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Those of you familiar with Matt Groening outside of his Simpsons and Futurama endeavors likely raised an eyebrow after reading the title to this post. It's okay, we did the same thing when looking at the trademark.

If you're unaware, Groening has had a strip called Life in Hell (renamed to Life is Swell in 2007) going since 1977. Life in Hell (we're staying O.G. with it) revolves around rabbits in hell, and is very different than his more popular works. Now it would seem to be at least in the planning stages of a video game adaptation, as it is one item on a long list at the US Patent and Trademark Office site. Given how many things are listed on the trademark, it would seem there's going to be an all-out merchandising blitz for the property. That, or absolutely nothing will happen. It's usually how these things go.

[Via Kotaku]

We always knew that there would be some very interesting maps generated with the new Halo 3 map Sandbox, but this ... this is special. This map takes three of our favorite things -- Halo, The Simpsons and Rube Goldberg machines -- and swirls them all together into a delicious, digital smoothie. We could waste more of your time and ours by describing it, but you'd really be better served by just watching the video after the break. Enjoy.

[Via Bungie.net]

This very detailed Simpsons Quake III mod is pretty old (video added December 2007), but we never covered it then, and the video is too pretty to miss. (Via Boing Boing; thanks, Jason C) Check out the highlights for today:

Joystiquery
The best of WoW Insider: June 17-24, 2008
A Dark Past: An Alone in the Dark Retrospective
Joystiq hands-on: Hasbro Family Game Night
Joystiq interviews Mark Lamia of Treyarch and Call of Duty the Fifth
Joyswag: C&C 3: Kane's Wrath (Xbox 360) giveaway, Day Two
Metareview (Euro Edition) -- Civilization Revolution (Xbox 360, PS3)
Podcast Rodeo for June 24: One without ear
Scared stiff: Why should we care about Dead Space?

News
Frontlines gets free map on Xbox Live
PSA: PSN going down for scheduled maintenance, not 2.4 update
Double D Dodgeball coming to XBLA on July 30
PlayStation 3's cost to Sony so far: $3.32 billion
OMGS4: Sales exceed 1 million in Europe during first week
Left 4 Dead 4 November
Spore getting $80 'Galactic Edition'
EA Sports peripherals due in next year, bundled
DICE currently working on 5 Battlefield games
Crave leaves ESA, still showing at E3
Safecracker to open on Wii this fall
Jaffe: Marvel games need more narrative focus
Delman replacing Bell as Microsoft VP of global marketing
Don King Prizefighter demo on Xbox Live
Ed Boon clarifies Mortal Kombat vs. DC Universe fatalities
Ubisoft opening new studio in Sao Paulo, Brazil
Miyamoto's quality control: Ninten-do what Sega doesn't
Ubisoft wants 'anticipation' for Assassin's Creed 2
Watch some Tales of Vesperia in Japanese
Sins publisher Stardock keeps piracy 'in perspective'

Rumors & Speculation
Blizzard teaser image is mysterious, evolving
Rumor: God of War III to be shown at E3
Rumor: Kratos in PS3 version of Soul Calibur IV

Culture & Community
Dead Space Animated Comic: Issue 3
Accessorize your gamer with retro badges and a purse

The Simpsons is one of television's best and longest running cartoon comedies. While the show is a true pop culture classic, the videogames on the other hand are not so memorable. While not stunning, most Simpsons games were actually all right ... with the exception of the horrendous Virtual Bart back on the Genesis. The latest in Simpson sims simply titled: The Simpsons Game, is not a bad addition to the lot. For 30 bucks, it's a not a bad deal either. Might be worth picking up.

When you go to Electronic Arts' web site for the first time, you are treated to a list of countries where the video game behemoth has presence. To some people, it's a sign of impending world domination -- to us, it's a giant global family. Curious to see what all Electronic Arts has under its umbrella bumbershoot? Check out our handy guide to learn everything about the company. From Madden to macabre, The Sims to The Simpsons, we've got you covered.

It's time to get educated.

(Also: Check out the Take Two Family Album)

Wow. It's more or less the common assumption that Microsoft skimped a bit on product testing before unleashing the Xbox 360 on the world. Anyone whose experienced the dreaded Red Ring of Death will tell you that. We have to admit though, we never realized that Microsoft had skimped this much. It seems Microsoft could have done a little more research before appointing their QA lead. See what we mean after the break.

Warning: it's suggested that only those with a sense of humor proceed past this point.

EA Sports football (or "soccer" for the US audience) title FIFA 08 was the best-selling video game in the United Kingdom last year according to Chart-Track (via GamesIndustry.biz). The game reportedly sold 25% percent more than its closest rival, Dr Kawashima's Brain Training.

Perhaps surprisingly, Microsoft's flagship Halo 3 came in sixth place with only half of FIFA 08's sales. Both FIFA 08 and Halo 3 were released in late September within days of each other. It should be noted that FIFA 08 was a multiplatform title available on six different consoles and the PC. Top ten list after the break.

Whenever accessory manufacturer Thrustmaster comes up in conversation -- and it often does -- we can't help but imagine the Simpsons' Duff Man character stabbing the air with his pelvis. So, if you hear us suddenly yell out, "Oh yeah!" now you understand what provoked our involuntary impulse.

