Attorney Jack Thompson, activist against games like Grand Theft Auto, could be disbarred

Yesterday a Miami-Dade Circuit Judge recommended that Coral Gables attorney Jack Thompson -- who has rallied against violent video games such as Bully and Grand Theft Auto -- be permanently disbarred.

Back in 2006, I covered the case where Thompson filed the public nuisance complaint against Take-Two Interactive, Wal-Mart and GameStop, that the video game Bully shouldn't be sold to Florida teenagers (It is rated suitable for anyone 13 or older. He called the game "a Columbine simulator" and said it shouldn't be sold to customers under 18.) The case was dismissed the following day.

You can read more details in the story by the Daily Business Review and at GamePolitics.com.

National Guitar Hero challenge coming to Florida

Hard Rock International is putting on a Guitar Hero competition where the best players compete across the nation at Guitar Hero: Aerosmith to win the grand prize of Steven Tyler's custom-designed Guitar Hero: Aerosmith / Hard Rock Cafe Red Wing motorcycle.

So for all of you Floridians who can shred on hard (Sadly, I still need more work on my orange-button skills), get ready to compete on July 20th at the Hard Rock Cafe in Orlando at 6 p.m., or on July 21st at the Hard Rock Cafe in Miami at 9 p.m. The top four scores across 15 markets get to showdown at the finale in Hard Rock Cafe Boston on August 25th.

Contest Schedule:
7/8/2008        Hard Rock Cafe Universal Citywalk          
7/9/2008        Hard Rock Cafe San Diego             
7/14/2008       Hard Rock Cafe Houston
7/15/2008       Hard Rock Cafe New Orleans
7/20/2008       Hard Rock Cafe Orlando
7/21/2008       Hard Rock Cafe Miami
7/23/2008       Hard Rock Cafe Atlanta
7/27/2008       Hard Rock Cafe Washington, DC
7/28/2008       Hard Rock Cafe New York
7/30/2008       Hard Rock Cafe Detroit
7/31/2008       Hard Rock Cafe Chicago
8/5/2008         Hard Rock Cafe Denver
8/6/2008         Hard Rock Cafe Salt Lake City
8/10/2008       Hard Rock Cafe Phoenix
8/13/2008       Hard Rock Cafe San Francisco
8/25/2008       Hard Rock Cafe Boston (finale event)

For more details visit http://www.guitarherogame.com/ghaerosmith/hardrocktour

UF tests if video games help grandma's mental sharpness

The University of Florida is testing if mental sharpness is improved for seniors that play video games. I've heard of this idea before. Plus, Nintendo DS's Brain Age -- a game with short mental puzzles -- targets commercials to older adults, implying that playing games makes you less forgetful.

I'm sure playing Halo may keep granny mentally fit, but do all seniors have the patience to play these games? I think simple, short puzzle games like Brain Age are great for keeping the mind sharp, but I doubt doctors are going to start saying, "Play two hours of Guitar Hero and call me in the morning." Because it's a generation that might not have the patience to learn how to play.

However, my generation learned to walk with a controller in one hand and a sippy cup in the other. We'll probably be having Mario Kart tournaments at our nursing homes. So if video games help the mind, then I suppose our generation will have less forgetful moments in our senior years, theoretically speaking.

The University of Central Florida has a broader study going on now to see if video games help people with alcohol and substance abuse problems.

My colleague John Dorschner has the full story, which you can read here: 2 Fla. schools to test video games' health effects.

First to get GTA IV at Hialeah Best Buy

Gotta love hardcore Grand Theft Auto fans. Deiven Gil, center, with his cousin, Andres Gil, holding the poster, was first in line at Best Buy's Hialeah store to buy three copies of Grand Theft Auto IV. They arrived at the store at 8:30 p.m. to wait for the midnight opening to be first to own the new game.

I wonder if they ever went to bed, or if they are still playing as I write this post...

