Description
In addition to looking at the lighter and weirder side of the game industry, System Update provides the latest information on weekly console updates, DLC, game-specific updates, and other game-industry flotsam and jetsam.
Latest News
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Halo: Reach screens, details surface?
Forum leaks appear to reveal passel of weapons, settings, and details from next year's installment in the sci-fi shooter series.
Other Site Blogs
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Rumor Control
Halo: Reach screens, details surface?
WARNING! POTENTIAL SPOILERS ABOUT HALO: REACH BELOW! Source: See below. What we heard: Xbox 360 fans got a taste of 2010...
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GameSpot AU Blog
PlayStation Network cards on sale in Australia this month
While our American and European cousins have been able to purchase PlayStation Network Store credit from brick-and-mortar retailers...
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Sports Blog
Madden Ultimate Team First Look
I'd like to take complete credit for Madden Ultimate Team, but I know better than that. Ever since the From the Bleachers...
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Tech Blog
Xbox Live gets closer to releasing Twitter, Facebook, last.fm, and more
Xbox Live's promised land of social networking is getting closer to fruition. The company's been telling us about the upcoming Twitter,...
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Would-be Modern Warfare 2 pirate busted
- Posted Nov 6, 2009 6:09 pm PT
- 887 comments
With Activision proclaiming next week's launch of Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 to be the biggest debut in entertainment history, tech blog VentureBeat has provided a look at the efforts to address pre-release piracy of the highly anticipated game, and how they landed one young hacker in jail.
According to the blog, the story began last week, when an ad for Modern Warfare 2 Xbox 360 bundles surfaced on Craigslist. When Activision spotted the ad, it contacted Dallas-based private investigation firm IPCybercrime.com, which arranged to purchase two such bundles from the seller. IPCybercrime also spotted a separate ad for the bundle with the seller claiming to be a stock boy for a major game retailer, identified the two sellers as friends based on an online social network, and turned their information over to Activision.
When confronted by Activision, the two sellers admitted they had swiped a crate of the Modern Warfare 2 systems, and their case was then turned over to the retailer's loss prevention staff. The story might have ended there, if not for one of the sellers' other customers.
IPCybercrime found a post by a user on an Xbox piracy forum asking people to donate money so he could buy one of the Craigslisted bundles, rip the game, and distribute it online. Investigators cross-referenced the user's e-mail address with a Facebook account which had his cell phone number listed, and determined his identity to be 18-year-old Christian Del Amo. They turned the information over to the Miami-Dade police department, who arranged to purchase a pirated copy of the game and bust the hacker in the process.
Police obtained the game from a "runner," who led them back to Del Amo. The 18-year old was arrested yesterday, and is currently incarcerated in Miami's Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center. IPCybercrime told VentureBeat that Del Amo was set up to sell thousands of illegal copies of Modern Warfare 2.
According to VentureBeat, Del Amo had a history of piracy, selling modded 250GB Xbox 360 hard drives pre-loaded with 125 hacked games through auction site iOffer.com. At retail, the games could cost thousands of dollars, but Del Amo sold the hard drives for $150.
While an arrest was made in the case, it didn't come quick enough to prevent piracy of the game. Illegal copies of Modern Warfare 2 have been appearing on peer-to-peer file-sharing services since earlier this week, potentially costing publisher Activision thousands of lost sales.
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Warhammer Online waging endless free trial
- Posted Nov 6, 2009 11:53 am PT
- 42 comments
Companies who deal in the massively multiplayer online role-playing game genre have tried a number of methods to put a little wind in the sails of their products, ranging from 10-day free trials to free-to-play business models. Today, Mythic Entertainment and Electronic Arts revealed their latest tactic to get new players into Warhammer Online: Age of Reckoning, announcing an "endless" free-trial program for the game.
The endless free-trial program replaces Warhammer Online's current 10-day sampler and lets prospective players play Mythic's MMORPG as any class without a time restriction up until level 10. Players will be able to explore all of the tier-one environments as well as engage in player-versus-player scenario matches.
