Articles: News

PopCap Raises More Than $200,000 For Japan

Wed, 23 Mar 2011 07:12:44 +0000

Recently PopCap and The Red Cross teamed up for 48 hours to help raise money for the people of Japan who's lives were changed after the earthquake struck the region on Friday March 11 causing a Tsunami, several aftershocks, and partial nuclear meltdowns.

During the 48 hour markdown of all of PopCap games that are available on the Apple App Store, PopCap raised more than $200,000 with 100% of revenue made from the fundraiser being donated to the International Red Cross in hopes of providing aid to those in Japan who desperately need it right now.

The World's Largest Spam Network Brought Down By Microsoft

Mon, 21 Mar 2011 11:38:36 +0000

Microsoft, one of the titan's in the busniess world has brought down the world's largest spam network, Rustock.

Rustock which was formed around 2006, ran from computers running Microsoft Windows and was capable of sending out 25,000 spam messages an hour from an infected PC according to the wiki for the spambot.

While working with federal agents, Microsoft's Digital Crimes Unit was able to attain some of the machines that were running the virus spreader and were able to work with different countries like China and Netherlands to begin the process of disabling the program that was out of the United States. Microsoft later joined forces with Pfizer, FireEye, and the University of Washington to fully put an end to Rustock and they are now working on cleaning machines that were affected by Rustock's malware.

via DownloadSquad (thanks PK)

[Rumor] Xbox Live Arcade Getting Silent Hill Multiplayer

Mon, 21 Mar 2011 09:21:53 +0000

The rumor mill is running rampant today after an interview between Italy's Xbox 360 Magazine and Silent Hill: Downpour developer Vatra Games' Radek Marek over whether or not the survival horror game that is due to hit shelves sometime in Fall 2011 will have mulitplayer.

During the interview that explores the environment and enemies within Silent Hill: Downpour, Italy's Xbox 360 Magazine asked Marek about the possibility of mulitplayer being included in Downpour. The answer the magazine received is interesting, but also a little confusing.

"At the moment there will be no multiplayer modes in Silent Hill: Downpour, but Konami are investigating a separate chapter devoted entirely to the Multiplayer. We do not know the details but it should be an XBLA title that most players have to survive in the town of Silent Hill."

The concept sounds interesting, but if this turns out to be true why can this feature not be included in the retail version of the game instead of making gamers pay for something else?

For now we will chalk this up to rumor until Konami makes an official statement regarding an XBLA mulitplayer version of Silent Hill.

via Hell Descent (Translated Interview)

Help PopCap and the Red Cross Raise Funds for Japan

Fri, 18 Mar 2011 11:34:10 +0000

On Friday March 11, many of us awoke from our peaceful slumber to find out that Japan has been changed forever. Since the massive 9.0 earthquake, Tsunami, and aftershocks that rocked the world, heart breaking news has been coming about 30 young children still waiting in a classroom for parents that will never pick them up again, civilians becoming everyday heroes by making rescue attempts, and proof that even dogs can be heroes as well. As money pours in to help those that lost everything, PopCap has come forward and announced that they are partnering with the Red Cross to help raise money.

Beginning on Saturday, March 19 all of PopCap's games that are available on the iPad/iPhone are being discounted for 48 hours and 100% of the revenue made during this time will be donated to the Red Cross to help those that so desperately need it right now.

If you would like to help Popcap raise money for Japan, please go to PopCap's iPad downloads, PopCap's iPhone downloads, or Apple's App store. iPad downloads are being reduced to $1.99 and iPhone/iPod downloads are at $.99.

We as gamers can not only make a difference, but we can be the difference. Help PopCap and the Red Cross aid Japan during this time.

Homefront Discounted One Day After It's Release

Wed, 16 Mar 2011 12:10:50 +0000

The disaster that seems to be swirling around THQ's day old release Homefront keeps getting worse.

Walmart and Amazon have both already discounted the price of the much hyped first person shooter PS3 and 360 versions to $41.96. For Walmart that includes in store and online purchases.

No news on whether this is permanent or just for the time being.

via Thrifty Nerd

THQ's Homefront Gets Mixed Reviews as Shares Drop in One Day

Wed, 16 Mar 2011 08:17:49 +0000

THQ is dealing with a rather large headache this morning as news surfaces that their shares dropped 21% yesterday as mediocre reviews rolled in regarding their newly released future based game, Homefront.

