Good news! If you happen to get to Old Navy early enough on Black Friday 2009 and purchase $20 worth of clothes, you can get Lego Rock Band for free. It’s one of two limited, video game related promotions that the store is offering this Black Friday. Pretty surprising move. All Old Navy stores will open at 3am on November 27, 2009.

Keep in mind, you’re only getting the Lego Rock Band game for free. You aren’t getting any free guitars, microphones or drum kits. Still, you get to pick out Lego Rock Band. The adscan on TheBlackFriday.com states that you can only choose from the PS3, Xbox 360 or Wii versions. No free DS game for you! The PS3, Xbox 360 and Wii versions are normally $49.99 each. This promotion will only be available on November 27, 2009 and will be very limited.

The second offer is a free Rock Band guitar controller if you purchase the Rock Band 2 PS2, PS3 or Xbox 360 video game. Once again, not a bad deal. The ad once again states that the offer is very limited.

The Old Navy Gobblepalooza Black Friday site is now open as well. It reports that the stores Black Friday sale will last from November 27-29, 2009, Rock Band will be set up in stores for people to play and there will be a $200 shopping spree to possibly win. Also, if you visit the site you can use the Band Name Generator to create a band name and custom logo.

Image Source: Old Navy Gobblepalooza

Read [TheBlackFriday.com] Also Read [Joystiq] Site [Old Navy Gobblepalooza]

Full Story » | Written by Jenni Lada for Gamertell. | Comment on this Article »

Thanksgiving 2009 will definitely be a day when Tekken 6 players give thanks. November 26, 2009 just happens to be the date Namco Bandai has chosen to release a patch for both the PS3 and Xbox 360 versions of the game. This downloadable update will primarily fix and improve the online multiplayer portions of the game.

The online mode fixes are varied and essential. There are now better search priorities, to make sure you fight someone with a similar rank and connection speed. Also, when you play against an online opponent, the data transmission has been improved so you aren’t sitting around enjoying the lag. Those signal strength bars won’t just be for decoration anymore, and will correctly report connection strength and speed. Finally, you’ll be able to check that signal strength before a match begins and cancel the match if you see your opponent has an atrocious connection. Hopefully, these fixes will help prevent any problems before they pop up.

The other improvement relates to general gameplay. This Tekken 6 patch also makes the game respond to the buttons you push and command you put in than it did before, ensuring you’ll have no problem starting combos or pulling off special moves.

I don’t own a PS3 or Xbox 360, so those who do will have to enlighten me. Do all fighting games with online portions have these kinds of issues? I still remember the King of Fighters XII fiasco and patches. Now you hear that Tekken 6 experienced some similar issues.

Read [Gaming Age] Also Read [Siliconera] Also Read [PS3 Attitude]

Full Story » | Written by Jenni Lada for Gamertell. | Comment on this Article »

The holidays are coming a little early this year for fans of brawler games.

The playable Bayonetta demo will be available for download on December 3, 2009, on Xbox Live and PlayStation Network. The full Bayonetta game will be available January 5, 2010, for the Xbox 360 and the PS3. It is rated “Mature” by the ESRB for blood, gore and partial nudity.

Bayonetta tells the story of a witch who is one of the last members of a dying order. After awaking from a 500-year nap, she finds herself being hunted down by hosts of angels. Fortunately for her, this really isn’t as much of an overkill as it sounds.

Bayonetta has an arsenal of deadly moves under her, well, hair. As strange as it sounds, Bayonetta can use her hair in performing devastating magical attacks against her foes.

She also uses different kinds of firearms as well as guns attached to her stilettos to fend off opponents. The game has a similar style to the Devil May Cry franchise which is little surprise since the game’s director, Hideki Kamiya, created Devil May Cry.

I’m a big fan of the Devil May Cry games. I really like that smooth fighting style and the overall look of the series. If Bayonetta stays close to that formula it should be a good game. It is already out in Japan and it has already gotten excellent reviews from different Japanese publications.

Read [Kotaku] Also Read [Joystiq] Site [Bayonetta]

Full Story » | Written by Christian Morlotte for Gamertell. | Comment on this Article »

EA Sports has revealed some of the madness that will ensue in its Madden Arcade downloadable title coming to PlayStation Network and Xbox Live this week.

This downloadable title comes to PSN November 24, 2009 and XBLA November 25, 2009.  It costs $14.99 on PSN or 1200 Microsoft Points on XBLA.

Teams will have the opportunity to receive powerups - called Game Changers - before every play and can choose to use them right then or save them for later.

Here’s the list and some of these are game changing indeed. Flip-Flop looks to be the biggest momentum shifter of them all.

• Entourage – Bring in the reinforcements as Entourage sends the rest of your linemen into the game to help out for a play. (The game is five-on-five, so this is huge.)
• Triple Threat – Disguise which receiver you’re throwing the ball by sending out two other decoys with the Power Ball game changer.
• Bonus Play – Give yourself an additional down to help get in the end zone and earn some much deserved points with Bonus Play.
• Make it, Take it - If you’re good enough to score when you trigger Make It, Take It, the ball is yours to keep on the next possession.
• Turbo – The Turbo game changer will send players in fast forward by giving them an extra speed burst.
• Molasses – Game too fast for you? Use Molasses to take down the action on the field to a less frantic pace.
• Fumbilitis – Turn your opponent’s into butter fingers as they’ll have a difficult time holding on to the ball with Fumbilitis.
• It’s Alive – Make any pass a scramble for the ball as its Alive will turn any incomplete pass into a live ball.
• Frostbite – Put the freeze on one opposing player from moving by using the game changer Frostbite.
• Fast Pass – Fast Pass gives the power to a QB to throw the ultimate bulleted pass.
• Flying Blind – Sabotage your opponent by using Flying Blind to turn off their passing icons.
• Flip Flop – Jealous of your opponents score? Flip Flop will nicely borrow the score and never give it back.
• Dud – Hey, they can’t all be winners.

Read [Pasta Padre]

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Electronic Arts’ upcoming game, Dante’s Inferno, is using an unlikely ally in its latest publicity stunt. Instead of going with the Xbox or the PlayStation, they are using a Church’s game and unique game system. Well, sort of.

In a controversial move, the latest game trailer is “hidden” in a web page promoting a video game console called Mass: We Pray. This imaginary console comes with stools and cross shaped controllers that look like WiiMotes and supposedly simulates the experience of attending mass. When any of the links in the page are clicked, the page changes to the latest trailer for Dante’s Inferno.

Dante’s Inferno is a re-imagining of the first part of Dante Alighieri’s classic poem, The Divine Comedy. The game focuses on the journey the author takes through the nine circles of hell accompanied by the poet Virgil. It pictures Dante as a knight who has to battle his way through hell to rescue his beloved Beatrice from Lucifer.

Dante’s Inferno will be available on February 9, 2010, for Xbox 360, PS3 and PSP

Promotion for the game has focused on different sins which are explored throughout the game. This latest stunt was focused on heresy. When the web page changes from the Mass: We Pray version, text appears explaining that mass without an ordained priest amounts to heresy and whoever does this is condemned to the sixth circle of Hell.

Even though the relation with church may sound odd for a hell-based game, the original material is firmly rooted on the teachings of the Christian church and serves as an allegory for the punishments reserved for each of the sins.

I read the first part of the poem a while back and I really liked it. It painted an impressive scene of each circle and helped establish a mythology for all references to Hell. If the game can convey these images it should at least be visually stunning.

Read [G4TV] Also read [Gamepro] Site [Dante’s Inferno] Site [Mass: We Pray]

Full Story » | Written by Christian Morlotte for Gamertell. | Comment on this Article »

Amazon’s next gaming deal as the site counts down to Black Friday is all about the music. If you’ve been waiting for prices to drop on some of Activision’s music rhythm games including Band Hero, Guitar Hero 5 or DJ Hero, Amazon is the place you want to go.

Starting November 21, 2009, until 11:59 p.m. Pacific time next Thursday (November 27, 2009) Amazon is offering a $40 store credit when you purchase either DJ Hero, Band Hero, Band Hero Super Bundle or Guitar Hero 5 at regular price.

Two business days after your order ships you will receive an e-mail confirming the $40 credit has been applied to your Amazon account.

Note that you must purchase the bundles from Amazon and not an Amazon Marketplace store in order to qualify for this offer.

Each game is available for PS2, PS3, Xbox 360 and Wii consoles.

Purchase [Amazon]

Full Story » | Written by Jeremy Hill for Gamertell. | Comment on this Article »

Sony recently began rebranding the PS3 as the console that “does everything” in an effort to drive up sales following the release of the PS3 Slim.

While not a purely true statement, Sony is looking to bring new gaming experiences to the PS3 before any other console. According to the Associated Press Sony demonstrated a multi-tier strategy during a conference with investors from its headquarters in Tokyo Thursday (November 19, 2009) that outlined its plans to deliver 3D gaming to all PS3 consoles.

Slides from the presentation reveal that all PS3 consoles are capable of displaying 3D games through a firmware update.

Getting the full experience from 3D gaming isn’t as simple as a software update. Gamers will need to purchase televisions that are 3D ready in order to take advantage of this new feature.

It’s all reminiscent PS3’s launch when the reality was (and still is) that HDTVs are required to witness the full graphical fidelity of PS3 games and Blu-ray discs. Perhaps only a handful of games will be produced with 3D graphics being a central selling point until 3D HDTVs become more commonplace.

Until then Sony has other plans to make the PS3 profitable by March 2011.

Although the PlayStation Network has always had the advantage of being free, Sony is looking into the possibility of subscription services to increase its revenue stream. Additional features that might be bundled with the subscriptions were not mentioned.

Sony also plans to release non-game development kits the second quarter of 2010. This could usher in new services that could very well go along with Sony’s premium subscription plans.

Finally, Sony wants to create what its calling “Sony Online Service” which will connect most of its hardware to the PlayStation Network. By using a single user ID, consumers will be able to access content from their PS3, PSP, PC, television, EBook and MP3 player.

This all sounds very promising on paper but only time will tell whether Sony will make good on these plans in a reasonable amount of time.

