All Topics Gaming older than one year ago

These new DC Universe Online shots feature all types of POWs, BLAMs and SMACKs as the fight spills across ... the universe. Unfortunately, there's just one giant ice ball.

#art Dean Fraser's Springfield Punx website - where the artist renders celebrities and famous characters as if they'd appeared in The Simpsons - has long been a favourite internet time-waster. Especially now there's game characters on it. More »

While not the first fan-made trailer for the Half-Life 2 movie which never-will-be, animator Marco Spitoni's stab at cinemafying the beloved shooter might be the best one to date. Watch the all-CG trailer posted after the jump, and join us in furiously wishing for a full feature film in this style.

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

Have you ever wondered what bizarre and wonderful games Japanese gamers were playing on their PSone? Check out the new Japanese PSone Imports to find out. This week features 2 new incredible PSone games: Cho Aniki, a shooter like no others, and Gaia Seed, a side-scrolling futuristic shooter . PlayStation Plus subscribers can enjoy these games for half the price.

PlayStation Plus

Free Games
Zen Pinball (PS3)
Echoes – minis
Syphon Filter 3 – PS One

Early Access Game and Demo
Sword & Soldiers ($9.99)
Blend ninja monkeys, attacking Aztecs and brutal Vikings with everything you love about real time strategy games and you’ve got Swords and Soldiers, a unique new game hitting the PlayStation Network! Acquire resources, assemble your army, thwart enemies and dominate your opponents in single and multiplayer local and online modes. Advance through each level and unlock special modes, minigames and PSN trophies as you go!
ESRB Rated E10+
File size: 248 MB

Free Game Add-on
High Velocity Bowling – Move Compatibility Add-On
High Velocity Bowling now offers PlayStation Move motion controller support! Bowl like the pros with a realistic bowling swing and movement.
This content addition provides PlayStation Move motion controller support. The add-on is dependent on a patch that will release by tomorrow evening.
File size: 100 KB

Free Themes
Shades of Autumn Theme

Discounts
Cuboid (PlayStation Plus Price $5.00, original price $9.99)
Savage Moon (PlayStation Plus Price $5.00, original price $9.99)
LittleBigPlanet: Monster Costume Pack (PlayStation Plus Price $1.50, original price $2.99)

Discounted PSone Games
Cho Aniki (PlayStation Plus Price $3.00, original price $5.99)
Gaiaseed (PlayStation Plus Price $3.00, original price $5.99)

Free Avatars
LittleBigPlanet Avatar – Hugo
LittleBigPlanet Avatar – Marvin

Updates

International Track & Field (PS3) – Sale (now $2.99, original price $5.99)
Select Rock Band Singles and Packs (PS3) are on sale through October 4th

Downloadable Games

Blade Kitten ($14.99)
Kit Ballard is a bounty hunter and one of the best in the business. Together with her alien sidekick Skiffy and her sword, the Darque Blade, she hunts down rogue mechs and soft targets to make the planet a safer place. Kit becomes the nexus of a tumultuous series of events on the strange planetoid known as HOLLOW WISH. Join Kit, Skiffy and the Darque Blade in the all new action adventure game… “Blade Kitten”
ESRB Rated T
File size: 655 MB

Sonic Adventure ($9.99)
Join Sonic and friends as they embark on their first truly epic quest to stop Dr. Eggman’s most villainous scheme in the hit Dreamcast title Sonic Adventure now available on the PlayStation Network.
ESRB Rated E
File size: 1.52 GB

DeathSpank: Thongs of Virtue ($14.99)
Join DeathSpank in the hunt for the Thongs Of Virtue! Fight through war-torn battlefields, tame the High Plains and sail the savage seas. Experience fast paced action-RPG combat with over 150 quests and tons of weapons, armor and loot to collect.
Download by September 27th and get the Snowy Mountain Dungeon and Tankko the Warrior multiplayer add-ons for free!
ESRB Rated T
File size: 1.28 GB

Game Demos (free)

DJ Hero 2 Demo
Following the award-winning, #1 new videogame IP of 2009, DJ Hero 2 transforms living rooms into nightclubs all over again with a new music-gaming experience. Friends & families can become mix masters and singing sensations, like never before. The DJ Hero® 2 DEMO provides players with 3 unique mixes and 2 modes of play including a sneak peak video of Empire Mode.
ESRB Rated T
File size: 1.02 GB

