Joystiq [Xbox]

Unlock skins with Aliens vs. Predator pre-order at GameStop

by David Hinkle { 4 days ago }

Click image for full-size action pose

Aliens vs. Predator is kind of a misleading title. Aside from the titular extra-terrestrials, mankind's future badasses, the Colonial Marines, will also be able to get some in Rebellion's upcoming FPS romp. And for some of your pre-sale cash at GameStop, you'll be able to use one of the more badasserer (we're still working on that one) humans around: Sgt. Kaneko. This dude "wrote the book on small-scale Xeno containment," which is great because we hear there's a lot of Xeno in the game that needs, uh, containing.

Joining Kaneko are Number Six -- the blue thing on the left that looks like it's from The Darkness -- and Alien Head Predator, the "most successful Xenomorph Hunter of all time." That's how he ~~she~~ it got that neat Cylon mask! Both are very adept at being super scary-looking and can be yours if you pre-order at GameStop. Unless you live in Germany, in which case you get nothing.

Two joysticks and 40 buttons: Steel Battalion controller as VJ tool

by JC Fletcher { 4 days ago }

It might be silly to keep a giant Steel Battalion controller around for use with two games (Steel Battalion and ... the other Steel Battalion). But to use one for those two games and a custom VJ setup -- that's ... well, it's still kind of silly, but it's also pretty awesome.

One "visual performance unit" called Bonsajo rigged up one of Capcom's indulgent Xbox controllers to control an audiovisual display. It turns out that with all those crazy, light-up buttons, the controller is well suited to use for VJing in dark environments! And it also looks really cool, in a way that we wouldn't expect of a mech game controller at a party. See the controller in action after the break.

[Via Kotaku, GSW]

Continued →

GameFly begins selling new games

by Alexander Sliwinski { 4 days ago }

GameFly, the online game rental service .... wait, that's hardly accurate anymore, let's start over: GameFly, the media company and rental service entity, is now selling new games on its website, including large items like DJ Hero and Tony Hawk Ride. Those expecting to discover the amazing discounts normally found with the service's used games will be disappointed to note that the new games are full retail price and include shipping costs and applicable taxes.

Example for Massachusetts:

A new copy of New Super Marios Bros Wii: $50 for the game + $3 tax + $5 for standard shipping = $58
The "keep it" price for a member who's been with the service over a year: $39 + $3 tax + no shipping cost = $42 (members also receive a $5 coupon every quarter, which would make it $37)

The "new" store isn't a revelation in retail, but perhaps it'll make more sense later on. GameFly still has some of the best deals in used games we've seen.

[Thanks, Chris S.]

X3F TV -- XBLA in Brief: Diner Dash, Gyromancer

by Richard Mitchell { 4 days ago }

This week brings two casual games to Xbox Live Arcade. For puzzle fans, we have Gyromancer (1200

, $15), an RPG take on PopCap's Bejeweled Twist. For those who prefer something a little more manic, there's Diner Dash (800

, $10), which tasks players with running a restaurant and keeping customers happy. If you've ever dealt with real customers before, you'll know that keeping them happy is harder than it sounds.

See both games in the latest episode of XBLA in Brief.

Download the trial version of Diner Dash
Download the trial version of Gyromancer

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Video: The story of Dante's Inferno

by Richard Mitchell { 4 days ago }

To: Electronic Arts
CC: Visceral Games
RE: Voice-over suggestion for latest Dante's Inferno trailer
ATT: dante-story-trailer.flv

Male (30s, 40s - Gruff, gravelly voice)

"The denizens of Hell stole the woman he loved ... but they didn't realize they were messing with the wrong 14th century Italian poet. In a world where the damned scream out for absolution, one man will fight for justice. It's time for some serious payback, and the Devil just wrote a check he can't cash. Electronic Arts presents ... Dante's Inferno. Next Spring, there's going to be Hell to pay." (Alternate closer: "Next Spring, it's damned if you do, damned if you die.")

Thank you for your consideration,

Avatar's third dev diary is all about choices

by Ben Gilbert { 4 days ago }

Okay, okay – we'll admit that the transparent dry erase board thing is a bit on the "too much" side of things, but Avatar's third dev diary contains enough interesting information about the game in it otherwise that we feel okay forgiving the clip's director. The emphasis here is on the game's many choices, and, more specifically, the one major choice which mirrors the movie's plot. Will you choose the path of the human and murder a tall blue alien ... thing, or stand up for all that is righteous and good in the world? The choice is yours (you monster!).

Gallery: James Cameron's Avatar (Xbox 360/PS3/PC)

Look flashy in incoming Operation Flashpoint Avatar duds

by Randy Nelson { 4 days ago }

[Image Source]

It's a good thing our Avatars have endless walk-in closets, because there's yet more ~~wearable advertising~~ licensed clothing coming for them, this time from Codemasters and its military sim Operation Flashpoint: Dragon Rising. According to the game's community manager in a post on the Dragon Rising forums, the clothing will be available "soon" and start at the seemingly standard 80

($1) -- probably for one of the several T-Shirts.

Speaking of which, check out how gung-ho Dexter's sis, Deb, looks wearing one of them (right).

Video: Bayonetta gets creative with death

by Richard Mitchell { 4 days ago }

Apparently it's not good enough to simply dispatch enemies these days. No, in these modern times, one must also torture them before they die. At least, that would appear to be the stance of Platinum Games' Bayonetta. The latest video released for the game explains the magic system. In short, landing successive blows on enemies without being struck fills the magic bar, allowing Bayonetta to unleash some particularly nasty finishing moves. For example she can summon a guillotine, stomp a foe's head right onto the chopping block and then drop the blade with a snap of her fingers.

Or, if you're not really a traditionalist, you can opt for the giant, spiked wheel of death. Your choice. See the video after the break.

