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Toys ‘R’ Us Gets Some Skylanders Exclusives – And Restocks!

Chris Gravelle — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 20:00:06 +0000

As we previously reported, Skylanders: Giants is on the way in the near future. We also pointed out that the physical toys for the game are becoming increasingly hard to find. If you missed out on the legendary Spyro, Chop Chop and Bash figures that were exclusive to Toys ‘R’ Us, get excited because they are coming back in April. In addition, Toys ‘R’ Us stated that they will be releasing a Legendary Trigger Happy and translucent blue Bash, in addition to a Dragon’s Peak Adventure Pack.

For those on the fence about entering the Skylanders universe, its important to know what a few of these things are. Legendary figures are rare figures, generally exclusive to a specific retail store, that have higher stats and a new color scheme on the figure and in the game. The Adventure Packs are something akin to a mini-expansion for other games. They come with a new area to play in, themed around a graveyard, pirate ship and now a Dragon’s Peak.

Skylanders figures are becoming the next beanie baby, so expect these to fly off the shelves. The translucent Blue Bash was a fan pick and it launches Sunday, April 8. Expect to recreate scenes from “Jingle All The Way” while you try to get that one.

Spark is Working on a Sci-Fi Shooter – Could it be Star Wars Battlefront III?

Justin Carter — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 15:00:35 +0000

Long before forces were unleashed or Republics were old, the Star Wars video games found a good footing with the Battlefront series. The original and its sequel were developed by Pandemic way back in the PS2 era before EA bought them out and later closed them. Even though they said they weren’t working on it, rumors about the developer always shifted to the then open Free Radical Design. They’re now Crytek UK and working on Homefront 2. Now, it looks like Spark Unlimited, developer of Legendary and Call of Duty: Finest Hour is going to handle Battlefront III.

Playstation Lifestyle is reporting that Spark is hiring for:

“…a senior combat designer for a 3rd Person Action/Adventure sequel in a high-profile science fiction franchise currently greenlit for full production development for Xbox 360, PS3 and PC markets.”

That could be any sci-fi franchise, right? Wrong. A LinkedIn profile from a former Spark employee listed this under his time with the developer:

Unannounced third person sword fighting game (well known IP, Xbox 360, PS3)

What’s a famous and well known IP? Star Wars. And what’s their version of a sword called? A lightsaber. Very interesting, right? Is this Battlefront III, or just another dream?

Alan Wake 2: So You’re Saying There’s a Chance?

Todd Schlickbernd — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 22:30:47 +0000

Remedy has noted that Alan Wake’s: American Nightmare, launching on XBLA on February 22, is not a sequel to Alan Wake but there might be hopes for one still. Yes! Flashlights!

Matias Myllyrinne, CEO of Remedy, told Game Informer some pretty awesome things regarding their approach to Alan Wake as a developer and their options as well. Remedy still owns the rights to Alan Wake, so if they want to make him into a kart racing game, that’s still on the table! Alan Wake: Flashlight Karts- sounds great right? Here’s what Matias actually had to say about the matter:

“Hopefully, we’ll have one or two surprises. I don’t know, I’m loving the digital [distribution] side and we’ll see how that evolves, but just being able to give people quick access to bite-size chunks of gaming is maybe more fun than working for years and years — taking the phone offline and closing the shutters– at least, this way, you’re able to react much more quickly to people’s desires and wishes… We’ll certainly continue with Wake. Right now we’re focusing on getting the PC out next week, then getting American Nightmare out. And it’s too early to talk about what our next move is, but we’ve obviously put things into motion.”

Ghosts and flashlights and thermoses full of coffee! I’ve never played an Alan Wake game but I’ve been told that’s the formula there, and those are all good things. Hopefully Remedy will do something sequel related in the future, but from the sounds of it they’re more interested in perhaps getting a little episodic up in here.

