via Joystiq

 It brings me great sadness to announce that the new DLC add on for Assassin’s Creed II, The Battle for Forli does not have any new trophies or achievements.

This sad piece of news was confirmed from Ubisoft's UK Community Manager Korina Abbott to VG247.

The Battle for Forli which comes out tomorrow will cost 320 MS Points and $3.99 on the PSN. The second part of the DLC will be launching in February.

via Games Arena

Leave it to Aksys Games to completely ruin the very concept they created.  Record of Agarest War will be released on a DVD for the XBox 360, and the "Really Naughty" Limited Edition (USRP $59.99) comes with a soundtrack CD, a pillow case featuring the character of Ellis, and a "3D" mousepad featuring the character Vira-Lorr.  PS3 Owners will be lucky out of luck only be able to ogle the pic to the left, as Record of Agarest War will only be available on the PS3 via PSN.

In case you're curious, Record of Agarest War is a strategy RPG, not a dating/rape simulator (at least not the game itself).  An "instructional video" can be found at Kotaku (possibly NSFW).

Samuel Lassof is letting the accusations fly after he received an invoice stating that he made transactions buying points, but Lassof is saying that it’s Microsoft fault, because he couldn’t complete those transactions due to the way their download system works.

The lawsuit which was filed in late January details these complaints that include "fraudulent handling" and that he feels that other XBL members are being taken advantage of as well. 

Microsoft is not the only company that Lassof has tried suing in the past.  He sued Google in 2006 for “click fraud” for search ads and in 2005 he sued Bally’s Casino in Atlantic City after claiming he was attacked by a drunken casino goer while sitting at a table.

via Information Week

The government is basing their decision off of a study that was conducted about the education of prisoners. This study also concluded that if children benefit from playing “brain” games on the DS, then so will the inmates.

“Children who were behind in numeracy using traditional methods of teaching were able to catch up with their peers within a very short space of time using brain training on a Nintendo DS…

One of the key factors in reducing reoffending is improving employability. To get a job you have to focus on literacy and numeracy, which these Nintendo DS consoles will do...” says the report.

Hmmm, I believe I smell a contender for the Fail of the Week Award. What about you?

via Times Online UK

via VG247

If you can't wait until tomorrow, you will find the list of free goodies that are full of spoilers at IGN.

I wonder how many flights will be missed because of this?

via Moodie Report

There is an update in the works for L4D2 says Valve.  The PC and Xbox 360 update expected to be released in the coming weeks will provide gamers with an AI bot while playing as the infected team if they lose a player. The multiplayer auto spawn in the versus finales will also be removed from the game.

Valve is also hard at work at the DLC pack, The Passing.  The Passing will reunite gamers with their favorite survivors from the original.  Valve is not stating how the survivors from L4D and L4D2 will meet up, but did Doug Lombardi the VP of Valve released the following statement regarding the new DLC, 

“The Passing will become the most important campaign in the Left 4 Dead story, as all the Survivors are being called together in one campaign,

 “It will also be a huge offering of new gameplay content, with something new for every game mode plus a new uncommon common and weaponry”.

via http://www.unigamesity.com/the-passing-dlc-for-l4d2-brings-in-familiar-faces/'>Unigamesity

In the “Battle of Forli” gamers will be fighting against the Templars with the help of two allies and Ezio will also be gaining six new memories. You will also be able to pilot Da Vinci’s flying machine. The “Battle of Forli” will be available for 320 Microsoft Points on XBL and $4 on PSN.

The second of the add ons, "Bonfire of the Vanities" is expected to be delievered in February at the price of 400 Microsoft Points on XBL and $5 on PSN.

via Gamespot

If you found yourself scratching your head in confusion after news came that Mass Effect 2 will be coming with free DLC from launch, but there will be a fee for some gamers, considered yourself confused no more.

Bioware announced earlier this week, that they plan on having free DLC for Mass Effect 2 available via The Cerberus Network which will be available to gamers for free who buy the game new.  If you plan on waiting to buy Mass Effect 2 and buy a used copy at your local game store you will be paying 1200 Microsoft Points which amounts to $15.00 to access The Cerberus Network.  That is if you want access to the free goodies.  The Cerberus Network is not mandatory and Bioware has stated that gamers will have access to future DLC even if they do not have The Cerberus Network.

via Shacknews

Capcom has announced that they have added Tricell CEO Excella Gionne as a playable character in RE5: Gold’s Mercenary Reunion mode.  Why?  Your guess is as good as mine considering that fan favorite Leon should have been added, but who am I to get in the way of a gamer staring at video game boobage.

