What is “viral gaming,” you ask? Think Mafia Wars. Microsoft is investing in this strategy as a way to tell friends about a game and as a gameplay mechanic.

Microsoft has been working on a system that’s part Super Guide and part Demon’s Souls for well over a year.

Sony Computer Entertainment America may bigger plans for the PlayStation 3 as a video player. They recently filed a patent that mixes Netflix Party on Xbox Live and Mystery Science Theater 3000.

Sony seems to be working on a lot of controllers these days. They have a motion controller scheduled for next year and, maybe in the future, this remote-like thing.

A patent in the Japanese patent database reveals plans for another Taiko no Tatsujin accessory. This one being a squishy Wii remote shell with Wada-don’s face.

Behind the scenes Nintendo is working on even more Wii accessories and their football controller has the potential to be a mass market hit.

The Wipeout HD ads that popped up during loading were annoying, but they’re small potatoes compared to a more antagonizing form of in-game advertising Sony was developing.

Laughter… as a “controller”? It sounds funny on paper, but Sony Computer Entertainment America seems serious about the concept considering they filed a patent for a laugh detecting program.

If you thought the Wii Balance Board was off the beaten path wait until you see Nintendo’s Wii Horseback Riding Saddle. We’re not kidding about this.

Are you an achievement junkie? Microsoft may be taking the system a step further by rewarding players with digital items.

The Xbox Live dashboard ads won’t be the only ad supported revenue stream. Microsoft’s R&D department developed and patented a system for advertiser-generated avatars or “advertars”, as I like to call them. Here’s how it works.

We saw Sony unveil a LED wand during their E3 press conference. The device in conjunction with an EyeToy camera brought motion control to the PlayStation 3. In addition to that Sony developed another motion control system that uses everyday objects.

PS3s without PS2 backwards compatibility are missing the Emotion Engine. What if the PS3’s cell processor could emulate the Emotion Engine? Theoretically, all PlayStation 3s would be able to play PS2 games even if a console didn’t have the proper hardware.

The PSP has lots of gizmos. A GPS unit, camera, possibly a remote control car too. This design for a motion detecting gun controller didn’t come from Sony. A picture from a patent scan shows third party accessory maker MadCatz was working the product.