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Posted by Kotaku Nov 03 2010 05:00 GMT in LEGO Universe
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#mmolog Join me as I take the first steps in a four-week journey into the colorful candy world of NetDevil's LEGO Universe. More »

Posted by Joystiq Nov 03 2010 06:00 GMT in Gaming News
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The Nintendo World Store in New York City is open once again after a couple of weeks of remodeling. Next week, Nintendo will "officially" open the store in style, with a Mario party. Not a Mario Party, though, to be clear.

On November 7, from 12-5 PM, Nintendo will host a party in honor of the 25th anniversary of Super Mario Bros. Attendees will be able to play various Mario games, record their Mario memories for posterity in a video station and eat some Mario-themed cake.

Don't dismantle that Bullet Bill costume you built for this Halloween yet -- Nintendo is also encouraging fans to come in their finest Mario series costumes. Do keep in mind, when deciding what to wear, the thing we mentioned before about posterity.

Posted by Joystiq Nov 03 2010 05:45 GMT in God of War Collection
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Kratos is committing bloody vengeance all over this week's PSN update. The God of War Collection is available for download on PS3 and God of War: Ghost of Sparta is ready for handheld brutality on PSP.

If you're a PlayStation Plus member you also get a "full game trial" of God of War 1 and 2, which you can test drive for an hour apiece. Also, Trophies and game progress will roll over if you purchase the game after taking the blades out for a spin. While you're taking advantage of your membership, you should also check out the Vanquish trial.

There's plenty of more stuff in this update, so head on past the break for all the details.

Note: In addition to this week's update being really behind schedule, Sony is telling PSN users that, while all of the content is now live, it's not actually appearing in the PlayStation Store interface. You'll need to use the PS Store search function to find the new additions until the problem is addressed.

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


Posted by Kotaku Nov 03 2010 04:30 GMT in Gaming News
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#psp While Sony is yet to make official mention of an all-new PlayStation Portable, one of the biggest publishers in the world has no qualms confirming they've "had exposure" to the new handheld. More »

Posted by PlayStation Blog Nov 03 2010 04:32 GMT in PlayStation Network
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Thanks for bearing with us tonight as we work through technical difficulties with the store interface. Everything has now been published to the store and is ready for download, but new items are *not* yet showing up under New Releases.

To find what you’re looking for, please use the search function in the store (as denoted by the magnifying glass in the upper right of the screen). Then you can type in “Hoard,” “Ghost of Sparta,” or anything else in the list below that you’re looking for.

This is only temporary; we’re working to restore the storefront to full functionality as you read this.

Again, we apologize for the inconvenience, and we hope you enjoy this week’s new content, the full list of which can be found right below this text.

PlayStation Plus

Full Game Trial
God of War I HD (60 Minute Trial)
File size: 5.88 GB

God of War II HD (60 Minute Trial)
File size: 6.51 GB

Downloadable Games
God of War I HD & Phantom of Chaos Skin Bundle (Exclusive to PlayStation Plus Subscribers for $14.99)
God of War II HD & Forgotten Warrior Skin Bundle (Exclusive to PlayStation Plus Subscribers for $14.99)

Free Games
BreakQuest – minis (Free to PlayStation Plus Subscribers)

Discounted Games
Tomb Raider 2 (PSone Classic) (PlayStation Plus price $3.00, original price $5.99)

Early Access/Exclusive Demo
Vanquish Challenge Mode Demo

Free Add-ons & Themes
God of War III – Dominus Skin & Challenge of Exile Arena (Free to PlayStation Plus Subscribers, original price $2.99)
Dead Nation Dynamic Theme (Free to PlayStation Plus Subscribers, original price $2.99)
Shadowy Graves Theme (Free to PlayStation Plus Subscribers, original price $1.49)

Free Videos
Qore Episode 30 – November 2010 (Free to PlayStation Plus Subscribers, original price $2.99)

Updates

Spyro The Dragon – Sale (PS3/PSP) (now $2.99, original price $5.99) **Part of the PlayStation 15th Anniversary Sale
MAG Interdiction Pack – Permanent Price Drop (PS3) (now $4.99, original price $9.99)

