Beyond Gaming

Stay Away from All-Pro Football 2K8

I haven't played All-Pro Football 2K8, but I have already decided not to pick up the game and I hope nobody else buys the game either.

As most sports gamers know, EA Sports has the exclusive rights to make NFL-licensed football games, so 2K Sports used a group of NFL legends to make an unlicensed game.  They also created their own teams and their own stadiums, which is all pretty cool.  In fact, I was close to picking up All-Pro 2K8 myself last week.

Fortunately, I didn't.  As I was checking out the Joystiq gaming blog this morning, they showed a clip from the game, and the developers decided to include O.J. Simpson.  2K representatives said that they contemplated not including Simpson, but the fact that he was a legend on the field meant that he should be in the game.  I think that was a terrible decision, and it was a decision that will keep me from buying the game.

Since Simpson is in the game, I'm assuming that 2K Sports had to pay him money to use his likeness.  Simpson may or may not get money for every game that is sold. If he does get paid, buyers of the game are lining his pockets, and even if he doesn't I don't want to buy from a company that financially supports Simpson.

So, I will either buy NCAA Football 2008 or pick up Madden next month.

What do you think?  Will the inclusion of O.J. Simpson in 2K8 impact your decision to purchase the game?

Tecmo Bowl Rises from the Ashes

In 1991, Tecmo released Tecmo Super Bowl -- a console gaming classic.  Now, fans of the game have reason to rejoice.  In a totally unexpected move, Gamespot reports that Tecmo is back in the game and has announced that it will release a new Tecmo Football game in 2008.

Joystiq Offers One-Year Free Subscription to Games for Windows

For those of you interested in computer gaming, the Joystiq gaming blog has a deal going with the publishers of Games for Windows to give away 25,000 free one-year subscriptions.

Ordinarily, I don't sign up for these "offers" because there's always a cancellation requirement before they bill you -- but this is a genuine offer -- no credit card information is required.  The only information you must provide is your mailing address.

Click the link above to visit the Joystiq site and sign up for your free issue.

Senator Pushes for New Video Game Rating Act

Senator Sam Brownback (R-KS), is going after the Enterprise Software Ratings Board (ESRB) with a  new bill that would require the video game ratings baord to perform more in-depth reasearch into a game before rating it for consumers.

From my personal experience, I feel that the ESRB is doing  agreat job with its rating system, and there's no need for government involvement in this area.

What's on your Tech Christmas list?

Aside from tracking news on the gaming industry, I'm also a public relations professional.  One of the clients I represent is the Computing Technology Industry Association (CompTIA).

CompTIA recently conducted a web poll to determine what was on top of their holiday wish lists this year, and the PS3 came out on top, with 21 percent of the 1,054 respondants indicating that's the tech gift they wanted most.  Followed by HDTVs and the Xbox 360.