Blade Kitten Demo
In this demo, join Kit Ballard as she explores the mysterious world of Hollow Wish to hunt down rogue mechs and soft targets. Jump right in and begin exploring and fighting your way through multiple levels loaded with secret areas and hidden collectibles. With her alien sidekick Skiffy and her sword, the Darque Blade, customize Kit’s abilities such as weaponry and armor to make her the ultimate kick-ass bounty hunter!
ESRB Rated T
File size: 685 MB

NBA ELITE 11 Demo
NBA ELITE 11 reinvents the basketball experience. Through Real Physics and all-new Hands-On Control, NBA ELITE 11 is the first basketball game to feel like NBA basketball. Relive the last minutes of game #7 of the 2010 Finals, shoot some one on one, and play the all-new Become Legendary – Be A Pro mode. Traditional button controls also available.
ESRB Rated E
File size: 923 MB

Deathspank: Thongs of Virtue Demo
Join DeathSpank in the hunt for the Thongs Of Virtue! Fight through war-torn battlefields, tame the High Plains and sail the savage seas. Experience fast paced action-RPG combat with over 150 quests and tons of weapons, armor and loot to collect.
ESRB Rated T
File size: 1.26 GB

Enslaved: Odyssey of the West Demo
Download the Enslaved demo and get a sneak peek into a gripping journey as two dissimilar characters form an uneasy partnership in order to survive through a perilous, post-apocalyptic America. Play as Monkey, a strong brutish loner who has been captured by a mysterious slave ship. Trip, a technologically savvy young woman, hacks a slave headband and commands Monkey to help her get home. If she dies, he dies, and her journey has now become his.
ESRB Rated T
File size: 1.34 GB

Sonic Adventure Demo
Join Sonic and friends as they embark on their first truly epic quest to stop Dr. Eggman’s most villainous scheme in the hit Dreamcast title Sonic Adventure now available on the PlayStation Network. Take this demo for a test spin today!
ESRB Rated E
File size: 485 MB

Kung Fu Rider Demo
On the run and armed with only the puttering wheels of their office chairs and a few ferocious kung fu moves, private detective Toby and his mesmerizing assistant Karin must rush to flee the city before getting clotheslined by the mob. Experience the adrenaline rush of a high speed getaway as you ride your way to safety, grasping onto your PlayStation Move motion controller to stay in control at breakneck speeds. Download the demo today!
ESRB Rated E10+
File size: 460 MB

Sports Champions Demo
Sports Champions will let you and your friends physically engage in an array of competitive sporting activities as you go head to head in six events. With the easy to use PlayStation Move, anyone can crush, spike and smoke the competition in the ultimate sports showdown. Download the demo today and compete to become the greatest sports champion!
ESRB Rated E10+
File size: 1014 MB

PSone Imports

Cho Aniki ($5.99)
At long last, Western gamers can now enjoy one of the most controversial titles ever released in Japan. The legendary Cho Aniki will grab you by the dingle berries and pull you into its world of wacky fun. We present the game in its original Japanese splendor. No political correctness here. Hop on board and let the shooting begin.
Please Note: This game is a direct import from Japan. Help with playing can be found at www.monkeypawgames.com.
ESRB Rated T
File size: 263 MB

Gaia Seed ($5.99)
One of the greatest shooters that never made it to Western markets, GaiaSeed is a smooth and silky display of algorythmic perfection that always challenges but never frustrates.
Please Note: This game is a direct import from Japan. Help with playing can be found at www.monkeypawgames.com.
ESRB Rated E
File size: 64 MB

Add-on Game Content

EyePet – Race Car Driver DLC (free)
The Race Car Driver Pack for EyePet brings the speedway right into your living room! Deck him out in a cool racing outfit and then hit the Drawing mode to get EyePet on his car. You’ve never seen a virtual pet quite like this. EyePet! Download the new outfits today!
File size: 100 KB

EyePet – Farm Animals DLC ($2.99)
The Farm Animals Pack for EyePet brings the farm right to your living room! You’ve never seen a virtual pet quite like this. EyePet! Download the new outfits today!
File size: 100 KB