Further, Mythic said that the endless trial download client will stream the game to users' computers after an initial 1GB download, letting new combatants wade into the fray more quickly. Additional content will then be downloaded as players explore more of the Warhammer Online world.
Warhammer Online's endless trial client is available through the game's official Web site. For more information, check out GameSpot's previous coverage of Warhammer Online.
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Dissidia leads PSP assault on PSN
- Posted Nov 5, 2009 5:59 pm PT
- 72 comments
The PSP Go may not have a UMD drive, but gamers certainly haven't been left wanting for selection. In the weeks following the device's October 1 launch, Sony has stocked the PlayStation Network's PlayStation Store with downloadable versions of the PSP's library, and that continued this week with 11 more games added to the collection.
This week's PSP offerings are split evenly between the Everyone 10 and Older crowd and the T for Teen audience. Square Enix's highly regarded Dissidia Final Fantasy leads the offerings for slightly older audiences and carries a $39.99 price tag. Crimson Room: Reverse ($7.99), Class of Heroes ($39.99), Star Wars Battlefront: Elite Squadron PSP ($29.99), and Star Wars Clone Wars: Republic Heroes ($29.99) have also been added to the PSN.
Younger gamers can pick up downloadable versions of Ben 10 Alien Force ($19.99), Ben 10: Protector of Earth ($14.99), Ghostbusters The Video Game PSP ($29.99), Dungeon Maker: Hunting Ground ($14.99), Creature Defense ($7.99), and Numblast PSP ($4.99).
The PlayStation 3 isn't without its own downloadable fare this week. Military Madness: Nectaris is a turn-based military strategy game that features online competitive and cooperative modes. It is available for $9.99. Also a new PSP addition, Numblast is a number-heavy puzzle game that runs for $4.99. PSP and PS3 gamers can also pick up Crystal Dynamics' PSOne Classic Gex for $5.99.
A full list of the week's new PlayStation Store content, including themes, wallpapers, demos, and add-on content, is available on the official PlayStation Blog.
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360 Arcade effectively $100 at Wal-Mart this weekend
- Posted Nov 5, 2009 5:42 pm PT
- 195 comments
It took more than eight years for the PlayStation 2's price to drop to $99.99, but the Xbox 360 will hit that price point this weekend--for a limited time at one retailer. According to its official Web site, Wal-Mart will be bundling the $199.99 Xbox 360 Arcade with a $100 gift card this weekend. [UPDATE] Although GameSpot initially reported the system would come with a gift card, it will in fact come with a Wal-Mart gift eCard, which only can be used to buy goods on Wal-Mart.com.
While exceptional, the deal does have two major caveats. One, it is valid in stores only, meaning that it will be good only as long as supplies last at each particular location. Two, it is valid only for the hard-drive-less Xbox 360 Arcade, not the 120GB HDD-Equipped Xbox 360 Elite, which Wal-Mart currently sells for $299.99. However, Xbox 360 owners with older consoles no longer covered by the console's three-year warranty may want to pick up an Arcade with an HDMI port and newer, less-problem-prone chipset.
To find the nearest Wal-Mart, visit Walmart.com and click on the "store finder" link.
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Mass Effect 2 getting Collectors' Edition
- Posted Nov 5, 2009 4:44 pm PT
- 97 comments
Along with dating Mass Effect 2 for January 26 last week, EA and BioWare announced a number of preorder incentives that include in-game weapons armor for the sci-fi action role-playing game. Today, EA and BioWare offered gamers more options on how to enhance their gameplay experience, announcing a Mass Effect 2 Collectors' Edition for both the PC and Xbox 360 editions of the game.
Packaged in a tin case, the Collectors' Edition includes the game, a 48-page hardcover Art of Mass Effect 2 book, Issue 1 of the Mass Effect Redemption comic book, and a DVD containing behind-the-scenes and making-of footage. Gamers will also be afforded exclusive in-game weapons and armor, which BioWare notes will not be available through any other means.
