Rock Band Weekly: Green Day and Mayhem Pack

Green Day Pack (440
/ $5.50/ 200 Wii Points apiece)
- "21 Guns" (160
/ $2) - "East Jesus Nowhere" (160
/ $2) - "Know Your Enemy" (160
/ $2)
/ $13.50/ 200 Wii Points apiece)
- "Conquer All" -- Behemoth (160
/ $2) - "What a Horrible Night to Have a Curse" -- Black Dahlia Murder (160
/ $2) - "Hammer Smashed Face" -- Cannibal Corpse (160
/ $2) - "Empire of the Gun" -- God Forbid (160
/ $2) - "Embedded" -- Job for a Cowboy (160
/ $2) - "Disposable Teens" -- Marilyn Manson (160
/ $2) - "Black Magic" -- Slayer (160
/ $2) - "This Is Exile" -- Whitechapel (160
/ $2)
Battlefield 1943 cheevos airdropped onto web, running for your flag
After EA DICE loosed the official release date for Battlefield 1943 early today, we set to scouring the interweb for more information on the upcoming digitally distributed title. Wouldn't you know it, the first thing we found was the game's somewhat less-than-thrilling Achievements over on Inside MGC, detailing how many flag caps you'll need before hearing the glorious cheevo noise and snagging 10Gs for yourself, among other things. If you're one of those folks a bit more concerned than they should be with points (aren't we all?), check out the full list to see exactly how you'll be playing BF1943 when it hits next week.
Left 4 Dead DLC announcement by end of summer
Following up on earlier reports that Valve won't leave Left 4 Dead to die an early death, the company stated today that there should be an L4D DLC announcement before the end of summer. A company spokesperson also told CVG that about eight or nine months from now, when L4D2 has released and people see the continued support for L4D, they may finally understand the method to the madness.
We're all eagerly awaiting the epiphany.
We're all eagerly awaiting the epiphany.
Ubisoft picks up Heroes Over Europe for worldwide release

Ubisoft is now the hero of every prospective Heroes of Europe player, having just announced that it will publish the World War II flight simulator on Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, and PC. The Heroes Over the Pacific sequel, which features online play for up to 16 players, is currently scheduled for a worldwide release this September. You can check out new screens, only one of which includes a blimp, in our gallery.
Gallery: Heroes Over Europe (PC/PS3/360)
UK sales: Wii and DS up top; 360 besting PS3 at the bottom
Here in the States, we've grown accustomed to certain luxuries: subsidized gasoline for our free Hummers (hey, gotta stimulate that economy!); a complimentary 72oz soda with every purchase (just buy anything!); a lifetime supply of type 2 diabetes; and, of course, monthly updates from NPD charting the sales numbers of the major video game consoles. Our friends in the UK aren't so fortunate. So when we get a peek behind that curtain, we look to share it with you.
And here, courtesy of UK retailer GAME's first-half fiscal statement, we find data from GfK Chart-Track for sales up to June 27th, 2009. Unsurprisingly, Nintendo is in the lead with the DS, having sold 2.7m in the past year, bringing its total up to 9.1m units (that includes 300,000 DSi units sold since launch). The Wii is in second place with 5.4m, up 2.3 from last year. And then we get to the main attraction: 360 and PS3 sales.
You'll recall that in February, Microsoft claimed the 360 bested the PS3 in overall European sales by 1m units, citing GfK Chart-Track data again. In the UK, the Xbox is siting pretty with 3.9m units, up 1.7 from last year, while the PS3 is at 2.2m, up 900k from last year (and, coincidentally, right where Microsoft would've been a year ago). In between the "big boys" is the PSP, with 3.3m consoles sold, up 500k from last year.
It's weird: despite their genetic differences (three stomachs? gross!) the video game shopping trends of UK citizens sound an awful lot like those in the States.
And here, courtesy of UK retailer GAME's first-half fiscal statement, we find data from GfK Chart-Track for sales up to June 27th, 2009. Unsurprisingly, Nintendo is in the lead with the DS, having sold 2.7m in the past year, bringing its total up to 9.1m units (that includes 300,000 DSi units sold since launch). The Wii is in second place with 5.4m, up 2.3 from last year. And then we get to the main attraction: 360 and PS3 sales.
You'll recall that in February, Microsoft claimed the 360 bested the PS3 in overall European sales by 1m units, citing GfK Chart-Track data again. In the UK, the Xbox is siting pretty with 3.9m units, up 1.7 from last year, while the PS3 is at 2.2m, up 900k from last year (and, coincidentally, right where Microsoft would've been a year ago). In between the "big boys" is the PSP, with 3.3m consoles sold, up 500k from last year.
It's weird: despite their genetic differences (three stomachs? gross!) the video game shopping trends of UK citizens sound an awful lot like those in the States.
Major Nelson: Don't sweat Xbox Live Silverlight ads
Just when we were starting to get all excited about Silverlight-powered ads for Mountain Dew and Axe Body Spray littering the Xbox Dashboard, Xbox Live spokesman Major Nelson rains on our parade, telling readers that they don't need to sweat.The Major recently posted, "One of our core principles is to enhance, not interfere with the gaming experience, and we work directly with our partners to only deliver experiences that are relevant to the LIVE community. Silverlight will help make those ads a more organic part of the dashboard, like we've done with some of the NXE slots in the past."
Aww, come on. Maybe just one "Get Totally Crunchatized With Doritos" ad? Something?
Lips DLC schedule for July 2009