Amazing Spider-Man The Game Goes Beta, Teases ‘Something Big’ for Next Week

Drake Hess — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 21:00:38 +0000

The Official Facebook page for The Amazing Spider-Man The Game issued an update about 20 minutes ago, asking fans if their “spider-sense was tingling” in anticipation of a “big” announcement.

“Is your Spider sense tingling? Something BIG is coming next week…What could it be?”

My guess is that this is finally some sort of in-depth gameplay footage. The timing would be perfect considering the statement that preceeded this yesterday.

“We’re delivering our Beta this week! The team has been working hard to deliver the best spidey game ever. Let’s cheer them on!”

There seemed to be some confusion on various message boards as to what the “BETA” statement was referring to, so we reached out to Activision PR for clarification. As suspected, Beenox is referring to an internal BETA status and not some sort of external release version of the game. Sit tight for more information on The Amazing Spider-Man The Game as it becomes available.

Howard’s D.I.C.E. 2012 Keynote Hints At Skyrim’s Future

Chris Gravelle — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 19:00:22 +0000

D.I.C.E. 2012 is happening. While we don’t always hear news that gets the drool flowing but Skyrim fans should be on the edge of their seats. Todd Howard gave the opening keynote speech at this years summit and among the slides shown were a few videos of Skyrim. Howard explained that after a development cycle, the team spends a week creating anything they want in the game. The week is dubbed Game Jam.

In the video he shared, minor things that never made it into the game were seen. New weapons, favorite menus for followers, seasonal weather and a few other graphics upgrades that make the game look even better. Then there was the crazy stuff. All of this is shown on a video: dragon mounts, flaming horse mounts, the ability to build your own house (complete with a skeletal butler), the ability to become a vampire lord, a werewolf perk tree, Microsoft Kinect voice shouts and a few other surprises worth watching for. Howard has stated that any of this can come to the game in the future through downloadable content or free updates.

[Source GamesBeat]

New SSX Trailer Shows the Awesome of the Himalayas

Garrett Hartman — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 18:30:14 +0000

EA is going big with SSX. How big? Himalayas big.

Check out the awesomeness of the Himalayas in the new SSX trailer below.

SSX arrives on PS3 3 and Xbox 360 on February 28th.

Play Gears of War 3 with Cliff Bleszinski and His Fiancé This Valentine’s Day

Drake Hess — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 18:00:52 +0000

Nothing says I love you like a bayonet lancer to the heart. So, if you and your significant other share a passion for gore and gaming, why not ‘Game with Fame‘ by joining Epic Games Gears of War Design Director, Cliff Bleszinski, and his pro gamer fiancee, Lauren Berggren, for a special “couples themed” Gears of War 3 Wingman game session on Valentine’s Day?

To get in on Cliff and Lauren’s Valentine’s Day Massacre, you’ll need to to be snuggled up on the couch thirty minutes before the event kicks off, have all the latest map packs installed (via the Xbox LIVE Marketplace or the Gears of War 3 Season Pass), and have your friend/invitation request to “CliffyBVday” and “LaurenBVday” successfully yield you an invite.

The love of gaming brought Cliff and Lauren together, and they’d like nothing more than to share that gift with you. So if you’re still considering your options for this Valentine’s Day, just remember, every “kill” also begins with K.

Behold, Aliens: Colonial Marines’ Killer Box Art

Garrett Hartman — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 17:00:21 +0000

As an “older” gamer (30′s mind you) I have great affinity for the Alien movie franchise. Alien, directed by Ridley Scott, is a classic and James Cameron‘s Aliens is one of the best reviewed movies of all time. Unfortunately, the Alien movie franchise went downhill shortly after.

So anyway, I hope Gearbox and Sega do the movies justice with Aliens: Colonial Marines. They claim, after all, that it will be a true sequel to Aliens. So, it’s kinda like the movie fans always wanted but never got.

So far, I was psyched by the gameplay trailer and I like the new box art. Check out the gallery below.

