Mmm... Donuts.

Since I got my iPhone last August, I have been on the hunt for ways to make the little machine reflect me and my interests. I have over 600 pictures and five pages of apps. The memory on the little poor device is almost bloated with the 572 songs and three movies I have on it. However, I keep pushing it's limits.

I love the Simpsons. Especially the games. I remember countless hours I spent as Lisa, running around Springfield in The Simpsons Arcade Game, Road Rage, Hit and Run and the recent The Simpsons Game.

Now, EA has cranked out another Simpsons game to occupy the time I don't have. This time it's free and for the iPhone - sorry Android users. 

The Simpsons: Tapped Out is the newest addition to the Simpsons game collection and it is wonderful! I've only begun the tutorial, but I'm already in love with the plot and the gameplay. In this game, Springfield is wiped out by a nuclear explosion, thanks to Homer. He is the only person left in what used to be Springfield. It has become a large field of grass with scattered products of nuclear waste. It is your job to rebuild the iconic town. With a simple tap and a bit of money, you have ability to place buildings, foliage and decor wherever you desire.

The controls  can be a little tricky at times. Tapping something once doesn't always complete the action desired. Precision is key, and when the target is only a few pixels big, it can be a little tedious. Despite this hiccup, the game has already become addicting. So much for doing my Japanese homework.

If you download this game, what do you think? Let me know in the comment section below!

Yours truly,
HavokRose

Website Feature: TeeFury

I am the worst compulsive buyer, especially if the product is video game related. I've had reoccurring dreams of stumbling into shops with piles of The Legend of Zelda and Sailor Moon gear, in which I purchase just about everything in the store. Today, one of the many geek newsletters I follow posted a picture of this:

I absolutely love Adventure Time, and even more so, Link! This is a design for a shirt from TeeFury.com and it was practically screaming my name. So, naturally, I bought it. That was the fastest $10 I've seen fly out of my pocket in quite a long time. And I don't think it will be the last.

TeeFury has a unique way of operating business. For one, it only has a single t-shirt for sale, but each day it changes. Once the day is over, the shirt design is no longer offered. The designs can be an artistic rendition of just about anything in pop-culture or a unique art concept. The shirt is only $10, no sales tax with four different levels of shipping starting as low as $2.50. So, for only $12.50, you can walk around your home/park/office/spy base/campus and flaunt a unique shirt that only you and only a few  people own.

Another marvelous feature of this website is it promotes the artists who design the shirts. According to the TeeFury website, the artists are given $1 for every shirt of their's that is sold and they keep all rights to their design. So, if they decide to sell their design elsewhere for a more expensive price, they may do so. Also, each artist has a small profile next to their designs that gives consumers an insight to the inspiration for the design and the artists.

If you are ready to get your hands on some awesomely cheap apparel, keep up with the TeeFury website, or watch this website to see what other awesome video game related shirts they post. I promise to keep an eye out for you!

Yours truly,
HavokRose

Everyday Video Game: Mario

I apologize for the late post, but this particular entry required some groundwork. 

Perhaps one most merchandised character on the market, right next to Mickey Mouse and Spongebob, is Mario. At any given time one can find Mario products at nearly any major retailer. From clothes to bedding, Mario is everywhere. 

This past Halloween there were so many different Mario costumes on the market, practically everyone in the family could have dressed up as the plump plumber. 

Party City has kept these costumes at their original price, ranging from $19.99 - $49.99. In the summer, some of these costumes may go on sale. 

For those who simply can't wait till Halloween, head over to your local Target. That's right, Target. In my last 'Everyday Video Game,' I presented different Pac-Man products that stray from the norm. Although those items were unique, they were not available in the same place you purchase makeup or bedding. What sets the Mario merchandise apart is its availability. Target had over thirty Mario products in their store.   

One of the easiest places to find Mario in a department store, aside from the electronics section, is in the boy's, junior's or men's section. Here is what Target had to offer.

This was the only shirt left in the Boy's section for $8.99, although I did see price tags for other styles available. In the Men's section, there were quite a few more options for only a dollar more at $9.99. 

If you were wanting something more than a T-shirt, here's a little something extra. You may not fit in them though. The 3 piece Mario pajama set is  $16.99 and the swim trunks are $14.99. 

Alright, enough with the clothes. Practically every major video game has a basic t-shirt. But how many of those characters can boast about their face on a fruit snack? Chomp down on some Mario fruit snacks for only $2.04. 

