These redeemable beta codes can be found in the Helghast Edition and standalone copies of the game. The specially marked copies have "Early Access SOCOM 4 Beta" on the box.

[caption id=" align="aligncenter" width="396" caption="via Playstation.Blog][/caption]

via Playstation Blog

As announced previously on Major Nelson's blog, today is the day that a mandatory dashboard update will roll out.

Upon turning on your Xbox 360, you will prompted to download the update which will re-enable the "boot to disc option" on the dashboard.

Another update will be coming to Xbox.com on January 20 that will change the way your gamercard looks and included in this update is the removal of "gamerzone".

via Major Nelson

"It would be horrible, But I think they all know our model's broken anyway.

"It still costs us a fortune to make games on this platform. If they're going to up the scale, up the art, up the content, I don't know how to make that and sell it to anybody for under $100 a game. Who wants to do that? It's bad for everybody."

We can't really argue that point.  Who really wants to pay over $100 for a standard version of a video game in store and then have to shell out more money for DLC that is often put out a month or two after the game releases.

Bilson further stated that "Stability of technology allows for the fruition and the growth of creative,

"We're not having to invest all of our focus, and, oh my god, how are we going to deal with that new technology? We understand it. We still have guys trying to squeeze it to do cooler stuff, but it puts the weight of the mission under creative, which ultimately should get us more interesting and more creative stuff.

"That's the trick. We're not going to get beat by another hardware upgrade like every five years like it was before. There will be little things. It's up to us to compete in graphics and creativity. Sometimes I hope good creativity and style will be able to be more important. It is more important."

What do you think Gamercide?  Is this a case of looking out for everybody including gamers or do you believe that there are underlying worries about bigger developers such as EA?

via Eurogamer

No other details have been made available at this time.

via Eurogamer

In a report by MCV,  Sony dropped details on the PSP2 as "having HD screen with twin control sticks in the familiar brick form factor" and MCV is claiming that "there is potential for a phone to be included". More details will be coming on January 27, as Sony prepares an announcement about the handheld for GDC.

A mini handheld portable version of the PS3 would be great, but claims and facts are two separate things.  Let's see what the future holds Sony before jumping to conclusions.

via MCV

The domain name was registered on January 11 under the alias "Coporation Service Company" which Square Enix has used in the past for websites for other Square Enix titles.

Final Fantasy X, the story of Tidus and Yuna was the last Final Fantasy game to get a direct sequel and many fans were hoping that it would remain that way considering that FFX-2 was almost a complete disaster.

Here's to hoping that this is not FFXIII-2, but maybe a prequel of sorts telling the in-depth story of how Fang and Vanille came to be.

via CVG

On a side note, remember that if you preorder Bulletstorm Epic Edition, you will gain access to the Gears of War 3 beta.

Silent Hill: Downpour is being taken on by a new developer out of the Czech Republic, Vatra Games.  According to MTV Mulitplayer, Vatra Games Design Director Brian Gomez, has released new details about Downpour including news on the camera and side quests.

Gomez states that the fully adjustable camera from Silent Hill: Homecoming has disappeared, but not entirely. They are incorporating an adjustable camera with a mix of the fixed camera that fans of Silent Hill have been accustomed to when the game released early on.

Gomez also includes that there will be side quests and dialog that will have you decide the outcome of the story and Downpour's story who follows Murphy Pendleton who appears to be an escaped convict from the E3 2010 debut trailer that unfortunately for him stumbles upon the town of Silent, will have nothing to do with previous stories in other Silent Hill games, except that Vatra is adding some tie-ins that fans will take notice to.

via Neoseeker

Microsoft was hoping for 5 million Kinect units moved and instead ended up with more than 8 million units sold in the first 60 days since Kinect has been released on November 4, 2010.  Move has only sold 4.1 million units since it's release on September 17, 2010.

via Fox News Business

According to Fox News, Tiger Woods not showing any signs of embarrassment of the removal said that he is excited for the game.

EA's Peter Moore has also released a statement trying to stop rumors that they are beginning to slowly remove Tiger Woods from the brand, because the sales of Tiger Woods video games have dropped 60% since his cheating scandal broke out in 2009.

"If the insinuation is it's a reflection of EA Sports backing away from its relationship that goes back literally 13 years with Tiger, that's not the case whatsoever. You shouldn't read into the fact that Tiger's not featured on the box art of that particular edition,

"Tiger is right there on the PS3 version of the game with Move support, which was very good for us and Sony last year. We'll continue that."