Skyrim Update 1.4 is Live on Xbox, PS3 Later Today – Full List of Changes

Garrett Hartman — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 15:00:39 +0000

FUS RO DAH! The Skyrim1.4 update is live on Xbox Live and expected to hit the PS3 later on today. This is an anticipated update which should fix a few annoying bugs, most importantly the PS3 bug that makes it unplayable after a certain level.

Below is the full list of changes courtesy of the Bethblog.

Bethesda also claims to be putting the final touches on the Creation Kit and Skyrim Workshop and will let everyone know as soon as they’re up.

NEW FEATURES

Skyrim launcher support for Skyrim Workshop (PC)

BUG FIXES

General optimizations for memory and performance
Fixed occasional issue with armor and clothing not displaying properly when placed on mannequins in player’s house (PS3)
Long term play optimizations for memory and performance (PS3)
Improved compiler optimization settings (PC)
Memory optimizations related to scripting
Fixed issue with dangling scripts not properly clearing from memory
Fixed crashes related to pathing and AI
Fixed crash in “Haemar’s Shame” if player had already completed “A Daedra’s Best Friend”
Fixed rare crash with loading saved games
Fixed issue with accented characters not displaying properly at the end of a line
Fixed issue where dragon priest masks would not render correctly
Fixed issue where quests would incorrectly progress after reloading a save
Fixed issues with placing and removing books from bookshelves in the player’s home
Optimized bookshelf script in player-owned houses that would occasionally block other scripts from properly firing off
Fixed issue where weapon racks and plaques would not work correctly in player’s house if player immediately visits their house before purchasing any upgrades
Fixed issue where the player house in Windhelm would not clean up properly
Fixed crash related to giant attacks and absorb spells
Fixed issue with ash piles not cleaning up properly
Fixed occasional issue where overwriting an existing save would fail
Fixed memory crash with container menu
Fixed infinite loop with bookshelves
Fixed issue where transforming back to human from werewolf would occasionally fail
Bows and daggers will display properly when placed on weapon racks
Fixed occasional audio issue that would play sound effects louder than intended
Fixed bug related to hitching between cell boundaries
Master Criminal achievement/trophy unlocks properly in French, German, Spanish and Italian
Fixed issue where traps in Shalidor’s Maze would not work properly in French, German, Spanish and Italian versions

QUEST FIXES

The Unusual Gem that was inside the Thalmor Embassy is now accessible after finishing “Diplomatic Immunity”
In “Breaching Security”, the quest token is no longer required to receive a fortune reading from Olava the Feeble
Fixed issue where Galmar would not complete Joining the Stormcloaks properly if “Season Unending” was an active quest
Fixed issue where starting “Season Unending” after finishing “Joining the Stormcloaks” would prevent “The Jagged Crown” from starting properly
Fixed issue where progressing through “Message to Whiterun” while “Season Unending” was still open would block progression for both quests
In “Arniel’s Endeavor”, fixed issue where a quest journal would trigger multiple times
In “Forbidden Legend”, the amulet fragment can no longer disappear after player leaves a dungeon without taking it
Fixed rare issue in “Forbidden Legend” where killing Mikrul Gauldurson while sneaking would make his corpse unaccessible
In “The White Phial”, the phial can no longer disappear if player leaves dungeon without taking it
“The White Phial” will now start properly if player already has a briar heart in their inventory
Player can no longer get stuck in Misty Grove after completing “A Night to Remember”
Fixed issue where leaving Riften during “A Chance Arrangement” would prevent quest from progressing
In “Darkness Returns”, a door in Twilight Sepulcher will properly open if the player leaves the dungeon for an extended period of time before completing the quest
In “Revealing the Unseen”, if the player leaves the Oculory for an extended period of time after placing the focusing crystal and returns, the quest will proceed correctly
“Onmund’s Request” will now start properly if player has already found Enthir’s staff before receiving this quest
Fixed instance where Tonilia would stop buying stolen items and also would not give Guild Leader Armor
“Repairing the Phial” will start properly if player already has unmelting snow or mammoth tusk in their inventory
Finding Pantea’s Flute before speaking with Pantea no longer prevents her quest from updating
In “The Break of Dawn”, fixed rare instance where a quest object would spawn incorrectly on the Katariah during Hail Sithis
Fixed rare issue in “The Mind of Madness” where player is unable to equip the Wabbajack
Fixed issue in “Pieces of the Past” where Mehrunes Dagon’s Razor will not trigger properly if player leaves the cell for extended period of time before activating it
“Blood’s Honor” will start properly if you visited and completed Driftshade and an extended period of time passes before starting the quest.
Fixed rare issue where “Dampened Spirits” would not start properly
Fixed issue where player would be unable to become Thane of Riften if they purchased a home first
Fixed issue where killing guards in Cidhna Mine would block progression for “No One Escapes Cidhna Mine”
Fixed numerous issues with “Blood on the Ice” not triggering properly
In “Blood on the Ice”, Calixto can now be killed if player owns a house in Windhelm
In “The Cure for Madness”, killing Cicero then resurrecting him no longer impedes quest progress
Fixed rare issue in “To Kill an Empire” where an NPC would fail to die properly
Clearing Knifepoint Ridge before starting “Boethiah’s Champion” no longer prevents quest from starting.