The first person shooter received an average 72 out of 100 for the Xbox 360 version from Metacritic and reviews that are pouring in from websites such as IGN, GameSpot, and Digital Trends are centering around a mediocre score of 7 out of 10 with suggestions that the campaign is too short and the content in Homefront has already been done by other games. Fans are expressing their outrage on Homefront's Forum over players that have already begun using cheats in the mulitplayer and that the 360 and PS3 versions both need patches to fix mulitplayer issues such as freezing and as some are describing as "unplayable" mulitplayer.

Kaos's Studios response to the issues was the usual "did not expect it to do this well" reaction that many developers use to try to cover up more pressing issues at hand such as why the mulitplayer part of the game was not "prepared better".

"Homefront’s dedicated servers are currently at capacity, and this is causing some matchmaking issues for players attempting to join an online match.

The demand for the servers has outstripped our expectations – so although we’re thrilled that Homefront is proving to be so popular, we’re doing all we can to bring more servers online to cope with this demand ASAP.

Please bear with us – as more servers come online, you should find you’re able to join matches easily and play Homefront the way it’s meant to be played – with 32 players on dedicated servers." ~ KAOS CHEFS

THQ does not seem to be bothered by the reviews that are coming in and believes that the players will speak for the game according to THQ Chief Executive Brian Farrel.

"The game seems to resonate with consumers. It's a mass-market title. Let's see what players think."

Unfortunately for THQ, it appears Homefront might not have been so much of a "mass market title".

via Digital Spy

Gameboy Advance a Thing of the Past for Gamestop

Fri, 11 Mar 2011 12:24:48 +0000

Nintendo's Game Boy Advance which has seen three different designs since it's release in 2001 is officially on it's way out as Gamestop announces that they will no longer be accepting Game Boy Advance handheld devices or games.

According to Joystiq, on April 2 the gaming retail giant will no longer be taking anything that has to do with the 11 year old handheld. Whether or not this will change prices of the handheld remains to be seen as Gamestop's current prices for a Game Boy Advance are ranging from $44.99 to $24.99 and have not adjusted yet.

via Joystiq

Bit Baron's Astroslugs is Free For a Limited Time!

Fri, 11 Mar 2011 10:10:17 +0000

Bit Barons is celebrating the release of their easy going puzzle game for gamers of all ages and experience, Astroslugs on the Mac App Store by offering the game for free on the Mac App Store from now until Sunday March 13.

If you download Astroslugs during this time make sure to send in proof of your receipt to info@bitbarons.com and Bit Barons will give you a free copy of Astroslugs for Windows and a free copy of the Astroslugs soundtrack as a thank you. Talk about free gaming goodness overload!

For more information on Astroslugs please check out our review or the official Astroslugs website.

Saints Row: The Third - Yes to Sex Toys, No to Farts in a Jar

Wed, 09 Mar 2011 11:29:02 +0000

Imagine running down the street, pulling out a brightly colored vibrator, and smacking random strangers with it. You will be able to do this in Saint's Row: The Third. Now imagine running down that same street and taking a jar that you previously farted in to and tossing it like a grenade at some unsuspecting stranger. This you will not be able to do. Make sense? Didn't think so.

The team behind Grand Theft Auto's worst nightmare, THQ''s Voilition talked to Game Informer about the not allowed "Farts in a Jar" idea and described censoring the latest installment of the franchise to porn.

"It's like defining porn. I can't define it, but I know when I see it," stated Senior Producer Greg Donovan.

"Not every crazy weapon idea that gets thrown out at meetings ends up getting used. With some ideas, we're like 'that's not over the top... even we know that's distasteful' to the point where I don't even want to tell you what the ideas were. Put it that way,". He then spoke of the "Farts in a Jar" weapon that did not go over well with some members of the Saint's Row group despite that fact that the sex toy idea did.

For more details regarding the upcoming Saint's Row: The Third including the "San Andreas style" leveling up system, details on playing as the same custom character from the previous games, no online multiplayer except for co-op, and mission details check out the April edition of Game Informer.

via CVG

Sony PSP Go Takes a Price Jump

Tue, 08 Mar 2011 09:41:05 +0000

It might be a little early for April Fool's day jokes, but Sony has already pulled a fast one on gamers looking to pick up the PSP Go.

On Thursday, Sony dropped the price of their PSP Go from $199.99 to $149.99. Today in a rather strange move, Sony took the price cut back and has returned the price of the PSP Go back to $199.99. Sony has not released any statements regarding the price cut and the price jump.

