This is pretty neat, its some type of sports-device, branded with the Grand Theft Auto Logo. However, I have no idea how it got here. Actually, that's not completely true. The postman got it for me, but who gave it to him? And why? Can anyone shed some light on this? All I could find was that some places got this as a promotional item along with a press release. There is no reason they would send me that. So what gives?

Labels: video games, xbox

I've been using GameFly to rent video games through the mail for the past nine months or so. They work the same way as Netflix. I pay a fixed amount each month, and I get to have one game out at a time, for as long as I want. The only problem lies in the fact that their shipping center is on the other side of the country. When I'm finished with a game, I have to wait a week for them to get it and then another week for the new one to get back to me. I end up losing about $7 of gaming time a month due to the post office. Their fast return has only worked once for me (the first time). This usually isn't that much of a problem since I tend to keep games for up to two months. If I was able to check a box to say I've sent my game back and they trust me and send another, that would work well, but that type of system would be ripe for abuse.

Upon reading Wikipedia JUST FOR KICKS this evening, I stumbled upon this wondrous piece of information:

As of April, 2007 GameFly will operate a second distribution center located in Pittsburgh, PA. This center was opened to help improve mailing times for subscribers across the entire United States.

Awesome! I'm also a Netflix subscriber, and their shipping center is in Pennsylvania, about 45 minutes away from here. The turn around for them is three days total including the day I send my old movie and receive my new one. Seeing as Pittsburgh is on the other side of the state, I'd expect another day or even two added onto that, but that still is a much faster turn around from the current coast to coast service I get now!

According to a few gaming websites, this Distribution center should be opening up to all users within the next few weeks. I may even receive my next game from this new place, it should ship today!

Labels: video games

In this interesting read on "The 10 Weirdest Game Console Names", they give a little insight into where the name "XBOX 360" came from. Apparently, they were worried that people would buy a Playstation 3 over an XBOX 2 because the lower digit would seem inferior. Skipping 2 all together would seem brash. The term 360 actually means something, but they must have been grasping at straws to get it to make sense in regards to a video game console.

All in all, who cares about the name, its a great system.

And why is the Wii only number 10? That has to be the worst name ever. It deserves at least second, trumped only by ColecoVision... a leather company? What the hell?

Labels: video games

One of the best reviewed games of all time -- Gears of War -- apparently has a really good sound track. I've never played them game, but I've asked for it for Christmas (its on sale at Circuit City for $15 off this week!). There isn't a soundtrack out yet, but with tracks as good as these, it shouldn't be too far off.

Who knows if these tracks are legitimately free like I've been told, but you can grab them here (Encounter) and here (Locust Battle).

The music was done by Kevin Riepl, who is unknown enough to not have a Wikipedia page. Who knows today in this age where the game of door knob has its on Wikipedia page that someone has their own great website and did the music for this game not have a Wikipedia article.

Labels: music, video games, xbox

this post includes an embedded video availible here

Labels: video, video games