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Aussie Gamers Ripped Off

Wed, 23 July 2008
by: This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it | source: SMH | thanks: Tight Retailers

Paying double the price in our stores than online and overseas

Hand it all over!

Recent research into video game prices have found that Aussie gamers can get their games cheaper by importing them from overseas, as Australian stores are charging double the cost of online and overseas stores.

Avid Reservoir gamer James Dominguez, 34, compiled the research after reading many articles about the high price of Australian software compared to overseas outlets.

When Mr Dominguez's research was published on The Age's Screen Play blog last month, many gamers voiced their concerns that Australian prices were much higher than some parts of the world, particularly the US and Asia.

"If an individual consumer can import the exact same product significantly cheaper than buying locally, something is broken," wrote Peter Henderson. "I ran an online video game retailer for a couple of years. I can certainly confirm that the margins aren't great for most Australian retailers. The distributors set the RRP and are to blame for the significant (price) gouging of (Australian) gamers."

- SMH

Buy your games online or prepare to be gouged!

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DC Universe Online

Wed, 23 July 2008
by: This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it | source: MTV Multiplayer | thanks: DC Comics and Superman

Sony says all will enjoy this MMO

Look familiar?

DC Universe Online was announced last week at E3, and excited PC gamers tremendously. According to John Blakely, Vice President of development for Sony Online Entertainment, the game will have all the familiar MMO features, as well as familiar DC superheroes.

But, console gamers can also look forward to the game, as it has a moment-to-moment active combat system and skill-based gameplay.

"So while Blakely hopes the action-based combat will appeal to console gamers, he was quick to add that MMO players won’t be alienated. In fact, he thinks they’ll embrace it. He said, “The MMO guys will be a little uncomfortable with at first because it’s different. But [the combat system] is going to be something they’re going to get excited about learning about and getting into.”

- MTV Multiplayer

A playable version of the game will be available at the Comic Con convention later this week.

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Pee for NASA

Wed, 23 July 2008
by: This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it | source: ninemsn | thanks: Research Purposes

Workers asked to donate in an unlikely way

That's one small step for man...

NASA has asked its employees to donate 30 litres of urine a day, all in the name of science.

[Collecting urine is needed as a part of] work on the new Orion space capsule that will eventually take astronauts to the moon.

Designers of the Orion, which will park unoccupied in space for up to six months while astronauts work on the moon, have to solve a pressing issue of getting rid of stored urine, said John Lewis, NASA's head of life support systems for Orion.

"Urine is a mess because urine is full of solids," Lewis said. Those solids clog the venting system for dumping pee, so keeping the waste disposal system clear is "really a challenge," he said.

- ninemsn

NASA has made a tradition of collecting urine from its workers in bid to create better space toilets.

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Online Therapy - It's Here

Wed, 23 July 2008
by: This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it | source: smh.com.au | thanks: Virtual Nutters

Email your very own online therapist!

Mash this button and your therapist magically appears

Online therapy is now available through Sydney's St Vincent's Hospital for those with social phobias and anxiety problems.

Psychiatrists and lecturers...say the treatment has been as successful as face-to-face therapy even though the therapists and patients never meet. The program could help free up psychiatrists to see more needy patients with severe mental illness.

"It's the way of the future and it's fascinating," a professor in psychiatry at the University of NSW, Gavin Andrews, said yesterday.

- smh.com.au

Therapy sessions involve participants completing six online sessions which include cognitive behaviour therapy and group discussion. Can you feel the love?

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Microsoft drops fees for GFW Live multiplayer

Wed, 23 July 2008
by: This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it | source: IGN | thanks: freebies

Now everyone can play!

Gotta love the online freebies

Microsoft has announced that the fees for its Games for Windows Live multiplayer will be dropped, allowing publishers, developers and the gaming community to have access to the online gaming service for free.

Publishers, developers and PC gamers used to have to pay to use GFW Live for their games, but will now also be able to have access to Microsoft's matchmaking services and GFW Live's Gold membership features at no cost.

"While gamers could previously get free access to GFW Live through its Silver membership, the service limited players to a one gamertag, single-player only achievements, and more. Players who wanted the features contained in the Gold pack had to pay $7.99 a month, or $49.99 a year. By giving players these options for free, Microsoft Entertainment's devices division CTO Chris Satchell said the movement would "…improve Windows gaming."

- IGN

But these are not the only bonuses, as Microsoft has also announced a new redisigned user interfact and updated Marketplace, giving gamers access to free and paid content, such as demos, movies, trailers and more.

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