"video games" news and stories

Each Thursday, we round up a selection of scrumptious links from our friends over at YumSugar. Here's what they've got cooking this week:

• Baked Alaska isn't as fancy-pants as it might seem, even though it's being served at the Governors Ball.
• Marcela Valladolid, star of the Food Network's Mexican Made Easy, wants you to give chilaquiles a screen test.
• Wolfgang, Alton and Lidia are tapped to host the culinary Oscars.
• What is your headlining cooking oil?
• Do you have a D-list herb?
• The home-cooking big wigs at "America's Test Kitchen" get set to release a video-game adaptation.
• The sidecar is a sparkling marquee cocktail.

It seems like plastic toys just don't cut it anymore. McDonald's marketing campaign for the new James Cameron film "Avatar" will be decidedly more high tech.

Customers will get what McDonald's calls "cutting-edge digital experiences" that the company hopes will translate into selling more Big Macs this Christmas.

There's been an incredible amount of fan anticipation for the science-fiction movie, in part because of its high-cost special effects and the reputation of Cameron, who hasn't directed a new film in 10 years. (1999's "Titanic" was his last.)

Beginning Dec. 18 (the day of the movie's United States premiere) and ending Jan. 7, every customer that buys a Big Mac will get a "Big Mac Thrill Card" (there are eight different ones) that gives the customer access to three "Avatar"-related online games, according to Molly McKenna, a manager with McDonald's U.S. communications.

But this being a Hollywood blockbuster -- there's more.

Who knew gamers -- the ones who hole themselves up in their basements alone with their consoles for weeks at a time -- could be so lovey dovey?

Paul Pape designed these little Mii milk, white, or dark chocolates that come two in a box that's shaped like a console. The figures inside have tiny red hearts to indicate their love. They're totally cute for Valentine's Day, but they are sold out! OH NO! If you're creative enough, I'm sure you could put together something like this, or something even better, for your gamer love.

[via: Scanner]

This is what we need more of, recipes based on the food you see in video games. Our sister (brother?) blog WOW (World of Warcrafts) Insider knows this too and has a regular feature based on the idea. This week it's Murloc Fin Soup!

I think I should try it because my local Shaw's has a special this week on Murloc Meat. Full recipe after the jump, including a handy translation on the foods so you know what to buy to make it.

We don't normally get a lot of video game news in the food world other than the occasional release of something like Cooking Mama, so imagine how we felt when we heard about the latest foodie-inspired game idea to come shooting out of your wireless joystick controller. Hell's Kitchen is going to be a video game.

We weren't exactly sure how this tv-tie in was going to be translated into a video game, but when we found out that it's basically going to be "the fun of the kitchen boot camp experience," like it is for the contestants on the Fox show, we got it. Players will subjected to Chef Ramsey's four-letter infused screaming while trying to turn out some of the Chef's recipes (which will be included with the game).

The game will ship next year in conjunction with the premiere of the 4th season of Hell's Kitchen. We are hoping to get a chance to play.

[via: Joystiq and TVSquad]