Mass Effect 2 begins with the original game's hero, Commander Shepard, embarking on a dangerous mission to the mercenary-controlled Omega mining facility. BioWare has kept quiet about further plot details, but GameSpot's recent preview offers a closer look at the title's gameplay.
The Mass Effect 2 Collectors' Edition will be available for $69.99 on the Xbox 360 and $59.99 on the PC--$10 more than the standard edition price.
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Left 4 Dead 2 demo opens up
- Posted Nov 3, 2009 4:25 pm PT
- 137 comments
New Orleans is famous for its motto "Laissez les bon temps roulez," or "Let the good times roll." However, starting today, it will be zombie heads rolling in a virtual Cajun wasteland, because the demo for the New Orleans-set Left 4 Dead 2 becomes widely available today. Available to preorderers since last Wednesday, the 2GB demo is now open to all Xbox Live Gold subscribers via Xbox Live and PC owners via Valve Software's Steam service.
The demo comes exactly two weeks ahead of Left 4 Dead 2's launch on the 360 and PC. Published by Electronic Arts and developed by Valve Software, the game follows up on last year's popular first-person action game, which puts a special emphasis on online cooperative multiplayer. Valve has also confirmed that it will be one of the first games to offer Avatar rewards in the form of clothes and accessories awarded for in-game feats.
For a look at Left for Dead 2 in action, check out GameSpot's Halloween video demo below.
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Premium Splinter Cell: Conviction pack detailed
- Posted Nov 3, 2009 4:17 pm PT
- 75 comments
Last month, a Collector's Edition of Splinter Cell: Conviction for the Xbox 360 and PC surfaced on an Australian retailer's Web site. That pack contained a bonus DVD, a comic, a Sam Fisher figurine, and a code to download the original Xbox game Splinter Cell: Chaos Theory over Xbox Live.
Today, Ubisoft confirmed that North American gamers will be getting their own premium edition of the long-awaited game, but the pack's contents will be significantly different. Instead of the figurine, the centerpiece of the North American Collector's Edition is a Splinter Cell-branded USB drive that includes a "Making of" feature, wallpaper, concept art, storyboards, and more from the game's development. Ubisoft is also packing in an art book titled Fifth Freedom: The Art of Splinter Cell, a pair of decals, and a prequel comic book called Digging in the Ashes.
The Conviction Collector's Edition will sell for $80 and will come packed in a "steelbook" DVD case. In addition to the tangible goodies, the bundle will include a pair of in-game bonuses. Those who pony up for the premium edition will get "first access" to the close-quarters MP5-SD3 submachine gun and an exclusive 3rd Echelon outfit for multiplayer action.
For more on Conviction, check out GameSpot's previous coverage.
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Wallace & Gromit chase Battlefield 2: Modern Combat onto XBL
- Posted Nov 3, 2009 12:29 pm PT
- 14 comments
More so than any other episodic game developer, Telltale Games has made good on its promise to deliver bite-sized gaming series on a regular basis…for the most part. Though the PC edition of Telltale's adventure series Wallace and Gromit has seen a steady release schedule since the first episode premiered in March, the Xbox 360 edition of the game has been in limbo after its maiden installment debuted in May.
However, that changes this Wednesday, as Telltale and Microsoft will be releasing the three remaining Wallace and Gromit episodes through Xbox Live Arcade for MSP800 ($10) a piece. All three episodes--The Last Resort, Muzzled, and The Bogey Man--have been available for the PC since July. The episodes continue the adventures of the man-and-mutt detective duo that were created by Nick Park and Aardman Animation.
As for feature-length titles, the Xbox 360's Games on Demand service picks up EA DICE's Battlefield 2: Modern Combat this week. Having debuted to positive reviews in 2006, the contemporary military shooter is available for $19.99.
