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MogBonanza hits Final Fantasy XI, kupo!
Our inside source with the Vana'diel moogle guild has revealed that the moogles are up to some fun for the adventurers! Moogle technology has recently improved to the point where they can now draw numbers carved on marbles out of a huge bin and reward prizes to those who hold the winning numbers. What does this mean for you? Massive cash!To celebrate Final Fantasy XI's sixth anniversary, the moogles are giving out many great items with a top cash prize of 100,000,000 gil for the player who matches all 5 numbers. It should be noted that even 2 numbers matching gives you a chance to win 100,000 gil!With Square-Enix's crack down on real-money trading and gilsellers in an attempt to stabilize the economy of FFXI, it seems really odd for them to be infusing a huge prize of 100,000,000 gil into the economy through a contest. But, hey, we're not going to be complaining. Would you want to turn down 100,000,000 gil? We think not.[Thanks, FusionX!]
Luna Oaks/Busy Ben lottery time
Twice each year Linden Lab holds a lottery for shop spaces in two prestigious Second Life simulators, where winners score a rent-free lot for a six month lease. The winners can use the store interiors to sell their products (though they are unable to change the exteriors - one of the factors that makes Luna a very popular destination). The Luna Oaks boardwalk allows for a variety of non-mature product, while Busy Ben's Vehicle Lot in Oak Grove is restricted to vehicular sales only. Winners of the last lottery draw have to clear out by Noon SLT (US Pacific) Tuesday, 25 March, and new winners can move in by 1PM SLT Tuesday, 15 April. Would-be entrants in the lottery should check the terms and conditions as they tend to vary slightly from draw to draw.
Limited edition Pikachu DS Lite system to hit Japan
We all knew this one was just a matter of time, but it sounds like the Japanese faithful will finally have the opportunity to purchase a glaring yellow Pikachu DS Lite system in the not too distant future. Of course, this isn't the first time the infamous Pokemon has taken over a Nintendo handheld, but getting your palms around this machine will be even more difficult than those other hard-to-get hues. The limited edition machine will reportedly sport Pikachu's face on the bottom right corner of the cover, include a matching yellow stylus, and in order to procure one, you'll have to show up in person at the Japanese Pokemon Center and submit your name into a lottery system. Supposedly, the winners will be able to pay their ¥16,800 ($139) and walk out happy starting on July 20th, and afterwards, the rest of you can shell out small fortunes on various auction sites if you just can't do without.[Thanks, Mitch]
Konami slot machines pulled for subliminal messaging
While we've seen quite a few instances where shifty gamblers got the boot, this time it's the slot machines participating in a mass exodus of Canadian casinos. In another tale of misguided marketing garnering awful PR, Ontario's provincial gambling operator has "pulled 87 video slot machines out of service or physically removed them from its casinos" after an investigation found some tricky imagery hidden within. Apparently, a number of Konami slot machines flashed "winning jackpot symbols" for a fifth of a second every so often, purportedly giving players "subliminal messages" that would keep them chucking away coins for longer periods of time. Comically, Konami is asserting that the flashing images are simply a "software glitch" that will be fixed shortly, which leaves us wondering what else could be ailing these machines for the betterment of the establishment. Regardless, the Ontario-based discovery has spawned several other investigations in the US, British Columbia, and Quebec, but it has "yet to be determined" if the flashing imagery has effected the gameplay of addicts professional gamblers.[Via Konami]
Man wins $102,000, casino cries malfunction
We're fully aware that getting too clever while in a casino is likely to land you behind bars, but a Pennsylvania man is now crying foul after he got the short end of the stick in an unfortunate "mishap." The retired carpenter, who had visited the Philadelphia Park casino before, dropped his two quarters into a Wheel of Fortune slot machine only to win $102,000 -- or so he thought. The machine proudly conveyed his winnings right alongside his actual name, sending his emotions into a jovial whirlwind, but apparently the machine wasn't exactly supposed to, you know, let people hit the jackpot, and now he's fighting just to get his due reward. A spokesperson for the venue stated that it "was just an error in the communication system," but added the mistake seems to have originated in the in-house computing system, not within the machine itself. The man was offered "two tickets to the buffet" (saywha?) and advised to read the disclaimer on the machine, nullifying any awards if the machine malfunctions, but he still feels that this "fault" is illegitimate. So if you're the next person to strike it rich in a questionable casino, try not to get your hopes up too high, alright?[Via TechDirt]
Amazon.com PS3/Wii lottery rules
It's coming down to the wire for folks who want, but don't have, a PS3 or Wii yet. Amazon.com is doing a lottery to determine who will receive the shipment they have. Rules are simple: Your Amazon.com account must have been created no later than 11:59PM (Pacific time) on December 11, 2006. You need an authorized credit card on your account. The claim codes will be distributed only to randomly selected customers. If selected, you are eligible to buy only the deal that you signed up for. Sign-up ends tomorrow at 11:59PM Pacific. Winners will be announced Tuesday, Dec. 19 and it looks like they'll be announced ONLY on Tuesday, Dec. 19, so don't forget to check if you win. Good luck shoppers that don't want to fight traffic, weather, malls and/or sleep overnight for their console.