Battleship Video Game Movie Adaptation Coming to an Ocean Grid Near You

Catherine Cai — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 03:30:00 +0000

Video game adaptations of movies are common practice nowadays. What better way to maximize profits and advertise a movie, probably adapted from a book, than to create an adaptation of that movie with a video game? Sadly, Hollywood still hasn’t figured out what constitutes a good video game. Hence, we’ve gotten such jems as Thor: God of Thunder and Transformers: Dark of the Moon.

According to Joystiq, Hollywood’s continuing down its path of video game abominations by signing on Double Helix Games to make the video game adaptation of the movie adaptation of the classic game Battleship. Yes, the same Double Helix with a shining resume for having developed classics like the Green Lantern game and the G.I. Joe: Rise of the Cobra game.

Expect this Battleship to sink sometime in April for Europe and May for North America. The game will be available for 360, PS3, Wii, and DS in order to maximize profits, and possibly pain.

Mass Effect 3 Info Blowout: Infiltrator and Datapad Functionality with iOS

Alex Co — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 01:30:18 +0000

If you’re a Mass Effect fan, you’re in luck as we have a lot of news for you today. First off, EA has revealed that Mass Effect Infiltrator will be coming to iOS devices. It will be a third-person cover-based shooter that has you playing Randall Enzo, a Cerberus soldier who specializes in doing covert ops for Cerberus but becomes disenchanted with the organization and needless to say, he helps Shepard in his mission.

What’s interesting here is that playing Infiltrator and collecting intel in the game will help get your Galactic Readiness Rating up – and in turn, help you get a better ending in Mass Effect 3. Do keep in mind that EA has confirmed that you do NOT need to get Mass Effect Infiltrator to get ME3′s best ending.

Next up is Mass Effect’s Datapad app integration with iOS devices. BioWare says that it’s their “love-letter” to their Mass Effect fans. What it does is it acts the same way as the Codex in ME1 and ME2, but to avoid spoilers, it will only show areas, species and other things that you already have encountered. The way it works is it ties in to your Origin account so it can track your in-game progress. Not bad, no?

Both Mass Effect Infiltrator and Mass Effect Datapad have not been given a release date yet; although we do know that the Datapad app will be free.

Last but not the least, a reader in Joystiq has sent a GameStop receipt showing that he was able to purchase a $10 worth DLC for Mass Effect 3 called FromDust. It’s not known whether if this is for single-player or for multiplayer; all we know now is that the game already has DLC even before it’s released.

Do keep in mind that EA has not commented on the DLC as of press time and we’ll update the situation as it develops.

Mass Effect 3 will be out for the PC, Xbox 360 and PS3 this coming March 12.

