The Entertainment Software Rating Board (ESRB), which assigns the official age and content ratings for computer and video games, announced a new public service announcement (PSA) campaign starring San Francisco Giants catcher Buster Posey and pitcher Ryan Vogelsong at AT&T Park. The PSAs, which feature the players explaining the ESRB rating system and encouraging parents to use it when buying games for their families, will soon begin running on television and radio stations throughout northern California as well as at Giants home games this season.  

NEW YORK CITY – EA Sports attracted the top NFL rookies to its NCAA Football Draft Night Premiere event. One of the more avid gamers in attendance was Cleveland Browns first round draft pick Trent Richardson. Fresh of a national championship with Alabama, Richardson talks about his love and devotion to video games in this exclusive video interview below.

While only half of the respondents to ABI Research’s Technology Barometer survey claimed to rent video games, which are usually game console centric, as compared to DVD and Blu-ray movies, these respondents averaged a considerably higher monthly spend rate at $23, compared to $16 for DVD and Blu-ray. This average spend also eclipsed monthly premium Video on Demand rentals from pay-TV service providers ($20) – only monthly expenditures at movie theaters and restaurants (“eating out”) were higher amongst respondents who participated in those activities, at $27 and $67, respectively.

BELLEVUE, Washington – With the Guild Wars 2 beta weekend in full swing, fans can finally see what ArenaNet has been working on for the past five years. With NCsoft as a partner on the new MMO, the studio grew out of its original digs and moved into a specially-designed new studio this past year in Bellevue. ArenaNet marketing guru Chris Lye takes us on an exclusive guided tour of the cool new studio in the video below.

According to Insights into the Freemium Games Market, the latest report from leading market research company, The NPD Group, 4 out of 10 of those who have played an upgradable freemium game report making an in-game payment to extend or enhance a game. A growing number of freemium, or free-to-play games are hitting the market, like Firefall, which can be seen in the exclusive video below.

Talk about expectations. On the heels of its epic flop, John Carter, Walt Disney Pictures is relying more than ever on a successful launch of Marvel’s The Avengers on May 4th. The man behind the biggest super hero movie of all time, Joss Whedon, is taking everything in stride. In fact, the director shows a great sense of humor as he discusses the new movie, The Avengers video game and comic books in this exclusive video interview below.

Epic Games went to the UK to connect with gamers at the public gaming and technology show, Gadget Show Live. During the six-day show, Epic assembled a team of game developers to discuss the future of videogames. Click on the videos below to see the panels discuss what’s on the horizon of game development.

The countdown has begun for one of the big games of 2012. Microsoft and 343 Industries are developing Halo 4, the hotly anticipated sequel that will ship on November 6, 2012. Taking control of the franchise with Bungie developing an original franchise for Activision, 343 Industries shows what’s in store with the start of a new trilogy in the video below.

LAS VEGAS – Namco Bandai and Paramount Pictures have released a new trailer and concept art from Digital Extremes’ Star Trek game. The award-winning game casts players for the first time ever as Kirk and Spock in an original co-op experience. Set in the new canon of director and producer J.J. Abrams’ Star Trek (2009) reboot, players will be immersed in the game’s rich story and action-packed combat. Check out the trailer and concept art below.

CARY, North Carolina – Red Storm Entertainment is doing more than develop the 12-player multiplayer experience for Tom Clancy’s Ghost Recon: Future Soldier. The studio is also heavily involved in the new Ghost Recon Network, which will serve as a virtual hub for gamers to connect to the game world while away from their console. The service including support for tablets and smartphones, as well as laptops and PCs. Rob Newn, head of the free online service, talks about what’s in store for gamers in this exclusive video interview below.

The Disney Fantasy, and its sister ship the Disney Magic, are amazing feats of wonder. The ships feature the latest technology, including new videogame experiences that can’t be found on land. Of course, there’s also Disney “magic” in the form of character interaction, a 3D movie theater showing movies that are still in theaters, and a videogame dance floor made up of 16 big-screen HD TVs. Up on the top deck, hidden near the Goofy’s Mini Golf, is a new interactive experience that uses laser technology to allow passengers to throw, kick and hit real balls against a giant screen to play sports. Take an inside look at Goofy’s Sports Simulator in the exclusive video below.

In the face of right-wing attacks by the Family Research Council, consumers and citizens around the world are strongly backing one of the largest video game makers, Electronic Arts, for their inclusion of lesbian, gay, bi and transgender (LGBT) characters in the new video games Star Wars: The Old Republic and Mass Effect 3.  Both games from BioWare have allowed gamers to create unique characters and decide what types of sexual relationships to pursue within these complex virtual worlds.