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When the Pokémon Pikachu toys first launched, it was impossible to separate me from my glorified pedometer. Every step counted as I sought to earn watts to satisfy my adorable traveling companion.

Pikachu walked with me, played, napped, and generally melted my heart with each gift I gave him. I never imagined I would be without him until the day his battery died and I could not find the right screw driver to open him up to replace it.

The horror of letting Pikachu die like that caused me to slip the gizmo into a box of random junk I wouldn’t touch again until I moved out of my parent’s house.

That was years ago. My drive to walk to satisfy a digital character went dormant, but I assumed it was gone. That was until the Pokéwalker entered my life.

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Editor's note: We all have a different spin on it, but it seems like most people tend to game for escapism or empowerment. Is that good? You know what, I'm going to think about that more after I play some SteamBirds.... -Demian

Bitmob is a unique place. I know that isn’t really a special statement or even something that hasn’t been said before, but it's true. We have a number of different people from multiple locales all working towards a common goal: intelligent discussion about the entertainment and technology that we all love.

Because of our differences, we're in a position to learn about and explore those cultures, viewpoints, and backgrounds that we may not be familiar with.

We’re all here because we love to play video games and discuss the culture surrounding them. But the question this edition of Mob Rule seeks to answer is: “Why did we fall in love with gaming in the first place?”

So without any further fluffing on my part, here are the answers your fellow community members came up with:

Andrew J. Hiscock says: I play video games because I need something I can control. Few things in life provide the rules, the constraints, and the agency a video game does. You have distinct tasks, and the ability to perform them. I love achievements, beating games, and side quests, because these are minor goals that I complete with relative ease. Conversly, I don't control my job, my household, or much of what I do in my day-to-day routine. Not that I'm complaining -- most of the time I'm happy to be along for the ride.

But video games provide a balance for me. For a small portion of each day, I am at the helm and in full control. In the grand scheme of things video games are unimportant, sure, but even if the rewards are illusionary, they are nonetheless rewarding. The feedback loop in games is great enough that I can always rely on it, even if I never get that in real life most of the time. 

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The motion control frenzy that's underway within the industry is no laughing matter -- the risk of striking embarrassing poses in your underwear in order to swat a virtual tennis racquet is more prevalent than ever before.

News Blips:

Speaking with IndustryGamers, Nintendo of America President Reggie Fils-Aime is skeptical about the PlayStation Move. Citing a lack of motivation from consumers to invest into the PS3 for its motion controls, Fils-Aime also remarked upon the industry's inattentiveness to the consumer perspective. "One of the things I find very interesting about this industry is that people don't seem to want to look at propositions from the consumer viewpoint. And I think that's very troubling." Take cover -- this could be the start of a nerdy slap-fight between Sony and Nintendo.

Game designer Cliff Bleszinski (Gears of War) gives his support to Microsoft Natal. In an interview with IGN, the design director for Epic Games (who is also known as CliffyB) expressed his interest in motion controls, including Microsoft's Natal project that utilizes unique tech from Epic. "I think Natal’s going to be very big, and Microsoft’s using our technology on a number of products to make Natal-based video games."

To mark the June 8 release of Metal Gear Solid: Peace Walker, Sony will be releasing a limited edition "spirited green" PSP bundle. Along with the game, the bundle includes a vibrantly green PSP, a 2GB memory stick, and a coupon for a free PSN movie. Standard in-game bonus content -- such as exclusive camouflage and weapons -- rounds out the bundle deal. No word yet on the possibility of the new PSP giving gamers a refreshing mint flavor when held. [1UP]

Kotaku reports that freezing issues are cropping up within the Western release of Final Fantasy 13. Players have claimed that in-game actions are impossible whilst still being able to access the various menus, coupled with extremely loud sound effects. While not a widespread problem, there were similar issues with the Japanese version of the game. Wait a minute -- am I lead to believe that there's more to this game than flashy lights and loud noises?

Got any hot news tips? Send 'em over to tips@bitmob.com.

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Editor's note: Michael has got some fun and helpful guidance for those you looking to become better game-advocate emissaries. My advice? Do read this article. -James

You love games. They’re a part of your identity -- a part of your personality. You grew up stomping turtles, throwing fireballs, and toppling mad scientists. Now, you’re an adult -- or soon to be one. It’s time to be a responsible and productive member of society.

Thankfully, that doesn’t mean giving up who you are. It was OK to be a gamer growing up, and it’s OK to be one now. Regardless of the fact that video games are now more socially acceptable and prevalent in our society than ever before, we have a right to express our love of games in public. We don’t have to hide who we are.

Gamer Style

Do feel free to wear game-related t-shirts in public. Your attire should always be an expression of who you are, so wear what feels natural. The trick is to remain appropriate and presentable. Wear clean, wrinkle-free, tasteful shirts. Simple designs and abstract game imagery generally work best, though you can’t go wrong with retro shirts. Best of all, they act as great conversation starters!

As a side note, it may be a good idea to invest in some quality slacks and a blazer that complements your shirt selection. I’m no fashionista, and you don’t have to be either. But being able to break free of the “t-shirt and jeans” look will diversify your style and make your apparel suitable for all but the most formal occasions.

Don’t wear greasy, dirty, or faded game shirts in public. Save those for hot days at home or for house painting. You want to take pride in your appearance no matter your personal style, and that old Metal Gear Solid pre-order shirt just isn’t going to look flattering. In fact, game shirts with massive logos often look gaudy, so avoid them altogether if you can.