Read [Examiner] Also Read [Guardian]

Full Story » | Written by Jeremy Hill for Gamertell. | Comment on this Article »

This week’s first downloadable feature is actually an application and not a game. AdHoc Party is available free at the PlayStation Network store as an application that will allow PlayStation Portable owners to play their PSP games online through their PlayStation 3. A program that was released in Japan last year that connects the PSP to the internet using the PlayStation Network instead of standing within close range of another player just to challenge them. You can now connect to them in much the same way you connect to multi-player games on your PS3. How does this program work? Check out this introduction video by Sony:

The next downloadable feature is Assassin’s Creed: Bloodlines for $39.99 for the PSP. Follow Altair from the holy land into Cyprus trailing the Templar’s to their newest conquest and assassinate them. A direct sequel to the original Assassin’s Creed and a prequel to Assassin’s Creed II, in fact players who own Assassin’s Creed II can connect the PSP to their PS3 to unlock and transfer health and weapon upgrades from the PS3 game to the PSP game to aid in your missions. Check out Assassin’s Creed: Bloodlines:

Price Drops

• Uno (PS3/Now $7.99)

Here is what else is new:

Downloadable Games

• Echoes (PSP/$2.99)
• D-CUBE Planet (PSP/$3.99)
• Circles (PSP/$3.99)
• PSOne Classic: Resident Evil 2 (PS3/$5.99)
• PSOne Classic: Legacy of Kain: Soul Reaver (PS3/$5.99)
• Peggle (PS3/$9.99)

Free Demos:

• Smash Cars Demo (PS3/Free)
• PixelJunk Monsters Deluxe Demo (PSP/Free)
• LittleBigPlanet PSP Demo (PSP/Free)
• Promethus Demo (PSP/Free)

Bonus Game Content:

• Way of the Samurai 3 Accessories (PS3/Free)
• High Velocity Bowling: Techno Modern Ball Pack (PS3/99 cents)
• High Velocity Bowling: Psychedelic 60’s Ball Pack (PS3/99 cents)
• PAIN: Flavor Flav (PS3/$1.99)
• Peggle Nights (PS3/$4.99)

Guitar Hero 5 Pack:

• KISS Track Pack (PS3/$5.49)
Individual Tracks:
• “Lick It Up” by KISS (PS3/$1.99)
• “Modern Day Delilah” by KISS (PS3/$1.99)
• “I Was Made For Lovin’ You” by KISS (PS3/$1.99)

Rock Band Pack:

• AFI Pack 01 (PS3/$8.49)
Individual Tracks:
• “Beautiful Thieves” by AFI (PS3/$1.99)
• “End Transmission” by AFI (PS3/$1.99)
• “Love Like Winter” by AFI (PS3/$1.99)
• “Medicate” by AFI (PS3/$1.99)
• “The Leaving Song, Pt 2″ by AFI (PS3/$1.99)

Individual Song Tracks

• “Walk Like An Egyptian” by The Bangles (PS3/$1.99)

Rock Band Unplugged bonus content:

• “California Über Alles” by Dead Kennedys (PSP/$1.99)
• “You’re No Rock ‘n’ Roll Fun” by Sleater-Kinney (PSP/$1.99)

The Beatles Rock Band Pack:

• Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band (Album) (PS3/$13.49)
Individual Tracks:
• “Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band (Reprise)” by The Beatles (PS3/$1.99)
• “Within You Without You” by The Beatles (PS3/$1.99)
• “When I’m Sixty-Four” by The Beatles (PS3/$1.99)
• “She’s Leaving Home” by The Beatles (PS3/$1.99)
• “Lovely Rita” by The Beatles (PS3/$1.99)
• “Fixing A Hole” by The Beatles (PS3/$1.99)
• “Being For The Benefit of Mr. Kite!” by The Beatles (PS3/$1.99)
• “A Day In The Life” by The Beatles (PS3/$1.99)

Free Game Videos:

• Pulse 11/19 Edition (PS3/Free)
• Pain: Flavor Flav Trailer (PS3/Free)
• Jak and Daxter: The Lost Frontier Launch Trailer (PS3/Free)
• Uncharted 2: Among Thieves 15 sec Accolade TV Spot (PS3/Free)
• FIFA Soccer 10: Director’s Cut Trailer (PS3/Free)
• Madden NFL Arcade Trailer (PS3/Free)
• Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 Flag Runner Trailer (PS3/Free)
• NBA 2K10 TV Commercial (PS3/Free)
• Assassin’s Creed II Arsenal Trailer (PS3/Free)
• Assassin’s Creed II TGS Trailer (PS3/Free)
• Assassin’s Creed II Dev Diary 3 (PS3/Free)
• Assassin’s Creed II GP Trailer (PS3/Free)
• Critter Crunch “Feeding Time” Trailer (PS3/Free)
• Army Of Two: 40th Day Extraction Trailer (PS3/Free)
• Peggle Trailer (PS3/Free)

Wallpapers and Themes:

• Peggle Theme (PS3/Free)
• Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 Wallpaper (x5) (PS3/Free)
• Topatoi Wallpaper (PS3/Free)
• Peggle Wallpaper (PS3/Free)
• DJ Max Fever Wallpaper (x4) (PSP/Free)
• Armored Core 3 Wallpaper (x2) (PSP/Free)
• Armored Core 3 Portable Theme (PSP/Free)
• Celtic Maidens PSP Theme 3 (PSP/$1.49)
• Celtic Maidens PSP Theme 4 (PSP/$1.49)
• Celtic Maidens 2 Premium Plus Theme (PS3/$1.99)

Read [PlayStation Store Blog] Site [PlayStation]

Full Story » | Written by Lucy Newman for Gamertell. | Comment on this Article »

Most of the movies made from video game adaptations up to date have been less than stellar productions (thanks Uwe Boll), to say the least.

From Street Fighterto Doom , every one has strayed far from the original material and ended up a mess. Only the Resident Evil franchise has barely escaped that destiny - thanks to Milla Jovovich’s hotness - but, in general, video game movies have been epic failures.

Now there is some light shining on video game fans with the news that Brad Pitt’s production company, Plan B Entertainment, is making its debut on games-to-film adaptations with Capcom’s upcoming action title Dark Void. Plan B has secured the movie rights for the game and there is even some speculation that Brad Pitt might star in it.

Dark Void tells the story of a pilot named William Grey who encounters trouble on a flight and ends up crashing in the Bermuda Triangle. After wakeing he realizes he is stranded in a parallel world inhabited by aliens with plans to take over the Earth. With alien technology and the help of other humans trapped in this world William tries to stop the aliens and escape.

Plan B Entertainment is behind movies including Troy, The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford and The Departed. Also, Brad Pitt is a serious and successful actor and I doubt he would agree to putting out a mediocre movie so I think we are safe to expect a good adaptation on this one.

Dark Void will be released on January 2010 for the Xbox 360, PS3 and PC. It is rated “Teen” for animated blood and violence by the ESRB.

Read [Movieweb] Also read [IGN]

Full Story » | Written by Christian Morlotte for Gamertell. | Comment on this Article »

Capcom has announced that new downloadable content will be released for Resident Evil 5 for the Xbox 360 and PS3 next year (2010). Also, a “Gold Edition” of the full game and downloadable content will be available March 2010.

That DLC includes two new episodes, new costumes and a new game mode called “Mercenaries’ Reunion” featuring eight new playable characters and weapon load outs.

Resident Evil 5: Gold Edition will be $49.99 on both 360 and PS3. The PS3’s additional content will be on the disc and the 360 version will be released with a token to download the content via Xbox Live.

According to Capcom’s press release, the first new episode, titled “Lost in Nightmares,” places BSAA agent Chris Redfield and his partner Jill Valentine in an investigation of Ozwell E. Spencer’s hideaway.

Spencer, the evil mastermind and co-founder of Umbrella Corporation, has something bad hidden in his basement. I’m betting whatever Spencer’s hiding does not involve insider trading and that Chris and Jill are going to terminate whatever’s down there with vengeance, shotguns and cut scenes. That episode hits the US and Europe February 17, 2010, along with the new costumes for Chris and Sheva.

Kill those creatures quickly because the next episode (title TBA) is slated for March 3, 2010, for 360 and March 4, 2010, on PS3.

Or, if you haven’t purchased the game and just want to wait it out, the Gold Edition comes to the US March 9, 2010, and Europe March 12, 2010.

Read [Capcom Unity] Also Read [Push Square]

Full Story » | Written by Brian Allen for Gamertell. | Comment on this Article »

The Black Friday ad for Gamestop has been leaked and it has some pretty nice deals.

It’s disappointing that some of the Nintendo DS games including Mario Kart DS and New Super Mario Bros. are still selling for $35. Since that’s how much those games usually sell for, why would they even be present in a black Friday circular?

Odd advertising aside, there are still some specials worth checking out. For example you could buy a 120GB PS3 Slim with LittleBigPlanet GOTY Edition and God of War Collection for $299. If the Xbox 360 is more your flavor Gamestop is selling a Xbox 360 Elite with Pure, Lego Batman and a choice between Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare and Spider-Man: Web of Shadows for $299.

Many other popular games such as Guitar Hero 5, Left 4 Dead 2, Tekken 6 and Batman: Arkham Asylum have been discounted to $39.99. Other recently released games such as Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 and Assassin’s Creed 2 retain their $60 price tag. At least Gamestop guarantees those games will be in stock.

Doorbuster deals are good from 6 a.m. to 11a.m. on November 27, 2007. The other items on sale should be good while supplies last.

Here’s a list of the most noteworthy items:

Door Busters

• 120GB PS3 Slim w/ LittleBigPlanet GOTY and God of War Collection - $299.99
• Xbox 360 Elite w/ Pure, Lego Batman, Call of Duty: Modern Warfare or Spider-Man: Web of Shadows - $299.99
• Batman: Arkham Asylum (PS3, 360) - $39.99
• Call of Duty: World at War (PS3, 360) - $39.99
• Dead Space Extraction (Wii) - $19.99
• Wii Sports Resort with extra Wii MotionPlus - $49.99

PS3

• Tekken 6 -$39.99 (1 day only)
• Prototype - $29.99
• Guitar Hero 5 (game only) - $39.99
• Borderlands - $49.99 (3 days only)
• GTA IV - $19.99 (3 days only)

Nintendo

• Metallica Blue Nintendo DSi Bundle w/ Mario vs. Donkey Kong: Mini’s March Again, WarioWare Snapped, Dr. Mario Express, Mario Clock and Mario Calculator - $169.99
• White Nintendo DSi w/ Clubhouse Games Express Card Classics, Brain Age Express: Arts & Letters, Brain Age Express: Sodoku, Brain Age Express: Math, and Photo Clock - $169.99
• Wii/DSi 2GB SD Memory Card - $7.49
• Wii/DSi 4GB SDHC Memory Card - $14.99

Xbox 360

• Tekken 6 - $39.99 (1 day only)
• The Beatles: Rock Band - $49.99
• Left 4 Dead 2 - $39.99
• Need for Speed Shift - $39.99
• Call of Juarez: Bound in Blood - $19.99
• Prototype - $29.99
• Borderlands - $49.99
• Guitar Hero 5 - $39.99 (game only)
• Halo 3: ODST - $39.99
• Forza Motorsport 3 - $39.99

PC

• Left 4 Dead 2 - $29.99
• Guild Wars Trilogy - $24.99

Read [Black Friday Ads] Also Read [Gamertell]

Full Story » | Written by Jeremy Hill for Gamertell. | Comment on this Article »

The sequel to 2007’s amazing underwater shooter is coming up soon - making its debut on February 9, 2009. Fans looking for the ultimate package on day one can spring for the Special Edition, which will reportedly include the game, the game’s soundtrack and an art book, along with a vinyl LP of the original BioShock soundtrack and three sweet-looking posters done up in the “Rapture propaganda” style. The package will run you $99.99 for the Xbox 360 or PS3 version, and $89.99 for the PC iteration.

It looks like 2K Marin is avoiding the Big Daddy figurines (some of which famously shipped broken with the original game’s Special Edition), but it looks like a nice collection either way. The music alone (especially the OST on vinyl!) is intriguing, and the posters are definitely drool-worthy.

The game itself is looking good - it probably won’t be quite the revolutionary experience that the first was, but I know I’m excited to visit Rapture again.

Read [1up]

Full Story » | Written by Danielle Riendeau for Gamertell. | Comment on this Article »

With the global economy going through hard times, most markets have been affected and unfortunately video games are not the exception. Sales are falling behind this year compared to 2008 and the holiday season is sure to bring a fierce price battle amongst the main retailers.

Not even the big companies are being spared from the effects of the economy. Video game giant Electronic Arts has decided to close Pandemic Studios, one of its recently acquired studios. This decision was part of a plan to cut 1,500 jobs in an effort to restructure the company.

EA plans to start publishing less console games and focus more on online titles which can prove more profitable for them. Pandemic Studios was acquired by EA, along with Bioware Corp. in 2007.

It’s really sad to see this happening, but I guess it’s the price for staying afloat in hard economic times. The video games industry has been growing strongly for the past few years and when the economy bounces back it’s sure to continue its growth. Studios are going to start growing again soon and when that happens I’m sure that these people will find positions in the industry.

Pandemic was most recently working on The Saboteur which was scheduled to be released December 2009 for the Xbox 360, PS3 and PC.