Nintendo didn't stop there. They put Mario and his co-stars on collectable racers ($3.99), a backpack ($17.49), a micro blanket, ($24.99), in a cartoon ($5.99), a 'cuddle' plush ($19.99)  and in K'nex Mario Kart themed building sets and karts (2.99 - $54.99). Once again, all of these products are available at Target. 

If these items weren't enough to satisfy your Mario craving, check out Walmart, HotTopic, JCPenny and Kohl's for even more Mario related apparel, bedding and novelties. 

Do you think all these Mario products make Nintendo a sellout, or are these products fun ways to make Mario a household name? Let me know what you think! 

Yours truly, 

HavokRose 

Fourkiller against 'violence'

I live in a very silly state. Here, tattoos used to be banned, it's frowned upon to take a bite out of someone else's burger and it's illegal to pretend to have sex with a buffalo. I was running on the treadmill last week when I heard disturbing news that would happen in a strange state like Oklahoma. Representative William Fourkiller proposed HB 2696, a bill that would charge a 1 percent tax on any video game with the ESRB ratings Teen, Mature and Adult-Only.

According to Fourkiller, these are 'violent' games that encourage obesity and bullying among children. The funds would go to Oklahoma's Childhood Outdoor Education Revolving Fund to fight obesity and the Bullying Prevention Revolving Fund. Although these are good causes, the bill is full of holes and the tax is unjust. 

Firstly, how can one say that all Teen games are violent? Even then, what can be considered as "violence"? Is the booty-shaking in Dance Central 2 too "violent" for children to be participating in? Maybe the intense strumming in Rock Band or Guitar Hero games is too intense. Even if there is violence in a Teen game, it is not the same kind you would encounter in a Mature game. This is a flaw many critics of the HB 2696 have pointed out. 

Secondly, why video games? Movies, books and music can be just as, if not even more disturbing than video games. Fourkiller claimed in his interview with KFOR that it is not his intention to target video games, but everything he has said goes against that. So far, it seems he has no good explanation. 

William Fourkiller's bill had it's first reading yesterday. If this bill is passed, it will be effective as soon as July 1. With as much scrutiny this bill has undergone, I doubt it will be. 

Here is the interview Fourkiller had last week with KFOR. Check it out and tell me what you think about this proposal: 





 
Yours truly, 
HavokRose 

Everyday Video Game: Pac-Man

Video game merchandise has evolved past the simple t-shirt, poster, or figurine. It has become an entire industry that allows us to bake with Pac-Man oven mitts and cuddle with Pikachu Pillow Pets. Every week I plan on featuring awesome video game merchandise that can be used in everyday life. Why stop enjoying the characters we love when we turn off the television?


This week's theme is Pac-Man!

Now we finally get to know the gratification Pac-Man feels when chomping on Pinky, Inky, and Blinky and Clyde's redish-orange lovechild. You can find these cookie cutters at fredflare.com on-sale for $9.99! 

Careful now, you wouldn't want to burn your precious gaming hands while trying to pull that scorching hot pan out of the oven! Keep your babies safe with this nifty Pac-Man 'Potholder'.

Although it would be more appropriately called an oven mitt - who is really going to grab a pot with this - it works on your ovenware all the same! Thinkgeek.com is offering this novelty item for $14.99.

For any situation, a true gamer knows to be prepared for the worst.

 Keep an extra potion on hand, a spare fairy in your last bottle, or maybe a pack of Pac-Man bandaids in your back pocket. You know, just in case you burn yourself. Your training from Cooking Mama never got this serious. But don't worry, our people over at fredflare.com have got us covered for $9.50.

Happy baking!

Have you seen any interesting items? Let me know!

Yours truly,
HavokRose

Happy Holidays Everyone! 

Video Game Awards Round Up

Tonight, Spike TV graced the gaming world with the Video Game Awards. It was a round up of video game stars, developers, performances by Deadmau5 and the Black Keys, and featured animation to bring the characters of our beloved games to life. I expected it to follow the same format of other award shows. Announce a category, bring in a presenter to announce the nominees, then announce the winner. Although this happened for a few of the awards, a majority of them were just announced by the mysterious narrating female voice. The more prominent awards like Game of the Year and Character of the Year had representatives of the winning game go to the stage and claim their award. For those who went over their allotted time for their acceptance speeches, they were forced to the ground and tea-bagged by Sergeant Lipton. There were also a number of other interesting components to this show.

