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Ahh...the Game Developers Choice Awards. They're kind of like the Oscars except nobody really cares which fashion designers the nominees are wearing. 

Uncharted 2 cleaned up at the GDC Awards last night with five trophies, including Game of the Year, Best Writing, Best Technology, Best Visual Arts, and Best Audio. Also during the ceremony, Will Wright (of The Sims fame) presented id Software's John Carmack (Doom, Wolfenstein 3D) with the Lifetime Achievement Award and did a presentation on "Why John Carmack Rocks." Boy, I'd hate to be the guy who has to tell James Cameron that Avatar: The Game didn't take home any awards. [GamePro]

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Editor's note: Heated debate is always more interesting, especially when you've got a dog in the fight. Suriel makes the case that more video game podcasts should strive to spark that kind of exchange between participants. I'd only add that these programs also drop the non-gaming banter in the beginning and get right to the topic I tuned in to hear. -Rob

When I listen to a podcast, I usually imagine myself in the room with the participants. I converse with them in my head, take their viewpoints to compare them with my own, and arrive at my own conclusion -- not unlike that which you might do with real-life group of friends.

I don't agree with everyone's point of view, but that's only to be expected. I usually enjoy the discussion more when I debate someone else's points than when I agree with his arguments.

This metaphysical experience works best when the breadth of perspectives that a podcast provides creates genuine discussion on a topic and when those opinions are as varied as possible. What I've found is that an assortment of expressed thoughts on a podcast is the exception rather than the norm.

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Even though the logo clearly says "hum-triangle-n," I'm pretty sure that the game is called Deus Ex: Human Revolution.

Video Blips:

• I'm sure that Deus Ex's Adam Jensen will be the first to tell you that having robot arms isn't all that it's cracked up to be. Maybe he should consider investing in plastic cups instead of glass. [GameTrailers]

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Editor's note: People often bandy about a somewhat amorphous term to describe video game fans and characters: "emo." What does it mean? I make immediate connections with the origins of the term: mid-'80's post-punk emotional hardcore bands like Embrace and Rites of Spring. Brian makes connections between the supposed affectations of people who are "emo" and the lack of sensitivity this may indicate toward mental illnesses such as Major Depressive Disorder or Social Anxiety Disorder. Whatever the case, I'm in full agreement that this is a somewhat loose, very ineffectual way of describing something. -James

Disturbing trends in game journalism are nothing new, but one annoys me more than most others -- the increased use of the term "emo." Since the start of the new millennium, the term "emo" has infected pop culture faster than Swine Flu swept PAX '09. When used in everyday discussion, it's often associated with people who appear to be unhappy and wear dark-colored clothing.

One definition at Urban Dictionary describes "emo": "An entire subculture of people (usually angsty teens) with a fake personality." Whether or not such people exist is debatable, but the term "angst" is nothing to laugh at. According to Dictionary.com, "angst" is when a person has "a feeling of dread, anxiety, or anguish." Certainly, having a small amount of these feelings is normal, but when they overwhelm an individual, it can endanger that person's existence.

I'm sure some people feel they have earned the title of "emo" -- although I have never met any -- by pretending to hate the world and acting depressed because they crave attention, but that doesn't mean we should use such a term lightly. As someone who frequents game sites, I've noticed that people throw the word about carelessly to describe certain characters and people who enjoy relatively niche genres. This is a shame, because not only does it misrepresent certain real-life and virtual individuals, but it also reveals the ignorance of much of the gaming community.

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The Geekbox — Episode 56 (2010-03-09)
Wherein we discuss live recordings, official Geekbox achievement contest updates, SyFy original movies, Lost 6×06, Burn Notice 3×16, Final Fantasy 13, RPG naming conventions, griefing on role-playing servers, Resident Evil, Ratchet & Clank Future: Tools of Destruction (AKA “Welcome to 2007″), and cranky old podcasters. Starring Ryan Scott, Andrew Fitch, Anthony Gallegos, and Ryan Higgins.
Running Time: 1h 28m 57s

Zune link

Direct Download (right click to save as)

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My biggest interest in media studies is in understanding propaganda. Bioshock and Mega Man 10 tie together my passion for convincing the masses with suggestion and empowering imagery with video games. You can't deny the inspiring presentation of Solar Man in this poster [via TinyCartridge]:

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It seems America's competitive spirit extends to exorbitant spending on digital pixels.

