FitSugar

Violent Video Games For All?

GeekSugar — Mon, 27 Jun 2011 11:39:24 PDT

The US Supreme Court ruled today that it is unconstitutional and a violation of the First Amendment to ban children from buying violent video games. In a 7-2 vote, the court overturned a California law banning the sale and rental of violent video games to anyone underage. Video games like Mortal Kombat and Grand Theft Auto were singled out during the trial for the violent first-person perspectives that have become commonplace in many games.

In the court's majority opinion, Justice Antonin Scalia referred specifically to the dark folk tales children have read for generations as a precedent for First Amendment protection of sometimes questionable media:

Certainly the books we give children to read-or read to them when they are younger-contain no shortage of gore. Grimm’s Fairy Tales, for example, are grim in- deed. As her just deserts for trying to poison Snow White, the wicked queen is made to dance in red hot slippers “till she fell dead on the floor, a sad example of envy and jeal-ousy.”

The other side of this issue will point out that video games are a very different and immersive medium from literature, one in which the player experiences police chases and shoot-outs in a lifelike environment. What's your take on this heated issue, should the government put an age ban on violent media?

Cut Your Way to the Top With Busy Scissors

Miriam Lacey — Thu, 14 Oct 2010 06:00:48 PDT

Like the Wii but saddened by its lack of salon-centric games? Then mope no more, my compatriot, for Redken has created Busy Scissors, a new game that "allows consumers to perm, color, shampoo, cut, blow dry, and style hair." You work your way up in the digital salon by helping "unlock each client’s inner potential by finding their unique outward style." The game hasn't hit stores yet, but you can check out the video below for a preview. Do you think you'll be getting busy with this game later, or not so much?

Name That Video Game!

GeekSugar — Thu, 19 Aug 2010 15:45:29 PDT

I loved this game when it first exploded onto the scene in the '90s - can you name it?

Video Game-Based Lingerie Collection: Love It or Leave It?

GeekSugar — Thu, 20 May 2010 15:45:00 PDT

Lingerie based on a video game? Really? Really. Although I'm all about dressing up like my favorite video game characters on Halloween, I'm not too sure I can get behind this lingerie collection based on the Wii title No More Heroes 2. Sure, the gals in the game are wearing such garments (it's rated M for a reason, folks), and it is almost Comic-Con time (not that you'd want to go outside in any of this), but who buys this stuff? Gamer girls who want to impress their equally geeky mate? Video game memorabilia collectors?

To each his own, I suppose. I'll keep my own opinions to myself for now, but if you want to get your hands on some of this faux leather and lace goodness, keep an eye out for its launch on Bedtime Flirt, a UK lingerie retailer. Until then, tell me - do you love this, or would you rather leave it?

Ghostbusters Comes to the PSP and PSP Go This November

GeekSugar — Thu, 01 Oct 2009 10:13:22 PDT

Who ya gonna call? Ghostbusters! That's right, coming this Fall to a PSP near you is Ghostbusters - the action-packed video game based on the stellar movie from the '80s. Already out on the Wii and DS, Ghostbusters: The Video Game will have you grabbing your proton packs and sliming ghosts all over Manhattan. You'll also be able to use nifty tools like the PKE Meter and Parapgoggles to scan and analyze targets.

And best of all the game features performances from favorites like William Atherton (Walter Peck), Annie Potts (Janine Melnitz) and Brian Doyle-Murray (as Mayor Jock Mulligan). You can pick one up for $47 for the PS3.

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Beatles Rock Band: As Awesome As You'd Expect

GeekSugar — Mon, 08 Jun 2009 01:46:53 PDT

I got a "behind closed doors" demo of Beatles Rock Band at E3 last week, and needless to say, this installment of the music megaforce will be at the top of my must have list all Summer. Coming with 45 songs to choose from (either stocked, or as downloads) you have a serious collection of playable music from the best band, like ever.

I can't tell you how excited I've been for this to be released (well, maybe you could tell?), but now that I've seen it live and in person, my flame has been stoked. Not only are there new replica instruments like Ringo's drum kit (with the classic Beatles kick shield), Paul's beautiful Höfner bass, Lennon's Rickenbacker 325 guitar, and George's Gretsch Duo Jet guitar, but you get to play in real clubs and stadiums that the Beatles have played in (hello Ed Sullivan Theater!), and can now sing three-way harmonies so everyone can get in on the action.

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To hear even more about Beatles Rock Band, just

Another good reason to pick up this installment is because literally everyone can jump in. You have the option of making the song no-fail (so those peeps who are new to the game can play through), and easy, which doesn't dock you for notes you miss, but gives you credit for the ones you make. This is not only good for newcomers, but for those party situations where you (possibly) have had too much to drink. Hey, it happens.

Another good bit of news is that your old Rock Band and Rock Band 2 instruments will work on this installment, and vice versa, which leaves no excuse for you to pick this up. Start marking off your calendars, as Beatles Rock Band is coming September 9.

Pants Dance Video Game by Subway

FitSugar — Mon, 10 Mar 2008 02:00:00 PDT

If we could all really "digest" the message of a healthy lifestyle/diet from a video game, life would truly be sweet. So sweet in fact we would probably never overindulge in cake and milkshakes. Ahhhh, what a dreamer I can be. Cake, milkshakes and even french fries are just a few of the items to avoid while playing the online video game produced by Subway titled Pants Dance. The pants in the title are Jared's, of course.

The spokesman for Subway's healthy sandwich line is retiring his famous fat pants that were featured prominently in print and TV ads. Jared has kept off the 245 pounds that he began losing ten years ago. To celebrate, Subway created a video game where you try to catch healthy food including yogurt, water, and of course Subway sandwiches as well as sneakers and dumbbells, in your pants to lose weight. However you must also avoid unhealthy foods and the accessories of unhealthy lifestyle choices, which include a video game controller.

Hats off to Jared for taking the weight off! The game is fun, but the message is even better. I wouldn't waste my time on the game. I would actually put on my sneakers and grab my hand weights for a circuit workout. But that is just me.

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"Guitar Hero" Meets Its Match

GiggleSugar — Wed, 14 Nov 2007 15:00:00 PST

It's a little less demanding, but all the more fulfilling. Will Ferrell has his game face on already, I'm sure...

Highway to Hell's Kitchen

YumSugar — Tue, 30 Oct 2007 16:18:11 PDT

If you have ever watched Hell's Kitchen and wished you were on the receiving end of one of Gordon Ramsay's tirades, then you're in luck: Gamemaker Ludia is cooking up an interactive version of Hell's Kitchen. The game will actually feature Ramsay's voice and will contain some of his favorite recipes. It will be available on "all major platforms including PC, console and mobile," and will be released next year in order to coincide with the fourth season of Hell's Kitchen.

No word on what you'll have to do exactly, but something tells me that there's bound to be at least one beef wellington challenge.

Photo Courtesy of Fox

A Razor Commercial Fit For Freud

GiggleSugar — Thu, 13 Sep 2007 15:00:00 PDT

This Oedipus-inspired commercial for Wilkinson Sword Quattro Titanium Razors is a bit much, but I must admit, the "drama" that unfolds here is pretty compelling. C'mon, a bitter baby who busts out Matrix moves on his defensive daddy while vying for his mama's mojo? Sounds like a good, old-fashioned head case of a good time to me! (If you'd like to play the actual videogame, click here, skip the trailer, and click on "Download" to get to the game.)