Ron Jeremy Says Videogames are Worse Than Porn for Kids

Speaking at “The Great Porn Debate” panel at CES 2010, sponsored by InternetSafety.com, adult actor Ron Jeremy said that videogames are worse for children than porn. The man known as The Hedgehog declared:

We don’t want kids to watch porn. [Studies have] found that violent video games are much bigger a negative influence on kids.

Connoisseurs of adult movies might remember that Jeremy starred in a Super Mario Bros. parody called Super Hornio Brothers. (Would that make this a case of biting the schlong that feeds you?) While it’s annoying that another public figure is denouncing videogames, Jeremy’s comments will be unfairly dismissed simply because of his profession.

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Today’s Poll: Do You Care About 3D Gaming?

3D televisions are getting a ton of coverage at CES 2010 and a lot of companies are using games to demo the new models. The reactions have been all over the place. Mainstream outlets are all over it — it actually weirded me out to see CES coverage on The Rachel Maddow Show — while enthusiast-gamer outlets are downplaying the trend.

A few of you mentioned that you aren’t big on 3D gaming, but I wanted to make it more formal and start a poll/discussion about the topic. As for me, I’m clearly in the “who gives a crap?” category when it comes to 3D gaming.

[poll id=”18″]

Google Nexus One Unable to Hold 3G Signal?

By most accounts, Google’s Nexus One is a fantastic phone that’s clearly the best Android handset on the market, but several users have been complaining about its ability to hold 3G signal. Numerous users on the Google Mobile Help Forum have been reporting that the Nexus One keeps bouncing between 3G and Edge signals. This leads to lower data throughput and decreased battery life. Several users have noted that they’re getting much better 3G data speeds on older T-Mobile phones, so it appears to be a hardware issue and not a network issue.

The problem can likely be fixed through a firmware update. Still, it’s not good that Google’s debut “superphone” has been problematic. The company is trying to change the way mobile phones are sold in America and a flawless review would have helped the effort.

Anyone happen to pick up a Nexus One? Are you having issues? If you were considering the phone, are you going to wait for a firmware update before buying?

CES 2010: AT&T Set for Life After iPhone Exclusivity?

It looks like AT&T is preparing to lose its exclusivity deal with Apple for the insanely popular iPhone. Just take a look at what went down at CES 2010 — the company announced that it will soon be carrying at least five phones using Google Android and at least one using Palm WebOS. In 2009 AT&T could afford to ignore both operating systems, simply because the iPhone was far more mature and popular than either. As WebOS and Android have matured — and presumably because AT&T knows that Apple will not be renewing its exclusive contract — AT&T has decided to round out its catalog with other smartphones.

Most rumors indicate that Apple and Verizon will be partnering in the second half of 2010 for a new iPhone. Verizon is the largest network in America and far more reliable than AT&T. It seems like a win-win situation for Apple, Verizon, and iPhone customers that want better service. Should this happen, AT&T would still be an Apple partner, but you can bet that a large number of its customers would jump to Verizon.

If you’re a current AT&T customer with an iPhone, would you jump to Verizon for the better service? If you’re in the market for a new phone, are you willing to wait to see if Verizon and Apple will team up? As for me, I’m seriously considering the Google Nexus One, but an iPhone on Verizon seems brilliant.

Facebook Gets “Connect” Vitamin Water

Joining rapper 50 Cent and useless rich person Paris Hilton, Facebook has inspired a flavor of Glaceau’s Vitamin Water. The “Connect” flavor features “8 key nutrients plus caffeine” to help you stay healthy and awake while reading other people’s Facebook profiles. It’s a little ridiculous, but you should click on this story just to see the full photo of the bottle.

I actually like Vitamin Water, but if I want caffeine, I’ll brew up some coffee. Even if it becomes the preferred drink of the digerati, I don’t think I’ll be buying Connect Vitamin Water. How about you?

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Coffee Talk #61: Most Wanted Games of 2010 #1 Heavy Rain

Welcome to Coffee Talk! Let’s start off the day by discussing whatever is on your (nerd chic) mind. Every morning I’ll kick off a discussion and I’m counting on you to participate in it. If you’re not feelin’ my topic, feel free to start a chat with your fellow readers and see where it takes you. Whether you’re talking about videogames, whether the Palm Pre can make it big in 2010, all these people from Alabama finally leaving LA, or Gilbert Arenas vs. Plaxico Burress in a shooting contest, Coffee Talk is the place to do it.

