Wow. Just…wow.

I’m an Eagle Scout, a parent, and a gamer, but…wow.

I never thought that I’d see the day that Scouting would award badges for video games. I guess I was born to young. For those of you who don’t believe me, point your browser HERE to see the official requirements posted on the official BSA site. Unlike the old Pioneering badge that I earned at summer camp almost 30 years ago which required that you demonstrate multiple ways to make FIRE (how fun is that!), these awards focuses more on the responsibilities associated with gaming as in proper scheduling, understanding the ESRB, and comparing prices at different stores.

Still, there are some fun requirements and there is nothing wrong with encouraging responsible gaming behavior. Although, I think my favorite part of this is that the controller on the belt loop (we used to call those “skill awards”) and the academics pin reminds me a little of the old Nintendo Virtual-Boy!

This weekend I was browsing the Web as part of my ongoing quest to learn EVERYTHING and I stumbled across Etsy.com. This is a site where a number of different people/companies offer their handmade creations. I must admit, there is a reporter from Moses Lake, Washington who calls her creative endeavor Digital Soaps and makes some very interesting (wait for it…) soap. If you need some form of incentive to get your kid off the console and into the tub, or if your spouse would get a kick out of such a novelty, I have to say that these are pretty neat. Click below to see even more of these creations!

Click on the Pictures to take you to the appropriate page if you’re interested.

Keep it clean…for Mario’s sake!

Wanna bet that the cat is a big Metal Gear Solid fan?

Stackable soap, how do I love thee…let me count the lines.

No Halo in the tub!

“Bustin’ makes me feel good…” and clean!

Fun in the tub? Wii!!!

And finally, for the comprehensive evolution of gaming cleanliness…

For some of us who have been gaming for more than a decade (or two, or…), the title Prince of Persia brings back memories of classic 2D platforming mixed with puzzle strategy that all had to be accomplished in a one-hour time frame. Though the franchise was brought into the third dimension for PCs and the Dreamcast with the title Prince of Persia 3D (aka Prince of Persia: Arabian Nights), it wasn’t until Ubisoft resurrected the franchise with Prince of Persia: Sands of Time that the gaming public would take notice again. Two additional titles followed in the last generation of consoles – Warrior Within and The Two Thrones. However, the first of these three seemed to have captured the imagination of some folks at Disney.

IGN recently shared the new trailer for the Disney film Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time.

Considering that Disney was able to get three full films out of an original theme park ride called Pirates of the Caribbean, I can’t imagine that it would be difficult to get a decent film out of the world portrayed in the Prince of Persia games. This is particularly true with the added visually dynamic moves that Ubisoft incorporated into their newer titles like the Prince’s ability to run along walls or jump back and forth between chasms to ascend cliffs quickly. These acrobatics should transfer to the screen quite nicely and the concept of the dagger that turns back time provides an opportunity for blockbuster eye candy.

Though Disney isn’t going to be giving us the next Citizen Kane, their new film looks to be an entertaining diversion. And as far as video game inspired films go, it can’t be as bad as Super Mario Bros.

The return of the vodcast!

In this episode we sit down with a local family to talk about how video games are integrated into their family. Karl and Marla Kindt tell us about how video games came into their family, what they know about the ESRB ratings and some advice for parents wanting to know more about video games. Enjoy and don’t forget to subscribe to our Game Apparent TV feed in iTunes!

One of the most recognized racing franchises is FINALLY going to appear on the PSP this October 1st. Why I find this significant is that Gran Turismo for the PSP was supposed to be a launch title. This is one of, if not the most, delayed titles ever to actually get a release on the system for which it was announced. Yea, “Racing onto PSPs.” For more information about this release, hit the Sony site HERE.

Also of note, the October 1st release date is also the launch for the new PSP Go which is seen in the above picture and in the trailer below. So, I guess that Sony can still call it a “launch” title for the PSP…just not the original incarnation of the platform. Having said that, the PSP Go is compatible with the current PSP hardware. Besides the cosmetic differences, it does not have a UMD drive and it uses solid state memory to store downloadable games.

For those of you who may be wondering, yes – Gran Turismo will be playable on both the current hardware and the new Go. Now take a look at the cool trailer below and share a comment below stating how it’s about time!

This dad gets points on so many levels.

via ffffound

This made me chuckle. Thanks Nerddads.

via [offworld]

Photo by Great Beyond

As with all new presidencies, there is a time of transition as one administration takes over the work of another.   Apparently President Obama is having some tech issues.

 
Two years after launching the most technologically savvy presidential campaign in history, Obama officials ran smack into the constraints of the federal bureaucracy yesterday, encountering a jumble of disconnected phone lines, old computer software, and security regulations forbidding outside e-mail accounts…

“It is kind of like going from an Xbox to an Atari,” Obama spokesman Bill Burton said of his new digs.

He really shouldn’t be complaining.  I mean he did only help Obama win the presidency of the United States of a America…

Wait, I guess that means he can complain.  Someone get this man an Xbox!

Retro-gaming Sheik at it’s best…and it’s functional! My wife wouldn’t want it in the living room, but in a family room or game room this is quite an appealing option. Especially when you consider that this coffee table is actually a trunk that can hold assorted videogame paraphernalia.

Oh, and did I mention that it’s a fully functional NES controller?!?! Check out Kyle Downes’ blog HERE to see the details including a video that shows it in action. For some reason I keep picturing those large chess boards where people have to carry the pieces around.