With his triumphant return to blogging - Twitter notwithstanding - GFW vet Shawn Elliott spoke of plans for a symposium on game reviews featuring industry stalwarts from around the web. The series of prompts led to plenty of worthy responses (namely, this one) from bloggers and up-and-coming critics and confirmation that the symposium is, as they say, GO!

A truly inspired list of participants has been confirmed by Elliott, but don’t take my word for it. (Cue “Reading Rainbow” sound effect and check the full list at Shawn’s blog.)

When Jesse defended your admittedly shitty movies for their comic value, I said nothing. When those millions clamouring for you to end your shit streak that runs end to end on the silver screen, I refrained from signing the petition. I even refused to write anything about you, good or bad. But now, you’ve crossed the line.

Just like everyone else - including your grandma - we’re deeply entrenched in GTA IV and at least I will continue to be engrossed for the rest of the week. Oh, and there were finals or something. Silly college, tricks are for kids.

GFT Radio Episode #16: Last week we had this nifty new format…screw that. The Man isn’t going to tie us down! Anarchy, mayhem, chaos, Jesse’s good look, all things that make our podcast rock. While Seth has been consumed by Peggle and the stellar lorn Man demo, Jesse has Mario Kart Wii. We ain’t using analog anymore. M-O-T-I-O-N C-O-N-T-R-O-L YAH. We also talk about The World Ends With You, one of the most engaging DS games we have seen in a while. In News, Seth gripes about Bret Favre being on the Madden cover and both Jesse and Seth both gush over Burnout Paradise downloadable content.

I love music games. Few things make me feel more accomplished than five-starring a rockin’ tune on expert fake drums, fake guitar or quasi-karaoke. But nothing sullies the Rock Band experience quite like getting the worst song in the world on a random rotation.

So we realize it’s probably a poor decision to number the weeks we do this. Therefore, next week we’ll commence the dating of each week’s “What’s In Your Disc Drive And/Or Cartridge Slot.” Look forward to that. I dare you. This week we played Peggle, Chrono Cross, and The World Ends With You.

Not for the sweeping improvements over the series’ controls and design. Not for the gripping story so full of camp it makes me weep with joy. Not even for the challenging puzzles - let’s play “Twist the Relic!”

Along with a more conservative and less free form version of our podcast, each week we will be posting show notes. These show notes will contain videos, screenshots, and links to stories and games we covered in this weeks podcast.

This Week: Rope, Metroid, Chun-Li, DC vs. Mortal Kombat, and Okami.