Posted by Raymond Padilla - Saturday, November 22, 2008 7:02 AM
 It looks like Microsoft's next version of DirectX -- its suite of gaming APIs -- will be released alongside its next operating system. Voodoo Extreme reports that DirectX 11 is likely to be released with Windows 7. The site claims:
"Microsofts Ben Basaric just told us that Windows 7 will, contrary to the rather vague statement a few days ago, be delivered with DirectX 11. Furthermore DX11 will also come for Windows Vista although Microsoft wouldn't confirm, if this will coincide with the release of Service Pack 2 for Vista."
This is great news for Vista customers and a smart move on Microsoft's part. When DirectX 10 was released with Vista, it was incompatible with Windows XP. Obviously, this pissed off millions of XP gamers. It's nice to see Microsoft taking its head out of a certain orifice and doing right by gamers.
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Tags: PC Gaming, Videogames
Posted by Raymond Padilla - Saturday, November 22, 2008 7:01 AM
 The king of convenience stores, 7-Eleven, recently experimented with selling high-profile games in its stores. In addition to getting a Slurpee and a Big Bite, consumers could also pick up World of Warcraft: Wrath of the Lich King, Guitar Hero: World Tour, Gears of War 2, and others. The experiment has been a success, as 7-Eleven is now claiming that it wasn't an experiment at all, but rather the start of a new initiative. GameSpot quotes company category manager for gaming and electronics Michael Jester as saying:
"This is not just a holiday promotion for us,but a brand-new product line-up that will be available year-round. We may not be a total entertainment destination...yet, but we're hoping to expand our selection beyond the high-dollar, hot-selling games to include options for all budgets, like value-priced video games as well as DVD movies."
This is great news for the gaming business. A huge chain of stores like 7-Eleven gives publishers access to millions and millions of customers. While retail shops like GameStop, Wal-Mart, and Target aren't exactly quaking in their boots, there is cause for concern. The reach of the chain can't be denied.
What do you guys think? Could you see yourself making an impulse gaming purchase along with your Big Gulp? Or are Slurpees and Madden akin to oil and water?
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Tags: Halo 3, PlayStation 3, Videogames, Wii, Xbox 360
Friday, November 21, 2008
Posted by Brian Leahy - Friday, November 21, 2008 6:30 PM
Here's what happened today in the world of video games, technology, and pop culture:
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Tags: Daily Wrap-Up
Posted by Dana Vinson - Friday, November 21, 2008 5:46 PM
Did you get enough of Castlevania after watching the review for Castlevania: Order of Ecclesia? TOO BAD! We've got hot-hot-hot vampire slaying action coming out our ears. We're Castlevania squared today with this review of Castlevania Judgment for the Nintendo Wii.
Watch the review below to finish feeding your need for neverending Castlevania-ness!
Click here to read the written review.
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Tags: Videogames, Wii
Posted by Dana Vinson - Friday, November 21, 2008 5:31 PM
Portable Castlevania is back with 'Castlevania: Order of Ecclesia.' For the Nintendo DS, Ecclesia offers you the chance to fight monsters and totally hunt down vampires. We hear the game is pretty hard. Then again, hunting down vampires is never an easy job as you've probably learned playing the 11,000 other Castlevania iterations out there.
But you should really watch this review and decide for yourself.
You can also read the written review here.
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Tags: Nintendo DS, Videogames
Posted by Sinden Lee - Friday, November 21, 2008 4:22 PM
Hollywood always mirrors our national sentiment via sci-fi flicks, as meticulously outlined by Daniel Terdiman's piece, The Evolution of the Benevolent Alien.
Say what you will about Ronald Reagan, but the old Gipper ended the Cold War and Americans felt a renewed calming sense of détente due to a decrease in Soviet nuclear arsenals.
During Reagan's time, they gave us The Terminator, Aliens, Blade Runner, and the Abyss to name a few..All the protagonists in these films kept us feeling safe from evil sentient beings. And always, the better form--the human form--triumphs.
Today, as Russian President Medvedev defiantly thrusts his chin against the U.S. and stands firm with our government's Latin American adversaries like Peru and Valenzuela, we smell a renewed Cold War in the horizon.
This, ladened with global issues such as the environment, wars, doomed economy--you can see why Hollywood is remaking the 1951 film of the same name, The Day the Earth Stood Still.
Check out Mr. Terdiman's breakdown of the evolution of compassionate, tender aliens. It's pretty intense.
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Tags: Movies, TV
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