All Topics Gaming older than one year ago

Gabe Newell teases fans with big reveals.

Gabe Newell teases fans with big reveals.

Gabe Newell teases fans with big reveals.

#betawatch Who's ready to get the Final Fantasy XIV open beta party started? Not Square Enix. More »

#apple Some gamers may not consider Apple's iPhone and iPod touch platform a viable video game device, but the company's CEO sure does, calling it "the number one portable game player" on the market, just before introducing the iPod's latest iteration. More »

#alexgarland This past April, film critic Roger Ebert wrote a post called "Video games can never be art" that carried dogmatic statements like this: More »

The series' creator talks Fatalities, Superman and trailers.

Ubisoft sent out a series of three parody movie posters (and Tweeted another), featuring an overlapping group of characters. The publisher didn't explain what these posters related to, only saying "YOU MAY NOT KNOW IT.. BUT EVERYONE CAN MAKE IT BIG IN HOLLYWOOD.. WITH A GLIMPSE OF CRUELTY!" The posters all feature the same fake-name credits, though they all strangely list Robbie Coltrane as one of the stars.

Ubisoft happens to have a Hollywood- and cruelty-themed game in its lineup: the PC/XBLA game Bloody Good Time, about teenage actors competing violently for a movie role. That was supposed to have been released by the end of June, so it's long past bloody time we heard something. The timing of these posters' release suggests we'll see more (and find out if these really do relate to Bloody Good Time) this weekend at PAX. Hopefully, we'll find that the game is funnier than the posters.

Hi everyone, here’s a peek at what’s being offered next week for PlayStation Plus subscribers. Also, moving forward, we’ll be providing these updates on free, exclusive and discounted PlayStation Plus items roughly 2 weeks in advance. So look for another update next Wednesday for the September 21 publish of PlayStation Plus content.

Next week we will have a full game trial for the multiplayer classic, Warhawk. Download the full game trial and take to land and air in an all out war between the Eucadian and Chernovan armies. Also, get an early sneak peek at the newest God of War title, God of War: Ghost of Sparta. Answers will be revealed for the events between God of War and God of War II in Kratos’s newest PSP adventure.

As a friendly reminder, be sure to check out last month’s PlayStation Plus content, including a free copy of Aero Racers (think top-down WipEout) and sales on High Velocity Bowling and WipEout HD Fury DLC, before it gets taken down next Tuesday.

Not a PlayStation Plus member? Our limited time introductory offer is still available. Get three additional bonus months free when you buy a 1-year package for $49.99. You can find all the details here.

PlayStation Plus Highlights for 9/7:

Full Game Trial
Warhawk

Free Games
Blast Off – mini – FREE

Early Access Game Demo
God of War: Ghost of Sparta (PSP Demo)

Game Discounts
Ratchet & Clank Dynamic Theme (50%)

Free Game Add-ons
UFC Undisputed 2010 TUF Unlock Key
Warhawk Booster Combo

Free XMB Themes
Warhawk Dynamic Theme
Mystical Fractals Theme

Free Media
Qore September Issue

Last Chance, Get Them While You Can – Coming down next Tuesday (9/7):

Early Access Game Demo
TerRover

Free Offers to PlayStation Plus Subscribers
Minis: Aero Racer (original price – $2.99)
Themes: Nebula Tunnels (original price – $1.99)
Qore: August Episode (original price – $2.99)

Discount Offers to PlayStation Plus Subscribers
Wipeout Fury HD DLC – 20% Off (PlayStation Plus Offer – $7.99, regular price – $9.99)
High Velocity Bowling – 50% Off (PlayStation Plus Offer – $5.00, regular price – $9.99)
Uncharted Eye of Indra comic bundle – 50% Off (PlayStation Plus Offer – $1.25, regular price $2)

Actor Christopher Lloyd to voice Doc Brown.

Didn’t pick up Punch-Out!! yet? Head out to your local Target to take advantage of this great deal. You can get the Punch-Out!! Nunchuk bundle for just $17! It might be hard to find, but the hunt will be worth it! Thanks to Sunday for the heads up.

