The Entertainment Merchants Association (EMA) released its annual 2008 report on trends in the video games, TV and home entertainment sectors, revealing the PS3 as critical to Blu-ray's success over HD DVD.

According to the report, which states some pretty obvious things especially when relating to the gaming/home entertainment divide, the PS3 may have been the deciding factor in Blu-ray winning the hi-def wars.

It also pointed out Microsoft had sold 316,000 HD DVD add-ons for the Xbox 360, which are now working nicely as paperweights in gaming dens the world over.

The PS3 is set to be the driving force behind Blu-ray penetration until at least 2009, when it is expected standalone players will drop in price to the point where they outpace the gaming machine.

According to the report, 87 per cent of PS3 owners love a little bit of Blu-ray action on their machine; it also highlights the obvious fact that Microsoft's decision to leave HD DVD capabilities out of the Xbox 360 probably scuppered the format.

It's believed 100-130 million homes will own at least one Blu-ray player by 2010, which may sound far-fetched now, but think about how many DVD players you have including computers.

Sony Computer Entertainment is working on a new controller for the PlayStation 3, which features the ability to 'break apart' into two separate units, each of which contains an accelerometer for 'Wiimote-like' motion-sensing functionality.It's not clear when the pad will be officially announced, but it is believed that working units have already been supplied to certain developer partners, according to sources.

The potential for new game types to be developed with the additional motion-sensing functionality should open up the PlayStation 3 to the sorts of gaming audiences that the Nintendo has been so successful at gathering with its Wii console.

Sony Computer Entertainment will therefore hope that, with the ongoing development of the PlayStation Network, the success of Blu-ray as the de facto next generation standard of video, the gradual roll-out of Home later in the year and the release of additional high definition titles over time, it will be able to overwhelmingly position the PS3 as the best all-round home entertainment unit on the market.

The original controller released with the PS3, the Sixaxis, did contain some motion-sensing ability, although it came at the expense of the popular 'rumble' functionality and was nothing like as free as the movement that the Wiimote offered. The Corporation later released a DualShock pad for the console.

Sony Computer Entertainment declined to comment on the matter at the time of publishing, although an announcement is expected in due course, with the possibility of an official unveiling at this year's E3 event.

2008 was "The Year of the PS3?" Pfft. Excuse me, but even PS3's fantastic 2008 library won't be able to compete with the likes of 2009. In one year, you'll see the likes of Killzone 2, Uncharted 2 and Heavy Rain. And there's tons of other exclusives, PlayStation Network titles, and third party titles that are bound for the system. (And to think, there are still games that haven't been revealed yet!)

The following list includes games that are currently scheduled for a 2009 release. However, as was the case in 2008, some of these games may stumble into delays. The list is broken up in order, with PS3 exclusives coming first. (And boy, are there a lot!)

• PS3 Exclusives
• PlayStation Network Exclusives
• Multiplatform Titles

This is what we're talking about! SOCOM Confrontation has had a less-than-stellar launch, but it looks like things are finally turning around. The upcoming version 1.30 patch is quite the biggie -- it add features like Trophies, revised items and controls, and the return of the prone move. However, it also significantly expands upon the game's lobby system, allowing the online experience to go more smoothly. For a game that has no single player component, this is quite crucial.

The Quick Match/Party system will be added in the upcoming patch. What does this mean? It means that SOCOM players will be able to jump into appropriate games, with the friends, in a much faster and organized way. "Once you select quick match you are taken to the party screen where you can invite other players to join your party. On the party screen, you can chat with your party while you are waiting for everyone to join. Once everyone has joined, select join game and your party is matched with other players of similar skill. For the 1.30 update, you can select from 3 different game types for the quick match; 16x16 Ranked, 16x16 Unranked and 16x16 Respawn. All large maps and game modes are available and the playlists are selected at random."

It's great to see Slant Six finally making Confrontation a game worthy of the SOCOM brand. While it's unfortunate that it has taken so long to get to this point, we're reminded of the old saying -- better late than never.