Psychonauts 2 May Happen – Notch and Schafer are Talking

Justin Carter — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 23:00:13 +0000

Remember a few days ago, when we reported that Markus “Notch” Persson wanted to fund Psychonauts 2? Well, Double Fine told Giant Bomb:

”Tim and Markus are talking. Who knows what might happen?”

Sounds great, right? It’s about to get better. Notch has been sending out a few tweets to explain what’s going on. He and Tim Schafer have been talking over e-mail, and it sounds like they’re planning to meet up at GDC. You know, see the sights, take a nice boat ride, and possibly discuss making Psychonauts 2. Normal stuff that happens. But even though our hopes are already touching the moon, Notch warns:

“Please don’t get your hopes too high yet. Everything is extremely vague!”

Sorry, Notch. Hopes are already high. You can’t stop what’s already in motion.

via Game Informer

Ridge Racer Unbounded – Behind the Game Trailer #1: Deal with it

Garrett Hartman — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 17:30:44 +0000

Namco Bandai today released the first of a series of behind the scenes videos for Ridge Racer: Unbounded.

The video features words from a few of the members of the Unbounded team, some gameplay footage and real life drifting. Check it out below.

The first Making Of video for RIDGE RACER™ Unbounded focuses on the changes made in the new branch of the legendary franchise and includes never seen before footage of the game.

Ridge Racer: Unbounded launches this March on PS3, PC and 360.

True Crime: Hong Kong’s Successor is ‘Sleeping Dogs’ – Debut Trailer, Screens and More

Garrett Hartman — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 17:00:48 +0000

Square-Enix today revealed Sleeping Dogs as the latest game in the True Crime series. Activision is out, Squeenix is in, and so is the new title. Dig it?

Sleeping Dogs puts players in the shoes of of undercover cop Wei Shen, tasked with taking down the criminal Triads from the inside out. It will take place on the island of Hong Kong and the story will deal with themes like loyalty and betrayal.

Much is being hyped about Sleeping Dog’s Imaginative combat system. Supposedly, combat will seem natural and players will easily be able to perform martial arts from an extensive list of moves and easily pull off other tasks such as shooting while driving.

Like previous games in the True Crimes series it will be an open world. According to Square, “every street corner, market stall, harbour dock or city skyscraper can become an opportunity for intense shoot-outs, adrenaline-fuelled street races and intense, brutal martial arts combat.”

Check out the live trailer and screens below. Tell me what you think, will UFG’s Sleeping Dogs have what it takes to keep up with similar games such as Saints Row: The Third and GTA 5?

Via [vg247]

Call of Duty Elite Releasing Third Xbox 360 Map, PS3 Owners Still Waiting for First

Rick Givens — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 00:30:46 +0000

Modern Warfare 3 players REJOICE! But only if you have Call of Duty Elite, and only if you play the game on the Xbox.

On February 21st, Premium Members will be able to access the third map, Overwatch, which is next in the line up for Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3′s Content Season for Call of Duty Elite. This third map will be available to Xbox Live Members with the Premium subscription a full week before PlayStation 3 owners even get the first map. PC? No word on that; nor when Call of Duty Elite will be available for that platform, so uncross your fingers and exhale, otherwise you will get arthritis and die.

Overwatch will be set at a construction site atop a New York City skyscraper. Featuring two levels and a near symmetrical layout, a central bridge and side routes will allow players to approach from multiple angles, while the lack of safety barriers will make it easy for you to belly flop onto the pavement if you don’t watch your step.

While Xbox Premium members are getting what looks to be all the content first, Activision states that PS3 Premium members will get the content before non Premium members. Somewhere down the road, those that didn’t sign up for the service, or who are PC gamers will get the content, maybe, one day….Okay, so no one really knows when the hell that will be, but the standard has been about a month apart for each platform. So, sometime in March PC gamers might expect the DLC, at full price.

