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From Dead Space 2 to Kirby's Epic Yarn, see how and why this year's show was as gruesome as ever.

From Dead Space 2 to Kirby's Epic Yarn, see how and why this year's show was as gruesome as ever.

#northamerica Whether you want to add some Miley Cyrus songs to your Rock Band library or you're looking for something new to do with your copy of MAG for the PlayStation 3, this week's PlayStation Store update has something for you. More »

From Dead Space 2 to Kirby's Epic Yarn, see how and why this year's show was as gruesome as ever.

The first thing I notice as I fit the 3-D glasses over my eyes and launch into the MotorStorm: Apocalypse E3 demo is that there are people running all over the place. "Looters ... crazies," art director Simon O'Brien corrects, as I plow into one, sending his ragdoll body flying out of the screen at us.

I figure I'm not going to have many, if any more chances to play MotorStorm: Apocalypse in 3-D (I'm no early adopter), so I settle in and run through the demo a few times. The third MotorStorm game for PS3 has been in development for two years and its 3-D component for half that time. Developer Evolution Studios has done an admirable job implementing this technical gimmick, and in 3-D mode the demo maintains a steady 30fps framerate and the visual details hold up (at least better than in Killzone 3's first take in 3-D).

MotorStorm: Apocalypse is understandably chaotic, however, and the 3-D distractions, like those flying crazies, make an already difficult race course more challenging to navigate. I slam into a few walls, not easily seeing turns in the impromptu "track" -- a straight-shot race through a crumbling, fictional West Coast city. I finish in something like 13th place and ask if I can see the game in "2-D mode," but the demo doesn't allow for us to switch over.

Check out screens in our Flickr set June 22nd, Charlottetown, PEI, Canada: Other Ocean, the makers of Super Monkeyball 2: Sakura Edition for the iPad, remains determined to tell people the truth about penguins. Cute and cuddly as they may be, puny penguins are no match for the awesome puffin in a series of [...]

Follow Lara as she goes in search of the Mirror of Smoke.

Highlights for the keyboard and mouse-inclined.

#coverstory EA Sports' rechristened NBA franchise picked Kevin Durant of the Oklahoma City Thunder for its cover today. He's the third player to make the cover of an EA Sports video game both as a collegian and as a pro. More »

I played through the brief demo level of Hard Corps: Uprising during E3 and ... it was definitely a Contra game. (Well, apart from being able to take more than one hit before dying.) The game, which is a pseudo-sequel to Contra: Hard Corps, looked gorgeous, and, once I'd gotten used to the new dash mechanic, went from feeling a little too slow to blisteringly fast and stylish.

There were countless nods to Contras past, such as flying weapon-upgrade pods, laying prone to duck under enemy fire and an end-of-level fortress spewing scatter shots and unleashing a massive energy blast to repel attackers. I only caught bits of the soundtrack on the show floor, but the iconic "level complete" tune was definitely in there. The kiosk noted that Hard Corps: Uprising is a "working title," so I really hope Konami works the Contra name in there before the game's expected launch on XBLA and PSN later this year -- so far, the game certainly seems deserving of it.

Check out the first screenshots in the gallery below.

There are two kinds of people in this world: those who can see monsters - called Neo-Seeds - and those who can’t. Neo-Seeds wield extraordinary power and battle using tamed monsters in grand tournaments. As a young Neo-Seed who just discovered his ability, it is time for you to set off on a fantastic adventure [...]

Come check out the all you can eat cake buffet.

#craigslist What resources does the shy E3 attendee have when a pretty girl shows an interest in them at the The Old Republic booth or a talk, dark, glowing-eyed Helghan soldier makes them swoon, but they don't get a number? Craigslist! More »

Nintendo showed off an impressively diverse lineup of first- and third-party 3DS titles at E3, including games like Metal Gear Solid and Dead or Alive that don't usually show up on Nintendo consoles. An investor asked Nintendo president Satoru Iwata about the new variety of content on the 3DS during an E3 Q&A, and Iwata revealed that the graphical capabilities of the system brought new opportunities for third-party games.

"When we took the new Nintendo 3DS hardware and showed it to (third-party) publishers and developers, their feeling was that much of their content was something they could realize on the Nintendo 3DS system," he said, "and that's why we were able to announce the lineup that we did yesterday." If you build something with nice graphics, Hideo Kojima will appear eventually.

