Get a kick out of these kicks - it's a pair of Custom Xbox Nike Dunks, with which you can honestly say that you could literally put on your gaming shoes. Except there's one small hurdle: the US$ 2500 price tag. Imagine all the Xboxes you can get with that kind of money. But if you are, by any chance, filthy rich and you love Xbox, go and make your bid on eBay right now.

The Entertainment and Leisure Software Publishers Association (ELSPA) and some of its partners recently conducted a raid which yielded illegally copied Nintendo DS games stored on discs. Meanwhile, ELSPA's crime unit head, John Hillier, wants to remind gamers (whatever console you may own) the detestable effects of piracy on the whole industry. For more on this raid, head on over to the full article for more information.

Reports are coming in that people have managed to buy an early copy of BioShock from Toys R Us. Whether it's an early release, a media promotions event or a shipment error is still unclear.

One report from Nike Talk forums comes from iceman3699 who said he just saw it behind the glass counter while he was out to buy Madden NFL 08 at Toys R Us and simply asked for it.

What's more is that he bought it during a promotion from Madden where the second game you buy is half off. Then he used a 20% off coupon. Result? Bioshock for US$ 29.99.

The receipt pictured is from North Bergen, New Jersey but if one has it chances are most of the others do. One account from Joystiq said that his local branch in Virginia will also have them stocked.

(Suddenly a massive stampede is heard around the world heading in the direction of the nearest Toys R Us branches.)

Double Fusion's European Managing Director Frank Sagmier recently revealed that their firm may be acquired by a larger company in the next year or two, proving that game advertising is a fast-growing segment of the electronic entertainment business.

He highlighted the status of his company's niche by saying "clearly this is a business that is so prone to growth that big companies - and you've seen it with Microsoft and Google - would be very happy to get their hands on such a growing segment."

Sagmier refereed to Microsoft and Google's recent moves to acquire and franchise similar firms. Game advertising waters are relatively uncharted to conventional ad industry people, but with the break-out of the industry in recent years, multinationals have found themselves taking a dip.

Nike and Gatorade have both been actively bannering their wares in sports titles. Pepsi even took it to a weird level with its Cool Spot game in the Sega Genesis days and Pepsi Man in the original Sony PlayStation heyday. Now that gaming has become a more cohesive part of popular culture, game ad companies find their value rising.

Sagmier, however, warns that the market can be tough for people who aren't quite experts in the niche. Starting can be a really hard step and that's where a lot of upstarts stumble. "Bigger companies do not want to spend the resources, time and effort in a niche market until it becomes bigger, and by then it's too late. Therefore they buy," he explains.

Prior to his stint with Double Fusion, Sagmier worked with Electronic arts running major franchises like The Sims, FIFA and Harry Potter.

Fine, Microsoft doesn't want to buy Take-Two Interactive. But have you ever wondered what big MS really wants? Well, judging from its actions, it seems that the company is into advertisements these days.

Almost one year ago, it can be remembered that Microsoft acquired the in-game ads company Massive Inc., and now, there are a lot of rumors going around saying that Microsoft has set its eyes on another online advertising company, DoubleClick. Some of its clients include General Motors, Coca-Cola, Motorola, L'Oreal, Palm, Visa USA, Nike, and Carlsberg among many others.

For those who may not be familiar with the name, DoubleClick was just founded last year and its total amount of sales was somewhere around £75  million (US$ 147.62 million). We haven't heard any feedback about this company's performance and strategies, but it may be safe to assume that they're doing well enough to catch the eye of a giant like Microsoft.

The rumors also added that if the acquisition pushes through, it will cost MS a hefty sum of US$ 2 billion. Now, they must REALLY want that company.

Heads up, NBA Street fans! Perkins Park, the playground that saw the makings of LeBron James as an NBA superstar, is coming to you via Xbox Live on April 2 so you can brush up those playground moves and break some ankles with that killer cross-over.

Nike and Cleveland's very own LeBron James helped the developers bring the famous playground to life. The wait for the new court to be available via Xbox Live can be a pretty long one for the hardcore hoop fan, but the people over at EA Sports made sure that there will be something on March 26 to keep ballers preoccupied.

Dropping to the 'hood on the March date are NBA Street legends Stretch, Bonafide, Drake and more. When you get these characters, you'll be glad to know that Jordan gear will be included in the package so you can customize your jammer with everything from the classic Air Jordan I to the new Jordan Melo M3's.

   

With so much new stuff getting ready getting ready to make the b-ball experience with Street a better one, you and your homies ought to stock up on Microsoft points so you can be among the first to flash the new blings.

In-game advertising goes all-out in NBA Street: Homecourt (PS3, Xbox 360) as EA and Nike have teamed up to bring you ads which do more than just annoy the casual gamer.

In Homecourt, created players can now be draped in authentic Nike gear to provide more than just aesthetics. The shoes actually boost up the experience gained by your created baller so you can raise your stats faster and own the playgrounds faster than you can say "Air Jordan."

Included in the extensive list of footwear is the entire Jordan series, from the brightly colored Air Jordan I's, the VII's that His Airness wore in the Barcelona Olympics to the freshly-released Air Jordan XXII's.

Aside from the shoes, real-life courts which saw the likes of Rip Hamilton and Carmelo Anthony grow to stardom are unlockable, but the legendary Rucker Park in Harlem has got to be the crown jewel of the bunch, and you can download it for free. Here are some of the game's goodies:

• The GOAT - UNLOCKED
• Dirt Bowl - UNLOCKED
• Hometown Park - UNLOCKED
• Venice Beach - UNLOCKED
• Franklin Park - UNLOCKED
• Cloverdale - LOCKED (Unlocked in Homecourt Challenge)
• Rupert Bell Rec Center - LOCKED (Unlocked in Homecourt Challenge)
• Ash Park - LOCKED (Unlocked in Homecourt Challenge)
• Brand Jordan Gym - LOCKED (Unlocked in Homecourt Challenge)
• Hometown Gym - LOCKED (Unlocked in Homecourt Challenge)

All in all, the addition of the Nike gear, the deep customization options and the fast, arcade-style play should give Xbox 360 hoop fans a good fix of hardcourt action.

Oh yeah, it's definitely on! NBA Street Homecourt will be coming on February 22 for the Playstation 3 and the Xbox 360. Fans waiting for a chance to pick their favorite player and their own virtual shoes can get to grab a limited edition NBA Street Air Jordan. Electronic Arts grabbed the Jordan Brand of Nike to design a B'Loyal sneaker through the eyes of EA's own design team. There are only 100 pairs made and it only comes in black and blue.

Out of the 100 pairs, 60 pairs will be given away through an online contest that will start up pretty soon. As you can see, the design consists of black nubuck stitched with blue. There are also blue accents and a speckled midsole. It's poised to make you look like an NBA star before they were ever stars!