Only one more day until your hopefully unwrapping some awesome loot, or at least doing something somewhat fun. If you can't find anything fun to do I guess you could ponder over the rest of this news column.

For those still playing Animal Crossing and have an e-card reader you'll be glad to know that a second series of e-cards are on their way. Called Animal Crossing-E Series 2 the new set will bring 71 new cards to the mix. They will still come in the 5 card packs and be the usual mix of Character, Town Tune, Design, Sibling, Game, and a new Special type as well.

For those drooling over the Splinter Cell demo, or wishing you could play but don't have an Xbox you'll be happy to hear that the title is heading for release on the PS2. Splinter Cell PS2 is slated for a March 2003 release, and supposably has a new level added as well ominously titled the ... "Powerplant"!!!

If you haven't seen it already check out this neat peek into game marketing. It details the "9 Rules of Viral Marketing" regarding it's relevance to the promotion of the game Hitman 2. Interesting to say the least.

Lastly, on a sad note, there's word that Capcom may be leaving the arcade business all together. For those who have plugged kazillions of quarters into machines over the years it's kind of sad news. The reason being cited for the move include the continued shrinking of the number of arcades, and the usual financial fallout of things past their golden age.

Arcade games have always been a big treat for me, but I can understand that over time I've had less and less chances to play at them. With the number of arcades always shrinking their really isn't as much exposure to draw on newer, younger groups to fill the roles of those that have left. As a social gaming system the arcade experience was pretty unique, but now I think that has been superceded by the growth of online gaming. One form supercedes another I guess. At least until the online gaming fallout comes, and the retro revival of arcades...

Being as how tommorow is Christmas and all I doubt there will be much to talk about news wise, so don't look for an Dec. 25th update. I'll be back on the 26th with some new goodies though, and maybe some news too! Have a Merry Christmas everyone.

-Hanzo

Sources: Game Spy, Games Paper, ie Magazine, Gamefront, and eggnog!