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Big Head Games and Zoe Mode to duet on development of Grease for Nintendo Wii and DS.

At its Media Summit today, Nintendo just announced the North American release date for its new, enormous DSi, the DSi XL: March 28. On that day, you'll be able to walk into a store and pick up a DS that makes your hands (and Cammie Dunaway's head) look super tiny for $189.99; a $20 premium over the regular-sized DSi.

Hopefully, we'll hear about some new DS games to play on the vast expanses of DSi XL screen space today as the Nintendo Media Summit continues.

Mount & Blade, Lead and Gold, and more.

The DSi XL hits North America on March 28 for $189.99, Nintendo of America's Cammie Dunaway told a group of writers gathered in San Francisco for the Nintendo Summit this morning. The DSi XL...

Enlarged handheld coming this March.

Mount & Blade, Lead and Gold, and more.

The aptly named Prince of Persia: Forgotten Sands picks up the tale of the Prince, filling in that gap between Sands of Time and Warrior Within. But what happened to that reboot of Prince of Persia...

Mount & Blade, Lead and Gold, and more.

Go vroom and boom.

Hey guys, this is Phil Larsen from Halfbrick checking in to give you some details for the newest addition to our range of PSP minis – Age of Zombies!

You’ll step into the shoes of our hero, Barry Steakfries, who is thrown into a lab where Professor Brains is taking the next step to creating a zombie apocalypse – by sending them through time portals!

Barry doesn’t take too kindly to this news, and after dispatching Professor Brains, ventures forth into the portal to save the world from a history of eating brains. Along the way, he’ll crack bad jokes, have fun blasting heads and deal all kinds of destruction with a wide array of weapons.

Age of Zombies features the single player Story Mode starring Barry Steakfries, which takes place over five time periods containing three levels each. You’ll visit the Prehistoric era, Ancient Egypt, Feudal Japan and more!

You can also unlock Survival mode, where hordes of undead will attack relentlessly in a level of your choice. Aim for the top score by killing zombies in quick succession to gain combo points, and wield a huge arsenal of weapons including the shotgun, SMG, flamethrower and minigun.

Age of Zombies will be released tomorrow for $4.99, and we’re looking forward to this tongue-in-cheek game designed to make you laugh while doing what everyone loves doing best – kill zombies! Through time!

Plants Vs. Zombies is on the iPhone and unless you don't have the 3GS or a new Touch, it's the best thing ever! But is it as great as these bits of schwag that showed up on my doorstep earlier this...

After numerous lengthy delays, the PlayStation 3 version of Dragon Age: Origins' Return to Ostagar downloadable content has passed certification, with a release scheduled for two weeks from...

The company behind controversial end-of-days simulator Left Behind and the developer of Christian rock Guitar Hero knock-off Guitar Praise have merged, forming one giant powerhouse of Christian game...

As we revealed over at IGN two weeks ago, the new “Drake’s Fortune Multiplayer Pack” for UNCHARTED 2: Among Thieves is available today on the PlayStation Store.

The “Drake’s Fortune Multiplayer Pack” includes two maps and six character skins inspired by Nathan Drake’s debut adventure, UNCHARTED: Drake’s Fortune. The six skins are available $2.99 and the two maps are available for $3.99 – or you can get all of skins and maps in a convenient, value-priced bundle for $5.99.

Check out some of the new character renders of the skins included in the Pack:

You can view and download the full set of character renders from the Naughty Dog Flickr page.

So, you may be thinking to yourself, “What are these skins and maps exactly?” We’re glad you asked. Read on for detailed descriptions of our “Drake’s Fortune Multiplayer Pack” content.

TWO new maps, available in all competitive multiplayer game types and in the co-op arena game types, inspired by locations found in UNCHARTED: Drake’s Fortune.

The Flooded Ruins
Based on UNCHARTED: Drake’s Fortune Chapter 10 – The Customs House, players will find themselves fighting in the midst of a thunderstorm, complete with rain, thunder and lightning. The Flooded Ruins is an asymmetrical map centered on the Customs House building, which is surrounded on one side by multiple two-story buildings and many flanking routes – you’ll need to stay on your toes and watch your back. The Customs House itself provides the advantage of higher ground if you manage to take the center sniper perch, where you can dispatch your opponents or call out their positions to your teammates. Watch out for incoming grenades!

The Facility
Based on the submarine bay in UNCHARTED: Drake’s Fortune Chapter 18 – The Bunker, The Facility is centered on a rusted out U-boat that has been left to rot in its dry dock. This fairly symmetrical map works well with all game types. Players can hide in dark corners, snipe from the control tower, or go guns blazing into combat. Look out for the moving cargo on the upper levels – it can block your shots or cut off an escape route at a very inopportune moment!

SIX new multiplayer skins based on characters from UNCHARTED: Drake’s Fortune.

