No, we’re not talking energy drinks. Alex Walker, the director of the World Cyber Games Tournament not only acknowledges the idea of illicit substances in gaming, he knew that people were taking them at his tournament. Rather than steroids, though, gamers in tournaments are far more likely to be taking hits of marijuana or amphetamines.

It’s funny because it’s true. I know a lot of people through games that take drugs, although that’s not related to gaming. It’s more a social thing. But get any large group of people together, add drugs, and someone’s bound to push the limit.

He went in to say that another player he knew took prescription ADD medication in order to increase his focus, as well as describing seeing many players at national-level tournaments coming in stoned. Legality of the substances aside, this is just as unethical as real athletes taking steroids (or other drugs). It gives one person an unfair advantage over others.

Being as loosely organized as gaming is, it’s not surprise that something like this happens. What surprised us, though, is the dismissal by those in charge. Perhaps if gaming tournaments become as serious as Korea’s Starcraft Tournaments we’ll start to see a little regulation.

[Slashdot]

Those old school games sure had weird premises, hadn’t you noticed? I mean, Pac-Man, its a game about popping pills and eating ghosts and fruit! What the fuck is up with that? Where did these people came up with such ridiculous plots? Well, lets remember this was back in the late 70’s and mental… enhancement was in vogue. The guys from Cracked and comedy troupe Those aren’t Muskets! teamed up to bring us a look at how these great classics may have been born. Comedy gold ensues. Click above to watch it!

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The government in the Neatherlands have recently banned Magic Mushrooms, including the famous Amanita Muscaria, which bears a striking resemblance to the super mushrooms of the Mario universe, after a 17 year old french girl jumped off a building after consuming one of these. And this isn’t the first time someone jumped off a building after eating one of these. Perhaps they thought they had an extra life?

[Boing Boing]

Having done its rounds around the Internet already here it is, Mario: Game Over, a short film about the life of Mario after leaving the mushroom kingdom, a tragic life filled with war flashbacks. Its the first Mario live action attempt I’ve actually liked, its made of win and funny.

Of course Luigi is the successful one, he was always my favorite. Also you can see POKYPAC, the comedy troupe behind this, live in Brooklyn on May 9th, more info here.