Did you also wait in line for the midnight release? Did you reserve a copy to avoid the line? Post a comment and tell me about it.

[Photo by Marice Cohn Band/Miami Herald Staff]

South Florida gears up for Grand Theft Auto IV at midnight

It's here. Grand Theft Auto IV comes out at midnight tonight, and several GameStop and Best Buy stores are having midnight releases for the game. I've already spoken to several excited folks outside of GameStop stores today -- not waiting yet, just doing extra shopping before they come back at midnight.

If you want to be part of the hype, the following stores are open at midnight. Or if you want to wait, Circuit City is giving a $10 gift card for every GTA IV preorder purchase.

Here are the Best Buy stores that will be opening at midnight tonight:

Boca Raton [map]
Dadeland [map]
Hialeah [map]
Pembroke Pines [map]
Sawgrass [map]
West Kendall [map]

And here's a list of Broward and Miami-Dade County GameStop stores with midnight openings:

Aventura
20533 Biscayne Blvd, Ste E6 Aventura FL (305) 466-3606

Coral Springs
9160-A Wiles Rd. Coral Springs FL (954) 340-6504
9469 West Atlantic Blvd. Space #9145 Coral Springs FL (954) 757-3300
6067 Coral Ridge Drive Coral Springs FL (954) 341-3779
1158 N University Dr Coral Springs FL (954) 575-5622

Davie
2140 S.University Drive Davie FL (954) 452-2993
5810 S. University Dr., Bay 118-119 Davie FL (954) 252-1531
15641 Sheridan St., Unit 400 Davie FL (954) 680-3018

Doral
8684 NW 13 Terrace Doral FL (305) 513-4112

Florida City
33521 S Dixie Hwy., Suite 6 Florida City FL (786) 243-9123

Fort Lauderdale
1935 Cordova Rd Fort Lauderdale FL (954) 779-2225

Hialeah
961 E. 8th Ave. Hialeah FL (305) 805-1881
2451 W. 68th St. Bay 1 Hialeah FL (305) 556-1163
18486 Nw 67th Ave Hialeah FL (305) 817-9796
17742 Nw 57th Ave Hialeah FL (305) 558-7750
1001 West 49th St. Bay #7 Hialeah FL (786) 313-0303
1645 West 49th Street, Space 1348 Hialeah FL (305) 827-4440
585a W 49th St, Ste A Hialeah FL (305) 556-8893

Hollywood
4905 Sheridan St. Hollywood FL (954) 894-0533
3251 Hollywood Blvd Suite 270 Hollywood FL (954) 985-6506

Homestead
927 N Homestead Blvd Homestead FL (305) 248-0263

Lauderhill
5405 N. University Lauderhill FL (954) 747-6691
7550 W Commercial Blvd Lauderhill FL (954) 746-8400

Margate
5584 W. Sample Rd. Margate FL (954) 917-8717
5499 W Atlantic Blvd Margate FL (954) 968-2088

Miami
265 SW 8th Street Miami FL (305) 854-3072
401 Biscayne Blvd, S-139 Miami FL (305) 358-7725
581 Ne 79th St, Ste 219 Miami FL (305) 758-7373
6520 NW 186th St. Miami FL (305) 821-7883
1060 SW 67th Avenue Miami FL (305) 269-0334
11401 NW 12th St. Unit E-416 Miami FL (786) 331-8080
8321 W. Flagler St. Miami FL (305) 267-9997
8743 SW 24th St. Suite J Miami FL (305) 227-3795
11401 Nw 12th St., Space 122 Miami FL (305) 591-0858
5709 Nw 7th St Miami FL (305) 264-6404
14140 Sw 8th St Miami FL (305) 552-5992
8314 Mills Drive Miami FL (305) 270-8831
9338 SW 56th St. Miami FL (305) 598-5152
13125 SW 89th Place Miami FL (305) 238-3488
9540 SW 160th St Miami FL (305) 232-0412
15781 Southwest 152nd, Space C-4 Miami FL (786) 293-9134
8888 Howard Drive, Sw 136th St. Sp 434 Miami FL (305) 251-5517
13925 Sw 88th St Miami FL (305) 752-1330
7086 Sw 117th Ave Miami FL (305) 275-8024
12538 Sw 120th St Miami FL (305) 233-3000