Read [Top News] Also read [USA Today]

Full Story » | Written by Christian Morlotte for Gamertell. | Comment on this Article »

If you’re enjoying Dragon Age: Origins and anxiously waiting for more DLC so there’s even more to love about the PC, PS3 and Xbox 360 game, there’s good news. EA is going to spread some holiday cheer in 2009 with a “Return to Ostagar” DLC pack for all versions of the game. An exact release date hasn’t been announced yet, just that it’ll be out around the holidays in both North America and Europe.

The latest quest is going to send players who purchase the DLC back to Ostagar. Originally in the game’s history, King Cailan of Ferelden and his Grey Wardens suffered defeat there, with Cailan losing his life in the ensuing battle. In “Return to Ostagar,” you get the opportunity to return to find out what happened for yourself and reclaim the equipment he left behind. Sounds like this DLC pack is going to include some nice loot.

It also is a pretty good deal, for DLC. “Return to Ostagar” is $4.99/400 Microsoft Points/400 BioWare Points.

Read [El Mundo Tech] Also Read [WELT Online] Site [Dragon Age: Origins] Also Read [Worth Playing]

Full Story » | Written by Jenni Lada for Gamertell. | Comment on this Article »

Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 has done exceedingly well despite some bouts with controversy. That controversy probably helped boost its sales to higher levels than originally projected. A game such as this doesn’t sell 4 million copies without drawing some fire from unhappy organizations or countries

It was reported by GotPS3, and translated by Hellforge that MW2 was banned in Russia because of the infamous “No Russian” mission. The Russian government allegedly wanted that level to be taken out of the game and will relaunch it in one month.

Contrary to this report Activision released a statement to VG247 which reads, “Reports that Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 has been banned in Russia are erroneous. Activision only released a PC version of the game in Russia which went on sale on Tuesday, Nov. 10.”

Console versions of MW2 allow players to skip “No Russian” altogether when starting the campaign. There also isn’t a penalty to achievements if you choose to not take part in that stage. Infinity Ward also released a patch for the PC version of MW2 that eliminates this mission from the game.

Perhaps banning isn’t the correct word to use which is why Activision denies the claim. Let’s call it a temporary hiatus.

Read [VG247] Also Read [Hellforge]

Full Story » | Written by Jeremy Hill for Gamertell. | Comment on this Article »

A couple of days ago I was playing the solo campaign of Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 and I got to the much discussed “No Russian” mission. (Do yourself a favor and go get a copy of Modern Warfare 2.)

The mission puts the player in the shoes of a special forces operative who is working undercover in a Russian terrorist group. The terrorists arrive at an airport and proceed to shoot everybody in sight and then make their way out while cutting down the police. During the mission, the player can control this operative and in fact contribute to the massacre.

I had heard about this before the game launched and I was interested in this mission. I thought they were just making too much noise about it but then my opinion changed when I played through it.

I was amazed at how the game actually makes you get involved and how your feelings affect the way you play. I just couldn’t bring myself to shoot at the people. I just couldn’t, especially after seeing one of the victims crawl to safety for the first time. I thought that I would probably fail the mission if I didn’t fire so I just shot over the people, at the monitors and the vending machines. I even did a Terminator 2 on the police outside and only shot at their legs.

I think there is no penalty for shooting innocents, or for refusing to shoot them for that matter, but what caught my interest was the fact that the player’s feelings are involved. By making the player part of the scene it conveys a stronger message than just making it a cutscene. The fact that you actually hesitate, even if it’s just for a couple of seconds, and decide whether to shoot the people or not makes it a great device to get the player involved.

The developers were obviously looking for a strong reaction with this level. We have all seen the “bad guy” in a movie or game pull off some horrible plan where hundreds of innocents die. When you’re just an spectator, you’re totally detached from the situation and it kind of lessens the blow but it’s definitely tougher when you have to push the button or pull the trigger.

Games are always praised for good stories and plots, situations that provoke emotions in people. Infinity Ward took a gamble by portraying this kind of situation but I think it is a powerful tool to immerse the audience into a story. All forms of entertainment evolve over time and video games, as such, must evolve as well, not just in terms of graphics and animations but with their stories and the situations portrayed in them. I think developers should focus on this kind of interaction with the players. Stories should strive to make the players feel and get invested in the game.

For people who keep on looking at video games as toys, these situations will always arise some controversy but I think it’s an important step forward for games as entertainment.

Congratulations to Infinity Ward and keep it coming. This is what games need to move forward and I’m sure more gamers will appreciate it.

Read [Gamertell] Read [Destructoid] Also read [IGN]  Site [Infinity Ward]

Image Credit: Achievement image from Technology Ninja

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The ad that perhaps every Black Friday 2009 shopper has been waiting for has been leaked onto the internet. Walmart’s 2009 Black Friday ad has been scanned in and is ready for your critical perusal. From what I’ve seen of the ad, it looks like Walmart is going to be the main destination for a lot of people searching for toys this Christmas season. There’s a whole page with $5 toys. The page showing over 100 $2 DVDs on Friday, November 27, 2009 looks pretty intriguing as well.

There will be a doorbuster period, and it will last from 5am to 11am on Friday, November 27, 2009. So, let’s see what doorbusters are available first. The front page of the ad shows three doorbuster TVs, a $248 Emerson 32” 720p HDTV, a $449 Emerson 42” Plasma 720p HDTV and a $790 Sony Bravia 46” 1080p LCD HDTV. There will also be DS lites for $98. You can get a $128 Sansui 19” LCD HDTV or a $598 Sanyo 50” Plasma 720p HDTV during that time period. There will also be a HP Pavillion p6243w-b desktop computer with Windows 7, AMD, 3gb memory and 320gb hard drive for $398, a HP G60-519wm laptop computer with Windows 7, Intel, 3gb memory and 250gb hard drive for $298 and a eMachines eME627 laptop with Windows 7, AMD, 2gb memory and 160gb hard drive for $198.

There’s one more bit of good news. Sit down for this. See the front page of the ad? It says, and I quote, “Our stores will match the price of any local competitor’s printed ad for an identical product.” It may be a good idea to make Walmart your place to shop this Black Friday.

And now, on to the general video game sales!

The Walmart ad proudly proclaims that over 50 games will be $7. Here’s a brief list of $7 titles shown in the ad:

• Lock’s Quest (DS)
• Neopets Puzzle Adventure (DS)
• Are You Smarter than a 5th Grader: Make the Grade (PS2)
• Shrek’s Carnival Craze Party Games (PS2)
• Suzuki Super Bikes (PS2)
• Celebrity Sports Showdown (Wii)
• Tak and the Guardians of Gross (Wii)
• Command and Conquer: Red Alert 3 (Xbox 360)

It also proclaims that there will be over 40 video games priced at $10. Here’s the list of $10 titles shown in the ad:

• MX vs ATV Untamed (DS)
• Need for Speed Undercover (PS3)
• The Godfather II (PS3)
• Big Beach Sports (Wii)
• Carnival Games (Wii)
• Grand Theft Auto IV (Xbox 360)
• Midnight Club Los Angeles(Xbox 360)

Finally, it proclaims there will be over 30 $25 games. Here’s the list of the $25 titles shown in the ad:

• Sims 3 (PC, Mac)
• Madden NFL 10 (PS2)
• Call of Duty 4 Modern Warfare Game of the Year Edition (PS3)
• Smackdown vs Raw 2009 (PS3)
• Bakugan Battle Brawlers (Wii)
• Tiger Woods PGA Tour 10 (Wii)
• NBA 2K10 (Xbox 360)
• UFC 2009 Undisputed (Xbox 360)

Finally, let’s look at some specific deals:

PS3

• Rock Band Special Edition bundle with guitar, drums, microphone and game - $50
• 120gb PS3 with Infamous, Batman: Arkham Asylum and the Blu-ray movie The Dark Knight for $299.

Wii

• Walmart.com online exclusive! Get a $249 Wii value bundle that includes a Wii, an extra set of Nyko Wii remote controllers, Hasbro Family Game Night 2 and Mario and Sonic at the Olympic Winter Games.

Xbox 360

• Rock Band Special Edition bundle with guitar, drums, microphone and game - $50
• Xbox 360 Arcade Console with Madagascar 2: Escape 2 Africa game and the Madagascar and Madagascar 2 movie DVDs for $199.

General Electronics

• 4gb Sony Memory Stick - $20
• 4gb SanDisk SDHC Card - $8
• X Rocker Turbo Sound Gaming Chair - $35

Image Source: TheBlackFriday.com

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What’s almost as good as a Black Friday sale ad? A Thanksgiving sale ad! Kmart’s Thanksgiving 2009 sale ad has been leaked onto the internet, and is now available for your viewing pleasure. Many Kmart stores are going to be open from 7am to 9pm on November 26, 2009, in case you feel like getting your shopping done early after a meal with loved ones. If you live in Massachusetts, Maine or Rhode Island, don’t bother heading to your local stores - they’ll be closed.

There are no doorbusters, so no need to worry about waiting in line or getting to the store obscenely early. Well, if there’s something you really want, you may want to stop by early just to make sure it is still in stock. You never know, those $9.99 Snuggies could fly off store shelves.

Let’s check out the video game and electronic deals in the ad. Be advised, there will be also be $14.99 and under value games on sale in addition to the deals below, but the selection will vary depending on the store so no specific games are mentioned.

DS

• 2-packs of DS games will be $14.99. The ad says the assortment will vary by store. The bundle pictured shows Tornado and Indianapolis 500 Legends.

PS2

• Guitar Hero Metallica - $39.99
• Guitar Hero Smash Hits - $39.99
• Guitar Hero World Tour - $29.99
• Guitar Hero World Tour guitar bundle with game and guitar peripheral - $49.99
• 3-packs of PS2 games will be $9.99. The ad says the assortment will vary by store. The bundle pictured shows Superman Returns, NeoGeo Battle Coliseum and DT Carnage.

PS3

• Guitar Hero Metallica - $39.99
• Guitar Hero Smash Hits - $39.99
• Guitar Hero World Tour - $29.99
• Guitar Hero World Tour guitar bundle with game and guitar peripheral - $49.99
• 2-packs of PS3 games will be $24.99. The ad says the assortment will vary by store. The bundle pictured shows Stormrise and Bionic Commando.

PSP

• Buy a $169.99 PSP 3000 system, get a $25 Sony Gaming Coupon.
• Buy a $199.99 Limited Edition Gran Turismo PSP Bundle, get a $25 Sony Gaming Coupon.

Wii

• A Boy and his Blob - $29.99
• EA Active - $39.99
• Guitar Hero Metallica - $39.99
• Guitar Hero Smash Hits - $39.99
• Guitar Hero World Tour - $29.99
• Guitar Hero World Tour guitar bundle with game and guitar peripheral - $49.99
• Jillian Michaels Fitness Ultimatum 2010 - $29.99
• 2-packs of Wii games will be $14.99. The ad says the assortment will vary by store. The bundle pictured shows King of Clubs and Ultimate Board Game Collection.
• Buy a $199.99 Wii, get a $25 Nintendo Gaming Coupon.
• Kmart is also advertising Wii Fit Plusfor $99.99, but that’s the standard price for the bundle and not a sale price.

Xbox 360

• Forza Motorsport 3 - $39.99
• Guitar Hero Metallica - $39.99
• Guitar Hero Smash Hits - $39.99
• Guitar Hero World Tour - $29.99
• Guitar Hero World Tour guitar bundle with game and guitar peripheral - $49.99
• Halo 3 ODST - $39.99
• 2-packs of Xbox 360 games will be $24.99. The ad says the assortment will vary by store. The bundle pictured shows Crash Time and Battle Fantasia.

Image Source: Black Friday 2009.

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Silicon Studio and From Software’s retro-style, action-role-playing adventure 3D Dot Game Heroes gathered a lot of attention in Japan, both before and after it’s November 5, 2009, release date. People were especially enamored with the hero creator tool, and took great pleasure in posting images of custom heroes created.