The announcement trailer.

#pax We played Killzone 3's multiplayer at Gamescom. Now's your chance, as Guerrilla Games and Sony hold the first public hands-on with the game's online component at PAX in Seattle this weekend. More »

A promo trailer.

Last year, for the 20th anniversary of the SaGa series, Square Enix released a DS remake of the Game Boy's SaGa 2, which we knew as Final Fantasy Legend 2. This year, Square Enix is remaking SaGa 3: The Ruler of Space and Time (our Final Fantasy Legend 3), though there isn't a particular occasion for it.

Early Famitsu scans show the same kind of slightly cutesy visual makeover given to SaGa 2. Siliconera reports that it'll retain the freaky class system from the original, in which characters can change classes immediately either by equipping cyborg parts from downed enemies -- or eating meat made of defeated monsters.

Following the usual pattern for these Famitsu leaks, we expect to learn more about SaGa 3: The Ruler of Space and Time - Shadow or Light later this week.

The Shadow Broker must pay for what he did.

#clips Fan favorite characters fight in the shadows in a trailer for the new Mortal Kombat so dark and moody they had to play Disturbed's new song "Another Way to Die" to lighten things up. More »

From what we've seen, it seems safe to say that if you liked Scribblenauts, you'll love the sequel. It's got a refined and updated version of the original's wordplay, along with plenty of fun extras like a level editor with deep scripting capability, and a "merit" achievements system that keeps the gameplay moving even after you've beaten the 100-plus levels the first time.

But what if you didn't like Scribblenauts? What if, like me, you were charmed by the premise, but were overwhelmed by the execution, by the option to create anything in order to solve a series of often nebulous puzzles?

#roundup The Playstation Move brings Playstation 3 owners into the world of motion gaming with a high-definition bang. Are you ready? More »

We know you're awfully loyal to your chosen MAG army (S.V.E.R.4.E.V.E.R., suckas), but haven't you ever wondered how the other half two thirds lives? A new option will give you the ability to do just that -- players can now purchase a second and third character slot for $0.99 a piece. Here's the rub: These paid character slots will only be active for 30 days, at which point they'll need to be reactivated with another $0.99 payment. Don't worry if said renewal slips your mind -- any additional characters' info will be stored on the MAG servers until you decide to reactivate the extra slot.

Judging by the reaction to this announcement on the game's official forums, we're not sure everyone's going to spring for the extra slots. We know we certainly won't, because we wouldn't dare gird our loins with the colors of Raven and Valor, because that would be shameful.

This week we bring yet another classic game into the ever-evolving world of PlayStation Home. Brimstone Poker — a devilishly fun version of Texas Hold ‘Em, plucked from the deepest, darkest depths of Sin City — is the newest addition to the line of games custom-made to be placed in the personal spaces of your choice. Invite your friends over for poker night, throw some cards, and unlock special rewards. Brimstone Poker is available Thursday, September 2nd from the Exclusives store in the PlayStation Home Mall, and will be receiving additional updates in the near future (including a tournament mode).

Also coming to PlayStation Home this week is the hotly-anticipated PlayStation Move event space. Come in first thing tomorrow morning and step up to the PlayStation Move team challenge. Play games, unlock exclusive rewards, and gear up for the release of the PlayStation Move motion controller – all in the special PlayStation Move event space, available only in PlayStation Home.

We’re pleased to announce that IO Interactive’s gritty third-person shooter — Kane and Lynch 2: Dog Days — is coming into PlayStation Home. Pick up the heap of Kane and Lynch 2: Dog Days clothing and furniture items from the PlayStation Home Mall when they release this Thursday. While you are at it, head to the Sodium store to load up on the Lockwood “trance lights” (which are sure to turn your personal space into the premier party pad) then shoot over to Threads to pick up the brand new Top Gun gear (including Maverick’s bomber jacket) and the MAG SVER items (costumes and furniture — stay tuned for items for the Raven and Valor factions).

See you in Home!

