Games – just one big irritation! Ain't scientists great? There they are in their labs with beakers pipettes and electrodes that measure all kinds of stuff. Well, do you know what the eggheads have come up with now? Do ya, huh? Wait for it"Video games cause irritability! I know, I know, it's all revolutionary stuff. Thank God for scientists, otherwise we'd never have known that. It seems the boffins at Tokyo's Nihon University have conducted a study. In true boffin style, they examined the brain waves of 240 people over several months. The researchers studied the alpha and beta brain … Continue reading You Give Me Irritability →

Let us all rejoice! We have next generation consoles, which should herald a new wave of titles featuring exciting leaps in graphics and game play. Okay, so we got the graphics bit, but when it comes to game play it's just the same old, same old. The fact is there are just too many sequels to mention, as the publishers continue to play it safe. Meanwhile us gamers have to sit with baited breath, waiting for some originality to inject some energy back into the industry. After Metal Gear Solid 2, there comes Metal Gear Solid 2 Substance and after … Continue reading Sequel Madness →

They're cute, but beware sleepless nights I'm tired today play chums. I can barely lift my tired eyelids, and tapping my keyboard is a feat nearing biblical proportions, in my weary state. I am suffering from fevered dreams that allow me only a few fitful moments of sleep. The dreams are the same every night – must break down the wall, get more reds, reds are strong. Oh no, they're falling in the water, drowning, only blues can swim. Must grow more before sundown and leave to flower. Do better tomorrow. I am of course a victim of Pikmin. Play … Continue reading Cute But Deadly →

The world's gone mad and predictions say it should last at least a month. Gamers the world over are sliding their consoles back under the TV and hanging up their control pads. There's a more important game to be played at the moment and that's the beautiful game of football (or soccer to all those Stateside). Yes folks, it's the World Cup. There is of course the small matter of the United States of the Blissfully Unaware. Er"hello, America! For once your team doesn't totally suck. It's very uncharacteristic for you to miss such a prime flag-waving opportunity. Are you … Continue reading World Cup Time →

Are games imitating art or is art imitating games? Are video games art or are they merely childish, mindless fun with a tendency towards hyper-violence? Once again these old questions are being bandied about. May 16 saw the launch of Game On, the biggest computer game exhibition, since, well"ever. And I went along to see what it's all about. Imagine a world where arcades don't smell of BO, aren't situated in run-down coastal towns that are well and truly past their glory days and feature all your favourite games from the past 20 years and beyond. And the best thing … Continue reading Games Imitate Art (or vice, verca) →

So many games, so little time. Life moves pretty fast. You don't stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it Ferris Bueller. Technology has brought us many things; email, supersonic flight, laser surgery and all Kevin Costner's movies on DVD. Well, it can't all be good. It seems the more labor-saving devices we get, the more stuff we expect to able to fit into these busy modern lives of ours. As a gamer there's just never enough time to play and conduct a healthy social life – remember that? You know, friends and stuff. When I … Continue reading Packing The Schedule →

From one fading star, to two revamps and one new kid on the block, the UK (and Europe) is gaining more video game shows and exhibitions than you can shake a stick at. In its 14 year history, ECTS has become the highlight of Europe's gaming calendar, drawing industry bods from around the world. However, last year's shambolic effort caused more than a few grumbles of complaint. The gaming grapevine is working well and there's talk of a pretender to the crown" Early April sees a meeting of minds in Brussels to discuss the creation of a brand spanking new … Continue reading More, more, more… →

HO, HO, HO, MERRY XMAS Now, I'm slightly hung-over after an enjoyable evening in the pub with friends, so don't give me any grief because I'm not in the mood. It's all been happening over here in the UK. March has been a busy month so far in gaming terms and it's just going to get better. All I have to say is move over Solid Snake because X marks the spot! March 8th saw the long awaited arrival of Metal Gear Solid 2 to Europe and what a fuss everybody made. Maybe this is the time to say that … Continue reading X Marks The Spot →

Gamers give the games industry a bad name! It's official! Videogames are the work of Beelzebub and will no doubt lead to the hasty demise of Western civilization as we know it. Our beautiful, cosmopolitan cities will be reduced to sprawling slums, housing game-crazed youths intent only on viewing their flickering screens. They will be filled with the promise of power-ups and bonus levels, with no regard for the society around them. Governments must crackdown before it's too late! Or so the media and powers that be would have us believe. Recently the UK media has been littered with stories … Continue reading Games As The Enemy →

Hi. I’m Chella, the GiN Playmate. Welcome to my playpen people, but watch out for the console and Category 5 wires. Yes, that’s right, I’m a girl and a gamer. Tricky concept I know, but one I’m sure you can get used to. As we say a fond farewell to Ken and wonder how Mrs. Ken will cope with all that quality Ken-time, it’s time to dry our tears, stop snivelling and get on with the important business of playing, discussing and generally digging games. I’ve been reviewing games for GiN from over here in the United Kingdom for sometime … Continue reading Chella Enters The Mix! →