Thankfully, North American audiences will also be able to experience that same thrill. Atlus has announced that the company is going to publish the game in North America on May 11, 2010. It’ll cost $39.99, not bad for a PS3 game.

3D Dot Game Heroes has a classic, action RPG storyline. Dotnia Kingdom was saved probably centuries ago from the Dark King Onyx, and everyone thought that was the end of their troubles. Except now a Dark Bishop named Fuelle has stolen an orb that has Dark King Onyx sealed inside. Players step into the shoes of a hero, which they can edit to look however they want, to save Dotnia from Fuelle, and possibly Dark King Onyx as well.

While the game itself seems unquestionably awesome, the customization features make it even better. You can make your hero look however you want. Then, you can share it online with USB flash drives. You can also customize your hero’s sword.

I have a seriously good feeling about this game. Atlus scored a huge, unexpected PS3 hit with Demon’s Souls in 2009, and I have a feeling the same thing is going to happen with 3D Dot Game Heroes in 2010.

Read [Destructoid] Also Read [Siliconera] Site [3D Dot Game Heroes]

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A week after GameStop’s corporate office authorized some of its stores to break street date on Modern Warfare 2, three New Jersey stores have done the same with Assassin’s Creed II and Left 4 Dead II.

The much-anticipated sequels went on sale there November 14, 2009. The actual street date for both games is November 17, 2009, available on PlayStation 3, Xbox 360 and, in the case of Left 4 Dead 2, PC as well.

According to Kotaku, clerks sought permission to break street date after an independent store in the Jersey City area did so. The move is apparently only for Jersey City.

When GameStop did this for Modern Warfare 2, Activision was adamant that no special permissions had been given and GameStop was not authorized to break street date.

I’m thinking Ubisoft and Electronic Arts, the respective publishers of AC2 and L4D2, are not particularly happy about this scenario either.

Read [Kotaku] Also Read [Destructoid]

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New Spaces and Places

Guitar Hero 5 VIP Room

For those fans of the Guitar Hero 5 franchise who have been testing the red ropes to the VIP room since this space first opened back in April 2009. The ropes have dropped and those who fill out a registration form are treated to a VIP lounge. Step inside this huge lounge to receive a free virtual t-shirt and then walk or run over to the bass drum area for a virtual guitar for your personal space.

HOME Theater

Full Metal Alchemist—This week at the Home space theater anime fans can enjoy a full second season episode of Full Metal Alchemist now until November 19, 2009. Just look for the sign above the door to find which room is playing this film. Those who enjoyed the film can find it at the PlayStation Network Store in the video section for more episodes.

Final Fantasy XIII—Also this week, an exclusive never-seen before look at the upcoming Final Fantasy XIII introducing new characters and giving players a glimpse of the game play and the shear awesomeness of all things Final Fantasy.

Steven Segal Lawman—Check out this sneak peek of A&E’s new reality series and receive a free virtual item this Wednesday. This new series features Steven Seagal joining Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office in New Orleans taking his fans along for the ride through training and patrolling the streets as an actual law enforcement officer assisting the department with enforcing the law and keeping the streets of New Orleans safe in his new reality series on A&E December 2, 2009 at 10 p.m. Pacific Time or 9 p.m. Central Time.

Changes

This week players may notice a few changes at the mall this week. For example the paintings are no longer being sold at the mall and furniture designed for specific apartments are now being sold in the real estate store as bundles. For some reason or another those who won the Alcove from the Siren Ward of Despair game, the item is still missing from the inventory. I’m not sure how much longer it will take before the item is returned to the inventory list but Sony encourages HOME users to report any personal items still missing from your inventory in the PlayStation forums under Home technical support.

Shopping Mall

This week at the mall look out for the Assassin’s Creed II Live by the Creed bundle at Threads and help celebrate the game’s release this week. This week the stores have individual categories and bundle sections, unless listed next to the item in (parenthesis) all items are available for male and female avatars.

Real Estate Store located on the first and second floor of the mall

Pirate Galleon Apartment
For those who purchased the pirate outfit during the Pirates vs Ninja event last year, brush it off and get ready to set sail as you command your own pirate galleon in this new apartment space by nDreams for $5.99 at the Real Estate Store located in the Home Shopping Mall. This new space features a dock overlooking a peaceful cove, a musical tiki bar and a giant pirate galleon equipped with a cannon to blast away any enemy sailing too close. The mini-game pits players against an armada of galleons slowly sailing closer to your hide out and as they draw near they will launch bomber boats that can blast your ship away if you’re not quick enough to take them out first. You only have five lives so aim quick and time it just right to sink the ships. Don’t forget to blast the ghost ship for extra points. Prizes include furniture for your tiki bar and a lovable parrot. Check out the Pirate Galleon. (Please note the parrot doesn’t really snore or squawk, this is just a presentation by nDreams.):

Threads - located on the first floor of the mall.

The Original V-Shirt Section

• Fashion Pirate T-Shirt cost 79 cents (Female Only)
• Crazy Sexy Disco Party T-Shirt cost 79 cents (Male Only)
• Goldie Chain T-Shirt cost 79 cents (Male Only)
• Make Scores Not Wars T-Shirt cost 79 cents (Male Only)
• Tux T-Shirt cost 79 cents (Male Only)
• Virtually Skint T-Shirt cost 79 cents (Male Only)
• Demon T-Shirt cost 79 cents (Male Only)
• Bored Giraffe T-Shirt by Teetonic cost 79 cents (Male Only)
• Robot Invasion T-Shirt by Teetonic cost 79 cents (Male Only)
• Fatal Attraction T-Shirt by Teetonic cost 79 cents (Male Only)
• Night Owl T-Shirt by Teetonic cost 79 cents (Male Only)
• Scissors vs Rock vs Paper T-Shirt by Teetonic cost 79 cents (Male Only)
• Crazy World, 1972 T-Shirt by Worn Free cost 79 cents (Male Only)
• Maalaea T-Shirt by Worn Free cost 79 cents (Male Only)
• Skull, 1972 T-Shirt by Worn Free cost 79 cents (Male Only)
• Come Together, 1969 T-Shirt by Worn Free cost 79 cents (Female Only)
• This Is Not Here, Oct 6th 1971 T-Shirt by Worn Free cost 79 cents (Female Only)
• Texas Arcade Massacre T-Shirt by Joystick Junkies cost 79 cents (Male Only)
• Big Al’s T-Shirt by Joystick Junkies cost 79 cents (Male Only)
• Pirate Skull T-Shirt by Joystick Junkies cost 79 cents (Male Only)
• Monkey Madness T-Shirt by Joystick Junkies cost 79 cents (Male Only)
• Cheap Ninja Costume T-Shirt by 8Ball cost 79 cents (Male Only)
• FBI Logo T-Shirt by 8Ball cost 79 cents (Male Only)
• Let’s hug it out T-Shirt by 8Ball cost 79 cents (Male Only)
• Wingman T-Shirt by 8Ball cost 79 cents (Male Only)
• Island Records Logo T-Shirt by Island Records in choice of black or white cost 99 cents each
• Indiscriminate T-Shirt by Billabong in choice of White or Blue cost 99 cents each (Male Only)
• Gravity T-Shirt by Billabong in choice of Black or Blue cost 99 cents each (Male Only)
• Idolize T-Shirt by Billabong cost 99 cents (Male Only)
• Symphony T-Shirt by Billabong cost 99 cents (Male Only)
• Stutter T-Shirt by Billabong cost 99 cents (Male Only)
• Rogue T-Shirt by Billabong cost 99 cents (Male Only)
• Joyner T-Shirt by Billabong cost 99 cents (Female Only)
• Wo’Mang T-Shirt by Billabong cost 99 cents (Female Only)
• Hey, Hey, Hey T-Shirt by Billabong cost 99 cents (Female Only)
• Bermuda, December 1980 T-Shirt by Worn Free cost 99 cents (Male Only)
• This Is Not Here, Oct 6th 1971 T-Shirt by Worn Free cost 99 cents (Male Only)
• Yoko Ono, 1980 T-Shirt by Worn Free cost 99 cents (Female Only)
• Indian, 1967 T-Shirt by Worn Free cost 99 cents

Assassin’s Creed II Section

• Assassin’s Creed II Promotion Bundle cost $2.99
Individual Items:
• Assassin’s Creed II Logo Wrist Band cost 49 cents
• Animus Logo T-Shirt cost 79 cents
• Assassin’s Creed II Logo T-Shirt cost 79 cents
• Animus Logo Hat cost 79 cents
• Assassin’s Creed II Logo hat cost 79 cents
• Assassin’s Creed II Ezio Hoodie cost 99 cents

Where’s Waldo Section

• Wenda Costume Bundle cost $7.49 (Female Only)
Individual Items Include:
• Wenda’s Glasses, Hat and Shoes cost $1.49 each
• Wenda’s Shirt and Skirt cost $2.99 each
• Waldo Costume Bundle costs $8.49 (Male Only)
Individual Items Include:
• Waldo’s Cane, Glasses, Hat and Shoes cost $1.49 each
• Waldo’s Shirt and Pants cost $2.99 each
• Odlaw Costume Bundle costs $8.49 (Male Only)
Individual Items Include:
• Odlaw’s Mustache, Glasses, Hat and Shoes cost $1.49 each
• Odlaw’s Shirt and Pants cost $2.99 each

Threads Headgear Section

• Bucket Hats in choice of Black, Brown, Grey or White cost 49 cents each
• Camo Bucket Hat cost 49 cents (Male Only)
• Bucket Hats in choice of Khaki, White Floral, Red Floral or Blue Flora cost 49 cents each (Female Only)
• Headband Headset cost 49 cents (Male Only)
• Big Afro cost 99 cents (Male Only)
• Tribal Cornrow cost 99 cents (Male Only)
• Wrap-around Headband in choice of Pink or Blue cost 99 cents each (Female Only)
• Side Pony-Tail cost 99 cents (Female Only)

Threads Hands Section

• Ring with Crystal Star in choice of Gold or Silver cost 25 cents (Male Only)
• Red Glitter Fingernails cost 25 cents (Female Only)
• Bangle with Ring in choice of Gold or Silver cost 49 cents each (Female Only)
• White Digital Watch cost 49 cents (Male Only)

Threads Top Section

• Peace Necklace with Tie-dye T-Shirt cost 49 cents
• Nerdy Neckwear cost 49 cents
• Zebra Print Dress Top cost 49 cents (Female Only)*
• Dot Print Dress Top cost 49 cents (Female Only)*
• Dress Shirt in choice of Brown with Brown Shaded Stripe, Black with Grey Shaded Stripe or Black with Lilac Shaded Stripe cost 49 cents each (Male Only)
• Rugby Top in choice of Pink and Grey, Black and Green, Brown and Grey or Red and Blue cost 49 cents each (Female Only)
• Turtleneck Long-Sleeved Shirt in choice of Black, Pink or Yellow cost 49 cents each (Female Only)
• Cyber Goth Top cost 49 cents (Male Only)
• Hoodie Top in choice of Green, Black, White, Navy, Pale Blue, Pink, Jungle Camo or Urban Camo cost 49 cents each (Male Only)
• 70’s Suit Jacket in choice of White or Black cost 99 cents each (Male Only)
• MDRXB700 T-Shirt with Headband Headphones around neck in choice of White, Yellow, Blue or Pink cost 99 cents each (Male Only)
• 70s Style Dress in choice of Pink or Blue cost 99 cents each (Female Only)

Threads Bottoms Section

• 70’s Suit Trousers in choice of Black or White cost 49 cents each (Male Only)
• White Hot Pants with choice of blue or pink tights cost 49 cents each (Female Only)
• Zebra Print Dress Skirt cost 49 cents (Female Only)*
• Dot Print Dress Skirt cost 49 cents (Female Only)*
• Chinos with Crown Buckle in choice of Beige or White cost 49 cents each (Male Only)
• 3/4-Length Trousers in choice of Khaki and Cream or Blue cost 49 cents each
• 3/4-Length Trousers in choice of Blue and Orange or White cost 49 cents each (Male Only)
• 3/4-Length Trousers in choice of Blue and Yellow, Pink and Red, Blue and Cream or Cream cost 49 cents each (Female Only)