Qore

Qore Episode 30: November 2010 ($2.99)
Episode 30 of Qore: Presented by the PlayStation Network explores Renaissance Rome with Assassin’s Creed, transports into the high-tech world of TRON, looks in on the latest God of War release and visits with the band My Chemical Romance.
File size: 1.48 GB

Qore Annual Subscription – November 2010 ($24.99)
Qore: Presented by the PlayStation Network is a high-definition monthly interactive video production covering the world of PlayStation. Qore provides its audience with exclusive behind-the-scenes access to upcoming titles from both the SCE Worldwide Studios and the third-party developers across the globe.
File size: 1.48 GB

Downloadable Games

Hoard ($14.99)
YOU ARE THE DRAGON in HOARD, a fast-paced arcade action-strategy title from Big Sandwich Games. Burn villages, roast knights, and capture princesses for ransom in your quest to gather a huge pile of glittering treasure! Conquer dozens of unique miniature fantasy kingdoms across multiple game modes. Supports 1-4 players, including Co-Op!
ESRB Rated E
File size: 153 MB

God of War Collection ($29.99)
Two Epic Adventures of Conquest, Destiny, and Vengeance, God of War and God of War II, return! In God of War: Collection, players will experience the dark world of Ancient Greece through Kratos, a brutal warrior determined to murder the God of War and alter what no mortal has ever changed… fate itself.
ESRB Rated M
File size: 12.4 GB

Psone Classics

Virtual pool 3 ($5.99)
Take on all challengers in this realistic simulation of cue sports. Play through 21 game variations and 8 venues as you make your way to the top. Download this PS one classic today!
ESRB Rated E
File size: 123 MB

Game Demos (free)

Split Second Demo 2
In Split/Second you trigger devastating explosions to decimate drivers and change the track!
ESRB Rated E10+
File size: 1.01 GB

Aqua Panic! HD Demo
Plunge into the incredibly fun and colorful universe of Aqua Panic! and try to save as many fish as possible using original tools throughout the 4 levels of this demo!
ESRB Rated E
File size: 55 MB

Rock Band 3 Demo
Take it up a notch with Rock Band 3! In this demo, check out 3 of the full game’s 83 epic tracks. Show off your pipes with Vocal Harmonies and get the band back in action and ready to rock. This demo expires on December 31st.
ESRB Rated T
File size: 690 MB

Add-on Game Content

Dead Rising 2 – Skills Pack – Ninja ($1.99)
This special costume allows Chuck to dress himself as a nimble and powerful ninja!
File size: 2.78 MB

DJ Hero 2: Hit Makers Mix Pack ($7.99)
Downloadable Mix Pack featuring ‘OMG’ by Usher ft. Will.I.Am, ‘Umbrella’ by Rihanna VS ‘Let’s Get It On’ by Marvin Gaye, and ‘Shutterbug’ by Big Boi ft. Cutty VS ‘Return Of The Mack’ by Mark Morrison. For all song credits, please visit www.djhero.com.
File size: 54 MB

Spider-Man: Shattered Dimension Cosmic Costume ($2.99)
Swing through the four dimensions with a unique Cosmic Spider-Man for each. Unleash his signature charged attack. Four unique worlds. Four distinct Cosmic Spider-Men. One unparalleled experience!
File size: 55 MB

Super Street Fighter IV: Ultra Shoryuken Pack ($3.99)
Download the second ultra-powered pack of alternate costumes for Super Street Fighter IV! New costumes for Ryu, Ken, Gouken, Dan and Akuma are included. Mix things up with your favorite Shotokan characters! This downloadable content is only compatible with Super Street Fighter IV.
File size: 50 MB

Soldner-X 2: Final Prototype: The Last Chapter ($4.99)
More bullets! More action! Guaranteed! Maximize your Soldner-X 2: Final Prototype experience with this action-loaded expansion pack. The Last Chapter adds three brand new and exciting stages, 13 unique challenges, 11 trophies and more to the original game. Download The Last Chapter today for the ultimate Soldner-X 2 experience!
File size: 545 MB