1. Pay attention

Chances are good that when your children want something, you know about it. If you watch television with your kids, pay attention to which commercials excite them, or which products make them say, "I want that!" or "Timmy has that game, it's great!" If they read video game magazines, sit down and ask them to tell you what cool games are coming out. Make sure you know what TV shows they enjoy. These days, there are numerous games based on popular television programs, so you can feel fairly certain that if your child enjoys watching The Simpsons, they may also enjoy a Simpsons game.

2. Ask questions

This would be a good time to find out what your child enjoys when he or she is not at home. Sure, you know that your son spends hours playing PlayStation 2 at home, but maybe he has a lot of fun playing games on the Xbox when he's at Timmy's house, and would love to have one of his very own.

3. Involve them

If you have to buy birthday or holiday gifts for other children (cousins, friends, etc), get your kids involved in the shopping process. Ask them for input in choosing a video game for someone else that they think will be a big hit. You can then buy their gifts based on the choices they've made.

4. Talk to your friends

Other parents can be a helpful source of information. If you're really at a loss as to which games to buy, try asking a fellow parent what their kids have enjoyed. Timmy's mom may have suggestions as to what Timmy wants to get, what games he has enjoyed in the past, and even what to stay away from.

5. Read the ESRB ratings

If you've gotten the input from your child, done your research, and found the game you're looking for, the last step is determining whether it is acceptable. On the front and back of each video game box is a rating that designates what audience the game is intended for. The ratings range from EC (Early Childhood) to AO (Adults Only), and there are text descriptors on the back of the box next to each rating that clarify exactly what kind of content one can expect from the game. Ultimately, you know your child best, and are aware of what kind of content his or her maturity level can handle. The ESRB rating is a helpful tool, and one that every parent should be aware of.

6. Do your research

If you are budget-conscious, paying attention to sales and special deals can help you shop successfully and still save money. Your local video game stores are great one-stop shops, but don't always offer the best prices. Make sure to check bargain chain stores (Wal-Mart, Costco, Target, etc) for deals on bundles (systems with games and accessories included), or shop online. Many online retailers will notify you via email when they run sales and specials, which can be very helpful.

We hope these tips will help you select the games that are best suited for your children. To further help you out, be sure to visit the AOL PlaySavvy website for more tips, including which games are the hottest of the season and the best way to snag those hard-to-find games. Good luck!

NINJA GAIDEN: SIGMA for the PlayStation 3 is an enhanced remake of the awesome Ninja Gaiden: Black for the Xbox, which was an enhanced remake of the classic Ninja Gaiden, also for the Xbox. Master ninja Ryu Hayabusha has a problem. The bad guys destroyed his village and stole an important family artifact; it's up to players to master his moves and defeat the bad guys. Ninja Gaiden: Sigma takes the plot, features, and gameplay from the original, the bonus content from Black and brings them to Sony's next-generation machine with significant graphics enhancements and a handful of new missions featuring buxom beauty Rachel.

It's worth the upgrade, even if you played the originals to death, because this is one well-crafted action game for players over 17. Ninja Gaiden: Sigma is basically a well-made fighting game that emphasizes combat, with a sprawling adventure attached. While at first, players will button-mash their way to victory -- and frequent death (the game requires skill) -- learning the controls makes the combat elegant and stylistic.

The game is bloody but never feels exploitative, even though this is one of the more violent video games available. The PlayStation 3 visual upgrade makes the game feel like acrobatic lethal ballet. Fans making the upgrade will be disappointed (maybe) that new content is locked, and they'll have to invest 20 or so hours to unlock the new missions. But any adult new to the series will find a lot of stylistic and skill-based ninja violence to sink their teeth into. It's a classic remade in an elegant manner.

METAL GEAR SOLID 4: GUNS OF THE PATRIOTS is purportedly the final adventure for the tactical espionage action series' eponymous hero, Solid Snake. Though it takes place not long after the events of previous games, our grizzled, philosophical poet-warrior appears much older, due to an unidentified affliction causing him to age rapidly. His final mission sees him tracking down his old nemesis, Liquid Ocelot, while coming to terms with an unfamiliar world in which private military companies wage wars on behalf of corporations and nanotechnology augments the abilities of its soldiers. Between the lengthy and numerous cut scenes, players engage in the sort of third-person action for which the series is famous as they sneak about trying accomplish mission objectives and take part in the occasional all-out gun battle.