UNCHARTED: Drake’s Fortune Nathan Drake UNCHARTED: Drake’s Fortune Elena Fisher Gabriel Roman Atoq Navarro Eddy Raja Javier, the mercenary

The Multiplayer Pack also unlocks 12 NEW Trophies – 11 Bronze and 1 Silver – to earn as you play:

Bronze Brass Knuckles – Get 100 Melee Kills in Deathmatch or Elimination Games Gold Digger – Finish Wave 10 in 1 Gold Rush Game I Told You I Was Hardcore! – Complete All 3 Co-op Objective Maps on Hard Difficulty Made It – Finish Wave 10 in 1 Survival Game Plays Well With Others – Win 50 Objective Games Plundered! – Get 200 Captured Medals Rapid Fire – Get 7 Tripled Medals in Deathmatch or Elimination games Sneaky… – Get 50 Stealth Kills in Deathmatch of Elimination games Still Alive – Win 50 Elimination Games Tastes Like Chicken – Get 20 BBQ Medals in Deathmatch or Elimination games Wipe Them Out… – Win 50 Deathmatch Games Silver Cold Blooded – Get 2,500 Kills in Deathmatch or Elimination games

Downloading the either the maps or the bundle unlocks the Trophies within the in-game multiplayer menu. You can gain progress towards completing these new Trophies in any game type that fits the Trophy criteria.

Purchasing the skins only will NOT unlock the additional Trophies.

We’ve also made sure that all our players can play from the same matchmaking pool regardless of whether they have purchased the maps or not – head over to NaughtyDog.com to read about how we’re doing this and how to change your profile settings.

You ready? Okay -- follow along: Sony announced today that the Sony Computer Entertainment subsidiary will change its name to SNE Platform (or "SNEP"), and then transfer its video game operations to a new subsidiary, named -- surprise! -- Sony Computer Entertainment. On April 1, SNEP, which will be primarily operating Sony's network services and business as a wholly-owned subsidiary, will merge with Sony, and then promptly dissolve into the parent company. Since Sony already owns all shares of SNEP, there's not going to be any market action (issuance of new shares, share capital increases or cash payments) upon the merger.

So, wait, what's happening? Essentially, Sony is moving its network business out from under the gaming wing and bringing it up to the parent company level. This is a different path than the one laid out a year ago, which suggested SCE, as then operator of the network business (think: PSN), would begin to play a larger role in the unification of the company as it pertains to an online strategy. Instead, the "new" Sony Computer Entertainment will have a slightly more narrow focus, "mainly consisting of the planning, development, manufacturing and sales of home-use/portable game consoles and software," according to the reorganization announcement; and Sony Online Service, including the proposed expansion of PSN IDs to non-gaming Sony devices, will seemingly be handled by a new division (but possibly the same personnel) within the Sony parent company.

Though listed as the "Representative Director" of the short-lived SNEP subsidiary, Kaz Hirai will presumably remain in charge of the PlayStation division now and after the April 1 merger. Sub-divisions SCEA and SCEE are unaffected by the reorganziation.

Fire Panic slated to debut next week on iPhone and iPod Touch with Nintendo DSi version later in the year.

People keep Tweeting and e-mailing... did you see this speech? Yes, I saw it. This is today's must-watch about the future of gaming — and the future of life. Carnegie Mellon assistant...

Fans invited to dress as characters from PopCap's family-friendly zombie game in Orlando-based costume contest.

Here is a game that I missed out on due to my unfortunate youth as a PSone teen. Back then, I didn’t have the means for multiple platforms and FFVII and Tekken 2 pushed me to the darkside. I have since been making up for lost time, but Sin & Punishment is still [...]

A piping-hot press release from Korean MMO developer Bluehole Studio has announced a new subsidiary for the company named En Masse Entertainment. Based in Seattle, En Masse will focus on "selecting high quality online games and adapting, refining, and positioning them so they are perfectly suited for audiences in Western markets." In other words, slightly reducing the size of everyone's swords. You know, just to the point where it looks reasonable that they could lift them off the ground.

According to the presser, the En Masse team features talent from other big players in the MMOverse, including Blizzard, EA, ArenaNet and NCsoft. It sounds like the studio's got a pretty experienced roster; whether or not they'll be able to get us excited about their first project -- a Westernized version of a Korean MMORPG called TERA -- remains to be seen.

Left to Right: DSi XL, DSi, DS Phat Perhaps it was no coincidence that Nintendo stopped by New York City to show off the Nintendo DSi XL, one day after Apple made its not-so-earth-shattering iPad announcement. Like the iPad, the DSi XL is a larger version of an already successful handheld device, but unlike the iPad, the DSi XL promises no added functionality, nor does it alter the electronics landscape in any way. It is, quite succinctly, a bigger DSi.

One can't help but question why the device exists in the first place. To whom does the DSi XL appeal? Certainly, its gargantuan size makes it stand out as the least portable handheld system we've seen in quite some time, taking a completely opposite approach to that of Sony's PSP Go. Thanks to its larger screen size, it takes up even more space than the original DS Phat -- strange, considering one of the primary complaints held against the Phat was its unwieldy girth.

What the XL excels at (sorry!) are games that require extensive use of the stylus. The massive stylus that's included with the system is easy to handle, making earlier stylus pens feel cheap and flimsy. The larger screen real estate makes it easier to draw on the system, perfect for intense Pictochat sessions or a round with WarioWare DIY.