Fifa Soccer 11 – Ultimate Team (free)
Build your own Ultimate Team with all your favorite football stars, choose to manage one or multiple squads & then compete in dynamically updated online tournaments.
File size: 139 MB

Medal of Honor – Hot Zone Pack ($9.99)
Download the completely new mode, Hot Zone which includes 2 brand new maps, Hindukush Pass and Korengal Outpost, as well as 2 redesigned original maps. Hotzone is as intense as it gets with coordinated all-out annihilation followed by strategic dug-in defense. Your mission is simple, control the area.
File size: 118 MB

Front Mission Evolved: Wanzer Weapons Pack (free)
Cut down the competition with these 3 new weapons – Machine Gun: Dark Hog, Shotgun: Blackstone, and Rifle: Sieger.
File size: 758 KB

Front Mission Evolved: Wanzer Pack 2 ($3.99)
Crush the competition with 2 wanzers from the Front Mission franchise – the Stork Mk. IV and Tatou.
File size: 13 MB

Space Invaders Infinity Gene – Bonus Stage Pack 2 ($2.99)
Add Bonus Stages 4-1 to 4-6. (* All added bonus stages can be played via Bonus Mode.)
File size: 100 KB

Fist of the North Star – DLC Pack 1 ($2.99)
Ken has returned, in all his glory! Kenshiro, master of the post-apocalyptic wasteland, is now playable in his costume from the original comic book!
File size: 11 MB

Tom Clancy’s H.A.W.X. 2 – Bonus Pack (free)
Download for free. The Bonus Pack includes a new Team Battle mode and two plane skins.
File size: 2.07 MB

Tom Clancy’s H.A.W.X. 2 – Russian Power Pack ($2.99)
Unleash the power of the most advanced Russian jet fighter, Su T-50 (PAK FA), a fifth generation plane that can take on the world’s best. Also receive a bonus skin for the Su-35BM and a new Team Battle mission – High Altitude Warfare. This new mode focuses on fast and fierce dogfighting.
File size: 2.02 MB

ModNation Racers – Kratos Mod and Kart ($1.99)
This Kratos Mod and Kart pack lets you race through ModNation Racers with the vengeance of the God of War! This ModNation Racers Mod and Kart pack includes a fully-designed Mod AND Kart inspired by the God of War franchise. Download this pack today!
File size: 100 KB

EyePet: Music Pack ($2.99)
The Music Pack for EyePet brings the style and flash of music directly to your living room! You’ve never seen a virtual pet quite like this. EyePet! Download the new pack today!
File size: 100 KB

PAIN: Creepie Character ($0.99)
Check out the latest launchable PAIN character. Creepie is full of charm. What this squishy lil’ dude doesn’t say is made up for with an abundance of flatulence. Creepie comes complete with poses, and sound effects and is playable in any of the modes and environments you own. Pick up Creepie today and bring the PAIN!
File size: 100 KB

PAIN: PAINaMotion (free)
PAIN has a whole lotta movin’ & shakin’ going on with this latest update. Grab your PlayStation Move motion controller and dive into these new modes today! This pack will also update some of your favorite levels to support the PlayStation Move motion controller! Levelsinclude: Downtown area, the Amusement Pack, the Move Studio, Sore Spots, the Museum, and the new Alpine Ski Area! Be sure to check them out!
File size: 100 KB

Sports Champions – Reverse Course ($2.99)
Looking for new Disc Golf challenges? Well, you’re in luck! The Sports Champions Reverse Course gives you a fresh look at all 18 holes. Tees and holes have been swapped to create a whole different experience, so you’ll need new strategies to best this course.

