Some of the common bad points that critics have mentioned about the game:

1. It's not survival horror anymore.

2. Controls - slow movement, can't move while shooting.

3. Sheva's terrible AI.

My initial impressions after 2 chapters of the game:

1. RE4 was less of a survival horror game, too, but that was critically acclaimed. Even the Wii version, which had really easy controls that made the game feel more like an action shooter was critically acclaimed. So why are you guys complaining about this being more action-oriented?

Although I do agree that it would have been nice for the RE series to return to its roots as a survival horror game, just because this isn't survival horror doesn't automatically make it a negative.

2. RE4 was also slow, and you can't move while shooting, but did anyone complain about that? Not many. It was still a fun game. One of the most fun I ever played. And can you imagine Resident Evil turning into a shooter? That idea doesn't appeal to me too much. A review mentioned that RE5 "refuses to evolve" with regard to its controls. So is the review implying that RE5 should have become another Gears of War?

3. So far I haven't had many problems with Sheva. She doesn't get into trouble so often, she's a good shot, and she heals me when needed. I've died more times than she has. And although sometimes she gets in the way of my line of sight, that doesn't happen too often. Also, about her using too many bullets? I really don't understand that... I usually run out of rounds while she still has loads. Maybe I'm just shooting too much, though.

I admit, she's not perfect, but has there been a game with perfect teammate AI? I don't think so.

.....

So far, I'm really liking this game. But my opinions could change later on. We'll see.

I found these pictures of a design concept for the PS3 slim created by Flickr user, mhiblart.

I think it looks fantastic! Much better than the PS3 slim images that T3 published last year.

Which one do you like better, the T3 concept, or these ones by mhiblart?

See more CG images of mhiblart's PS3 slim design concept here.

This is an actual Pepsi ad. The company is currently deciding whether to pull it, though it has already apologized for the ad.

That blue bean-type creature is supposed to be a "calorie". And as you can see in the image, it says, "One very very very lonely calorie". That explains why it has shot itself with a noose around its neck and a container of poison on the other hand.

I like this ad. I absolutely love the artwork. But I do understand why it would be problematic. The controversy will probably do well for the product, though. What I would do is, rework the ad, minus the suicide theme, and do a worldwide public apology for the old ad. That would create an interest in the product, and at the same time, cut costs on doing a full blown worldwide-scale advertising campaign.

So it got me thinking, that's probably a good strategy. Make a controversial ad, pull it out of circulation, rework it, then do a public apology.

Maybe I should patent that marketing strategy...

Today I had a major revelation. Education is a big scam. Especially higher education. You see, here's the thing. When you go to college or grad school, or even post-grad school, you pay the school a bunch of money to give you a good education. In some cases, a whole lot of money. And instead of giving you this education, they actually make you work for it.

Think about it. If you go to a store to buy, let's say, a flatscreen HDTV. You pay them money, the shop clerk smiles, and you get your TV. Sometimes they even deliver it to you doorstep.

Now, can you imagine what it would be like if, instead, you go to a store, pay money for an HDTV, and the shop clerk says, "Okie dokie, let me show you how to assemble one through lectures, textbooks, and powerpoint presentations. Once the series of lectures is complete, we'll give you the materials to make your HDTV. After that, you're on your own. Thank you for shopping at Best Buy."

That would really really suck, wouldn't it?

Sony Computer Entertainment Inc. (SCEI) seems to have made a mistake on their website. On the corporate information-company profile page, it says that SCEI earned 124.5 billion Yen for the fiscal year of 2007. It is clearly marked as a "gain" because the 2006 income/loss figure right beside it is marked with parentheses, which indicates loss, while the 2007 figure is not in parentheses.

However, if you check Sony Corporation's Consolidated Financial Statements, SCEI's 2007 income/loss (recorded as the 2008 game segment's operating income/loss on page 72) is recorded as a 124.5 billion Yen loss. In parentheses.

Compare the fiscal 2006 losses and the fiscal 2007 losses, and you see that SCEI is actually doing much better. But I suppose listing two losses side by side still looks really, really bad, which is, I'm thinking, the reason why they chose to not put those parentheses around "124.5 billion Yen".

Or did they really just make a mistake?

A guy from Bangladesh who lives on my floor once came up to me in the kitchen, looked at my PS2 controllers, then asked, "And what are these?"

I was stunned. How can anyone in this world not know these "things", these instruments that connect you to a world of entertainment and satisfaction? These "things" that have been for the past 14 years, jammed into our heads by popular culture?

I was at a loss for words. I was truly in shock. What do I say to this man who knows not what his eyes have glanced upon? Of all the emotions that were running through me, the one that stood out the most was SORROW. Sorrow that such a man has never known the wonders, the joys, the gratifications that these "things" make possible?

Though I know not everyone enjoys playing video games, no matter how blasphemous that sounds, those emotions were what I honestly felt at the time. So much enjoyment, a rich library of experiences, is devoid from this man. Why? Perhaps because of culture. Perhaps because of finances. Perhaps personal taste. Or a combination. I don't know. I might never know.

When I was finally able to break free from the shock of such a question, I looked at my controllers intently, trying to listen to its voice. 'Tell, my beauties, what should I tell this man of a different world. What are you?'

"They're controllers."

"What?"

"Controllers. For video games."

"Oh." And he walked away to cook his curry.

A moment later, when the man from Bangladesh seemed to be out of audible range, Jason expressed his hypothesis: "Must be one of your ****ates, huh?"

"Nope", I reply. Not of one of my classmates. That's another story.