Iwata also elaborated a little on Nintendo's plans for new "always-on" online functionality in the 3DS. It sounds like the whole online concept for the system is built around the Dragon Quest IX/Nintendogs "tag mode" idea, in which data is passively sent to the device when in contact with a Wi-Fi signal.

"So up until now, much of the digital distribution focus has been on more of a 'pull type' where the consumer goes out, gets the content and pulls it to themselves," Iwata said. "With Nintendo 3DS, we're looking at a model that would be more focused around the 'push type,' where we're able to push information or content out to the device. And with a model like that, what it means is that because the consumer doesn't have to actively seek out the information themselves, it gives us a venue for creative new ideas of our company or of our developers to reach consumers much more easily."Iwata talks third parties on 3DS, online functionality in investor Q&A

Players will be summoning demons in just under two months.

Battlefield: Bad Company 2's "Onslaught" mode (a de facto PSN timed exclusive) and MAG's "Interdiction" DLC are both available today on the PSN. So, squad up and get out there, solider!

Check out the full update after the break.

Choose your platform to view the corresponding release list:
(Note: Continue past the break to view both release lists.)

#science The problem of using science to determine whether or not violent video games like Grand Theft Auto do harm to our children is neatly summed up in one article on Scientific American - there's always good news and bad news. More »

#e3 Missing in action. Conspicuous by their absence. The elephants not in the room. E3 delivered a cornucopia of news about new games, devices and concepts, but there were plenty of no-shows, too. These are the Glaring Omissions of E3 2010. More »

It's our E3 special, one week after the show.

Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine may have the most generic title this side of the Imperium, but after popping up on our galactic monitoring devices almost two years ago due to a leaked video, it looks like it's going to try to pull the trigger on all the right action buttons.

Speaking at E3 2010 with Morten Haugaard, global brand manager of all things 40K at THQ, he told us the game has come a long way at Relic since that original leak, when the game was at another developer, but a release is "still a ways out." He tells us that the development team does include Gears and God of War alum, which might explain why the game appears to be a hybrid of both those visceral (lower case V) franchises. Check out what we mean in the Space Marine video after the break.

THQ gives release window for new title from Itagaki.

Hi Everyone – It’s time for the weekly PlayStation Store Update.

Updates

Sonic & Sega All Stars Racing Add On Bundle – Sale (now $6.49, original price $12.99)
Sonic & Sega All-Stars Racing DLC 2 – Metal Sonic & Death Egg Zone Track – Sale (now $5.49, original price $7.99)
Sonic & SEGA All-Stars Racing – Ryo with Forklift Character – Sale (now $3.49, original price $4.99)
Sonic The Hedgehog Very Hard Shadow – Sale (now $1.49, original price $2.49)
Sonic The Hedgehog Very Hard Silver – Sale (now $1.49, original price $2.49)
Sonic The Hedgehog Very Hard Sonic – Sale (now $1.49, original price $2.49)
Sonic Unleashed Apatos & Shamar Adventure Pack – Sale (now $1.99, original price $2.99)
Sonic Unleashed Chun-Nan Adventure Pack – Sale (now $1.99, original price $2.99)
Sonic Unleashed Empire City & Adabat Adventure Pack – Sale (now $1.99, original price $2.99)
Sonic Unleashed Holoska Adventure Pack – Sale (now $1.99, original price $2.99)
Sonic Unleashed Mazuri Adventure Pack – Sale (now $1.99, original price $2.99)
Sonic Unleashed Spagonia Adventure Pack – Sale (now $1.99, original price $2.99)
Sonic Unleashed: Unleash My Desire Bundle – Sale (now $8.99, original price $17.99)
Sonic Rivals – Sale (now $10.99, original price $15.99)
Sonic Rivals 2 – Sale (now $13.99, original price $19.99)
Sonic Rivals: Set My Pulse Bundle – Sale (now $17.99, original price $29.99)
Blue Toad Murder Files: Episode 1 – Sale (now $1.49, original price $7.49)
Kick-Ass – Sale (now $9.99, original price $14.99)
Warhawk: Fallen Star DLC – Sale (now $1.99, original price $7.99)

