MTV Multiplayer Sort Of Goes On Vacation -- The Week Goes Into Review

At the end of the year, video game bloggers go to Georgia.

I confirmed this yesterday. As a result, I will be going to Georgia as well, to wish my in-laws a Merry Christmas.

The rest of the Multiplayer team will also be off (perhaps not all to Georgia), but the site will see a few more updates before the end of the year. The new posts will highlight some of our favorite pieces of the year.

We'll be back in full force on January 2, by which time I may have left my wife to marry "Patapon." It's making quite a good impression. Or will this just be a short-term fling?

As for what we did at this blog this week:

• We tried to find out why some of our petty problems with "Rock Band" (where's online world tour?) are the way they are. And I found out that a lot of you don't play video games with the sound turned on. Weird!

• We learned that some people may think making Wii mini-game collections is like "writing a book."

• We went retro and asking the "KOTOR" developers how and why they made Pazaak and asking the "Dead Rising" planner what the deal is with that game's Achievements (Folks, read this interview!).

• We got the low-down on "Rock Band" Xbox 360 Achievements.

• We told the world two things the world didn't know: the "Burnout Paradise" soundtrack and the Jerry Bruckheimer alliance with smack-talking MTV Games.

• We got the head of Sega of America to promise there is a "concerted efforts on a global basis to up the quality of the Sonic product going forward."

• We clarified the Wii rain-check program (it's today only!).

• Cip tried playing "Wii Sports" with the Wii Zapper. He also hunted Achievements. I rattled off my 10 Greatest Game moments. And Tracey played the "Dirty Dancing" video game (plus she did a great follow-up with two of the women she interviewed last week, getting them to answer some pressing reader comments).

• The three of us talked about what we were NOT playing all year.

• And I shared with you all my Year In Ticking People Off.

Happy holidays, readers. Be safe, be merry, and play some more games.