We're back! Welcome to the first edition of Video Game Bits of 2008. We certainly hope you had a wonderful holidays, no matter what you were up to. We're looking forward to covering news from the gaming industry all year long, with more news than before. We've been doing quite of bit of work behind the scenes over the holidays. The biggest change you may have noticed we've made is the swapping of our videos from our YouTube account to Revver account. This doesn't mean that we've abandoned our YouTube account of course, it just means that we have more than one place for our readers and viewers to go for our content, which in the end means you win. The biggest way you win has to do with our guide videos. Thanks to Revver, we can now host videos which are well over 10 minutes in length, without cutting them up into parts. The best example of this is our Xbox 360 Setup Guide, which has a running length of approximately one half hour. Here's is today's Video Game Bits.

Sony adds Skype to PSP-2000 series

This week, Sony Computer Entertainment Inc. announced that it will be introducing Skype features to the new PSP Slim (PSP-2000 series). Skype is a popular online telephony service which lets users make free calls to other Skype users over the Internet, no matter where they are in the world. The new PSP version of Skype will have many of the same features that the regular, computer version has. These features include free calls between Skype users, the Skype contact list, Skype presence (which lets users know which of their friends is online), SkypeOut calls to landlines or mobile phones (though you need Skype credit for that), the option for a SkypeIn number, which lets users receive calls on Skype from landlines or mobile phones (you also need Skype credit for that), and the ability to view and modify Skype settings and account details. To use Skype, all you'll need, aside from a PSP, is a Memory Stick Duo, a wireless Internet connection and a Skype compatible audio input device (though we're pretty sure that includes any PSP compatible mic).

Sony says that PSP users worldwide will be able to begin using Skype through a system software update, which is scheduled to release in late January. Once their PSP has finished updating, a Skype icon will be added to the Network category in the home menu. PSP users who already have a Skype name will be able to immediately sign into their account by clicking on the Skype icon and entering their username and password, but users that don't already have an account can easily sign up at www.skype.com. And, like we said before, Skype is free, so you don't have to worry about paying for anything you don't want to.

Majesco takes sim games to a strange new home

The first line of the press release reads, “If you can dream it, you can build it...”, and it just gets stranger from there, as Majesco announced a new type of simulation game today, being built from the ground up, exclusively for Wii. Developed by Budcat Creations, the new game is called Our House , and it turns the Wii Remote into a creation tool that lets players design, build and decorate their own personal dream home, which they can then share with others in an online neighbourhood.

Our House is the only game that lets players bui ld and remodel a home, creating a customized and, sometimes, completely unique creation. The next part is actually somewhat intriguing. “After shopping for raw materials in the Home Store, players will use their Wii Remote to hammer, saw, paint, tile and much more as they assemble and decorate their family dwelling.” Players will have control over their home's landscaping and exterior upgrades as well. Other features in Our House will include four player “build-offs”, which are meant to encourage social play, and the Neighborhood Mode, which lets players share their creations with friends via Wii Connect24.

Explaining what they were thinking when the team at Majesco came up with Our House , the Executive Vice President of Operations for Majesco, Gui Karyo said, “Few things are as exciting as building and personalizing a home of your own, and only the innovative Wii Remote makes it possible to hammer every nail and paint every wall. We believe Our House’s combination of unique subject matter, endless creativity and competitive multiplayer fun will resonate with players of all ages.” Our House is currently scheduled to release during the 2008 holiday season.

EA completes acquisition of Pandemic and BioWare

Electronic Arts announced today that it has finally completed the dealings for its acquisition of VG Holding Corp. and, subsequently, officially welcomed BioWare Corp. and Pandemic Studios to the EA Games Label. The company feels that the addition of the two studios will give it a competitive advantage in the RPG, action and adventure genres. Both studios have been recognized for creating some of the highest quality games in the industry and are already bringing ten new franchises to EA with them, based on six wholly-owned intellectual properties. We look forward to seeing their offerings in the future.