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  Amazon Casually Launches Digital Game Downloads

  Amazon.com has officially launched the beta version of their Game Downloads section this morning, offering more than 600 casual titles for digital download, each under $10. Kotaku spoke to Greg Hart, Vice President of Video Games and Software for Amazon.com about the new service, who explained that offering casual games for purchase and download via…

  By Mike Fahey Published February 3, 2009
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  Writing About Jobs

  To: Crecente From: Bashcraft RE: We Don’t Kill Trees Speaking of features….. Risking some unscrupulous person stealing my feature idea, I’ll hash this out right here. I’m working on a feature about how the cratering economy has effected those working in the game industry and would very much like to talk to folks who have…

  By Brian Ashcraft Published February 3, 2009
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  360 Avatars: Coming To A Game/Marketing Campaign Near You

  As it stands, we’re getting new 360 avatars every, what, week or two? But soon, say Rare, we’ll be getting them with specific games, “just like achievements”. Chatting with VG247, art head Lee Musgrave at Rare – who provided the avatars for the 360 – says that “In time… games will be able to give…

  By Luke Plunkett Published February 3, 2009
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  Slayer’s GH: Metallica Track Looks, Sounds Rather Difficult

  As we’ve explained, Slayer’s contribution to Guitar Hero: Metallica is War Ensemble off Seasons of the Abyss. Slayer fans can probably imagine the song is difficult. Non-Slayer fans will need some video proof. This vid – courtesy of the Finns at Pelit – shows Neversoft staff rocking out with not only the hot double kick…

  By Luke Plunkett Published February 3, 2009
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  99 Percent of Games Are Advertised Responsibly

  Time to pat yourself on the back, UK game industry. The country’s Advertising Standard Authority states that over 99 percent of games are advertised responsibly. *bravo* The ASA examined 241 ads between April and June 2008 and found only one crossed the line. The majority of the ads, save for radio, toed the line and…

  By Brian Ashcraft Published February 3, 2009
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  Wardevil Is Now A Short Film As Well?

  Wardevil’s been on our radar since, what, 2005? For most of that time, we were under the impression that Wardevil was just a game. Now, though, it’s more than a game. Some job listings for CGI animators and concept artists on professional recruitment site CGJobs, posted by Wardevil developers Digi-Guys, show the company are looking…

  By Luke Plunkett Published February 3, 2009
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  British Sales Charts

  Looking for a break from the Nintendopoly? Look elsewhere, as last week, the first four spots on the charts were occupied by games published by Nintendo. And the fifth? Ubisoft’s My Fitness Coach. So, yes, slim pickings, that get even slimmer when you see Brain Training and Sonic & Mario are still in the top…

  By Luke Plunkett Published February 3, 2009
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  Let’s Tap Is Bound For America

  While penguin-playable game Let’s Tap didn’t exactly set the Japanese sales charts ablaze, that doesn’t mean it, um, won’t set American sales charts on fire. According to game blog 61 Frames Per Second, the game is going to get an American release — something SEGA hasn’t officially confirmed. We are following up with SEGA. Stay…

  By Brian Ashcraft Published February 3, 2009
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  SEGA Finally Brings Boners To WiiWare

  Pole’s Big Adventure, a tongue-planted-firmly in cheek send-up of retro side-scrolling Famicom games, brings long overdue mushroom dick jokes to the Nintendo Wii. As game site Siliconera explains, in the game’s fifth level, Pole is able to grab a mushroom and eat a mushroom that causes only a very selective part of him to grow.…

  By Brian Ashcraft Published February 3, 2009
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  Westwood Founder Forms New Studio For “Hip Cats”

  Brett Sperry was one of the co-founders of Westwood, developers of Dune II and Command & Conquer. Westwood, later bought by EA then disbanded, are no more. But Sperry is, and has founded a new studio. Called Jet Set Games, their offices are sitting pretty on Vegas’ Strip, where they’ll be working on games for…

  By Luke Plunkett Published February 3, 2009
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  SEGA Says “Ahoy!” With Haruhi Suzumiya

  What’s better than a pirate? A Haruhi Suzumiya pirate! SEGA’s upcoming Wii title The Parallel of Haruhi Suzumiya is getting its own limited edition “heroine collection.” Priced at ¥12,075 (US$135), the collection includes cover by manga/game artist Noizi Ito and a set of the SOS Bridgade figures: Haruhi pirate, Yuki Nagato space ninja, and apron…

  By Brian Ashcraft Published February 3, 2009
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  No GTA IV Figures? Make Your Own!