Once downloaded, the course will be accessible in the Free Play menu so you can test your skills against the AI or up to 4 friends in multiplayer.
File size: 544 MB

God of War III – Phantom of Chaos Skin ($0.99)
To play as this unlockable character, you must completely play through God of War III at least one time. Special Abilities – Experience Costume (This Kratos acquires more experience orbs.)
File size: 100 KB

God of War III – Morpheus Skin ($0.99)
To play as this unlockable character, you must completely play through God of War III at least one time. Special Abilities – Orb Multiplier Costume (This Kratos acquires more orbs)
File size: 100 KB

God of War III – Forgotten Warrior Skin ($0.99)
To play as this unlockable character, you must completely play through God of War III at least one time. Special Abilities – Defensive Costume (Enemies do a lot less damage)
File size: 100 KB

God of War III – Apollo Skin ($0.99)
To play as this unlockable character, you must completely play through God of War III at least one time. Special Abilities – Kratos does less damage and the enemies do less damage. Allowing you to do more combos
File size: 100 KB

God of War III – Challenge of Exile Arena + Dominus Skin ($2.99)
Relive the God of War III experience with the Dominus Skin or take on the Challenge of Exile Arena (7 unique challenges). To unlock, you must download the items and completely play though God of War III at least one time.
Special Abilities for Dominus – Increased damage, enemies do a lot less damage, and get more of ALL the orb types.
File size: 100 KB

God of War III Kratos Skin Bundle ($2.99)
Purchase four Kratos Skins for a discounted price. To play as any of the unlockable characters you must completely play through God of War III at least one time.
File size: 400 KB

Def Jam Rapstar
(Music Downloads Not Rated by the ESRB) Expand your DEF JAM RAPSTAR library with these songs. DEF JAM RAPSTAR game disc is required to play this downloadable content:

  • “Dey Know” – Shawty Lo ($1.99)
  • “Party Up” – DMX ($1.99)
  • “Ice Cream Paint Job” – Dorrough ($1.99)
  • “Got Money” – Lil Wayne ($1.99)
  • “Grindin’” – Clipse ($1.99)
  • “Make Me Better” – Fabolous ($1.99)
  • “Throw Some D’s” – Rich Boy ($1.99)
  • “Shoulder Lean” – Young Dro ($1.99)

File size: 41 – 54 MB (singles)

Rock Band 3
Build your Rock Band library by purchasing these song game tracks. For song credits, visit www.RockBand.com.

  • “Hello, I Love You” – The Doors ($1.99)
  • “L.A. Women″ – The Doors ($1.99)
  • “Light My Fire″ – The Doors ($1.99)
  • “Love Her Madly″ – The Doors ($1.99)
  • “Love Me Two Times″ – The Doors ($1.99)
  • “Peace Frog″ – The Doors ($1.99)
  • “People Are Strange″ – The Doors ($1.99)
  • “Riders On The Storm″ – The Doors ($1.99)
  • “Roadhouse Blues″ – The Doors ($1.99)
  • “Soul Kitchen″ – The Doors ($1.99)
  • “The Crystal Ship″ – The Doors ($1.99)
  • “Touch Me″ – The Doors ($1.99)
  • The Doors Greatest Hits: Rock Band Edition Album ($19.99) – Build your Rock Band library by purchasing this song game track pack: “The Doors Greatest Hits: Rock Band Edition” Album. This pack includes “Hello, I Love You”, “L.A. Women”, “Light My Fire”, “Love Her Madly”, “Love Me Two Times”, “Peace Frog”, “People Are Strange”, “Riders On The Storm”, “Roadhouse Blues”, “Soul Kitchen”, “The Crystal Ship”, and “Touch Me”.
  • “Subdivisions″ – Rush ($1.99)

Rock Band Network

  • “Determined (Vows of Vengeance)” – Kataklysm ($1.99)
  • “Hello Fascination” – Breathe Carolina ($1.99)
  • “Revolution” – Bang Camaro ($0.99)
  • “The Gun Show” – In This Moment ($1.99)
  • “Uncivilized” – Texas in July ($1.99)

File size: 13 – 49 MB (singles), 281 MB (track pack)

