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#shady If you want, you can buy your college term-papers. This has been true for as long as there have been academic institutions—some students just don't want to deal with the agony and all-nighters required to pull together a massive paper. They'd rather be socializing than sitting in front of a computer, bleary-eyed, cranking out half-coherent paragraphs about a topic they barely understand. More »

We tasked young master Caldwell with exploring the dungeons of Fortune Summoners: Secret of the Elemental Stone, the latest translated Japanese indie title from Recettear Anglifiers Carpe Fulgur. He returned with these words.

As the son of a shopkeeper in real life I know for a fact that helping out in the storeroom is not a magical experience. So Recettear, while jovial in spirit and generally compelling, didn’t appeal to me in the same way as it did others. In the storerooms of the non-digital world there are lots of cardboard boxes to tear apart and smelly bins to stand on in an effort to crush rubbish and make space. Once, there was a fist-sized hole torn in the wall by an errant RPG of a completely different nature. It was dreadful and there was rubble in the 10p mix-ups. But that’s Northern Ireland for you, and another story altogether.(more…)

Start earning some bragging rights and show of your hacker skills in Hacker Evolution Duality through the newly available STEAM achievements.
7 new achievements are waiting to be unlocked.

Enjoy a sample of tiny mayhem in the latest trailer for Retro City Rampage, a game we hope developer Vblank is going to stop working on soon (for the sake of his own sanity). Then at the end, note that the developer teases some "BIG NEWS" to be announced February 20. Please, please let it be a release date.

Star Wars: The Old Republic already has a lot of content, but eventually it's going to need more. More for players who've already got a maxed out character and want to continue to level, and more for players who want to start new characters and not see the same old content again. To this end we've wracked our brains, beefed up our knowledge on Star Wars lore and come up with a few suggestions of potential planets to include in future updates and expansions...

True, SSX's soundtrack may not include any songs by The Avalanches, an appropriately named and incredibly talented Australian breakbeat group, but it does include 36 licensed tracks and 10 original songs produced specifically for the title by Amon Tobin, Camo & Krooked, Raffertie, and The Qemists.

There's a complete list of artists featured in the game after the break, but let us save you some time by telling you that yes, it does include Skrillex. Not only is it Skrillex, but it's our favorite song from his first EP: "Scatta," which features sick verses by Foreign Beggars and a drop so heavy that it may cause a few avalanches of its own. A new version of Run-DMC's "It's Tricky" also returns for old time's sake, remixed by soundtrack compatriots Pretty Lights, as well as cuts from DJ Shadow and a Lateef the Truthspeaker joint featuring Hiero-hero Del the Funky Homosapien.

Yesterday, we reported on rumors that a LittleBigPlanet kart racer was coming to PlayStation 3. These rumors hailed from a Tweet from Canada-based FutureShop, which was in attendance at Sony's Destination PlayStation retailer event...

#amirhekmati Amir Hekmati, the U.S.-born game developer sentenced to death in Iran for allegedly engaging in espionage for the CIA, has asked the Obama administration to do whatever it takes, including a prisoner-transfer, to save him from execution. More »

Alienware is looking to abduct a few console devotees with its new gaming PC, the X51. What separates it from Alienware's normal crop of powerful rigs, you ask? The X51 is all about form factor, cramming decent horsepower into a diminutive, console-like package. It features a slot-loading optical drive, front facing USB ports for controllers, lots of rear USB ports and plenty of output options.

Engadget recently got some hands-on time with the X51, which ran Street Fighter IV swimmingly (and Portal 2, which isn't exactly a graphics showcase). The base configuration runs for $700, while the top-of-the-line model will set you back $1150.

Yesterday we got a chance to get our eyes on the upcoming Mass Effect iOS game, Infiltrator, during an EA press event. But while there's not much to say about the game (it's a third-person shooter set in the Mass Effect universe), it sure was pretty! Take a look for yourself in the gallery just below.

Assuming you haven't already hung a hand grenade on your console of choice, Calibur11 is ready to encase it with yet another game-themed vault. This time around it's a nod to Commander Shepard and friends with an "exclusive" Mass Effect 3 vault.

The vault sports Shepard's chest armor, complete with light up N7 logo, and the requisite controller cradle (what, no sweet ray gun?). Like other vaults, the unit is purported to actually improve airflow by lifting the console off the ground. The vault will be available in the UK starting March 9 for both the Xbox 360 and PS3, commanding a price of £70. The press release makes no mention of the North American release, though GameStop currently lists both versions for a March 1 release at $90.

