As the holiday season comes to a close and the New Year begins, I would like to look back on my gaming experiences and life in this past year.

Throughout the year I have ben epanding my game collection to include many of the greatest hits of the previous generation (mainly due to lack offunds and an X-box 360), this includes monster hits like Resident Evil 4, Jack II and Ratchet and Metal Gear Solid: Sons of Liberty. I also purchased what I would have to say is the most underrated game of all time, Beyond Good & Evil. Beyond Good & Evil provides a mix a stealth and fighting gameplay an excellent, mature storyline that makes it also one of the best games of all time.

Another big change this year was that I stopped playing WOW. Although its quite good, it began to effect me outside my life, I gained almost 5 pounds, my girlfreind broke up with me :cry: and my parents didn't approve of me (still don't). Although I already said this, after I stopped playing things began to looking better for me, I lost the weight, am working on getting a new girlfriend and have made great social gains at school. Although I don't discourage playing WoW, you have to realize the effects its having on your life.

On a less seriouse tone, I also have a new dog, Abby after my old dog (Maggie) passed away last summer. I'm also the proud owner of an Ipod Video (80GB) and highly recommend down;oading some of G4's podcasts (X-play, Attack of the Show are some some of my favourites).

I've also become involved in some sports. Mainly hockey, in which my team's kicking ass with an 21-1-1 record and swimming. I've found these to be excellent sports for helping keep in shape, which means you get more girls (knew that would get you attention) and would reccomend then to anyone.

To end off I would just like too sat 2007 been a great (and eventful) year. From the release of Triple-A titles such as Halo 3, God of War 2 and Super Mario Galaxies. To the splitting of Bungie and Microsoft to the sports scandels. There have been events to keep us all entertained and hopefully 2008 can be just as good.

At long last, after much debate and posting, the 1st Annual Bloodcow Awards!!! :shock:

Starting with the obvious,

- The Most Overhyped Game of 2007 is LAIR - Though hyped to unbeleivable levels and deemed as one of the PS3 potentail killer-ap, this game blew crowds away with its frustrating controls and overly cinematic gameplay.

-Though Lair also almost won this category, the Worst Game of the Year goes to Hour of Victory - Though good looking, Hour of Victory beat out Lair with its buggy gameplay, repetetive desighn is just a lackluster game deserving of this honour.

On the system wars front,

-The DS dominates in the best handheld category, with its diverse selection and innovative gameplay

-Though a tight race, the X-box 360 beats out the Wii for best system. With it incredibly selection of triple-A game such as Halo 3 and Gears of War the X-box 360 beats the Wii innovative control sceme

Just for fun,

-Underrated Game of the Year goes to Shadowrun with its unique Battlefield-esque gameplay and awsome selection of weapons and powers

-Best Game Nobodies played is given to Beyond Good and Evil. Though it sold terribly, this game combined an interesting story with and fluid combat system makes this a truly hidden gem

(System) Games of The Year,

Wii - Twilight Princess

Xbox 360 - Gears of War

PS3 - Uncharted: Drakes Fortune

Drum roll please,

-This Years Game of the Year is rewarded to... Gears of War. Although in tight competition with Halo 3, this amazing game provide kick-ass gameplay with a mature storyline to create a gaming experience that has an intensity that not even Halo 3 can match

Was swarching over the weekend and found this list of the top 25 Best Selling Games of All Time. Pretty cool, I think. Hope you enjoy it :)

25.Halo 2 X-Box - 8 Million Copies Sold

24. Mario Kart 64 Nintendo 64 - 8.47 Million Copies Sold

23. Gran Turismo 2 Playstation 1 - 8.5 Million Copies Sold

22. Brain Age Nintendo DS - 8.61 Million Copies Sold

21. World of Warcraft PC - 9 Million Copies Sold

20.Starcraft PC - 9.5 Million Copies Sold

19. Final Fantasy VII Playstation 1 - 9.8 Million Copies Sold

18. Super Mario Bros. 2 Nintendo - 10 Million Copies Sold

17. Pokemon Diamond & Pearl Nintendo DS - 10 Million Copies Sold

16. Gran Turismo Playstation 1 - 10.5 Million Copies Sold

15. New Super Mario Bros. Nintendo DS - 10.52 Million Copies Sold

Damn, my arms hurting....

14. Pokemon Firered and Leafgreen Game Boy Advance - 10.66 Million Copies Sold

13. Grand Theft Auto III Playstation 2 - 11 Million Copies Sold

12.Gran Turismo 3: A-Spec Playstation 2 - 11 million Copies Sold

11.Super Mario 64 Nintendo 64 - 11 Million Copies Sold

10.Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas Playstation 2 - 12 Million Copies Sold

Reaaaally starting to cramp...

9. The Sims 2 PC - 13 Million Copies Sold

8. Pokemon Rubie and Saphire Game Boy Advance - 13 Million Copies Sold

7. Grand Theft Auto: Vice City Playstation 2 - 13 Million Copies Sold

6.Super Mario Land Gameboy - 14 Million Copies Sold

5. Pokemon Gold and Silver Gameboy - 14.1 Million Copies Sold

must keep typing...

