Look ma! No hands!

As this video shows, Microsoft unveiled an amazing new technology for its Xbox 360 platform. It's called Project Natal...and it looks amazing! Have a look...

My Xbox now has a blog

In a geeky turn of events, I decided to let my Xbox 360 get its own blog. Yes, my Xbox now blogs. On its own. By itself.

"What on Earth would your Xbox blog about?" you ask? Simple. It talks about the games I play! Check it out!

Mass Effect Conversation T-Shirt!

This is too cool not to share! So I've been playing Mass Effect on my Xbox 360. It's a sci-fi role playing game and it's quite an immersive, deep game with plot twists, side quests, and a great storyline. Love it.

The method used to select conversation choices is very easy, with all choices as a "spoke" on a wheel. It's so effective it becomes second nature.

That being said, I decided to see what if there was anything on Zazzle that was Mass Effect related. I found this shirt, which is a template that allows you to change each text option. Check it out!

Conversation choices template by CustomGameShirts
See other Xbox T-Shirts

I got it on wiiBay!

I got it on wiiBay
by
ecaggiani
Get this custom shirt at Zazzle

Get your Xbox Gamertag on a t-shirt!

Go to this page and enter your gamertag, gamer score, and upload an avatar and five game icons. Totally customize this shirt with your personal info!

Sorry folks, apparently this shirt has been removed due to copyright issues. But here are some other cool gaming related t-shirt sites I found:

CustomGameShirts
PlayFish
GameZone
CasuallyHardcore
Strk3

Jack Thompson - GTA 4 Mission "clearly a reference to me"

GamePolitics.com reports that lawyer/crusader for video game legislation Jack Thompson is saying that Rockstar Games has put him in their next Grand Theft Auto game...as a target to kill. He is threatening to sue and try to block the sale of the game if he is not removed from the game.

Well, first, he is apparently not mentioned in the game. There is simply a lawyer character who believes in banning violent video games. Jack Thompson is sure it's a jab at him.

"...the fact that the lawyer, killed on Niko's first mission, would bring up video games, makes it clearly a reference to me..."

Hmmm, you know, come to think of it, I could be mistaken for Mario...maybe I should sue. Come on, Mr. Thompson. Seriously? The fact that the Florida Bar had to impose disciplinary action on you, and that you lost your license to practice law in Alabama says to me you're basically an idiot.

I wasn't planning on buying GTA 4, but now I may do so just so I can play that mission and pretend it's you.

Guitar Hero II - It goes to eleven

How much fun can you have playing a video game without killing anything? Amazingly, quite a lot.

Guitar Hero II for the Xbox 360 is the latest installment of the popular Guitar Hero franchise. For around $90 you get the game and a plastic Gibson Explorer guitar. Start the game and start jamming! GH2 is a rythym/timing game where notes fly at you and when they cross a certain point, you play them on the guitar. Miss enough notes and you fail the song.

The magic of GH2 is in the music and presentation. The HD video is great, and the music is even better. You get to play such classics as "War Pigs" by Black Sabbath, "Carry on Wayward Son" by Kansas, and "YYZ" by Rush. Freakin' sweet!

In easy mode, you only use 3 of the 5 fret buttons on the guitar, and few, if any, chords (holding down 2 or more buttons at once). In medium mode, you use 4 buttons, and more chords. I haven't gotten past medium mode, so I'm not sure how hard or expert mode fares, but I'm sure it's not simple!

Since I play real guitar, I wondered if this game would feel, well, cheesy. To my pleasant surprise, I actually felt like I was jamming with a band on stage. It's that cool. The whammy bar on the guitar also helps up the coolness factor.

Well, enough of my yappin'. Time to jam.

Tepito: Crime Fighting the Silicon Valley Way

Engadget reports on an interesting way to bring crime down in the little Mexican town of Tepito, apparently known for it's high crime rate. The new mayor of Tepito, apparently a forward thinker, decided to hand out PC's and Xboxes in exchange for weaponry.

Let me repeat: They are handing out PC's and Xboxes...In exchange for weaponry...PC's...And Xboxes...For weapons.

Ok, so the idea is to cut down the violence by getting rid of high caliber street weapons such as machine guns (worth one $700 PC) and hand guns (worth an old Xbox...NOT the 360). The lucky gangsta's who receive the loot will hopefully stay inside and play games or go online (do they have Internet in Tepito?), instead of shooting people on the streets.

Now I see a lot of room for abuse of this system. I mean, I would certainly turn in my gun to get a PC, go online and find an old gun on eBay, and get another PC. Do this enough times and I could start my own "Dell" in Tepito...I'd name it "Del", and the marketing practically writes itself: "Del - Las Computadoras de Tepito, Ahora sin balas" (which translates to "Del - Computers from Tepito, now without bullets")

Ok, so it might still need some work. But this entire concept really sounds like it will start an entire new form of currency.

"One taco, a side of guacamole, and beans. That will be a .38 and 10 bullets please."

"You got change for a .45?"

I gotta run...need to plan my next trip down to Mexico.

Bauer Power

It's been a while since I posted something. I've been too busy playing on my Xbox 360 (thanks, honey!)

So for all you 24 fans, here's a little something I whipped up.

Bauer Power
by
ecaggiani

Get this custom t-shirt at Zazzle

Best wife EVER!

So I have to say that I have the best wife in the world. Why? Is it because she is beautiful? Is it because she loves me unconditionally? No. It's because SHE GOT ME AN XBOX 360 for my birthday!

She asked me at one point what I wanted, and I said I wanted an Xbox, but she said, and I quote, "I'm NOT gonna get you ANOTHER way to play video games!"

Well at that point, I thought the only way I'd ever get one is to buy it myself and risk a few days of rolling eyes and "whatever" glances.

But she surprised me. She decided that it's MY birthday and I should get what I want :-)

Now if THAT doesn't make her the best wife ever, I don't know what does!