The Metal Gear Solid games have always been about good storytelling, and, unsurprisingly, the same is true about the series' fourth entry. Players will find they spend just as much time watching the game as they do playing it. Lengthy cut scenes that either show off Hollywood-style action choreography or feature characters elaborating upon the intricate MGS4 mythos pop up every few minutes throughout the game, making it feel, like its predecessors, more akin to an interactive movie than a typical shooter or stealth game. But that's no reason to avoid it. In fact, it could be viewed as the primary reason to play. The game's characters -- primarily our disillusioned hero -- have a depth rarely seen in video games. What's more, the game's story, unlike those of other popular shooters and stealth games, has a smart and important message about the evils of war and the difficulties involved in bringing about peace. It stops short of making any particularly shocking observations -- it feels less like Syriana and more like Political Science 101--but it's still quite satisfying to play a big budget game that attempts to tackle such complex and socially relevant issues.

As for the actual game, it's one of the most polished action experiences available for any platform. From the tiny manufacturer's print legible on soldiers' weapons and uniforms to the video-realistic animations of the game's characters, it's a stunning visual achievement. Graphics aside, the play is refined and highly addictive. New gear includes Snake's Octocamo suit, which turns the same color and texture of any object he leans up against, the Metal Gear Mark.II (a little robot companion that Snake can take control of to scout new areas and interface with colleagues), and the Solid Eye, which covers Snake's left peeper and provides players with night vision, zooming capabilities, and a smart heads-up display that identifies enemies and objects. Getting a feel for the relatively complex controls can be tricky, but an innovative instruction manual that walks players through the game's first mission via instructive comic book panels helps ease players new to the series into game's idiosyncratic mechanics. The sophisticated 16-player squad-based online mode is just the icing on the cake. PlayStation 3 hasn't had much in the way of exclusive mega-games up until now, but Metal Gear Solid 4 fills that void nicely.

hose lucky so-and-sos at EDGE have had some eyes-on time with upcoming half-tuck-em-up Uncharted 2. The preview in the latest issue reveals a lot of backstory as well as quelling our fears about the potential of those stealth sections. Fans of Nathan Drake will be happy to hear that Uncharted 2 will delve further into his character, showing that while he's "affable and charming, he can also be a jerk."

No longer is Nathan on a quest for Francis Drake, instead he's turned his sights to Marco Polo, whose journey back to Europe from the court of Kublai Khan saw his 600-man fleet dwindle to just a dozen survivors. Ultimately Drake's journey will lead him to Tibet and an ancient city, which is said to house a gem that can grant wishes. The story in this game will allow for plenty of variety in the environments you'll be visiting.

Naughty Dog also clarifies what they mean by a "stealth mechanic," which put many people on edge when the game was announced. There is no intention of turning UnchartedSplinter Cell; "stealth just gives you something more in the toolbox - another element, another choice that's available to you. Stealth or shooting - both choices are valid at any time." There's plenty more interesting stuff to read in the full article. It's certainly done a good job getting us even more excited about what's to come from Naughty Dog next year. into the next

How dedicated is the vocal cast of Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots? So dedicated that they believe they are the characters to which they breathe sound and life into. Is it some form of hypnotic gene therapy which brings out such wondrous talent? Maybe ... it's the work of the Patriots? *Cue dramatic music* Whatever the reason be, they now meet up regularly to (jokingly) discern between what really is game and reality.

Dr. Sadie, records one such session documenting how far our beloved actors have had one too many serums in the neck. Paul Eiding (aka Colonel Campbell) is on a junkie binge for some Scissors 61. While Christopher Randolph (aka Otacon) reveals he's been turning his cat "Mark" into Mark II ... by strapping a camera to its back. David Hayter (Old Snake), Jennifer Hale (Naomi), and Quinton Flynn (Raiden) are all there with their buddies with some hilarious consequences. See it all after the break. Thanks go out to Dr. Sadie for totally breaking doctor-patient confidentiality!

