Are you a Rhythm Gamer? Guitar Hero god? Completed Physcobilly Freakout on iNSANE? nicely done. However real guitar players have long since derided these accomplishments as “button pushing” and other less savory terms.

File Rock Band, Guiatr Hero and Dance Dance Revolution into the same catagory. Follow instructions on a screen to get better in a very specific set of tasks. I love those games. I beat my friends who are much better dancers than I am in DDR, but it doesn’t translate to real life. And that has alway left gamers at a disadvantage.

Enter Rocksmith. A game where you plug your real guitar into your Xbox 360 or Playstation 3 or even your PC! It comes with a cord with a 1.4 inch jack on one hand and a USB jack on the other.

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Tags: Games, guiatr bundle, guitar hero, learning guitar with video games, PC, Playstation 3, rhythm games, rock band, rocksmith, Xbox 360

When Netflix raised their prices, people were outraged. Many dropped the service, feeling it was too expensive to keep receiving DVDs in the mail. So, to try and get rid of the confusion, get back some old customers, and grab some new ones, Netflix is making some drastic changes.

One of the changes they did to infuriate customers, was splitting up the streaming movie service and DVD-by-mail service. So what they are going to do, is completley change the name of DVD-by-mail service, which will be called “Qwikster.” Netflix will still keep the name, however, it will only be for the streaming videos. Their will also be a change in your credit card statement, but the prices will stay the same.

For me, the best part is what they are adding to the service. Not too long ago, I wrote an article, Gamefly vs. Redbox, that talked about how Redbox started video game rentals. What will be known as Qwikster, will not only be using the DVD-by-mail service, but they will be giving into the video game rentals. Many customers having been wanting this service for years. At this time, there is no information as to when this will start and the price of the service. It is great to hear that they are going ahead and trying this out. Now that Netflix will be doing game rentals, it will be another company to add to the list of companies who give the same service. Since Netflix is a popular name, they might have a better chance of succeeding.

This comes to light after Reed Hastings, Co-Founder and CEO of Netflix, released a statement on the Netflix Blog , explaining the changes that have happened and that are coming. Many comments about this blog are showing disagreement on all the changes. Some explain the problems it will cause. Only time will tell how well this new system will work

Netflix Adding Video Games Rentals, Spawning Spin-off Qwikster. 

Tags: blog, credit card, DVD, gameboy, Gamefly, Games, mail, movies, Netflix, nintendo, playstation, Qwikster, reedbox, streaming, visa, Xbox

A week ago, Sony shut down the PlayStation Network, stating that it was for maintenance, and that it would only last no more than two days. Finally the truth came out…PSN was hacked, and personal information was compromised. Although, Sony is still unsure whether or not the credit card information of all the users was jeopardized.

In a recent post on Playstaion’s blog site, Patrick Seybold, who is Sr. Director of Corporate Communications & Social Media, released a statement reassuring users that the company is working around the clock to resolve the issues. He goes on to elaborate on the situation, what they are doing to fix the security problems, and also informs you on what to do to prevent further damage to your information.

Sony suspected that Anonymous, a group well-known for their hacking ability, was at fault. However, a statement was released by the group saying, ”While it could be the case that other Anons have acted by themselves, AnonOps was not related to this incident and does not take responsibility for whatever has happened.”

With PlayStation Network being shut down, Microsoft could get a boost in sales. Despite the fact that PSN has been running for over 4 years, Xbox Live has been running for almost 9 years, never having any type of security breach. And although you can never anticipate the situation that Sony is in right now, it sure is making Microsoft look really good.

Tags: Anonymous, credit card, Games, hack, Microsoft, News, playstation, PSN, sony, Xbox

Pac-Man lovers of the world are coming together to construct The biggest maze for Pac-man to get through. Everybody can be a part of this. If you have some creativity that you feel needs to be released, go check out the World’s Biggest Pac-Man. Make sure to take some time and play, see how many boards you could clear.

Tags: Games, Ghosts, maze, Namco, pac-man, puzzle

Have you ever thought about drinking Appletinis while smacking Bowser around? Or maybe play some Call of Duty while sipping on a Jolly Rancher. Well, the idea has come to life in Brisbane, Australia. The Mana Bar, located in the Fortitude Valley section, has brought the concept of gaming and cocktails together. They opened their doors last year, not knowing how it will turn out. It has become such a success, that game developers have used The Mana Bar For promotional and launching purposes.  They are now ready to celebrate with a 1-year Anniversary party. What makes this bar even better, is the drink menus. All the drinks are based on video games. Everything from “Princess Peach” to “Finish Him.” They’re doing so well, they are ready to expand their locations, hoping to expand internationally. Hopefully The Mana Bar will make it here so I can enjoy such a treat.

Tags: Austrailia, Call of Duty, cocktails, drinks, Games, Jolly Rancher, super mario

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On Today’s Show: Cars, Tests, Games, Apple, Coffee, Cell Phones, AND 2008

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Announcements

• Adopt a Newb in Full Swing.
  • You ask I answer. Social Networks and Marketing you content

Real News Bytes

• Rube Goldberg Contest 2008
• Big Apple v Apple. Logo faceoff
• Chevy Volt, going the extra mile for better batteries
• Computer Science AP AB Test goes away
• Steven King… Is on the side of gamers
• Blogging is stressful

Tech Cruft

• 1st Cell phone call made 35 years ago? And no he wasn’t driving
• Ask and ye shall receive. I knew this was coming Soundtrack shirt to the rescue
• Coat Hanger Art, Reuse, and recycle
• Keyboard Art, Viper style
• The new erector set, Hydrodynamic fun
• Science and drugs, top 5 bits of trivia
• Tattoo paper, for the timid
• Whats is old is new again. Commodore 64 anyone?

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• Serve yourself at Starbucks
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Tags: AND 2008, apple, Cars, Cell Phones, Coffee, Games, Tests