(Thanks Chris!)

via Gizomodo and Slash Gear

Mass Effect 2 Action Figures Delayed....Again

Mon, 07 Mar 2011 10:09:10 +0000

For those of you looking to purchase the first set of Mass Effect 2 detailed little miniatures, you will be waiting a bit longer.

The first series of Mass Effect 2 look alikes that are being made by DC Direct were originally suppose to be delivered to stores in August 2010. That shipment was delayed and the figures were then given a new date of February 2011. Now it does not look like that is not going to be happening and Mass Effect 2 creator Bioware is not happy with how DC Direct is handling the situation and it appears that the second series of figures that DC Direct were also suppose to create has disappeared off of their website.

"On the ME2 Action Figures it looks like the first series is again delayed. We are all, including Treehouse, BioWare, and yourselves extremely frustrated with DC Direct. Their handling of this issue has been extremely unprofessional and disrespectful to fans. Once we get the ME2 Action Figure shipped we will not be working with DC Direct again. I’ll update again if we have more news, but it looks like April is correct."

This statement was made by a Bioware store spokesperson on Bioware's forum and has since been deleted.

via: Bleeding Cool

Resident Evil Gets Another Movie

Fri, 04 Mar 2011 10:05:23 +0000

Resident Evil will be getting yet another movie added to the list, bringing the total of movies that have nothing to do with series except for the name up to five.

Sony Pictures announced today that a fifth movie has been ordered and should be in theaters on September 14, 2012. No details have emerged about the plot of the movie or cast members, however Sony Pictures did say the movie will be shot in 3D.

via Box Office Mojo

Bring You Avatar Into Your Gaming Room

Thu, 03 Mar 2011 13:03:49 +0000

For those of you who cannot get enough of your Xbox Live representation of yourself via your XBL avatar, Microsoft has made it possible for you to never have to lose sight of your little mini me.

Available for purchase is an avatar Fathead. Fathead is a popular poster brand that focuses on making otherwise boring wall posters come to life and appear to pop off your wall. Fathead sells numerous sports atheletes and other wall decals including video game themed Fatheads from Halo and more. Now your avatar can add their name to that list. An avatar Fathead that you can pose in various positions will set you back $79.99 - $149.99 depending on the size you choose.

Also available is a 3D FigurePrint model replica. These miniature model replicas will cost you $49.95 plus shipping. The replicas can all be posed in various predetermined positions.

Lastly you can bring your avatar to a Zune. Pick which Zune you would like to purchase and choose between the 10 avatar poses and your avatar will be etched onto the back of your Zune. Prices range from $169.99 - $349.99 depending on the HD space you pick.

via Unleash Your Avatar and Major Nelson

Xbox 360 Gearfest 2011, Deal of the Week, and More!

Thu, 03 Mar 2011 12:33:40 +0000

Major Nelson has released details involving Xbox's latest promotion, "Xbox 360 Gearfest 2011" as well an upcoming sneak peak at Deal of the Week and all things Xbox Live Marketplace.

Xbox 360 Gearfest 2011

Running now until the end of April, save up to 40% on select Xbox 360 accessories.

Wireless Controller - Glossy Black $39.99 (was $49.99)

Wireless Controller with Play and Charge Kit - Silver $44.99 (was $64.99)

250GB HDD - Xbox 360 Slim Only $93.27 (was $129.99)

Quick Charger Kit $19.99 (was $29.99)

Wireless Headset $24.95

Xbox 360 Black Wireless Controller Play and Charge Kit $54.99 (was $64.99

Deal of the Week

Week of March 7 - Lara Croft

Lara Croft and the Guardian of Light - 600 MS points

Raizel and Kane Character Pack - 200 MS points

A Hazardous Reunion Challenge Pack 3 - 200 MS points

All the Trappings Challenge Pack 1 - 200 MS points

T-Rex Avatar Pet - 123 MS points

Week of March 14 - Celebrate Saint Patrick's Day!

