In this age of Lana Del Rey think pieces and urinal-based consoles, it's easy to be cynical about video games. If you find yourself in need of something to reignite the sparks between you and your console, then you should check out a one-night-only group video game at The Museum of Natural History this Thursday. And it's starring none other than The Magnetic Fields' sardonic wit Stephin Merritt. more ›

Despite being a holiday primarily geared for children, Halloween in New York City is very much for adults, with boozy parties and haunted houses that require waivers. But one group of adults were left out of yesterday's fun: sex offenders. And the Daily News reports that the state's Division of Parole made sure that those who are on probation for sex-related crimes stayed indoors. more ›

The team at Achievement Hunter has put together a video montage of how Times Square is portrayed in video games. One of them explains, "I got to thinking what is the place, the location that's been viewed the most times in a video game. So we looked into it and we found that Times Square has been featured in like a billion XBOX 360 games." Unsurprisingly they are mostly dark scenes, but watch to the end when you get to see the Hulk throw a taco at the old Times Square Building! more ›

This afternoon, we received a tip with the subject line "Nude Gaming Party in NY," with the note, "had no idea this was going on in this city, but then again anything goes here." Instead of deleting the email, like we normally do when we see something with the word "nude" in the title, we decided to open and cautiously examine the video. In the name of science, of course. And lo and behold! We were in for a treat. (Warning: video borderline NSFW) more ›

Four NYC men were arrested after being caught on a multi-state video game stealing binge in several East Coast Toys "R" Us stores. It's nice to know some criminals still respect this city enough to pursue their crime spree dreams elsewhere. more ›

If you were anywhere near the Village this weekend, you probably noticed a sea of doe-eyed teenagers and their parents arriving at NYU and trying to get a quick verdict on if this whole "going to college in New York thing" is all it's cracked to be. Well the New York Post has taken a quick scan of the new course catalog and is quick to give them a heads up—it's bogus! The tabloid finds classes that require students to play Guitar Hero (for "psychological" purposes) and another on exercise and brain chemistry where students take an aerobics class for an hour before sitting down for a lecture. Neuroscience professor Wendy Suzuki explains, "I got the idea at Equinox Gym. I took this kickboxing and dance class that made me feel great. I thought if I could make my students feel like that after my class, I'd be the best teacher in the world!" If that's not enough, the paper digs deeper and finds ?!?!?! (NYU has one of the top-ranked TV and Film studies programs in the nation.) The Post claims that parents were "livid," like one dad who saw the Guitar Hero class, "I just wrote a big check here. I'm not paying for him to study video games. It seems a bit watered down." more ›

Jets fans, are you upset by the cover of Madden NFL 09 that has Brett Favre in a Green Bay uniform? Well, EA Sports has a solution for you! You can now download a new cover with the future Hall of Famer in a Jets uniform. All you have to do is print it on some glossy paper and 'BOOM!' you've got yourself an up-to-date game. Wii owners, no cover update for you, but you're not gamers anyway. more ›

Governor Paterson signed a law that will restrict violent video games, as well as create "an advisory council to study the effects of violent games" and "to help families better monitor" the games. While bill sponsor State Senator Andrew Lanza said, "Technology advances have allowed video games to become increasingly more realistic and interactive, and unfortunately more violent. Some games simply aren't appropriate for nine and ten year old children for example," Americans for Tax Reform president Grover Norquist opined to the AP, "The reason it is politically popular is the average citizen will read a headline that says, 'State Legislature is against violence in children's video games.' They are unlikely to read a headline that says, 'Legislature will waste $70,000 of your tax dollars.'" more ›

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This afternoon, not only can you take out a book on perfecting your tennis backhand, you can work on your Wii Tennis backhand at the New York Public Library's Humanities and Social Sciences Library (the big one on Fifth Avenue at 42nd Street in Manhattan). more ›

A look at some of this week's noteworthy television: Spike TV's Video Game Awards 2007 (Sunday, 9:00 p.m., Spike TV) It is the fifth annual outing for this awards show for video games. Live From Lincoln Center: Red Hot Holiday Stomp (Monday, 8:00 p.m., WNET 13) Jazz at Lincoln Center is highlighted with this special hosted by Glenn Close. There will be a program of holiday music and jazz, plus it also features the broadcast... more ›

So if you remember correctly, Grand Theft Auto IV, the New York City crime simulator, was supposed to be in stores by now. But between production delays and the million other great games this season to compete with, they decided to just push it back till next Spring and get it right. But just in case you've you've still got an itch for some Eastern European organized crime this holiday season, here's a brand... more ›

Pitchfork-approved blog darlings Tokyo Police Club have spent the last year and change transitioning from flavor of the month boy band to reputable musicians with an enviable knack for short, hook-happy hits. On Thursday night these clever Canucks will have the chance to further extend their fan base when they perform at the “Woodie” Awards; they’re nominated for a “Breaking Woodie”. Broadcast on the 24-hour college network mtvU, the award show will feature performances by... more ›

Last week marked the five year anniversary of the murder of Jam Master Jay, who was shot and killed at his studio in Queens the night before Halloween 2002. The slaying was one of many that went unspoken about by witnesses, all of whom follow the "no snitching" rule. However, The Daily News has just talked to someone who is breaking this absurd code of silence.Randy Allen, the iconic turntablist's longtime business partner, told the... more ›

