Following the bug in the previous version of WiiDoom that caused problems with the HBC, Wiibrew developer lnuxguy wants to spread the good word that WiiDoom has been updated to v0.4 (2). This time, it works with both the Twilight Hack and HBC. Lots of other great new updates as well. Details after the link.

Download: WiiDoom v0.4 (2)

Wiibrew developer lnuxguy has released the latest version of WiiDoom, the Doom port for the Wii. Not a lot of changes in this version, but they are major changes nevertheless so you might still want to upgrade - if only to get the new crosshair feature. More details after the link.

Download: WiiDoom v0.3.1

Game developers come up with cool and innovative ideas all the time. However, it's a fact that right around the time that everyone starts thinking that the idea is fresh and cool, some other developer rips it off and feeds it to us again with a different flavor. The strange thing is that we all embrace cliches like they were avant garden.

So what do we do? Put together some crusade to fight game cliches? Nah, if we do that, people would rip it off and we'll be part of yet another cliche that we ourselves started. Heck, even lists are cliches. So what isn't? We don't know, but we better start the list before we all lose our minds.

The "Ten weariest game cliches ever" list awaits after the jump!

So, do you think you're a hardcore Nintendo fan? Well then, it shouldn't be too difficult for you to find the hidden signatures of the sound designer Kazumi Totaka who is known for his work in games such as Animal Crossing, old Zelda titles, as well as several Mario and Yoshi games, among others. However, for the rest of us who have not yet reached the highest ranks in the Nintendo fan hierarchy, we got a little help with the video we found floating around the internet.

For those who are unfamiliar with what we're talking about, what we're referring to is the small melody that Totaka has been placing in his games for the past ten years. These melodies are similar to Easter eggs, and can only be "unlocked" or listened to in certain conditions. As shown in this video, these conditions include going to an NPC's house and staying there for a certain amount of time, or staying at the Game Over screen for more than two minutes, and so on.

This "feature" is actually nothing useful. It will not give you a BFG, and it will not give you infinite lives during your next Hyrule adventure, however, this does not make it any less fascinating, as we realize that a man has placed his mark on gaming history. It may not be as obvious or as grand as Nobuo Uematsu's scores, but its discreetness adds to the fascination as the hunt for this melody goes on.

Now that we are in the next generation of gaming, with the Wii coming along, perhaps we all should start paying a bit more attention to the credits. Who knows? Maybe that next Wii or DS game that you've pre-ordered contains a little piece of Totaka. Please do tell us when you find him.

In the meantime, to get you started on the search for Totakeke, here's a video which shows good places to begin.

As gamers everywhere await the series of launches of the next-gen consoles, a lull in the gaming industry has been noted by game company executives, and in an effort to get through the so-called calm before the storm, they have now turned their attention to one of the possibly-neglected demographic: the female gamers.

In a male-dominated industry, things are starting to change. Where in the past, female characters in games were typecasted as buxom sidekicks in skimpy clothing who were, more than anything, there for decoration at the big, gun-toting action hero's side, producers are starting to put the BFGs down and talk about the importance of a good storyline, solid characters, and the inclusion of depth and emotion in their games.

One key topic that was discussed at the recent Edinburgh Entertainment Interactive Festival last month was the need to recruit more women in the business. David Gardner, the CEO of Electronic Arts has also stated that "It's a massively underserved and overlooked segment of the market." He's not talking about making games that have ponies and rainbows and ribbons though, but instead "to make products that are more socially inclusive."

More about female gamers after the jump!