The reports of this featureÂ's demise have been mildly overstated.  IÂ'd like to say that Weekly Wrapup is back by popular demand, but that would be dodging the fact that I just didnÂ't put it up the past couple of weeks.  IÂ'm tempted to blame you all for talking about nothing but Doom III – and my genuine concern that another article about Doom III would bring the internet to some kind of latent self awareness and promptly dedicate itself to the destruction of mankind so it wouldnÂ't have to suffer another argument about whether the future has duct tape or not – and so, I think I will.  ItÂ's your fault.  Yes you!

This week is all about appearances; what appeals to you, how you look to other people, and what the hell is Nintendo thinking with a dual screen handheld? Ok, I admit it, IÂ'm stretching here to find a theme. I suppose I couldÂ've been falsely erudite and claimed this weekÂ's theme was the postmodern construction of identity in the technology counter-culture. Wait, that sounds good, actually. IÂ'm totally postmodern!

On a side note, congrats to Slambie for hitting the trifecta this week. You've won - Street Cred! The proper amount (15.6) will be added to your total.

Well, IÂ'm back this week from my cross-continental peregrinations (to answer your question, Pyro, thatÂ's what people with a thesaurus call it).  And, yes I had to actually look up peregrinations before I posted it.  Speaking of Pyro, who took the helm of this feature last week, in the future when doing this you might avoid the cognitive narcissism of referencing your own post.  If you really need to draw attention to how smart you are, be more subtle and employ a loquacious vocabulary to imply intellectual superiority.

While our very own Elysium is off gallivanting or frolicking or whatever people with Thesauruses do, I've been left to do the Weekly Review. Unlike last week, the forums were filled with all kinds of discussion about events and rumors in the gaming industry. Unfortunately, none of them turned out to be true. It did make for interesting discussion though. This week, we check out Nintendo DS rumors, Freespace 3 rumors and Xbox Next bravado.

Another fairly slow news week for you guys to chew on.  The forums have been full of addiction and obsession over Joint Operations, a small clique of us have rediscovered Rise of Nations, and there's been some well tempered enthusiasm for the coming season of football.  In short, weÂ're pretty well sated, and thus unusually calm.  In some ways summer is the best time to be a video game enthusiast, itÂ's a respite from the tidal onslaught of mega-hyped games, a good time to rediscover some hidden gems and temper our mania with occasional excursions out under the summer star.  ItÂ's forced moderation of a kind that, frankly, just makes things taste better.  That doesnÂ't mean there was nothing to speak of.  LetÂ's look at a couple of topics.

So, last week was a great week to start this new column of ours.  You guys were waxing oodles of clever, thoughtful, gaming commentary on the bountiful topics laid at your feet.  I guess all that news and debate left you guys, and the industry, a little spent.  Last week I was literally beating away your witticisms with a stick; this week, not so much.  I feel like a man trying to use a geyser as a drinking fountain.  I will not, however, be deterred.  LetÂ's plunge into the murky depths of the forum and see what you guys are(nÂ't) talking about.

Welcome to our new and improved Weekly Wrap Up.  Instead of pretending that we have the last word on the news of the week, weÂ've turned the reins over to our forum community, and each week weÂ'll be posting your comments on the biggest stories.  Of course, IÂ'll get my say too, but you already know what an ego maniac blowhard I am, so donÂ't look so surprised.  Naturally, IÂ'm not going to be able to post every smart or witty comment made, nor every direction a given discussion turns, so if you said something really smart and didnÂ't get any credit, youÂ'll be best served to keep your martyrdom to yourself. 

So, letÂ's get started.  WeÂ've got three big topics that have dominated the forums to hit.

The wrap up this week has some interesting bits. LucasArts gets a new President, TechTV gets the axe and we find out being a game developer really, really sucks. As usual you'll get to hear our witty commentary and insightful analysis. Though after we type that sentence we keep talking anyway.

Friday already and here we are on the very cusp of May. This week in the news we discuss Gothic II's non-existent expansion pack, Interplay's jackassery and Sony's trials and tribulations as demands for a PS2 price cut continue to escalate. Honestly, with E3 a couple weeks away there's next to nothing happening in the news worth deiscussing. Bah!

The end of the week is upon us once more! You have the weekend to look forward to and the slow, creeping dread that Monday is just around the corner. Oh yes, I smell your fear and it intoxicates me! I've been putting a fair bit of time into the World of Warcraft beta this week so you can expect something about that soon, probably Tuesday. There wasn't too much happening in the news but we did manage to dig up a few odd stories that may tickle your fancy. Have a good weekend and we'll see you on Monday!