http://www.ripten.com All Your Geek Are Belong To Us Fri, 20 Nov 2009 20:00:45 +0000 http://backend.userland.com/rss092 en-us 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 ... http://www.ripten.com/2009/11/20/new-final-fantasy-xiii-screens-just-in-time-for-the-weekend/ 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 ... http://www.ripten.com/2009/11/19/sony-playstation-network-to-implement-subscription-based-premium-content/ 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 ... http://www.ripten.com/2009/11/19/microsoft-game-studios-hiring-epic-liasonproducer-for-gears-of-war-shadow-complex/ 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. Entourage Allows you to load up on linemen for an unfair advantage over your opponent. Offensive Entourage ... http://www.ripten.com/2009/11/19/madden-nfl-arcade-game-changers-video/ 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 ... http://www.ripten.com/2009/11/18/toys%e2%80%9cr%e2%80%9dus-goes-game-stop-geoffrey-the-giraffe-now-accepting-used-console-trade-ins/ 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 ... http://www.ripten.com/2009/11/18/foreign-pringles-commercials-prove-video-games-are-more-fun-with-crunch-and-nudity/ 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 ... http://www.ripten.com/2009/11/18/adam-sessler-bids-farewell-to-pandemic-and-talks-ea-new-ip-experiment/ 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 ... http://www.ripten.com/2009/11/18/playstation-3-gets-firmware-v3-10-update-complete-with-facebook-as-late-birthday-gift/ 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. ... http://www.ripten.com/2009/11/18/new-final-fantasy-xiii-page-scans-monsters-dinosaurs-cactuars-oh-my/ 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 ... http://www.ripten.com/2009/11/18/spike-tv-vga-09-nominees-announced-flex-your-nerd-muscle-and-vote-your-favorites/ 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, ... http://www.ripten.com/2009/11/18/more-witcher-2-leaked-video-tilt-your-head-45-degrees-to-the-right-and-enjoy/ 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 ... http://www.ripten.com/2009/11/18/resident-evil-5-alternative-edition-new-chapter-costumes-updated-merc-mode-revealed-in-latest-famitsu/ 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. ... http://www.ripten.com/2009/11/18/left-4-dead-nes-remake-strangely-resembles-aussie-censored-next-gen-seque/ 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. The tail end of a LA Times article discussing ... http://www.ripten.com/2009/11/18/activision-creating-third-call-of-duty-team/ 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! Listen to ... http://www.ripten.com/2009/11/18/video-game-winners-and-losers-of-the-week-1115-1121/ 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 ... http://www.ripten.com/2009/11/18/modern-warfare-2-pc-code-reveals-hidden-game-modes/ 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 ... http://www.ripten.com/2009/11/17/square-enix-boss-downplays-final-fantasy-xiii-advancement/ 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] http://www.ripten.com/2009/11/17/sony-playstation-3-celebrates-third-birthday/ 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 ... http://www.ripten.com/2009/11/17/new-final-mass-effect-2-box-art-revealed/ 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 ... http://www.ripten.com/2009/11/17/gamestop-wants-to-kill-you/ 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. ... http://www.ripten.com/2009/11/17/my-thoughts-on-the-modern-warfare-2-pc-situation/ The rumor which surfaced just over an hour ago regarding the possible shut down of Pandemic Studios has just been confirmed via an internal Electronic Arts memo snagged by Kotaku. It seems that the individuals EA deems as the Pandemic "core" team will be merged into the EA Los Angeles ... http://www.ripten.com/2009/11/17/ea-confirms-closing-of-pandemic-studios-today/ 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 ... http://www.ripten.com/2009/11/17/darksiders-wrath-of-war-story-walkthrough-video/ According to sources who leaked the information to Kotaku, Pandemic Studios, creators of Full Spectrum Warrior, Star Wars: Battlefront, and most recently Mercenaries 2: World In Flames, will be have nearly their entire Los Angles base staff (roughly 200 employees) laid off today. The announcement is reportedly going to take ... http://www.ripten.com/2009/11/17/studio-in-flames-ea-rumored-to-be-closing-down-pandemic-today/ 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. I say "suggests" because there are commenters ... http://www.ripten.com/2009/11/17/modern-warfare-2-on-pc-simply-a-console-port/ 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. First the ... http://www.ripten.com/2009/11/17/twitter-facebook-last-fm-on-xbox-360-right-now/ 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 ... http://www.ripten.com/2009/11/17/duh-ne-infinity-ward-treyarch-dont-collaborate-on-cod-titles/ Nintendo Wii's New Super Mario Bros. Wii title has been on store shelves for less than two days now, and there are already a few level editors out there. The above 1-1 remake is far from perfect, but considering the game hasn't been out long at all and the modder ... http://www.ripten.com/2009/11/17/here-wo-go-hackers-new-super-mario-bros-wii-gets-original-world-1-1-level/ 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 ... http://www.ripten.com/2009/11/16/new-games-releases-1115-1122/ I'm a big fan of online co-op as it adds a layer of connectivity to the outside world that traditional story modes lack. That said, the rumor of such a feature being available in God of War III was shot down quickly by Sony today in very few words. According ... http://www.ripten.com/2009/11/16/god-of-war-iii-online-co-op-rumor-nixed-by-sony/