#iphone The creators of the Unreal Engine and the games that run on it have brought their tech to the iPhone. Epic Games is now letting iPhone owners see how well their engine works with a free demo, Epic Citadel. More »

Before we get you all hot under the collar, a preface: We have no idea where these screenshots for Batman: Arkham City originated. They seem to be posted on an anonymous Flickr set, which then made its way onto NeoGAF. Normally, we wouldn't run images of enigmatic origins, though we've decided to make an exception this time for two reasons:

These images look pretty legitimate. These images are as hot as the molten core of the Sun which sustains our planet. Get your first look at Two-Face, Catwoman and the new (and arguably improved) Harley Quinn in the gallery below while we try to confirm their authenticity.

On the same day as Apple announced the rollout of its iOS Game Center platform for next week, Aurora Feint, creator of the OpenFeint social network for iPhone/iPod Touch, says it will enable real-time multiplayer gameplay between iOS and Android devices later this year with OpenFeint PlayTime. The new developer tools will also allow real-time voice chat during gameplay across both mobile platforms.

"Traditionally, multiplayer technology has been accessible only to top tier developers. It's just too complicated and time consuming," Aurora Feint CEO Jason Citron said in the announcement. "So we invented PlayTime, which literally takes one day to integrate into a casual game."

Features will include VoIP, lobbies and matchmaking for "casual games," expanding to incorporate team-based voice chat and 16 player game servers for "core" titles.

A portion of a G4 review… After a slightly disappointing encore, Etrian Odyssey is back in fine form with new classes and interesting ocean exploration mechanic. And while it’s as tough as ever, a number of refinements also help make it the most accessible entry to date.

Hi Everyone – Here is this week’s update for the digital comics store on the PSP. There are now over 2000 comics to choose from!

Highlights include:

• The magnificent 2004-vintage Captain America continues with the action packed 3-issue Time’s Arrow arc (#43-#45), featuring World War II flashbacks with Cap, Bucky, the Black Widow and the Human Torch. Best of all, we get the return of Batroc the Leaper! The series continues with Old Friends and Enemies featuring an old ally, Prince Namor.
• IDW’s Castlevania: The Belmont Legacy is a 5-part story based on the smash hit video game series. While Christopher Belmont celebrates his nuptials, dark forces conspire to raise Count Dracula from his unholy slumber.
• Haven is a brand new title from the Markosia stable, featuring a new kind of kick-ass heroine who single-handedly takes on the minions of the underworld. The Dante family line has been in the fires of an ancient war between humanity and the nine circles of hell for generations. As a self-proclaimed “Aristocracy”, the circles have now set their sights on the one chosen to fight the raging war …Haven Irena Dante. But soon after the tragic death of her mother, Haven endures the vile theft of her innocence and disappears. No one has seen or heard from her in two years… Until now.
• Second issues of Starcraft, Jeff Smith’s award-winning Bone, his stark sci-fi series RASL, Zuda’s The Hammer and Markosia’s brilliant Raising Amy are now available
• More extravagantly-coiffed hedgehog adventures in Sonic Universe #5 & #6

Here’s the full list of new arrivals for the week.

• 2000AD Prog # 1695
• The Authority # 8
• Bone # 2
• Captain America (2004) #43 – #48
• Castlevania: The Belmont Legacy #1 – #5
• DMZ # 20
• Ex Machina # 7
• Fables # 22
• Gen13 # 28
• Green Lantern: No Fear # 4
• The Hammer # 2
• Haven #1 – #4
• High Moon # 8
• Jonah Hex # 20
• Kane & Lynch # 1
• The Lexian Chronicles # 12
• Mickey Mouse and The River of Time #1 & #2
• Monsters, Inc.
• Night Owls # 4
• Planetary # 9
• Raising Amy # 2
• RASL # 2
• Sonic Universe #5 & #6
• Starcraft # 2
• Stormwatch PHD # 20
• Street Code # 3
• Superduck # 16
• Transformers # 9
• Welcome to Tranquility # 1
• Wildcats # 8
• Y: The Last Man # 5

As always, visit www.playstationcomics.com for more details, interviews and information.