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Street Fighter uppercuts VC, Vikings invade DSi
- Posted Nov 2, 2009 11:16 am PT
- 32 comments
Capcom is gearing up to release Super Street Fighter IV this spring, the latest installment in its decades-old fighting franchise. Those curious to find out how the franchise started may be interested in this week's Nintendo Update, as the TurboGrafx-16 edition of Capcom's original 2D brawler (called Fighting Street) is now available through the Wii's Virtual Console for 800 Wii points ($8).
In addition to Sega's classic shoot-'em-up R-Type ($5) also hitting the Virtual Console this week, three family-friendly original games have been added to the WiiWare Channel. Incredible Technologies Carnival Kings costs 700 Wii points ($7) and features a variety of amusement-park-themed minigames for up to two. Ateam's "Aha! I Got It!" Escape Game is a puzzle-heavy adventure game that can be had for 500 Wii points ($5). Lastly, Aksys' Family Card Games deals out Daifugo, Speed, and Memory for 500 Wii points ($5).
Nintendo's DSiWare shop is also in for a busy week, as three new titles are now available for download for the multifunctional portable. Ubisoft's Battle of Giants: Dragons - Bronze Edition tasks gamers with exploring a mythical land as a magical dragon, hunting for 25 stolen bronze gems across 10 levels. The 800 DSi point ($8) title also lets up to four players compete in head-to-head combat.
BiP Media has released its portable strategy title Viking Invasion onto Nintendo's handheld this week for 800 DSi points ($8) as well. The game sees players fending off Asgard's legions by constructing defenses and other fortifications across 10 levels, a campaign mode, a survival mode, and three difficulty settings. Nintendo's Sparkle Snapshot rounds out the DSi's offerings this week for 500 points ($5) and offers new frames, backgrounds, and more for pictures taken with the handheld's camera.
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Borderlands patched on 360, PS3
- Posted Oct 30, 2009 1:37 pm PT
- 58 comments
After years of anticipation marred by delays, the "role-playing shooter" Borderlands shipped out for consoles on October 20, with the PC version arriving this past Tuesday. But while both the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 editions received high marks from critics, players of both reported numerous bugs. While most were minor, the PS3 version of the game had persistent friends-list issues, which were part of the reason it was rated slightly lower than the 360 edition by GameSpot.
As it was dealing with reported Borderlands inventory shortages at retailers, Gearbox was also readying the first comprehensive patches for the game. Today, major updates for both the PS3 and 360 versions arrived and will be automatically installed the next time anyone with an unpatched version of the game plays it on Xbox Live or the PlayStation Network.
GameSpot editors downloaded the PS3 patch to see if it resolved the friends-list issues. While the 53MB patch now lets players join others' ongoing games without any issues (before, it often locked up), some issues remain with seeing whether friends not playing Borderlands are currently online.
A full list of the issues addressed by the patches can be seen below. Gearbox is also compiling all known Borderlands problems on its forums, along with updates on the status of their respective fixes. They range from the minor (digital audio skips or stutters) to the character-crippling (weapon proficiencies disappear upon leaving a co-op game).