U-Wars: it's like Gears of War, but underwater
Here's a rather interesting game from a small Russian developer. Currently without a publisher, U-Wars is a third-person shooter that takes place primarily underwater. Players will still be able to duck behind cover, but the mechanic gets an interesting twist in the absence of gravity. With supposedly destructible environments, there's a lot of potential in the game's combat: imagine ducking behind cover, thrusting up, and shooting some harpoons at enemies below. If done properly, the underwater setting offers the potential for a lot of fun.
Underwater combat isn't entirely new, as it's been seen in games like Tomb Raider Underworld and Syphon Filter: Logan's Shadow. It'll be interesting to see how U-Wars fares once it finds a publisher and makes its way to PC, Xbox 360 and PSP.
Check out a video after the break.
[Via MobileTechReview]
Underwater combat isn't entirely new, as it's been seen in games like Tomb Raider Underworld and Syphon Filter: Logan's Shadow. It'll be interesting to see how U-Wars fares once it finds a publisher and makes its way to PC, Xbox 360 and PSP.
Check out a video after the break.
Gallery: U-Wars
[Via MobileTechReview]
Battlefield 1943 declares war next week, starting July 8
Battlefield 1943 is ready to let bullets fly and bombs drop on July 8th and 9th for Xbox Live Arcade and PlayStation Network, respectively. The final declaration of release was made by the official Battlefield 1943 Twitter account, intriguingly named "officialbf1943."
Remember, the "Coral Sea" map can only be unlocked through community collaboration. If you won the game through our Joyswag efforts, don't forget to submit your codes!
Remember, the "Coral Sea" map can only be unlocked through community collaboration. If you won the game through our Joyswag efforts, don't forget to submit your codes!
Gallery: Battlefield 1943 (05-14-09)
We want this Fallout 3 Brotherhood of Steel costume
OK, we're sure this has been floating around the tubes for a bit, but we're more than happy to devote some attention to the very cool Brotherhood of Steel costume you see above. Made out of awesome and love (probably some foam and paint in there too), the beautiful homage to Fallout 3 was apparently completed back in March.
After seeing this, we don't feel so bad about losing that auction for the 7'10" Brotherhood of Steel statue. We'd go to work wearing this costume if we could.
[Thanks, Gawk]
After seeing this, we don't feel so bad about losing that auction for the 7'10" Brotherhood of Steel statue. We'd go to work wearing this costume if we could.
[Thanks, Gawk]
JAKKS wants to keep WWE, THQ not quite sure
JAKKS is more than happy to reenter into its WWE licensing deal with THQ, but the gaming company isn't so sure it's ready to make a commitment. After JAKKS signed on the dotted line to extend its gaming agreement with the wrestling group for five years, THQ sued the toymaker, saying it wasn't ready to make a decision and that JAKKS had no right to sign the agreement without THQ's consent.
There were some reportedly shady dealings when JAKKS originally got the contract -- perhaps THQ wants to get the whole pie for itself. Who knows? Either way, the two companies have entered into arbitration, so hopefully the tiff won't have an impact on releases.
There were some reportedly shady dealings when JAKKS originally got the contract -- perhaps THQ wants to get the whole pie for itself. Who knows? Either way, the two companies have entered into arbitration, so hopefully the tiff won't have an impact on releases.
Vandal Hearts delayed for XBLA and PSN, still hearts you
If you had your heart set on downloading Vandal Hearts: Flames of Judgment via XBLA or PSN this September, prepare to have it broken. Konami has confirmed to Joystiq a report by Eurogamer that the return of the company's classic strategy RPG franchise has been delayed until "winter."
No reason was provided for the postponement of the game, which we first caught a glimpse of earlier this year. Let's hope the developer's equipment wasn't ... wait for it ... vandalized. (That one was from the heart.)
No reason was provided for the postponement of the game, which we first caught a glimpse of earlier this year. Let's hope the developer's equipment wasn't ... wait for it ... vandalized. (That one was from the heart.)
Rumor: UFC to ban fighters that sign on for EA's MMA
There's been a pretty crazy rumor floating around. originating from the mixedmartialarts.com forums. The rumor states that UFC will blacklist any fighter that chooses to be a part of EA's upcoming game, MMA. That means should any fighter sign up to be represented in EA's game, they won't ever be endorsed by the UFC or asked to join. Crazy, right?
It makes sense, though, considering how well UFC 2009 Undisputed sold. UFC has a bona fide franchise on its hands, and will likely begin prepping for a sequel soon (if not already), and doesn't want that threatened by EA's game. But, hey, can't we all just get along? This isn't football, after all.
We've put in word to UFC corporate about the rumor and will be sure to get back to you as soon as we hear something.
[Via BloodyElbow; Thanks, Ryan!]
It makes sense, though, considering how well UFC 2009 Undisputed sold. UFC has a bona fide franchise on its hands, and will likely begin prepping for a sequel soon (if not already), and doesn't want that threatened by EA's game. But, hey, can't we all just get along? This isn't football, after all.
We've put in word to UFC corporate about the rumor and will be sure to get back to you as soon as we hear something.
[Via BloodyElbow; Thanks, Ryan!]
Video: Sam Fisher's rebirth in Splinter Cell Conviction
Check out the video above for a look at the new "mark and execute" feature as well as the "last known position" silhouette. And, of course, you can just admire Sam being a badass. Get to the watching.
XBLA in Brief: King of Fighters '98 Ultimate Match, Worms 2: Armageddon
($10). Meanwhile, Team17 has dropped the sequel to the XBLA version of Worms, which is titled, appropriately enough, Worms 2: Armageddon. The game brings lots of new features to the table -- as well as some old favorites -- and also costs 800
($10).Watch the latest episode of XBLA in Brief and see which one is screaming for your hard-earned cash.
Download the trial version of King of Fighters '98 Ultimate Match
Download the trial version of Worms 2: Armageddon
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