Threads Feet Section

• Leather Sneakers in choice of White or Red cost 25 cents each (Male Only)
• Short Boots in choice of Black or Red cost 25 cents each (Female Only)
• Enamel Shoes in choice of White or Black cost 49 cents each (Male Only)
• White Knee-high Boots cost 99 cents (Female Only)

Threads Jewelry Section

• Small Silver Hoop Earrings cost 25 cents (Female Only)
• White Pearl Earrings cost 49 cents (Female Only)

Threads Accessories Section

• 70s-Style Sunglasses cost 49 cents (Female Only)
• Wide-Framed Sunglasses in choice of Pink or Blue cost 99 cents each (Female Only)
• B Sunglasses in choice of Red or Green cost 99 cents each (Male Only)

*Threads Dress Section

• Zebra Print Dress Bundle cost 99 cents (Female Only)
• Dot Print Dress Bundle cost 99 cents (Female Only)

Furniture Store - located on first floor of Mall

Burn Zombie Burn Section

• Character Statues in choice of Bruce, Daisy, Zombie or Zombie Rusher cost $2.99 each

Table Section

• Deco Table cost 99 cents

Ornament Section

• Human Plush cost 49 cents
• Stuffed Hamster cost 49 cents
• Gun Case Bundle cost $1.49
Individual Items Include:
• LRm-5960 Rifle cost 49 cents
• TxRm-20 Handgun cost 49 cents
• Revolver-6 cost 49 cents
• PsT-50 Pistol cost 49 cents
• Weapon Racks Bundle cost $2.49
Individual Items Include:
• Modern Bow Rack cost 49 cents
• Colonial Gun Rack cost 49 cents
• Contemporary Military Gun Rack cost 49 cents
• Pirate Sword Rack cost 49 cents
• Medieval Sword Rack cost 49 cents
• Future Gun Rack cost 49 cents
• Muk Yan Jong cost 99 cents

Light Section

• Stained Glass Lamp cost 99 cents
• Summer House Light cost 99 cents

Sofa Section

• Deco Bed cost $1.49

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Meijer’s 2009 Black Friday ad is now online and it’s pretty good in terms of game deals. Specifically, there isn’t much, but the doorbusters are quite impressive if you don’t already own a console or handheld system. I mean, if the person you’re shopping for doesn’t already own a console or system. Because you’re buying for other people, probably.

Anyways, all the deals worth discussing are doorbuster deals. Meijer opens at 5am, November 27, 2009, and the doorbusters last until 12pm that day. If you want to take advantage of any of them, get there early. I get the feeling they may sell out.

Here are the doorbusters:

• All video games that are $19.99 or less will be 50% off.
• When you buy a $199.99 Wii, you will get a Meijer Custom Coupon that will take $50 off your next Meijer purchase.
• A Full HD 1080p 42” Sylvania LCD HDTV is $499.99
• If you buy a $199 8gb iPod Touch, you’ll get a Meijer Custom Coupon that will take $50 off your next Meijer purchase.
• When you purchase a $299.99 Xbox 360 Elite bundle with Lego Batman and Pure, you get Grand Theft Auto IV and Halo 3 free.
• When you purchase a $299.99 120gb PS3 Slim, you get the Blu-ray movies Step Brothers and Black Hawk Down and the games Gran Turismo 5 Prologue and Ratchet & Clank: Tools of Destruction free.
• When you buy a DSi for $169.99, you get a Meijer Custom Coupon that will take $30 off your next purchase.
• When you purchase a $299.99 HP Mini 1020 Netbook, with 10.1” screen, Windows XP, 160gb hard drive, webcam and four hour 3-cell battery, you get a Belkin Neoprene Sleeve and a Microsoft Wireless 3000 mouse.

Image Source: TheBlackFriday.com

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Next up for leaked Black Friday 2009 ads, Toys R Us! Yes, the ad is out and, if you’re going to be buying toys this holiday season, you’ll find some deals that will make you very happy. In addition, the store will be open at midnight on Thursday, November 26, 2009 and then will open again at 5am on Friday, November 27, 2009, so you’ll be able to get in early.

I’m letting you know now - Toys R Us went doorbuster deal crazy this year. Seriously, it’s ridiculous. There are two doorbuster periods, one that lasts from 12am Thursday until 1pm Friday, and one on Friday that lasts from 5am to 1pm. If you’re looking for PS3 and Xbox 360 games, you’ll have to go then. The only general sale games are for the DS, PSP and Wii.

First, let’s look at the Thursday-Friday doorbusters.

• An 8gb iPod Touch will be $199.99 and come with a $50 gift card.
• The two DSi Holiday bundles, the Mario and Brain Age ones, will be $159.99 and come with an EVA Sleeve Kit and DSi Car Adapter. That’s the best deal on those bundles yet!
• You can also get an Xbox 360 Arcade system, Marvel Ultimate Alliance 2, two additional Xbox 360 games (I can’t determine what they are from the ad scan) and a carrying case for $229.95.

Next, the Friday 5am to 1pm doorbusters.

• You can get Spore Hero (Wii) or Dead Space Extraction (Wii) for $24.99.
• Selected Wii Fit accessories and peripherals will be 50% off their normal price.
• Need for Speed: Shift (PS3, Xbox 360), Forza Motorsport 3 (Xbox 360) and Halo 3: ODST will be $34.99.
• The DS Guitar Hero On Tour and Decades 2-pack, with guitar grip peripheral, will be $29.99.
• An Xbox 360 wired Guitar Hero controller will be $9.99.
• The Wii games Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Smash Up will be $29.99.
• The Wii games iCarly and Scooby Doo! First Frights will be $23.99.
• A Haier 22” LCD TV with HDMI and PC inputs will be $199.99.

Now, let’s get on to the video game deals that will be available Friday and Saturday, November 27-28, 2009:

DS

• Avatar: The Last Airbender: Into the Inferno - $9.99
• Club Penguin - $17.99
• Crash: Mind over Mutant - $9.99
• Dinosaur King - $21.99 It’s also part of the buy one, get one free DS and PSP game offer. (Editor’s Note: It’s $14.99 at Amazon right now.)
• Ice Age: Dawn of the Dinosaurs - $9.99
• Imagine: Family Doctor - $9.99
• Legend of Spyro: Dawn of the Dragon - $9.99
• Marvel Ultimate Alliance 2 - $17.99
• Monsters vs. Aliens - $9.99
• Mushroom Men: Rise of the Fungi - $21.99. It’s also part of the buy one, get one free DS and PSP game offer.
• MySims Kingdom - $9.99
• Petz Horseshoe Ranch - $9.99
• The Cheetah Girls: Pop Star Sensations - $21.99 It’s also part of the buy one, get one free DS and PSP game offer.
• The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian - $21.99 It’s also part of the buy one, get one free DS and PSP game offer.
• Tony Hawk’s Motion - $9.99
• Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen - $17.99
• Select DS accessories will be $5.
• DS Lite starter kits will be $11.99
• Note: There is one other DS game that will be $19.99, but I can’t tell what it is from the adscan.

PSP

• Hellboy: The Science of Evil - $21.99. It’s also part of the buy one, get one free DS and PSP game offer.
• Hot Shots Golf: Open Tee - $21.99. It’s also part of the buy one, get one free DS and PSP game offer.
• A game that is either Pirates of the Caribbean: At World’s End or Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest - $21.99. It’s also part of the buy one, get one free DS and PSP game offer.
• Sonic Rivals 2 - $21.99 It’s also part of the buy one, get one free DS and PSP game offer.

Wii

• Avatar: The Last Airbender: Into the Inferno - $9.99
• Chrysler Classic Racing - $9.99
• Jelly Belly Ballistic Beans - $9.99
• Kawasaki Jet Ski - $9.99
• Imagine: Party Babyz - $9.99
• MySims Party - $9.99
• The Price is Right - $9.99
• A Wii carrying case will be $15.
• Select Wii peripherals will be $10. Looks like there are lightsaber, maracas and sports remote attachments.

Xbox 360

• There’ll be a $15 Xbox 360 messenger bag carrying case.

General Electronics

• Littlest Pet Shop VIP Plush Pets that come with a code to play an online game. - $2.98

Image Source: TheBlackFriday.com

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For those of you looking for all the great Black Friday (aka the day after Thanksgiving, aka November 27, 2009) video game deals all in one place, you can check out all of our Black Friday posts.

For those of you who like things in nice, nifty, easy-to-browse bullet-point style lists, here ya go:

• Toys R Us - Doorbusters galore! Both Friday and Saturday they want you there very early. Each day has different deals so check the post o see which day (if not both) you need to wait in line. Some games on sale both days as well.
• Meijer - Doorbuster deals are on system bundles. Looks like they like to give out $50 gift cards with systems, too.
• Best Buy - Black Friday Doobuster deals. oh my. Deals include $10 DS games, $5 PC games, $20 PS3 and Xbox 360 games and $15 Wii games as well as discounted systems. Bust a door but not your )or someone else’s) shoulder.
• Target - Cheaper DSi with gift card, controllers and discounted games for every system. for some reason this store has gone with prices ending in $7 ( as in $7 PSP game, $17 DS games, $27 Wii games and $37 PS3 and Xbox 360 games). Couple bundles as well.
• Kohl’s - Has some DS and Wii games on sale now for 20% to 30% off, accessories for 20% to 50% off. Otherwise, only advertised deal is really gift cards per $50 spent for Black Friday.
• Half Price Books - Oh yeah, you read that right. A store with “book” in the name. Yes, they sell games. Gift cards, discounts and other first-through-the-door style goodies.
• Sears - The store that used to rule the gaming coup is hyping its LCD TVs on the cheap and Doorbuster electronics deals. Otherwise, assorted games for $15 and inexpensive 2- and 3-packs.
• Kmart - Decided to go with “Blue Friday” instead of “Black Friday?” Whatever. HDTV, LCD TV and a DSi are on the Doorbuster Deal list. for Black Friday there’s games for each system (this time ending in “9”).
• Walmart - For now no Black Friday deals but there are some going-on-now deals including Make-Your-Own DS Lite Bundle, a few Wii things and a couple music games for the other two systems. There is a $200 Xbox on the pre-Black Friday deals list.
• Circuit City - More a pre-Black Friday online-only sale, the main game deal is Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 for $55.9. The rest are HDTV and computer (desktop, laptop and netbook) deals.

Oh yes, there will be more. We’ll update this page as they come including ads as fast as we can scan and slap ‘em online.

Don’t miss our look at five games that can help prepare you for the hectic shopping pace of Black Friday.

Also check out the Black Friday coverage on sister sites Gadgetell and Appletell. Gadgets and Apple stuff is mm, mmm, good.

Read [Gamertell]

Full Story » | Written by PJ Hruschak for Gamertell. | Comment on this Article »

The release date for Madden NFL Arcade, the five-on-five NBA Jam-style game with wild powerups and a 60-yard field, has been moved up by Electronic Arts.

Originally slated for a December 2009 release, the downloadable title is now coming to PlayStation Network November 24, 2009 and Xbox Live November 25, 2009.  It will set you back $14.99 on PSN or 1200 Microsoft Points on XBLA.

This concept actually started as a mini-game on the Nintendo Wii version of Madden. Its new incarnation will add the procedural tackling animations seen in the 360 and PS3 versions of the best selling football simulation.

The timing is understandable as football, video games and a few days off work or school make the Thanksgiving week a perfect chance to try this one.