Downloadable Games

Sam & Max Episode 3: They Stole Max’s Brain (free with purchase of Episode 1)
You wouldn’t want to see freelance shamus Sam when he’s steamin’ mad. Someone has snatched his little buddy’s noodle, gunning for control of its inner powers. Now Sam’s going all noir to get it back!
Was it the giant gorilla? The two-bit rat? Or the fishy dame who runs the greasy-spoon? The trail of The Devil’s Playhouse is getting twisty, and Sam’s rolling up his sleeves, smackin’ heads and throwin’ slugs to crack the case.
ESRB Rated E10+
File size: 411 MB

Add-on Game Content

MAG – Interdiction Mission Pack ($9.99)
Interdiction; the act of halting an enemy’s advance through destruction with firepower. Featuring new armor, medals, ribbons and Trophies, cut off your enemy’s advance on neutral battlefields, fighting to seize control of command posts in all-new missions utilizing convoys to survive the offensive onslaught.
File size: 440 MB

LittleBigPlanet – Summer Solstice Costume (free)
Celebrate the coming of Summer with this limited edition costume for Sackboy! Available for a limited time!
File size: 1.04 MB

ModNation Racers: Princess Mod ($0.99)
Help Princess fulfill her dream of wearing a real crown by putting her in first place in ModNation™ Racers. Surprise the competition with her dainty looks as you boost, drift, and draft your way into the winner’s circle! Princess includes several Mod accessories for you to Create within the Mod Studio including a Tutu, Tiara, and Stampable Jewels! Download this Mod today!
File size: 100 KB

ModNation Racers: Princess Kart ($0.99)
Bring a little royalty and class to the tracks of ModNation Racers with Princess’ Kart! Princess’ Kart includes a fully-designed Kart body, as well as Kart parts for you to Create within the Kart Studio including a Carriage Body and Seat, Magic Mirror steering wheel, and Carriage Wheels for tires. Download this Add-on today!
File size: 100 KB

ModNation Racers: Princess Mod and Kart ($1.75)
Princess will bring some royal class to the MRC! Don’t be fooled by Princess’ deceptively dainty style and kart, she has enough skills to rule the track and take the crown. This ModNation™ Racers Princess Mod AND Princess’ Kart bundle pack includes a fully-designed Mod, Kart, as well as several related parts and accessories for you to Create within the Mod and Kart Studios. Download this pack today!
File size: 200 KB

Tiger Wood PGA Tour 11: River Course At Blackwolf Run ($9.99)
Bring your “A” game and prepare to play one of North America’s most challenging and scenic courses. The Wisconsin based course features vast rolling greens, grass topped dunes and deep bunkers. Tee off at this award winning course today!
File size: 141 MB

Red Dead Redemption: Outlaws to the End Co-Op Pack (free)
The Outlaws To The End Co-Op Mission Pack lets up to four players join forces and take on the Dying West together. Missions include raiding gold mines, clearing the outlaw-infested town of Tumbleweed with cannons and Gatling guns, battling rebel insurgents across the river banks, and more in 6 new co-op missions. With new Trophies and Challenges, this extensive co-op pack brings hours of gunslinging action to your Red Dead Redemption experience.
File size: 15 MB

Just Cause 2: Bull’s Eye Assault Rifle ($0.99)
Blows the ’standard’ assault rifle out of the water!
File size: 481 KB

Just Cause 2: Chevalier Classic ($0.99)
No agent should be without a hot set of wheels.
File size: 2.1 MB

Just Cause 2: Monster Truck ($0.99)
If you can’t go through it, just go over it!
File size: 3.27 MB

Just Cause 2: Rico’s Signature Gun ($0.99)
A signature gun adapted for Rico’s shooting style.
File size: 406 KB

Just Cause 2: Tuk Tuk Boom Boom (free)
Try out a true weapon of mass destruction in the new and improved Tuk Tuk.
File size: 2.22 MB

Lost Planet 2 – Killzone 2 Helghast Assault and Scout Character (free)
On the lost planet of E.D.N. III, only the toughest survive and they don’t come much tougher than the helghast Assault and Helghast Scout troops. The most feared units from Killzone now get to take on Lost Planet 2’s pirate factions and the deadly giant Akrid. helghast Assault and Helghast Scout are available now as an exclusive download for PlayStation 3 system owners.
File size: 5.4 MB