New I Am Alive Trailer Gives Survival Tips

Garrett Hartman — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 00:00:28 +0000

In the latest exciting trailer released by Ubisoft for I Am Alive, the main character discusses the importance of climbing, managing stamina and exploring for resources in the post-apocalyptic world of Haventon.

Watch the trailer below.

I Am Alive hits retail on March 7th.

Shank 2 Out Now to Slice You Up

Alex Co — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 22:30:31 +0000

Are you into side-scrolling beat-’em-ups? If so, then you’re in for a treat. EA and Klei Entertainment has just released the sequel to their highly-successful Shank; aptly titled Shank 2.

The game is a 2D action-brawler that’s reminiscent of the old-school beat-’em-up genre that was very popular in the ’90s – albeit, with a shinier coat of paint and “modernized” to deliver a deeper experience. The game drops players in the role of titular protagonist Shank. an ex-mob hitman who’s out for revenge after his village comes under attack.

Shank 2 also introduces an all-new multiplayer Survival mode wherein players can team up locally or online to tackle wave after wave of enemies to try and stay alive. Think Gears of War’s Horde mode but in beat-’em-up form.

The game is already out on PC and PS3 today and will cost you $10. Xbox 360 users, fret not, as the game will be available on the Xbox LIVE Marketplace tomorrow and will cost 800 MS Points.

I admit, Shank was a game that surprised me upon release. Who would have thought that this sort of game can still excite and keep your attention now that we have realistic shooters with a bajillion polygons.

Who among you will be picking this up or is the game only attractive to old fogies like me?

Forza 4 “American Le Mans Series Pack” Available Today

Sam Naylor — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 21:30:49 +0000

A new DLC pack for Forza 4, the “American Le Mans Series Pack”, is available from today.

The car pack focuses- as you might expect- on Le Mans cars, but there are some others in the mix too. A modified luxury car, an “E3 award winner,” and some proper old fashioned muscle are also in the lineup:

·         2011 #2 Audi Sport North America R18 TDI: Featuring a closed cockpit design (the first such Audi Le Mans car fielded in more than 10 years), the R18 is a marvel of modern racing design. Featuring a lighter materials and a premium on aerodynamic efficiency, it’s little wonder the R18 TDI brought home top honors during the 2011 24 Hours of Le Mans.
·         2011 Panoz #050 Panoz Racing Abruzzi: A five hundred horsepower engine that will feel right at home tearing down the straights of Le Mans, the Panoz Racing Abruzzi’s tusk-like front end marries unique styling with impressive performance.
·         2010 Dodge Quinton “Rampage” Jackson Challenger SRT8: Owned by UFC fighter Quinton “Rampage” Jackson, this 2010 Dodge Challenger SRT8 is one of the most aggressive-looking cars ever seen in the Forza Motorsport series. With red and black rims that need to be seen to be believed, this Challenger will turn heads in Forza 4 the moment the race begins.
·         1991 Mazda #55 Team Mazdaspeed 787B: One of the most unique sounding cars in Forza 4, the Wankel rotary engine-equipped 787B is also legendary for its performance. It won the 1991 24 Hours of Le Mans race and the model was soon retired after FIA rules changes subsequently banned the use of Wankel-type rotary engines.
·         2011 Bentley Platinum Motorsports Continental GT: This Bentley Continental GT features a widebody construction that was custom created by Los Angeles-based Platinum Motorsports. The Continental GT looks great and features some serious power underneath the hood—two factors that contributed it to being selected as Forza Motorsport’s “E3 2011 Car of Show”.
·         1986 #2 Audi Sport quattro S1: Introduced in 1985 as a Group B rally entrant, this was the car that put Audi’s rallying program on the map. One of the most powerful Group B cars ever made, the quattro S1 held multiple hill climb world records in its day and is still widely regarded as one of the most incredible race cars Audi has produced.
·         1992 Alfa Romeo 155 Q4: A “compact executive” with the heart of a touring car, the 155 Q4 features a 2.0 liter turbocharged engine capable of 187 horsepower and an all-wheel drive drivetrain.
·         1995 Ford Mustang Cobra R: Long sought after by Forza’s Mustang fans, the 1995 Ford Mustang Cobra R is big and beefy American muscle at its finest. Its SVT-modified 5.8 liter Windsor V8 pumps out 300 horsepower and plenty of torque. The car’s legendary status is further enhanced by its rarity—just 250 Cobra R models were produced.
·         2011 Holden HSV GTS: More power, better handling, and new technology are all hallmarks of Holden’s 2011 HSV GTS. The car’s MRC suspension brings a responsive ride in the corners that, when coupled with the 6.2 liter V8, makes the GTS a joy to drive.
·         2011 Volkswagen Polo GTI: A great-looking hatchback with surprising grit underneath the hood, the 2011 Polo GTI packs a 1.4 liter twin charged engine combining both a turbocharger and a supercharger, belting out an impressive 177 horsepower in a compact size.

