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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

Last night I posted a rumor about the PC version of Modern Warfare 2 being a console port. Reading through the Digg comments, specifically the complaints directed towards the game and Infinity Ward, I was met with the same immature, aggravating garbage that I’ve been reading for the past month. Read more…

Joe Madueira’s “manga meets graffiti” art style created an Uncanny X-Men comic book craze in the 90s, and his work as Vigil Games’ Creative Director on the company’s action adventure game titled “Darksiders: Wrath of War” looks to be loaded with the same stylistic flare.

If slaying gigantic monsters as a lone horsemen in a sandbox style post apocalyptic world sounds like a good time, you’re going to want to add this title to your watch list. The team at Vigil has done an amazing job translating Madueria’s style into a video game environment, and as someone who still has stacks of his comics stashed away in my basement,  I’m very interested in giving this game a spin.

Darksiders will be available on both the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 consoles and is scheduled to hit stores January 5th, 2010. In the mean time, check out the video walkthrough below narrated by Vigil Games’ Daniel Isaac for a glimpse into the world of Darksiders’ protagonist “War” and his trusty steed “Ruin”. Read more…

The raging fires of rage surrounding the PC version of Infinity Ward’s Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 are already face-meltingly hot and now the above screenshot, supposedly taken from the PC version of the game, suggests that it’s just a console port. Read more…

The news we reported earlier last night is now live according to a recent tweet made by Major Nelson exactly 14 minutes ago. Go check if you like. Per our previous post, there’s no update required.  The Major’s tweet along with details from his supporting post are below. Read more…

There’s “The News”, and then there’s “Duh News” … kind of like “Da Bears” only spelled differently and way less comical. So without further ado, let’s get to it.

Infinity Ward’s Creative Strategist, Robert Bowling, commented on the relationship between their studio and Treyarch (both of which put out Call of Duty games) in a recent GameTrailers’ interview. Host, Geoff Keighley, asked how Infinity Ward felt about another studio developing sequels for a title they created, whether or not they collaborate, and if there was any “rivalry” between the two teams. Here’s what Robert said: Read more…

From Sunday to Sunday, we bring you the new game releases for each week like a UPS driver speeding through a red light for a nooner in the Desperate Housewives section of town.

This week is loaded with games sure to leave you wallet void of everything but sales receipts, gum wrappers, and fake phone numbers from uninterested dating prospects.

Heading off the list would have to be the we can “absolutely” outsell Modern Warfare 2 “New Super Mario Bros. Wii” title for the Nintendo Wii. I’ll have to admit that I was not really into this game at first but having seen a few videos I realized I miss the straight forward “rescue the princes” plot and classic overhead level selection screen. The only problem for me is I’ll have to finally give in and  pick up a Nintendo Wii.

Other notable store shelf additions include Assassin’s Creed II, Left 4 Dead 2, NCAA Basketball 10, Resident Evil: The Darkside Chronicles, and Tony Hawk Ride.

Full list of releases broken down by console available below. Let us know what you plan on picking up in the comment section below. We may laugh at you, but we won’t resort to physical abuse or name calling. That’s a promise. Read more…

A recent Neogaf post and subsequent video published by the gaming world’s mash-up of Carson Daly and 50 Cent (aka: The HipHopGamer), gave reason to believe that there would be a Splinter Cell: Conviction demo included with purchases of Ubisoft’s Assassin’s Creed II for the Xbox 360, however hot on the heels of an anonymous tipster, /gamer recently posted a few voucher images they believe debunk the demo rumor. Read more…

Major Nelson tweet reporting for duty, sir. Latest tweet intelligence reveals that the Xbox 360 addition of Facebook, Twitter, and Last.fm (due to be available tomorrow) will not require an update. The new features will instead be magically inserted into your console via tiny underpaid mice while you sleep. The Major’s exact words below.

“When we turn on the new features tomorrow they’ll just appear! No need for a system update.”

There you have it. So, whatever you do, don’t kill any rodents tonight.

Remember how your mom always told you to put on a clean pair of drawers every day? Well, it’s because she didn’t want to bear the embarrassment of finding out that her child was found dead wearing soiled underwear. That’s sort of the premise for our latest contest, except we’re dealing with the stuff you wear above your waist.

Ripten has teamed up with Glitch Gaming Gear, exclusive Left 4 Dead 2 apparel makers, to offer our readers a chance to sport some kick ass L4D2 gear. Here’s how the contest will work. Check out the Glitch line of gear and let us know which Glitch shirt you would want the privilege of being found dead in and why. You could win one of the following prizes:

1st Place: Glitch Left 4 Dead 2 Hat, Shirt, & Wristband
2nd Place: Glitch Left 4 Dead 2 Shirt
3rd Place: Glitch Left 4 Dead 2 Wristband

Contest is open to Ripten registered users only, so make sure you register here before leaving your comment below. Winners will be announced this Monday and sent an email to their registered email account. We look forward to reading your responses. Good luck.

The last few seconds of a multiplayer team deathmatch can really suck for the players who are already dead and left with nothing to do but watch and wait. It sucks even more when you’re one of the two players left standing, and you’re facing an inevitable draw because the other bastard is no where to be found.

Well, here’s a pro tip for anyone who finds themselves in the aforementioned predicament … go John Rambo on their ass! That’s right, toss your throwing knife through the air, directly over a roof, and into the back of your opponents head. Don’t believe it’s possible? Watch the last few seconds of the Modern Warfare 2 multiplayer video below. Read more…

Square Enix announced the North American and European release date for Final Fantasy XIII utilizing the script that surfaced on the web a few weeks ago. While the release won’t be in time for Christmas, March 9, 2010 is still close enough to put a smile on my face. The latest installment will feature a track by R&B singer-songwriter, and winner of British TV series The X Factor, Leona Lewis, titled “My Hands”.

The five minute narrated video below features developer segments and a thirty second never before seen look at some Final Fantasy XIII in-game footage. PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 won’t be left with this alone though as Square Enix promises to deliver even more periodic updates on the 13th of every month in line with their “Lucky 13″ campaign. Read more…

Some may knock the cartoony style of Madden NFL Arcade, but as a kid that grew up playing NBA Jam in the arcades, I’m really looking forward to getting my hands on Madden Arcade. The game looks fun as hell and I welcome a break from the “just how realistic can we make things look” next gen graphics conga line. Read more…