The PS3 Collector's Edition will retail for $10 more when the game releases March 29, 2011.  The Collector's Edition will be the only version to have Tiger Woods face on the cover.

via Hollywood Reporter

You have until January 22 which is only 17 days away to get your name into Siren.  This includes contestant entries and donations.  The prizes we have this year are huge so if you have yet to submit your entry please do so to siren@gamercide.org or send a PM through the forums to Siren.

For more information on our Annual Giveaway including how to's and rules, you can join in on the discussion at Gamercide's Forums.

According to statements made by analysts Wedbush Securities, they expect this to occur in "first quarter of 2011".

"Activision remains a top pick, primarily due to the company's potential to create and monetize a second tier of multiplayer online gaming for its Call of Duty franchise...

We expect this to occur during the first quarter of 2011."

No official comment has come from Activision's camp, but gamers have expressed outrage and interest in this announcement across the internet including on the boards at SherDog.net.

via SherDog

"Avatar Kinect" was displayed backstage on a widescreen at CES 2011 in Las Vegas.  What do you think?

via Glimpse Dog

The Spartacus: Gods of the Arena app for Facebook that allows you to train your very own horde of gladiators will release on January 20, while the iPad script app will release on January 22.

via Fox News

Have you ever found yourself playing a game Frogger and thinking, "Gee, I want to play a real life version of Frogger.".  If you answered "yes" to that question, then you are just as insane as this guy who failed at playing a real life version of Frogger yesterday.

A 23 year old dumbass from South Carolina was struck by a 2010 Lexus after attempting to navigate a four lane highway like the video game Frogger.  He stood beside the highway and when traffic was coming he yelled, "Go!" and jumped in front of oncoming traffic.  Unfortunately for this dumbass, he never made it past the first level.

The young male who is not being identified was talking about playing Frogger with a group of friends prior to him being struck.  He is currently in stable condition at a local hospital.  Charges are not expected to filed against the driver of the Lexus.

via AOL

Tweeted earlier in December from Tecmo Koei's Twitter were hints of the next game in the Dynasty Warriors series hitting shelves in March for the PS3 and Xbox 360.  Confirmed yesterday from Tecmo Koei's camp is that the game will be releasing on March 22, 2011 in North America and on March 25, 2011 in Europe.

Dynasty Warriors 7 will have new features including switch and musou attacks and a new story mode.  The weapon system has also been revamped so that any character can now use almost every weapon.

via MTV Mulitplayer and  Dynasty Warriors 7 Official Website

Today you can find Mass Effect 2's Lair of the Shadow Broker, Kasumi: Stolen Memory, and Overlord reduced to 200 MS points each.

Also discounted is the Police Office outfit for your avatar at 120 MS points.

via Major Nelson

Epic Mickey (Wii) $39.99

Ravin Rabbids Travel in Time (Wii) $39.99 (reg. $49.99)

Kirby's Epic Yarn (Wii) $39.99 (reg. $49.99)

Donkey Kong Country Returns (Wii) $39.99

Michael Jackson: The Experience (Wii) $29.99 (reg. $49.99)

Goldeneye (Wii) $29.99 (reg. $49.99)

Call of Duty Black Ops (Wii) $29.99 (reg. $49.99)

Pacman: 30th Anniversary Edition (Wii) $19.99

Biggest Loser Challenge (Wii) $19.99

Red Dead Undead (360/PS3) $19.99

Call of Duty Black Ops (360/PS3) $49.99 (reg. $59.99)

Sly Cooper Collection (PS3) $19.99

Apache Air Assault (360/PS3) $29.99 (reg. $49.99)

Splatterhouse (360/PS3) $39.99

NBA Jam (360/PS3) $29.99

Grand Theft Auto IV Complete (360/PS3) $19.99

Save $10 on the following Kinect games:

Your Shape Fitness Evolved

Sonic Free Riders

MotionSports $39.99 (reg. $49.99)

Biggest Loser Ultimate Workout $39.99 (reg. $49.99)

Fighters Uncaged $39.99 (reg. $49.99)

via Kmart

Super Smash Bros. Brawl hackers found a way to put Super Meat Boy into the game via imitation meat.

via Y

In a report by Helium, this announcement made by Fils-Aime might cut  Nintendo's demographic field with the 3DS by 60% considering that the handheld is geared more to children in the 5-10 age range.  Fils-Aime also stated that they will continue to do more studies on 3D technology in the future.