The pack is available from Xbox Live for 560 Microsoft Points.

Kinect Star Wars Announces Five New Modes, Dance Like C-3P0 April 3

Todd Schlickbernd — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 20:00:31 +0000

According to the press release that hit our inbox this morning, and this tweet from Lucas Arts, “It’s official! Kinect Star Wars and the super awesome Millenium Xbox 360 bundle will release on April 3rd! May the Force be with you!” Yay, official stuff! It’s all there in the pudding folks, Kinect Star Wars is finally on its way out. I found this game to look like a gigantic pile of boring gobbledygook, but thankfully there’s more to the announcement!

Apparently Lucas Arts or perhaps quality control or really anyone that isn’t five likely noticed that Kinect Star Wars looked super duper boring! So they jazzed it up. Or. Cantina band…ed… it up. I’m not a huge Star Wars buff, leave me and my crappy puns alone, dammit!

Anyways they’ve announced five modes for the game including Jedi Destiny: Dark Side Rising, Podracing, Rancor Rampage, Duels of Fate, and a “Galactic Dance Off mode loaded with Star Wars-themed pop tunes, where those still honing their Jedi skills can take a break to battle Darth Vader on the dance floor or bust a move ‘Solo style.’”

That last bit seems incredibly silly, but I’m rather thrilled to see the developers or whomever’s decision this was look at their game, realize it was lackluster, and pump it full of additional things that hopefully don’t suck. In the mean time, the console looks absolutely awesome, so if you like Star Wars, or awesome consoles, or Kinect, April 3 is a date to look forward to. Kinect Star Wars will release at $49.99 USD and $449.99 for the bundle which has a white Kinect (awesome) and comes with a special C-3PO unlockable for Dance Mode.

We’re pretty sure the dance mode with the unlockable will be something like this:

Gotham City Impostors Inundates Market With Over 100 Pieces of DLC

Todd Schlickbernd — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 18:00:41 +0000

WHOA! That’s a lot of DLC. Like Rock Band on crack. There are over 100 pieces of downloadable content for Gotham City Impostors, which isn’t out yet on consoles by the way, all of which are customization options for the upcoming six versus six first person shooter. Each piece of DLC goes anywhere from 80 Microsoft Points to 320 MSP.

It should be noted that I played Gotham City Impostors in the first beta and recognize most of this DLC in name. Originally there was a mechanic pre-built into the game (even the beta, but it wasn’t usable) to purchase more coins with actual money. These coins could be used to purchase in-game content such as all these various customization options. It’s very likely that they have changed that method, making each and every piece of customization purchasable with money rather than the currency used to procure it within the game. The game isn’t out yet so I can’t say for sure, but that’s very likely what’s going on here.

So calm down. Because yes, 100+ pieces of day-1 DLC is pretty ludicrous, but not when it’s just for shortcuts. Then it’s just for crazy or impatient people.

In fact, @GothamImpostors (official twitter for the game) just confirmed ALL of the DLC is just purchasable as an option. Anything there is available in game for in-game currency.