A lot of people would have figured that Final Fantasy XIII would have been my most-wanted game of 2010. That would have been a perfectly reasonable guess and I was definitely tempted to give it the top spot. To be totally honest, I actually want Quantic Dream’s Heavy Rain more than FFXIII.

I’m a big fan of Quantic Dream’s previous games. The company excels at interactive storytelling. Its last game, Indigo Prophecy, was brilliant. The game combined deep storytelling, outstanding acting, and fantastic music to create a unique mood. The downer was it was ugly as crap, looking like a game from the previous generation. Judging from the released videos and screens, Heavy Rain will not have this problem. I’m hoping that it will combine all the aspects of Quantic Dream’s previous games with bleeding-edge visuals.

Before I ask for your top pick for 2010, I have to note that there were a bunch of games that were so close to making the cut. God of War III, Pokemon Soul Silver (and Heart Gold), Super Street Fighter IV, Mass Effect 2, BioShock 2, 3D Dot Game Heroes, and The Last Guardian were all considered. This year is going to be so awesome for games!!!

Now, what’s your most wanted game of 2010?

Dragon Age: Is Duncan Still Alive? (Plus, a Poll!)

IGN recently conducted a fantastic interview with BioWare online produce Fernando Melo on Dragon Age: Awakenings. Aside from providing outstanding information on the expansion pack, Melo hinted that Duncan, the Grey Warden that recruited your character in Origins, is still alive. Melo said:

We also kind of hinted at it in the trailer — you do run into the actual ogre that killed the king and potentially killed your mentor as well.

Potentially killed, eh? Of course he’s still alive! This is a classic case of “if you didn’t find a corpse, then he’s not dead”. Duncan’s voice actor sounds old and wizened in Origins, but I’ve always thought that he’d make an awesome heel. I can’t wait for his full heel turn where he leads the darkspawn in Dragon Age: Duncan’s Revenge!

Let me know what you think and please leave an answer in this poll.

[poll id=”17″]

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Nippon Ichi’s Three Goals

Nippon Ichi Software, the developer and publisher of the excellent Disgaea series, has three goals for three of its upcoming games. The company is probably my favorite “small” developer/publisher in the business. I love its quirky and addictive games, so I hope the company can meet these three goals:

  1. One is aiming to sell a million copies.
  2. One is aiming to reach number 1 in Gemaga’s reader satisfaction ranking.
  3. One is aiming for a perfect score from the games press.

Prinny 4 life!!!

Source via Andriasang

Five Screens from Dragon Age: Awakening Expansion

Here are five screens from the upcoming Dragon Age: Awakening expansion pack. Highlights include a shot of The Architect and a spectral dragon. The new dragon looks totally cool. Based purely on looks, The Architect looks like a tool. There’s nothing menacing about a grinning undead dude. Hopefully his deeds are more dastardly.

Palm Pre and Pixi Head to Verizon, WebOS Gets 3D Gaming

Palm raised its WebOS game at CES 2010 through a hardware refresh and the introduction of 3D gaming. First up is the hardware; Verizon is getting the Palm Pre Plus and Palm Pixi Plus on January 25. These are enhanced versions of phones that were previously available on Sprint. Additions to the Pre Plus include an improved keyboard, a better slider mechanism, and an upgrade of memory to 16GB.

After dragging its feet on the WebOS SDK, Palm has finally released tools that allow game publishers to offer titles for the Pixi and Pre. The announced games include:

  • Need for Speed Undercover (EA Mobile)
  • The Sims 3 (EA Mobile)
  • Monopoly (EA Mobile)
  • Tetris (EA Mobile)
  • Sudoku (EA Mobile)
  • Scrabble (EA Mobile)
  • Asphalt 5: Elite Racing (Gameloft)
  • Let’s Golf! (Gameloft)
  • The Oregon trail (Gameloft)
  • Brain Challenge (Gameloft)
  • Glyder 2 (Glu Mobile)
  • X-Plane (Laminar Research)

It will be interesting to see how the mobile OS race turns out. Obviously Apple’s iPhone OS is the consumer leader and nobody is going to catch it. The business scene is dominated by RIM’s BlackBerry OS, but more and more consumers are turning to BlackBerry phones. Google’s Android is poised for huge growth in 2010. While Palm generated a ton of buzz at CES 2009, the execution has been middling. Perhaps getting on America’s largest network and offering better gaming options will give it a boost.

I know some of you use the Pre. Does 3D gaming on WebOS give you more faith in the platform? With the addition of the Pre Plus and Pixi Plus to Verizon, are any of you interested going with WebOS?