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Activision Announces Sledgehammer Games, New Home To Ex-Dead Space Leads
Publisher Activision officially announced today the formation of Sledgehammer Games, the Foster City-based, Activision wholly-owned game development studio headed by ex-Visceral Games leaders Glen Schofield and Michael Condrey. Yes, the folks responsible for last year’s brilliant Dead Space. The ex-Visceral duo, who jumped ship from EA to Activision this summer, are reportedly working on an…
By Michael McWhertor Published November 17, 2009 - Uncategorized
Be Social During The Free Xbox Live Weekend
Microsoft is inviting Xbox Live Silver members to try out the newly-launched Facebook, Twitter, and Last.FM for the Xbox 360 during the upcoming Free Xbox Live Weekend. Between the new social features, the upcoming season of 1 vs 100, and Halo Waypoint, there’s a lot happening on Xbox Live that you can’t participate in without…
By Mike Fahey Published November 17, 2009 - Uncategorized
Nintendo Dissatisfied With Sales Of Some Games, Dates Vitality Sensor Showcase
During my recent conversation with Nintendo of America president Reggie Fils-Aime, I asked for updates on Nintendo’s MotionPlus and Vitality Sensor technologies, but before that we wound up talking about a common Nintendo fan complaint. Fils-Aime and I had been discussing the shorter hype cycles Nintendo has been using for games such as The Legend…
By Stephen Totilo Published November 17, 2009 - Uncategorized
PlayStation Europe Product Manager Chimes In On PS3 Cross-Game Chat
PS3 firmware 3.10, announced last night by Sony, does not appear to bring oft-requested cross-game to the console that only does everything. But according to comments from the European version of the PlayStation.blog, it’s too early to give up hope. When asked about the feature, PlayStation Network product manager James Thorpe wrote “I wish I…
By Michael McWhertor Published November 17, 2009 - Uncategorized
Frankenreview: Left 4 Dead 2
The only thing as relentless and uncompromising as a zombie horde is those tasked with reviewing said zombie horde. The undead cower in the face of the Left 4 Dead 2 Frankenreview. It’s a year after the release of Left 4 Dead, and the zombie invasion has made its way South, where a different breed…
By Mike Fahey Published November 17, 2009 - Uncategorized
EA Talks Command & Conquer’s “New Digital Model,” Medal of Honor “Re-invention”
In a memo to employees today, Nick Earl, EA Games Label senior VP, confirmed the closure of Pandemic Studios LA. He also touched on a new direction for two of its key franchises, Command & Conquer and Medal of Honor. Last week, we reported that the core Command & Conquer team would be let go…
By Michael McWhertor Published November 17, 2009 - Uncategorized
Confirmed: EA Closes Pandemic Studios, Says Brand Will Live On
Early this morning we broke the news that Electronic Arts planned to close down Pandemic Studios, laying off 200. Now we have confirmation. An internal Electronic Arts memo confirms that Pandemic Studios was shut down today with a “core IP team” being moved to Electronic Arts’ Los Angeles office. Among those let go were the…
By Brian Crecente Published November 17, 2009 - Uncategorized
Joe Madureira Talks Darksiders Development And Horse Hate
Comic book artist turned game developer Joe Madureira talks about the challenges of designing the characters and creatures of Darksiders, the influence of movies on the game, and how he really hates drawing horses. For a guy who hates drawing horses, he sure did a fine job with Ruin. Such a fine job that ruin…
By Mike Fahey Published November 17, 2009 - Uncategorized
The Sports Authority Gets Its Wii On
As we first reported earlier today, The Sports Authority is getting in the Wii-selling business in a big way. While the national sports retailer won’t be officially announcing the Wii push at their stores until Thursday, some of the chain’s locations started getting their Wii on last weekend. The Colorado store pictured here received their…
By Brian Crecente Published November 17, 2009 - Uncategorized
What Left 4 Dead 2 Boycotters Are Playing
Following up on our What Modern Warfare 2 Boycotters are Playing post, we get the impression that Left 4 Dead 2 boycotters are a bit better at sticking to their guns. While there are a number of Left 4 Dead 2 boycotters who caved and played any way, a much larger number are enjoying other…
By Mike Fahey Published November 17, 2009 - Uncategorized
Do You Want To Demo Avatar?
