Holy crap what a close contest! Our paint-your-face-win-Scarface dealio got some truly amazing entries and boasts some truly amazing finalists. Here's how the winners were chosen: readers voted on their two choices the day the finalists were announced. Votes made after June 22nd were not counted. Also, votes from readers who picked only one finalists were not counted. (I'm looking at you, DaveKap!) Editors votes were also taken into account.

Drum roll please... The two winners are... After the jump! Man, the suspense is killing me. Brian Ashcraft

Eds Note: Damn, we've got some nice readers! Christian, who entered the Dead Rising zombie, doesn't even have a Wii. He just entered for bragging rights! He shot us an email, saying:

Feel free to pass the game on to a runner up, that monkey dude looked pretty cool.

In case you forgot, here is the monkey dude — made winner by Chrisitian's generosity.

Winners please send your name and address to kotakucontest@gmail.com to collect your loot!

This is it. Last day. We've been getting *tons* of amazing entries in our paint-your-face-win-Scarface contest. Some of them are expertly done and look incredibly professional. Some not. But that's okay! It's the spirit that counts. Take this entry from reader Cannedpasta, who writes:

This is my wife's attempt to draw game-related stuff on my face with our 3 year-old son's crappy markers.

There is a Wii logo, the Prince from Katamari rolling my eye, an autobot logo, and an Elebit popping out from my goatee.

Here's the deal: We've got two copies of Scarface for the Nintendo Wii that we are dying to give away. The game is based on the classic Brian De Palma film with Al Pacino and presents a hypothetical "What if Tony Montana survived?" question. Thing is, being mean bastards, we aren't going to just give these copies away. We're going to hold a contest. Here's the deal: paint your face (gaming themes get bonus points), snap a pic and send it to kotakucontest@gmail.com by midnight EST tonight. The two best entries won't just get a free copy of Scarface. Oh no, they'll get INTERNET FAME. Voting will commence on Friday. Can't wait! Brian Ashcraft

Our paint-your-face-win-Scarface contest keeps on keepin' on. Here's a Kratos from Vestafiregoddes, who points out, "Yes I am a grrl! A nice pretty grrl despite the angry look and goatee." Indeed!

Here's the deal: We've got two copies of Scarface for the Nintendo Wii that we are dying to give away. The game is based on the classic Brian De Palma film with Al Pacino and presents a hypothetical "What if Tony Montana survived?" question. Thing is, being mean bastards, we aren't going to just give these copies away. We're going to hold a contest. Here's the deal: paint your face (gaming themes get bonus points), snap a pic and send it to kotakucontest@gmail.com. The two best entries won't just get a free copy of Scarface. Oh no, they'll get INTERNET FAME. Brian Ashcraft

So, our paint-your-face-win-Scarface contest is in full swing! We've been getting loads of entries. Like this one, for example, from reader Jaimonster. His face is painted like Kankuro from Naruto. There's even a puppet in the pic! And who doesn't love puppets? Bravo.

Here's the deal: We've got two copies of Scarface for the Nintendo Wii that we are dying to give away. The game is based on the classic Brian De Palma film with Al Pacino and presents a hypothetical "What if Tony Montana survived?" question. Thing is, being mean bastards, we aren't going to just give these copies away. We're going to hold a contest. Here's the deal: paint your face (gaming themes get bonus points), snap a pic and send it to kotakucontest@gmail.com. The two best entries won't just get a free copy of Scarface. Oh no, they'll get INTERNET FAME. Brian Ashcraft

We've got two copies of Scarface for the Nintendo Wii that we are dying to give away. The game is based on the classic Brian De Palma film with Al Pacino and presents a hypothetical "What if Tony Montana survived?" question. Thing is, being mean bastards, we aren't going to just give these copies away. We're going to hold a contest. Here's the deal: paint your face (gaming themes get bonus points), snap a pic and send it to kotakucontest@gmail.com. The two best entries won't just get a free copy of Scarface. Oh no, they'll get INTERNET FAME. Brian Ashcraft

Kotaku really has the most creative readers. Really. So when we throw down the contest hatch, we know: you will impress us. We've got two copies of Scarface for the Nintendo Wii that we are dying to give away. The game is based on the classic Brian De Palma film with Al Pacino and presents a hypothetical "What if Tony Montana survived?" question. Thing is, being mean bastards, we aren't going to just give these copies away. We're going to hold a contest. Here's the deal: paint your face (gaming themes get bonus points), snap a pic and send it to kotakucontest@gmail.com by June 20th midnight EST. Kotaku-land will vote for the two best entries. Winners won't just get a free copy of Scarface. Oh no, they'll get INTERNET FAME. Brian Ashcraft

"Adding motion-sensitive elements to a game that already includes an incredible celebrity cast, Hollywood production values and non-stop action, delivers a gaming experience unlike any other, truly bringing the world of Tony Montana to vivid life."

