Gameboy on Dragonja #1, a picture taken as part of an effort to collect photos of the Gameboy all over the world. Makes as much sense as anything else.

Industry and multi-console news

• Leonardo DiCaprio has signed on to star as Nolan Bushnell in a biopic called Atari.
• The next Rock Band tracks are songs from MTV2's "Circuit Breakout" band contest winners and one track from Maximo Park. All songs are a dollar each to offset the fact that you've never heard of any of these people.
• The Washington Post has an article on the recent departures from the ESA. It's worth noting that id says its departure is "probably temporary."
• Recently laid off LucasArts employees are starting to talk about the situation and where it leaves the company. They say the layoffs were company-wide and leave the developer short-staffed for in-development projects like KOTOR 3 (supposedly an MMO) and the next gen Indy game. They also describe Fracture as "an absolute piece of garbage", if you want to trust somebody who just got canned to be unbiased.
• However, Shacknews reports via a "reliable source" that LucasArts will dump another 100 people and quit internal development altogether once The Force Unleashed ships.
• Gamestop has announced a new in-store digital video network called Gamestop TV that will feature previews, interviews and promos. I don't know how different this is from the constantly rolling video you already ignore in their stores.
• A 25 year old man went on a rampage in Akihabara, Japan's famous electronics district and gaming mecca, killing seven and wounding 17 others.
• According to his San Francisco Chronicle obituary, Bo Diddley's cigar box shaped guitar will be appearing in Rock Band 2.
• Meanwhile, John Mayer doesn't get Guitar Hero.
• Terra Nova ponders if there is an upcoming winter for virtual world games.

PC and mobile news

• Valve has announced a new weapon for the Pyro in Team Fortress 2 called the Axtinguisher. It does half-damage normally, but delivers a guaranteed critical hit to anyone on fire.

Nintendo news

New media: Tenchu 4 trailer, Na Nashi no Geemu trailer -- A Square DS game that translates roughly as Game with No Name

• Nintendo has a job listing that mentions "Wii's USB devices," which some are taking to mean that Nintendo could be working on a USB external drive of some kind.
• This isn't too surprising, but IGN has a look at Wii Rock Band's drum kit and finds it uses the revised equipment with a stronger kick pedal and softer pads that ships with Rock Band now, rather than the original model that first launched with the PS3 and 360 versions.
• Racketboy has a list of the best N64 games that are still relevant in today's market.
• If you're looking for a justification to buy Wii Fit, keep in mind your office might reimburse you for it if they've got a health and fitness policy like this guy.
• A Bauhas-University student has created a spraypaint can Wii remote, perfect for that Jet Set Radio sequel that will never exist.
• Professional wrestler Cody Rhodes has the Triforce on his boots, and has made it clear that it isn't just a coincidence. "You know how some people have a book they re-read every year? Well I re-play The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past for Super Nintendo every year."

Sony news

• Sony is selling PSP and PS2 dev kits to universities.
• 1up has a quick rundown of Metal Gear's top 5 awkward moments.
• And Joystiq looks at the history of MGS4 trailers, all the way back to the E3 2005 (God) teaser.
• The Playstation blog tells you how to make your own PS3 themes.
• There's been word that some stores have broken the street date on MGS4, to which Konami says "these things happen."
• Racketboy has a gallery of the best Metal Gear Solid fanart.
• GameSetWatch has an interview with one of the guys working on a fan translation of Persona 2: Innocent Sin.

Microsoft news

New content: Ninja Gaiden II demo for US and Canada, imagine that

• Microsoft denies news of GTA4 DLC delays, saying it's still on track for Fall 2008.
• The newest issue of GamePro has Halo Wars info and screens.