I’ve always loved the NFL Street series so Madden NFL Arcade looks like a fun, uncomplicated football diversion.

Read [Pasta Padre] via [Kotaku]

Full Story » | Written by Brian Allen for Gamertell. | Comment on this Article »

What Activision does in the wake of retailers breaking street date on what may be the biggest game launch of all time will surely impact the future of the “street date” concept.

We play this little game every time a major release comes out. Somebody, or several somebodies, start selling it early by “accident.”

This time, though, GameStop execs believe people were doing it on purpose to get some sales over on the mega retailer. As GameStop’s empire expands, it’s getting harder and harder for companies to take the giant’s knees out from under it legitimately.

I don’t doubt for a second that at least a few retailers (or their employees) knew exactly what they were doing this weekend. I mean, if you work at a game store, haven’t you had the street date concept drilled into your head constantly?

Editor’s Note: Street dates for games are often clearly indicated on the shipping box in large, bold print or using a brightly colored sticker.

We all know exactly when Modern Warfare 2 was supposed to go on sale (it’s kind of a big deal in the industry.) GameStop brass look to have had their fill and didn’t have any desire to eat a few million preorders this week.

Not that anybody is going to have a problem selling copies of this game in holiday season 2009 but I get the gist of GameStop’s motivation.

These sales weren’t isolated incidents. A quick check of Xbox Live confirmed thousands of people had this game before they were supposed to. And by the amount of playtime logged, these folks had the game for quite a while.

Looks like a number of retailers were daring Activision to do something about this. If they don’t, the street date concept in general may be going the way of the Sega Dreamcast.

It’s always hard to prove intent. Those that jumped out before GameStop can claim miscommunication or misunderstanding, however unconvincing those cries may be. GameStop admitted it was about to break street date in “select markets,” which is akin to being “a little pregnant.” There’s these sites called eBay and Craigslist. If you buy something in New York you’re not supposed to have a week before you’re not supposed to have it, you can ship it anywhere in the world in a day or two.

If a company the size of GameStop doesn’t get hit with some stiff penalties for doing this, there will be no incentive for other retailers not to do it. Gradually, if more and more people break street date and see no harm from it, nobody’s going to obey street dates.

Once a game is out there early, it’s out there. This changes the play experience dramatically as higher level gamers get better perks and know their way around maps better than people who are brand new to the game.

Then there’s the matter of spoilers. Since the leaked footage, there’s been a great deal of curiosity about the game’s content. A broken street date increases the chance you will relive the moment some Chatty Kathy ran past you screaming, “Vader is Luke’s father,” before you saw The Empire Strikes Back.
Human nature is not that hard to understand. We don’t do wrong when we think we’ll get punished and do things we think we can get away with. GameStop’s executives think the punishment coming from Activision will cost less than getting beaten out selling MW2 in major cities. They wouldn’t have done it otherwise.

Now I don’t know too many gamers, myself included, who would weep for the death of the street date. It has always been an exercise in frustration to know a game I want is sitting in the stock room but no one can sell it to me under penalty of…?

Well, Activision? What is the penalty for this one?

Read [Gamertell] Also Read [Kotaku]

Full Story » | Written by Brian Allen for Gamertell. | Comment on this Article »

Prepare the laser cannons and bring those shields up this week at the PlayStation Store with this week’s downloadable game Star Trek D.A.C. for $9.99. Based on Paramount Picture’s motion picture movie Star Trek, this game allows players can choose a starship to command (including the U.S.S. Enterprise) from either Starfleet Command or the Romulan Empire. There are three modes players can select: single-player mode, online versus and co-op. It also features music and sound effects from the movie.

Check out Star Trek D.A.C.:

This week’s downloadable PSP game is Kenka Bancho: Badass Rumble for $39.99. In this game players control a student named Takashi Sakamoto who wants to rise to the top of juvenile delinquency in Japan as a Kenka Bancho. In the US. we would know these guys as the super cool tough guy in school most student’s either fear, challenge or suck up to. In Japan Takashi must take down all his rivals to include established Banchos during a school trip to Kyouto where all the Banchos from the other schools will eventually meet.

Check out Kenka Bancho: Badass Rumble:

Price Drops

• Tank Battles (PS3/Now $6.99)

Here is what else is new:

Downloadable Games

• Pinball Heroes – High Velocity Bowling (PSP/$3.99)
• Pinball Heroes – Hot Shots Golf (PSP/$3.99)
• Pinball Heroes – PAIN (PSP/$3.99)
• Pinball Heroes – UNCHARTED (PSP/$3.99)
• Bubble Trubble (PSP/$4.99)
• PSOne Classic: Command & Conquer: Red Alert (PS3/$5.99)
• Braid (PS3/$14.99)

Free Demos:

• Inferno Pool Demo (PS3/Free)
• NCAA Basketball 10 Demo (PS3/Free)
• MX Vs. ATV Reflex Demo (PS3/Free)
• Star Trek: D-A-C Demo (PS3/Free)

Bonus Game Contents:

• PAIN Fat Princess Character (PS3/Free)
• Rag Doll Kung Fu Mistress of Mime Character (PS3/Free)
• Rag Doll Kung Fu Shaolin Scarecrow Character (PS3/Free)
• Dynasty Warriors: Strikeforce Quest Pack #7 (PSP/Free)
• PAIN Speed Oocher Mode (PS3/$1.99)
• Ninja Gaiden Sigma 2 Costume Pack (PS3/$3.99)

Guitar Hero 5 Pack:

• Lenny Kravitz Track Pack (PS3/$5.49)
Individual Tracks:
• “Fly Away” by Lenny Kravitz (PS3/$1.99)
• “Lady” by Lenny Kravitz (PS3/$1.99)
• “Let Love Rule” by Lenny Kravitz (PS3/$1.99)

Rock Band Pack:

• SpongeBob SquarePants Pack 2 (PS3/$2.99)
Individual Tracks:
• “Employee of the Month” by SpongeBob SquarePants (PS3/99 cents)
• “A Day Like This” by SpongeBob SquarePants (PS3/99 cents)
• “Ridin’ the Hook” by SpongeBob SquarePants (PS3/99 cents)

• White Stripes Pack 1 (PS3/$5.49)
Individual Tracks:
• “Dead Leaves and the Dirty Ground” by White Stripes (PS3/$1.99)
• “Girl, You Have No Faith in Medicine” by White Stripes (PS3/$1.99)
• “Icky Thump” by White Stripes (PS3/$1.99)

Individual Song Tracks

• “Club Foot” by Kasabian (PS3/$1.99)
• “Smash it Up (Part II)” by The Damned (PS3/$1.99)

Rock Band Unplugged bonus content:

• “Excuse Me Mister” by No Doubt (PSP/$1.99)
• “I’m Shipping Up to Boston” by Dropkick Murphys (PSP/$1.99)

Free Game Videos:

• Ratchet & Clank Future: A Crack in Time – Launch Trailer
• Ratchet & Clank Future: A Crack in Time – Space Trailer
• Ratchet & Clank Future: A Crack in Time – Time Trailer
• Ratchet & Clank Future: A Crack in Time – Weapons Trailer
• Assassin’s Creed: Bloodlines Teaser Trailer
• The Saboteur Just Getting Started Trailer
• The Saboteur Pre-Order Trailer
• Battlefield Bad Company 2 Limited Edition Trailer
• Star Trek: D-A-C Trailer

Wallpapers and Themes:

• Tekken 6 Lars Wallpaper (PS3/Free)
• Tekken 6 Lilli Wallpaper (PS3/Free)
• Tekken 6 Nina Wallpaper (PS3/Free)
• Tekken 6 Yoshimitsu Wallpaper (PS3/Free)
• Tekken 6 Zafina Wallpaper (PS3/Free)
• Deep Space Theme (PS3/PSP/$1.49)
• Road to China Theme (PS3/PSP/$1.49)
• Dita Von Teese Theme 1 (PSP/$1.49)
• Dita Von Teese Theme 2 (PSP/$1.49)
• Dita Von Teese Theme (PS3/$1.99)
• Junkyard Girl Theme (PS3/PSP/$1.99)
• Ratchet & Clank Dynamic Theme (PS3/$2.99)

Read [PlayStation Store Blog] Site [PlayStation] Site [Star Trek D.A.C.]

Full Story » | Written by Lucy Newman for Gamertell. | Comment on this Article »

If you’re currently enjoying the Beatles-flavored musical goodness that is The Beatles Rock Band - well, get ready, because a rather psychadelic load of downloadable content is on its way. The full album of Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band is coming to Xbox Live and Wii on November 17 and PlayStation Network on November 19, and you can buy tracks individually or get the whole shebang at once as a “complete the album pack”.

From EA’s press release:

“The “Complete The Album Pack” features: Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band singles: “Fixing A Hole,” “She’s Leaving Home,” “Being For The Benefit of Mr. Kite!,” “Within You Without You,” “When I’m Sixty-Four,” “Lovely Rita,” “Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band (Reprise)” and “A Day In The Life.”

Ready to rock on? Last month, beatlemaniacs got Abbey Road, this month we have Sgt. Peppers - I’ll leave it up to you to guess which iconic full album will be next.

Site [The Beatles Rock Band]

Full Story » | Written by Danielle Riendeau for Gamertell. | Comment on this Article »

Good news! Atlus has begun it’s Demon’s Souls deluxe edition strategy guide replacement program. As mentioned earlier on Gamertell, some of the Demon’s Souls Official Strategy Guides had faulty covers. The ink was wearing off and smearing for no reason. Not all guides were effected, only some. But Atlus immediately stepped up and announced it would start a trade in program so customers would get exactly what they paid for. And now, that program has begun.

Step by step instructions, with images, are provided at the Demon’s Souls Official Strategy Guide Replacement Program website. You just fill out a Strategy Guide Replacement Form, rip off the damaged cover and first page of your strategy guide, stick everything in an envelope and mail it out to Atlus. To make things even easier, Atlus included a return address slip with the replacement form, so you can just tape that to the front of your envelope to ensure it arrives safely at Atlus headquarters.

After that, you just have to be patient and wait. Since you still have the rest of the Demon’s Souls Official Strategy Guide, you can still play the game for the 8-12 weeks it takes to get your brand new, ink-smudge free guide. There’s just one more thing - to get the replacement guide you must send out the necessary items and make your claim before December 31, 2009.

It really is great to see Atlus step up like this. Did any Gamertell readers experience issues with their Demon’s Souls Official Strategy Guides? If you did and you’re sending away for a replacement, let us know how it goes!

Image Source: Atlus

Read [Demon’s Souls Official Strategy Guide Replacement Program] Also Read [Gamertell]

Full Story » | Written by Jenni Lada for Gamertell. | Comment on this Article »

The Black Friday ad that is, for many people, the ad to watch out for has been leaked onto the internet. Best Buy’s 2009 Black Friday sale ad has been leaked onto the internet. As expected, it is quite possibly a video game and technology fan’s dream. There are tons of great sale items! Also, the ad announces that the Best Buy stores will open at 5am on November 27, 2009 and that employees will begin passing out doorbuster item tickets around 3am on November 27, 2009.

First, let’s look at the doorbusters. It’s probably best to know right away if you want to start lining up at Best Buy at midnight. The biggest video game doorbuster is the 120gb PS3 with Little Big Planet and Ratchet & Clank Future: A Crack in Time for $299.99. The Xbox 360 and PS3 games Madden NFL 10, FIFA Soccer 10, NBA LIVE 10, NHL 10, Need for Speed: Shift, Dragon Age: Origins and Brutal Legend will all be $34.99 doorbusters, as will the $34.99 Xbox 360 game Left 4 Dead 2. If you need a computer to play games on, there’s a Sony 15” laptop computer with Intel Pentium Dual Core processor, 4gb RAM, 320gb hard drive, Windows 7 Home Premium and a year of Spy Sweeper anti-virus for $399.99. You can also get that same computer, only with a Blu-ray player, Sony headphones and The Taking of Pelham 123 on Blu-ray for $479.97. Finally, there are two doorbuster HDTVs to check out as well, a $1599.99 46” 1080p 120Hz Samsung LED TV and a $299.99 32” 720p 60Hz Dynex LCD TV.

