David returns from a three week Diablo-induced coma packing an exposé detailing the twisted underbelly of online gaming.

Ever since Sega decided to include a 56k modem as part of the Dreamcast hardware, the gaming media has been buzzing with the potential for online console gaming. "Play against real people anytime you want!" they say. "You get the whole screen to yourself, and you can play against more than four people!" It sounds really great until you start looking at the technology and reality behind online gaming. I'll admit that I haven't tried online gaming on a console yet. All of my experience in this comes from playing endless sessions of Team Fortress Classic and Diablo 2 on my PC. Still, the fundamentals are the same. With that out of the way, I'm going to present to you, in my opinion, the three biggest problems with online gaming.

Sony used to be a company who pumped out mediocre software with an immense third party backing. Oh how times have changed.

Man, there are some things you’d never imagine being said. What will the next Sonic game look like on Nintendo’s upcoming system? What will be the best selling GameCube launch game, which (barring any Space World announcement) will not feature a Mario title? Some of these questions are proof that times have indeed changed, whereas others reflect the companies or developers themselves changing. Recently, I had an epiphany, which falls into both of the previously mentioned categories. I never thought I’d be thinking, let alone agreeing with this discovery, but after really thinking it out, I've come to the realization that my original instincts were correct.

Max celebrates 4th of July on PGC & sets off fireworks Super Mario Bros. style! (NOTE: Not patriotic blather!)

Usually we notice all so-called “post office holidays” to give greeting card type shout outs to readers & remind geeks living in the basement what day it is. Today I felt like saying a bit more.

I just got back from Columbus where last night I witnessed “Red, White & Boom,” possibly one of the most amazing fireworks displays I have ever seen. Yes, it happens July 3rd and not the 4th. Last year, my friends and I made this discovery after making big plans to go, and finding we were a night too late. This year we made sure not to make the same mistake.