New Xwerx Accessory Nobly Combats Gamer’s Claw

I’m a huge pussy and whenever shit goes down I tend to hold my controller in a death grip reminiscent of a mama eagle’s talons. It’s mentally comforting, but after so long my muscles cramp up and I have to take a juice break to avoid medical trauma.

Accessory designer Xwerx understands my pain. The company’s debut product, the XtendPlay controller attachment, will eliminate what Xwerx affectionately refers to as “Gamer’s claw.” Available for preorder now and expected to ship out mid-December, the XtendPlay hopes to improve the hand health of PS3 and Xbox 360 owners across the globe.

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WoW: Cataclysm Drops December 7; Blizzard Parties Hard

Blizzard loves to party, and World of Warcraft: Cataclysm’s upcoming release is as good as any excuse to throw one. On the eve of December 6, the developer is hosting several official launch parties at game stores around the globe.

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Google TV Rumored to Hit PS3 Spring 2010

Destructoid reports on a rumor that Google TV could be making its way to the PS3 as early as next Spring. The Android-based streaming platform would allow gamers to search television and internet content on the PS3 system and watch networks like TNT, HBO, Adult Swim, and TBS. As a bonus, Google Chrome and YouTube, Facebook and other popular apps could possibly be a part of the package.

It’s likely there’s truth to this noise, considering Hulu Plus hits the PS3 next week, and Sony confirmed a continuing relationship with Google. However, there’s still concern how some of Google TV’s key features — searchable television content included — would work on the PS3 without some extra equipment.

Sony claims the PS3 can do anything, so Google TV seems right up their alley. Especially after the recent updates to Xbox LIVE, they may be looking into expand on the PSN and start offering better, more diverse features.

Harmonix’s Last Gig With Viacom

Media czar Viacom is indeed selling Harmonix, but before you hang up the plastic axe and retire your sweatband, homeboys, you should know that the Rock Band and Dance Central developer has no plans to abandon its favorite franchises.

Quite the opposite in fact. Reps from both Viacom and Harmonix claim the company is negotiating with “several potential buyers” and will continue work on future Rock Band and Dance Central titles.

This split seems amicable enough. Whatever heavy hitter snaps up these goods doesn’t matter to me as long as Harmonix keeps pumping out the multiplayer dream games that save my friends from my obsession with N64 Mario Parties. Viacom does own a metric shit-ton of what some would refer to as “music” networks, but Harmonix should be able to function just fine without them.

Direct TV Gives G4 the Axe After Low Ratings

Due to low ratings DirecTV has permanently dropped all G4 programming from its lineup. The latest Nielsen data listed G4 as one of the least watched networks on satellite television, and so DirecTV ended negotiations with G4’s parent company Comcast this Sunday.

Naturally G4’s pissed, and a statement on the network’s website explains why. G4 tried to negotiate, hoping to extend its deal with the satellite provider, but DirecTV would not accept the offer. G4 laments the fact that its DirecTV fans now have no access to “the only network dedicated to today’s [sic] web-inspired, tech-savvy, gamer lifestyle.”

G4 today is more akin to Spike TV than the G4 of yesteryear, what with the Cheaters, and the Cops and the Movies that Don’t Suck but Actually Kind of Do. But some of that low ratings stuff has to do with the fact that so many gamers use the internet as their news source, and a television network just can’t compete in terms of speed and accessibility.

Read that official statement to find a local provider that still carries G4 in your area. You’ll also find a number for DirecTV, which subscribers can call and get their complain on.

Dynasty Warriors Online is Now (Free!) Open Beta

Dynasty Warriors Online is now available as an open beta to all North American and European users. Aeria Games has finally brought the online version of Tecmo Koei’s famous series to the West and you, lucky sir, can play it for free.

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Chocobo’s Crystal Tower and Knights of the Crystals: Square Enix Betas Debut on Facebook

Today Square Enix brings Final Fantasy to Facebook, launching not one, but two separate betas guaranteed to piddle precious time away with wild abandon. Pet-centric Chocobo’s Crystal Tower raises FF’s signature birds from egg to senior citizenship, while Knights of the Crystals is a classic quest RPG. Dammit, I have to start playing Facebook games now.

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