#rift I was going to title this post "The Romance and Enchantment of Rift's In-Game Marriage System Makes Me Throw Up a Little in My Mouth", but that's far too long, and while spoil the cake? More »

Paradox Interactive plans to show off three unannounced titles at the Game Developers Conference in San Francisco next month. The publisher, which has the peculiar habit of using Kevin Costner films as codenames, has three new games based on brand new intellectual properties to reveal.

Project "JFK" comes from Magicka studio Arrowhead Game Studios and is described as a multiplayer combat game with "a focus on killing your friends and looking cool doing it." Project "Revenge!" is by Critical Studio out of Brazil and is an "action packed action game in a world that can be described as death trap for heroes and children." Finally, Project "Silverado," from Zeal Game Studio, is a real-time strategy game meets shooter, with "a side order of a tabletop wargame and a sprinkle of sci-fi."

The publisher will also have more on A Game of Dwarves, its fantasy management game, along with War of the Roses (again, NO, the game is not based on the amazing Michael Douglas and Kathleen Turner divorce saga).

#shank This launch trailer for Shank 2 is a spectacle of gore and cartoony style. One of the sequel's additions to the original downloadable game is Survival Mode, which you can get your bloodthirsty eyeballs on right here. Both there and in the game's single-player, rest assured that yes, you will feel like Rambo (and that's not new to the sequel). More »

The Hasbro train has been running at full steam in theaters, first with the Transformers film franchise, and now with some, let's say less traditional properties making the rounds soon. Battleship, based on the classic boardgame, is hitting theaters this summer, and will be getting the videogame treatment as well. Battleship: The Game combines first-person shooting and some strategy elements that give the game a unique feel...

Assuming you haven't already hung a hand grenade on your console of choice, Calibur11 is ready to encase it with yet another game-themed vault. This time around it's a nod to Commander Shepard and friends with an "exclusive" Mass Effect 3 vault.

The vault sports Shepard's chest armor, complete with light up N7 logo, and the requisite controller cradle (what, no sweet ray gun?). Like other vaults, the unit is purported to actually improve airflow by lifting the console off the ground. The vault will be available in the UK starting March 9 for both the Xbox 360 and PS3, commanding a price of £70. The press release makes no mention of the North American release, though GameStop currently lists both versions for a March 1 release at $90.

#halo Take a look at yet another Halo-centric fan film, made in mid-January by a team of three dedicated members on zero budget. Last week saw the release of the first episode of Halo: Helljumper, a series focused on ODST culture, and its first encounter with the hostile Covenant. More »

The next entry in the Rune Factory series will be arriving in the form a 3DS exclusive coming to Japan later this year. While there's still no word on a global release for the title, it will go on sale in Japan this July...

Patch 1.4 for The Elder Scrolls V was recently released through Steam for the PC version, and it appears the console version is just about ready to be released. According to a Twitter update from Bethesda, patch 1.4 should be made available tomorrow, February 9, for Xbox 360 as well as PlayStation 3...

Thank you to the thousands of gamers who have stopped by one of the eight Vita Hill Social Clubs across the United States over the past few weeks. For those of you who don’t know, Vita Hill Social Club is the only place where you can walk in and pick up a PS Vita to play with for as long as you want (well, until closing time). The social clubs will be open through PS Vita’s official launch day on February 22nd. You can arrive by yourself or with friends, get a (free) club membership on the spot, grab a drink and a snack, choose your gaming experience off a menu, and get a PS Vita for an extended test drive with a wide variety of games.

Feeling competitive? Sign up for a tournament at the social club and play against other members. You can even sign up a bunch of friends and create your own tournament — just ask the club staff for details!

That’s not all — the Vita Hill Social Club team has lined up an impressive roster of special events that will allow you to go hands-on with all-new games like Mortal Kombat and Ultimate Marvel vs Capcom 3. Check out the highlights below and go to http://us.playstation.com/psn/events/vitahillsocialclub.html to learn more about upcoming events in your city.

Ultimate Marvel vs Capcom 3 Coming to a City Near You!