Now let’s look at Best Buy’s general Black Friday game sales:

DS

• Cooking Mama - $9.99
• Crash: Mind Over Mutant - $9.99
• Disney’s Bolt - $9.99
• Guiness World Records: The Videogame - $9.99
• Legend of Spyro: Dawn of the Dragon - $9.99
• Marker Man Adventures - $9.99
• Sonic Chronicles: The Dark Brotherhood - $9.99
• Sudoku Ball: Detective - $9.99
• My Word Coach - $9.99
• White DSi Brain Age bundle with Brain Age Express: Arts & Letters, Brain Age Express: Sudoku, Brain Age Express: Math, Clubhouse Games Express: Card Classics and Photo Click DSiWare preloaded - $169.99
• Metallic Blue DSiMario bundle with Mario vs. Donkey Kong: Minis March Again, WarioWare: Snapped!, Dr. Mario Express, Mario Calculator and Mario Clock DSiWare preloaded - $169.99

PC

• Assassin’s Creed - $4.99
• Bioshock - $4.99
• Civilization IV - $4.99
• Far Cry 2 - $4.99
• SLOTS - $4.99
• S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Shadow of Chernobyl - $4.99
• World of Warcraft - $4.99

PS3

• Call of Juarex: Bound in Blood - $19.99
• Fallout 3 (note: not Game of the Year Edition) - $19.99
• Resident Evil 5 - $19.99
• The Bigs 2 - $19.99
• The Chronicles of Riddick: Assault on Dark Athena - $19.99
• Tom Clancy’s Hawx - $19.99

Wii

• Boom Blox Bash Party - $14.99
• Cooking Mama World Kitchen - $14.99
• Deca Sports - $9.99 (note: Friday and Saturday only)
• ExciteBots: Trick Racing - $14.99
• Madagascar 2: Escape 2 Africa - $14.99
• Marvel Ultimate Alliance - $14.99
• MySims Kingdom - $9.99 (note: Friday and Saturday only)
• NBA Live 09 All-Play - $9.99 (note: Friday and Saturday only)
• Pikmin - $14.99
• Rayman Raving Rabbids TV Party - $9.99 (note: Friday and Saturday only)
• We Ski and Snowboard - $14.99

Xbox 360

• Call of Juarex: Bound in Blood - $19.99
• Fallout 3 - $19.99 (note: not the Game of the Year Edition)
• Hasbro Family Game Night - $19.99
• Resident Evil 5 - $19.99
• The Bigs 2 - $19.99
• The Chronicles of Riddick: Assault on Dark Athena - $19.99
• Tom Clancy’s Hawx - $19.99
• 120gb Xbox 360 Elite bundle with Lego Batman, Pure, Spiderman: Web of Shadows, Wall-E, Sonic the Hedgehog and Ghost Recon 2 - $299.99

Image Source: BFAds

Read [BlackFriday.info] Also Read [BFAds] Also Read [Gamertell]

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Good news Final Fantasy fans! Square Enix has just announced that Final Fantasy XIII will be making it’s North American PS3 and Xbox 360 debut on March 9, 2010. The ESRB rating is still pending, but the official price for both versions, according to Amazon, will be $59.99. Japan gets the PS3 version of the game on December 17, 2009. A three month wait really isn’t all that bad, especially when you consider that North America is getting the Xbox 360 version as well.

In addition, Square Enix also announced the theme song for Final Fantasy XIII - “My Hands” by Leona Lewis. Unlike previous Final Fantasy themes, “My Hands” is an already existing song and was not specially created for the game. It appears on Leona Lewis’ next album Echo, which will be out November 17, 2009. I bet that track’s popularity will skyrocket on iTunes because of this, just out of curiousity.

Siliconera found the song on YouTube. Let’s have a listen:

This means, if you don’t already own and Xbox 360 or PS3 and you’re a Final Fantasy fan, you know have about four month to get one. Better hurry! Or, better start badgering family and friends to pick one up for you for Christmas.

Editor’s Note: This entry was updated at 12:51pm CST on November 13, 2009 to add in the YouTube video of the Leona Lewis song “My Hands”.

Read [Gaming Age] Also Read [Joystiq] Also Read [Siliconera] Site [Amazon]

Full Story » | Written by Jenni Lada for Gamertell. | Comment on this Article »

As a Reuters story notes, there is big business in history for the game industry. One of this year’s most anticipated titles, Assassin’s Creed II, sees the game’s hero interact with a young Leonardo da Vinci and use his design for a flying machine.

The first Assassin’s Creed was set during the Crusades and, of course, there are probably more World War II games on shelves than there were actual battles in the war.

Upcoming game The Saboteur is loosely based on the real life story of Wiliam Grover-Williams,  who worked with the British Special Operations Executive in the hopes of liberating France. Grover-Williams was executed for his undercover work but, in the game, your character lives to help free France from the Nazis.

Libraries are playing up the learning connection to games, declaring November 14, 2009, “National Gaming Day” with many partaking in game-related activities. Patrons will be encouraged to play video and board games while librarians promote the importance of learning and literacy.

This isn’t a move without controversy. There are a lot of folks who think libraries should be using limited resources to stockpile books, not board games or video games.

So, readers, what’s your take? Have you ever played a video game that inspired you to learn more about its subject matter?

Read [Reuters] Also Read [National Gaming Day site]

Full Story » | Written by Brian Allen for Gamertell. | Comment on this Article »

With the recent trend of video game companies offering complements and add-ons for games, digital downloads are becoming an increasingly lucrative market. As with other entertainment properties, more and more video game companies are shifting parts of their businesses to creating and delivering this form of content.

The ability to obtain this content straight from its source has generally left retailers out of this trend but now GameStop intends to change this. Starting early next year, GameStop will offer add-ons for games in the form of digital downloads at all of their stores.

These downloads will be offered on conjunction with the leading console manufacturers including Microsoft and Sony. Customers will be able to purchase these add-ons directly at the store and then have them available for download from their Xbox Live or PlayStation Network accounts.

GameStop can take advantage of their positioning to successfully implement this program. When customers buy a game at the store they can be offered available add-ons for that game at the spot, encouraging multiple purchases.

Promotion for this type of content has generally been overshadowed by big campaigns for blockbuster titles, but GameStop has the ability to develop this niche with in-store advertisement. In-store promotion of this content can reach a greater number of potential customers, since it is targeting its main audience.

People would be more inclined to get one of this add-ons if it is offered along with a game. Maybe GameStop can include some of these as bonus packs or promotional items for pre-orders or other types of deals.

GameStop has a recipe for a potentially winning program here. The ability to push this content directly at the store gives them an advantage over virtual marketplaces where many of these add-ons go unnoticed. If they play this right, digital downloads could become a more mainstream item providing more variety and hopefully lower prices in the future.

Read [Reuters]  Also Read [IGN]

Full Story » | Written by Christian Morlotte for Gamertell. | Comment on this Article »

Greed Corp a battling, resource management and territory conquering strategy game with a boardgame-like appearance, finally has a definite release window of early 2010. W!Games will be releasing it it as a downloadable game for the PS3, Xbox 360 and PCs thanks to the PlayStation Store, Xbox Live Arcade and internet sites. It also marks the first entry a Mistbound series of games.

Greed Corp is about getting as much land as possible and being strong than anyone else while, at the same time, trying not to destroy the land underneath you. You can harvest resources and preserve it with Harvesters, and use that money to build weapons for defense and destory pretty much everything and send troops everywhere with walkers. If your enemy is getting too close, or has a plot of land near you, you can either destroy the enemy or destroy the land to eliminate the threat. If you are too reckless though, the land will disintegrate beneath you and you’ll lose valuable troops and territory.

It sounds like an interesting concept. Strategy games where the goal is to capture as much land as possible aren’t new, and usually you have to collect resources in them as well. A game where the resources aren’t plentiful and the health of the land and terrain factors into your success seems unique.

Read [GamesIndustry.biz] Via [Joystiq] Site [Greed Corp]

Full Story » | Written by Jenni Lada for Gamertell. | Comment on this Article »

Activision Blizzard is creating an organization dedicated to raising awareness on unemployment amongst war veterans. The non-profit foundation, called Call of Duty Endowment (CODE), will focus on raising funds and assisting organizations dedicated to job placement and training for war veterans.

Activision Blizzard’s CEO, Robert Kotick, decided to invite veterans from different branches of the military to form the advisory board for CODE. They will be in charge of raising awareness for veterans’ causes and deciding which organizations receive grants from CODE.

The announcement was timed with the release of Activision Blizzard’s latest blockbuster title, Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2. The title was developed by Infinity Ward and its past iterations have proven to be one of the most successful franchises for Activision Blizzard. Realizing it is also a very popular game amongst the troops, Activision Blizzard decided to use the money from the sales of Modern Warfare 2 to fund the Call of Duty Endowment organization.

The company also donates games to the troops on a regular basis through the United Service Organizations (USO) and this time Activision Blizzard will also donate $1 million to set up CODE.

This is a great example of how video game companies can contribute to a good cause. By working together with different organizations, developers and publishers can create awareness of issues highlighted in games and also support causes related to them.

Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 is currently available for the PS3, Xbox 360 and PC and is rated “Mature” by the ESRB for blood, drug reference, intense violence and language

Site [Call of Duty Endowment ] Read [CNNMoney] Also read [Washington Post]

Full Story » | Written by Christian Morlotte for Gamertell. | Comment on this Article »

Target’s Black Friday 2009 ad is now out online. The entire ad has been scanned and distributed over the internet. The store typically goes all out for Black Friday and has had quite a few nice sales over the years, and 2009 looks to be no different. The store will be open at 5am on November 27, 2009.

The doorbuster deals this year are okay, but I’d advise waiting for other stores’ ads before deciding to wait out in the cold for Target’s. The main video game doorbuster is a $169.99 DSi with $20 gift card. It’ll only be available while supplies last. The second doorbuster deal is a controller sale that will also continue while supplies last. You can get a PS3 black dualshock controller, the Wii Play bundle that comes with a remote and game or a black Xbox 360 controller for $39. The last video game related doorbuster is a $29.98 Video Rocker Extreme 2 gaming chair that has two speakers built in. It’s normally $59.99.

Now let’s look at the specific video game deals that will be available all day:

DS

• Gardening Mama - $17
• Hannah Montana The Movie game - $17
• iCarly - $17
• Littlest Pet Shop Friends: Beach - $17
• Marvel Super Hero Squad - $17
• Style Lab: Makeover - $17
• Personal Trainer: Cooking - $7

PS3

• Assassin’s Creed II with $10 gift card - $59.99
• Batman: Arkham Asylum - $37
• Call of Duty: Modern Warfare with $10 gift card - $59.99
• Marvel Ultimate Alliance 2 - $37
• Need for Speed: Shift - $37
• Shaun White Snowboarding Target Edition with $10 gift card - $59.99
• Star Wars The Clone Wars: Republic Heroes - $37

PSP

• Rock Band Unplugged - $7

Wii

• Animal Crossing: City Folk - $27
• Call of Duty: World at War - $27
• Guitar Hero 5 - $37
• Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Winter Games with $10 gift card - $59.99
• Need for Speed: Nitro - $27
• Nerf N-Strike Elite with $10 gift card - $59.99 (Note: It is difficult to tell if this is the elite bundle that includes the Nerf Switch Shot EX 3 Blaster.)
• SimAnimals: Africa - $27
• Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Smash Up - $27
• Wii Music - $27
• Wii Sports Resort with $10 gift card - $59.99

Xbox 360

• Assassin’s Creed II with $10 gift card - $59.99
• Batman: Arkham Asylum - $37
• Call of Duty: Modern Warfare with $10 gift card - $59.99
• Halo 3: ODST - $37
• Marvel Ultimate Alliance 2 - $37
• Need for Speed: Shift - $37
• Shaun White Snowboarding Target Edition with $10 gift card - $59.99
• Star Wars The Clone Wars: Republic Heroes - $37
• Xbox 360 120gb Elite bundle with Pure, Lego Batman, one controller and a $50 gift card - $299.99
• Call of Duty Xbox 360 250gb Elite bundle with two controllers, Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 and a $50 gift card - $399.99

General Electronics

• Lexar Media 4gb SDHC card with 50 free song downloads - $10 (Note: This card would work with the DSi or Wii.)