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Each of these pictures has something wrong with it. Are your eyes and your video-game knowledge sharp enough to spot the problems?

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Former EGMers Shane Bettenhausen and Mark MacDonald join Gaijin Games' Alex Neuse and Bitmob's Dan Hsu on this week's episode of the Mobcast.

In this episode the guys relive past arguments, debate the state of Japanese game development, predict the success of the PlayStation Move, share mediocre game recommendations, and wonder why so many current games feel the same. 

You'll understand this more after you listen to the podcast, but Mark would like to present this link to refute Shane's claim that he gave Steel Battalion a 10/10. Why do I get the feeling that I'll be updating this post again with a comment from Shane?

Since this episode is an old-school reunion of sorts, I decided to start things off with the 8-bit Mobcast theme from P4KO. I hope you like it as much as I do.

Have a question you want answered? Want to share some important insight with the world? E-mail the crew at letters@bitmob.com.

Click here to find out how you can get in on the "3 Great Prizes, 3 Ways to Win" giveaway.

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Growing up with the original NBA Jam on the SNES set me up for a lifetime of disappointment -- no matter how many consecutive shots I made in real life, the ball would never catch on fire.

Video Blips:

• Finally, basketball fans will get to play as today's superstars in this remake of NBA Jam. I can only pray that my favorite legends from the first game -- Bill Clinton and the big-headed wolfman -- will be unlockable characters. [GameTrailers]

Continue after the break for some war-torn Medal of Honor footage, the debut trailer for Puzzle Quest 2, and a Dead or Alive: Paradise video, which at this point should be synonymous with being NSFW.

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The community-submitted tunes just keep on coming! It seems like every week the Jukebox's playlist becomes more and more eclectic, and I'm definitely a fan of this trend. Also, I want to take a second to thank everyone who takes the time to suggest a song each week. I'm grateful for your continued support.

For this edition, I've taken it upon myself to disprove the theory that newer video game music sucks -- every song I chose is a title I have played in the last two months.

The community section of this week's selections is a bit different: Its tunes are from all over the map. Pixel Revolt co-host Jeff Grubb throws in only the second song in Jukebox history from the Atari 2600 (hint: It's from a David Crane game that isn't Pitfall!). Bitmobber Jimmy Flores takes us back to the days when Metroid Prime was getting rave reviews, and Alex R. Cronk-Young keeps it current with a nostalgic track from Mega Man 10. Last -- and most certainly least -- some British guy named Alex Martin who follows me on Twitter donated a stinker from Amped 3. Thanks a lot, Alex -- and don't worry, we still love you!

Want to find out what the hell a Bitmob Community Jukebox is? All you have to do is hit the jump.

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Editor's note: We each have our own preparations for playing video games, and Toby is interested to know exactly how you ready yourself whenever you've got the itch. But I'd like to know which one of you has the most elaborate ritual. Well? -Rob

I always wonder how other people play video games. Where do they plop down? Do they eat or drink? How do they sit when playing Call of Duty online?

I have my own little process down pat, which includes several variations depending on the time of day or what game I'm playing.

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Editor's Note: Richard flexes his creative muscles here and tackles the topic of linear games from the perspective of a Roman Senator. I'm glad that this inventive piece found a home at Bitmob, and I'm interested to read what he comes up with next. - Jay

My fellow gamers, as the moon turns and the long foretold coming of the Thirteenth of the Fantasies Final draws nigh, one word has been spat like a curse across the realm. It is spoken of as the black death upon gaming's soul, festering away at all the good and leaving not but an untouchable rotted corpse. Like the word “witch,” the mere accusation spreads like wildfire and becomes truth amongst our community. And lo doth any hapless victim receive this title for they shall forever be burned within the flames and hatred of their once most faithful of supporters. Yet, I stand here today, in the Grand Hall of the Internet and surrounded by this most fickle of counsels, to defend this greatest of sins: Linearity.

At the birth of our kingdom, we were but a simple people, content to bounce our square balls and gather food from ghost-riddled caves. Yet, with time came complexity and with complexity, the birth of legends. Who here can forget the tales of the great Fixer-of-Pipes and his battles with the Reptile King? What child does not know of the adventures of the Blue Rodent and his Twin-Tailed companion? Do not forget my fellows, that even in that golden time, linearity was there. For both the Fixer-of-Pipes and the Blue Rodent could not move but right; forever right to victory. Lo! I hear you cry, “but what of the Hero of Hyrule and the Masked Hunter of Men?” Indeed, their legends can be told in many different ways. Yet, even their epics must be told in a certain order, lest they have not obtained the items with which to conquer their trials.

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Editor's note: Heated debate is always more interesting, especially when you've got a dog in the fight. Suriel makes the case that more video game podcasts should strive to spark that kind of exchange between participants. I'd only add that these programs also drop the non-gaming banter in the beginning and get right to the topic I tuned in to hear. -Rob

When I listen to a podcast, I usually imagine myself in the room with the participants. I converse with them in my head, take their viewpoints to compare them with my own, and arrive at my own conclusion -- not unlike that which you might do with real-life group of friends.

I don't agree with everyone's point of view, but that's only to be expected. I usually enjoy the discussion more when I debate someone else's points than when I agree with his arguments.

This metaphysical experience works best when the breadth of perspectives that a podcast provides creates genuine discussion on a topic and when those opinions are as varied as possible. What I've found is that an assortment of expressed thoughts on a podcast is the exception rather than the norm.

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