PS3 PATCH NOTES:
*Load times have been improved
*Lilith's Phase Strike ability now works as intended
*The introductory quests with CL4P-TP should now always progress properly
*Fixed a bug that caused the digger elevator to be unusable after completing the Find Tannis mission
*Weapon mapping to the D-pad should no longer reverse left and right
*Fixed a crash when ejecting the disc during the autosave warning splash screen
*Players in a lobby should no longer experience long loading when starting a game after one player leaves
*A bug which caused players and other things in the world to appear incorrectly on clients in networked games has been fixed
*Fixed a bug in which players gibbed in arena combat disappeared
*Changed how space required for saves is calculated
*Fixed a bug which caused the dollars counter to spin continuously
*Various localization and other text and tooltip correctionsXBOX 360 PATCH NOTES:
*Fixed a bug which caused players and other things in the world to appear incorrectly on clients in networked games
*Fixed a bug in which players gibbed in arena combat disappeared
*Fixed a bug which caused the dollars counter to spin continuously
*Fixed a bug that caused the digger elevator to be unusable after completing the Find Tannis mission
*Weapon mapping to the D-pad should no longer reverse left and right
*Various localization and other text and tooltip corrections
*The introductory quests with CL4P-TP should now always progress properly all the time
*Lilith's Phase Strike ability now works as intended
*Load times have been improved -
New LocoRoco, Ratchet demos hit PS Store
- Posted Oct 30, 2009 9:57 am PT
- 2 comments
Ever since the launch of its UMD-less PSP Go earlier this month, Sony has ramped up the flow of downloadable game releases in its weekly PlayStation Network updates. This week is no exception, featuring a dozen new games between the PlayStation 3 and PSP.
Leading off the lineup is the download-only LocoRoco Midnight Carnival on the PSP ($14.99), featuring cooperative and competitive multiplayer modes, customizable characters, and leaderboards. Other downloadable exclusives include Square Enix's Crystal Defenders ($9.99) and a pair of new PSP Minis: Zombie Tycoon ($7.99) and Yummy Yummy Cooking Jam ($4.99).
Sony also added downloadable versions of a host of retail PSP releases to the PlayStation Store, including NBA 2K10 ($29.99), Darkstalkers Chronicles: The Chaos Tower ($19.99), Mega Man: Maverick Hunter X ($19.99), Petz Dogz Family ($29.99), Petz Hamsterz Bunch ($29.99), and Petz Saddle Club ($29.99).
The PS3 received a pair of new games in the update as well, with Inferno Pool ($9.99) making its debut alongside Hasbro Family Game Night ($39.99). Like versions of the game on other platforms, Hasbro's PS3 effort compiles familiar games like Boggle, Battleship, and Connect Four, with Mr. Potato Head hosting the collection.
For thrifty gamers, new demos were added for both the PS3 and PSP. On the console side of things, gamers can now try out free samples of Ratchet & Clank Future: A Crack in Time, Fat Princess, and Pro Evolution Soccer 2010. Meanwhile, gamers on the go can grab trial versions of LocoRoco Midnight Carnival, Jak and Daxter: The Lost Frontier, Crystal Defenders, and Petz Saddle Club.
A full list of the week's new PlayStation Store content, including themes, wallpapers, and add-on content, is available on the official PlayStation Blog.
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Battlefield: Bad Company 2 LE packs six upgrades
- Posted Oct 29, 2009 12:39 pm PT
- 30 comments
EA and DICE stepped into a firestorm last year following the announcement of a Limited Edition package for the well-regarded Battlefield: Bad Company. Originally, the developer had planned on limiting a select number of weapons to the collector's edition package or as downloadable content. However, following a paroxysm of outcry from the Battlefield community, DICE said that all weapons included in the special edition could be unlocked for free in the game.
Today, DICE announced Battlefield: Bad Company 2's Limited Edition, and it goes without saying that the developer is keen on sidestepping a similar backlash. Namely, DICE explicitly stated that those who pick up the Limited Edition will gain six special abilities "early to give players a day one advantage in multiplayer matches." The Limited Edition won't cost any more than the normal $60 (Xbox 360/PlayStation 3) and $50 (PC) price points, though DICE did note that it will be available in small quantities. The offer is the latest in a series of preorder and early-purchase incentives from publisher Electronic Arts, which is taking a similar approach with BioWare's Dragon Age: Origins.
As for the six pack-ins, gamers who manage to secure a copy of the Limited Edition gain four vehicle-related upgrades and two weapons out of the box. Vehicle upgrades range from extra armor to added firepower, while the M1A1 submachine gun and M1911 pistol have been imported from DICE's multiplayer-only downloadable Battlefield 1943. A full list of unlocks can be found below.