Bundles

High Velocity Bowling – Move Bundle ($39.99)
Meet the High Velocity Bowlers! Each bowler has their own unique personality and skill-set for high flying fun. Use the PlayStation Move motion controller to simulate a genuine bowling swing with real lane environments. Are you up to the challenge of bowling with the best?
File size: 1.33 GB

PlayStation Home Items

God of War PlayStation Home Tattoo T-Shirt ($0.99)
Customize your PlayStation Home character with one of the dedicated God of War T-Shirts. Male and Female versions available.
File size: N/A

God of War PlayStation Home Leaping Kratos T-Shirt ($0.99)
Customize your PlayStation Home character with one of the dedicated God of War T-Shirts. Male and Female versions available.
File size: N/A

Avatars

Darkstalkers Avatars (x4) ($0.49)
File size: 100 KB

Sengoku Basara: Samurai Heroes (x4) ($0.49)
File size: 100 – 105 KB

Game Videos (free)

NBA 2K11 – He’s Back Trailer
File size: 20 MB (HD)

NBA 2K11 – The Jordan Interview Trailer
File size: 21 MB (HD)

Red Dead Redemption: Undead Nightmare Official Trailer
File size: 38 MB (HD)

Sonic The Hedgehog 4 Episode 1: Casino Street Trailer
File size: 42 MB (HD)

Sonic The Hedgehog 4 Episode 1: Lost Labyrinth Trailer
File size: 38 MB (HD)

Sonic The Hedgehog 4 Episode 1: Mad Gear Trailer
File size: 36 MB (HD)

Sonic The Hedgehog 4 Episode 1: Launch Trailer
File size: 34 MB (HD)

The Tester Season 2: Episode 1
File size: 856 MB (SD), 1.26 GB (HD)

LittleBigPlanet – Marvel DLC Trailer
File size: 81 MB (HD)

LittleBigPlanet 2 – Grappling Hook Featurette
File size: 97 MB (HD)

Heavy Rain: Cutting Room Floor
File size: 231 MB (HD), 387 MB (1080)

Heavy Rain: Non-Linearity
File size: 261 MB (HD), 436 MB (1080)

Beat Sketcher – Gameplay Trailer
File size: 45 MB (HD), 75 MB (1080)

Surround Sound System Video
File size: 80 MB (HD), 129 MB (1080)

PS3 Themes

TV Superstars: Big Beat Kitchen Theme (free)
File size: 2.07 MB

TV Superstars: DIY Raw Theme (free)
File size: 2.21 MB

TV Superstars: Frockstar Theme (free)
File size: 2.52 MB

TV Superstars: Hosts Theme (free)
File size: 2.15 MB

TV Superstars: Let’s Get Physical Theme (free)
File size: 2.32 MB

TV Superstars: STAA Theme (free)
File size: 2.06 MB

TV Superstars: Set Theme (free)
File size: 1.83 MB

Dead Nation Dynamic Theme ($2.99)
File size: 4.19 MB

Spectrum Theme ($0.99)
File size: 3.9 MB

Manga Theme ($0.99)
File size: 4.19 MB

Redemption Theme ($1.49)
File size: 5.7 MB

Blue Tiger Camo Premium Theme ($2.99)
File size: 3.05 MB

PlayStation Store for PSP

Downloadable Games (also available from PS3 Storefront)

No Heroes Allowed! ($9.99)
No Heroes Allowed! is the third installment to the tongue-in-cheek humored “What did I Do to Deserve This, My Lord?!” strategy game franchise. This hilarious dungeon builder pits you as the “God of Destruction”, wielding various powered pick-axes to craft the ultimate dungeon in order to protect the evil overlord Badman from the pesky do-gooder heroes. Download No Heroes Allowed! today!
ESRB Rated E10+
File size: 177 MB

God of War: Ghost of Sparta ($39.99)
In his quest to rid himself of the nightmares that haunt him, Kratos must embark on a journey that will reveal the origins of lost worlds, and finally answer long-awaited questions about his dark past. Armed with the deadly chained Blades of Athena, he will have to overcome armies of mythological monsters, legions of undead soldiers, and amazingly dangerous and brutal landscapes throughout his merciless quest.
Limited Time Offer – Purchase the digital version of God of War: Ghost of Sparta from 11/2/10 to 11/23/10 and receive the ultimate DLC bundle for FREE.
ESRB Rated M
File size: 4.25 GB

