Thanks to live broadcasts on G4TV and live blogging through outlets such as Gamertell, millions of eyes throughout the world are on the Electronic Entertainment Expo. It’s not just the games and consoles at this industry showcase that are under intense scrutiny, it’s the showcase itself.

After 2008′s E3, gaming luminary than Will Wright called the show the walking dead. Activision opted to skip the 2008 event altogether, holding its own press event at a separate locale and sending a clear message that E3 had issues. Entertainment Software Association CEO Michael Gallagher cautioned against calling this event a return to the old E3, but did promise to deliver the show “the industry deserves.”

As promised, here’s the second installment in this holiday two-parter, covering July through December, 2008. If you want the first part, then click over and give it a looksie…

Ah, obligatory end-of-the-year lists. How I love and hate you. So much work yet (we hope) so fun to read.

Here’s a recap the more interesting, note-worthy, popular or simply weird stuff we’ve reported during 2008. Here’s the first installment in this holiday two-parter, covering January through June, 2008…

While Sony’s Playstation 3 has had something of a rough time making its presence known in the console wars, 2008 can be regarded as a time where the system’s Playstation Store made good on its promise to deliver quality content that distinguished it from the pack.

Games including Ratchet & Clank: Quest for Booty and PixelJunk Monsters, both of which were released this year (2008), successfully highlighted the strength of Sony’s exclusives and its commitment to delivering products that are unable to be found anywhere else.

It is ironic then, that with all the new releases that came this year, the most popular PSN (Playstation Network) game is one that came out in 2007.

The holiday episode of…

Happy Holiday, Merry Christmas and salutations for every seasonal celebration. We’re planning to spend some extra time today (December 25, 2008) with our family and friends celebrating the holidays by playing extra video games, drinking a moderate amount of egg nog and perhaps (accidentally or accidentally on purpose) consuming fruitcake. We will return tomorrow (December more »

The news of Free Radical closing its doors invariably shocked the gaming community, as it was a development studio held in high regard for its Timesplitters series (even though that high degree of respect was recently washed away due to questionable reviews of its latest Playstation 3-exclusive title Haze).

However, it would appear that reports of their death are greatly exaggerated. An employee of the independent Nottingham, England game developer made it clear in a statement to 1UP that the company is still operational. It was mentioned that 20 employees are still working at its Nottingham office location, with the rest choosing to stay home.

What has happened to Free Radical, however, is that the company went into…

I was browsing the net as usual to keep myself abreast of all the game industry news when my friend and fellow Gaian told me about a journal he found on Gaia Online announcing that Gaia was laying off members of its staff. I couldn’t find that journal but at any rate that’s simply horrible with the holidays just around the corner. But to make sure I’m reporting the truth and nothing but the truth I contacted Kate Hourihan of Mullen PR to clarify what is going on.

“Hi Lucy,

Out of respect for those impacted by the staff reductions, we’re unable to comment on specific employees. With the current economic conditions we found itnecessary to turn to staff reductions and other operating cost cuts as we head into an uncertain 2009. Above all, our priority is to continue to…

Wal-Mart’s Cyber Monday deals are now in full effect. There is no shortage of games here at all. Granted a lot of them are titles a lot of us have never heard of before but the list is so expansive you’re bond to find something to pick up. The best deals have to be for Xbox 360 bundles that include Guitar Hero World Tour for $269. The game deals for DS, PS2, Xbox 360, Wii and PSP come in pairs for one price. With the exception of the PSP, you can choose two games for $30. The list in it’s entirety follows…

The Gamertell staff is taking some time off to be with our families (and very likely play videogames in the other room for many, many hours) for Thanksgiving.

As a special, tasty treat for this holiday, here’s a look at the Gamertell staff’s favorite uses of food in videogames. Also check out our 2007 Thanksgiving Day mashup.

Enjoy…

For those of you who want to trim their tree with game-themed ornaments, you do have a few more options than the usual Hallmark stuff. A couple companies make cutsie, less recognizable and usually more affordable (and copyright-free) gamer ornaments and, of course, there are always a few at the create-your-own product sites.

Click through for a list of some of the gamer ornaments for sale this holiday season…