Super Street Fighter IV: Super Shadaloo Costume Pack ($3.99)
Download the sixth pack of alternate costumes for Super Street Fighter IV! New costumes for Balrog, Sagat, Vega, M.Bison and Seth are included. Don these new threads and take down all of your rivals in style! Only available for use with Super Street Fighter IV.
File size: 100 KB

Battlefield Bad Company 2 Onslaught Mode ($9.99)
Expanding the Battlefield: Bad Company 2 online multiplayer experience, Onslaught Mode delivers the first online co-op Battlefield action to the PlayStation 3 system! Up to 4 players can team up and put their squad skills to the test across 4 enhanced multiplayer maps fighting against A.I. forces and new enemy vehicles such as the Mark V patrol boat.
File size: 100 KB

Skate 3: Black Box Distribution Skate Park ($2.99)
Hone your skills and rip like the pros of Zero, Mystery, and Fallen by skating their private training facility, a park with a little something for every skater.
File size: 1.52 MB

Guitar Hero
For all song credits please visit www.guitarhero.com.

• “Damned If I Do Ya (Live)” by All Time Low ($1.99)
• “Dear Maria Count Me In” by All Time Low ($1.99)
• “Weightless” by All Time Low ($1.99)
• All Time Low Track Pack ($5.49) – Downloadable Track Pack featuring “Damned If I Do Ya (Live),” “Dear Maria Count Me In,” and “Weightless” by All Time Low. Please Note: Many songs are available both as singles and as part of a Track Pack, so please carefully consider your purchases before downloading.

File size: 32 – 34 MB (singles), 95 MB (track pack)

Rock Band
Build your Rock Band library by purchasing these song game tracks. For song credits, visit www.RockBand.com.

• “7 Things” – Miley Cyrus ($1.99)
• “Can’t Be Tamed” – Miley Cyrus ($1.99)
• “Fly On The Wall” – Miley Cyrus ($1.99)
• “See You Again” – Miley Cyrus ($1.99)
• “Start All Over” – Miley Cyrus ($1.99)

Rock Band Network

• “Creepy Doll” by Jonathan Coulton ($1.99)
• “HTML Rulez D00d” by The Devil Wears Prada ($1.99)
• “Jumper ‘09″ by Third Eye Blind ($1.99)
• “Paralyze” by Finger Eleven ($1.99)
• “Requiem For A Dying Song” by Flogging Molly ($0.99)

File size: 23 – 31 MB (singles),

Bundles

Blue Toad Murder Files Episodes 2-6 Upgrade ($25.49)
If you already own episode 1, upgrade to the full season of Blue Toad Murder Files for a special discounted price! Played solo or up to four players locally, can you unravel the secrets of Little Riddle? This product supports the following languages: In-game speech: English; On-screen text: English.
File size: 1.57 GB

Blue Toad Murder Files: Episode 1-6 Bundle Pack ($26.99)
6 great episodes for a special discounted price! Played solo or up to four players locally, can you unravel the secrets of Little Riddle? This product supports the following languages: In-game speech: English; On-screen text: English.
File size: 1.98 GB

Sonic & Sega All Stars Racing Add-On Bundle ($6.49)
Sonic is racing into his 19th year, so to celebrate we’re offering you an exclusive bundle deal – get the Ryo with Forklift Character Add On and Metal Sonic Death Egg Add On for Sonic & SEGA All-Stars Racing for a whopping 50% off – now only $6.49 for a limited time!
File size: 149 MB

Flower Soundtrack Bundle ($4.99)
Flower lets you take control of the wind as you explore and navigate beautiful, lush environments using only the SIXAXIS wireless controller, for an interactive escape that takes you on an emotional journey. Download both the original soundtrack from Flower and the Flower dynamic theme at this special bundle price.
File size: 129.4 MB

Avatars

LittleBigPlanet – World Cup Avatars (x32) ($0.49)
File size: 100 KB

Flower Avatars (x5) ($0.49)
File size: 100 KB

Flower Avatar Bundle ($1.75)
File size: 500 KB

Game Videos (free)

Alpha Protocol Launch Trailer
File size: 46 MB (HD)