Ys: The Oath in Felghana ($29.99)
Experience an amazing re-imagining of the third game in the classic Ys action RPG series, complete with a gorgeous 3D world to explore. Return with adventurers Adol and Dogi to the remote land of Felghana – a land mired in intrigue and betrayal, plagued by mysteries and sorcery most foul…
ESRB Rated T
File size: 783 MB

Game Demos (also available from PS3 Storefront) (free)

Split Second Demo
Split/Second PSP demo which contains the Airplane Graveyard single player level plus Cobretti GT RS, Cobretti Vortex and Hanzo GT vehicles.
ESRB Rated E10+
File size: 134 MB

Game Videos (free)

The Tester Season 2 – Episode 1
File size: 203 MB

Valkyria Chronicles 2 Post Launch Trailer
File size: 15 MB

PSP Themes (also available from PS3 Storefront)

No Heroes Allowed! – PSP Theme (free)
File size: 151 KB

Redemption PSP Theme ($1.49)
File size: 586 KB

Blue Tiger Camo PSP Theme 1 ($1.99)
File size: 552 KB

Blue Tiger Camo PSP Theme 2 ($1.99)
File size: 543 KB

PSP Wallpapers (free)

No Heroes Allowed! Wallpaper 1
File size: 187 KB

No Heroes Allowed! Wallpaper 2
File size: 117 KB


Posted by Kotaku Nov 03 2010 04:00 GMT in Gaming News
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#ea For all its pre-release swagger and marketing might, EA's recent Medal of Honor reboot, well, sucked. I think so, many of you think so, and now even staffers at Electronic Arts are getting down on the game. More »

Posted by Joystiq Nov 03 2010 05:00 GMT in Call of Duty: Black Ops
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Metallica will perform at Activision's Call of Duty: Black Ops launch event on Thursday, where the band will help raise $1 million for The Call of Duty Endowment. The fund's mission is to assist soldiers transition back into civilian life and help them establish jobs and careers.

According to Activision Blizzard CEO Bobby Kotick, the unemployment rate for veterans is 21% higher than the rate for all Americans, with over a half-million veterans unemployed.

If you're looking to sneak into the concert, the event will be held November 4 at Santa Monica Airport's Hangar 8. That's very close to the location of that horrific Min-E3 of 2007 -- a memory that will haunt our dreams more than Nazi Zombies ever could.

Posted by Joystiq Nov 02 2010 23:40 GMT in Borderlands
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We guess "a few weeks" means "next week" in Gearbox-speak. The level-raising update for Borderlands is now live, according to a press release we've just received. PS3 and PC users haven't complained of issues, though we've yet to see it live on Xbox 360. Outside of eight new levels of XP to accrue, players will also find all enemies and bosses now scale to level, and some bugs in the ClapTrap DLC have been squashed.

Posted by Joystiq Nov 03 2010 04:30 GMT in Gaming News
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Got your eye on one of those new Xbox 360 controllers with the magical, transforming D-pad, but not willing to pony up the dough? Good news, because Buy.com has the controllers up for pre-order for $52 with free shipping, saving $13 and saving your fat wallet from transforming into an empty one.

Posted by Joystiq Nov 03 2010 04:00 GMT in Gaming News
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Atlus has yet to ship the two Naruto titles it's releasing with Tomy, but the two companies have already announced another. Naruto Shippuden: Shinobi Rumble, known as Naruto Shippuden Ninjutsu Zenkai! Cha-Clash! in Japan, is a four-player, Smash Bros.-esque fighter for DS starring 16 characters from the Naruto series -- including Naruto, Naruto's friend, and that one guy Naruto is always fighting with.

