For some time now, I have been growing more and more frustrated with the WL Spaces blogging system.  With “Confessions of an Old School Gamer” growing more and more popular over the past year, I made the decision to move CoaOSG to my own domain.

The move means I can finally present a site that is visually welcoming to visitors, yet tailored around my blogging style.

As such, all new news posts, articles, and reviews will now be posted at “Old School Gamer.”

I want to thank you all for providing the inspiration to share my gaming opinions, and hope that you will join me on my new site.

Subscribe to the Old School Gamer RSS feed.

Microsoft have announced that the multiplayer aspect of XBL will be free to all XBL members between 17 – 22 February.  However this only applies to GTA IV, and the upcoming DLC Pack The Lost and Damned.

We are excited to announce that for the first time ever, starting Tuesday, February 17 at 9:00 am (PST), Xbox LIVE multiplayer service usually reserved for Xbox LIVE Gold members will be completely free of charge for LIVE members while playing Grand Theft Auto IV or The Lost and Damned -- the first exclusive downloadable expansion episode on Xbox 360. This limited, Grand Theft Auto multiplayer promotion is applicable only to players of either Grand Theft Auto IV or The Lost and Damned expansion episode, and will end on Sunday, February 22 (11:59PM PST). Be a part of this unprecedented event and join the legions of Grand Theft Auto fans across the world to wreak havoc upon Liberty City.

I recently updated my Free Software post.  As the title suggests all software listed in the post is completely free to download and use, so it’s definitely worth a quick read.

If you have a piece of free software that you use on a regular basis, and think it deserves more attention, then please feel free to contact me by leaving a comment here; and I’ll add it to the list.

Gamerscore Blog recently made the shock announcement that they're shutting up shop, after nearly 2 years of providing us with 360 releated news.

We had a blast being part of Gamerscore blog, and we want to thank you for your support,  but as you can see from the list above, there is no shortage of methods to snag the latest word from all of us at Xbox.  And we’re ecstatic that we will continue contributing to these outlets going forward.  We’ll see you there!

Source.

With Christmas quite literally around the corner, I'll be taking time out to tear open some presents and fill myself to bursting with turkey... and beer.  I'll be returning early in the new year, with all the gaming news I can find.

I want to take this opportunity to wish all my readers a Merry Christmas, (even if you don't celebrate it).

According to GameIndustry.biz, Free Radical Design (the people responsible for the TimeSplitters franchise) has ceased operations as of today.

Independent UK studio Free Radical Design closed its doors this morning, GamesIndustry.biz understands, with multiple sources claiming that staff, including senior executives, have already left the company.

It is also believed that the unnamed project for LucasArts - announced back in 2006 and thought to be Star Wars Battlefront III - has been shipped off to Rebellion, the developer behind PSP hit Star Wars Battlefront: Renegade Squadron.

In a rather sneaky and underhanded approach to laying off the workforce, employees were told to gather at a nearby hotel for their final meeting. 

It's always sad news to hear that another "local" games developer has shut up shop, even worse when you realise that we're only 1 week away from Christmas.

Gamesindustry.biz are reporting that our very own HMV is looking at buying out Gamerbase.  Gamerbase are a multiplayer gaming centre that specialise in (yes, you've guessed it) multiplayer gaming, and currently only have one centre which is based in London.

High Street chain HMV has acquired specialist multiplayer gaming outfit Gamerbase, with plans to expand its in-store gaming concept across the UK.

Gamerbase has been running as a concession in HMVs Trocadero store in London's Piccadilly Circus since late last year, and allows visitors to sample new and forthcoming games, take part in tournaments and buy titles directly from the retailer.

"Where we roll them out, we’ll be looking to locate the Gamerbase centres next to our games departments to bring the whole offer together for our customers - so if someone’s enjoyed playing a game online, they can pre-order or purchase it there and then," commented Tim Ellis, Head of Games at HMV.

When Atheistium visited them in May, my interest was peaked to say the least.  The idea of more centres opening all over the UK is something I'm really looking forward to, as it's an excellent opportunity for a lot of gamers.

