Morning Hangover

It's Monday again. I'm not sure what happened to the weekend but it's over and I'm at work. Rather than sulk away my day with a severe case of the Mondays I need to play something to snap me out of it, fast. The good news is I work at G4 so I have tons of games at my disposal. The bad news is I don't know what game will cheer me up. That's where you come in. What game makes you feel better? Do you have a comfort game?

Today we begin our CES 2011 coverage. The Consumer Electronic Show has been running since 1967. The show has been home to the leading advancements in technology ever since. CES was where the Famicom and the Xbox were revealed. Before our show floor coverage starts what CES predictions do you have? As for me, I'm hoping the PlayStation Phone is announced. 

We are now in 2011 and only one year away from the end of the world. Assuming the world ends on December 12, 2012 we will have some time to get things done next year before our demise but this is the final year. This could be our last chance to to do all the things we've always wanted to do. I'm of course talking about your gaming bucket list. What games do you hope to conquer before the Armageddon? And what games have helped you train for Armageddon? 

Probably the most common New Year's Resolution is to get in shape. Some people pledge to lose 10 pounds while others promise themselves that this is the year they join the gym. Instead of going to all the effort of driving to the gym why not buy a video game instead. Wii Fit, EA Sports Active, Your Shape: Fitness Evolved, and Get Fit with Mel B are all games that let you make your living room a workout room. But do they actually work? There are so many fitness games that it's hard to tell which one is worth the effort. Have you tried any of these?

It's New Year's Eve, and while many of G4's staffers plan to pursue exotic adventures this evening, I'm not going anywhere. I don't really like New Year's Eve -- too much pressure to have a wild time too often results in disappointment, binge-drinking and other less-than-civilized pursuits. In short: It's amateur night, so I'm staying in, watching the ball drop on TV, and hoping they drag Dick Clark out of his nursing home for another welcome to the new year.

What about you? Do you guys have any New Year's Eve plans you want to share?

Epic Games plans on making an announcement at GDC 2011 in only two months. Their announcement, assuming it's not delayed, will be about a brand new IP. For the video game lingo noobs out there an IP is an intellectual property. Epic primarily make over-the-top shooters with characters whose arms are the size of tree trunks, and I'm 100% okay with that. Gears of War 2 is probably my most frequently played game. When I read that a new IP was on the way I figured it would be more of the same but then G4tv reader blueboykc suggested Epic might be working on a superhero game. The cards line-up, in a recent interview Cliff Bleszinski talked about the influences of Stan Lee and Jack Kirby, luminaries in the comic superhero world. Cliff also confirmed that Prototype's lead designer would be in charge of this project. Prototype was somewhat of a dark anti-supehero story. Could Epic be making their own superhero game? Can you fly if your arms are the size of trees? I hope so!

What do you think Epic is working on?

When playing a MMO I, like many, spend way too much time wondering what class to be only to be disappointed or feel like I'm missing out. In WoW I ended up being a priest which wasn't the right class for me since I often had to play alone. I need to do as much research as possible before embarking on my next MMO Star Wars: The Old Republic. That way I won't waste any time once I get it. All eight classes have been revealed but I still don't know what class to be. The latest Trooper teaser trailer was mighty tempting.

1. Bounty Hunter
2. Sith Warrior
3. Imperial Agent
4. Sith Inquisitor
5. Trooper
6. Smuggler
7. Jedi Knight
8. Jedi Consular

You have time to change your mind but as of now, which class are you leaning towards?

Yesterday Nintendo announced the release date for Pokemon Black and White,. It will be released in North America on March 6, 2011. Now that almost 24 hours have passed I've had time to calm down and think. It's time to plan. I've already decided to get Pokemon White while my brother will get Black. We always make sure to get different cartridges for optimal trading. Here's the real issue, what Pokemon do I start with? I was thinking about starting with Tepig. He's a fire-type pig, that's so metal. I've currently decided on Oshawott, the water-type, solely because it looks like a baby otter. Which Pokemon are you going to start with? 

Christmas is a time to be thankful for what you have. It's a time to cherish the people around you and reward them for cherishing you back with presents. It's a time for togetherness and other made up words. And Christmas time is over. Now it's time to take back the games you don't want and exchange them for the games you do want. What gifts/games did you get that you "want the gift receipt" for? Any games you still want to get?

Merry Christmas! Ahhhhh! Sorry, sugar rush. The day we've been waiting for, preparing for, shopping for, is upon us here and now. I have already opened presents with my family. I got my brother Assassin's Creed Brotherhood, 40% because he wanted it, 60% because I wanted it. I'll tell you more about my loot later. What did you get?

I'm normally not a huge advocate of traditions but for some reason traditions based around gluttony I'm okay with. When I was younger I would leave cookies out for Santa Clause on Christmas Eve. I'm not alone, right? Now that I'm older I leave cookies out for myself. But as I work at G4 and am constantly trying to out-geek people this year I'm making Pac-Man cookies. Basically, just make normal sugar cookies in the shape of a circle and cut out the mouth. Brilliant, right?

I have three follow-up questions:

1. Do you have any Christmas Eve or Holiday traditions?

2. Have you ever made "gamer" food?

3. Seriously, how cute are those cookies?

Christmas is only a few days away. This means grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins are only a few days away. As the families designated "techie" I'll be tasked this year, as I am every year, to supply the video game entertainment. The Wii has lost its welcome and the family needs something new to entertain them. I have a Kinect but I don't have any games other than EA Sports Active 2. I guess we could work off the meatballs but something tells me it will be even less fun than it sounds. This is less a reflection than it is a cry for help. What game should I bring to Christmas? What game can distract my family from having to engage in meaningful conversations about the state of the world, politics or religion? What games do you like to play with your family?