Battlefield: Bad Company 2 will be available for the Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, and PC on March 2. For more information, check out GameSpot's previous coverage.
Vehicle upgrades:
Improved Vehicle Armor
Supreme Vehicle Firepower
Vehicle Motion Sensor
Tracer Dart PistolWeapon upgrades w/ description:
M1A1 Submachine Gun
M1911 Pistol -
Left 4 Dead 2 Avatar awards exhumed, preorder demo online
- Posted Oct 28, 2009 4:17 pm PT
- 94 comments
Microsoft may have made achievement points mandatory for all Xbox 360 games, but such a stringent rule has yet to be applied to Avatar awards. Introduced with the Avatar Marketplace in August, the reward program sees gamers gaining items for their Xbox Live personas by accomplishing certain tasks within a game. However, as the program remains optional, few developers have made use of reward system.
Today, though, Valve confirmed that Left 4 Dead 2 will be among that diminutive list of Avatar award-compatible games. By completing specific in-game tasks, Xbox 360 gamers will be able to acquire items, such as med kits and garden gnomes, as well as zombie and Depeche Mode T-shirts. A comprehensive list of awards with their requirements can be found below.
A sequel to last year's well-received survival horror first-person shooter, Left 4 Dead 2 will be available for the Xbox 360 and PC on November 17. A demo is now available to those who preorder the Xbox 360 or PC editions of the game.
Avatar Awards
Med Kit - Unlock the Med Kit by beating all five campaigns on any skill level.
Frying Pan - Unlock the Frying Pan by killing 10,000 Infected.
Garden Gnome - Unlock the Garden Gnome by rescuing Gnome Chompski.
Bull Shifters Shirt - Unlock the Bull Shifters shirt by winning 10 games of Versus.
Left 4 Dead 2 Shirt - Unlock the Left 4 Dead 2 shirt by winning 10 games of Scavenge.
Zombie Hand Shirt - Unlock the Zombie Hand shirt by killing 10,000 Infected.
Depeche Mode Shirt - Unlock the Depeche Mode shirt by rescuing Gnome Chompski. -
God of War III demo on District 9 Blu-ray Dec. 29
- Posted Oct 28, 2009 1:53 pm PT
- 93 comments
Until today, gamers had only a few ways to play God of War III before its March 2010 launch: Get access to a game expo where it was on the show floor or pick up the God of War collection on November 17. The collection bundles HD versions of the first two critically acclaimed games with a demo of the upcoming PlayStation 3 sequel.
Now, Sony Computer Entertainment has struck a deal with its corporate sibling Sony Pictures Entertainment to bring the God of War III demo to movie fans. When it goes on sale on December 29, the Blu-ray edition of the summer sci-fi hit District 9 will include the demo--which is the same E3 demo included in the God of War Collection--amongst its bevy of extras. Those pack-ins will also include an interactive map of the South African metropolis of Johannesburg, where the film is set.
The inclusion of the God of War III demo appears to be an astute move by Sony, since District 9 was of particular interest to gamers. Besides its cutting-edge special effects, the film drew attention because its freshman director, Neill Blomkamp, had been slated to helm the Halo film. However, following the big-screen game adaptation's collapse in 2006, its executive producer, Lord of the Rings director Peter Jackson, helped Blomkamp get financing for District 9.
The District 9/God of War III deal is the latest game-movie Blu-ray crossover. In 2007, the PS3 edition of Stranglehold included its film inspiration, the 1992 Hong Kong action epic Hard Boiled, on the same disc. In July, the PS3 edition of Watchmen: The End is Nigh Complete Experience included the Blu-ray edition of the Warner Bros. film Watchmen, based on the comic book of the same name. Sony has also said it is planning a line of game/movie Blu-ray discs that would include both film-based games and their big-screen inspirations--or vice versa.
