It's Tequila Time Stranglehold Info & Screenshots on Voodoo Extreme is the press release announcing development of Stranglehold, an Unreal-engine third-person action game due in Winter 2006. Described as a "spiritual sequel" to Hard Boiled, John Woo's classic action movie, the game will feature Chow Yun-Fat returning as Inspector Tequila in virtual form and Tequila Time, a variation on slow-mo bullet time described as "innovative," perhaps the result of drinking too much tequila. The first preview for the game is on IGN, and here's a bit from the announcement:

Acclaimed action director John Woo presents Stranglehold, a stunning 3rd-person action adventure videogame for PlayStation 3, Xbox 360 and PC. A "spiritual sequel" to Woo's action masterpiece, "Hard Boiled," Stranglehold redefines the action gaming experience with its acrobatic gunplay, thrilling cinematography, frenetic combat and incredible Massive Destructibility (Massive D). Chow Yun-Fat reprises his signature role as Inspector Tequila, pitting gamers as a take no-prisoners cop waging a personal war with Hong Kong crime lords. Tequila's loyalties to the force are tested when his ex-wife is kidnapped by the Russian mob in Chicago. Tequila struggles to balance his duty to uphold the law with doing what it takes to save his family.

National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund protests 25 to Life video game (thanks Gamezalot) outlines their distress at the contents of 25 to Life, and highlights an online petition protesting the game. The petition has collected about a bazillion signatures, even though Eidos' Bill Gardner suggested that if everyone ignored it the game would die "a very quiet death because it wasn’t that good." Also Censors have no plans to ban controversial video game (thanks Mike Martinez) has word that, unlike some countries, the Irish are not getting their Irish up over the graffiti in Mark Ecko's Getting Up: Contents Under Pressure. Finally Poland plans parental guidance labels for video games describes plans for labels to allow parents in Poland to decide what games their kids can play.

The Galactic Civilizations II: Dread Lords Website (thanks Frans) has an update on what's going on at Stardock now that their space strategy sequel is shipping. They describe the time their employees have been volunteering to cope with the surprising demand for the game, along the way offering a little insider gaming knowledge that seemed a bit startling: "To put things in perspective, my friend at Blizzard told me that they have over 1,500 people who just do support. Not art. Not coding. Just customer support."

• Keepsake on Worthplaying.
• Stalin Subway on Hooked on Games.
• Wild Earth on 2404.

Thanks Mike Martinez.

• Apple could bid for Disney: Barron's. Thanks Digg.
• Open Source Cisco Killer - Vyatta tries to topple networking goliath.
• In Sony's Stumble, the Ghost of Betamax (registration required).

Thanks Mike Martinez.

• Touch Sensitivity: The Final Nintendo Revolution Secret? One can only hope.
• Xbox 360 vs. the Public Good.
• Battlefield 2 Modern Combat Xbox 360 Media.
• Shenmue Lives! PROVEN HOAX.
• Siren 2 Preview.
• Dead Rising Xbox 360 - New Details and Screenshots.
• Dragon Quest Yangus - New Playstation 2 Screenshots.

Thanks Mike Martinez.

• PSP 2 In The Works?
• Not the End of the World After All (registration required).
• Smackdown vs. Raw 2006 on PSP Load Time Hell! Thanks Ant and Digg. Don't PSP down my neck and tell me it's raining.

Thanks Mike Martinez.

• Future of the Internet Highway Debated.
• Internet Interest Maxing Out - 36% of households not on-line, and most don't care to be.
• Site Offers Alternative to Flu Information.
• Guns N’ Roses fires early-warning shot. Thanks ASLayerAODsk.

Thanks Mike Martinez.

• Malware moves up, goes commercial.

The Year of the Monkey Website now offers downloads of this 13-mission campaign for Ghost Recon set during the Vietnam War's Tet Offensive. Word is: "This is a highly polished professional calibre mod containing 11 brand-new maps, all-new SEAL, Vietcong & NVA characters, 12 new specialists, 40 new weapons, 5 new vehicles, great cut-scenes and an incredible soundtrack."

• 80 Days on Quandary.
• American Conquest: Divided Nation on Computer and Video Games.
• Star Wars Battlefront II on GamersInfo.net.
• Star Wars Empire at War on JustPressPlay.

• Corepad Deskpad XXL on ThinkComputers.
• Icemat 2nd Edition Mouse Pad on XSreviews.co.uk.
• Thermaltake Symphony Mini Water Cooling Kit on Overclocker Cafe.

• PC gaming market healthy, shows signs of growth. Thanks Ant...

So we drive down to the city yesterday for our Smurfy birthday party. It was only after spending a good deal of time tied up in traffic and leaving the car in a lot because we could not find parking and were walking towards their apartment that MrsBlue raised the point that she may have had the date wrong. Yup, it turns out our party is actually today. Luckily on the way home MrsBlue made the inconvenience up to me by allowing me to take her out to dinner.

R.I.P.: Legendary Actor Don Knotts Passes Away in Los Angeles at 81 and Prolific Actor Darren McGavin Dies at 83.

Deja Vu Links!	Thanks Mike Martinez and Ant.
Play:	Massively Multiplayer Pong. Thanks Digg.
Stories:	H&R Block Goofs on Its Taxes. Thanks Digg. LOL. Psycho Path Voted Wackiest Street Name. Thanks Jim. Bird Flu's Sweep Worries Health Officials. Birds failing to respect borders.
Images:	If Dogs Ruled 4. Dogs do rule! Owie, stingie. Ten Best Flickr Mashups. Thanks Loonybomber.
Media:	Autistic basketball player creates mayhem at game. Thanks Digg. What a great story.
Auction:	Conn. Man Sells Holy Hardware on eBay. Though that headline may have one "n" too many.
Follow-up:	Mars-bound craft nearing end of journey.