Most Recent: News

Bing adds playable games to search results

Posted on February 3, 2011 by John Scalzo

Remember how awesome it was when Google transformed their logo into a playable version of Pac-Man to celebrate the dot-muncher’s 30th anniversary? Well, Microsoft and the UK arm of their Bing search engine have gone one better. Actually, they’ve gone 45 better as they’ve added 46 playable casual games to Bing’s search results (casual games have been available on Bing US since last year). I’m not sure if it’ll break Google’s ironclad grip on the search engine market, but I know I’ll be using Bing a little more often (up from never) from now on.

Players (searchers?) will also be able to log in to the games using Facebook or Windows Live, letting them share and compete against their friends’ best scores.

The full list of playable games on Bing can be found after the break. (more…)

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Dark Tower video game in the works

Posted on February 3, 2011 by Nicole Kline

The Dark Tower series by Stephen King is being made into a movie slated for a May 2013 release and, what’s more, there’s also a video game in the works, according to Ain’t It Cool News. They said the game will be “very ambitious” and that it will “further utilize elements from the books.” As a huge fan of the books, I’m nervous and excited about both the movie and the idea of a game, but I have no clue how they’re going to translate any of it to the big screen or my home console. Also, if Javier Bardem really is going to be playing Roland Deschain, I am going to cry, because his performance in No Country for Old Men scared me so efficiently that I can’t even look at pictures of him without thinking he’s going to come to my house with one of those bolt gun things and kill me with it, and/or brutally choke me to death while looking like a crazed lunatic.

NO.

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THQ delays UFC Trainer, cancels WWE Online, Company of Heroes Online

Posted on February 3, 2011 by John Scalzo

THQ has used their quarterly financial briefing to make a few changes to their upcoming release schedule.

First, the company’s PS3, Wii and Xbox 360 fitness title, UFC Personal Trainer, has been delayed. Previously scheduled for March, the game has now been tagged with a “TBA 2011” release date.

Next up, the publisher has cancelled the free-to-play online games Company of Heroes Online and WWE Online.

Finally, THQ CEO Brian Farrell touted some of the games the company does have scheduled for release in the near future: “[2011] will be driven by the strongest core games line-up in our history, including: Red Faction Armageddon, Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine, MX vs. ATV Alive and the newest installment of our Saints Row franchise.”

It’s unknown if he was referring to Saints Row: Drive-By on the 3DS or the currently unannounced Saints Row 3.

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DICE cancels PC version of Battlefield 1943

Posted on February 3, 2011 by John Scalzo

Karl Magnus Troedsson, the General Manager at DICE, has used the Battlefield Blog to announce what we’ve all suspected for a while now: the PC version of Battlefield 1943 is dead. The developer has finally cancelled the oft-delayed shooter along with the PC version of the “Onslaught” add-on for Battlefield: Bad Company 2.

Battlefield 1943 was initially released on the PlayStation Network and Xbox Live Arcade in July of 2009.

Troedsson cited the company’s desire to move forward as the reason for the cancellation, specifically moving on to Battlefield 3:

We know some of you eagerly have been awaiting Battlefield 1943 and Battlefield: Bad Company 2 Onslaught on PC. I’m sad to say that these two titles are now officially cancelled. Instead, our talented teams will focus on delivering the greatest possible gaming experience in our next behemoth release. We’re confident this will lead to an even better experience in Battlefield 3, not only on PC, but on all platforms.

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Daily Scoop: February 3, 2011 – No, really, it’s a trap

Posted on February 3, 2011 by Nicole Kline

Good morning, dear readers! Welcome to another edition of the Daily Scoop. Today we’ve got an Amazon Deal of the Day in video games, and it’s one that I find to be winter-friendly. It’s Activision’s Cabela’s Dangerous Hunts 2011 with Top Shot Elite for the Wii. Buy this for the gamer who likes to hunt but not when it’s ridiculously frigid outside. It’s $39.99 from $59.99, so grab it while it’s hot.

Remember that addiction I talked about in yesterday’s Scoop? Well, I don’t think I’m going to be able to stop myself this time. I mean…just look at today’s shirt.w00t:

My threshold for temptation is being tested. Will I be able to resist?

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Killzone 3 Retro Map Pack revealed, public multiplayer beta begins today

Posted on February 3, 2011 by Mike Gutierrez

Pre-orders at participating retailers for Killzone 3 were revealed to include not only access to the multiplayer beta for SOCOM 4, but the mysterious Retro Map Pack, which was to include two fan favorite multiplayer maps from the previous game, Killzone 2. Guerilla Games finally revealed yesterday on the PlayStation Blog what those maps would be – Salamun Market (a market district in between high-rises and the winding alleyways running through them) and Blood Gracht (slums adjacent to a canal). Both maps are a little different this time, as they both take place during the day. Also, Helghan’s wild vegetation has started to overrun Blood Gracht while the mechs from the Killzone universe, now available in multiplayer, will be up for grabs on the Salamun Market map. Salamun Market was particularly great for large scale skirmishes, while Blood Gracht was arguably perfect for four-on-four matches. The map pack comes free for those who pre-ordered the game at select retailers (again, only Gamestop, Best Buy, and Amazon are listed) and will be available for purchase from the PlayStation Store.

I’m very, very surprised the maps weren’t Radec Academy and Pyrrhus Rise. Killzone 2 still has tons of servers running 24/7 Radec Academy Body Count games (re: Team Deathmatch) and Pyrrhus Rise was always the favorite for the full seven rounds of Warzone. The two maps here are pleasantly surprising and excellent choices, though, especially with the changes Guerilla introduced. Also, be sure to check the PlayStation Store at 10:00am Pacific Time (1:00pm here on the East Coast) for the public multiplayer beta of Killzone 3. You’ll also be able to win a super exclusive Limited Helghast Edition of Killzone 3 if you play this weekend from Friday to Sunday.

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New Homefront release date revealed… March 15

Posted on February 3, 2011 by Ryan Littlefield

Through a post on Homefront’s own Twitter account, the new release date of March 15th has been revealed. This is the US release date for the PC, PS3, and Xbox 360 versions; the UK will have to wait a few days longer (until March 18th). The game has been pushed back several times for various reasons, but it looks as though it will finally make its way to shelves soon enough… just a week later than expected. It seems as though the publishers have about as much vision on a shipping date as the character on the game’s cover art.

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Bionic Commando: Rearmed 2 lands on XBLA; new trailer released

Posted on February 2, 2011 by John Scalzo

Nathan “Rad” Spencer is back for another battle against another evil dictator in Bionic Commando: Rearmed 2. The sequel is now available on the Xbox Live Arcade for 1200 Microsoft Points ($15).

If you’re away from your Xbox 360 and want a look at how the bionic arm works this time, you can check out the game’s launch trailer above.

Oh, and Bionic Commando: Rearmed 2 is available on the PlayStation Network too.

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