PS3 Themes

World Cup Soccer Dynamic Themes (x22) ($1.99)
File size: 1.94 – 2.07 MB

Battlestar Galactica Dynamic Theme ($2.99)
File size: 4.83 MB

2 Dollar Special ($1.99)
File size: 6.01 MB

American Soccer Girl ($1.49)
File size: 4.54 MB

Steam Punk ($1.49)
File size: 5.37 MB

Wallpapers (free)

Anarchy: Rush Hour Wallpaper 2
File size: 147 KB (SD), 926 KB (HD)

Anarchy: Rush Hour Wallpaper 3
File size: 107 KB (SD), 879 KB (HD)

PlayStation Store for PSP

Downloadable Games (also available from PS3 Storefront)

TNA Impact: Cross The Line ($29.99)
Wrestling so real you feel pain! Enter the ring and experience the adrenaline-pumping action, the drama, and style of the world’s premier professional wrestling organization! This is total nonstop action. This is wrestling. This is TNA.
ESRB Rated T
File size: 928 MB

PSP Minis (also available from PS3 Storefront)

Burnin’ Rubber – Minis ($3.99)
ESRB Rated E
File size: 2.4 MB

INFLUENCE – Minis ($4.99)
ESRB Rated E
File size: 52 MB

Add-on Game Content (also available from PS3 Storefront)

BUZZ! Quiz World: National Geographic Prehistoric Quiz Pack ($2.99)
The world famous National GeographicTM archives brings you the ultimate quiz about a time when dinosaurs ruled the world! This pack features hundreds of new questions to play in any of your favorite BUZZ! Quiz World game modes for your PSP or PSPgo system. Download this quiz pack today and turn your party into the ultimate trivia showdown.
File size: 67 MB

LittleBigPlanet PSP – Unidentified Sacking Objects Costume (free)
USO’s (Unidentified Sacking Objects) have been spotted in your area. What’s green, has one eye, and a purple raygun? This wonderful new costume! NOTE: Manual Update required
File size: 1.16 MB

LittleBigPlanet PSP – Unidentified Sacking Objects Pack ($2.99)
USO’s (Unidentified Sacking Objects) have been spotted in your area. Make sure your levels are out of this world with the amazing Unidentified Sacking Objects pack. 4 costumes and 12 great new stickers will help send your Sackboy into orbit. NOTE: Manual Update required
File size: 1.27 MB

Game Videos (free)

Shin Megami Tensei: Persona 3 Portable Walkthrough Video #1
File size: 25 MB

PSP Themes (also available from PS3 Storefront)

Battlestar Galactica PSP Theme ($1.49)
File size: 539 KB

2 Dollar Special PSP Theme 1 ($1.49)
File size: 577 KB

2 Dollar Special PSP Theme 2 ($1.49)
File size: 630 KB

Steam Punk PSP Theme ($1.49)
File size: 556 KB

American Soccer Girl PSP Theme ($1.49)
File size: 513 KB

During E3, we managed to distract Cliff Bleszinski, design director for Epic Games and the face of Gears of War, long enough for an interview. Despite our intense interrogation, he remained a good sport throughout and offered us candid answers. The full interview follows.

Joystiq: Most of the things we want to ask, you probably can't talk about yet -- like Gears 3 multiplayer ...

Cliff Bleszinski: Can't talk about that yet.

Okay, let's try it this way: in Gears 1, a lot of people complained about opponents being able to roadie run into them, stun them with a punch and then shoot them -- and you guys fixed that with updates. Are you concerned that the new spearing ability, with the retro Lancer, is going to lead to similar complaints in Gears 3 multiplayer?

You know, we try our best that before we ship, we balance these things as much as possible. But when you release into the wild, you never know what the gamers are going to come up with.

So in regards to the Lancer charge, we're going to try our best to, you know, play with it as much as we can and you never know. We did six title updates to Gears 2 and we continue to refine that experience. Matchmaking wasn't the best at the start, but we stand behind our products and continue to support them.

Emergency budget signals turnaround for coalition government.

Emergency budget signals turnaround for coalition government.

Emergency budget signals turnaround for coalition government.

Emergency budget signals turnaround for coalition government.

#dice Want more Bad Company 2? Today's your day to get more Battlefield-style action with the four-player "Onslaught" cooperative mode, which is shipping on time for at least one of the console's it was promised for today. More »