My latest column on video-games for the Georgia Straight comes out of a panel discussion I attended in September.

The Vancouver chapter of the International Game Developer’s Association brought together a few game designers and writers to talk about what next-gen means to them. Not surprisingly, they had interesting things to say.

Expect more from these types in future Trigger Happy columns.

Interesting research conducted here in Canada suggests that of all the new technologies coming available – ipTV, mobile broadcasting, HD for example – the one that will most benefit hockey is high definition.

Which makes perfect sense to me.

Find out why by reading this week’s Channel Changer, which you’ll find over here.

I was forwarded the link to this by a colleague at work. I have no idea whether the print advertisements are the real deal or not, but the idea made me laugh, nevertheless.

First came this, from BMW:

Then, in response, this from Audi:

For some reason, Subaru thought they should get in on the debate:

Bentley, and their chairman, ended the conversation:

Like I mentioned, I’m not sure if these ads are legit, but if they are, what an excellent time these agencies must be having coming up with such concepts.

This week’s Channel Changer is my holiday gift guide for those who are buying television series on DVD. Some good, interesting choices have recently come available.

Me? As you’ve asked, I’d like the Six Feet Under complete series, and Extras season 1.

Thanks.

The Flames are in Vancouver playing the Canucks tonight. The NHL, in part to justify their new schedule, has been playing up interdivisional rivalries, and it seems that the Calgary and Vancouver fans have bought right into that one.

The only rivalry more intense than the Flames-Canucks is the Flames-Oilers, and that’s only because blood is thicker than water.

In writing about the two competing NHL video-games in this week’s Trigger Happy, I played up the rivalry between 2K Sports and EA Sports.

2K’s NHL 2K7 edges out EA’s NHL 07, but only barely. The new skill stick feature in NHL 07 is a great innovation, even if it is a difficult skill to master.