bitburo

The massive backlash against EA over the “draconian” DRM which came bundled with the $49.99 game has prompted EA to alter the controversial software - a step in the right direction.

But that’s all it is: a step. Not only that, they should have done this when the controversy first surfaced. Better yet, they could have easily predicted (based off of the Mass Effect fiasco) the customer reaction and nipped it in the bud.

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As usual, Bukola of MsPixel.com (a favorite blog of mine which focuses on the intersection of social media and gaming) has offered up a thoughtful review of the hot topic Spore DRM debate and how EA has dealt with the ‘crisis.’

Head over to MsPixel.com and subscribe to her RSS feed if you haven’t already.

If you’re one of the many Xbox 360 gamers who has been waiting with mounting dread for that day where you finally have to splurge on the 120GB HD to accomodate the massive amounts of XBLA titles and DLC, there’s some good news.

It looks as though the Xbox 360 console isn’t the only piece of hardware that Microsoft is dropping the price on. GameDaily has verified that the 120GB HD, previously priced at $179, will now be sold for a modest $149. Still too damn expensive, if you ask me; you could pay another $50 and pick up an extra Arcade.

That said, at least there is a storage solution for the 360. Yeah, that’s right, Wii - I’m looking at you.

A few days ago I posted a link to MMORPG.com for their free Warhammer beta key give-away. Well, they’ve run out. Obviously.

Thankfully, for those of you just now getting in on the game, Warcry.com is hosting a similar beta key give-away on their website. You just have to register to enter, no random lottery, no surveys, nada.

If last week’s give-away was any indicator, these things will go fast, so head on over and get your key now.

Amazon users’ revolt over the inclusion of SecuROM DRM with Spore continues, garnering 845 negative reviews since the release less than 24 hours ago.

Since our article this morning over 600 new reviews have given Spore a one-star rating. Wow.

If this is the first time you’re hearing of Spore then it’s safe to say you’ve been hiding under a rock for the past three years. A rock on the moon. A moonrock, if you will.

The hype for this game has been nothing short of astonishing. At E3 2005, three years before the game’s release, it won the Best of Show, Best Original Game, Best PC Game, and Best Simulation Game Game Critics Awards. At E3 2006, it won Best PC Game, Best Original Game, and Best Simulation. Spore won the GameTrailers E3 2008 Award for Best PC Game. It also won the E3 2008 Overall Best of Show from GameSpy.

So why, one day after its North American release, have 239 out of 281 Amazon reviews given Spore 1 single, lonesome star?

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No need to pay FilePlanet, MMORPG.com has just announced the release of 3,000 totally free beta keys for Warhammer Online. At the time of this article, there are 2,262 keys remaining.

Aching to try the new game? Head on over and grab yourself a key. All you need to do is make an account with MMORPG.com.

Hurry, they’re going fast!

“Trying to recreate Venezuelan-style fuel riots on the streets of London is completely irresponsible and downright dangerous,” said British MP Lynne Featherstone of Electronic Arts’ latest (and greatest?) marketing ploy.

EA’s upcoming title, Mercenaries 2: World in Flames, takes place in a fictitious Mad Max-style Venezuela, where you play as a mercenary and use fuel as currency. To promote the game, EA took over a petrol station in North London, armed with £20,000 ($34,846 USD) worth of free fuel.

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Unless you’ve been hiding in a cave since the 2005 E3 you’re probably already aware: old people love the Wii. Headlines like “Video Games Conquer Retirees,” “Retirement home: Wii Will, Wii Will Rock You,” and “That’s how Wii roll: Video bowling big hit with local seniors,” spring to mind.

That’s great. The more people playing video games, the better. That got me to thinking: what kind of games do well with geriatric gamers? The Wii Sports game is always in the news, but there have to be more options - so I’ve compiled a list of five games your grandma can’t live without.

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Some of you may have noticed a lack of content over the past few days - sorry about that. I’ve been involved in a super secret mega ultra marketing project which has sucked up more of my time than Bomberman and Raving Rabbids combined.

Starting tomorrow we’ll return to our regularly scheduled programming. In the meantime, however, you should head over to MsPixel.com for an interesting and engaging look at how the gaming medium fits in to the ever-evolving world of social media. Bukola, the site’s author, is sharp as all hell and offers a fresh perspective on a topic which is only becoming more and more important.