Jesus wanted to free them from the shackles of the legalism that choked off their spirituality. Christ returns in the Qur'an with the very same message, although Christ does not speak one word. By Hesham Hassaballa, December 25, 2008 The spirit behind the letters
What is Islam? Is Islam an ancient Arab warrior cult based on the worship of a pagan warrior god, whose headquarters lie in the rocks and stones of the Ka'ba in Mecca? Is Islam a meaningless set of strange and exotic rituals, including walking around a stone cube and throwing smaller stones on a bigger one? Is Islam a faith that calls for either conversion or conquest of all those who choose not to submit to its will?

What is Islam? Is Islam a set of dietary laws and rules of dress? Is Islam composed of archaic and restrictive guidelines that are out of touch with modern reality? Is Islam ornate houses of worship and beautifully fabricated Arabic calligraphy? Is it the printed pages of the Qur'an? Islam is none of these.

Islam is the path of return to the Creator, from whom we were separated by our sin and transgression against ourselves. It is the connection to the Divine that each soul yearns to possess and spends its entire life perusing, rightly or wrongly. It is the fuel with which the Divine spark within each one of us is lit and kindled into a raging fire, giving us comfort, warmth, and light. Islam is our guiding star by which we lead our caravan through the dark paths of the desert devoid of sunlight, and it is the cool shade from the cloud that follows us on our desert journey by day.

Yet, Islam - while it is indeed all of these things - does have a form, an outward expression. There are things in which the believer is supposed to believe. The Qur'an does have rules and regulations; it does have a whole set of "dos and don'ts." The Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) did show us how many raka'as to pray for Fajr, Zuhr, Asr, Maghrib, and Isha prayers. The Prophet (pbuh) did teach us what to say before going into the bathroom and what to say when coming out. There is a certain direction toward which one prays the five ritual daily prayers.

Yet, are these things the essence of Islam? A great many of our Muslim brethren and sisters have transformed Islam thus, and as a result, they have choked out the breath of the Divine Light in our faith and have extinguished the light that is supposed to guide us on our sojourn of separation from God on earth. For example, a dear friend of mine was praying at a local mosque and another brother noticed that he moved his finger in the tashahhud incorrectly. After my friend finished the prayer, the brother told him that he moved his finger incorrectly and his prayer does not count.

This disturbed my friend, and after telling me the story, disturbed me as well. Why would the prayer not count? Is moving the finger in the tashahhud a certain way one of the fundamentals of the prayer? While I do not doubt the sincerity of the brother, how do you think telling my friend that his prayer does not count made him feel? Or how about a non-Muslim who is seriously considering converting to Islam except for one problem: he is left-handed, and he happened to read the multitude of hadith praising the use of the right hand. Yet, using his right hand to eat, for instance, would be extremely difficult for him. Should he forget about becoming a Muslim?

Or how about taraweeh prayers? Yes, the month of Ramadan is the "month of the Qur'an" and it is wonderful to stand in superrogatory prayers and enjoy the recitation of God's Word. Yet, should the imam take so long that the congregation forgets about God's Word because all they can think of is the pain in their feet? These may be extreme examples, but they are indicative of a pattern I see all too often with many Muslims: harping heavily on the technicalities while setting aside the greater purpose of the faith.

Since it is Christmas, it is fitting to mention that Jesus Christ first spoke out against such a religious pattern:

Ye have heard that it was said of them of old time, Thou shalt not kill; and whosoever shall kill shall be in danger of the judgment: But I say unto you, That whosoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment: and whosoever shall say to his brother, Raca, shall be in danger of the council: but whosoever shall say, Thou fool, shall be in danger of hell fire. Therefore if thou bring thy gift to the altar, and there rememberest that thy brother hath ought against thee; Leave there thy gift before the altar, and go thy way; first be reconciled to thy brother, and then come and offer thy gift (Matthew 5:21-24)

Christ continued to his disciples:

Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not commit adultery: But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart....Ye have heard that it hath been said, An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth: But I say unto you, That ye resist not evil: but whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also. And if any man will sue thee at the law, and take away thy coat, let him have thy cloak also. And whosoever shall compel thee to go a mile, go with him twain. Give to him that asketh thee, and from him that would borrow of thee turn not thou away. Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy. But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you; (Matthew 5:27-44).

