Obama aims for Generation Xbox

For those who want to change gears and party politics simultaneously. This is an advertisement placed by Barack Obama's campaign in "Burnout Paradise," a video-driving game made by Electronic Arts.

Holly Rockwood, the company's director of corporate communications, says: "Like most television, radio and print outlets, we accept advertising from credible political candidates ... these ads do not reflect the political policies of EA or the opinions of its development teams."

The virtual billboard ad directs gamers to the Vote for Change website, hoping that players will break off from steering with their thumbs to vote with their feet in the upcoming presidential election. What next? "Vote McCain" bingo cards?

—Colin Ryan

Image: Electronic Arts

Midnight Club: Los Angeles

One day last week, a bunch of bearded Brooklyn hipsters stood around in T-shirts and tight-fitting jeans in the searing California desert heat waiting to ride around a track in a Saleen Mustang, a Lamborghini Gallardo Spyder or an Audi R8. Clambering out of the yellow Lambo, one, wearing suede brown oxfords with no socks, pulled a racing helmet off his head to reveal a huge grin. "That was amazing," he said, slapping his friend's back. "I want to go again."

And he did. Only this time he wasn't driving around a cloistered track in Rosamond. He was powering the 10-cylinder beast down Sunset Boulevard at over 100 miles per. He was grinning again, though perhaps not quite as widely. After all, this time around he was only playing a video game.

Apparently, the surest way to a gamer's heart is through the seat of his pants.

Rockstar Games, the video game purveyor best known for the Grand Theft Auto series, threw this high-adrenaline marketing party to promote the fourth installment in its popular racing series: Midnight Club: Los Angeles. The game allows players to race a variety of cars through a virtual -- but awfully realistic -- Los Angeles, with little regard for traffic laws. To prepare for its October release, they flew in video game journalists from as far away as Italy, had them sign a few waivers, and then put them in a range of exotic cars that were rented, borrowed or otherwise dragged to the track. 

Go, Slot Racer

Well, the Speed Racer movie is now out. And along comes the merch. But at least this product has more relevance than the usual lunch box. Just as the film is based on an old-school animation series, an old-school slot racing set forms the basis for the Carrera GO!!! (yep, all three exclamation points) Speed Racer game.

This may seem hopelessly retro in these days of Grand Theft Auto, Guitar Hero and a plethora of other video games, but it has the advantage of being tactile, demonstrating the laws of physics, and something a parent can play along with their child. They could even, y’know, bond.

It comes with two cars (Speed Racer’s Mach 5 and Racer X’s Shooting Star) and just over 20 feet of track that includes a spectacular, gravity-defying 360-degree loop. Recommended for children of eight and older, and priced from $69.99.

And if Speed Racer doesn’t do it, perhaps the company’s Batman-themed set (ready for a new film in that franchise) will do the trick instead. See the Carrera website for dealer locations and more information.

-- Colin Ryan

Photo: Carrera Toys