Despite the distracting nature of its company name, Thrustmaster successfully put together an acceptable alternative to Nintendo's Classic Controller and WaveBird with several advantages over its first-party competition:

1. Togglable rumble via switch
2. Doesn't depend on a Wii remote hookup for wireless functionality, using a GameCube port dongle instead
   
3. Xbox-like shoulder button layout
4. Turbo and slow modes
5. Mappable buttons

Best of all, Dell's online shop is currently selling Thrustmaster's T-Wireless NW Gamepad for only $13.59 ($19.99 MSRP) until December 13th! Check out more photos from IGN's favorable review past the break. Oh yeah!

Europe will be getting a new PSP-2000 bundle, featuring a red and black PSP Slim and Lite, a copy of Spider-man 3 the video game, and Spider-man 3 movie UMD. The red PSP will feature black buttons and a black back, giving it a truly distinct look.

Earlier in the year, The Simpsons PSP-2000 bundle was also announced, and we're assuming it will also bundle both the game and the movie with a limited edition system. The yellow PSP can be seen in our gallery below.

These bundles are exclusive to Europe, and are unlikely to find their way to the States.

D'oh! It's like reliving the early '90s all over again with a ho-hum Simpsons console game on the market. At least they got the humor right this time ('cause they had the actual Simpsons' writers). The Simpsons Game released this week and reviews have it hovering in the 70 point range. Many were hoping this game would bring video game fun to The Simpsons like only The Simpsons Arcade Game gave us those many, many years ago. EA could have made buckets of cash just copying Konami's simple formula from over a decade ago and we wonder if the reviews might have been slightly better.

• Game Informer (73/100): "For all of its self-referential humor and nods to gaming classics (there are brief segments mimicking the likes of Frogger, Space Invaders, and Wolfenstein 3D), the process of actually playing The Simpsons Game is unfortunately average. The chuckles along the way make it worth the trouble for fans, but if you don't know Arman Tamzarian from Disco Stu, most of the game's redeeming elements will fall on deaf, bored ears."
• Game Daily (70/100): "Obviously, Simpsons nuts will thoroughly enjoy the game, not for its excessive box breaking and switch hitting, but for all of the sweet content and attractive visuals, sans the characters. For $59.99, you basically receive an eight to ten hour interactive bonus episode. At the very least, it makes for a great rental."
• GameSpot (70/100): "In the end, The Simpsons Game is one of those weird cases where a recommendation of it is based less on its merits as a game and more on its merits as an experience. The things that make this game are its sense of humor, sharp writing, and excellent presentation. The gameplay isn't awful by any means, but it's also completely unmemorable. It's something that's more to be put up with while you appreciate the many other things going on than enjoyed on its own merits. That might not sound like a ringing endorsement, but The Simpsons Game is absolutely worth playing. Games this spot-on in the humor category don't come along too often. Considering what a fantastic job it does spoofing the variety of clichés and crutches our favorite pastime relies upon, that's got to count for something."

It's one of those weeks. Yes, we know there are plenty of games releasing this week -- quite a few in fact -- but this is one of those weeks with a banner game. Of course, we're talking about Guitar Hero III. Chances are, if you want this game, you picked it up over the weekend and have been rocking faces off for hours now. For those of you that have other interests, here's a list of the games releasing this week that aren't Guitar Hero III.

• Guitar Hero III: Legends of Rock
• Bee Movie
• Cars: Mater-National
• Naruto: Rise of a Ninja
• Chessmaster Grandmaster Edition
• Timeshift
• The Simpsons Game
• Virtua Fighter 5
• Viva Piñata: Party Animals

[Via Joystiq]

We're just going to have to get used to seeing these long lists of weekly releases. The lazy -- and cheap! -- days of summer are behind us, and the holidays are just around the corner. That means a number of games will be jockeying for our money over the next few months. It's a bittersweet time. Sure, we'll be doing lots of gaming, but, oh, the lack of money ... it's so tragic.

• Barbie as The Island Princess
• Bee Movie Game
• Ben 10: Protector of Earth
• Cars Mater-National
• Dementium: The Ward
• Dr. Suess: How the Grinch Stole Christmas
• Garfield Gets Real
• Neves
• Ratatouille Food Frenzy
• Shrek: Ogres and Dronkeys
• The Simpsons Game
• Super Collapse 3

For the releases in the rest of the major markets, check the lists after the jump.

The writers behind The Simpsons Game aren't too impressed with Rockstar's recent apoplexy over the game's "Grand Theft Scratchy" parody level. In an interview with Game Head's Geoff Keighley, Simpsons Executive Producer and Writer Matt Selman said the Grand Theft Auto makers "spazzed out like little babies" over marketing that included a poster for the parody game.

Selman told Keighley that it's ridiculous to expect gamers to think an Itchy and Scratchy poster is actually promoting a real Grand Theft Auto game. He also said the concern was particularly ironic coming from Rockstar, a company whose "games are full of satire, lame attempts at parody... basically putting the words sixty-nine in wherever they can find it, that's their idea of a joke." That's known in the comedy business as a roast.

While EA's lawyers have been quick to remove any "Grand Theft" references from the game's marketing, Selman hinted that the Grand Theft Scratchy content could make it into the final game unaltered. If that happens, will Rockstar react like the cool rock stars their name implies or will we hear more baby-like spazzing? Here's hoping for the latter ... it makes for a great headline.

Check out the interview after the break.

[Via GamePolitics]