Well, since Uwe Boll seems phsyically unbeatable we may have to resort to other tactics.

Stride Gum has agreed to give one million packs of gum to the signers of the Stop Uwe Boll petition. While it's impressive, (and who really doesn't love free gum?) Uwe Boll has agreed to stop making films if one million folks actually sign the online petition. The catch? You've only got until May 14th to pull it off.

So, here is the call to action PlayStationites. It's time to stop the Uwe Boll insanity with the mere click of a mouse. It may be to late to stop Postal, but, perhaps, it could be the last Uwe movie to grace the silver screen.

• Sign the Stop Uwe Boll Petition

Bloodrayne, Alone in the Dark, House of the Dead, and the upcoming Postal have already tarnished the good name of videogames... won't you help stop the assault on gamer culture?

[Source: Stop Uwe Boll]

Despite how many people cry, "the console wars are silly," there is a legitimate need for comparison. If there are multiple versions of a game on multiple platforms, which should you buy?

My fellow About.com guide Eric Qualls, for example, weighed in on the differences between the Xbox 360 version of GTA IV and the PS3 one in an honest effort to answer which is better (for the record I disagree and think the PS3 version is prettier and has better controls, but I have to admit that XBL achievements are an advantage).

Much of the arguing going on over PS3 vs. Xbox 360 is hype and fanboy-ism, which is not necessarily bad, but some of it is deception. GameTrailers seems to have been caught red handed comparing an exciting Xbox 360 version of a new racing game called GRID to a boring PS3 version. In their trailer the Xbox 360 version has sweet dynamic crashes, and the PS3 has less exciting physics. What's the big deal? Both used PS3 game footage.

PS3 Fanboy has the video up, despite the fact that GameTrailers has taken it off of their site. In the real world this type of thing gets called "fraud." Legally it could be considered product libel, that is an effort to damage the reputation of a product using false information. Product libel can be very hard to prove, but in this case the falsity is obvious and Sony could have a strong case against GameTrailers should they decide to pursue litigation on behalf of the PS3's reputation.

I have an email in to GameTrailers.com in which I offer to print their response, we'll have to wait and see if they want to clear it up. For all we know it was a benign error... but who knows, perhaps the conspiracy theorists are right and GameTrailers.com is out to get the PS3.

[Source: PS3Fanboy]

I'm a bit surprised by the lack of games in the wake of GTA IV. I figured with that many people in games stores, and a decent possibility that GTA IV might be sold out, that I'd stock the shelves with all sorts of games, including ones easily confused with the real deal by hapless grandparents. Let's see, perhaps New York City Bad Guys, to dupe customers who may be shopping via description and not title, or how about Grand Time Alone a game where you drive around and empty town in a challenge to do good deeds... tougher than you think in a world without people. Hmmm, now why do I have such a hard time getting my games made.

PlayStation 3 New Releases:

• None

PlayStation 2 New Releases:

• 5/5 - SNK Arcade Classics Volume 1 - Check Prices
• 5/6 - The Dog Island - Check Prices

One of the things universities do is various forms of research. What many folks don't realize is how much of that gets turned into commercial products. For that reason you may be a bit surprised to find out that Oxford University will be getting a cut of the GTA IV fortune, oh and two other little games soon to come out: Star Wars: The Force Unleashed and the new Indiana Jones game.

You see, two clever Oxford graduates took research in natural human and animal movement from the zoology department and used it in the Euphoria game engine. Euphoria doesn't rely on pre-scripted character animation and creates very realistic movement. The computer can calculate how characters should be interacting with any given environment.

In order to get their engine to market Torsten Reil and Colm Massey teamed up with the University’s technology transfer company to help start their business Natural Motion, and as a result the university retains a share of their work. While arrangements can vary wildly, I know that it is not uncommon for a university to keep half or more of the profit from companies spun off of a college's research or that used the school's resources to get started.

Next time you're wondering what universities do with all your tuition money just remember, they help build games like Grand Theft Auto IV.

[Oxford Student Newspaper]

The most anticipated game of the season, Grand Theft Auto IV, has shipped today. Hopefully you pre-ordered it, or have an unscrupulous friend at GameStop who held a copy under the counter for you.

If you are one of the unlucky many who didn't get your hands on a copy today, perhaps this GTA IV screenshot gallery will help ease your pain.

It's finally here, Grand Theft Auto IV. If you don't have a pre-order, you'd better be busting out the sleeping bag and getting ready for an uncomfortable night in front of your local game shop, as GTA IV is certainly going to be a sold out game by the end of the day. So, if you don't get your hands on GTA IV, what do you do?

Oddly enough SNK Arcade Classics Volume 1 may be the substitute title to pick up. No, they are nothing alike. But with Samurai Shodown, Metal Slug, Neo Turf Masters, King of the Monsters and twelve other Neo-Geo classics on one disk, it's a hard collection to pass up, and it's practically guaranteed to have something for everyone on it.

PlayStation 3 New Releases:

• 4/24 - Grand Theft Auto IV - Check Prices
• 5/2 - Iron Man - Check Prices

PlayStation 2 New Releases:

• 4/29 - SNK Arcade Classics Volume 1 - Check Prices
• 5/2 - Iron Man - Check Prices

America will finally get SingStar for the PS3 on May 20th. Two versions of the game will go on sale, one with two microphones ($59.99) and a disk only version ($39.99). The PS2 SingStar microphones should be compatible with the PS3 version.

The disk will ship with 30 songs, each featuring its music video (many in HD!!!). The SingStore will launch with the game and feature over 200 songs for download at $1.49 each. Sony also plans to add dozens of songs each month and has hinted at Rock Band-esque "packs" of songs that will come at a discount.

There is also going to be a "My SingStar" community where you can create or watch user generated videos and share them globally... I get scared just thinking about what's going to get online. Regardless, SingStar has always been a major hit in Europe... we'll see if Americans get bit by the SingStar bug.

[SingStar Official Site]

Well, we've been chomping at the bit for over a year now, but it finally looks as though PlayStation Home may, eventually, land on the PS3's XMB.

I've got details and quotes from Sony's top brass regarding the PS3's virtual world, and info about when the PlayStation Home open beta will begin in this article about the much anticipated 3D social network.

If you are among the masses who missed it, here is your chance to pick up one of the best PS2 RPGs in ages. Persona 3 FES features the original P3 Shin Megami Tensei game plus an additional chapter. Not a bad deal at all for Japanese role playing game fans.

PlayStation 3 New Releases

• 4/21 - NBA Ballers: Chosen One - Check Prices

PlayStation 2 New Releases

• 4/22 - Persona 3: FES - Check Prices

Well, color me green with envy.

It now looks like both Australia and Europe will be getting new PS3 bundles that include a 40GB PS3, Grand Theft Auto IV, and (presumably) a DualShock 3 rumbling wireless controller. Additionally, both bundles seem to priced quite a bit less than if you were to buy all the components separately.

Good for them, but the big question is: why no love for the Americas?

• European PS3 GTA IV Bundle Details
• Austrailian PS3 GTA IV Bundle Details

[Source: Kotaku]