The Houston Bar Foundation presented its annual awards for pro bono service, volunteer service and legal writing at its 25th anniversary meeting and luncheon on Jan. 24 at the Four Seasons Hotel.

Sims’ developers mix up the formula for the worse
Computer simulation games, especially those that simulate human mass behavior, usually express the same general moral: Sooner or later, even the best-designed things can and will go haywire. So I’m sad to report that SimCity, the much-venerated city-building simulation, has finally gone off the rails in its most recent incarnation for Windows PCs, SimCity Societies.

Scavenger hunt, tennis games fun for all ages
The weather’s still scorching, except when it’s raining buckets, but there’s no denying it: Summer is winding down. As September looms, it’s possible to preserve some of that loosened-up, lightened-up summer spirit with two new casual games. Think of them as flip-flops for the family computer.

Two new games aim beyond hard-core players
If you haven’t played a massively multiplayer online game yet, there may be a good reason: game companies aren’t interested in you. Try not to be heartbroken.

Two new games convey work, rewards of a veterinarian
Lions and tigers and bears, oh my. And birds, puppies and Ponyz to boot. Titles for kids’ computers and game systems are crawling with creatures, and more are waiting in the wings.

Game asks, `Are You Smarter Than a 5th Grader?’
Get your dunce caps ready, moms and dads. Now proceed to make your children’s day by showing how clueless you can be.

‘World of Warcraft’ has two worthy competitors
The massively multiplayer online game genre has changed much over the last decade or so, but medieval fantasy games like those that started it all still dominate. Although World of Warcraft remains North America’s undisputed favorite, it’s not the only one worth playing.

UH event to aid children’s group
A group of University of Houston students is asking their fellow Cougars to put on their dancing shoes. The students will present their first dance marathon for charity at the school’s University Center. The event begins at 7 p.m. Friday and continues until 11 a.m. Saturday

This bobblehead knows how to tease your mind
The Big Giant Head is back. No, not the alien leader from the zany ’90s sitcom Third Rock from the Sun. The oversized noggin in question shows up on a much smaller screen and belongs to an appropriately cerebral fellow, Dr. Ryuta Kawashima.

Gifts you feel good about giving
Disney Princesses, SpongeBob, Hannah Montana and Spider-Man are big names likely to capture gift-givers’ software and video game dollars this holiday season.

This entry was posted on Friday, February 8th, 2008 at 9:51 am and is filed under Houston News. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.