[GAME Watch] There's a good chance that many of you were going to play through Yakuza 3 without messing with the hostess club segments or the Answer x Answer arcade quiz game. Now, it's a certainty.

"The content between Yakuza 3 US/UK and Yakuza JP is a little different in that we took out certain bits in order to bring the game to the west in the time alloted for us to do so," a Sega rep told IGN. "The parts we ended up taking out were parts that we felt wouldn't make sense (like a Japanese history quiz game) or wouldn't resonate as much (such as the concept of a hostess club)."

You may have gone on a karaoke date with Rina in the demo. In the original game, you meet her in a hostess club, and have to buy her gifts and learn about her in conversations. Now, we suppose, she'll just randomly call you like she did in the demo. Somehow, the dating won't be affected, as the Sega rep assured IGN that "the story experience was the same as the Japanese version."

Who can blame Sega for cutting some of the more culturally Japanese elements from this role-playing game about modern Japanese culture? After all, it must have been in a rush to release on the same day as Final Fantasy XIII.

I love Flipnote. You should check out this sweet one for Globulos Party.

Take-Two is starting an office in Japan to publish its games. Previously, Take-Two and Rockstar games have been published by partners like Capcom, Cyberfront and, most recently, D3 Publisher. It always seemed a bit weird to see a GTA game with a Capcom label, and now we'll be spared that minor cognitive dissonance.

The first game to be released under the new Japanese branch of Take-Two Interactive is Grand Theft Auto: Episodes from Liberty City. The publisher has yet to offer a date for this Japanese release, or even specify if it will be on both PS3 and Xbox 360.

I never had a problem with Mario Party and I am surprised that the series gets so much crap. Maybe it’s not the game itself, but the friends that I play with. We always seem to have a blast and end up laughing our butts off… kind of like when we play New [...]

Join us live later today on CBS Radio for our latest episode of Kotaku Talk Radio with God of War's David Jaffe and Twisted Metal's Scott Campbell, the co-founders of Eat Sleep Play. The duo will be...

Now that you’ve learned some general leadership techniques in MAG from the folks here at Zipper, it’s time to specialize. Your instructor for today is Zipper Interactive’s very own Audio Manager, Mary Olson. Watch this background video first and then check for Mary’s strategies immediately below.

Hi, this is Mary and today we’re going to take a closer look at the Squad Leader role – which is the first and most active of all leadership positions in MAG.

As an SL, you’re primary focus should be good Communication with your Squad and Platoon, strategic use of Waypoints and the Fragmentary Order system (FRAGOs), and using your Command Assets wisely.

Basic Tips

If you don’t already, you should start playing with a headset. It will make communicating with your team much faster and more effective. Regardless of how you play, though, stay in close contact with your team – assign your squad to objectives, and coordinate. Don’t let them wonder what to do. Use of Fragmentary orders is a huge part of the Squad Leader role. Learn to FRAGO strategically, and your whole squad will benefit. Plus, bonus XP is awarded to anyone in your squad performing any action within a 20-meter radius of the FRAGO’d objective. Don’t worry about marking the default objective, though, it’s automatically FRAGO’s without you having to give the order and you still get the bonus! If you’re new to the Squad Leader role, start out in the simpler gametypes where there is less to FRAGO, and less going on. If you’re in a game with no SL, you can assume the role mid game, and try it out. Also, if you’re in over your head as a new SL, you can back out of the role without quitting the game. If you switch your spawn point as a Squad Leader, the rest of your squad also switches to that spawn point. If you’re stuck as a squad, this is a great way to try a new angle and bring your squad along with you.

Advanced Tips

Use chat channels to coordinate with other Squad Leaders and Platoon Leader (Press the directional pad “Up”). FRAGO outside bunkers first and work your way across the line — this way you’re only taking fire from one side. Guided artillery only damages vehicles so don’t call it in on a bunch of guys running around. Conversely, your mortar barrage does not affect vehicles, so make sure to use guided artillery if vehicles are your target. If attacking, use Satellite UAV first. You’ll then be able to wisely use your cluster bombs and lessen friendly kills. “Platoon Leader Pause” – Once the AAA goes down, wait for the Platoon Leader to call in a strafing run or Precision Strike before calling in your own ability. Their command abilities have more impact, and you don’t want to start the cooldown timer and make them wait by calling in your assets first.

Thanks Mary, that’s some great advice. Speaking of great advice, we’ll be back again tomorrow with tips on how to become an effective Platoon Leader with Software Manager Mike Nicolino and designer Marc Janas. Over and out.

A portion of CVG’s Review: Whether or not you should buy a DSi XL really depends on how you use your DS - if you tend not to carry it out with you, and only ever tend to use it at home, then the DSi XL is the better choice - if only for the stunning [...]

Kraków, February 24th 2010 Teyon, a successful video games developer and publisher, unveiled today a part of Nintendo DSiWare™ and WiiWare™ line-up for this year. “The line-up is a result of our strategy focusing on digital distribution and providing a wide range of high quality games” said Michal Tatka, CEO. Upcoming DSiWare™ games developed by Teyon: • 101 MiniGolf World [...]

How Rockstar helped push back the frontiers of gaming.