This post is an illusion. You should probably just ignore it.

Industry and multi-console news:

• If you haven't heard already, Gamespot editor Jeff Gerstmann has been fired under mysterious circumstances. Joystiq has a summary of the most recent developments in this dramabomb here, and Gamespot has their own little FAQ on the matter here.
• A pair of congressmen have made a request that the ESRB make publisher video submissions which are used to determine the rating publically available.
• The National Institute for Media and the Family's annual report card says that the industry is in an "ominous backslide", as it has become complacent on the "voluntary standards" that regulate games. In other news, Ominous Backslide is the name of my new Burnout clone, available for all major systems next fall.
• The president of the ESRB says that the NIMF displays a "signicant lack of understanding" about the whole Manhunt 2 issue.
• New downloadable content for BioShock on the PC and 360 adds new upgrades, a new achievement for the 360 and fixes that whole widescreen not really being widescreen thing.
• A recent online survey had 51% of respondents saying that the government should regulate game content.
• Gamasutra has an interview with Harmonix about the genesis of Guitar Hero.
• Detroit Prosecutor Kym Worthy has listed 10 games to avoid this Christmas because they're all bloody and whatnot. "Experienced adult gamers call this the most violent and twisted game ever played." Can you guess which game she's referring to?
• Square Enix CEO Yoichi Wada says that the 360 is a hardcore gamer's console, the Wii is being bought more as a toy than as a game console, and Sony doesn't know what they want the PS3 to be.
• If Sonic 2 was remade in HD, it might look a little something like this (but still in 4:3, for some reason). I have to admit, it's an appealing thought.
• A Burnout Paradise demo is coming December 13th to.. some system(s).
• Metallica is in talks to premeire the first single from their next album in Rock Band.
• Soul Calibur 4 will be playable at CES, where they will also be revealing another character. 20 bucks says it's one giant breast.
• 1up has an interview with Eidos Montreal on what's the deal with Deus Ex 3?
• Oh look, Sonic Underground is coming to DVD. Wait, what's Sonic Underground? When did thisoh god is that what the boxart looks like ahahahahahahahahahha
• Zero Punctuation's video review this week is Assassin's Creed.
• GameFly has launched a music service for some reason.

PC news:

• An academic experiment/game called Arden: The World of Shakespeare has failed due to the minor issue that "it's no fun."
• From now until December 31st, GameTap is making Daikatana free to play. Apparently you were naughty this year.
• Oh, and GameTap is also removing over 70 games.
• Amazon has Vampire: The Masquerade - Bloodlines marked down to $9.99.

Nintendo news:

• Reggie Fils-Aime calls continued Wii shortages "highly unfortunate."
• There are currently no plans to bring the PS2 port of NiGHTS to the US. The release is being spurred by high demand in Japan that apparently doesn't exist in the US.
• More details on Smash Bros. Brawl's Friends list. Yes, it uses Friend Codes.
• Wired has an interview iwith the director of Super Mario Galaxy about sneaking story into Miyamoto games.
• Hardcore Gaming 101 has a lengthy article on the CD-i Zelda games, including an interview with one of the developers.
• Here you can read a translation of the Famicom Disk System guide released in 1985. Keep in mind the translators have flipped the images so it is now read left to right.
• Hey, want to see topless chicks playing a Wii? Yes, that's it. No joke or anything, just a woman without a shirt slathered in grease violently shaking a Wii remote like one would a baby.
• Downlaodable songs for GH3 on the Wii should be in place next year.
• A new Final Fantasy IV DS trailer is out.
• A few new screenshots of Dragon Quest Swords. I know all of Toriyama's designs look alike, but I thought that blonde was Ayla from Chrono Trigger for a second.
• Amazon has Rayman Raving Rabbids 2 on the DS on sale for $14.99 and Donkey Kong Barrel Blast for the Wii on sale for $29.99.

Sony news:

• SCEA director of PSN operations Eric Lempel says Sony is "definitely thinking about" a possible direct-to-PSP Playstation Store.
• New details have been announced on what's being added to the PS2 port of Twisted Metal: Head-On.
• A patch is coming to make Guitar Hero 3 guitars work with the PS3 version of Rock Band.
• There are freezing bugs in Assassin's Creed and Ubisoft doesn't know what causes them.
• This weekend, playing multiplayer in Call of Duty 4 on the PS3 earns you double XP.
• Amazon has Time Crisis 4 with Guncon 3 on sale for $69.99 and Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion on sale for $19.99. That much RPG for 20 bucks is almost criminal.

Microsoft news:

• This week's downloadable content pack for Rock Band is a three song set of Black Sabbath.
• Also there's a Culdcept Saga demo.
• Michael Bay claims that Microsoft is pushing HD-DVD so hard because they secretly want both HD formats to fail, "so they can be heroes and make the world move to digital downloads."
• Major Nelson has announced that Xbox Live Silver members will have to wait a week longer than Gold members for new content. Also: separate water fountains.
• By the way, your clever little workaround to get content from other regions by making alternate Live accounts doesn't work with Xbox Originals.
• Three new Ninja Gaiden 2 screenshots have been released.
• Amazon has Viva Pinata Party Animals on sale for $29.99.