The past couple months have shown a marked increase in music games like (and including versions of) Guitar Hero and Rock Band. And while these games are very fun, where do you store all your guitar controllers, since few allow for interoperability? Dude Thing Creations has offered up a solution: a guitar stand!  read more »

I love Guitar Hero, but my biggest complaint about it is the click of the strum bar. Some people like the auditory feedback, but for me, it detracts from hearing the music, and the game is all about the music. So although many people don't like the Rock Band guitar, I love the fact that it's quiet so I can hear the music coming from the TV, or at least I can until the drums start tapping.  read more »

This doesn't surprise me at all. I know lots of people with disabilities who use video games as "therapy." Laptops are great, too. Note again that the survey was commissioned by casual game maker PopCap, who stands to benefit from this information.

Survey: 'Disabled Gamers' Comprise 20% of Casual Video Games Audience

More Than 10% Have Had Casual Games Prescribed or Recommended By A Doctor; Players With Disabilities Play Longer, More Often, And For Different Reasons  read more »

PopCap, perhaps the best known of the casual gaming companies, has sponsored research
into the benefits of the daily e-break. According to a recent study conducted
by Dr Chamorro-Premuzic of Goldsmiths University, British firms may lose as much
as four billion pounds a year as a result of banning employees from the internet
and from casual gaming. To combat this problem, PopCap has created a website which
allows employees to anonymously petition their bosses for a scheduled e-break  read more »

Looks like a lot of research is going into showing how good video games are for you. Well, some of them, anyway:

Discovering How Video Games Can Motivate Healthy Behaviors: More than $2 Million Awarded to 12 Research Teams Across U.S.

Awards go to researchers in CA, FL, IN, ME, NC, NY, SC, VT and WA; Studies explore how games can increase physical activity and enhance prevention, self-management of health conditions  read more »

OK, note that this study was commissioned by PopCap, a major casual games company, who stands to benefit from this big time, but it's an interesting and not surprising study nonetheless:

UK Businesses Lose GBP4 Billion a Year due to Office 'e-break' Ban  read more »

Ars Technica has reported that a Pac-Man movie is now in the works. The plot they give is bogus (and warning: some of the comments are not kid-friendly), and I'm not too optimistic about the subject being good movie material (still having nightmares from Super Mario Bros). So here's my question: what video game would make a good movie? Post your ideas below.

BEVERLY HILLS, Calif., April 22 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Interplay Entertainment Corp.  (BULLETIN BOARD: IPLY)  announced today that the company signed a partnership arrangement with Earthworm Jim creator Douglas TenNapel to relaunch the videogame icon.

TenNapel will serve as a creative consultant on Earthworm Jim 4, and will simultaneously develop an animated series and feature film to expand the well known brand.  read more »

SAN DIEGO --(Business Wire)-- Apr. 9, 2008 Mad Catz Interactive, Inc. (AMEX/TSX: MCZ), a leading third-party interactive entertainment accessory provider, announced today that its Mad Catz Europe Limited subsidiary has entered into a license agreement with The Arsenal Football Club plc to produce customized videogame controllers and other videogame accessories utilizing the brand of the Arsenal Football Club of the English Premier League.  read more »

REDWOOD CITY, Calif.,  March 27, 2008  Electronic Arts Inc. (NASDAQ: ERTS) announced today that Madden NFL 09 will be available in retail stores in North America on August 12, including a special collector's edition in celebration of the 20th anniversary of one of the best-selling video game franchises of all time.  read more »