Scarface: The World Is Yours Coming To Wii This Summer

Best-Selling Video Game Starring Legendary Gangster Tony Montana Gets Motion-Sensitive Control Scheme and Optimizations for the Wii Console

READING (March 2, 2007) - Vivendi Games' Sierra Entertainment division is bringing Scarface : The World Is Yours, the smash-hit video game based on the 1983 classic film by Universal Pictures, to the Wii console this summer. The game, which presents a sequel storyline that asks "What if Tony Montana survived the mansion shootout?" has already sold more than 1.5 million copies worldwide on other platforms.

Scarface: The World Is Yours for Wii will include graphics and gameplay optimizations, an all-new control scheme that takes advantage of the Wii console's unique motion-sensitive Remote and Nunchuk controller design, as well as other alterations for the Wii audience.

Scarface: The World Is Yours was created through a licensing agreement with Universal Studios Consumer Products.

"Bringing Scarface: The World Is Yours to Wii is an exciting opportunity to take an already amazing game and add an incredible twist, thanks to the Wii console's unique Remote controller abilities," said Cindy Cook, chief strategy and marketing officer for Vivendi Games. "Adding motion-sensitive elements to a game that already includes an incredible celebrity cast, Hollywood production values and non-stop action, delivers a gaming experience unlike any other, truly bringing the world of Tony Montana to vivid life."

Scarface: The World Is Yours plunges players deep into the seedy underbelly of 1980s Miami as the one-and-only Tony Montana, featuring the likeness of Al Pacino. Players are challenged to re-enact the climactic mansion shoot-out from the original film, but in the game, Tony fights his way out of the mansion and survives. Returning to Miami, Tony must rebuild his fallen empire and wreak vengeance on his enemies.

Scarface: The World Is Yours delivers a Hollywood-quality cinematic experience in a video game, effectively bringing Tony Montana to life through unprecedented casting, leading technology and renowned Hollywood partners. The game has secured a triple-A voice cast of more than 50 celebrities from movies, television, sports and music and boasts a soundtrack of more than 120 licensed music tracks from the 80s and today, as well as the original motion picture score by Giorgio Moroder. In addition, Sierra Entertainment partnered with legendary Hollywood companies to create the feel of a sequel film in a video game, including working with Skywalker Sound to mix all in-game audio and partnering with Prologue Films for to create a gripping opening title sequence.

Scarface: The World Is Yours for Wii is expected to be available in summer 2007. For more information about Scarface: The World Is Yours, please visit the game's official Web site at www.scarfacegame.com.

Almost more depressing than seeing that Wal-Mart "Customer Choice" bundle being sold out so quickly to the masses begging for a bundle screwjob is seeing this bulleted list from the "October 2006 Video Game Software Sales" report from the NPD :

* Scarface: The World Is Yours was the #1 Game in America
* Scarface: The World Is Yours was the #1 Console Game in America
* Scarface: The World Is Yours was the #1 PlayStation 2 Game in America
* Scarface: The World Is Yours was the #1 Xbox Game in America
* Scarface: Money. Power. Respect. was the #1 PSP Game in America

People! What happened? In case you forgot, both God Hand and Bully came out in the same month. And yet you bought this much Scarface?

At least Vivendi is happy about it. Fully heart sinking press release after the jump. Michael McWhertor

1 Million Gamers Worldwide Say Hello to Sierra Entertainment's Scarface: The World Is Yours

Tony Montana's Epic Return to Miami Was the #1 Game in North America for the Month of October

LOS ANGELES, Nov. 28 — Vivendi Games' Sierra Entertainment division is proud to announce that Scarface: The World Is Yours, the blockbuster video game based on the 1983 classic film from Universal Pictures, has sold more than 1 million copies worldwide at retail stores.