Miami Gardens
19807 Northwest 2nd Ave Miami Gardens FL (305) 249-0470

Miami Beach
13631 Biscayne Blvd. Bay #8 N. Miami Beach FL (305) 354-7112

Miramar
16383 Miramar Pkwy Miramar FL (954) 436-8011

North Miami
12121 Biscayne Blvd North Miami FL (305) 899-8032
1453 NE 163rd Street North Miami Beach FL (305) 945-4146

Oakland Park
821 E. Commercial Blvd. Oakland Park FL (954) 491-8550

Parkland
7031 N State Road 7, Ste 3b Parkland FL (954) 575-5656

Pembroke Pines
11401 Pines Boulevard Space 806 Pembroke Pines FL (954) 433-9332
612 N. University Dr. Pembroke Pines FL (954) 392-4043
10900 Pines Blvd. Pembroke Pines FL (954) 392-3838
15707 Pines Blvd. Pembroke Pines FL (954) 435-3413
11401 Pines Blvd., Suite 442 Pembroke Pines FL (954) 392-6040

Pinecrest
9065 S Dixie Hwy Pinecrest Postal Store FL (305) 667-1688

Plantation
6973 W Broward Blvd Plantation FL (954) 584-4776
8227 W. Sunrise Blvd. Plantation FL (954) 236-9746

Pompano Beach
2223 SW 2nd St Pompano Beach FL (954) 984-8144
2101 N Federal Hwy, Ste D-105 Pompano Beach FL (954) 782-2525

Sunrise
13775 W. Sunrise Blvd., Sunrise Blvd & NW 136 Avenue Sunrise FL (954) 838-9670

Weston
143 Weston Rd Weston FL (954) 762-6800
4509 Weston Rd Weston FL (954) 349-2434

Women & family Wii event at Dadeland Best Buy on Sunday

I wish I wasn't going out of town this weekend. There's a female-friendly Wii event at the Dadeland Best Buy this Sunday where they will be giving away Nintendo Wii consoles and other prizes.

I've always been a gamer because I grew up playing Sega Genesis games with my brother. And several of my girlfriends frequently play video games. So I find it interesting when people make a big deal about females playing games, but then again there are more games being created that women favor, such as puzzle games and role-playing games. The gender gap has certainly narrowed.

According to the Entertainment Software Association, females spend an average of two hours more per week playing games than they did a year ago. And we're not too far off from men: the average adult woman plays games 7.4 hours per week, and the average adult man plays for 7.6 hours. But only 38 percent of total game players are women.

Here are the details of the Best Buy event:

Where: Best Buy at 8450 South Dixie Highway

When: Sunday, March 30th from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.

What's going on: Female-friendly opportunities to play games, get more information on family gaming and learn more about women and gaming trends. There will be hourly drawing to win gift cards to spas, Best Buy and Nintendo Wii consoles.

Interview with co-founder of GameFly about the changing industry

A few days back I wrote a post about the spike of video game sales (games and consoles) in February. Well I got a chance to sit down and talk with the co-founder of GameFly about just that. In today's Tech Tuesday you'll find a Q & A with Sean Spector. He talks about the company, as well as how games are becoming more mainstream.

If you haven't seen the commercials, GameFly is like a Netflix for games where you pay a subscription to rent video games through the mail.

Video game sales are up. Are you playing more?

Video game hardware and software sales went up 34 percent for February. According to the AP story, it's higher than analysts expected.

