You know how gamers always point fingers at the parents when the media blames video games for violent acts? Well, gamers have some fuel to show just how terrible parents can be these days. Two North Carolina parents have let their kid drop out of school to play Guitar Hero.

Yes, really. No, I really mean it. Read it for yourself.

So, why did they let him do it? They see it as a career opportunity, and the kid annoyed them:

“We couldn’t take the complaining anymore,” says Hunter. “He always told me that he thought school was a waste of time.”

Want to know why the country is going down the tubes? Righter there is a small sample of the things that go wrong.

A new Sony Asia poll has spurred rumors that Sony may be flirting with the idea of charging a flat monthly fee for “unlimited PlayStation Portable (PSP) and PSone game downloads.” So, no worries about paying to play online ala Xbox Live, but this could be an even better deal if it turns out to be true. Imagine paying say, $20, and being able to download all of the games you want. Hard to see that as profitable concept unless the price was substantial (there are full PSP games on there for $30 or more), but if it’s true, who could argue?

Hey Australians! Are you excited for Rock Band? Sure you are! The rest of the world has been playing it for the better part of a year, so the anticipation must be killing you.

Well, considered that anticipation officially dead. The game ain’t comin’ down under. Sorry.

Due to retailer apprehension about the game’s age, the massive box which takes up valuable shelf space, and the overwhelming popularity of Guitar Hero, it’s just not going to happen (or so the strong rumor suggests). Want your day to be ruined even more? Rock Band 2 probably won’t find it’s way into Australia either. Ouch.

The confusion over instruments from the ever increasing slate of music games (all with their own set of instruments) is one step closer to being fixed. Sony has stepped up, reaching agreements with Konami, Harmonix, and Activision. Rock Band 2, Guitar Hero World Tour, and Rock Revolution will all share instruments. Users will no longer be forced to purchase separate guitars and other items to play each individual game (not to mention the amount of space they all take up).

Now, Nintendo and Microsoft, it’s your turn.

Anyone up for some jet pack action? That’s what the latest update to Warhawk entitled Fallen Star is bringing with it to PSN. These are obtained on-foot (of course) from a number of vending machines placed around the levels.

For $8, you can gain access to this game altering update on August 28th. Also, you can download the previous pack as well, and combined it’s only going to run you $16. In addition to jet packs, you’ll gain a new level, a smoldering crater named (appropriately enough) Tau Crater.

While it’s not exactly a massive “riot in the streets” type surprise, Street Fighter Alpha is coming to the Playstation Network. An ESRB rating has been up since January. The game is part of the PSOne classics available on the system, and as such, won’t have any new features such as online play. It’s a direct port.

The announcement however has not sit well with fans. PS3 owners were denied the opportunity to take part in the Super Street Fighter II HD Remix beta, and are letting their feelings out in the comments section over on the announcement post at Capcom Unity.

EA made a bold move putting a retired player on the cover of Madden. It was a nice way to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the series, and it marked the first time it’s ever happened in general.

Unfortunately, Brett Favre pulled a Michael Jordan and didn’t stay retired. An even bigger problem? He was traded to the Jets.

So, with all of those copies on stores and OCD Madden fans eagerly waiting to buy it, EA has released new cover art which is available to download and print off. The question is, will karma come back to bite Favre in the ass when the Madden curse comes knocking?

I love Pixel Junk Monsters. It’s quirky visuals, excellent strategy, and general awesomeness drew me in instantly. There’s a problem though. Level 3 is damn near impossible. It’s been a week and I still let my cute little grass skirt wearing, uh, things get eaten by those monster jerks.

Help is on the way for players lacking in skill such as myself. A new update (a freebie) is coming soon, and while it includes the expected achievement… err, trophy support, it’s also going to offer selectable difficulties. So maybe, just maybe, I can get past level 3. Maybe.

Worried about your kids getting their hands on porn? How about real violence? No, of course you don’t. In America, the big fear are those evil video games. Duh.

That begs the question, what is it inside those video games that makes them worry so much? Sex. never mind the severed heads. Those are nothing. In fact, two men kissing inside a video game is even worse than cutting off craniums. These horrific and asinine conclusions come way of What We Play’s study on 3,000 parents across the country. You can check out the full report here, and do nothing but shake your head about how backwards this country can be.

So what if it’s been a few years since we heard even so much as a rumbling about Microsoft’s Xbox Live Anywhere initiative? In theory, we should be walking around town with our cell phones, detailing Forza cars, and sending invites to friends. A little piece of that idea is now floating around to iPhone users willing to plunk down $1.

With iXboxLive, you can view your friends list on the go. However, names need to be entered manually, and after a certain number of names are entered, the entire thing slows to a crawl. Regardless, it’s still more than Microsoft has offered.

Polwat Chino, a high school student in Thailand, has managed to cause a recall of GTA IV all by himself. No, he didn’t protest. Instead, the genius decided he wanted to know what it was like to rob a cab driver. After the driver fought back, Chino stabbed him. It was enough to kill the driver, and when authorities learned why he did it, the game’s distributor sent notices out to retailers to remove the game from store shelves.

EA Dice Producer Gordon Van Dyke has filled in gamers on what to expect in a new mode coming to Battlefield Bad Company. The mode is Conquest, a territory style battle. However, also coming along are some graphical updates, including improved weather effects. The best part? It’s completely free to download and enjoy. PS3 and Xbox 360 gamers can get it as you read this post.