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Video games are almost as dangerous to public health as cigarettes?

According to a new study that will be featured in the Journal of Adolescent Health, "Exposure to violent electronic media has a larger effect than all but one other well known threat to public health." And what exactly is that threat, you ask? "Cigarette smoking."

According to L. Rowell Huesmann of the University of Michigan, "The research clearly shows that exposure to virtual violence increases the risk that both children and adults will behave aggressively."

And yet, Mr. Huesmann and the gang only cite their proof from a collection of studies performed over the past 50 years. And while this may prove to be somewhat helpful in maintaining their fight against "violent" video games, I think it has everything to do with a fear of change. After all, movies and other forms of media were cited in his study, and yet Huesmann focused on video games.

Invariably, the fight against video games always comes down to a discussion on children and what the future of this world will look like if children stay in constant contact with interactive violence. But unfortunately for these anti-video game zealots, the numbers don't back up their arguments.

Simply put, these people have no clue.… Read more

Doof mixes up Flash Web games with just about everything

Doof is a new Flash games service that's attempting to give people single and multplayer Flash gaming in one spot with a creative spin. Doof takes a virtual desktop approach to managing a playspace, with floating windows the likes of some Web OS services we've looked at. You can have as many opened up as you'd like, and they can be minimized, organized, and tweaked to look any way you want. When actually playing a game, however, it'll take control of your screen, darkening everything else on your Webtop.

The smattering of games is what makes … Read more

First 'Rock Band'-related eviction threat issued

If you're going to have an all-night Rock Band session, make sure to invite your neighbors over for some of the fun. Or at least warn them before cranking it up.

According to the Rock Band message boards, two tenants of an apartment complex in Oregon were issued a 10-day notice to stop rocking so hard or move out.

Causational hypotheses on the message boards range from lame non-metal-loving neighbors, poor soundproofing in the ceiling, and good old-fashioned inconsideration.

The image of the notice that appears on the message boards is very blurry, perhaps due to the amount of … Read more

120-inch arcade center might eat your home

When it's not trying to bring back '70s-style game cabinets, Dream Arcades thinks big--as in systems with screens reaching 100-plus inches. And the strides made by display makers in the last year or two apparently have done nothing but encourage its mission.

The "Dreamcade Vision 120" isn't just a game system; it's an arcade center. In fact, Gizmowatch calls it "the world's largest multi-game home arcade," a grandiose claim that almost makes its $3,999 price tag seem reasonable. Almost.

Its projection screen is a full 120 inches of high-definition goodness and … Read more

'Halo' theme song coming to 'Guitar Hero III'

What do you get when you cross two of the most popular video game franchises in history, Halo and Guitar Hero?

According to the video game blog Joystiq, you get a free downloadable copy of the Halo theme song, available Thursday to owners of Guitar Hero III: Legends of Rock.

Apparently, some people thought the Halo theme song would be included with Guitar Hero II, but they were wrong. And now, instead of coming included with the third iteration of the franchise, it's being offered as a free download.

We're talking about video game royalty here, folks. Many hundreds of … Read more

USB basketball, the ultimate in productivity

Finally, a USB gadget that's actually useful. We had pretty much given up on the one-time novel plug-and-play desktop devices until they became so common that practically anything that required electricity was being turned into a USB product. Thanko's recently released aromatherapy treatment was probably a new all-time low.

The "USB Hoops Basketball Game" is a undeniable exception to that trend, the first USB-worthy item in recent memory. Our only quibble is the obvious missed opportunity: The game keeps score on its own digital display, but the USB connection could have been used to create all … Read more

Getting cash for crashed gadgets

Tech recycling services traditionally are either free or charge you a fee for trying to keep old gear out of landfills. But as long as you're cleaning out closets to make room for another season of gifts, you could finance some of your holiday shopping by sending tired tech toys to a service that will pay for them.

The new BuyMyTronics, (via EcoGeek) from the same people behind BuyMyBrokeniPod, will accept game consoles from a GameBoy to an Xbox, as well as iPods and iPhones. According to the site's online estimate, a dead Wii in the original box … Read more

Wii Zapper: Hands-on review

If you grew up with a Nintendo Entertainment System in your house, then you no doubt remember the Zapper, the gray (or bright orange) light gun that let you shoot at ducks, bulls-eyes, and banditos. After almost 20 years, Nintendo has brought the Zapper, at least in name, to the Nintendo Wii. It's available in stores today for just $20, and it includes a free game, Link's Crossbow Training.

Instead of a light gun, the Wii Zapper is a simple gun-shaped plastic shell that houses the Wii remote and nunchuk attachment for use in certain shooting games. Simple, … Read more