Over Forty New Final Fantasy XIII Screens Just In Time For The Weekend PlayStation Network Plans To Implement Premium Content Subscription-Based Model Microsoft Game Studios Hiring Epic Liason/Producer For Gears of War & Shadow Complex Madden NFL Arcade Game Changers Video Toys“R”Us Goes Game Stop, Geoffrey the Giraffe Now Accepting Used Console Trade-Ins Foreign Pringles Commercial Proves Video Games Are More Fun with Crunch and Nudity

Over forty new Final Fantasy XIII images were released today giving us a closer look at the game’s Crystarium leveling system, enemy stomping Chocobos, and the summoned Alexander. In addition, a few screens show off the various backdrops in the game — everything from lush green fields to colorfully lit theme park type environment. Have at them, and enjoy the weekend. Read more…

Sony talked about their future plans for the PlayStation Network in their latest investor meeting, with the biggest news undoubtedly being the company’s intention to put a “new revenue stream from subscription” into effect.

A subscription model. That sounds familiar now doesn’t it? Is it the end of the world for free loading PSN hippies? I don’t think so, but while I firmly believe that PlayStation Network users will still get more for free than Microsoft’s Xbox Live Silver members, I’m willing to bet that certain currently enjoyed free features will eventually phase themselves into the “premium” package right before our eyes. Read more…

Per a recent job posting, it seems that Microsoft Game Studios is looking for an experienced producer to work closely with Epic Games in order to:

“Lead the publishing side of games made by Epic,” and “drive the success of Gears of War and Shadow Complex.”

This will no doubt kick Gears fans into Locust stomping sequel speculation mode. Is a Gears of War 3 currently under development right now? The Ripten inbox may hold a clue. Read more…

EA just released a new video for Madden NFL Arcade that outlines the “game changers” built into the game. Check it out and skim through the list which I’ve broken down for you below. Read more…

Toys“R”Us announced an additional service today. In addition to shopping for bikes, trains, and video games in the biggest toy store there is (gee whiz!), you can now exchange your used Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, and Wii consoles at Toys“R”Us too.

You’ve been able to trade-in used games for some time now, but this piece of the puzzle practically eliminates the need to deal with often irate Game Stop employees. Plus, wouldn’t you rather exchange your old console for a few boxes of Legos or some tricked out Hotwheels? I sure would. Full press release below. Read more…

In a contrasting string of commercials, Pringles stack their chip against bagged brand competitors. The premise is simple — “not every chip gets you to the crunch.”

And as you’ll see in the Silent Hill video game scenario below, when you finally do get to the “crunch”, a strip teasing Lara Croft will be waiting. The “squelching” non-crunch counterpart is, well, not as entertaining. Enjoy. Read more…

In the latest edition of Sessler’s Soap Box, Adam says goodbye to Pandemic Studios and shares his thoughts on the economic impact as it pertains to the gaming industry and EA’s new IP experiment. I’ll share my thoughts on the subject with you after you’ve had a chance to watch the video which happens to open with a nice shot of Sessler sporting a Mercenary Mohawk. Kudos to the G4 Photoshop expert. Read more…

Just one day after the Sony next-gen console celebrates it’s third birthday, the PlayStation 3 gets firmware update v3.10, a perfect compliment to half eaten ice cream cake.

The latest update contains the features we reported on just a few days ago, most notably the addition of Facebook and a new gamercard customization option. Feel free to examine the full press release below. Read more…

The leaks just keep coming today. Japanese mag, Shonen jump, had two pages surface on the web which showcase a gigantic blue monster, a dinosaur looking beast, and a more familiar Final Fantasy enemy — the Cactuar, who apparently has a significant other this time around. High res scan below. Read more…

Spike TV’s 7th annual Video Game Awards is approaching. With nominees selected in twenty-eight different categories, it’s time for you to put your homer hat on and get to voting.

Can Batman: Arkham Asylum beat out Left 4 Dead 2 and a slew of other big budget sequels for Game of the Year honors? Does Borderlands pack enough FPS firepower to gun down Bioware’s Dragon Age: Origins and lay claim to the throne as Best RPG? Will Jack Black’s vocal talent in Brutal Legend rock voters and assure him a win in the Best Voice category?

