All Topics Gaming older than one year ago

Ezio's quest for the Apple of Eden in Animus Sequence 13 becomes available in DLC.

Several classic Midway games have been removed from Xbox Live Arcade, including Cyberball 2072, Defender, Gauntlet, Joust, Paperboy, Robotron 2084, Rootbeer Tapper, Smash TV and Ultimate Mortal Kombat 3. The titles have been pulled due to "publisher evolving rights and permissions," according to a Major Nelson tweet, but will remain playable and can be re-downloaded by users that previously purchased any of the games. While Major Nelson didn't expressly say so, it would appear that the disappearing titles are the result of Warner Bros.' acquisition of Midway last year. Warner Bros. now owns at least some of the trademarks involved in the removal from XBLA.

You're not alone in suspecting that some of the affected titles were pulled in anticipation of Microsoft's upcoming Game Room (where different versions of the same games could presumably be made available for purchase). After all, the simply emulated Game Room games don't stack up well against their more fully-featured XBLA counterparts. However, Major Nelson has quashed that theory, tweeting, "No, it's not Game room related."

This is not the first time that XBLA content has been pulled because of changing publisher relationships. Lost Cities was removed from XBLA last year after licensing rights were lost in the Activision-Vivendi merger.

Let the mud fly!

Filed under: X3F TV Puzzle-platforming fans, rejoice, for The Misadventures of P.B. Winterbottom is here. The game employs simple platforming skills combined with time control mechanics, great music and a very unique art style. See it all in action in the latest episode of XBLA in Brief. Should you wish to take the plunge into the world of time-bending pie theft, the full version is 800 ($10).

Shortcut: Download the trial version of P.B. Winterbottom [via Xbox.com]

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[M4V] Download the M4V directly.

Not only is Capcom setting up Resident Evil 5 fans with the "Lost In Nightmares" DLC this week, it's also marking the occasion with 100 of these adorable "Chibi Majini" tees (pictured). Better yet, through some sort of bizarre clerical error, your buddies at Joystiq have ended up with five of them, plus download codes for the Lost in Nightmares episode on your platform of choice, PS3 or Xbox 360.

If you want a closer look at the precious little majini featured on the shirt, you'll find one after the break. Otherwise, to enter for your chance to win:

• Leave a comment on this post telling us the best way to defeat a majini
• You must be 18 years or older and a resident of the US or Canada (excluding Quebec)
• Limit 1 entry per person
  
• This entry period ends at 2:00PM ET on Thursday, February 18
  
• We'll randomly select five winners at that time to each receive a green "Chibi Majini" T-shirt [ARV $20] and a "Lost in Nightmares" DLC code [ARV $5] -- please check your emails!
• For a list of complete rules, click here.

What is Joyswag? Since we don't keep the games and merchandise we receive for review or promotional purposes, it becomes "Joyswag," which is passed along to our readers. For more info on our policy, click here.

FFXIII sister project sees some changes to its mapping system.

John Riccitiello's "Project Ten Dollar" endeavor -- in which EA looks to combat used-game sales by offering free DLC goodies with new purchases -- has another game marching under its banner: Battlefield: Bad Company 2. Just like Mass Effect 2, the game will ship with a code that enables access to free DLC. The first batch of add-on content for DICE's shooter will be a set of new multiplayer maps, MTV Multiplayer reports.

"In the future you will get more content, for free, if you have this VIP code," noted producer Patrick Bach, describing a free content delivery mechanism similar to BioWare's Cerberus Network. Also of note: the VIP code will be attached to your EA.com account, so make sure you keep potential hazards in mind if you buy Bad Company 2 when it launches on March 2, 2010.

[Thanks, Michael]

Harmonix denies standalone version is in the works.

The director of Wii's new RPG details the unique story and world settings.

As expected, the first of two Resident Evil 5 expansion episodes, "Lost in Nightmares," has been released today on Xbox Live (tomorrow on PSN) for the unterrifying price of 400 ($5). An additional Costume Pack, also the first of two, has hit the Marketplace as well, for 180 ($2), and joins the free Extra Figures DLC that appeared on Monday.