  It’s strange. For a series that’s sold over a gagillion zillion copies, there have never been any (proper) Grand Theft Auto figures. So if you want some, you’re going to have to make them. That’s what Kalapusa did. Using sculpey clay, some time, some paint and all of his skills, the guy sculpted this fantastic…

  By Luke Plunkett Published February 3, 2009
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  DS Hits Two Million Sold In Korea

  Going on sale in South Korea on January 18, 2007, the Nintendo DS has sold two million units in the territory. It was the first hardware released by the Nintendo of Korea, which was established on July 20, 2006. The Korean division sold a million DS consoles in its first year. Nintendo Korea [Telecoms Korea…

  By Brian Ashcraft Published February 3, 2009
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  PC Sales Charts

  Holidays are over, so on the NPD charts, we’re back to the Maxis/Blizzard duopoly. Meanwhile, on Steam, Rockstar’s 30% off sale (and a new patch) over the weekend gave GTAIV sales a healthy boost. NPD Sales Charts January 18-24 1. The Sims 2 Double Deluxe 2. WoW: Wrath of the Lich King 3. Spore 4.…

  By Luke Plunkett Published February 3, 2009
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  You’ve Got Street Fighter And Resident Evil 5 In My PlayStation Home

  While SFIV and RE5 are both multi-platform, Capcom has joined up with Sony for some PlayStation Home specific content. There’s Street Fighter IV and Resident Evil 5 player matching via Home for online play. This will be possible with Resident Evil 5 at launch, but SFIV will be updated after it goes on sale to…

  By Brian Ashcraft Published February 3, 2009
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  PSP To Be Used As Console Game Recording Device?

  At E3 2006, Sony brass Kaz Hirai showed F1 Championship Edition running off a PSP as a rearview mirror that could be placed next to your PS3 set-up. Gimmicky, sure, but one of many ways Sony has been trying to link portable and home console. There are other ways Sony seems interested in linking the…

  By Brian Ashcraft Published February 3, 2009
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  SingStar Queen Tracklist Will Tie Your Fat-Bottomed Mother Down

  Although ten tracks are already available on the PS3 SingStore, the world cares little. Why? Because the world waits patiently for SingStar Queen. Which, turns out, will be out in March, and contains the following. There’ll be 25 tracks on the PS3 edition, while on PS2, there’ll only be 20. Blame Blu-Ray. Anyway, SCE Australia…

  By Luke Plunkett Published February 3, 2009
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  Have A Gander At Star Trek Online

  Cryptic Studios has recently released a batch of new Star Trek Online screens. Here they are, you can look at them. The screens are of a warp core, an asteroid field, USS Miranda zooming away from a planetoid and an asteroid colony. So, go ahead, look. MMORPG Star Trek Online is slated for PC and…

  By Brian Ashcraft Published February 3, 2009
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  There Will Be No DLC For Prince Of Persia On PC

  I played Prince of Persia, I loved Prince of Persia, warts-n-all. But now, there’s a problem. I’ve got it on PC. Which is the only platform that won’t be getting any DLC. While Prince Of Persia Epilogue will be available for 360 and PS3 on February 26, Ubisoft have confirmed that the three hours of…

  By Luke Plunkett Published February 3, 2009
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  You Can Get YOUR Custom Game Shoes

  Etsy seller SceeneShoes is offering custom slip-ons with custom artwork. The pictured shoes are not for sell and are examples of previous works. Remember! These are custom shoes. You’ll need to tell ’em which shoes you want, because these are their custom shoes and you want your custom shoes. The keyword here is “custom.” We…

  By Brian Ashcraft Published February 3, 2009