Clash of the Titans – Zeus Challenge Quest Pack ($1.99)
This downloadable content will allow players to experience the following additional quests: “The Temple of the Gods” and “Man-Eating Monster”. Obtain new subweapons and rare gift items by clearing this quest.
File size: 144 MB

Red Dead Redemption – Liars And Cheats ($9.99)
The world of Red Dead Redemption multiplayer expands again with the new Liars and Cheats Pack. Challenge friends to horse races, try your luck with multiplayer Poker or Liar’s Dice or hold your ground in the new Stronghold competitive mode. Reduce your enemies to dust with the Explosive Rifle. Play as legendary heroes and villains from the single-player story as you take on several new Gang Hideouts and Hunting Grounds in Free Roam.
File size: 123 MB

Sonic Adventure DX Upgrade ($4.99)
Upgrade your copy of Sonic Adventure to the Director’s Cut version today and unlock 60 new missions, and Metal Sonic as a playable character!
File size: 173 MB

Planet Mini-Golf – Stronghold Island ($2.49)
Explore the scenic Stronghold Island set in the middle of the Mediterranean Sea, where four new tournaments awaits you with 36 exciting holes to play! Build your own holes amongst the medieval castle ruins using brand new tiles and objects, and share them with the Planet Minigolf community!
File size: 112 MB

ModNation Racers: Nathan Drake Mod and Kart ($1.99)
This Nathan Drake Mod AND Kart pack will have you racing through ModNation Racers on a mission to find uncharted paths on your way to the checkered flag. This ModNation Racers Mod AND Kart pack includes a fully-designed Mod and Kart inspired by the games from Naughty Dog, Inc. Download this pack today!
File size: 100 KB

Skate 3 – San Van Party Pack ($6.99)
The party is on! Revisit some old San Van favorites along with a massive new park and get your creative Zen flowing with a new Skate.Park lot. Party Play is back so get ready for some head to head skating in Spot Battle, 1-UP, SKATE and HOM!
File size: 418 MB

Dead Rising 2 – Free Pack – Ninja (free)
This free pack is needed to play co-op with an owner of the “Skills Pack – Ninja” content pack.
File size: 2.78 MB

Dead Rising 2 – Free Pack – Psycho (free)
This free pack is needed to play co-op with an owner of the “Skills Pack -Psycho” content pack.
File size: 4.83 MB

Dead Rising 2 – Free Pack – Soldier (free)
This free pack is needed to play co-op with an owner of the “Skills Pack – Soldier” content pack.
File size: 5.77 MB

Dead Rising 2 – Free Pack – Sports Fan (free)
This free pack is needed to play co-op with an owner of the “Skills Pack – Sports Fan” content pack.
File size: 4.08 MB

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

• “Buffalo Solider″ – Bob Marley ($1.99)
• “Could You Be Loved″ – Bob Marley ($1.99)
• “Exodus″ – Bob Marley ($1.99)
• “I Shot The Sheriff″ – Bob Marley ($1.99)
• “Is This Love″ – Bob Marley ($1.99)
• “Jamming″ – Bob Marley ($1.99)
• “No Woman No Cry″ – Bob Marley ($1.99)
• “One Love/People Get Ready″ – Bob Marley ($1.99)
• “Redemption Song″ – Bob Marley ($1.99)
• “Satisfy My Soul″ – Bob Marley ($1.99)
• “Stir It Up″ – Bob Marley ($1.99)
• “Three Little Birds″ – Bob Marley ($1.99)
• “Waiting in Vain″ – Bob Marley ($1.99)
• Bob Marley Legend Album ($19.99) – Build your Rock Band library by purchasing this song game track pack: Bob Marley Legend Album. This pack includes “Buffalo Soldier”, “Could You Be Loved”, “Exodus”, “I Shot The Sheriff”, “Is This Love”, “Jamming”, “No Woman No Cry”, “One Love/People Get Ready”, “Redemption Song”, “Satisfy My Soul”, “Stir It Up”, “Three Little Birds”, “Waiting in Vain” by Bob Marley.
• Snoop Dogg Pack 01 ($13.49) – Build your Rock Band library by purchasing this song game track pack: Snoop Dogg Pack 01. This pack includes “Beautiful”, “Drop It Like It’s Hot”, “Ridin’ In My Chevy”, “Sensual Seduction”, “Snoop’s Upside Ya Head”, “Tha Shiznit”, “That’s Tha Homie”, and “Who Am I (What’s My Name)?” by Snoop Dogg.