Image Source: TheBlackFriday.com

Read [TheBlackFriday.com] Also Read [BlackFriday.info] Also Read [Gamertell]

Full Story » | Written by Jenni Lada for Gamertell. | Comment on this Article »

Street date, schmeet date.

It should probably not come as a surprise that some retailers decided to break the November 10, 2009, street date on Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 The events that transpired afterward are definitely worth noting, though.

GameStop contacted COD publisher Activision regarding retailers breaking the street date. According to Kotaku, these conversations led to the retailer deciding to break street date in areas where other retailers had already done so.

GameStop did this - Activision is stressing to anyone listening - without the publisher’s permission.

PC gamers who purchased the game early still had to wait to get their warfare on as the IWNet and Steamworks components can stop anyone from playing until Activision allows the game servers to go live. Infinity Ward’s Robert Bowling tweeted  about the whole situation:

ANY store selling MW2 early is in violation of street date. There are no “special permissions”. That said, we won’t punish players for it.

This seems like an opportune time to mention you can also follow Gamertell’s tweets.

Street dates get broken very often, as with Halo 3: ODST which was sold in France a full 10 days before its planned release.

This situation is somewhat unique: A major retailer actively seeking and then being denied permission to break street date, then doing so anyway.

The gaming world is watching to see what happens. OK, the gaming world is playing the game, only game journalists are sitting around waiting to see what happens to GameStop.

Get your death streak going, we’ll be here to update you if and when Activision declares war on GameStop.

Read [Kotaku]  Also Read [FourZeroTwo on Twitter]

Full Story » | Written by Brian Allen for Gamertell. | Comment on this Article »

Those who loved Guerilla Games’ PS3 game Killzone 2 can now pick up the soundtrack. Sony has just announced that Joris de Man’s Killzone 2: Original Soundtrack from the Videogame is available to download thanks to iTunes. The 29 track soundtrack is available immediately.

If you purchase the entire $9.99 soundtrack from iTunes, you’ll also receive the digital booklet to go along with it. Since the tracks on the Killzone 2: Original Soundtrack from the Videogame cost 99¢ each when purchased separately, $9.99 for all of them is a great deal.

Here’s the Killzone 2: Original Soundtrack from the Videogame tracklisting:

1. “Opening - Birth of War (Retribution)”
2. “The Second Helghan March (Helghan Forever)”
3. “Battle Preparations”
4. “Bridge is Down”
5. “Ambush”
6. “Protecting the Convoy”
7. “Flight into Blood Meridian”
8. “Fight Your Way Through”
9. “Heavy Resistance”
10. “An Unexpected Guest”
11. “The Police Station”
12. “Resistance on the Bridge”
13. “Taking the Bridge”
14. “Petrusite Revealed”
15. “The Academy”
16. “Fight the A.T.A.C.”
17. “A Day of Mourning”
18. “Suljeva”
19. “Next Stop Tharsis Refinery”
20. “Question Time with Radec”
21. “Dante Garza RIP”
22. “Going Up”
23. “Templar’s Last Stand”
24. “The Exoskeleton”
25. “Nuked”
26. “Radec’s Personal Guards”
27. “Visari’s Lament”
28. “End Credits Suite”
29. “Fight the A.T.A.C. (Remix)”

If you’re interested in other Joris de Man video game soundtracks, iTunes can help. There’s a three track EP featuring “The Way of the Ninja,” “Strange Loop” and “The World is Mines” from N+.

Read [PlayStation.Blog] Via [Joystiq] Product Page [Apple] Product Page [iTunes]

Full Story » | Written by Jenni Lada for Gamertell. | Comment on this Article »

If you’re eagerly anticipating the forthcoming release of Assassin’s Creed 2 and have cable, then you’ll want to watch South Park at 10pm, 9pm Central time on Wednesday, November 11, 2009. Well, technically you don’t want to watch South Park, you want to watch the commercials during South Park. There is going to be an extended sneak preview during the show. I’m guessing it’ll probably happen during the last commercial break. That’s when they usually sneak the hyped commercials in.

Assassin’s Creed 2 comes out for the PS3 and Xbox 360 on November 17, 2009. A version for Windows PCs tentatively scheduled for an early 2010 release. The PSP game Assassin’s Creed: Bloodlines will also debut on November 17, 2009.

If you don’t have cable or aren’t able to catch the show on Comedy Central, then you may want to check YouTube or GameTrailers the Thursday or Friday after the show aired. I’m sure someone will upload it to the internet in case you miss it.

Site [Assassin’s Creed 2] Site [South Park Studios] Site [Comedy Central]

Full Story » | Written by Jenni Lada for Gamertell. | Comment on this Article »

This week’s first featured downloadable game is Military Madness: Nectaris for $9.99 on the PS3. This remake of the original Military Madness for the TurboGrafx-16 Entertainment System back in 1986, features two opposing forces battling for supremacy on the moon. Players choose a commander for their Army and strategically use up to 20 unique abilities by plotting their attacks on an overhead map and watch the battles unfold in a cinematic view of the action. Up to four players can choose the maps they wish to fight on in multiplayer mode, set the number of turns and time limit for each game, and customize their armies. This game allows controller share for players who don’t have enough controllers for everyone playing on the same console. Check out Military Madness: Nectaris for the PS3:

The next downloadable game this week is Numblast for $4.99 for the PS3 and PSP. In this game a young boy accidentally changed his friend into a monkey while trying to solve the Numblast stones. Players must help the boy change his friend back by lining up the correct stones together. Check it out:

Price Drops

• X-Men Origins: Wolverine Weapon X Arena Pack (PS3/Now $4.99)
• TV Show King Price Drop (PS3/Now $6.99)
• Mercury Bundle 2 Sale (PS3/Now $9.99)
Bundle includes:
• Archer Maclean’s Mercury
• Mercury Meltdown

Qore Subscription

• Qore Episode 18: November 2009 (PS3/$2.99)
• Qore Annual Subscription: November 2009 (PS3/$24.99)

Here is what else is new:

Downloadable Games

• PSOne Classic: Gex (PS3/PSP/$5.99)
• Crimson Room: Reverse (PSP/$7.99)
• Creature Defense (PSP/$7.99)
• Ben 10: Protector of Earth (PSP/$14.99)
• Dungeon Maker: Hunting Ground (PSP/$14.99)
• Ben 10 Alien Force (PSP/$19.99)
• Ghostbusters The Video Game (PSP/$29.99)
• Star Wars Clone Wars: Republic Heroes (PSP/$29.99)
• Star Wars Battlefront: Elite Squadron (PSP/$29.99)
• Class of Heroes (PSP/$39.99)
• Dissidia Final Fantasy (PSP/$39.99)

Free Demos:

• Trine Demo (PS3/Free)
• Military Madness: Nectaris Demo (PS3/Free)
• MotorStorm Arctic Edge Demo (PSP/Free)

Bonus Game Contents:

• LittleBigPlanet Anniversary Costume (PS3/Free)
• LittleBigPlanet Spaceman Costume (PS3/Free)
• Brutal Legend Tears of the Hextadon Map Pack (PS3/Free)
• Marvel Ultimate Alliance 2 Character Compatibilty Pack (PS3/Free)
• Topatoi: Arcade Style Pack (PS3/Free)
• Way of the Samurai 3 Weapons DLC (PS3/Free)
• Marvel Ultimate Alliance 2 Juggernaut Playable Character (PS3/$1.99)
• Dragon Age: Origins Warden’s Keep (PS3/$6.99)
• Marvel Ultimate Alliance 2 Character and Mission Pack (PS3/$9.99)
• Dragon Age: Origins Stone Prisoner (PS3/$14.99)

Rock Band Pack:

• Nirvana Bleach Pack (PS3/$5.49)
Individual Tracks:
• “About a Girl” by Nirvana (PS3/$1.99)
• “Blew” by Nirvana (PS3/$1.99)
• “School” by Nirvana (PS3/$1.99)

• Foo Fighters Pack 03 (PS3/$6.99)
Individual Tracks:
• “Best of You” by Foo Fighters (PS3/$1.99)
• “The Pretender” by Foo Fighters (PS3/$1.99)
• “Wheels” by Foo Fighters (PS3/$1.99)
• “Word Forward” by Foo Fighters (PS3/$1.99)

Individual Song Tracks

• “Fake Friends” by Joan Jett & the Blackhearts (PS3/$1.99)

Rock Band Unplugged bonus content:

• “Toxicity” by System of a Down (PSP/$1.99)
• “Waking the Demon” by Bullet for My Valentine (PSP/$1.99)

Free Game Videos:

• Pulse 11/5 Edition (PS3/PSP/Free)
• PlayStation 3 TV Commercial – “Candle” (PS3/PSP/Free)
• PlayStation 3 TV Commercial – “Montage” (PS3/PSP/Free)
• Numblast Trailer (PS3/PSP/Free)
• Grand Theft Auto: Chinatown Wars “Out For Revenge” Video (PSP/Free)
• Grand Theft Auto: Chinatown Wars Trailer (PSP/Free)
• 2 for 1 Mercury Bundle Trailer (PSP/Free)
• God of War Collection Trailer (PS3/Free)
• Assassin’s Creed 2 Dev Diary 4 (PS3/Free)
• Dragon Age: Origins City Elf Origin Trailer (PS3/Free)
• Dragon Age: Origins Dwarf Commoner Origin Trailer (PS3/Free)
• Dragon Age: Origins Mage Origin Trailer (PS3/Free)
• NIER TGS 2009 Trailer (PS3/Free)

Wallpapers and Themes:

• Tekken 6 – Returning Characters Theme (PS3/Free)
• Tekken 6 – The Fight Card Theme (PS3/Free)
• Tekken 6 – The New Faces Theme (PS3/Free)
• Tekken 6 Alisa Wallpaper (PS3/Free)
• Tekken 6 Asuka Wallpaper (PS3/Free)
• Tekken 6 Hwoarang Wallpaper (PS3/Free)
• Tekken 6 Jin Wallpaper (PS3/Free)
• Tekken 6 Kazuya Wallpaper (PS3/Free)
• FIFA Soccer 10 Wallpaper (PS3/Free)
• Let’s FIFA 10 Wallpaper (PS3/Free)
• FIFA Soccer 10 Blanco Wallpaper (PS3/Free)
• FIFA Soccer 10 Rooney Wallpaper (PS3/Free)
• FIFA Soccer 10 Rooney Wallpaper 2 (PS3/Free)
• Lemmings PSP Theme (PSP/Free)
• Roadkill – Animal PSP Theme (PSP/$1.49)
• Roadkill – Human PSP Theme (PSP/$1.49)
• Roadkill Theme (PS3/$1.99)
• Family Guy Theme (PS3/$1.99)
• DarkMatter Quadrilogy PSP Theme Pack (PSP/$4.49)
• DarkMatter Quadrilogy Theme Pack (PS3/$5.99)

Read [PlayStation Store Blog] Site [PlayStation]

Full Story » | Written by Lucy Newman for Gamertell. | Comment on this Article »