Nintendo has also recommended that after 30 minutes of gameplay with the 3DS you take a break and that if you were to experience any symptoms of becoming ill or other issues to stop playing, because 3D imagery will effect people including adults in different ways.

Looks like children aren't the only ones who might be effected by this.

via FeedTheGamer

We at Gamercide had a chance to talk to the guys over at Nice Technology about their upcoming free to play MMO, Picaroon.  It's supposed to be a sort of semi-futuristic piratey MMO RTS, but isn't as complicated as it sounds.  Just read on to see what Nice Tech had to say.

Q – Can you give us a brief history of Nice Technology?

Nice Technology was formed in 2009 when it got together with Toby Simpson the developer of AliceServer the MMOG engine (unique, we believe, in having an agent based architecture) to develop the software further and self publish games made with it. Nice Technology has worked on two titles, one Tronji an MMOG for children developed for BBCW and Ragdoll which is currently in beta and Picaroon, an MMORTS, that Nice Technology has developed in just a year which is currently in closed beta.

Q – So what does the title "Picaroon" mean?

Well, we knew that the game was pirateish, theme-wise, but title ideas with the word pirate in just didn't feel right. Then one of our developers pointed out that Picaroon sort of meant the same thing and it sounds much, much cooler, as all words with two 'o's in do. Of course there's also the issue that if we mention pirates in the title, it sets people's expectations to a 17th and 18th century type setting whereas we've deliberately based Picaroon in some suitably grim future to allow us to pick and choose what technology we wish to use and not be limited to cannons, swords and parrots.

Q – What is the point of the game?  Aside from the obligatory pillaging and looting, of course.

The point of the game is simply to score as many points as possible, top the various ranking tables (there will be a number of different tables) and gain experience and rise through the ranks – but more than this have a great deal of fun, planning strategies, plotting, forging alliances and joining in the mayhem. Points are scored by conquering islands, attacking other players, tributing resources to powers that control what remains of the decimated world (in return you get some really powerful units in the end game phase of each round).

Q – What gave you the idea to make a game about futuristic pirates?  Are there any space ninjas in the game?

We chose the theme to give us the creative freedom to combine old and new technologies and weapons in myriad and interesting ways. But currently there are lots of variety of units and buildings on offer and specials, virtual cards, that boost your performance (whether in attack, defence, building, resource gathering etc). There is the excitement of the end game where superships and supersubs (nuclear missile carrying) enter the fray and change the balance of the game. And there are lots of plans for new units including mobile attack and static defence platforms that players have the freedom to create themselves from the various resources on offer.

There are not any space ninjas in the game as far as we're aware, but as you know: if there were, you'd never see them anyway; Ninjas are just that sneaky.

Q – Do you have any plans to release any games on consoles such as the Xbox 360, PS3, or Wii?

We're currently only planning a PC release along with an iPhone and iPad client next year. We're going to be creating totally new ways of playing Picaroon such as quick-fire Skirmish games and long-term persistent games. These new modes appeal to different people and perhaps might create a demand on other platforms which we would be more than delighted to look at.

Q – What in the world is a Tronji?

Tronjis are friendly creatures from another planet that was always happy until their world collided with ours and became less happy! Children enter the world to fix things, help Tronjis and create more happiness.

Q – Can you tell us what your plans for the future are?  Will you devote your time to expanding Picaroon, or will you continue to make new games as you support it?

We're going to be devoting our time to expanding Picaroon for the time being. We've got a packed schedule for the first quarter of next year that adds the new game modes mentioned above and also a whole pile of wonderful new features including customisable units that'll allow for potentially millions of possible combinations. We can't way to see what our players will create! We're also going to bringing Tronji to commercial release and we're looking at something... well, something REALLY special that we're going to work on from mid next year!

Q – Anything else you'd like to add?  Feel free to self-advertise here, that's kind of the point.

The technology that powers Picaroon and Tronji is inspired by biology and it's capable of doing some other really amazing things. We've had prototypes in the past where we've created entire universes in a matter of seconds populated by vast numbers of plants, animals and other such stuff. We're dead proud of what we've achieved with Picaroon and Tronji given that there's just a few of us but this is all just the tip of the iceberg! Perhaps something with space ninjas?

It certainly seems that Nice Technology is determined to live up to their namesake.  Check out some footage of the game below, and go to the Picaroon website and check out the free to play Beta.  The final build of the game will also be free to play, and is planned to be released sometime this winter.