This week San Francisco is hosting the Game Developer’s Conference (GDC), and lucky for us locals, the Hotel des Arts is celebrating by opening their unique space to the “Into the Pixel” and “Video Game Art Show” exhibitions. Opening night is this Thursday, March 11 from 6pm – 10pm, and is free to all. The show will be up through April.

I found it surprisingly difficult to find out much about the event, as unfortunately the Hotel des Arts’ website hasn’t been updated recently. But according to Game Scenes:

In addition to the Into the Pixel exhibition on the main floor of the Hotel des Arts, all five floors of San Francisco’s ‘Art Hotel’ will be filled with artwork ‘from and inspired by video games’. … Gallery partners for this unique VIDEO GAME ART SHOW include Super7, Gallery 1988, Project One Gallery, and the START SOMA art gallery.

Joystiq also reports that the entire fourth floor will be dedicated to art from the making of EA’s “Dante’s Inferno”. The Game Scenes article also has some interesting history on the “Into the Pixel” shows, as well as some examples from last year. I’m loving this sneak peek of some art which will be shown at the Video Game Art Show, from 3 Fish Studios (my original source for the show). Eric shared the image above in his March newsletter. Keep reading for directions to the show, along with a view of one of Hotel des Arts’ rooms.

I talk “Paying Dues”, Sucklord event, geeky t-shirt, Fairytale Fights video game, Left4Dead2 and some 24hr gaming recap. =D

All the things I’m about to talk about have the same thing in common, ZOMBIES! I’ll start off with the video above. Can anyone recognize what it is? It’s Call of Duty: World at War for the iPHONE!! Or Touch, depending on which product you own. Earlier in the year, CoD:WaW released a full zombie map in the game titled: Nacht der Untoten (followed by a second one who’s name I forget). The iPhone/Touch version is based off this map.

When I’d beat L4D with my team (which will soon be reunited), I was concerned that my teammates and I wouldn’t find another game to connect with as much as we did with that game– I sound kinda of pathetic don’t I? But, when CoD’s zombie maps were released, I quickly learned the gameplay and looked forward to Friday night/Saturday morning gaming sessions. According to Co-Optimus, where I read the news from earlier today, it’s even got online support, but no chatting. I’ve already got it synced on my iPhone and will be checking it out throughout the week to see how it compares. =D Keep reading for more zombie goodness!

Scene: Fairytales Fights from I Heart Cool Stuff on Vimeo.

At this year’s AnimeFest, we were lucky enough to get some hands-on time with the upcoming Fairytales Fights video game by Playlogic. The game is based on “reject” fairytale characters, including Jack from Jack and the Bean Stalk and Red from Little Red Riding Hood. They’re tired of living in the shadows of the more popular and heroic characters, and go on a bloody rampage.

That’s the best part of the game so far. The blood. I tend to be a huge fan of cute things that suffer, and this game meets those requirements to a tee. The game, soon to be released for the Xbox 360 and PS3, will be a full on hack-and-slash game jam packed with it’s 1000 achievements and trophies.

If you recall, some time ago the Mr. (in all his awesomeness) created a video to show you the tokidoki gear all Xbox Live users can now purchase on their dashboards for their avatars. I’ve already gone ahead and bought myself the ice cream licking t-shirt, along with an eye patch and a pair of gauchos. Anyway, I’m getting off track here. It seems that I wasn’t exaggerating when I said Simone was taking over, since he’s now created art for the upcoming Need for Speed Nitro intended for Nintendo DS and the Wii.

Tokidoki won’t be the only art included from the designer toy/lowbrow movement. The upcoming racing game will also feature the art from Upper Playground artist’s Sam Flores and Jeremy Fish and artists from the well-known I Am 8-Bit collective. I’m loving these news and though I haven’t played a racing game since Burnout (I was so damn addicted and competitive), I think I’ll pick this game up when it’s released. Both the Wii and DS(i) are perfect platforms for tokidoki’s art style.

[via]

I just spotted a post at LevelSelect which reminded me to post about the upcoming video game shirts by UNIQLO. The Pimp had informed me a while back that UNIQLO was going to be releasing an entire line of video game inspired t-shirts. Well, the first batch of t-shirts are going to be released next week, March 16th. Above, you’ll find an image of the Resident Evil shirt that’s going to released through this line, just in time for RE5’s release. I’m not very impressed with it, but I had to post it because my Mr. is a huge RE fan. Although, he himself doesn’t think the design is very creative. I am, however, digging the Pacman shirt to the right– you can’t really go wrong with something as simple as Pacman or the ghosts right?

If you want to know more about what video game shirts are going to be released along with the release dates, you can check out Kotaku’s site for details. They posted more info today. I will state that I want to see the Little Big Planet shirts, I want now!! If you read after the jump, you’ll see the cool ties someone at Level Select found. =)

Are Violent Video Games Adequately Preparing Children For The Apocalypse?

For once, the right question is being asked. [via]

And so, we are nearing the dateline for the upcoming I Am 8-Bit show taking place in LA this year. If you know nothing about the show, think of it like this: art inspired by classic gaming. The sneak peeks are beginning to surface; along with it, my desire to live on the West Coast just so I could attend all these awesome shows. The show is going to be opening August 14th from 8pm- Midnight at the World of Wonder Storefront Gallery.

6650 Hollywood Blvd
Hollywood, California 90028
(323) 603 6300

Hit the jump to see two of the pieces that will be displayed. One includes Erick Scarecrow.

Okay, so technically, today was the Wii Fit launch in the states– but tomorrow Nintendo will be hosting a Wii Fit event in Central Park. Where do you think I’m going right after work? Central Park!!

The event beings at 8a.m. and will last till 5p.m. at the Merchants Gate in Central Park, which is located at the intersection of Central Park West, South, Columbus Circle and Broadway.

Is anyone else planning on going? Unfortunately none of my friends can go because of work and/or finals. If you’re in the area, message me! I’ve got a twitter [sakiwaki], tweet me and we’ll meet up! [info via.]

[Splinter Cell, Assassin's Creed, Prince of Persia & Rayman Raving Rabbids]

I are green with ENVY right now. Yeah, I wrote “are” and felt like a pirate when I wrote it too! Anyway, I’ve known about Ubisoft releasing the Rabbids in vinyl form. Unfortunately, I didn’t know about them in time to buy them when they were available on their site, but my Mr. managed to get one on ebay, which I always want to steal! Anyway, GayGamer posted his latest Raving Rabbids swag and I could feel my heart being crushed into pieces because it’s yet another set I won’t get to own. They’re awesome, and of what I know, not for sale.

I want, I want, I want!!!