But it's no surprise to me. Television has been uber yawn lately because of the writer's strike, so more people rely on video games for entertainment. Then there's the hot genre of games like Wii Sports, Guitar Hero and Rock Band that become great for party entertainment for people who aren't big video-game players.

Have your video game playing or spending habits changed? Have you signed up for GameFly, which is like Netflix for video games? I know I've been playing more than in years past, and I'm dying to get Rock Band for my next party.

Dell makes World of Warcraft-themed computer

To all WoW-aholics: Behold! The Dell XPS M1730 World of Warcraft Edition notebook computer!

OK, you can resume breathing now.

This 17-inch HD widescreen notebook becomes available on Tuesday December 11th on Dell.com/gaming. But if you're a WoW gamer and pre-registered for early access during the "It Begins" quest, then you can buy it today. Dell partnered with Blizzard Entertainment to create this notebook, which includes the following:

• World of Warcraft and World of Warcraft: The Burning Crusade
• Quest envelope with access to exclusive items and opportunities
• Desktop background art and screensavers

It also comes with a WoW-themed backpack that includes:

• Warcraft Battle Chest (which has Warcraft III: Reign of Chaos and Warcraft III: Frozen Throne)
• Brady Games strategy guides for World of Warcraft, The Burning Crusade, Warcraft III and The Frozen Throne
• DVD with "The Making of WoW"

This serious WoW package starts at $4,499. As far as the specs go, Dell says the system includes NVIDIA SLI graphics power and 512 MB of dedicated video RAM with DirectX 10 realism. But if you want Dell's top-of-the-line gaming processors and hard drives, you'll have to pay for an upgrade.

Here's a video about the computer from Dell's vlog:

Midnight Madden '08

I'll admit it. I've been to my share of midnight releases. Movies, games... and yes, even for the latest Harry Potter book. But I've never been to a release party for a football game. Looks like now's my chance.

Madden NFL '08 is going on sale at 12:01 a.m. on Tuesday Aug. 14. GameStop will be hosting "Midnight Madness Parties" at most of its stores starting at 11 p.m.

Two Best Buy stores here will also be opening up at Midnight. One in Hialeah at 4001 W. 20th Ave. The other in West Kendall at 12495 SW 88th St.

Best Buy hasn't made announcements of stores participating in Broward County, but I'm checking on that. But if you are one of the first 50 people at the Hialeah or West Kendall store, you get a free Madden T-shirt.

UPDATE: Just confirmed from Best Buy that those are the only two stores opening at Midnight in South Florida. Broward folks can head over to GameStop.

Microsoft's statement on Xbox 360 lawsuit

Xbox 360 disc scratch lawsuit update: Heidi Schulz, who is a media relations representative for Microsoft, sent me the following statement from Microsoft officials: "We've only just learned of this lawsuit, so we haven't had time to evaluate it. However, out of the millions of Xbox consoles in use, Microsoft has not received any widespread reports of Xbox 360s scratching disks."

Another "ring of death" for Xbox 360

Just when you thought it couldn't get worse for Xbox, today an attorney in Fort Lauderdale has filed a suit claiming that Microsoft's Xbox 360 causes "destructive scratches" to the games, and is asking Microsoft to pay for all the games it ruins.

I spoke with the layer who filed the case and he said it's a problem with the laser that reads the game. And his case sites that more than 1,000 Dutch customers made these complaints in February of this year, and a Dutch television program called Kassa investigated the complaints and found that the lasers do damage disks. It damaged the disks when the console was moved during play, and sometimes when it was stationary. It also states that Microsoft Netherlands acknowledged there can be a problem.

You can read the complaint here: Download Complaint.pdf

Here is a video from Kassa's report.

The attorney says Microsoft does not warn users to not move the position of the console during play. You can read my story about it here. If the "Red Ring of Death" wasn't bad enough, now there's talk of the laser causing a damaging ring around the game.

Many other sites that talk about this damage, like llamma.com.