Rock Band Network

• “Chelsea” – The Summer Set ($0.99)
• “Crash Years” – The New Pornographers ($1.99)
• “Packet Flier” – Terrorhorse ($0.99)
• “Riot Act” – Exodus ($1.99)
• “Step Up (I’m On It)” – Maylene & The Sons of Disaster ($1.99)

File size: 13 – 58 MB (singles), 350 – 370 MB (track packs)

Bundles

Mega Man 10 Mega DLC Bundle ($4.99)
Purchase all five DLC items for Mega Man 10 with this Mega DLC Bundle. (Includes Endless Attack Mode, Bass Mode and Special Stages 1, 2, and 3)
ESRB Rated E
File size: 5.86 MB

Mega Man 10 Mega Dynamic Theme Pack ($5.99)
Purchase all three Dynamic Themes for Mega Man 10 with this Mega Dynamic Theme Pack. (Includes Dynamic themes 1, 2 and 3)
File size: 1.03 MB

App

Play Memories (free)
PlayMemories is a software program that lets you enjoy all your photos on TV. It provides you with a number of features for viewing both wide and tall panoramic photos, multi-angle photos from different angles, and 3D photos that take you right inside the images. With intuitive controls and an easy photo search for large collections (grouping by year, month, or day with one button functionality), PlayMemories makes memories easy and fun!
File size: 182 MB

Avatars

Mega Man 10 Avatars ($0.49) (x3)
File size: 100 KB

Sports Champions Avatars ($0.49) (x10)
File size: 100 KB

Sports Champions Avatar Bundle ($2.99)
File size: 0.98 MB

PlayStation 15th Year Anniversary Avatar (free)
File size: 100 KB

Game Videos (free)

Medal Of Honor – The Mission
File size: 85 MB (HD)

Medal Of Honor – Consulting
File size: 139 MB (HD)

Medal Of Honor – The Wolf Pack
File size: 103 MB (HD)

Medal Of Honor – Hammer & Scalpel
File size: 128 MB (HD)

Medal Of Honor – The Catalyst
File size: 183 MB (HD)

Medal Of Honor – Singleplayer
File size: 51 MB (HD)

Pulse 9/21 Edition
File size: 309 MB (HD), 493 MB (1080)

Mafia II – Developer Diary #4
File size: 147 MB (HD)

Bulletstorm – Announcement Trailer
File size: 38 MB (HD)

Mass Effect 2 – PS3 Announcement Trailer
File size: 17 MB (HD)

Shaun White Skateboarding – Transformation Gameplay Trailer
File size: 61 MB (HD)

Tom Clancy’s HAWX 2 Trailer
File size: 56 MB (HD)

ModNation Artist Spotlight: Tanner vs. Tyler
File size: 214 MB (HD), 359 MB (1080)

TV Superstars Trailer
File size: 89 MB (HD)

PS3 Themes

Sports Champions Archery Theme (free)
File size: 2.04 MB

Sports Champions Beach Volleyball Theme (free)
File size: 1.81 MB

Sports Champions Bocce Ball Theme (free)
File size: 1.79 MB

Sports Champions Disc Golf Theme (free)
File size: 1.87 MB

Sports Champions Gladiator Duel Theme (free)
File size: 2.00 MB

Sports Champions Table Tennis Theme (free)
File size: 1.66 MB

Sports Champions Theme (free)
File size: 8.34 MB

EyePet Summer Dynamic Theme ($2.99)
File size: 6.79 MB

Kung Fu Rider Dynamic Theme ($2.99)
File size: 7.84 MB

Sports Champions Dynamic Theme ($2.99)
File size: 4.09 MB

NCAA Dynamic Theme – Army ($2.99)
File size: 2.9 MB

NCAA Dynamic Theme – Wisconsin ($2.99)
File size: 3.07 MB

NCAA Dynamic Theme – Auburn ($2.99)
File size: 3.22 MB

NCAA Dynamic Theme – USC ($2.99)
File size: 3.27 MB

NCAA Dynamic Theme – Michigan ($2.99)
File size: 3.3 MB

NCAA Dynamic Theme – Michigan State ($2.99)
File size: 3.11 MB

NCAA Dynamic Theme – Ohio State ($2.99)
File size: 3.24 MB

Wallpapers (free)

