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  Microsoft: No Need to Launch New Console

  The Xbox 360 launched in November 2005. The original Xbox launched in November 2001. It is now 2010. About time for a new Xbox, right? Not necessarily, Microsoft says. “I think it’s important to say that the Xbox 360 is the console of the long future for us,” David Hufford, senior director of Xbox product…

  By Brian Ashcraft Published January 12, 2010
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  Splinter Cell: Conviction And The Amazing Split-Screen Co-Operative Mode [Update]

  We like this, Ubisoft. Instead of putting together a boring press release, or another unbearable developer diary, the latest Splinter Cell: Conviction reveal came in the form of a screenshot and…an excited little note? coop mode split screen confirmed! Is what the note said, with the screenshot showing, well, the fact the game has split-screen…

  By Luke Plunkett Published January 12, 2010
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  How Spider-Man 4’s Implosion Could Affect Warcraft Movie

  Spider-Man 4 has fallen apart. Sam Raimi has walked from the film. But what does this mean for Warcraft? Director Raimi felt as though he could not realistically deliver the film he wanted to make by the studio’s due date, causing the director to pull out of the comic book franchise, scrapping the film. According…

  By Brian Ashcraft Published January 12, 2010
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  So, How Many People Actually Lost Their Jobs Last Year?

  In terms of the number of people fired from their jobs, 2009 was one of the worst years in the history of the video game business. But just how many people were given the boot? A study by research firm M2 Research has estimated that 11,488 video game industry professionals were laid off from late…

  By Luke Plunkett Published January 12, 2010
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  James Cameron Keen To Do More Video Games

  Sci-fi opus Avatar, from director James Cameron, is the second highest-grossing movie of all time; and it’s still playing in theaters. Earning over $1.8 billion, his historical epic Titanic is the biggest grossing film worldwide. You’t think a guy like that would take time off, relax. Things could be so cruisey. Oh no, not Cameron.…

  By Brian Ashcraft Published January 12, 2010
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  Want To Play Final Fantasy XIII? Get On The Bus

  Literally. If you live in the San Francisco area, get on the giant Final Fantasy XIII bus that will be touring later this week, and you’ll be able to get your hands on Square Enix‘s upcoming role-playing game. From January 13-16, the bus will be driving around the bay area, giving players a chance to…

  By Luke Plunkett Published January 12, 2010
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  A Week In Comments

  What Did The Simpsons Ever Do For Video Games? Comment by: westartedthis Nominated by: NeöStarr I don’t think it’s an overstatement to say that when video games were parodied on “The Simpsons” (and they were, countless times), it introduced segments of the population to video games who had previously not been interested or thought about…

  By Brian Ashcraft Published January 12, 2010
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  Halo: Reach Boasts New Tech, Bigger Battles

  It’s easy to think of Halo: Reach and yawn, imagining yet another Halo game using the same old Halo formula and the same old Halo tech. Listen to Bungie detail Halo: Reach, though, and your optimism may come sneaking back. Reach is the cover feature in the latest issue of Game Informer, and the piece…

  By Luke Plunkett Published January 12, 2010
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  Space Invaders, by Camel-Taito

  Space Invader tights by the Black Milk Collection, for $80 As seen on Too Many Tights. [Thanks, reader Sarah B.]

  By Owen Good Published January 12, 2010
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  Kotaku Off Topic: Mac Ready

  Back from CES and time to get back to the daily grind. And back to Kotaku Off Topic, where things non-gaming are discussed. Like recent and future purchases, maybe? Now, I’m in the market for a new iMac, preferably something with a quad-core Intel chip and 27-inches of screen, something to replace my laptop as…

  By Michael McWhertor Published January 11, 2010
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  Another Game from the GRIN Grave

  Our Swedish friends weren’t just working on a Final Fantasy project when the studio went belly-up last year. A former GRIN artist has posted concepts from a ninja action/adventure game, and it sounds like it was a new IP. Joakim Hellstedt classified these under “various pitches” and “various gameplay and misc,” so if it even…

  By Owen Good Published January 11, 2010
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  Just How “Wii-Like” Is LG’s Magic Motion TV Remote?