PC gamers eager to get their hands on a little bit of James Cameron’s next big blue thing can now do so, with a PC demo for Avatar. 1.5 GB worth of Ubisoft-developed James Cameron goodness is now available for your download and play at several fine PC demo downloading establishments, including FileFront and WorthPlaying.…
By Mike Fahey Published November 17, 2009 - Uncategorized
Assassin’s Creed II is Live, Check It Out
Assassin’s Creed II is officially out in North America. If you’re undecided on whether to pick the game up, maybe you should check out this trailer and then read our review of the game courtesy of Stephen Totilo. You must be 18 or older to view this trailer.
By Brian Crecente Published November 17, 2009 - Uncategorized
You Got Albert Wesker In My Lost Planet 2
What’s Resident Evil’s Albert Wesker doing in Capcom’s Lost Planet 2? Preorder the game from GameStop to find out. Dropping a fiver at your local GameStop location for Lost Planet 2 will score you a code granting you access to the skin of Resident Evil’s superhuman Umbrella Corporation operative. Sure, you won’t get Albert’s superhuman…
By Mike Fahey Published November 17, 2009 - Reviews
Assassin’s Creed II Review: A Season For Masterpieces
Assassin’s Creed 2 is set in an era of history famous for the creation of beautiful art and master inventions, a fitting backdrop for a game that leaps beyond the achievements of both its predecessor and some other vaunted works. Two years ago, the first Assassin’s Creed sold millions while evoking grumbles that its free-running,…
By Stephen Totilo Published November 17, 2009 - Uncategorized
Activision Cut MW2 Airport Scene For Russia
Activision confirms that the controversial “No Russian” mission in Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 doesn’t appear in the Russian version of the game, as they nip rumors of Russian bans in the bud. The “No Russian” scene in Modern Warfare 2 has players working undercover with a terrorist organization as they open fire on…
By Mike Fahey Published November 17, 2009 - Uncategorized
Sports Authority Fitness Retailer Inks Deal to Sell Wii
Starting this month, Nintendo’s Wii gets its own section and pitch people at The Sports Authority stores nationwide, part of a movement to help make the country more fit, the fitness chain’s president told Kotaku this morning. Sports Authority president David Campisi says that the Colorado company, which operated about 450 stores, has been working…
By Brian Crecente Published November 17, 2009 - Uncategorized
Battle Giant Dinosaur Robots – And Diabetes
The Magi and The Sleeping Star, the heroic Oz must free his relatives from gigantic dinosaur robots, but if he doesn’t correctly manage his type-1 diabetes, his magic will fail him. The Magi and The Sleeping Star is the creation of Oklahoma-based Game Equals Life, formed by video game enthusiast and diabetic Adam Grantham. Adam…
By Mike Fahey Published November 17, 2009 - Uncategorized
Forza 3 Gets Free Hyundai And Paid Holiday DLC
Microsoft and Turn 10 continue churning out new content for Forza Motorsport 3, with a free three-pack of Hyundai Genesis Coupes available today and hot holiday cars coming next month. Players can download the “Hyundai Genesis Coupe Car Pack” for free today, adding three different versions of the 300-horsepower Genesis Coupe to their car rosters.…
By Mike Fahey Published November 17, 2009 - Uncategorized
It’s Sgt. Peppers Lonely Hearts Club Trailer
You’re such a lovely audience we’d like to take you home with us, but that would be a logistical nightmare. Instead, stay there and enjoy the trailer for Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Heart’s Club DLC. The Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band complete the album DLC pack for The Beatles: Rock Band is now available for…
By Mike Fahey Published November 17, 2009 - Uncategorized
Win Ryu in LEGO
This Thursday gamers, hopefully lots of gamers, will be gathering in Denver to help raise money for Child’s Play… and to perhaps win one of these amazing LEGO creations. NetDevil employee and LEGO master has once more come up with some amazing bits of block art to giveaway at the fundraiser later this week. I…
By Brian Crecente Published November 17, 2009