Difficult being a fanboy in a recession

[Edit: I wrote this for StartScreen, I figured I'd just copy & paste it here as well]

If you've been paying attention to the news and rumblings about the current financial trend in technology, more specifically, the games industry then you know that us gamers have quite the road ahead of us this year. With platforms warring for our dollars and developers struggling [financially and with the aformentioned platforms], innovation may come second to keeping these respective companies above water.

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Women In Gaming: Jenn Tsao Leaves 1up.com joins Sega

I Tried To Post One With Her Son, But Flickr Didn't Let Me...

If you have been reading the message boards of 1up.com and NeoGAF then you wouldn't know how valuable a figure Jennifer Tsao really was at 1up.com. From the responses I've been seeing [in regards to the negative] most people merely saw her as a casual gaming mom who may not have had the background to be reviewing hardcore games. Nothing could be further from the truth. The truth is Tsao was a huge MMO/RPG nerd who did and still does host LAN parties. What's more important, is that when I was reading EGM & 1up in 2002-03 she was able to question the gaming industry as far as: how women are portrayed, how to include those that may be intimidated by the culture as well as how to have a hardcore gamer play something [good] that isn't a part of the norm.

Jenn's last day was Oct. 31st and she bid everyone a fond farewell on a podcast she helped build and develop. She's leaving game journalism and heading over to the production side, where she will be working at Sega as Associate Creative Director for Family/Casual games. If you've been following Jenn's work for the past six years at 1up, then you know this is kind of a no-brainer opportunity. Just can't help but think how big of a loss this is for 1up.com what with the most recent departures of Jeff and Shawn.

More after the jumps...

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MMA: Elite XC folds and the UFC still sucks!

Will this be the last time we see Kimbo...winning?

Sad news? Well...it isn't the greatest news to here today.  Dave Meltzer of Yahoo! Sports reported today of the news of mixed-martial arts organization EliteXC is unfortunately [or fortunately] closing its doors. From bad business deals with shareholders and fellow MMA company contributors to marketing an unprofessional fighter to fight 'over-the-hill' vets or 'unseasoned upstarts' looks to be what what did the more crassy than classy noob organization.

After the jump..."What about women's MMA?"

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CBS Sarah Palin Interview

Let us observe the very awkward silence in this interview...you know where it is.

Who Surf's For Porn On A Plane?!

Sorry...I couldn't resist a Snakes On A Plane Joke

Really? Word? Apparently, Association of Professional Flight Attendants has waged a mini-war against some passengers on American Airlines who just can't wait until they get into the privacy of their own homes. I'm guessing since JetBlue and Southwest have already mandated restrictions on their web access, this should be no problem for the lovely people at American. Seriously, how much damage can the passengers do with only one free hand...

More after the jump...

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