November 9

Earlier this week I found myself in a foreign land where people talk in numbers, and of lines and houses.



No, I wasn't in a chartered surveyors office... that strange new world was that of Gala Bingo in the city centre.

Now, you might find it slightly weird that a gaming and computer technology blog should feature this sort of subject, but when was the last time you visited a bingo hall? My how things have changed since the jaw-droppingly dull annual Christmas event down at the local village hall.

Shock horror... Bingo has reached into the 21st century - big time. Huge colourful hi-tech advertising boards, television screens littered around and play and claim stands that make cute buzzy gameshow noises as they swallow your money and beam that amount to a total amount on one of the giant screens - this really is the future. Um, for bingo players that is.

Not only that, but at one point in the evening - with regular players excitedly muttering under their breaths knowing what was coming - we beamed live to Sheffield, and other bingo halls across the country, for an audio UK-wide link up national Link Game.

"Are you not excited by all this," my supposed better half asked of me within seconds of me grasping a bingo marker ready to play.

"Hmmm", I replied. "Excited, no... amazed, yes."

Anyways, the whole experience got me to thinking. The whole system could one day be fully computer operated.

I mean, do you really need a human caller to read out numbers that are generated by a machine? (I mean come on, how much computer programming would be needed to install a drone voice similar to that of bingo callers nationwide?)

Also, how long could it be before game manufacturers come up with a Bingo World console or PC title? Imagine addicts taking their sim card into a Post Office or bank to top up their credit to allow them to play (in the same way that mobile phone users top up their calling credit).

Then they could simply take their card back to the Post Office or Bank to claim their winnings should they prove to be lucky.

I suppose if you go that far I guess slot machine gamblers could also be targeted in the future in the same way.

If you ask me I'd say these people's numbers are up... Game On!



In the meantime before the introduction of Bingo World (maybe I should copyright that?!), why not try your hand at some of these:



Title: Pro Evolution Soccer 6

Platform: PS2

RRP: £39.99

Hit count: 5/5



Review: Rarely do you find a product that deserves six different releases. (Jaws, ok... three was enough wasn't it?) But those boys at Konami deserve every bit of credit possible for reinventing this title over and over again. PES6 holds no bars. It is AWESOME. The series just keeps getting better and better.

This time round the movements and reactions of players have been finely tweaked to allow for individuality so the players can carry out trademark moves (such as that of Rooney, Beckham and Ronaldo). Other less known players also have their tricks.

Headers and volleys have also been vastly improved to allow for truly spectacular goals.

The gameplay now is truly realistic with the emphasis on being user-friendly.

There can only be one winner, and once again the crown must go to PES over Fifa for best footie game.



Title: Crash Boom Bang

Platform: Nintendo DS

RRP: £29.99

Hit count: 3/5



Review: Life's a Party--Crash it! Crash Boom Bang! is the ultimate 'action party game'. Roll the dice and dive into one of 40 uniquely-zany multi-player games as you communicate, taunt and ally with other players.

Chat or distract your friends by sending texts with a new message system through wireless gameplay. Play as your favourite character as you advance through an adventurous game board, action-packed with tons of mini-games and party fun.

Crash and his friends embark on a worldwide race in the quest for its multi-million dollar prize. Having hidden intentions of finding an ancient lost city and its famed Super Big Power Stone, the sponsor of the race, Viscount Devil, plans on using the race contestants to find it.

The map of the race's checkpoints is based on the Viscount's ancient map. However, Dr. Neo Cortex, another invitee to the race, realises what the Viscount is planning and in his own quest for world domination, starts his own plan to steal the map during the race.

The only people that stand in his path are Crash and his friends.



Title: Space Invaders Evolution

Platform: PSP

RRP: £29.99

Hit count: 3/5



Review: Space Invaders Evolution encapsulates the Evolution ethos by taking the original concept into entirely new ground with its Future Mode. Here, the basic concept of Taito's iconic shooter is transposed, mutated and evolved into an entirely new game.

By combining furious shooting action with multiple viewpoints and incorporating rhythm action elements to add an unexpected edge to the gameplay, Space Invaders Evolution marks a genuine evolution of the game design into a new concept only possible on modern hardware. The basic premise of repelling an invasion remains the same, only this time the battle is fought in space with the player controlling a mobile cannon moving along an orbital path.

The main objective is subtly different as levels are completed by destroying an elusive mothership, rather than simply clearing the screen of enemies.

The catch is that this crucially important vessel can only be harmed by executing special attacks fuelled by items harvested from destroying waves of invaders that it constantly seeds.



Title: Guild Wars: Nightfall

Platform: PC

RRP: £29.99

Hit count: 4/5



Review: When a corrupt ruler summons the power of an outcast god, it will take a band of heroes to save Elona from the creeping darkness infecting the land.

In this third campaign in the award-winning Guild Wars universe, Guild Wars Nightfall is an intimate, heroic experience that will enrapture new and existing players alike. Every Hero has a unique tale to tell.

Player actions will result in dramatic consequences. Your party becomes an extension of your character.

This is Guild Wars like you've never seen before. This game is SERIOUSLY addictive.