Capcom has also confirmed that the second episode, "Desperate Escape," previously dated for March 3 and 4 on XBLM and PSN, respectively, will launch at the same 400 / $4.99 price point and be joined by Costume Pack 2 (180 / $1.99). Then on March 9, Resident Evil 5: Gold Edition will hit retail, combining all of the aforementioned DLC (on the PS3 disc; through vouchers with Xbox 360 copies) with the original game for $50; a modest discount for anyone who didn't pick up the original RE5 when it dropped last March. So, if you're not too interested in piloting air ships and wranglin' chocobos that week, Chris and Sheva have got your back. Will you have theirs? Hmm?

Shortcut: Purchase Lost in Nightmares, Costume Pack 1 and/or Resident Evil 5 (full game download) [via Xbox.com]

Tournament for amateur ranks and below offers a chance to win fabulous cash and in-game prizes.

Pearl Jam, Phoenix, The Sugarhill Gang and many more to get fans pumped for the virtual baseball season.

Ignore the Microsoft branding on this video. The content is an interview with one of the gang at Sumo Digital.

Not the rating you might expect.

Namco Bandai's God Eater debuted to strong sales in Japan upon its release on February 4. Namco Bandai -- or rather, its subsidiary, D3 Publisher -- has wasted no time in announcing a localized version of the PSP action RPG.

The Monster Hunter-like God Eater, targeted for a Q3 2010 release, puts players in control of "God Eaters," people fighting against the monsters that have overtaken the modern world. They do this with transforming magical weapons called Jinki -- giant weapons that become beast-like when powered up.

While you wait for Q3 to arrive, why not try the game right now? You can download the Japanese demo from the game's website.

Want to get filthy?

Retailers are slowly but surely adding in Tournament of Legends for preorder. As of right now, there is no word on any preorder bonus or anything like that. The game itself will just have to be reward enough. Knowing High Voltage and SEGA, I bet something gets added in as a bonus [...]

Sadness leaves marks on the soul of the characters of Calling on the Wii.

Sony's taking a fairly unconventional approach to putting a stop to piracy on the PSP platform. The recently released handheld shooter, SOCOM Fireteam Bravo 3, comes bundled with a code which, once redeemed through the PlayStation Network, allows the player to access the game's online modes. Folks who purchase the game directly through the PSN are automatically online-enabled -- but those who nab the game illicitly won't have access to the code, and will have to shell out $20 to unlock a license which lets them play online.

Sony's John Koller recently spoke to IGN about the activation procedure, saying it's "a trial run for a new initiative we are exploring for the platform." Obviously, it's going to be very effective at sticking it to software pirates worldwide. Oh, and people who rent games over GameFly, and people who buy used games, and people who borrow games from their friends. That'll teach you, everyone!

CAUTION - SECOND VIDEO SHOWS A SHORTCUT ON ONE OF THE FINAL LEVELS Direct link here and here (thanks KnucklesSonic!)

At the time the deal was completed, Sony vowed to make his music ‘available through every type of media’ — including a new edition of ‘Rock Band’ that Janie Hendrix says should appear before the end of this year.” - Janie Hendrix Well, if this turns out to be true, than I think Harmonix has jumped [...]

Launching a Nintendo platform without a true Mario title. Many thought this to be Cube suicide at the time. The thing is, once people actually sat down to play Luigi’s Mansion, they came away quite charmed. It’s the game we didn’t know we wanted, and now we’re dying for a sequel.

At E3 2009, Microsoft confessed to the secret Xbox 360 exclusive that (then newly acquired) BigPark would create: Joy Ride, a free-to-play, Avatar-based racing game. As you might have concluded after it missed its holiday 2009 launch window, Joy Ride has been delayed until later in 2010, though Microsoft wouldn't share anything more specific.

The full statement to Joystiq reads: "We're thrilled to have unveiled Joy Ride at E3 2009, which will deliver a revolutionary gaming experience to the Xbox 360 community and put your Avatar behind the wheel. We're committed to delivering the most robust experience to the community and are taking additional time to ensure we provide the best experience possible. We're looking forward to launching Joy Ride in 2010. Stay tuned!"

With a slew of upcoming media events leading up to this year's E3, we're sure to hear more about the title in the coming months and see how the extra development time has been put to use.