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Video game nerd cred now in convenient badge form
Sure, you could use this super-cool line of gaming-themed buttons from Prickie to spruce up a favorite knapsack or family pet. But there are enough oddball items on here that you may want to use them to show off your (literal) videogame ownage. Are you tired of having to tell people about your QuickShot II Turbo to earn street nerd cred? Just buy the button and pin it to your forehead. (Notably absent from the list: The Duke. There are apparently some things that just don't fit on buttons ... yet. How about it, science?) Now go, game nerds, buy like the wind -- or at least before Hot Topic snaps them all up.[Thanks, Axel]
ThinkGeek 8-bit tie prank could be a reality
Apparel website ThinkGeek posted a number of fake products yesterday during the internet-wide April Fools fool-a-thon. When we laid eyes on the jagged 8-bit tie, we fell in love. ThinkGeek apparently received a flood of e-mail begging them to make the tie a reality. Assuming it's not an extension of their prank, it looks like they're working on it. For REAL.Posted below the tie's price information is a small note from the ThinkGeek staff: "Hey! You! Quit emailing us to make this for REAL already. We promise, we'll make it.". The "add to cart" button is also missing, which is where fake products revealed themselves as hoaxes. Real or just more prankage? We're hoping it's the former. Please don't toy with our gentle hearts like this, ThinkGeek. We might actually look forward to meetings, weddings, and funerals if we can wear that tie.
New Katamari Damacy shirts roll into your life
A new set of official Katamari Damacy t-shirts has been unveiled at Panic. The Mac software company serendipitously walked into a licensing deal with Namco a few years ago and are the only official source for Katamari apparel. Apart from the soundtrack, this is the only merchandise that has received Katamari creator Keita Takahashi's approval.Takahashi designed the shirts himself and each one features a short paragraph explaining his inspiration. There are five new shirts, each retails for $24.95. Previously only available in a few areas, Panic can now ship to the following countries: USA, Japan, Canada, Korea, UK, France, Germany, and Spain.
Plantronics and Quicksilver team up for Bluetooth / iPod-enabled winter gear lineup
Seeing newly-unveiled outerwear touting iPod / Bluetooth connectivity is becoming a winter tradition it seems, as these blustery days bring about visions of new coats, helmets, lift tickets, and never letting go of your dear DAP / cellphone. This time around Quicksilver is seeking the technological know-how from Plantronics as it offers up a "limited edition" lineup of snow-ready gear that plays nice with your iPod and BT-equipped handset. The Double Daffy Snow Jacket sports Plantronics "stereo sound and voice technology" via Bluetooth, and should hit retail stores for $370 soon, while the presumably corresponding Pulse Helmet rocks a lightweight, ABS-infused design, side vents, and a black camo motif for $249.95. For the ladies in the house, the Teen Angel Snow Jacket caters to the female agenda for $340, and the partnering Shiver Helmet will run you $249.95. While no hard availability dates were mentioned, all the new kit will be on display at the SIA conference in Las Vegas through the end of the week, and we assume it'll hit your favorite ski shop shortly thereafter.
Insanely Great Tees releases two new shirts
Insanely Great Tees, who we've mentioned before and dearly love here at TUAW, has announced two new shipping shirts from that batch we all voted on. The "I'm a Mac" and "Binary Tree" (both $17) are ready to ship and keep you clothed, just in time for Macworld 07! I was personally hoping for the "cmd + s the whales" and "Vector G" shirts as well, but hey, I'll take what I can get.
QinetiQ's 3D shoe-sizer coming to US Stride Rite stores
While already popular in Clarks shoe stores across the UK, QinetiQ's 3D foot gauge is finally making its way across the pond. Unveiled in three Boston Stride Rite locations, these trials are slated to lead to a more widespread release across the chain's 450 American locations, giving shoe-wanting citizens "quick and accurate" measurements when sizing up. The contraption features six 3D digital cameras that scan the foot to provided "highly detailed length, girth, and shape data," essentially helping to ensure the best fit possible. Additionally, recorded 3D data can enable trend analysis, which would assist in designing future styles and improving stock control. The optical ranging technology used in the device was actually derived from work done on the "detection of unexploded ordnance" for the UK's Ministry of Defense. Although we're unsure how quickly these things will roll out nationwide, we're sure QinetiQ stands to make a hefty sum from its invention, as its current deal with Clarks yielded a whopping £4.6 million ($9.1 million) over in England.[Via Gizmag]
Get your gift on: Holiday gamer shirts
Check out all of the different Way of the Rodent t-shirt designs while you're searching for stocking stuffers. Sure, they aren't all holiday themed, but this Katamari t-shirt where the Prince is rolling up a snowman is the bomb. Although the Q*bert Christmas tree trumps them all in terms of nostalgia, and that Pac-Man Christmas Carol shirt, "Tonight you will be visited by three ghosts ..." is priceless. Well, priceless to the tune of $22 plus shipping and handling. But don't let that turn you into a Scrooge, share some holiday gaming love this season.[Thanks, Trina]
Get your gift on: game scarves
Bits to die for wants all your holiday money to belong to them. Check out their series of scarves featuring old school game images in knitted Italian wool. Swanky game gear that'll keep out the chill and still let people know you're a gamer.Our favorite is the pong scarf, but these are also perfect for the sidescrollers. We'd like to see one complete with tips and secret areas. Whip it off to get past a boss, and then wrap yourself back up.Black Friday is approaching quickly, check out Joystiq for more gift ideas as we march towards shopper meltdown.
Gamer apparel: the king of games
Ready for some overpriced clothing that'll let the world know you're a gamer? Of course you are! The self-proclaimed "King of Games" in Japan has some threads for you. These suckers are roughly $50 a pop, and feature some really bizarre artwork. Check out the series dedicated to Nintendo's Game & Watch handhelds.It looks like their "Sweat Parka" hoodie has a pocket made just for your DS, but since we can't read Japanese, and their English site is "beta only" right now, we don't know. The Zelda designs on it are pretty nifty though. Our favorite shirt is the "80s Videogamer" model. Simple with a message.Although right now if forced to choose between a new Wii game and the shirt, we gotta go with the game.[Thanks, Jeff]
Ask Joystiq: Hot Topic and Warcraft
Yesterday we received a letter from Ryan, a perplexed Hot Topic shopper and Warcraft addict-to-be. He writes:"Hello. I was at the mall yesterday. I happened into Hot Topic while lookingfor an awesome Halloween costume and came across a $1.99 14-daytrial DVD of World of Warcraft. I thought, What the hell. Everyone else is addicted, why not me? So for 2 bucks I picked it up. I haven't installed it yet but, what I wanted to know was if you have seen these and if I only get it for the 14 days and then have to go buy a $20 box copy, or if I get the 14 day trial and then just have to sign up for an account? There seems to be a bunch of back and forth on this on the message boards. I tried to search your site but didn't find mention of it ... (I wish Weblogs inc. would upgrade their search engine). Anyway, thought it was interesting also that Hot Topic was selling WoW, it not being a game store and all. It begs the question, how long before my local 7-11 sells MMORPGs over the counter."Check out what we discovered after the jump.
Share your fandom with the one you love
Sometimes, fandom is a private thing, only to be shared with that special someone ... unless, of course, you're the type to flash your undies at anyone who will look. If so, shame on you! But whoever sees these undies will know that you are a true player. Ladies, there's no better way to tell your significant other that sometimes, up-up-down-down-left-right-left-right-B-A really is the key to your power ups after all. And on a quiet Sunday evening, who can resist talking about panties -- especially Nintendo panties?[Thanks, AuthorX!]