4. Nintndogs Nintendo DS - 14.75 Million Copies Sold

3. The Sims PC - 16 Million Copies Sold

2. Super Mario Bros. 3 Gameboy - 18 Million Copies Sold

Drum roll please....

The winner is...

1. Pokemon Red, Blue & Green Gameboy - 20.08 Million Copies Sold

Still surprised that there no Zelda:cry: and you really gotta hand Nintendo credit, almost all of these games are theirs.

Any guesses about what the next are? Comments or question on the list? Feel free to post.

After Some Extensive Forum posting I have Updates on the Awards

-Best Handheld: Pretty much the DS :D, unless I get a couple (hundred... :P) PSP fans, its pretty much over

-Best System: This is a close race between the X-box 360 and the Wii

-Worst Game of the Year: Hour of Victory and Lair have top honours so far

-Best Games: PS3-Ninja Gaiden Sigma and Resistance have mentions 360-Oblivion and (although its not out yet) Halo 3 Wii-Zelda, Corruption and even Resi 4 have been named DS: Pokemon...

-Underatted Game of the Year: Shadowrun, Jagged Alliance and... Blue Dragon :evil:

-Memorable video game moment: I got a couple in mind, but I'll keep them a suprise :P

Still accepting suggestions for any category and will be starting poll on the forums of which system is the best

After some polls and posts, some of the awards have started to come together.

-Best Handheld: Unless I get some serious amounts of PSP lovers, the DS is gonna win.

-Overhyped Game of the Year: Halo 3, SSM Brawl, Metroid 3 and not to mention the dreaded Lair are top on the list

-Best Game no ones played: Got some mentions, mainly on the lines of Chronicles of Riddick and Beyond Good And Evil

If you have votes for other cotegories feel free to comment

This December, I want to post the first annual BloodCow Awards

Categories Will Include:

-Game of The Year

-Worst Game of the Year

-Best Game For Wii/360/PS3/DS/PSP

-Best Game No Ones Played

-Overhyped Game of the Year

-Underrated Game of The Year

-Best/Worst System

-Best/Worst Handheld System

-Most Memorable Scene In A Video Game

Hopefully you can help me out, so feel free to put in any suggestions for new categories, or to vote which game deserves the awards in each category.

ESRB, one of the most powerful forces in the video game universe. Starting out in 1994 due to growing concerns that some video games were right for children, they have grow into a large and powerful force in the industry. But yesterday, I learned some disturbing truths about ESRB.

First, they rate games by selecting three people from 'different backrounds' (so they say) who watch a movie/trailer of the game and from that they rate the game. I am freaking appalled, instead of playing through the game, they watch a god-damn movie. How are they suppose to accurately rate games based on a small bit of footage, just play the game god-damnit.

Second, I realized how much power ESRB holds over game companies, so much that they (except Rockstar) may actually fear them. After they gave Manhunt 2 an AO rating, they gave Rockstar an economical suicide when it came to Manhunt 2. Having an AO severely limits the game distribution from Wal-Mart , Best buy, basically all the places you buy games, and condemns it to rely internet orders. With this power, who knows what they can do to the future of gaming.

Third, is how they can change game ratings. When Oblivion was launched, it had a nice and happy T rating, when some guy who had a little too much time on his hands and intimate knowledge of code developed a nudity mod. When ESRB caught wind of this the game's rating was quickly changed to M. They shouldn't be able to do this, what are the developers supposed to do in this situation? They can't control gamers, the only way is for us gamers to regulate ourselves (which isn't going to happen, ever).

Fourth, ESRB is becoming more under pressure by the government and parents. They are pressuring ESRB to be stricter in their rating system. If the ESRB succumbs to this pressure (if it hasn't already) we gamers will be looking at harsher and potentially unfair ratings for future games.

To end, I would like to say this: Although ESRB has good intentions, can they really continue to rate our games fairly with their immense power and growing pressure from the government and parents?

Since the apocolyptic effect WoW has had on my life, the mending is going fairly well. My (now ex) girlfreind and I are on speaking terms, i'm back in contact with my parents, i've lost 5 pounds. My life is back on track :).

I also picked up a kick-ass new game Dawn of War. This is an awsome fast-paced strategy game thats greatly above your average Real-Time strategy game. If you ever by it and want to look for me on online multyplayer, i'm (get ready for it) bloodcow666 (original eh)

Today I reached LV 70 in WoW. As I look back at this game, I see what this has cost me. I've lost my girlfreind :cry:, my job, my parents are dissaproving, my main freinds are now in the WoW commmunity and live in the U.S. (I'm Canadian). I was barely keeping up in school are nearly failed English, I no longer do much sports, only swimming. I've wasted my life on this game. Now I have nothing, no girlfreind, no job, little freinds, no respect. This game has cost so God-damn much.

So I say to all of those who are thinking of buying WoW, please for your sake don't. It may be fun but, the quests are repetetive, its addictive and it will cost you alot, almost too much to bear. So don't become what I have don't become the loser I have.

Tommorow is when I get my life back, I pray to god that it can be the same before I played this game. For your sake, please don't become like me, DON'T PLAY WORLD OF WARCRAFT!!!

Just wanted to send a shoutout to my favourite online comice strip, Penny Arcade. Congratulations on your 10 years of grea work this November :). To all those who haven't heard of this site, check it out at http://www.penny-arcade.com/