Backstage with Felicia Day was mini-games galore. There were three games: the Spiderman fling, Fruit Ninja real fruit slice up, and  Little Big Planet 2 cupcake challenge. Each of these games had their own point system that resulted in a certain amount of money that would be donated to Child's Play! That's right, the foundation that I wrote an article on not too long ago that donates video games to Children's Hospitals.

This show took its attendees into account. For instance, it teased the social gamers (Farmville, Castleville, ect.) by showing them focusing on their phones playing games instead of paying attention to the show. Zach also introduced a man known as ThaBlackBaron, a fellow video game blogger. He made this video about his discontent with the 2010 VGAs. Due to this outspoken video, he was invited to the 2011 VGAs and sat right across from the man in charge of the show, whom ThaBlackBaron had threatened in his old video. He then made this video after he felt justice had been served when Skyward Sword was nominated for this year's show.  Maybe one day I too will be recognized by someone big in the industry and be invited to an award show... or convention. Crossing my fingers for E3!

While all of this was going on, viewers had the opportunity to vote online for the NFL Blitz Cover, Character of the Year, Most Anticipated Game, and Trailer of the Year. All of the other awards were previously voted on by an advisory council.

On a random note, Zachary Levi announced that 42% of gamers are now women! YEAH! Sorry, I had to get a little excited about that. Great statistic there. Anyways, let get to the part you all want to hear about.

The results:

Best DLC: Portal 2 Peer Review
Best Downloadable Game: Bastion
Best Performance by a Human Male: Stephen Merchant as Wheatley - Portal 2
Best Performance by a Human Female: Ellen McLain as Glados - Portal 2
Best Graphics: Uncharted 3: Drake's Deception
Best Original Score: Bastion
Best Song in Game: "Build That Wall (Zia's Theme)" By Darren Korb - Bastion
Best Adapted Video Game: Batman: Arkham City
Best Independent Game: Minecraft
Best Motion Game: The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword
Best Fighting Game: Mortal Kombat
Best Driving Game: Forza Motorsport 4
Best Team Sports Game: NBA 2K12
Best Individual Sports Game: Fight Night Champion  
Best Multi-Player: Portal 2
Best RPG: The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim
Best Action Adventure Game: Batman: Arkham City
Best Shooter: Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3
Best Handheld/Mobile Game: Super Mario 3D Land
Best PC Game: Portal 2
Best PS3 Game: Uncharted 3: Drake's Deception
Best Wii Game: The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword
Best Xbox 360 Game: Batman: Arkham City
Studio of the Year: Bethesda Game Studios
Game of the Year: The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim

NFL Blitz Cover: Ray Rice - Baltimore Ravens
Character of the Year: The Joker - Batman: Arkham City
Most Anticipated Game: Mass Effect 3
Trailer of the Year: Assassin's Creed: Revelations

During the acceptance video for Character of the Year, the Joker heavily hinted at the next Batman game plans for Rocksteady Studios when he held up a document that read 'Batman: Arkham World Script.'

Extra Awards:

Game God: Blizzard Entertainment
Gaming Hall of Fame: The Legend of Zelda

The Legend of Zelda is the first series/game/anything to be admitted into the Gaming Hall of Fame. I started tearing up as soon as the montage for the series began. Scenes from every Zelda game flashed on the screen as the female narrator described the role music takes within these epic games. As soon is it ended, Miyamoto appeared out of fog proudly raising the trophy as Link would raise a newly discovered item. It was magical.

In addition to the awards, there were a number of world premiers for trailers and cinematic introductions for a number of games presented by celebrities. Click the title of each game for the trailer for each game.

The Last of Us - will.i.am
Mass Effect 3 - LL Cool J
The Amazing Spider-Man - Tony Hawk
Rainbow 6 Patriots - Kevin Jonas
Fortnite - Epic Games
Transformers: Fall of Cybertron - Stacy Keibler
Diablo III - Blizzard Entertainment
BioShock Infinite - Felicia Day
Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance  - Hideo Kojima

Personally, the coolest was Diablo III. I've never played any of the Diablo games but that introduction made me want to. There are also several other world premiers on the Spike TV premier page. It includes Hitman Absolution, Tekken Tag Tournament 2, and many more.

The show concluded with the Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance trailer and a goodbye from Zach. Overall, I was pleased with the awards show and enjoyed the two times I watched it. It wasn't perfect but hey, what is?

Yours truly,
HavokRose

P.S. What did you think about the VGAs?