FR.OG and P*Ong, two perfectly good Manhattan restaurants that opened earlier this year, have names that independently invoke two classic arcade video games, Frogger and Pong. Now, as the fall openings season draws to a close and the votes for worst new restaurant name have been cast, we’d like to draw your attention to the most incredibly iconic new restaurant name in New York: It's that of Roclantic Eatery, a soul food and oil drum “Bar-B-Que” place that opened just two weeks ago on the corner of Atlantic and Rockaway Avenue in East New York, coincidentally enough. Kind of rolls off the tongue. With a purple-painted exterior and booming, shadowed, all-caps signage, Roclantic’s owners have come up with a restaurant name so unique that as of right now, it doesn’t even return a single Google hit. more ›

Many schools have restricted the sugary delights of cupcakes over concerns about childhood obesity and diabetes. The Huntington School District in Long Island even banned sweets from bake sales. From the Huntington School District website, via Fox News:

"It is the policy of the district that food shall not be used in the classroom, except as a part of a snack brought from home for the individual consumption of students," the district says. "The policy forbids food from being used as an incentive or reward or for instructional purposes (except in home and career skills classes), birthday celebrations or holiday or seasonable celebrations. Instead, alternatives are suggested that include singing and dancing, special privileges or even games."

Jeremy Blake, an artist whose works have been shown at the Whitney and on Times Square's Jumbotron, is presumed to have killed himself by walking into the ocean at the Rockaways on Tuesday. On July 10, Blake discovered the body of his girlfriend, filmmaker Theresa Duncan, in their East Village apartment; he had planned to attend Duncan's memorial service, which is being held today. more ›

FUNDRAISER: It's the 3rd Annual Summer, Sex and Spirits cocktail and shopping extravaganza. Planned Parenthood of New York City (PPNYC), in conjunction with Brooklyn Indie Market join forces for the fundraiser, "an evening of mixing and mingling with retail therapy!" There will be $4 drink specials, 1/2 price sangria pitchers, a deejay and a giveaway...we're also guessing everyone will walk away with at least one free condom. more ›

The New York Times has an interesting and somewhat melancholy article on the decline of street sports played by New York's children. Whereas there was once a time when adults had to bypass certain blocks while walking in their neighborhood, so as to not interrupt multiple games in play, a number of factors have contributed to the downfall of pastimes like stickball. Larger and less crowded apartments, both parents working, video games, air conditioning, fear of crime, a focus on structuring children's free time to advance them socially and academically, less cohesive neighborhoods, and more traffic are all suggested as possible reasons for a drop in most parents' shared summer vacation plea: "Why don't you go out and play?" more ›

The State Legislature's regular session is supposed to end today, but Governor Spitzer is trying to orchestrate a deal with something for everyone: Congestion pricing (which the State Senate seems to approve but the Assembly hates), campaign reform (Spitzer's pet project, which the Senate hates), and raises for lawmakers (which the Assembly and Senate love). more ›

, a much more interesting affair because it goes from being a novel written by some guy to being a novel written by someone you know. And in this interview you'll get to know a little more about Tao Lin, and then you can read Tao's thoughtful and interesting post on Cho Seung-Hui's killing rampage or his amusing exploration of his writing process. more ›

Ever wonder how some of Brooklyn's finest rockers live? Design Sponge takes a look at Les Savy Fav frontman, Tim Harrington's Williamsburg apartment...and it's definitely not what we expected! Perhaps more surprising than finding out Adrian Grenier insulated his Brooklyn home with jeans, is that Harrington's got great style. more ›

Sandwiched between Park Slope and Gowanus, along 4th Avenue, the Sheep Station bills itself as an Australian restaurant even if the bar seems to get the most attention. It has none of the kitschy video games, dated beer posters, or anything really that might muck up its design. It’s all straight lines and clean surfaces, and in that respect feels a little like Gothamist favorite Bocco Lupo in Cobble Hill. Like that enticing wine bar, massive windows seemed carved out the brick, making it feel vibrant, open, and engaging. Even if that means it isn’t overlooking quiet tree-lined streets, and instead a busy boulevard, directly cater-corner to a BP gas station. Luckily the dull hum of fluorescent lights and rattling cars changes immediately when you enter. more ›

There's a fine line between a parent reprimanding a child with punishment and assault. A Staten Island man was charged with assault and child endangerment after he admitted to rubbing a hot yellow pepper on his 11- and 8-year-old sons' naked bodies - including their genitals, including their faces. more ›

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Add "Do you play video games?" to the list of questions you might want to ask your surgeon. more ›

Before we begin, we'd like to extend our deepest sympathies to the family of James Kim. We are not, by any means, trying to discount that tragedy by juxtaposing posts about the Kims with more light-hearted posts. It's the nature of doing a compilation such as this one: we're trying to give a full slice of the goings-on in the Ist-a-Verse: the good, the bad, and the ugly. more ›

Yesterday, one of the teenagers that mugged and terrorized people on a January 2005 night testfied that Rudy Fleming did not shoot Nicole duFresne by accident. Tatiana McDonald, who was 14 during the fatal mugging (she's now 16), told the court that the group of teens were bored after smoking marijuana and playing video games, so they decided "to start trouble." more ›