Despite claims of widespread piracy, dumbed-down gameplay, and DRM nightmares, Spore reportedly sold more than one million copies in the 17 days following its release. That's a remarkable accomplishment for a PC title, especially one based on entirely new IP. The length of its tail remains to be seen, but at this point Spore appears to be a major retail success for EA.

If Spore's ultimate accomplishment is nothing more than an impressive retail record, though, it will have been a tragic waste of talent and innovation.

The draw has occurred! Thanks very much to everyone for their awesome support this year, it's been well and truly overwhelming. Special mad props goes to everyone who took the time to pop into Vent and not get their names drawn. Sorry about that.

We drew the names based on order of choice, so you don't have to choose a console if you really want RISK: Black Ops instead. Here are the winners!

Congratulations to our winners! Be sure to post in this thread which prize you'd like in order of the names drawn. Head on over here to see the prizes up for grabs. See you next year!

When it comes right down to it, the Fallout games belong squarely in any reasonable and informed argument for best CRPG of all time. In a genre dominated by magic and elves, the Fallout franchise was a different beast entirely, bursting with equal parts grit, gore and humor. It is difficult to truly highlight the completeness of these games, to properly give full credit, and as Fallout 3 prepares to take the storied franchise in a completely new direction, there is perhaps no better time to give credit to the games that came before.

I remain after all these years entirely incapable of choosing which Fallout I prefer. Truth be told, I'm inclined to place a fully patched up version of Fallout Tactics in with the esteemed couple, but I’ll save making that case for another time.

The Fallout series remains surprisingly playable even ten years after its release, a testament in part to the creativity, art direction and gameplay mechanics. Perhaps it is true what they say: war, it never changes. While the games can be a little on the unforgiving side if you’re not careful with your attributes, it is unapologetic about its presentation and its bloody gun play. The post-apocalyptic landscape was a welcome change from traditional D&D gamespaces even in its day, and a decade later nothing quite like Fallout has even challenged its hallowed spot in the gaming pantheon.

Available today both in Good Ol Games and on Gametap, the original Fallout games are as engaging and as fun as I remember from 1998.

Since I may be pretty busy tomorrow on the lead-up to the big draw, here is the Ventrillo server information for everyone who wants to listen in as we pull the names! Also remember to send your donation info if you're still not on the list! We'll be doing one last list update tomorrow afternoon. We have a couple late ones to add already.

Ventrillo
Host IP: 216.6.226.72
Port: 4018
Password: mmmkay
Channel: Donation Drive 08

We start the draw Thursday at 8PM CST. See you online!

Full GWJ Ventrillo FAQ here. Thanks Walt!

I'm going to go ahead and call this the triumphant return of Shawn, Sean and Rob. We talk about teaching folks to play games, how to run their lives and even the ramifications of the economic apocalypse. Just what you're looking for in a gaming podcast!

Pardon all the front page posts, but we have so many entries this year I want to make sure we're not missing anyone. After the jump, you'll see the latest list of donors! If you're not on the list and you should be, email elysium@gamerswithjobs.com your paypal email, name, amount you donated and your forum ID post haste! We want to make sure everyone gets into the big draw.

Just a reminder, the draw happens on Thursday at 8PM CST. I'll be doing one more update on Wednesday with connection info if you want to listen in on the draw!

As someone who frequents quite a few message boards, I’m well aware that opinions on video games can already be rather divisive. But the titles that tend to come from European PC development studios are the most likely to result in polarizing opinions, even if they're coming from the same person. I understand where they're coming from.

With phrases like "shooter with RPG elements" showing up with increasing frequency on game feature lists, design hybridization appears to be a growing trend. It isn't exclusive to the console or high-end PC market, either. Although Flash has always been a great platform for arcade-type distractions, the Internet hosts a growing collection of browser-based games that dress up retro gameplay with design elements traditionally reserved for retail titles.

Robokill is a perfect example. At its heart is a simple but extremely well-polished robot shoot-em-up that provides the groundwork for some lightweight RPG-style elements. As you pilot Robokill's mechanized protagonist through a space station infested by droves of hostile droids, you'll level up, grab loot drops, and fatten your wallet. You'll also upgrade your drone with new guns, gear, and armor that actually appear on your on-screen robot. Robokill's customization features aren't by any means deep, but combined with stellar production values and smart design touches, they round out an impressive, fun package.

Developer Rock Solid Arcade offers Robokill in a trial version that includes the game's four-level first episode. It's at least an hour of play. If you're interested in unlocking the full version for $9.99, you'll get the remaining two episodes plus more weaponry and gear to play with.

If you'd like to suggest a free browser-based game for Act Casual, send a link and brief description to contact@gamerswithjobs.com.

Pass me the rock, I'm open for the tres!

Such are the anachronism of ebonics I'd be likely to yell, to the consternation of all near me, were I to buy one of the three NBA titles coming out this week. So, it is in the interest of social harmony that I eschew the various digital B-ball titles, and I think we are all the better for it.

Honestly, I don't even know why I have a Nintendo DS anymore. While I recognize the system's continued success in all measures of retail dominance, it reinforces my certainty that I am well and truly out of touch. I suspect this is a descriptor that extends to many of you as well, unless you have Tuesday circled on the calendar for Imagine: Babysitter or Imagine: New York Fashion Designer. My only solace for the week comes from the fact that no one appears to have callously replaced an S with a Z in any plurals.

I'll give NBA 2K9 the uninformed nod for Game of the Week, because all indications are that Fracture is a one trick pony and because NBA Live's commercial features bananas hanging from the logo at the end. My irrational hate of fruit featured in non-fruit-related commercials is new information.

I've gone ahead and tagged the folks who took a little extra time to get their names in. If you donated to the site and aren't on this list, there's still time! Email elysium@gamerswithjobs.com your paypal email, name, amount you donated and your forum ID post haste! We want to make sure everyone gets into the big draw.

Speaking of the draw, we'll be doing it live on Ventrillo Thursday night at 8PM CST! Stay tuned to the front page for details if you want to listen in as we draw the winners. Thanks everyone!