Shinobi Rumble will be released in North America on February 8 of next year. That gives you plenty of time to convince three friends to pre-order it, so you can enjoy the multi-card wireless multiplayer.

Posted by Joystiq Nov 03 2010 03:40 GMT in Need For Speed: Hot Pursuit
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EA has developed one of the most perplexing ad campaigns we've ever seen to promote its upcoming racer, Need for Speed: Hot Pursuit. It's a five-part mini-series following the shenanigans of two valets, one of which is also secretly a renegade cop (?), and one of which is also a street racer (?). Of course, they don't bust fools or drive fast in these ads. They park cars, because they're valets. Sometimes, they don't park the cars, because they're edgy.

Oh, and they're played by Jerry Ferrara and Kevin Dillon, whom you may know from the hit television series Entourage, or, if you're not an HBO subscriber, Hotel for Dogs. Check out the first two entries into this commercial series, titled "Officer Douche" and "You Park It," respectively, after the jump. After that, join us in wishing that these ads get their own spin-off television show, Cavemen-style. We'd love to see the complexities of these characters unfold, you know?

Posted by Kotaku Nov 03 2010 02:00 GMT in Gaming News
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#iphone One of the best looking iPhone games just happens to be one of the best looking iPad games. The makers of the luscious Superbrothers: Sword & Sworcery EP have given us a fresh look at the pixelated adventure in fetching iPad size. More »

Posted by Joystiq Nov 03 2010 03:20 GMT in APB
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Eurogamer's piece on Realtime Worlds' collapse is an interesting read for anyone curious about the final weeks of the developer. The studio collapsed in September, shortly after launching APB, a Grand Theft Auto-esque MMO that ran out of gas after 86 days.

Almost the whole piece is told through the words of Realtime Worlds' Community Officer Ben Bateman. His story is relentlessly optimistic about the state of the studio and the development of APB, especially so during the portion where he tells of QA's warnings and complaints from APB beta testers being acknowledged, but ultimately ignored.

Acknowledgment of reality doesn't set in until after APB launches and the hard subscription figures showed the game wasn't going to make it. Then come the painful details of how layoffs went down and how the studio eventually shut down. Give it a read for the human interest angle on a sad business tale.

Posted by Joystiq Nov 03 2010 03:00 GMT in Shadows of the Damned
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Zenimax's acquisition of Tango Gameworks -- and therefore of Shinji Mikami -- won't affect his existing deal with EA Partners and Grasshopper Manufacture to make Shadows of the Damned. In a statement to Eurogamer, the new parent company said that "Shinji will serve as creative lead on the games developed at Tango Gamework[s] and will fulfil his remaining obligations to Grasshopper pursuant to their prior agreement." We wouldn't bet on Mikami continuing to freelance with other companies after the existing agreements have elapsed, which casts doubt on his contribution to a Vanquish sequel with Sega -- if one is ever approved.

In addition to confirming his continued influence on Grasshopper's stylish shooter, the statement suggests that Tango Gameworks will continue to operate as a unit, rather than having its staff absorbed into Zenimax's Bethesda teams.

Posted by GoNintendo Nov 03 2010 01:47 GMT in Shaun White Skateboarding
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A portion of a G4 review… The Flying Tomato returns with his first skateboarding game that, on the Wii, is packed with plenty of inspired ideas but fails to follow through on their potential.

Posted by Joystiq Nov 03 2010 02:40 GMT in Gaming News
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In this trailer for Resident Evil: Damnation, a new 3D computer-generated film due in 2012, our salon-fresh savior Leon S. Kennedy finds himself in a European warzone, facing "the worst evil." Are retailer-exclusive pre-order bonuses just as bad in Europe?

Posted by IGN Nov 03 2010 01:43 GMT in Call of Duty: Black Ops
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Treyarch threw the kitchen sink at the newest COD. Here are some of the best additions, complete with direct-feed.

