If you’ve attended an anime, videogame or comic convention in the last two months, chances are you’ve seen someone wearing a Spirit Hood. The irresistibly soft and stylish nature of the Spirit Hood locks and pulls attention in like a tractor beam on a Star Destroyer. Not to mention Spirit Hoods are sexy to boot. With that said, I am going to go on record and say that Spirit Hoods have officially crossed the moat, broken down the gate and are taking the geek, otaku and nerd nation by storm.

A few days prior to this year’s Electronic Entertainment Expo (E3) I received a press release announcing MMORPG publisher/developer Nexon’s first foray into the the industry-only event. The release also gave mention to Spirit Hoods, and stated that Nexon would be handing them out regularly to booth visitors in effort to promote their forthcoming title, Vindictus. Now, truth be told, the first thing I though to myself after reading this release was “what the hell is a Spirit Hood?” However, I found my interest peaked and decided to do a little research. One Google search later and I found myself shooting off an email to set up an interview.

My efforts proved fruitful and I managed to catch up with Spirit Hoods co-founder, Alexander Mendeluk at E3 to talk Spirit Hoods, fashion and being wild at heart.

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This is quite possibly one of my all-time favorite videogame related videos. First appearing on tudou.com, this hacked ROM of the original NES game “Super Mario Bros.,” titled “Super Mario Forever,” found its fame when an unknown and extremely vulgar gamer narrated over the entire clip. While I was saddened to learn that it wasn’t actually him playing, it’s still funny as $&#% and deserves to be pulled from DDN video vault and given new life.
If this video doesn’t leave your sides splitting and your face sore from laughing your ass off, then you’re either Ben Stein or an animated flesh-craving meat bag, better known as a zombie.

[Youtube]

So this is what Marvel vs. Capcom 3 looks like in game. And I’m thinking: Tatsunoko vs. Capcom in HD. No bad thing. Tats ‘n Caps was a very nice looking game. The models look like arse up close. But other than that it was a great looking game with superb animation.

These screenshots of Marvel vs. Capcom 3 aren’t doing much for me. Then again; I wasn’t sold on Street Fighter IV‘s style when I first saw screenshots, but was won over once I saw the game running. So I’ll hold out too harsh a judgement until that day comes, which will probably be soon with this year’s E3 around the corner.

It’s nice seeing what the game will look like. But what I really want to know is if Chris Redfield will have a Level 3 super combo attack which see’s him punch and throw a rock 10 feet across the screen with his bare hands. And if he’ll have a Super called I’m a pimp, bitch! whereby he dons his Zebra skin suit (made from a Zebra which Chris skinned himself with his bare hands) whilst Sheva and Jill go mad with the firepower.

Not only did this gamer complete Bayonetta, he owned the whole damn thing by achieving Pure platinum medals on every single stage, on every difficulty, with Bayonetta and the 2 unlockable characters! That right there is some serious skill, love and dedication. Those who have played the game know this is not an easy thing to do; with strict demands to achieve a Pure platinum rank and also that God awful camera being an enemy in itself.

And just to add to the grand achievement: this feat is Hideki Kamiya re-tweet approved.

[Platinum games forums]

In an ever increasing trend in fandom, gamers in Lyon, France have taken to the streets reenacting the classic gem PacMan. While not nearly as serious as the Russians when it comes to real-life RPGaming, Pacman@Lyon transforms the city grid of Lyon into their playground. Not relying on anything but cellphones and costumes, Ghosts act as spotters on the ground communicating with their “controller” to find PacMan. All the while, PacMan is searching for power pellets in the hopes of turning the opposing team into lunch. This information is tracked by the controllers and posted online for their internet audience to follow live gameplay.

Pacman@Lyon’s hope is to inspire other teams across the globe to organize their own Urban PacMan. I’d be interested in participating and running amuck in my city, how about you?

*News Radio Spot*

[Pacman@Lyon]
[The World]

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

I have to admit to not having thought much of the 360 to begin with. But having watched it materialize into this pretty decent console with a tight library of games, solid online and Japan slowly warming to it – I had to hop on board. So a few days ago, I went and treated myself to a brand spaking new Xbox 360 Elite. Most of my mates owning a 360, Street Fighter IV and vowing to buy Resident evil 5 day of release were also defining factors which shoved me into taking the dive.

If any of you own an Xbox 360 and have a shiny gold Live account, be sure to share your gamertags. I’m not fussy. I’ll accept Friend requests from any one. The more the merrier!!

Post your gamertag or your gamer profile link in the comments section of this post. If we get enough gamertags and activity going on, then the next step – gaming parties. Who doesn’t love a good ol’ party!

Last month, rumors circulated as EA CEO John Riccitello mentioned a Dead Space title for the Wii. Now it’s official. Due some time in autumn of 2009 Dead Space Extraction will be told as a prequel to the events of the original Dead Space released for the Xbox 360 and PS3. Extraction will be made solely with the Wii in mind, built from the ground up and extensively using the motion controls in this FPS title. Offering new weapons, enemies and co-op multiplayer, Extraction is sure to deliver a much needed injection of horror to the Wii library.

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Competition exists in many forms. Whether it be in the workplace, on the field, or online; being competitive forces one to strategize. At its core a strategy focuses on one thing: outsmarting your opponent. Even with a game’s AI on “expert” most computer controlled opponents behave in predictable manners. However, play a human online and the dynamic radically changes. New tactics, new weapon combinations and the inevitable humble pie giveaway.

Humans behave differently and in strategizing we try to calculate our opponent’s next step, placing ourselves in our opponents shoes. It turns out this action of empathizing with our competition causes far greater brain activity than playing with a static/computer controlled opponent.
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Not gaming while driving seems like common sense. While one can argue good judgment while texting, lawmakers in the City Council of Oahu have passed a ban on motorists text-messaging and playing video games while behind the wheel. This comes on the heels of a city bus driver was operating a moving vehicle with passengers aboard and playing what seems to be a PSP from the video above.

Determining whether this piece of legislation is useless or in good practice will only been seen from the cabin of a police cruiser. But I’d like to think these sorts of actions aren’t all that common, so I wanted to throw this out to the community… Do you game or text while driving? Tell us in the comments!

[KGMB News]