Scarface: The World Is Yours was created through a licensing agreement with Universal Studios Consumer Products Group.

"We are very appreciative of the outstanding retail and gaming community support in North America, Europe and Australia," said Pascal Brochier, president, global retail, Vivendi Games. "This support pushed the game to #1 in North America while exceeding our expectations in Europe and beyond."

In the month of October, the world was truly Tony's. In addition to the success of Scarface: The World Is Yours, Tony's game for the PSP (PlayStation Portable) system, Scarface: Money. Power. Respect., claimed the top spot on the PSP system in North America. According to sales data from The NPD Group/Retail Tracking Service, during the month of October:

* Scarface: The World Is Yours was the #1 Game in America
* Scarface: The World Is Yours was the #1 Console Game in America
* Scarface: The World Is Yours was the #1 PlayStation 2 Game in America
* Scarface: The World Is Yours was the #1 Xbox Game in America
* Scarface: Money. Power. Respect. was the #1 PSP Game in America

Source: October 2006 Video Game Software Sales. The NPD Group/Retail Tracking Service

"We are thrilled with the fantastic response to Scarface: The World Is Yours," said Bill Kispert, VP Interactive, Universal Studios Consumer Product Group. "We know that the character, the mythos, and the brand of Scarface is one that fans are extremely passionate about. The teams at Sierra Entertainment and Radical Entertainment took that to heart — showing immense respect for both the nuances and the explosive elements of the source material, while also adding to the license's mythology. This is a great example of how interactive entertainment can extend a franchise, and we love that fans feel the game has done Tony proud."

Scarface: The World Is Yours presents a sequel storyline that asks "What if Tony Montana survived the mansion shootout?" The game plunges players deep into the seedy underbelly of 1980s Miami as the one-and-only Tony Montana. Players are challenged to re-enact the climactic mansion shoot-out from the original film, but in the game the player has the opportunity to help Tony fight his way out of the mansion and survive. As Tony, the player must then rebuild his fallen empire and seize vengeance on his enemies.

Video game critics have praised Scarface: The World Is Yours for its thrilling gameplay, the authenticity to the classic Scarface film and the game's Hollywood-level production values.

* " ... the best open-world game to date." — Vibe Magazine
* " ... it nails down the movie's atmosphere and Tony's attitude
perfectly." — AOL Games
* "Scarface does Montana right." — Washington Post

Scarface: The World Is Yours is now available worldwide for the PlayStation 2 computer entertainment system, Xbox video game and entertainment system from Microsoft and Windows PC. Scarface: Money. Power. Respect., a unique game designed specifically for the PSP system that combines turn-based strategy gameplay with real-time combat, is also now available.

For more information about Scarface: The World Is Yours, please visit the game's official Web site at www.scarfacegame.com.

About Universal Studios Consumer Products Group

Universal Studios Consumer Products Group (USCPG) is responsible for global licensing and retail strategies as well as building brand recognition of the extensive catalogue of NBC Universal properties. Universal Studios Consumer Products Group is a unit of NBC Universal, one of the world's leading media and entertainment companies in the development, production, and marketing of entertainment, news, and information to a global audience. Formed in May 2004 through the combining of NBC and Vivendi Universal Entertainment, NBC Universal owns and operates a valuable portfolio of news and entertainment networks, a premier motion picture company, significant television production operations, a leading television stations group, and world-renowned theme parks. NBC Universal is 80% owned by General Electric and 20% owned by Vivendi.

About Vivendi Games

Vivendi Games (www.vivendigames.com) is a global developer, publisher and distributor of multi-platform interactive entertainment. The company is the leader in the subscription-based massively multi-player online role-playing games (MMORPG) category, holds leading positions in the PC, console, handheld and mobile games markets, and is an emerging player in casual online games. Vivendi Games' two principal studios and publishing labels include Blizzard Entertainment, headquartered in Irvine, CA, the creator of World of Warcraft , Diablo , StarCraft , and Warcraft ; and Sierra Entertainment, headquartered in Los Angeles, which includes Radical Entertainment, Swordfish Studios, High Moon Studios, and Massive Entertainment. Sierra's IPs include Crash Bandicoot , Spyro The Dragon , Empire Earth , SWAT , Darkwatch(TM), Timeshift(TM), Ground Control and Leisure Suit Larry . Vivendi Games is also home to Vivendi Games Mobile, publishing games for the mobile market, and Sierra Online, dedicated to publishing casual games for online play and distribution on all platforms. Vivendi Games maintains strategic relationships with industry leading content partners, including Universal Music Group, NBC Universal, Twentieth Century Fox, and Ludlum Entertainment. The company has 16 offices around the world conducting business in 75 countries.

