Today in Joystiq: October 11, 2005

Marios, Marios, everywhere the Marios! 64 oddball styles, to be honest, and what great buddy icons do they make. Plus, GameStop does the corporate thing and layoffs ensue - corporate strategy at its best, right? Here are the highlights for today:

• Activision "age gate" requires credit card

• Fan fakes GTA: Vice City Stories announcement?

• Slight chance for PSP price cut; PS2 to stay at $149

• Xbox 360 marketing repositioned for women

• Cellphone carriers cash in on emerging mobile gaming market

• Mario Geisha, Mario Saddam, Mario Nude, Mario Katamari, and 60 others

• The man wants to brick your PSP/DS. Discuss.

• GameStop to layoff over 700

• Xbox 360 kiosks coming the week of Oct. 24; on eBay, too

• IEMA ready to fight CA violent videogame law

• Real, MS reach game agreement

• A timeline of video games: corporate strategy at its best

• X05 round-up: industry reaction and final verdicts