WebProNews

Jeff Gerstmann Returns With A Giant Bomb

GameSpot and CNET see their favorite fired game reviewer return with a rival gaming blog and a ton of street cred.

Minors Able To Buy Violent Video Games Online

Children are able to purchase violent video games illegally through online auction sites according to the UK based Trading Standards Institute.Nearly 90 percent of online retailers tested offered violent video games to children who were under 18. Games that were purchased included Manhunt, Grand Theft Auto, Godfather and Hitman, all of which are rated 18 and over because of violent content.Welsh Heads of Trading Standards (WHOTS) conducted the investigation. Six local authorities used volunteers between the ages of 12 and 16, to purchase 18 -rated video games online.

Byron Review Will Affect UK's Game Ratings

Late last year, the British Prime Minister asked a clinical psychologist to look at the risks the Internet and video games pose to children.  Dr. Tanya Byron has now come back with several suggestions that the government has said it will follow.

In-Game Ads To Reach $650 Million

The U.S. in-game advertising spending will increase from $295 million in 2007 to $650 million in 2012 according to projections from eMarketer.Video game software and hardware sales will increase to $21 billion in 2012, up from $15.8 billion in 2007. "At a time when other sectors of the digital entertainment industry are struggling with lagging sales and rampant piracy, the US video game business is booming," says Paul Verna, eMarketer Senior Analyst.

Video Game Growth To Decrease

Video game growth in the U.S. is expected to slow in 2008 according to the Consumer Electronics Association.

Violent Video Games Easy For Kids To Buy

Nearly all stores (94%) say they have policies in place to prevent children under 17 from purchasing M-rated (mature) video games, but close to 50 percent of the time secret shoppers were able to buy such games according to the National Institute on Media and the Family.

Parents Pass On Playing Video Games With Kids

Eight out of ten children between the ages of 4 and 17 frequently play computer or video games, according to a new poll from AOL Games and the Associated Press.

Study Examines Video Game "Addiction"

Harris Interactive has released a report documenting its findings from a recent study evaluating the prevalence of video game addiction among youth. There is skepticism, however, surrounding how Harris defined the term “addiction” when conducting the survey. It looks like Harris Interactive has finally managed to accomplish a feat that has baffled physical and mental health professionals for decades; they have defined addiction.

Take Two Looks To Squash Nuisance Suits

Noted video game opponent Jack Thompson is at it again, looking to block the distribution of Manhunt 2 and Grand Theft Auto IV, both scheduled to be released later this year by Take Two. The popular game distributor, however, is now looking to launch a preemptive strike against Thompson to ensure timely release of these titles.

Video Game Search Engine Eyes U.S. Launch

In a new round of capital funding, Wazap has received an additional $7.9 million as part of its effort to expand its presence into the United States. Currently, the gaming search engine is only available in the Chinese, Japanese, and German languages, respectively.