PixelJunk Racers 2nd Lap Wallpaper #3
File size: 240 KB (SD), 487 KB (1080)

PlayStation Store for PSP

Downloadable Games (also available from PS3 Storefront)

CLADUN: This Is An RPG! ($19.99)
Some say, because the treasures were there. Or because the enemy must be defeated there. Or because dreams are made there. Connected to many different worlds, people call this place, “Arcanus Cella.”
ESRB Rated E10+
File size: 185 MB

101-in-1 Megamix ($14.99)
101-in-1 Megamix is a collection of 101 games offering a healthy serving of adventure, action and puzzle gameplay galore that is fun for all family.
Featuring 101 games that take you from the depth of the ocean to the Wild West… From the Stone Age to space racing… 101-in-1 Megamix boasts a unique visual style, a wide variety of unlockable games and prizes, and superb multiplayer action.
ESRB Rated E10+
File size: 411 MB

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

Gladiator Begins – Animal Gladiator (free)
This is Gladiator Begins DLC. Gladiator Begins lets you create and customize your own gladiator (female) to battle it out in the colosseum to try and earn enough money to buy your freedom.
File size: 588 KB

Gladiator Begins – Animal Print (free)
This is Gladiator Begins DLC. Gladiator Begins lets you create and customize your own gladiator (female) to battle it out in the colosseum to try and earn enough money to buy your freedom.
File size: 584 KB

Gladiator Begins – Crown (free)
This is Gladiator Begins DLC. Gladiator Begins lets you create and customize your own gladiator (male or female) to battle it out in the colosseum to try and earn enough money to buy your freedom.
File size: 469 KB

Gladiator Begins – Cursed Panoply (free)
This is Gladiator Begins DLC. Gladiator Begins lets you create and customize your own gladiator (male or female) to battle it out in the colosseum to try and earn enough money to buy your freedom.
File size: 493 KB

Game Videos (free)

Pulse 9/21 Edition
File size: 48 MB

Wallpapers (free)

Zenonia – Minis Wallpaper
File size: 90 KB

D3 Publisher's least embarrassing budget game series, Earth Defense Force, is returning this spring on Xbox 360 and PS3 in Earth Defense Force: Insect Armageddon. The tiny amount of media released by D3 so far, including a teaser trailer after the break, suggests that this new game has a lot in common with its predecessors: specifically, big insectoid monsters destroying a city, and a team of futuristic soldiers shooting them.

However, we know it's not exactly like previous EDF games, in one important and troubling way. All the previous EDFs have been developed by Sandlot, but this one is in the hands of Eat Lead developer Vicious Cycle Software -- which adds an element of "waiting and seeing" to our anticipation for this sequel.

#gt5 With the final, actual release of Gran Turismo 5 less than two months away, it's time to start ramping up the promotion for the game. In Japan, that involves hundreds of cars careening down a slide. More »

If you've been itching for something to do with that multi-thousand-dollar TV you bought, go turn your PS3 on. Readers are reporting that firmware 3.50, which enables 3D Blu-Ray support, is up now.

In addition to that feature, which will make a few very rich people very happy, the new update includes more Facebook integration for developers, so that their games can access your Facebook data, and XMB-based grief reporting. You can tell Sony if "this guy won't shut up about his 3D television," for example.

[Thanks, Chad and Aaron!]

#activision If Activision stripped all of the cutscenes from StarCraft II, pasted them together into one big movie and charged between 20 to 30 dollars for you to buy it, would you pay? Activision's Bobby Kotick thinks you would. More »

Doctor Who: The Adventure Games will return for a second season, which will tie into the next series starring the eleventh Doctor. The BBC's Simon Nelson said the the company would be "daft" not to commission another season after 1.6 million downloads of the initial episodes.

Episode four of Doctor Who:TAG's first season will be available "later in the year," free to UK residents. The series is available in North America through Direct2Drive at $13 for the whole bundle.

