On Wednesday, Blockbuster Inc. announced that in keeping with previously disclosed plans to launch an online video game rental service by summer, that they would launch a pilot program in the Cleveland area beginning June 30. Blockbuster is planning to expand the program nationwide by the end of the year, which would make it the only by-mail service to offer both movie and video game rentals.

We have to give credit to the advertising agency that came up with this clever advertising campaign. Warner Bros. launched an ad campaign to advertise its new shooter game, F.E.A.R 2: Project Origin, which saw quite a few black cats wandering around the city of London on this past Friday the 13th.

Branded a "cat-vertising campaign", specially trained black cats were seen around London sporting F.E.A.R. 2 clothing. According to Warner Bros., the idea is that the cats would "capture the attention of superstitious passers-by" on the notoriously unlucky Friday the 13th.

Explaining the campaign, a Warner Bros. spokesperson said that "everyday people are bombarded with so many advertising messages that it can be easy to miss them. With our research telling us that Brits are actively looking out for signs of bad luck this Friday, it makes perfect sense to try and capture their attention that way."

Another interesting twist to the ad campaign was that cat owners could join in the fun and order some F.E.A.R. 2 Project Origin cat shirts of their own. They have since run out of the cat shirts.

Now the question is, will "catvertising" start popping up in the U.S., perhaps in a big city like NYC?

Here are some more photos of the cute and creepy felines:

How do you reach the target demographic of teenage boys? Get a girl to dress up in a revealing outfit. That is exactly what EA Sports and Sony Ericsson’s did today promoting new gaming handsets today which a bunch of pre-loaded EA Games including Lara Croft Tomb Raider. The promotion was done in England on the famed Oxford Street. The the W910 Exclusive Gaming Edition and motion-sensitive F305 handset are currently only available in England where the launch took place.

If you are wondering who Lara Croft is nowadays, the face of the popular franchise is Alison Carroll. The 23 year old is a English gymnast and model who will be making her film debut in the film "Doghouse " which is set for release later this year.

Alas Beatles fans without any musical talent will be able to live out their dreams of performing the Fab Four's hit songs on stage. A virtual stage, but a stage nonetheless. MTV is expected to make an announcement today that it is developing a Beatles-branded version of its hit video game "Rock Band."

MTV has declined to comment, but Wednesday they issued a media advisory in conjunction with Apple Corps. Ltd. hyping up an "exclusive agreement to develop an unprecedented global music project."

The project has been rumored about for months now, and will mark the first major digital entertainment related venture from the Beatles' estate, a group that includes surviving members Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr, as well as Yoko Ono Lennon and Olivia Harrison.

The group has been wary of technology to date, and have yet to sell music from the Beatles' catalog through Apple iTunes or any other downloadable retailer. With new CEO Jeff Jones at the helm of Apple Corps., they are becoming increasingly flexible about licensing the band's music. Now the music is available for use in everything from Cirque du Soleil's Vegas show "Love" to "American Idol."

Electronic Arts is slated to operate as the game's distributor. So far, no word on a release date, but wouldn't it be awesome if they pulled a fast one and it was available in time for Christmas gift-giving?

Available now for play on your favorite video game system is an all-new Spider-Man game from Activision Publishing and Marvel, "Spider-Man: Web of Shadows". Two versions of the game are available, one rated "T (for Teen)", and another rated "E10+ (for everyone). "T" rated versions are available for the Nintendo Wii, Playstation 3, Xbox 360, and Windows PC. "E10+" is available for Nintendo DS, Playstation 2, and Playstation Portable (PSP).

Set in the Big Apple, the action-adventure saga introduces players to a cataclysmic clash against an invasion of alien symbiotes that threaten mankind itself.

Rob Kostich, VP of global brand mangement at Activision, said:

"Spider-Man: Web of Shadows delivers the deepest combat system ever in the Spider-Man universe, whether it's going vertical up the side of neck-breaking skyscrapers or web-slinging into action over them for high-altitude, high-octane aerial battles. The team has captured a truly captivating Spider-Man experience that combines mesmerizing combat and riveting visual effects with a compelling and unfolding storyline that places gamers in control of the action."

IGA Worldwide (IGA), the leading independent in-game advertising network, today announced a multi-year agreement with Activision Publishing, Inc. to deliver dynamic in-game advertising into multiple video game titles on Sony Computer Entertainment's PLAYSTATION(R)3 (PS3). The first game to feature IGA integrated ads will be Guitar Hero(R) World Tour, the next installment in the best-selling franchise. To date, the Guitar Hero franchise has sold in excess of 22 million units worldwide, according to The NPD Group, Charttrack and GfK.

This landmark agreement, which also includes future Activision Publishing titles, is the second publisher deal announced by IGA since the PS3 opened its platform for in-game advertisements.

"Activision has one of the most impressive stables of games in the video game industry," said Justin Townsend, CEO of IGA Worldwide. "To partner with them demonstrates the appeal of in-game advertising to marketers and consumers, alike. We will be able to connect more brands with engaged users than ever before."

Cleveland Browns legendary running back Jim Brown is fuming mad at Sony and Electronic Arts. The NFL great is suing the pair for using his likeness in the video game John Madden Football 2009. Sony helps distribute the game while EA Sports is the maker of the popular franchise

Brown's name is not used in the games, which are not mentioned by name in the suit, but it is clear to fans of the sport who the person is suppose to be that wears "#32" on the All Time Greatest Browns roster.

You probably have heard about Nintendo's latest sensation, the Wii Fit. The game was promoted to blend both video games along with fitness. Odds are that you may have scoffed and thought this was just another video game that will turn you into a coach potato. How wrong you were if you thought that. The Nintendo Wii game can, and will, give you one heck of workout if you are willing to go along with the challenging games.

There are four categories of games to play with the Wii Fit. Balance games will help you learn how to shift your body and make you better aware of the slight shifts you make. Yoga games will provide you the basics in Yoga and will challenge you by contorting your body with challenging poses. Strength training will give you a basic outline of things like pushups and situps that will help build and tone your muscles. Aerobic workouts such as step aerobics and boxing will get your heart race pumping and make you wonder how much you can sweat in your own living room.

The balance games are the closest thing to traditional video games in the whole set. Ski slalom and snowboarding are fun for any ages, and are sure to be a party hit. Heading incoming soccer balls will be sure to give you a chuckle, but watch out for flying shoes and pandas that will make you lose points.

Surfing the web on your Wii will be a little easier with the introduction of the new Logitech Cordless Keyboard for Wii. The keyboard broadcasts using 2.4 GHz wireless technology, and will work from up to 30 feet away.

It is, however, not your standard keyboard and comes with some special Wii-specific buttons, including Zoom In/Out, Forward/Back, Quit, and OK.