"Scarface: The World Is Yours" interactive game 2006 Vivendi Games, Inc. Scarface is a trademark and copyright of Universal Studios. Licensed by Universal Studios Licensing LLLP. All Rights Reserved. "PlayStation", "PS" Family logo and "PSP" are registered trademarks of Sony Computer Entertainment Inc. Memory Stick Duo(TM) may be required (sold separately). Microsoft, Xbox and the Xbox logos are either registered trademarks or trademarks of Microsoft Corporation in the U.S. and/or in other countries and are used under license from Microsoft. All other trademarks are property of their respective owners.

Good news. God Hand ships this week and apparently Scarface is... pretty good? Who knew? Here's what's new and notable for the week.

Scarface: The World Is Yours (PC, PS2, Xbox)
Brian de Palma's gangster film gets the video game treatment. Popular with the MTV Cribs crowd.

Tiger Woods PGA Tour 07 (PC, PS2, PSP, Xbox)
Tiger gets another fat paycheck, we get updated players and courses.

Mortal Kombat: Armageddon (PS2)
Every single Kombatant (all 60 of 'em) battle it out in this last-gen MK send off.

Tales of the Abyss (PS2)
The long running Namco RPG series takes a spin on the PlayStation 2.

God Hand (PS2)
It's a Clover game and you can punch people in the face!

Shin Megami Tensei: Devil Summoner (PS2)
The Atlus demonic RPG series takes it back to the 1920's.

Gun: Showdown (PSP)
Handheld version of the Xbox and PS2 game from Neversoft.

Clubhouse Games (DS)
40-plus card and board games for the DS with WiFi Connection play.

I've got my copy of God Hand pre-ordered. What are you kids picking up this week?

What you see before you is a sketch Playboy put together for November's issue (on stands next week) which features the annual Playboy's Women of Videogames 2006 spread. The magazine will also feature a look at the state of the video game industry. The six-pages of gaming content include a 2-page foldout, final version of what you see above.

This particular sketch, given to us by Pboy editor Scott Alexander, was used to block the shot before the final renders were done. The image shows eight women from seven games. The cool thing is that all of the art you are looking out, be it pencil or final 3D render, was done by the various game studios. Playboy then melded all of the art into one two-page shot.

This image, showing the different stages of the creative process, is exclusive to Kotaku. No one else has it and no one else is getting it.

And now the run down. From left to right: Sarah Morrison of Tabula Rasa, two of the Femmes Fatale from Scarface (the third from left didn't make the final cut, her name is Jessica McRae), two women from God of War 2, a very preliminary version of Alicia Claus from Bulletwitch, Dr. Jasmine Lin from Timeshift, and Enrica from Splinter Cell Double Agent.

As a special treat, I got Fleshbot to agree to post the unedited version of the photo on their site a little later on tonight. I'll update once it's up. Brian Crecente

Sneak Peek Playboy's Women of Video Games [NSFW, Fleshbot]

And finally an industry insider comes out and flat-out says what Crecente, Ashcraft, Eliza, McWhertor and I have known for years: video game writing doesn't pay.

And because video game writing doesn't pay, I'll just cut and paste! Says David McKenna, the scribe behind the films Blow and American History X, on his experience writing the new Scarface games:

"It really is a lot of work, and the pay isn't that great," McKenna said. "I think they would have to give me a bit more of an incentive to do another video game project. I know they're on really tight budgets for video games. I think that if they come to the realization that they can hire good writers to create video games, in the long run it will help sell more copies. You get what you pay for, unless writers and actors make sacrifices like we did on this game. But they're not going to be making sacrifices too many times, trust me."

But the rest of the article casts Scarface: The Game in a pretty good light, and it's interesting to hear a screenwriter talk with such enthusiasm about games, even if the pay is peanuts. Florian Eckhardt

"Scarface" writer wary of video game adaptations [Reuters]

The PSP version will be a distinct product, not a port of the PS2/Xbox/PC version, integrating RTS and action styles of gameplay and featuring 4-player Wi-Fi support.