Clover: A Curious Tale - 200 MS points

Rock Bank "Bad Luck" - 80 MS points

Rock Bank Green Day Pack 01 - 220 MS points

Lips "Some Guys Have All The Luck" - 80 MS points

Lips "Chasing Cars" - 80 MS points

Green Avatar Tuxedo - 120 MS points

Leprechaun Avatar Prop - 120 MS points

Green Shamrock Avatar Tee - 40 MS points

Red Dead Redemption Irish T-Shirt - 40 MS points

NBA211 Celtics Jersey - 120 MS points

Marketplace

March 3: Robots

March 10: Update for Halo: Reach

Add Ons

March 8

Dragon Age 2 Exiled Prince - 560 MS points

Dragon Age 2 The Black Emporium - 800 MS points

Need for Speed Hot Pursuit Porsche Unleashed - 560 MS points

Your Shape: Fitness Evolved Add Ons Sale - 50%-60% Off (running from March 8- March 14)

March 15

Halo: Reach Defiant Map Pack - 800 MS points

Marvel vs. Capcom 3: Jill character - 400 MS points

Marvel vs. Capcom 3: Shuma character - 400 MS points

XBLA

March 9 - Torchlight - 1200 MS points

March 16 - Full House Poker - 800 MS points

Games on Demand

Kane and Lynch 2 - March 8

Halo: Reach - March 15

via Major Nelson

Xbox Japanese Spokesperson Paralyzed

Thu, 03 Mar 2011 11:44:20 +0000

The beautiful Hikari Yamaguchi who started her career as a bikini model and turned into a Japanese spokesperson for Xbox has been paralyzed in an accident at her home.

The 19 year old from Japan slipped on a balcony at her residence and suffered a cervical spine fracture that has left her paralyzed.

At the tender age of 12, Hikari began her career as a model and since then has appeared in DVD's, photobooks, and television shows. She was offered a host for Japan Inside Xbox in 2009 and has been there since.

via Feed the Gamer

Xbox Live Resurrects Old Gamertags

Thu, 03 Mar 2011 09:16:15 +0000

Gamertags that are in use and have been considered abandoned are now being resurrected so that gamers who want a gamertag change can now use them.

According to Major Nelson the process will take some time and that gamers should check back regularly to see if a name that they would like is now available, because they are adding newly revived gamertags daily.

via Major Nelson

Homefront Live Action GDC 2011 Trailer

Thu, 03 Mar 2011 08:48:08 +0000

The half live action trailer for Homefront that made it's appearance at GDC 2011 is full of explosions, bullets, and a creepy baby nursery rhyme.

via

Australia Gives Mortal Kombat a Fatality of Their Own, Warner Bros. Fights Back

Wed, 02 Mar 2011 13:47:57 +0000

Late February Australia struck down another video game from being sold in their country due to the violence in the game. This time it was NetherRealm's and Warner Bros's bloody good fighting game, Mortal Kombat. The reason for the ban involved a series staple, the fatalities.

The Australian Classification Board which refused to rate the game said, "......The game includes over 60 fatalities (some of which are noted above) which contain explicit depictions of dismemberment, decapitation, disembowelment and other brutal forms of slaughter. Despite the exaggerated conceptual nature of the fatalities and their context within a fighting game set in a fantasy realm, impact is heightened by the use of graphics which are realistically rendered and very detailed."

The ban should come as no surprise considering that Valve's Left 4 Dead 2 had to be remade after their appeal was lost. The blood and body parts were removed in order to jive with Australia's rating system.

While all of this news may seem depressing for fans of the series in Australia, the good news is that Warner Bros. is fighting back by appealing the classification boards rating and the statement below is proof that they are working to get the issue resolved.

"After careful consideration Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment Australia have decided to appeal to the Australian Classification Review Board against the RC (Refused Classification) decision given to Mortal Kombat. After reviewing both the game play and the Board's original decision WBIE Australia believe the violence in the game is on par with numerous other titles readily available for sale in the Australian market. As such the company wants to exhaust all options to make the game available to Mortal Kombat fans in this country. An identical version of the game will be submitted for appeal." (IGN AU)

Whether or not Warner Bros. will be successful in their appeal remains to be seen, but unfortunately appeals usually do not work with Australia and game ratings.

via IGN AU and Game Podunk

Call of Duty Gets Live Action Trailer

Wed, 02 Mar 2011 10:41:21 +0000

Rumors have been swirling since the findmakarov.com countdown appeared. Fans of the shooter wondered if this was sign that their beloved franchise was going to be announcing Modern Warfare 3. Those rumors can be put to rest now, because the countdown is over and the reveal is a live action film made by a viral advertising company out of Canada who wanted to show Activision that their profitable series could be made into a movie. What do you think?

via

and Joystiq

Super Meat Boy Gets "Ultra Edition"

Tue, 01 Mar 2011 10:02:42 +0000

Everybody's favorite little wad of juicy, cubed meat is getting an "Ultra Edition" version for the PC.