Posted by Kotaku Nov 03 2010 01:00 GMT in Gaming News
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#lmno Steven Spielberg once tried to make a video game known to most people only as "LMNO," an ambitious project that would have explored the relationship between a secret agent and an alien-like creature named Eve had it not been canceled—twice. More »

Posted by Joystiq Nov 03 2010 02:20 GMT in Gaming News
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Perhaps you don't like playing first-person shooters on consoles, because you think controls can't get any better than a keyboard and mouse. Or maybe you won't play first-person shooters on the PC because you're worried about the price of hardware upkeep. Splitfish hopes to cater to both possibilities with its FragFX Shark controller combo.

Posted by Joystiq Nov 03 2010 02:00 GMT in Gaming News
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If EA and the Steven Spielberg couldn't pull of a first-person hybrid built on "escape gameplay" and driven by an emotional co-op dynamic, featuring an AI-controlled partner -- spoiler alert -- from the future, whose character evolution was to be determined by non-verbal interaction with the player, then who could pull it off? Probably no one. "LMNO," as this project was code-named, was officially canned by EA last month -- and it's been dead for at least a year, according to 1UP's new in-depth investigation into the game.

The report -- and definitely read the whole thing -- is a compelling tale in and of itself: the inside scoop on a big-budget experiment (a "hyper-replayable" 2- to 3-hour game with no multiplayer) that would later morph into an Uncharted clone (complete with "an alien version of Megan Fox"), dubbed The Escape Artist, before being canceled altogether. But the LMNO story is also a striking reminder of just how inflexible AAA game development has become.

EA tried admirably to invest in new IP several years ago, but its actually released games didn't provide the returns the publisher had expected from consumers. Had it come together as original designers Doug Church and Randy Smith once envisioned, LMNO could have been EA's most ambitious original IP to date. Instead, it fell apart as the industry fell back on iteration (you know, "sequelitis") and made jaw-dropping investments in socially-networked casual gaming as the path to future profitability.

LMNO once carried the heavy burden of being the video game that would finally "make you cry." Assuming that the industry has yet to recognize this milestone as having been achieved, the mission now seems better suited for an indie developer with nothing to lose; one free from the concerns of the corporate goliath: namely, staying in business.

[Pictured: Pre-Megan Fox "Eve" character concept; source: 1UP]

Posted by IGN Nov 03 2010 01:00 GMT in PokéPark Wii: Pikachu's Adventure
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Is this the first Pokemon game on the Wii worth getting?

Posted by IGN Nov 03 2010 00:54 GMT in Gran Turismo 5
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Kazunori reportedly says game has gone gold.

Posted by Joystiq Nov 03 2010 01:40 GMT in Gaming News
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You'll be doing much more than courting intense card battles with this week's Xbox Live Arcade releases -- you'll also be punching, kicking, and ... uh ... jumpkicking fools with the release of King of Fighters 2002: Unlimited Match. The fighter gets a facelift and an audio upgrade, alongside an "extensively redesigned" character balance. If that weren't enough, KOF 2002: UM features "the most playable characters ever in the KOF series," with 66 fighters in total.

The game will run you 800 MS Points ($10) this Wednesday when it arrives on Xbox Live Marketplace. And hey, for a game that evidently features unlimited matches, that's a heck of a price.

[Thanks Brandon!]

Posted by IGN Nov 03 2010 00:41 GMT in Need For Speed: Hot Pursuit
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EA's crash-tastic racer is almost here. Here's what to expect, beyond the basics.

Posted by IGN Nov 03 2010 00:41 GMT in Nintendo News
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Donkey Kong Country Returns, Goldeneye, and some sweet Bucker & Garcia tunes.

Posted by IGN Nov 03 2010 00:38 GMT in Monopoly Streets
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Is it the equivalent of Baltic Avenue or Boardwalk?

Posted by Kotaku Nov 03 2010 00:00 GMT in Kinect
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#xbox360 Microsoft's controller-free add-on for the Xbox 360 officially launches on November 4, but some clearly passionate Kinect fans are already lining up in New York City for the device's midnight launch. Crazy? Not really and here's why. More »

Posted by IGN Nov 03 2010 00:35 GMT in Medal of Honor
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Series reboot moves two million copies.