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Rainbow Islands, Dead Space open up on XBL
- Posted Oct 27, 2009 4:40 pm PT
- 8 comments
Except for the flap surrounding Blizzard Entertainment's art direction for Diablo III, rainbows haven't gotten much play in the gaming industry of late. That changes this week, though, as Taito releases Rainbow Islands: Towering Adventure! through Xbox Live Arcade for MSP800 ($10). Supporting play for up to two, Rainbow Islands is a platformer in which gamers attempt to navigate 10 different levels across four game modes.
Joining Rainbow Islands on XBLA this week is the latest billiards sim, Inferno Pool. Also available for MSP800 ($10), Koch Media and Dark Energy Digital's Inferno Pool features 8-ball and 9-ball gameplay modes. The game's defining mode, however, is Inferno Pool, which lets up to four compete in a battle mode of sorts, where jump shots, combos, bank shots, and other tricky maneuvers become an individual player's ordnance.
Having laid out its Games on Demand schedule for October earlier this month, Microsoft said today that Dead Space and Dirt are now available for download. Released to a warm critical reception in 2007, Codemasters' off-road racer carries a $29.99 sticker tag. Considered one of the best games of 2008, EA's survival horror shooter can be purchased for $19.99. Both games occupy 6GB of space.
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Brutal Legend multiplayer DLC drops next month
- Posted Oct 27, 2009 1:08 pm PT
- 71 comments
With Activision and Electronic Arts no longer feuding over the rights to release Brutal Legend, Double Fine is free to riff upon its third-person action game however it deems fit. As such, EA and Double Fine announced today the first downloadable content for Brutal Legend will be available for the Xbox 360 on November 3 for MSP400 ($5). PlayStation 3 gamers will be able to download the pack on November 5 for free until November 19, at which point it will cost $4.99.
Titled Tears of the Hextadon, the DLC adds two new maps to Brutal Legend's Stage Battle multiplayer mode, which plays as a real-time strategy game. The Circle of Tears map sees players competing in circular combat zone that has an inhospitable region that players must navigate around to get at their enemies. The second map, Death's Fjord, is positioned atop a frigid mountain pass, with players challenged to secure fans without aid of cover.
In addition to the two multiplayer maps, those who pick up the Tears of the Hextadon DLC will receive the Blade of Ormagoden for free. For more information, check out GameSpot's previous coverage of Brutal Legend.
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Wii Shop updated with Monkeys, Ghosts, Axes, Zombies
- Posted Oct 26, 2009 1:07 pm PT
- 34 comments
Telltale Games typically doesn't have much of a problem releasing new installments in its episodic adventure series at one-month intervals. However, Wii gamers have certainly noticed the nearly two-month span that has elapsed since the release of Chapter 2 in the developer's Tales of Monkey Island series, especially considering that the PC edition debuted at the end of September.
Today, though, Tales of Monkey Island Chapter 3: Lair of the Leviathan is now available for download through Nintendo's WiiWare shop for 1,000 Wii points ($10). In Guybrush Threepwood's continuing quest for Elaine, the protagonist ventures into the guts of a "giant manatee," where he encounters lost explorer Coronado de Cava (relation to Francisco Vazquez de Coronado unknown), among other diverse characters.
Gameloft's Ghost Mansion Party joins Tales of Monkey Island on WiiWare this week, and it also costs 1,000 Wii points ($10). The minigame compilation sports a diverse set of activities for up to four players as they compete in a Halloween-themed board game. The arcade edition of Sega's Golden Axe and LucasArts' Zombies Ate My Neighbors are available for 900 Wii points ($9) and 800 Wii points ($8) through the Wii's Virtual Console.
On the DSi, Electronic Arts wades into the portable brain-training realm with Sudoku. The 200 DSi point ($2) title includes "hundreds" of Sudoku puzzles, with five difficulty levels that range from easy to insane. Nintendo's PictureBook Games: The Royal Bluff is available for 500 DSi points ($5) and features multiplayer-centric gameplay for up to four. In the game, players work to deduce the chip colors of opponents, across Tournament, Free Play, and DS Wireless Play modes.