Today may be Talk like a Pirate day, but Activision aren't laughing.  Activision are suing individuals for pirating games.  EDGE broke the story earlier, and had this to say in their article: -

Activision is suing an alleged software pirate for up to $150,000 per offense, Edge has learned.

Court filings from late August say that the publisher of the hit Call of Duty series is suing James R. Strickland of New York for copyright infringement, an act which includes illegally copying and distributing games.

The case revolves specifically around the Xbox 360 version of 2006's CoD3, but Activision also accuses Strickland of "copying and/or distributing" other unnamed copyrighted videogames. The firm said that it intends to amend the current complaint "to add additional acts of infringement."

Similar cases have been uncovered by GamePolitics, and their settlements are as follows: -

• Shawn Guse of Federal Way, Washington. Guse, unrepresented by counsel, agreed to pay Activision $100,000 (CoD 3 Wii, CoD 3 Xbox 360) to settle the case.
• Chris Hyman of Abbeville, South Carolina. Hyman, also unrepresented, agreed to pay Activision $25,000 to settle the case. (CoD3 Wii, Tony Hawk's Project 8, Xbox 360).
• George Laflin of New Jersey. Laflin, apparently the only defendant who had an attorney, agreed to pay Activision $100,000 (CoD 3 Xbox 360).
• Maryanne Leach of Northome, Minnesota. Leach, with no attorney, agreed to pay Activision $1,000.
• Kenneth Madden of York, South Carolina agreed to pay Activision $100,000 (CoD 3 Wii, Cod 2 The Big Red One PS2, Tony Hawk's Project 8, Xbox 360).
• James R. Strickland, aka Ryan Strickland of New York State; case is still active (CoD3 Xbox 360).

Remember kids, piracy is illegal, and asking why the rum is gone won't save you when you're being dragged into court.

Games have come a long way in the 20 years that I've been playing them, and with their ever increasing popularity and fame, they're also drawing negative attention.

Latest on the hit list, is Mass Effect.  A complete shock, when there are games out there that are much more violent and graphic.  However, the violence here is not the issue.  Instead, it's the sex scene.

One person even went as far as saying that it was a customisable rape simulator.  Though his article has since been removed, Kevin McCullough has since gone on to "apologise."

But it didn't stop there, recently Fox news recently broadcast a segment on Mass Effect claiming (as Kevin McCullough did) that it features full digital nudity, where the person playing can choose exactly what happens during the "infamous" sex scene.

In response to this EA's VP of Communications, Jeff Brown, issued a letter asking that the obvious liable statements be retracted.  He states: -

"Your headline above the televised story read: 'New videogame shows full digital nudity and sex.'

• Fact: Mass Effect does not include explicit or frontal nudity. Love scenes in non-interactive sequences include side and profile shots – a vantage frequently used in many prime-time television shows. It's also worth noting that the game requires players to develop complex relationships before characters can become intimate and players can chose to avoid the love scenes altogether.

FNC voice-over reporter says: "You'll see full digital nudity and the ability for players to engage in graphic sex."

• Fact: Sex scenes in Mass Effect are not graphic. These scenes are very similar to sex sequences frequently seen on network television in prime time.

FNC reporter says: "Critics say Mass Effect is being marketed to kids and teenagers."

• Fact: That is flat out false. Mass Effect and all related marketing has been reviewed by the Entertainment Software Rating Board (ESRB) and rated Mature – appropriate for players 17-years and older. ESRB routinely counsels retailers on requesting proof of age in selling M-rated titles and the system has been lauded by members of Congress and the Federal Trade Commission. In practical terms, the ratings work as well or better than those used for warning viewers about television content.

(A full transcript can be found, here)

I'm with Jeff on this one.  As I stated on Kevin McCullough's article before it was pulled, a little research could have gone a long way.  It's clear that no one on that panel had even played the game, even the person against it in the segment hadn't touched it (nor had the newscaster).

But the thing that gets me, is that people are still claiming that it's being marketed and sold to children.  It's rated "M" for a reason, if children are able to get a hold of it, then it's the parents and stores that are to fault; not the game makers, or Microsoft. Parents need to step up and show a little responsibility, instead of giving in when little Jamie Jr wants a copy of GTA, or Gears of War.