An Inside Play to Sway Video Gamers

MSNBC is running a story via the Washington Post called "An Inside Play to Sway Video Gamers", in which they use the recent Fallout 3 press event as an example of the money being spent by developers to "court" video game journalists. If you thought most of the Fallout 3 previews sounded a little too enthusiastic, this might be why:
In addition to an hour-long demo and chats with the game's designers, the trip included a two-night stay in downtown's swank Helix Hotel, dinner at Logan Tavern and a private party at a nightclub in Adams Morgan. Airfare, hotel, food, drinks and shuttle bus were provided, courtesy of Bethesda Softworks. Although a few attendees paid their own way, most did not.

"What we're trying to accomplish with an event like this is to have the undivided attention of the important people in our industry, that cover the industry," said Pete Hines, vice president of marketing at Bethesda Softworks, whose Fallout 3 will be set in a version of Washington that's been scorched by war. "There are a lot of titles out there competing for attention."