With the rising popularity of the movie, “Scott Pilgrim vs. the World,” there was bound to be a video game to complement the movie. But this game, based off of the recently released movie and graphic novel, is different than others because the game, titled “Scott Pilgrim vs. the World: The Game,” is actually good. The story involves Scott Pilgrim and his growing love for Ramona Flowers, but in order to date her, he must defeat her seven evil exes. The game is full of references to old 8-bit and 16-bit video games. The game references “Super Mario Bros.” with the many dots on the game map that lead to a different level. Some levels

Whenever a book, film, television, painting or music album becomes the topic of heated debate, a critic who is an expert in that field is called in to provide context. If a video game makes headlines, it seems anyone from any field, regardless of their experience, can pass judgment on not only the title up for discussion, but the entire games industry. Whether or not these pundits have any first-hand knowledge or experience of video games is seldom mentioned. In the rare instances video games experts are called upon for their expertise, they’re usually shouted down or dismissed. This week, Liam Fox, the Defence Secretary, kicked open a proverbial anthill by calling for the forthcoming

Movie sequels almost universally suck, but video game sequels? More often than not, they improve on the original. So it is with Top Gun 2 ($2.99), the unexpected but very welcome follow-up to last year’s widely praised Top Gun. It’s essentially the same game, but just plain better in nearly every respect. As before, you pilot your jet from a chase-plane view, tilting the iPhone for decidedly arcade-style steering. Top Gun 2 is more like a racing game than a flight simulator, as you’re effectively on a straight-line track in the sky the entire time. But what lovely skies they are. Top Gun 2′s landscapes and seascapes are much prettier than the original’s, with effects

Electronic Arts Inc. (NASDAQ:ERTS) announced today that EA SPORTSTM has developed a new feature called Be A Goalkeeper for FIFA Soccer 11 that will enable fans to experience the thrill of playing as the keeper, and for the first time in a soccer videogame, will place control of all 22 players on the pitch in human hands. The new feature will be available for the PlayStation®3 computer entertainment system and Xbox 360® videogame and entertainment system when FIFA Soccer 11 is available in stores September 28 in North America and October 1 in Europe and Asia. Chelsea FC and Czech Republic goalkeeper Petr Čech has been signed as the spokesperson for Be A Goalkeeper and

Microsoft late on Monday announced the first wave of Xbox Live games that will be made available for Windows Phone 7, when the first smartphones running the new operating system hit the market later this year. Although games are just one part of Microsoft’s app strategy when it comes to Windows Phone, Redmond is counting on games–and Xbox Live tie-in in particular, to be a key selling point for Windows Phone. The Windows Phone 7 devices will be the first products outside of a PC or the Xbox itself to connect to Xbox Live. Gamers will be able to see their Gamerscore, earn achievements, and play games that tie into the Xbox Live online service.

You knew it had to happen, right? It was only a matter of time. This past weekend in Orlando FL, at Star Wars Celebration V, (the official convention for SW nerds) LucasFilm announced what many Star Wars fans had been waiting years for, that the films would be released on Blu-Ray DVD. Mark Hamill, Carrie Fisher & George Lucas at Star Wars Celebration V (Photo courtesy of Lucasfilm Ltd.) “Blu-ray is the absolute best way to experience Star Wars at home – in pristine high definition,” said George Lucas, creator of the Star Wars Saga. “The films have never looked or sounded better.” Gee George, haven’t we heard you say that before?  I mean, don’t

COLOGNE, Germany — In the video game business, Germany has often been slow to adjust to new trends, but the country is leading Europe in the industry’s fastest-growing segment: free-to-play online games. These games, which make money by charging players for virtual goods such as clothing and weapons, are big business. Researcher DFC Intelligence forecasts the U.S. and European market for such virtual items will grow to more than $3 billion by 2015 from $800 million in 2009. Understandably, online games will be a big topic at Gamescom, Europe’s largest industry trade fair, which runs Aug. 18-22 in Cologne. Among the biggest free-to-play companies are American — led by Zynga Inc., Electronic Arts’ Playfish and

At a recent competition among Vo Lam Truyen Ky players, the bonus for the winner was a virtual “Mystical World” ring, which was priced at 700 million dong of cash ($39,000). According to players of Vo Lam Truyen Ky, a computer game based on Chinese stories about the world of martial arts, anyone who owns this ring will be the champion. The virtual world of Vo Lam Truyen Ky is weird and funny to “pagans,” the name given to those who don’t play Vo Lam Truyen Ky. This is a story about a 60-year-old gamer. He always wakes early to play Vo Lam Truyen Ky. One day he had to go to the countryside where

CHESTER, W. Va. — MTR Gaming Group Inc. posted a net loss of $500,000 for the second quarter. The net loss for the first six months of 2010 was $3.8 million. For the second quarter, net revenues from continuing operations were $111.6 million, a decline of 8% from $121.1 million in the same period of 2009. Total net revenues decreased 9% to $211 million in the first half of this year from $230.8 million in the first half of 2009. Net revenues at Mountaineer Casino, Racetrack & Resort here decreased 14% to $61.9 million in the second quarter of 2010. Table gaming generated $12 million of revenues compared to $12.2 million in the prior-year period,