Classic Gaming Expo 2K12 Update: Registration Is Open, Prices Are Awesome!

And so it begins! CGE 2012 Registration kicks off with an excellent pricing whether you sign up for Early Bird, Advance or even at the door tickets. Additionally, the lovely and newly renovated Plaza Hotel is the venue and the special CGE rates are quite affordable at $65 per day for a Deluxe room. Of course, you’ll need to do something about transportation to and from  Las Vegas (road trip!) as well as any sightseeing options. As for food, well you’d be surprised (or maybe not so surprised) to find way too many options in Vegas to make sure you’re not going to starve at any hour of the day.

Back with more CGE 2012 updates as they’re announced…

Toy Fair 2012: Floppets – Sometimes, Smaller Is Better (And Cooler. And Cheaper)…

While the big name usual suspects were strutting their upcoming stuff behind closed doors or in appointment-only booths or events, some of the most fun items I saw were actually scattered all around the show floor. A few of the best things at the show were found in smaller booths that were easy to miss unless you were paying attention or were strolling by as a sample was being handed out. Which is how I stumbled upon Floppets, a new impulse product that’s definitely going to get a lot of notice one word gets out on how cool they are. And once you see them, it’s all about how much you NEED to buy one, and another, and another (and so forth and so on)…

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Toy Fair 2012 Update: He Who Has The Most FUN Stuff, Wins…

So, day one of the really big show is down for the count (and so am I after all that walking, oof). I saw a LOT of really cool stuff today that I’ll get around to writing about later this week. Here are some fun facts for you in the meantime to pore over (all of which and more will be covered in detail in the days to come):

. Star Wars FINALLY gets its own Scene-it game! Enough said – get your money ready.

. Little Bits. Remember that name, particularly if you’re into making stuff with assorted electronic components. Just passing by the booth made me think of a few dozen things I wanted to attempt to make…

. Also, remember  Mungi Bands. They’re not out just yet, but expect every pre-teen and teen to be hooked on these fun magnetic bracelets from a new North Carolina company. ..

. Board games, card and dice games are NOT dead. Sure they’re coming to iOS and Android platforms, but if you’re looking for a good old box full of excitement that you can play with people sitting around a table, there are an amazing number of options. That said, some of the popular board games getting a tech boost are pretty awesome…

. Speaking of board and card games, I got my biggest laugh of the day playing stuff at the Techno Source booth. Let’s just say that only a dog can beat a dragon in the Where’s Waldo universe…

. Don’t spend too much money on an iPad for your kid, as there’s another device coming that allows far better parental controls for MULTIPLE kids if your have them…

. If you’re in a state where toy guns are still legal (and you don’t have cops trained to go ballistic when they see kids having FUN), you can still buy some of the best quality six-shooters, rifles and other gear you’ll ever see and touch from a 76-year old company based out of Savannah, Tennessee…

. 3D as a fad isn’t dead jut yet. In fact, pretty much every one of those cardboard glasses you’ll find at public events all over the globe at everything from movies, to concerts to fireworks shows and even packed into DVD’s and games, all come from one company (which just so happens to also be from Tennessee)…

. There are Edible Bubbles that you can blow and eat. Like the soap bubbles you played with as a kid. But edible. And rum flavored, too. Yikes (but they ARE tasty!)…

More to come later – off to catch The Walking Dead

Hey, Kill Screen? Shouldn’t Your NYC-Themed Game Party Actually BE In NYC?

I’m just sayin’…

OK, OK… I’m sure it’ll be a total blast at this year’s GDC, but really, now. Anyway, I’ll be nice and post the rest of the invite below the jump so people won’t think I’m being a jerk. Have a great event, but don’t have more fun that you would here in NYC. That would be rude.

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David Jaffe Wants YOU To Shoot Up Sweet Tooth. For Real.

