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I’m not always playing, writing about, or reading about video games. On occasion, I leave my house and go out where that “sun” thing is. But lately, I’ve found that being out of the house isn’t enough to get away from games. It seems like no matter where I go, the ever-expanding influence of video games is present. Sure, I sound crazy now, but have a look at some of the weird stuff I’ve encountered lately!

I was in Oakland (aka: minus world) and ran into this question block beneath an overpass. The mushroom that popped out didn’t make me any bigger, but I did see a bunch of giant flying turtles after I ate it....

Hit the jump for more.

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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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UPDATE: Now with more pics.

There's a lot  to see at this year's Game Developers Conference. This image gallery will be updated by the Bitmob staff over the course of the show. Check it out, you never know what you might see.

At the Kokoromi/Gamma 4 event. I think this one's Poto & Cabenga. Probably.  -Demian

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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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It's the middle of the month, and you know what that means -- nothing at all!

That's right, today is just another indistinct, unimportant day in your life. You'll brush your teeth, watch some television, then hit the sack. With any luck, however, you'll find time for the Bitmob Reviews Spotlight. And with even more luck, you'll enjoy reading it!

So cheer up, because it's time to spotlight reviews and chew bubble gum...and we're all out of gum.

Spencer Grande is the first to step toward the podium, and he makes a pretty convincing case for Duke Nukem 3D -- a game which is just as offensive today as it was in 1996.

Dante's Inferno is potentially as offensive as Duke's 3D adventure, but that doesn't stop Moeez Siddiqui from the world's longest review of the game. It's seriously, like, 2000 words or something.

Andrew Galbraith and Suriel Vasquez call a moratorium on controversy with their reviews of Toy Soldiers and Ace Attorney Investigations -- two games which are as non-threatening and appreciative of their respective subjects as possible (sort of).

But wait! Controversy returns with yet another review of Dante's Inferno, this time by Ryan Finley. But, before someone complains in the comments section, Steven Schmidt defuses the situation with a curt, to-the-point review of Resident Evil 5's first downloadable content pack.

Daniel Feit winds down this undistinguished day with his impressions of a rather distinguished action game -- God of War.

The Old School Charms of Duke Nukem 3D
By Spencer Grande
After 3D Realms permanently closed their doors last year, the desperate hope that Duke Nukem Forever would one day be released was quelled. Anxious and cotton-mouthed, avid fans of the series were given few alternatives beyond revisiting past entries in the franchise. Luckily, one such avid fan calls Bitmob home -- Spencer Grande. After returning to the Duke's misogynistic, tongue-in-cheek world, does this reviewer sense a tangible pain or is he filled with glee and nostalgia?

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You're a nerd -- don't bother denying it.

But what kind of nerd are you? Do you only play video games or do your interests expand beyond the glossy surfaces of compact discs?

Needless to say, the historical diversity of nerds is jarring in its scope: Computer geeks dominated the turn of the century, fans of science fiction television serials typified the '80s, and the post-war era belonged to Dungeons & Dragons nerds and roleplayers.

But, I say we start before all that -- with comic books

As long as pretty graphics or controller inputs aren't the only appealing aspects of gaming to you, comic books will probably prove of interest. If you consider yourself a gamer, I'm confident that you'll take pleasure in reading the following comic books. With any luck, they may even enhance your appreciation for video games in general!

So, without further ado, here are the top five comics (in no particular order) which are sure to convert any gamer into a regular customer at the local comic book store.

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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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