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Star Wars: The Old Republic embraces same-sex romance

Same-gender romance will soon be in the air in Star Wars: The Old Republic, meaning your Jedi Knight or Bounty Hunter will have more opportunities to get some lovin' in the online game.

To date, characters' romance options have been limited by class and gender. But in a blog post today, Jeff Hickman, executive producer of the BioWare/EA title, revealed that that's shifting come spring -- to an extent.

The upcoming Rise of the Hutt Cartel expansion pack, he said, will make it possible for players on the new planet (called Makeb) to flirt with same-gender non-player characters, created by BioWare to give quests, sell items, and otherwise move the story forward. Players will not yet, however, be able to put the moves on same-sex companion characters, the NPCs that accompany them on their intergalactic escapades as a major plotline piece. … Read more

The 404 1,185: Where 50 euros go a long way (podcast)

Bathroom break video: iPad magician at the world famous German "Hofbraeuhaus" in Munich, the beer capital.

Show title credit: Beatmaster (join us live at noon Eastern everyday to suggest a show title. The most-used suggestions at the end of every month will win a prize!)

Episode 1,185

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Game over for PlayStation 2 in Japan

Sony has discontinued the PlayStation 2 in Japan, says a report, nearly 13 years after the device's introduction.

Famitsu broke the news that Sony halted Japanese production of PlayStation 2 hardware in its home country, but the blog also noted that the company plans to continue developing and selling games for the video game console. We've reached out to Sony Computer Entertainment America for more information about future PS2 plans in the U.S. -- check back later for a response. … Read more

Offbeat game recasts Xmas tune as 'Little Bummer Boy'

There's a bigger danger this holiday season than ending up on Santa's naughty list. A lump of coal in a Christmas stocking is one thing. What can happen to you if you hear "Little Drummer Boy" is something else altogether.

You know the tune: "Come they told me/Pa rum pum pum pum/A newborn King to see/Pa rum pum pum pum." It's a Christmas standard, and in cities and small towns everywhere, it emanates from department store sound systems, TV commercials, Web sites -- you name it. To the average modern-day sophisticate, "Little Drummer Boy (note: read the story before clicking the link)" is nothing more than a song to love or hate, to endure or enjoy. But to the many players of the LDB Game, the song's aesthetic merits are hardly the point. … Read more

Apple classic Karateka reborn for iOS -- and how sweet it is

At the risk of dating myself (again), I have extremely fond memories of playing the classic action game Karateka on my -- wait for it -- Apple IIe.

That was 28 years ago, heaven help me. The game's creator, Jordan Mechner, went on to develop the better-known Prince of Persia, but I remember being totally entranced by Karateka's then-amazing graphics and compelling damsel-in-distress storyline.

But would I want to play that same game today, even if it were perfectly emulated like that other '80s classic, Karate Champ? Frankly, no. I've never been a fan of arcade or … Read more

Star Trek: The Video Game due April 23

Spock and Captain Kirk will team up again on April 23, 2013, when Star Trek: The Video Game comes to Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, and PC. Publisher Namco Bandai and Paramount Pictures announced the game's release date today.

The game originally was targeted for a 2012 launch, but in February got delayed to 2013.

Star Trek: The Video Game will be available for Xbox 360 and PS3 at traditional retail outlets, while the PC version will only be sold through digital channels. What's more, gamers won't not need to trek to a brick-and-mortar store to buy the … Read more

Real-life Fruit Ninja slices and dices flying comestibles

What, you're not sick of slicing fruit apart with a swipe of your finger? Apparently not. Fruit Ninja made it onto Apple's list of top-downloaded paid iPhone apps for 2012. It has even earned itself the real-life video treatment.

Uploaded by YouTube user scottdw, the real-life Fruit Ninja video casts the game as a much more epic adventure than it ever was as a time-killing app. The characters Sensei and Gutsu are the stars. There's horse-riding, a training montage, and endless slow-motion shots of fruit splitting apart. … Read more