Hi everyone, as we announced previously, the PS3 system software update (v3.50) is adding support for Blu-ray 3D Disc Playback, and it will be released shortly.

Additional new features in the 3.50 update include:

• Facebook Integration: Developers will be able to create PS3 games that have more interaction with Facebook. Once compatible PS3 titles are available, PS3 users can choose to access public information on Facebook – including user name, profile, uploaded photos and friends list – to enhance their gameplay experience.
• Grief Reporting Function: Users can send claim reports directly from the XMB for any inappropriate messages they receive from other PlayStation Network users. This feature is accessible from the option menu of the messages list in the FRIENDS category.

For more details and instructions on how to update the system software for the PS3 system, please visit http://www.us.playstation.com/PS3/Features/SystemUpdate.

As always, we look forward to your feedback.

Signal Studios has announced that the final DLC expansion for its successful XBLA strategy title, Toy Soldiers, will launch next Wednesday, September 29. The pack, titled "Invasion," will add a new, three-level mini-campaign, 50 Gamerscore worth of new Achievements, some additional enemy units and new driveable vehicles -- most of which are based around the main campaign's alien invasion motif.

You can check out some screenshots of the new, otherworldly content in the gallery posted below. If you're jonesing to bust up some more playthings, you'll be able to grab "Invasion" for 400 Microsoft Points ($5).

#triviagasm Computer hacking isn't really a spectator sport, so movies will embellish hacking scenes with funky visuals, inane jargon, and supercomputers that run on magic and prayer. Here are 10 of the most awesomely groanworthy keyboard-smashing scenes. More »

#tgs PixelJunk Shooter 2, the sequel to Q-Games' inventive PlayStation Network game, adds more than just light and acid to the list of new fluidic matter the developer is playing with. Bugs, bubbles and bullet hell also join the updated liquid arsenal. More »

Is there anything worse than succumbing to the grenade launcher -- AKA the dreaded noob tube -- in Modern Warfare 2? Several scientific studies (not really) have shown that there is not. And yet, Infinity Ward's Robert "fourzerotwo" Bowling has agreed to do just that. As part of an Extra Life charity gaming marathon supporting Children's Hospital of Los Angeles, Bowling has agreed to a match of Modern Warfare 2 with Pixel Enemy's BrassMonkeigh. Furthermore, Bowling will actually allow himself to be noob tubed during said match.

Bowling is hoping to raise $5,000 with his marathon, with users contributing $1 for each of the 24 hours he will be playing various games. With a degrading noob tubing on the table, we can only hope he reaches his goal. If you're interested in setting up your own charity marathon (with or without celebrity pwning), head over to the Extra Life charity website.

#anomalies Weekends we run "Box Scores,", showcasing superlative games played by readers. This game from MLB 10 The Show was CPU-simulated, but looking at that linescore, baseball fans instantly understand how far beyond the pale it is. More »

Criterion proves that sometimes it's good for a franchise to 'burnout' a little.

We've never actually met a "henchman" before, but we sure hope they get a good health plan. If this James Bond 007: Blood Stone trailer is any indication, they're going to need a good doctor ... and an even better dentist.

#preview When indie developer Jake Kazdal told me his studio's game, the still in development Skulls of the Shogun, was heavily inspired by his love of Nintendo's Advance Wars series, I was already on the hook. More »

Tokyo Game Show 2010 Cosplay Photo Gallery TGS 2010: Gaming History Receives Its Due (Or Not)

Crystal Dynamics needs a bit more time to get the online experience just right.

What if Nintendo made a game for Kinect? Namco Bandai does its best to answer that question with Dr. Kawashima's Body and Brain Exercises, a "Brain Age" game for Microsoft's motion-control peripheral. This family-oriented minigame collection, featuring Xbox Avatars alongside the ever-digitized Dr. Kawashima, makes for an experience that seems more than inspired by Nintendo's recent efforts -- it's a total knockoff. The UI, the music and the gameplay all feel ripped from the Brain Age series and Nintendo's Wii Fit games.

In some respects that's a compliment, but gamers who have already written off edutainment and exergames won't find much reason to give Body and Brain Exercises a try. You know exactly what to expect from this game.

