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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

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 coun

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 receive

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, Pop

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 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 th

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 rang

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 over

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 allo

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  

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 handlin

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

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

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

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

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

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

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, decapitatio

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     

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 Pr

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 s

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

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 wi

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

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