Now here’s a ridiculously awesome promo for Sony’s upcoming Twisted Metal, coming to the PS3 on Valentine’s Day (as well as a farewell of sorts to the franchise by series creator David Jaffe).  I was planning to write something funny about this, but the press release is oh so much more succinct and yes, amusing – here’s a snippet:

In honor of Twisted Metal’s launch on PS3, we’ve aimed an M249-SAW at a real-life version of Sweet Tooth’s ice cream truck. On 2/14 and 2/15, we’re letting you pull the trigger by hitting a button on your computer.

That’s right. Fire a military-grade machine gun just by pressing your space bar.

It’s a two-day, shoot-till-the-truck-goes-up-in-a-gigantic-ball-of-flames-style internet spectacular. And it’s all happening live at http://www.shootmytruck.com.

Now, you KNOW everyone with a passing interest in firearms (yeah, this is America) is going to be all over this one. Heck, I bet it only takes a few minutes to blast that truck into scrap, er, Twisted Metal (ba-dum-bum!). Boogie on over to the Shoot My Truck website, watch the unedited version of the video above and sign up for your chance. U.S. of A. residents only, sorry!

Hanging Out With Adrianne Curry Will Make You Smarter, Smell Better And More Attractive To Others…

How so, you ask?  Well, besides being easy on the eyeballs, incredibly friendly and a great conversationalist about all things gaming related, she’ll make even the most fervent non-believer in science WISH human cloning were possible (and legal). I’ll let you think about that for a minute (tick-tock, tick-tock)… ahem. She’s also the spokesmodel for Erox, a new pheromone-based unisex body spray that’s now available online. I got to meet the lady herself last evening at the Eventi Hotel in NYC but actually spent more time chatting with and listening to Sanjay Sabnani, CEO of Crowdgather, who’s behind the development, marketing and launch of Erox.

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L’Arc-en-Ciel Celebrates 20th Anniversary With World Tour

OK, I’ll admit it, I’m not much of a fan, but I know people who love these guys to death and beyond. Besides, I’m not one to disparage anybody’s musical tastes, so here you go. Plus, some big press release news for you below the jump! Amusingly enough, I have the chance to send some interview questions to the band, but I can’t think of anything to offer other than big congratulations on being around for so long.

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Anime/Music/Manga (AM2) 2012 Coming To Anaheim In June

If you’re going to be in the Anaheim, CA area this June, why not make plans to attend the second Anime/Music/Manga Convention? This year, the event takes place at the Anaheim Convention Center and Hotels from June 15 – 17th and looks to be packed with just about anything an anime fan could want from film screenings to J-Pop concerts, video gaming, special guests galore and much more!. Basic admission is FREE, but in order to gain access to the concerts and primo seating at special events during the convention, attendees can purchase one to three-day Passports at prices ranging from $25 – $55 per person. In addition, the Convention Center’s hotel is offering deals on room rates that won’t break the bank.

For more details, definitely check out the official site and start working on that cosplay outfit!

The Art of Video Games Coming To The Smithsonian (And Maybe A Museum Near You)

With video gaming inescapably in the mainstream even more these days, they’re finally being recognized for their artistic merit on a few key fronts. From March 16 to September 30, 2012, the Smithsonian American Art Museum will host The Art of Video Games which will be comprised of a large selection of game artwork and along with a number of playable games. In addition, a number of other game-related events such as as panel discussions, concerts featuring music from game soundtracks and more are in the works. In addition, the show plans to hit the road and head into other US cities after September (see that link above for more details). I do wish t was headed into NYC rather than Yonkers, though. Nothing against the town, mind you (it’s quite lovely up there, last time I checked), but the Big Apple NEEDS to see that killing off every single one of its video game arcades was a terrible idea…

A complete list of what’s in the exhibit can be found HERE. You can also sign up to get more info about the show or other Smithsonian event using that link above or by going HERE. Kids, now you can drag your parents in and get them hooked all in the name of education. Given some of the titles chosen, I can see a lot of folks coming away with a new found respect for the medium…

EVENT: Babycastles Brings Indie Games To The Hayden Planetarium

Babycastles is doing it AGAIN, bringing indie gaming to the masses in a unique public setting with food and drink – check the invite below for details:

THURSDAY JANUARY 26 2012

RSVP

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