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BOSTON, Massachusetts (AP) — Parents, don’t put away those video games just yet — today’s gamer may be tomorrow’s top surgeon. Researchers who gathered in Boston for the American Psychological Association convention detailed a series of studies suggesting video games can be powerful learning tools — from increasing younger students’ problem-solving potential to improving the suturing skills of laparoscopic surgeons.

One study even looked at whether playing “World of Warcraft,” the world’s biggest multiplayer online game, can improve scientific thinking.

The conclusion? Certain types of video games can have benefits beyond the virtual thrills of blowing up demons.

In one Fordham University study, 122 students in fifth, sixth and seventh grades were asked to think out loud for 20 minutes while playing a game they had never seen before. Researchers studied the children’s statements to see if playing the game improved cognitive and perceptual skills.

While older children seemed more interested in just playing the game, younger children showed more interest in setting up a series of short-term goals needed to help them learn the game.
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“The younger kids are focusing more on their planning and problem solving while they are actually playing the game, while adolescents are focusing less on their planning and strategizing and more on the here and now,” said Fordham psychologist Fran Blumberg, who conducted the research last year and plans to submit it for publication. “They’re thinking less strategically than the younger kids.”

Studies by Iowa State University psychologist Douglas Gentile and Dr. James Rosser, head of minimally invasive surgery at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center in Boston, compared surgeons who play video games to those who don’t.

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Holy crap! Is that the hannah montana game behind them? I can not wait to get my hands on that game! ; )

I was out doing my thing at my local Wal-Mart today, and I spotted this sign in the electronics deportment. It really is not anything new or big, but I …
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1. About a Girl – Nirvana
2. Aggro – The Enemy
3. American Woman – The Guess Who
4. Are You Gonna Go My Way – Lenny Kravitz
5. Beat It – Michael Jackson
6. Bullet with Butterfly Wings – Smashing Pumpkins
7. B.Y.O.B. – System of a Down
8. Crazy Train – Ozzy Osbourne
9. Dammit – Blink-182
10. Everlong – Foo Fighters

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SANTA MONICA, Calif., Aug 19, 2008 /PRNewswire-FirstCall via COMTEX News Network/ — Activision Blizzard, Inc. (Nasdaq: ATVI) today announced the final results of its tender offer to purchase up to 146,500,000 shares of its outstanding common stock at a price of $27.50 per share, net to the tendering stockholders in cash, less any applicable withholding taxes and without interest. The tender offer expired at 5:00 p.m., New York time, on Wednesday, August 13, 2008.

Pursuant to the tender offer, Activision Blizzard has purchased 85,916 shares of its common stock at a purchase price of $27.50 per share for a total cost of approximately $2.3 million, excluding fees and expenses relating to the tender offer. Activision Blizzard is funding the purchase of shares in the tender offer with available cash on hand.

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GamePress

Rising Star Games announces XG Blast! to be released in PAL territories

August 19th 2008 – Prepare for space battles galore because Rising Star Games is pleased to announce it has signed the rights to bring retro-style shooter XG Blast! to Europe. Scheduled for release in November 2008, XG Blast! (short for eXtreme Gravity and refers to the main in-game weapon) will be available exclusively on the Nintendo DS™ and in all PAL territories.

Undergoing a secret experimental journey, the spaceship Aknathen detects an energy spectrum identical to the one emitted by its prototype weapon, the XG Blast. Travelling to investigate, Aknathen is sucked through a wormhole and into a dimension filled with aggressive alien life-forms determined to take the weapon for themselves. Fight your way through hordes of enemies to uncover the origin of the mysterious signal and find your way back home.

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GamePress

LISBON – August 19, 2008 – Portugal’s leading video games investor and developer, GAMEINVEST, is creating a beautiful and expansive world for multiple platforms this fall with World of Zellians. Currently in development for Nintendo Wii™, Xbox 360, PlayStation® 3, and PC platforms, World of Zellians is a strategic life simulation game where players must create, manage and grow a prosperous new civilization while caring for the wellbeing of the community. GAMEINVEST is currently looking for qualified distribution and publishing partners for World of Zellians on the various platforms.

“The concept of creating a balanced society in World of Zellians is truly engaging and challenging, and we are designing this experience to be fun and accessible for all audiences – from casual to core gamers,” said GAMEINVEST founder and CEO Paulo Gomes. “As the ruler of this society, players will be responsible for developing the community as well as providing a positive influence in the world – creating a very challenging and interactive gaming experience.”

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The House of the Dead: OVERKILL

Age Rating – 18+ TBC

Format – Wii

Product Overview –

THEY’VE COME FOR BRAINS, YOU’LL GIVE THEM BULLETS!

The House of the Dead: OVERKILL™ charges you with mowing down waves of infected, blood-thirsty zombies in a last-ditch effort to survive Bayou City and uncover the horrific truth behind the origins of the House of the Dead.

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“Disaster: Day of Crisis is still in development.” – Nintendo of America representative

We reported recently that Disaster: Day of Crisis was rated by the the Australian Ratings Board.  And now …
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