Shadowbane MMORPG Now Free To Play
Ubisoft has announced on its official site's news page that Shadowbane, an MMORPG developed by Wolfpack Studios, is now available to play for free. The game previously had a monthly subscription of $12.99. Shadowbane launched in March of 2003, but was unfortunately overshadowed by games such as World of Warcraft and EverQuest. Ubisoft has indicated that the company will be giving out information of why the game is now free of charge shortly.

NES Modded DS
Kotami, a console hacker, has designed his own NES-style Nintendo DS. The DS was painted on top with clear grey paint and the lower part of the DS was painted with dark grey to match the original NES's base. Everything was colored with great care, and everything looks very well done.

Oregon Prisoners Get A Chance To Game
Kodi Dodgin, who used to be a big troublemaker at an Oregon state prison, says he has calmed down from causing trouble in the prison because of video games. He says he's been free of trouble for almost two years because he gets to play his favorite game, Star Ally, at Two Rivers Correctional Institution. He says nothing takes his mind off of being in prison like Star Ally.

Dodgin commented on the game by saying, "You get all these weapons and you've got to beat the four boss men. You kill your enemies. They let off these bubbles sometimes. You collect their bubbles, and you get all these weapons."

The video game consoles are for sale at the prison for $35, and come with 50 pre-loaded games. They are being offered for prisoners with good behavior after 18 months.

An administrator of the Department of Corrections' non-cast incentives program says "it appears to be motivating [the inmates]."

These video games appear to be a very positive effect on prison discipline. Thanks to video games, as well as television sets, prisoners seem calmer in their cells.

THQ Acquires Vigil Games
THQ has announced that the company has acquired Austin, Texas, developer, Vigil Games. Vigil Games will be led by David Adams, who was previously a creator and director of projects for NCSoft and comic book artist Joe Madureira.