Keep in mind that besides boobs, RE5: Gold will be offering new costumes for Chris and Sheva, along with the anticipated story of what really happened to Jill Valentine during the Spencer Mansion and gamers will also get to play through the race between Jill and Josh to get to Chris and Sheva after she was rescued by them in the events of RE5 before the “final” confrontation between RE enemy number one, Albert Wesker.  I use the term “final” loosely, because anything involving Wesker is never final, only appears to be that way.

RE5: Gold is set to hit shelves on March 9, 2010 for the 360 and PS3 for $49.99.  Gamers who already own RE5 will be able to purchase the extras as DLC on the PSN and Marketplace.

via VG247

Per Kotaku:

A team of Fatal Frame fans have worked out a way to patch the data for the game, using some creative techniques revolving around an SD card and an external hard disk. According to the patch's website, it will run on any North American, European, or Japanese Nintendo Wii, bypassing region constraints and replacing the in-game text with English. Note that the patch requires a retail disc for Fatal Frame 4, meaning pirated copies are not going to cut it.

Further information regarding the patch and its release can be found at the Team's Offical Site. The site also makes mention of the other group that is working on dubbing the dialogue into English. Considering poor sales in Japan prevented foreign translations, it would be ironic if import sales increased due to the patch, leading to an official translation and release.

So far, the film has only premiered in the United States on November 5, 2009, as part of the American Film Market Film Festival, hoping to find a distributor. While distribution in the US still remains in doubt, it is set for a theatrical release in Japan on March 6, 2010, and a DVD/Blu-Ray release in the UK on April 10, 2010.

At the very least, it gets the plot of the Tekken series more accurately than either of the Street Fighter movies. Perhaps it could be as successful as Mortal Kombat (1995)?

From Crystalsky.com:

Set in 2039, the film promises non-stop high flying action as the greatest fighters from around the world come to compete in the last and greatest sporting event of all time, the Fist Tournament. After World Wars destroy much of civilization as we know it, the remaining territories are no longer run by governments, but by corporations the mightiest of which is Tekken. In order to keep the masses down, Tekken sponsors the Iron Fist Tournament in which fighters compete to the death for ultimate glory and receive a lifetime of stardom and wealth.

We are introduced to this violent world through the eyes of Jin Kazama, a street fighter that enters the tournament in order to avenge the death of his mother that he blames upon Tekken's powerful and controlling Chairman, Heihachi Mishima. He knows that the only way to get close enough to Mishima to kill him is to win the tournament. With the help of Lucas, an ageing Iron Fist Champion and fight trainer, Jin makes his way through the tournament, but in doing so, he begins to uncover his own past and inner demons as well as exposing a dark underbelly to Tekken that threatens the very existence of humanity.

With futuristic and imaginative sets, a compelling story, and fight sequences combining fighting styles from all over the world. TEKKEN is in line to become one of the greatest action films of all time.

Gamers will tear the stuffing out of all things cute and cuddly when Naughty Bear stalks its way onto store shelves on Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 later this year.

http://youtu.be/sjp9x2LkCyE

More info about Naughty Bear after the break.

About Naughty Bear

Naughty Bear is an action video game featuring a unique blend of comic mischief and shamefully bad behavior. Players will take on the role of Naughty Bear, a bear driven to seek vengeance after the other bears don’t invite him to the big birthday party. Scorned for the last time, Naughty Bear becomes hell bent on manipulating and terrorizing the blissful bears inhabiting the Island of Perfection. Featuring an array of weapons, objects and scare tactics, gamers strive to earn Naughty Points as they inflict physical and psychological harm on Naughty Bear’s enemies. This all-new scare-based points system means players will win the most rewards for being deviant and maniacal. The variety allows for a completely new experience every time players pick up a controller and the ill-fated bears become more difficult to harass and terrorize as the game progresses.

Naughty Bear will be available for Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 later this year. For more information, please visit the official Web site at:

http://www.naughtybearthegame.com

Today Ubisoft announced that both Splinter Cell: Conviction and R.U.S.E. have been delayed in to the companies next fiscal year.

"The postponed release dates for Tom Clancy's Splinter Cell Conviction™ and R.U.S.E™, which were previously scheduled for the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2009-10, and will now be released in fiscal year 2010-11. Splinter Cell Conviction™ is now expected to hit the stores in April 2010."