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Trine, Ratchet & Clank demo drop on PS Store
- Posted Oct 23, 2009 2:46 pm PT
- 20 comments
Sony has updated the PlayStation Store with a fresh batch of gaming wares, including the long-awaited PlayStation 3 version of Trine. Published by Nobilis and developed by indie shop Frozenbyte, the 2D fantasy platformer received decent reviews when it was released on the PC in June. On the PS3, it will cost $20 to download and is rated E10+ for Everyone 10 and Older.
The week's other new PSN games aren't new at all. As previously announced, two original PlayStation classics from independent developer Oddworld, Oddworld: Abe's Exoddus and Oddworld: Abe's Oddysee, are now available on the service. Both platformers were critical darlings when released and will cost $10 each to download on the PS3 or PSP.
The PlayStation Store update will also offer demos of three games. The first two are for the puzzler Critter Crunch (424 MB) and the fighting game Dragon Ball: Raging Blast (358 MB). Last but certainly not least is a demo for Insomniac's forthcoming Ratchet & Clank Future: A Crack in Time. Weighing in at a hefty 2.35GB, the demo lets players control the robotic half of the titular duo as he uses new time-shifting abilities to solve puzzles and battle foes. The game is due out next Tuesday exclusively for the PS3.
For a full run-down of all other new game and video content on the PlayStation Store, visit the PlayStation Blog.
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Civilization coming to Facebook in 2010
- Posted Oct 21, 2009 4:32 pm PT
- 71 comments
The Civilization series was so time-consuming, its creators set up a parody addiction support group, Civilization Anonymous. Another particularly effective computer-based time killer is the social network Facebook, whose myriad applications and games have consumed countless numbers of potential work hours.
Now, it appears the aforementioned two black holes of free time may soon join forces. In a Facebook post, Civilization creator and Firiaxis director of creative development Sid Meier announced that his studio and 2K Games are bringing a free-to-play version of the series to the social network.
"I wanted to let you know we'll soon be looking for beta testers to help us develop a unique new way to play Civilization," said Meier. "Ever since we finished Civilization Revolution last year, I've been looking at ways of expanding the Civ gameplay experience to include solo, competitive, and cooperative play to take advantage of the uniqueness of social networks. We're calling this project Civilization Network and the full game will be available next year on Facebook."
According to Meier, Civilization Network will heavily feature multiplayer participation, with Facebook friends sharing technology and coordinating strategy in battles. Players' friends will be able to participate in elections and help decide resource management, as well as assist in espionage or the construction of Wonders of the World.
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Army of Two, Panzer General storm Xbox Live
- Posted Oct 21, 2009 3:43 pm PT
- 1 comment
Microsoft has already had a busy month with its Games on Demand program for the Xbox 360, thanks to the digital debuts of Rockstar's Grand Theft Auto IV and Ubisoft's Rainbow Six Vegas 2. This week, EA's lukewarmly received military shooter Army of Two was added to Xbox Live for $19.99. Gamers can also pick up Rockstar's street racer Midnight Club: Los Angeles and Sega's critically panned Sonic Unleashed for $29.99.
Two new original titles have also surfaced on Xbox Live Arcade today. Ubisoft and Petroglyph have teamed on the card-based military strategy title Panzer General: Allied Assault. Available for MSP800 ($10), the game lets players customize and battle with their own decks, pulling from 60 available cards. Online multiplayer modes accommodate up to two, and Panzer General also features leaderboards.
Digital Chocolate's family-friendly multiplayer puzzle game Tower Bloxx Deluxe is also available this week through Xbox Live Arcade for MSP800 ($10). Available as a free Web-based Flash game, the Deluxe version offers high-definition graphics, as well as six game modes, Xbox Live avatar support, multiplayer for up to four, and leaderboards.

