No word on why the Xbox 360 version has been canned, but one look at Tony Montana's shoes tearing through his polygonal polyester pants in the above shot and you'll probably be thankful. Hideous!

The full press release, with extra tasty info nuggets, after the jump. Michael McWhertor

Tony Montana to Conquer the PSP(R) System This Fall in Scarface: Money. Power. Respect.
Game Inspired by Legendary Film Mixes Turn-Based Strategy and Real-Time Combat; Scheduled for Release in Fall 2006

LOS ANGELES, July 28 /PRNewswire/ — Vivendi Games' Sierra Entertainment is creating Scarface(TM): Money. Power. Respect., a unique game designed specifically for the PSP (PlayStation Portable) system that combines turn-based strategy gameplay with real-time combat. Licensed by Universal Studios Consumer Products Group and developed by FarSight Studios, Scarface: Money. Power. Respect. will allow gamers to relive Tony Montana's epic rise to power in the drug-fueled world of 1983 Miami and is expected to be available at retail stores in October 2006.

Sierra Entertainment will also release Scarface: The World Is Yours, an open-world action game, in Fall 2006. Scarface: The World Is Yours is being developed by Radical Entertainment for the PlayStation 2 computer entertainment system, the Xbox video game and entertainment system from Microsoft and Windows PC.

Inspired by the epic film's original storyline, Scarface: Money. Power. Respect. will thrust gamers into a deep and engaging strategy game as Tony Montana, where the goal is to battle and defeat competing drug cartels and conquer Miami turf-by-turf, eventually becoming the one-and-only Kingpin of the city.

"Scarface: Money. Power. Respect. will challenge players to strategically direct Tony Montana's legendary and meteoric ascent to the biggest drug kingpin in Miami," said Cindy Cook, Chief Strategy and Marketing Officer for Vivendi Games. "Using the PSP platform's advanced functionality and multiplayer capabilities, Scarface: Money. Power. Respect. will deliver a unique and challenging strategy experience combined with real-time combat that is fully immersed in the authentic world of the film."

Featuring both single- and multi-player modes, Scarface: Money. Power. Respect. will challenge players to make critical strategic decisions to rise from humble beginnings to directing an army of henchmen and hired gunmen through detailed scenarios of conquest and domination.

In the story-based single-player mode, gamers will complete a series of missions based on scenes from the original movie to conquer "turfs" in Miami. Players will need to direct large-scale citywide strategic commands to complete their conquest as well as direct street-level real-time combat. The game will challenge gamers to handle larger territory, additional adversaries and new profit-making opportunities through increased drug trafficking.

The wireless multi-player mode pits up-to-four gamers playing as criminal cartels in a race to make money and conquer turf. The multi-player battle begins with a "Land Grab," where each cartel lays claim to their share of Miami. Through turn-based strategy showdowns and real-time combat, each player will manage the production and distribution of drugs while building up enough cartel strength to overpower adversaries, take their turf and eventually, rule the Miami drug scene.

Scarface: Money. Power. Respect. is scheduled to ship in October 2006 for a suggested retail price of $39.99, with an expected ESRB "Mature" rating.

Did Tony Montana ever fight a tiger in Scarface? It doesn't matter — I always wondered what would happen if he did. The presence of Tony Montana vs. Tiger officially makes this the second best Scarface vid ever. FLORIAN ECKHARDT

So on the heels of the Godfather's success comes the cast list for the upcoming Scarface game. Reprising their roles from the film are Robert Loggia as Frank Lopez, Steven Bauer as Manny Ribera, and Al Israel as Hector the Toad. Pacino's not joining in, which is depressing — who else could possibly pull of what we pray will be your Scarface avatar's crie de couer when he's down to a sliver of health: "I'm still standing! I'm still standing!"

Other talents who are lending their voice to the game are James Woods, Michael Rapaport, Ice T, Dale Earnhardt, Jr., Cheech Marin, Ricky Gervais, Michael York, Michael Rooker, Tommy Lee, and Elliott Gold, amongst others. That's a hell of a V.O. cast.

Scarface Vocal Cast Announced [1UP]

Battle of MySpace bands for "Scarface" soundtrack
Scarface The Game MySpace Profile