  Two of the ten bazillion HDTVs on display at this year’s CES were the LE9500 and PK950, previously noted for manufacturer LG Electronics’ claims of a “Wii-like experience,” courtesy of its Magic Motion remote. Just how Wii-like was it? In terms of pointing a remote at a screen and things happening, it was dead on.…

  By Michael McWhertor Published January 11, 2010
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  A Winner is These Custom NES Pro Wrestling Figures

  The artist behind the Punch-Out!! custom action figures is back with another set – the cast of Pro Wrestling for the NES. Not included: the “Outlaw Choke” wrench the Amazon used to beat Fighter Hayabusa senseless. Fugazi, the artist, promises he has “some Donkey Kong goodness coming up in the next week or so.” For…

  By Owen Good Published January 11, 2010
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  Sonic Adventure Rumored To Be Next Dreamcast To XBLA Port

  Xbox Live Arcade may be home to yet another Dreamcast port in the form of Sonic Adventure. The Dreamcast launch title has reportedly been spotted on Xbox Live Marketplace, presumably on the developers and press-only PartnerNet version of Live. After posting that report, Dutch Sega site SegaOnline.nl pulled mention of the Sonic Adventure XBLA port,…

  By Michael McWhertor Published January 11, 2010
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  RISK Coming to Xbox Live Arcade Early this Year

  Electronic Arts today announced RISK: Factions, an Xbox Live Arcade version of the 53-year-old tactical board game. The game’s release will be in “early 2010,” according to an EA statement. EA’s announcement said RISK: Factions will feature “outlandish factions, a unique art style, new gameplay twists and off-beat humor.” Players will choose from five factions,…

  By Owen Good Published January 11, 2010
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  Dante’s Inferno: The Official Novelization Of The Book

  One title not highlighted by EA CEO John Riccitiello today was the release of Dante Alighieri’s Inferno, part of The Divine Comedy. Yes, that’s the book, soon to be republished bearing the Dante’s Inferno video game’s likeness. Random House and EA have buddied up to release of paperback edition of the epic poem upon which…

  By Michael McWhertor Published January 11, 2010
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  Leaked Aliens RPG Footage Offers Early Look At Canceled Game

  Obsidian Entertainment’s Aliens role-playing game for Sega, known commonly as Aliens RPG and less commonly as Aliens: Crucible, is dead. But recently leaked footage of Aliens RPG means it is still not yet forgotten. Footage of the canceled Xbox 360, PlayStation 3 and PC game sneaked out this weekend, offering “an extremely early pre-production build”…

  By Michael McWhertor Published January 11, 2010
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  Star Wars: The Old Republic Heading For A Spring 2011 Launch

  During Electronic Arts’ fiscal year 2010 update call today, CEO John Riccitiello cited Star Wars: The Old Republic as a key driver of the company’s digital business, noting that the MMO was making “great progress towards a spring 2011 launch.” With all of the character classes revealed, new planets being added to the game’s Holonet…

  By Mike Fahey Published January 11, 2010
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  Kotaku’s Newest Day Note Slated For Release January 11

  To: Totilo From: Totilo Re: Totilo / Hey Look! Whale In A Can Would you look at the time? Man, it’s like, past time to be writing the Day Note. Good thing Crecente is actually off today and not checking the site. He’d see that this Day Note is late. Good thing he’s away. What…

  By Stephen Totilo Published January 11, 2010
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  There May Be More Madworld In The Wii’s Future

  Platinum Games debut Wii game, the bloody beat ’em up Madworld, may not have been a blockbuster success, but that doesn’t rule out the possibility of a sequel. It’s actually sounding more like a distinct possibility. Despite regularly being listed among the original M-rated games that just don’t perform well on the Wii, for whatever…

  By Michael McWhertor Published January 11, 2010