When: February 11th & February 18th, 6:00 to 9:00pm local time
Where: Vita Hill social clubs in Atlanta, Austin, Boston, Chicago, Los Angeles, Miami, New York City, San Francisco (directions and info)

Capcom and IGN have teamed up with PlayStation to bring you the ultimate portable fight at the Vita Hill “Fight Clubs.” To help celebrate the upcoming launch of Ultimate Marvel vs. Capcom 3 on PS Vita, we’re hosting fight clubs nationwide on the evenings of February 11th and February 18th from 6-9 PM (local times).

Come check out the full Ultimate Marvel vs. Capcom 3 experience on PS Vita complete with stunning console-quality graphics, Touch Mode, Ad-hoc multiplayer, NEAR sharing, replays, and much more. At each and every venue we’ll also have free refreshments, pizza, tournaments (with prizes!), giveaways, and of course the chance for you to get some matches in with your friends.

Reality Fighter Double-Elimination Tournament

When: February 12th, 3:00 to 5:00pm local time
Where: Vita Hill social clubs in Atlanta, Austin, Boston, Chicago, Los Angeles, Miami, New York City, San Francisco (directions and info)
On Sunday, February 12th, from 3:00 to 5:00pm, there will be a Reality Fighter tournament at your local Vita Hill social club! Out of 16 contestants, one winner will get the glory. But prizing will be given out for rally cries, best outfits, and best moves. Be sure to bring your creativity (and some friends) for this fierce fighting-game event!

ModNation Racers Fastest Lap Tournament + Custom Track Contest

When: February 19th, 3:00 to 5:00pm local time
Where: Vita Hill social clubs in Atlanta, Austin, Boston, Chicago, Los Angeles, Miami, New York City, San Francisco (directions and info)
Ready to race? From 3:00 to 5:00pm on Sunday, February 12th, be one of the participants in our tournament! Each racer plays through their track once and another racer’s track is chosen at random on a three-lap action race against five AI opponents on the Easy setting with no driver assist. Fastest combined time wins. Only one winner takes it all!

Mortal Kombat Take Over

When: February 24th, 6:00 to 9:00pm local time
Where: Vita Hill social clubs in Atlanta, Austin, Boston, Chicago, Los Angeles, Miami, New York City, San Francisco (directions and info)
On February 24th from 6:00 to 9:00pm, get first hands-on with Mortal Kombat at Vita Hill Social Clubs nationwide and experience the world’s deadliest tournament in the palm of your hand! Mortal Kombat for PS Vita delivers new gameplay features and tons of new content developed exclusively for the revolutionary handheld system. Mortal Kombat features an all-new Challenge Tower II mode with 150 brand-new missions that push PS Vita’s capabilities to the max. No punches pulled! Mortal Kombat Vita brings all of the bone-breaking action from the 2011 console release for on-the-go gaming with all the warriors, including Kratos! Come and get your hands on the future of portable fighting in our special Vita Hill event.

Little Deviants Tournament

When: February 26th, 3:00 to 5:00pm local time
Where: Vita Hill social clubs in Atlanta, Austin, Boston, Chicago, Los Angeles, Miami, New York City, San Francisco (directions and info)
On February 26th from 3:00 to 5:00pm, get deviant with PS Vita! Players will have five minutes to play specific games chosen by our Vita Hill staff. Every two players will have a dedicated staff member to look over your shoulder (no cheating!) to record your score. In five minutes, players have to get their best score on the mini game. Winners move onto the next round to play another mini game until there is only ONE left. So stop by during the week to practice your Little Deviants moves.

YouTube user "Tyrannicon" has a bit of flair for the dramatic, it seems. Between the epic music, dramatic shots, and hundreds (thousands?) of dead Skyrim characters he lays waste to in this incredible video, we're gonna go ahead and say he's got a pretty apt username.

#masseffect Hard choices are going to have to be made in the final part of BioWare's sci-fi trilogy and the screen above seems to pose one such crossroads. The look on the male Commander Sheperd's face here seems to say "How do I choose?" Maybe he could just buy them both Twisted Metal and see what happens… But, before there can be any slo-mo null-gravity space love, there must be shooting. And lightning storms. Mass Effect 3: Space Opera for our times. More »

#kingdomsofamalur Now that we've put the ever-questing of Kingdoms of Amalur: Reckoning through its paces, it's time to see how it fared in the face of the assembled game critics. As far as I can deduce, it's either horrible or the best thing ever. More »