Blog Posts by Chris Morris

Getty ImagesGames have had a profound influence on everything from how we watch football on television to how we lose weight. As it turns out, they're also changing the nature of the U.S. military.

While it's still essential for soldiers to be in peak shape and prepared for traditional ground combat, today's modern warfare has a strong digital component — and gaming's influences extend far beyond the battlefield. The Army, for example, spends between $10 million to $20 million a year on licenses, modifications and development of video games.

Here are five ways games have embedded themselves into modern military life.

You didn't expect Nintendo to let the launch of the PlayStation Vita go unanswered, did you?

The Sony competitor held a pair of online presentations Wednesday to tout new software that's on the way to its 3DS system (as well as the Wii) and deflect attention away from Sony's new, bleeding-edge gadget.

In Japan, company CEO Satoru Iwata unveiled the latest in the Brain Training series. The formal name of the game (as well as the release date and platform) wasn't revealed, but the company did show off a taxing segment dubbed "Devil Training" that focused on concentration and memory.

Usually, there aren't a lot of deals to be found on a system's launch day.

Uncharted: Golden Abyss (Sony)As early adopters and die-hard fans scramble to be the first on their block to have the latest gadget, companies capitalize on that fervor and have no trouble commanding full retail price, usually for several weeks or even months.

But the launch of the PlayStation Vita is a bit different than other devices.

Sailing into the headwinds of a hyper competitive market and plenty of skepticism, Vita's launch on Wednesday will be accompanied by a buy 2, get 1 free sale at GameStop locations nationwide -- and it doesn't just include what you might think of as "second tier" titles.

(Photo credit: Getty Images)While Mitt Romney might be giving Rick Santorum a bruising fight in the race for the Republican party's bid for the White House, there's one platform where Santorum is sure he tops his opponent: gaming.

The former Pennsylvania senator, it seems, has a passion for the iPhone game Temple Run, a title that has players endlessly fleeing a band of screaming, angry simians after defiling their temple.

Of course, in the polarizing world of video games, one never wants to offend fans of other games. That's why Santorum was quick to point out his former love for another popular title when asked about his dedication to Temple Run.

A hit game sequel is a powerful thing indeed, but it can be tricky to pull off. Do you just repeat the first game? Come up with something new? Split the difference?

Scramble With Friends (Zynga)Maybe you should ask Zynga, who have managed to follow up their blockbuster Words With Friends with a Boggle-like game using the same elements. And it's hitting just the right notes.

Released in January, Scramble With Friends is still trailing Words With Friends in terms of sheer numbers, but the game is a hit — and a moneymaker. It was a top-five brand in the Apple App Store last month and currently stands as the 16^th highest grossing app for the iPhone, iPod Touch and iPad.

PlayStation Vita (AP)Sony's hoping for a big splash when the PlayStation Vita goes on sale in the U.S. next week, but the news from the company's homeland is pretty discouraging.

Sales of the handheld gaming system in Japan for the week ending Feb. 12 hit an all-time low, with less than 14,000 Vitas being sold. That's a drop of more than 3,000 from the previous week.

Right around this time 50 years ago, the world of gaming was forever changed.

Spacewar!Spacewar! was launched in mid-February 1962 (the exact date is a matter of debate, though most people agree it was between the 13^th and the 15^th). And while it wasn't the first video game ever created, it was the first to strike a chord with people, effectively kicking off the era of video games.

The game was meant for two players. Both pilot starships and try to destroy each other with a limited supply of torpedoes, while fighting the gravitational effects of a star in the center of the screen. If a ship is about to plunge into the star, the player can hit a hyperspace button to escape, but hit it too often and your ship will explode.

Sometimes, Cupid shoots an arrow through the knee instead of the heart.

Video games might not seem the most romantic of hobbies, but for some, they've been the path to true love — and in many cases, marriage.

Whether it's an especially geeky proposal that revolves around a game or a pair of guildmates who realize that their interest in each other extends far beyond the realms of the online world, game-centric romances are growing increasingly common.