#demo The demo for NBA Elite 11, teased in this video, will be available later tonight over the PlayStation Network, and early in the morning on Xbox Live. More »

Sony and Microsoft may be going head to head this holiday with motion-based gaming peripherals, but SCE Worldwide Studios boss Shuhei Yoshida doesn't see Microsoft's massive Kinect ad campaign as a problem for PlayStation's Move -- in fact, Sony quite likes the free attention it's getting as a result. Yoshida recently admitted as much to GamesIndustry.biz, saying, "I've always felt like we were lucky that Microsoft made such a big deal with Project Natal. In a broader sense, we are categorized as 'motion gaming' -- if we were just doing Move, we wouldn't have had as much coverage and attention from media and consumers."

Also, despite the fact that Sony has been touting 3D functionality in lots of upcoming games -- even updating older releases with the technology -- Yoshida doesn't necessarily believe we'll be seeing 3DTV-exclusive titles anytime soon. "Never say never -- but I don't think that makes sense. Stereoscopic 3D isn't adding something completely different, it's just making it a bit more natural for users to see 3D images. We just don't have to think about making games exclusive to 3DTV," he said.

The interview also covers the turbulent trip of the hand-carried PlayStation Move prototype by Richard Marx, not to mention the changes in Sony's structure over the past few years as various major executives have played musical chairs.

Having a tough time designing Halo: Reach Invasion variants in the game's expanded Forge utility? Yeah, us too -- that is, until we read Bungie's handy little guide for budding modders, which breaks down the process of creating an Invasion map from start to finish.

The guide provides the know-how for setting up CTF and Assault-based objectives (and a host of other options), in addition to the 4-1-1 on creating multiple objectives in each phase of your custom Invasion game. If knowledge is power, then this guide is the equivalent of hooking up your brain to a car battery.

#pols In a recent interview with the New York Times, the U.S. secretary of education touted his own TV-less upbringing before unloading the chicken-dinner applause line that he's "not a fan" and "absolutely" wouldn't get his kids an "Xbox." More »

We'd happily take any opportunity to talk about Ghost Trick: Phantom Detective -- to our readers, our coworkers, our friends, people we meet in elevators, etc. So we happily jumped at the chance to talk with Capcom's Shu Takumi, the person responsible for creating the supernatural puzzle-adventure game. In a brief TGS interview, we spoke with Takumi about the unique humor in Ghost Trick and the Ace Attorney series -- and the relative uniqueness of any humor in a video game.

Your games tend to have a certain tone, they tend to be funny. Most video games don't even attempt humor. Why do you think it's so rare, and how is it that you can continue doing funny games?

I don't really know why people don't attempt to put humor in games. That's something I would actually love to know. I'd love to ask people why they don't try it. As for me, why I put humor in my games, and why I'm able to continue doing that: I like funny things. I like humor. I like writing mysteries, and mysteries have to be fun to read. They have to be something entertaining where you want to continue reading it. It can't be boring or dry. For me, what makes it interesting is adding a little humor here and there, using that to my advantage. Basically, I just write what is funny to me, whatever I'm interested in for other people to read. And that's how I'm able to continue in this manner that I do.

It's important what I write, but what I write is in Japanese, and part of that humor and part of what makes it unique is the translation. (Note: Takumi's interpreter in this interview was Capcom's Janet Hsu, who actually works on localization for the Ace Attorney games. She reported her embarrassment about translating praise for herself.)

A Cliff's Notes version of the three films that works better on Wii than it does on PS3.

NPD reports that downloadable game sales have officially outpaced retail sales on the PC.. For the first six months of 2010, retail PC sales in the US reached 8.2 million units, while NPD surveys indicate that downloads were up to 11.2 million. Take special note of the word "surveys," as gamesindustry.biz confirmed that NPD doesn't have access to sales numbers from either Blizzard or Steam. Still, NPD believes that overall PC revenues have declined 21 percent so far this year, with unit sales down 14 percent.

Meanwhile, NPD's surveys name Steam as the most successful download service, while BigFish dominates casual gaming. NPD's Anita Frazier pointed to the rise of "social network gaming" and more "free game options" as the reasons for the PC sector's continuing decline. Maybe someone at NPD should get in touch with the folks at Zynga. They might be able to them where all that money went.