The "Ultra Edition" includes a 40-page booklet and a behind the scenes look, as well as a soundtrack with audio samples, extended Team Meat's comic book, and a mini poster of Super Meat Boy that is fan made by Dave Rapoza and happens to be quite disturbing.

This ultra sized edition of Super Meat Boy will cost PC gamers $20 and will be available in retail stores sometime in April.

via Game Pro

Catherine Headed to the 360 and PS3 this Summer

Tue, 01 Mar 2011 09:44:38 +0000

Confirmed by Atlus is that the adult puzzle/horror game Catherine is headed to the 360 and PS3 sometime this summer, although Amazon is claiming the game will release on July 26.

In Catherine, gamers control Vincent who is being pressured to marry a girl he went to school with and is sleeping with, Katherine. Vincent later meets a rather luscious and lovely young woman by the name of Catherine at a bar. After the two spend the night together, Vincent begins to have nightmarish dreams that are spilling over into his real life. Vincent must stay alive in his dreams or else he will die in real life.

The cover art for the game differs for which console you buy it for. If you purchase the 360 version you get the dark haired, glasses wearing Katherine who is angling her rear in the end. The PS3 cover art features the mysterious blonde Catherine that Vincent meets at the bar who happens to be getting ready to undress in front of your eyes.

via Catherine the Game and Warped Zone

Ninja Gaiden 3 at E3 2011

Mon, 28 Feb 2011 13:45:19 +0000

Ninja Gaiden, one of the toughest games to ever grace a console is back and there's a brutal trailer to prove it.

At GDC, Tecmo revealed a teaser trailer that shows a bloody and yellow eyed Ryu, shoving a sword into presumably an enemy and then about to reveal himself when it cuts away to a screen that says, "Unmask E3 2011".

In a gaming world where first person shooters are dominating, Ryu cannot come soon enough.

via Joystiq

GTA V Domains Registered By Take Two [Rumor]

Mon, 28 Feb 2011 09:40:54 +0000

The latest news in the rumor mill has Take Two Interactive registering what appears to be several different domain names for the next installment in the Grand Theft Auto series.

According to video game blog Ripten, Take Two has registered CashForDeadDreams.com, SixFigureTemps.com, StopPayingYourMortgage.net, HammersteinFaust.com, and LifeInvader.com between January 26th and January 7th showing signs that Rockstar and Take Two will be continuing the tradition of viral advertising like they did with GTA IV that included the "Wanted" posters that were put up in different cities in New York. That is if this rumor proves to be true.

via Ripten

Bejewled Blitz LIVE Releases Today

Wed, 23 Feb 2011 14:23:36 +0000

PopCap's Bejewled Blitz LIVE has hit the Xbox Live Marketplace today at 800 MS points as part of the House Party promotion. The second Bejewled game to hit the marketplace features a classic and twisted modes as well as 16 online player puzzle loving fun.

Also added to the Xbox Live Marketplace include demos for Dragon Age II and Lego Star Wars III: The Clone Wars.

via Major Nelson

Upcoming Releases for Xbox Live Marketplace

Fri, 18 Feb 2011 11:57:01 +0000

Major Nelson has posted an upcoming preview of what will be hitting the Xbox Live Marketplace next week.

Xbox Live Deal of the Week - February 21

Tom Clancy’s Ghost Recon Advanced Warfighter 2 Co-op Collection, 200 MS Points

Tom Clancy’s Ghost Recon Advanced Warfighter 2 Co-op Collection 200 MS Points

Tom Clancy’s Splinter Cell Conviction Deniable Ops: Insurgency 400 MS Points

Tom Clancy's Ghost Recon Advanced Warfighter Chapter 2, 300 MS Points

Tom Clancy’s H.A.W.X. Air Supremacy, 400 MS Points

Tom Clancy’s H.A.W.X. 2 All-in-one Pack, 400 MS Points

Tom Clancy’s EndWar Escalation, 200 MS Points

Tom Clancy’s Splinter Cell Chaos Theory, 600 points

Tom Clancy’s Splinter Cell Conviction Outfit, 200 points

Avatar Related Items - February 22

Homefront Collection

Xbox Live Arcade - February 23

Bejeweled Blitz LIVE - 800 MS Points

via Major Nelson