While Splinter Cell was given a release date, R.U.S.E. was given no tentative date. With both originally scheduled for release in February and Splinter Cell's numerous delays, this may not be a good sign for either.

As I'm sure you are aware, the Wii does not have high-def capabilities, so no HD streaming will be available.  Hopefully with Netflix on all 3 major consoles everyone can access some of the great stuff that Netflix has been working hard to add to their streaming lineup.  Stay tuned to Gamercide for information on how to get your Netflix streaming disc for the Wii, as soon as they become available.

Download Complete Trogdor Episode from Telltale’s Game Series Today only at www.trogday.com

SAN RAFAEL, Calif. – January 13, 2010 – Happy Trogday, everyone! Seven years ago today, the beefy-armed dragon, Trogdor, first appeared on HomestarRunner.com, burninating the hearts and minds of audiences around the globe in the Strong Bad email installment, “Dragon.” In celebration of this momentous anniversary, Telltale Inc is giving away the very special Trogdor-themed episode of Strong Bad’s Cool Game for Attractive People for free at http://www.trogday.com. As part of this celebration, Telltale is also making the full season available for $19.95 (reduced from its regular $29.95 list price).

First drawn into existence through the artistic aplomb of Strong Bad, Trogdor is best known for terrorizing countrysides and burninating peasants and their thatch-roofed cottages at every available opportunity. Over the years, the green scaled menace has exploded in popularity, with devotees paying tribute through homemade offerings, including delicious Trogdor-shaped baked goods, Halloween costumes, custom plushies, and some pretty legendary tattoos.

"From the instant I drew Trogdor, I knew I'd done something special, something lasting,” said Trogdor creator and all-around awesome dude, Strong Bad. “Even cooler than that butt with three cheeks I one time drew."

In the Trogdor episode of Telltale’s game series, entitled 8-Bit is Enough, the beefy-armed dragon of legend has broken free of his arcade cabinet prison and is burninating Free Country, USA without remorse! With the help of classic 8-bit Videlectrix characters, Strong Bad must find a way to conquer the scorching menace and restore Strong Badia to its former glory. This episode is the fifth episode of the critically acclaimed five game series.

More information can be found at http://www.telltalegames.com/strongbad

Electronic Arts Inc. announced today that EA SPORTS is developing one of the most popular and culturally influential arcade basketball games ever made -- NBA JAM -- for the Nintendo Wii. EA SPORTS NBA JAM revives the classic franchise with vintage NBA JAM gameplay, and all-new features that deliver a fresh new take on the game. Featuring the sights and sounds that fans of the franchise will instantly recognize, EA SPORTS NBA JAM mixes the old school with the new, to deliver a one-of-a-kind sports presentation on the Wii.

“NBA JAM is one of the most recognizable franchises in videogame history,” said Peter Moore, President, EA SPORTS. “Diehard fans of the original game have been asking for a remake for more than a decade. We’re very excited to give them their wish this year with the return of this iconic franchise.”

Featuring gameplay that is true to the original, NBA JAM will have players spinning with ankle breaking moves to the basket and on the way to high-flying, backboard-smashing dunks. In addition to the classic experience, EA SPORTS NBA JAM will also introduce new game modes, characters and gameplay depth.

NBA JAM brought an all-new visual style to the sports videogame genre when it debuted in 1993. Now, the new EA SPORTS NBA JAM re-defines the visuals for a sports game yet again by bringing true-to-life body types, updated physics, and visible player emotion to the over- the - top experience.

EA SPORTS NBA JAM is currently in development at EA Canada in Vancouver, BC and will be available for the Nintendo Wii videogame system in 2010. The game has not yet been rated by the ESRB or PEGI.

For more information, visit www.nba-jam.easports.com, or join the EA SPORTS NBA JAM Facebook group at: www.facebook.com/NBAJAM/

http://www.collegehumor.com/video/5862416/best-fails-of-2009

Watching the gaming portion of Microsoft's keynote at CES 2010 was quite disappointing. There was only one new announcement (Game Room) and then retreads of trailers for Halo Reach, Alan Wake, and Crackdown 2. There was mention of the Modern Warfare 2 DLC coming this spring. I was very disappointed with what was shown (Or blacked out if you watched online) during the entertainment portion of the keynote.

You can head over to Microsoft's New Center to watch the full keynote and a few of the videos shown.

Link to News Center