You have the power to decide, and with great power comes great responsibility. So, consider your living room couch an extension of the venue. Sit up straight and look presentable — the gaming world will be watching.

Catch the two hour event live on Spike TV, December 12th at 8PM EST to find out who takes home the hardware and get a world first look at Halo: Reach as well as a few other unannounced 2010-2011 releases.

If you enjoyed the original Witcher half as much as our own Dan Landis did, you may want to tilt your head a bit and take a look at the sneaky footage captured by a camera wielding ninja at what appears to be a closed session presentation held by developer, CD Projekt RED. Read more…

According to the translated pages of Japanese mag, Famitsu, Capcom’s “Resident Evil 5: Alternative Edition” will feature new costumes, a new chapter, and an updated “Mercenaries Reunion” mode allowing you to play under the same rules of the previous version with characters you couldn’t access before.

North American and European regions will have access to the new content via DLC download, while Japanese gamers will have the option to purchase a disc as well. Below is the pricing breakdown with Microsoft Point information included as well. Read more…

My tendency to go with overly descriptive and often lengthy headlines sort of leaves me grasping for additional things to say in the body copy at times. This isn’t one of them.

The video below showcases an NES remake of Left 4 Dead, complete with instantaneous vanishing bodies and bloodless kills. Remind of you of a more modern censored sequel of the same game? Hmm?

While the absence of persistent zombie corpses lying in puddles of their own blood does remind me of the Australian censored Left 4 Dead 2 game, the NES version of L4D isn’t completely void of blood. It does offer a few random splatters on floors and walls to help set the mood, and that’s more than we can say about its Aussie counterpart. Don’t take my word for it though, check it out for yourself. Read more…

If ever you wanted more proof that Activision just can’t get enough of the Call of Duty franchise, here it is. It now seems that two dedicated teams and a yearly sequel release isn’t enough for the publishers overactive CoD drive. Read more…

Every week, I research all the best new video game releases to find the one game that you need to play and the one game that you need to stay away from: my Video Game Winners and Losers of the Week. This week with 100% more winners! Read more…

One day, far into the future, gaming blogs will stop reporting on the PC version of Modern Warfare 2. This is not that day. The PC version has been split open by ‘hackers’ (a term I hate using, as I am not in an ’80s movie) to reveal some hidden game modes, outlined below.

The first gametype – “gtnw” – is Global Thermonuclear War. To play, simply capture the objective: a nuclear bomb. When captured, the bomb detonates…
The second gametype – “oneflag” – is One Flag CTF. To play, capture the flag in the middle and bring it back to your base.
The third gametype – “vip” – is VIP. To play, defend the VIP. Or, if you’re on the other team, kill the VIP.

Read more…

In a recent interview, Square Enix President, Yoichi Wada, was asked if he thought Final Fantasy XIII would be the best selling Final Fantasy ever, and considering the recent US & European announcement video touted Final Fantasy XIII as “possibly the most anticipated game of all time”, his response may shock more than a few Final Fantasy fans. Read more…

Yes. The Sony PlayStation 3 is as old as its generation number indicates. Happy Birthday, you sleek black box that only does everything. May you enjoy a long and prosperous life cycle.

[Thanks PlayStation Blog]

The original standard release box art (shown above left) for BioWare’s Mass Effect 2 game revealed back in July has changed. The new art (shown above right) is what BioWare is calling the”final” box art for the highly anticipated sequel. Maybe the old one showed off a little more female crotch than EA felt parents would be comfortable with? Who knows.

I personally like the new cover choice. While there’s significantly less female anatomy to admire, the in your face close up shot makes you feel like your part of the team, and don’t we all want to be part of the team?

Check out the image below for a closer look at the new cover and make sure to let us know what you think of the new direction in our comments section. Read more…

Perhaps I should rephrase that. GameStop wants to put you, as a zombie, into Left 4 Dead 2! Of course, not the game itself. It released today (to critical acclaim, I might add) which means it’s a bit too late to get into the actual game, but with the help of GameStop, you can get edited into a video of the game. Read more…