strike. Goddamn it, it’s funny. When they fall down, their legs keep running. In order to look in any direction they have to pivot at the waist. And don’t forget the poor lip synching. If you’ve ever played the game, you have to check out the video here.

Someone made a flash version of Duck Hunt. It’s hard.

From the BBC article:

Qui Chengwei stabbed Zhu Caoyuan in the chest when he found out he had sold his virtual sword for 7,200 Yuan (£473).

The sword, which Mr Qui had lent to Mr Zhu, was won in the popular online game Legend of Mir 3.

Attempts to take the dispute to the police failed because there is currently no law in China to protect virtual property.