Jesus wanted to take his disciples to a higher level of understanding of their faith. He wanted to free them from the shackles of the legalism that choked off their spirituality. He told them these things so that they "may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust" (Matthew 5:45). He wanted them to be "perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect" (Matthew 5:48).

Christ returns in the Qur'an with the very same message, although Christ does not speak one word:

True piety does not consist in turning your faces toward the east or the west - but truly pious is he who believes in God, and the Last Day, and the angels, and revelation, and the prophets; and spends his substance - however much he himself may cherish it - upon his near of kin, and the orphans, and the needy, and the wayfarer, and the beggars, and for the freeing of human beings from bondage; and is constant in prayer, and renders the purifying dues; and [truly pious are] they who keep their promises whenever they promise, and are patient in misfortune and hardship and in time of peril: it is they that have proved themselves true, and it is they, they who are conscious of God. (2:177)

The verse refers to the changing of the qiblah from Jerusalem to Mecca after the Prophet migrated to Medina. It was a big scandal at the time, and it even caused some of the Muslim faithful to doubt the Prophet's veracity. Then came God with this verse to remind the faithful that the particular direction in which one prays is not what is truly important; that "true piety does not consist in turning your faces toward the east or the west." I understand this to mean that God is telling us not to harp on the particulars at the expense of more important things.

Thus, don't worry about the way one moves his or her finger in the tashahhud. It is not a crime if you happen to enter the mosque with your left foot. You won't go to hell if you pick up that burrito with your left hand. It makes no sense in prolonging taraweeh prayers to the point that no one will want to come to the mosque during Ramadan any more. Once during the Fajr prayers, the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) suddenly finished the prayer much more quickly than normal. When asked why, he said that he heard a baby crying and wanted to hurry and finish so that the child's mother can go back home and tend to the baby. If that were to happen today, the mosque leader would tell the congregation not to bring their children to the mosque (something I have actually heard being said).

This is not to say that the particulars are totally unimportant. No. There is an outward form to our religion, and it is important. Otherwise, why would the Qur'an and the Prophet (pbuh) bother to explain it to us? Why would the Prophet (pbuh) tell us which prayers to say when, or how many raka'as are prayed when, or how long to fast during Ramadan. Verse 2:177 does outline the things in which Muslims are supposed to believe ( i.e., God, the angels, prophets, revelation, etc.). The verse does mention that "true piety" include praying and paying zakat. Jesus Christ never told his disciples that they no longer had to follow Jewish law:

Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfill. For verily I say unto you, till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled. Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven. For I say unto you, that except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven. (Matthew 5:17-20)

I believe that we should follow the rules to the best of our abilities and should not "break one of these least commandments" and "teach men so." But we should not transform the rules into the faith itself. We should not abandon the spirit of the law for the letter of the law. Otherwise, we reduce Islam to a rule book, and it becomes a spiritual dustbin, devoid of any connection to our Lord. It is akin to taking the Qur'an as we know it today and removing all the beautiful verses that describe God, His Majesty, the beauty of His creation, the vivid imagery of the Last Day, of Paradise, and of Hell, the verses that give us prayers to utter, and the stories of the Prophet of old, and leaving just the ones that talk about the rules. It would be a most deficient sacred text.

When I was in college, a friend of mine and I were sitting in the small prayer room in the Alumni Union of Marquette University when a sister walked in to pray. She did not wear hijab (outside of prayer), and after she finished, my friend had suggested to the sister that she wear hijab. I - suffering from the fevers of fundamentalism - angrily and arrogantly chimed in that the sister knows the rules and she should know better. The sister said nothing and told us "Khoda Hafiz" before walking out. Of the many stupid things I have done in my life, this is one I regret the most.

What did I know about that sister? Who was I to criticize her in the way that I did? I was so focused on her not wearing hijab - something which was none of my business - that I did not see her for who she was: my sister in faith, someone who God says was supposed to be my wali and I her wali. I should have had my foot shoved in my mouth. Yet, that is the danger of focusing on the particulars of the faith while neglecting its larger purpose. It decimates our spirituality and renders the heart a dry, desolate place. It ruins Islam altogether, and Islam is the most beautiful gift - after the gift of life - that God has ever given to us. How could we have to audacity to do such a thing?