All Topics Gaming older than one year ago

First, we heard that The Beatles: Rock Band would be released as a SingStar PS3 game with all the non-singing gameplay removed. Then Harmonix told Joystiq that it was just a potential microphone bundle for Rock Band, marketed at the SingStar-loving PAL audience.The real bundle, as revealed by Australian retailer JB Hi-Fi, is somewhere in between, though the corrected Harmonix story was way more accurate. It's a regular copy of The Beatles: Rock Band and two SingStar mics, in a big SingStar package. JB Hi-Fi states that it will be out September 24 for $99 AUD ($86.61 US), and we have yet to see it pop up on any other retailer sites, so we don't know if it's PALexclusive or Australia exclusive, or where it'll be out. We'll check with Sony.[Via Kotaku]

Fellow wanderers of the Capital Wasteland, behold what Atom has bestowed upon us: the Fallout 3 premium theme. The glorified post-nuclear wallpaper sells at a standard bottle cap conversion rate of 240 ($3 in pre-war money); however, those who purchased all five of Fallout 3's expansion packs can download the theme for free on October 1.Those obtaining the theme for free will "receive a token from Microsoft" according to Bethesda. We're still a little fuzzy on the specifics, but that's probably because we've been sniffing punga spores. We're still working on getting more details about how the free version will work, but those who want to buy the theme can drop those caps now.Update: Microsoft will be emailing the codes, so make sure the email attached to your Live account is functioning.

Activision: Yeah, we think we're going to call the Wii game just "Modern Warfare," so people know it's the same game you guys made a couple of years ago. Infinity Ward: ... Huh. Do you realize that we have an inexhaustible amount of cash, a scary amount of weaponry knowledge, a nigh limitless supply of night vision goggles and, as of November 11th, all the free time in the world? Acti: ... You know, we talked it over -- IW: What, just right now? Acti: Yeah, yeah, just right now, just this second. And we decided we should call it Call of Duty: Modern Warfare: Reflex, just so there's no confusion. IW: Well, if you're sure. Fin. [Via CVG]

Microsoft's John Noonan, who is currently working on Crackdown 2 and is co-host of Microsoft Game Studios' Platform Biased podcast, got folks in a tizzy when he tweeted about the Crackdown 2 Zune HD. We got in touch with Noonan, who let us know that this laser-etched model -- along with many others sporting Xbox-exclusive brands -- are available as part of the Zune Original Program at the Zune Store. The "Xbox Series" features Halo ODST, Gears of War 2 and Forza 3, along with a few others. There doesn't appear to be an extra charge for the advertising fan appreciation, so the only thing you'll pay for is the Zune -- which, we're told is like an iPod.

Warner Bros. says it's counting on Scribblenauts to start a new puzzle franchise, getting a taste of the same success that a certain top-hatted DS puzzler has enjoyed. "What Scribblenauts offers is something akin to Nintendo's Professor Layton - an addictive and challenging game that has real mass-market appeal all wrapped up in a uniquely stylised package," said WB marketing manager Phil Lamb. He seems to be making a logical argument until dropping this bon mot: "Many forum users are saying the game is the biggest incentive they've had to revisit their dormant DS in a long time." So ... umm ... did they not know Professor Layton and the Diabolical Box was out or what?

It's not surprising, but it certainly is welcome news. NIS America is planning on bringing Atelier Rorona to English-speaking audiences. NIS' Allison Walter confirmed to the EU PlayStation.Blog that the company is "working on Atelier Rorona right now" and that "it should be coming out in English and French next year."For those unfamiliar with the game, Atelier Rorona is a very standard JRPG that's exclusive to the PS3. With this and Final Fantasy XIII, Star Ocean and possibly Tales of Vesperia all coming to Sony's black box next year, JRPG fans will finally be able to say the drought is over.[Thanks, Marcus N.!]

Gabe Newell may be going to Australia, but his latest game, Left 4 Dead 2, is not. The Australian government has refused classification to the upcoming zombie shooter's "realistic, frenetic and unrelenting violence." Because the Australian ratings system doesn't offer an 18+ rating for games, Left 4 Dead 2 joins the growing list of games banned by the government.While Valve is unlikely to look upon this decision favorably, it can turn this ban into a marketing bullet point. The first game received a MA15 rating, meaning Left 4 Dead 2 must have a totally noticeable and sequel-worthy increase in violence. Doesn't that warrant another $60 purchase (for those of you outside Australia)?[Thanks, Jake and Dai!]

Naughty Dog is hell-bent on pushing the online functionality of Uncharted 2 beyond anything else on the PlayStation 3. The multiplayer demo reveals yet another new feature for the upcoming PS3 game: Twitter support. According to The BBPS, you'll be able to have the game automatically tweet updates whenever you connect to a multiplayer game, unlock a Trophy, or complete a single-player chapter. Twitter support is already live, as evidenced by these tweets from Naughty Dog's Arne Meyer and SCEA's Jeff Rubenstein.The auto-tweets will send inquisitive readers to a detailed stats page on Naughty Dog's website. Here, you can see someone's kill/death ratio, career length, amount of virtual money, and more. Further details will be broken down in the "Match History," "Weapons" and "Medals" tabs -- but all those features are currently "coming soon."

Time for me to sneak off to bed. I’m feeling quite tired tonight…I guess these fun nights off take too much out of me! I’m getting to be such an old fogey. See you guys in a few, short hours! Reader Nightram let me in on a little Scribblenauts secret. It looks [...]

Want an awesome bit of Mega Man music all crammed onto one CD? Well get ready to look towards importers on October 15th, because Inti Creates is going to be releasing “Chip Tuned Rockman” in Japan. If you’re really lucky, you can score an advanced copy at this year’s TGS. Check out [...]

Poor Aussies haven’t had the chance to enjoy Contra: ReBirth yet, which just so happens to be this week’s number one WiiWare title in North America. The good news is that the title has been rated for Australia, but the bad news is that no release date has been announced. Let’s hope our [...]