News Blips:

GamesIndustry conducted a study that shows American gamers spent $3.8 billion on massively multiplayer games in 2009. Consumers spent nearly half the amount ($1.8 billion) on monthly subscription fees, with subsequently smaller spending on annual subscriptions and other forms of payment such as micro-transactions. Unsurprisingly, Blizzard's World of Warcraft reigns supreme; its players comprise the largest portion of the total player base (46 million) in the United States. That's odd -- I didn't know playing as an elf would be so lucrative.

Game-design guru Warren Spector (System Shock) has warned the industry against becoming too engrossed with motion control and other input methods. While not scorning outright the recent trend of motion control devices, Spector (who is currently working on Epic Mickey for the Wii) stresses the importance of maintaining perspective in the ever-broadening video game audience. "I don't know if we want to throw away our entire history because we want to use gestural controls. I hope we keep our perspective a little more rational." Spector's right: How am I going to enter my Konami codes on a silly nunchuck? [Gamasutra]

Industry analyst Michal Pachter portends the outcome of the Infinity Ward/Activision lawsuit.  While not going into specifics, Pachter expects the lawsuit to "progress to trial or settlement, with some compensation likely awarded." The Webush Morgan analyst admits that Activision could be in serious trouble if Infinity Ward heads Jason West and Vince Zampella decide to work for EA, which has recently revived the Medal of Honor franchise. I'm glad Pachter is here to tell us about how a lawsuit works. [IndustryGamers]

Developers of classic games have noted their preference for working on smaller, social-centric titles. Longtime designers and industry veterans (such as Richard Garriot of Ultima fame) have turned to smaller-scale projects -- like iPhone apps and Facebook games -- that resemble the creative mentality of gaming's halcyon days. “I remember, early in my career we would make a game in six months," said designer Brenda Brathwaite (Wizardry). "I love the idea of just putting a game together with a small group of people. I can’t imagine anything I’d rather do.” A return to smaller games is a nifty idea...but nothing will convince me to buy an iPhone. [Wired]

Got any hot news tips? Send 'em over to tips@bitmob.com.

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Can you decipher these uninspired, misinterpreted, or just plain messed-up video-game titles?

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I wonder if the vibrate feature in Sony's new controller can double as a back-massaging device, just like every other vibrating gadget.

Video Blips:

• Nothing pumps up the adrenaline like table tennis and fly swatting in this demo of the PlayStation Move. I'm still incredulous over its diffused shape and moogle-like sensor ball. [GameTrailers]

Continue after the break for an anthem-filled trailer of Green Day: Rock Band, some elf profiling in a commercial for Global Agenda, and a look at the webcomic-turned-platformer Blade Kitten.

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Editor's note: Tired of the towering giant that is EA's Madden franchise? Check out Andrew's humorous suggestions for some authentic, pigskin replacements. -James

By locking up the exclusive rights to the NFL, EA's Madden series has absolutely crushed the football-video-game competition. While Take Two's All-Pro Football was a valiant attempt to put a dent in Madden's marketshare, the effort fell short in a quixotic sort of way -- its reviews and sales were less than impressive.

So how do you fight the juggernaut of sports-game franchises? Developers take note: I have some impressive suggestions. And if you do take them, my legal team will be in touch; I'm sure we can come to an amicable resolution.

Notre Dame Fighting Irish Football: The Fighting Irish Video Game of Fighting Irish

No collegiate football program is as storied as Notre Dame's. While its luster has dulled in recent years, the name holds incredible cache among Catholics, people who pretend to be Irish, those who wish they had a college education, and those who aren't aware that Notre Dame actually makes its home in Indiana.

Notre Dame Fighting Irish Football will feature only one playable team: Notre Dame. And instead of their usual opponents, they will play against famous teams like the '72 Dolphins, the '85 Bears, the '27 Yankees, the '83-'84 Boston Celtics, and the '02 gold-medal-winning Olympic Hockey team, Team Canada.

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YouTube has a new feature that automatically captions videos. That sounds awesome. Let's see how it performs with Mass Effect 2 [via Fidgit]:

Wow, look at that! Not only does it caption video automatically, but it spices things up with political and romantic intrigue! The new text does have a point, though. You can't just treat democrats like that and expect to get women, Shepherd.

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I really think that Disney should make some neon, glow-in-the-dark Frisbees to promote Tron: Legacy -- I'd totally buy one.

Video Blips:

• The new Tron flick looks like the perfect father-son movie, especially if your dad abandoned you to go live in a video-game world. You should give him a call and ask him if wants to watch it with you. [Joystiq]

Continue after the break for a GDC 2010 talk on the impact of the Final Fantasy series, an aesthetically-pleasing Gran Turismo 5 trailer, and a Final Fantasy 13 remix from DJ Mom Jeans, aka Hyde from That '70s Show.

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