Continued →

Rocket Riot beats major competition at Dutch Gamer Awards

by Richard Mitchell { 4 days ago }

Dutch developer Codeglue has announced that its XBLA title, Rocket Riot, has won the Best Visual Design Award from the Dutch Game Awards, which were held last week in Amsterdam. What makes the revelation particularly impressive is the competition, namely Guerrilla Games' Killzone 2. Yeah, that Killzone 2. The game was also nominated for Best Audio and Best Original Gameplay.

We can certainly attest to Rocket Riot's unique visuals. The game use a 3D engine modeled to look like classic 8-bit games, utilizing backgrounds and characters with jagged edges made to resemble pixels. And let's not forget the copious, pixelated explosions either. See it for yourself in the video above and the screens below. And, of course, you could always give it a try. Just be sure to do it with friends.

Gallery: Rocket Riot

Army of Two: The 40th Day to offer weapon customization, garish camo

by Griffin McElroy { 4 days ago }

We've never felt satisfied by the weapon customization options afforded to us by first-person shooters. Oh, three different kinds of scopes? An optional grenade launcher attachment? Yeah, those are pretty cool, we guess -- however, we'd also like a different stock, ammo clip, suppressor and barrel on there as well. Hey, while we're at it, we also need a blender. You know, for when we require a cool coconut smoothie in the middle of a heated firefight.

The latest trailer for Army of Two: The 40th Day gives us a look into the weapon customization engine we've always dreamed of, giving us unparalleled control over our in-game boomsticks. You can quickly turn your military grade M107 into a hulking, unwieldy monstrosity, complete with hideous, circus-themed camouflage. Sadly, the above trailer doesn't show off any kitchen appliance attachments -- we're sure they'll show up as DLC shortly after the game launches on January 12.

Halo: Reach premiere to pull in VGA audience Dec. 12

by Alexander Sliwinski { 4 days ago }

Spike TV's Geoff Keighley has tweeted that Halo: Reach will make its video debut at the 2009 Video Game Awards on December 12. It's probably no stretch to think that this WORLD EXCLUSIVE will extend the audience of the awards show, who will thrust their DVRs into action to obtain the trailer.

... or, you know, they can just come around the internet ten minutes later. Whatever, their choice.

Toys R Us announces pre-Black Friday game deals

by JC Fletcher { 5 days ago }

In a refreshing move, Toys R Us revealed some November video game deals for Sunday, November 22 through Thursday, November 26, available both in-store and online. Therefore, they won't require you to stand outside in the middle of the night or battle other deal-seekers for possession of a "doorbuster" (which Toys R Us is also reportedly doing). Even better, Toys R Us is the only retailer we know of handing out Cold Stone gift cards with purchases.

Starting on Sunday:

all DS and PSP games will be buy one, get one half off.
Wii and Xbox 360 Arcade hardware purchases will be bundled with (seriously) a $15 gift card for Wendy's, Subway, or Cold Stone Creamery -- deal available in-store only
"Select video games" will be bundled with a $25 iTunes gift card -- deal available in-store only
The Beatles: Rock Band standalone software will be $49.99.
The Beatles: Rock Band "Special Value Edition" will be $134.99.
"Select video game storage units" will be $34.99.

From Friday, November 20 through Sunday, November 22, both TRU stores and Toysrus.com will offer a "Ready to Play DS Lite Pack" for $157.95, containing a DS Lite, a case, various accessories, and two DS games from an "edited assortment." TRU says that, when purchased as part of this set, the DS comes out to $64.99.

El Presidente, the Tropico 3 demo is now available

by David Hinkle { 5 days ago }

Comrade Nelson sends word that a demo for Tropico 3, the 2010-bound sim being published by Kalypso Media, is now available for download on Xbox Live. The game takes place during the Cold War on the fictitious island of Tropico, where players take up the role of new usurper El Presidente. The real question is: Will you be the valiant, selfless leader your up-and-coming nation needs, or will you be the greedy, power-hungry dictator your coffers cry out for?

Add Tropico 3 demo to your download queue

Gallery: Tropico 3

Resident Evil 5: Alternative Edition has an alternate episode

by Andrew Yoon { 5 days ago }

The upcoming Alternative Edition DLC for Resident Evil 5 is going to include much more than motion controller support for PS3 and the "Lost in Nightmares" flashback episode. The latest issue of Japanese mag Famitsu (via Andriasang) notes that Capcom has two additional surprises for players: new costumes and new characters for a revamped "Mercenaries Reunion" (seen above), as well as an extra, yet-to-be-revealed chapter.

All this content will be released as four separate DLC packs:

"Lost in Nightmares" Episode - 400 ($5)
Costume Pack 1 - 160 ($2)
Costume Pack 2 - 160 ($2)
Additional TBA Episode - 400 ($5)

These prices are only confirmed for Japan, but it's unlikely the US release will be too different. Will two new campaign episodes lure you back into Resident Evil 5's monster safari?

Xbox Live Top 10: People apparently played CoD4, World at War

by David Hinkle { 5 days ago }

Seriously, guys? Everyone on the planet runs out and buys Modern Warfare 2 and you're still playing Call of Duty 4 and World at War? We can understand you folks who chose to play Halo 3 -- the whole Modern Warfare 2 experience may not be your idea of a good time -- but Major Nelson's Xbox Live activity chart for the week of November 9 simply vexes us.

In less puzzling news, the XBLA activity is along the lines of something we're used to seeing. Trials HD remains atop the list, followed by Castle Crashers and South Park Let's Go Tower Defense Play. Konami's Zombie Apocalypse also managed to survive the gauntlet and make its way onto the list and, combined with the recent release of Left 4 Dead 2, we feel mankind is finally starting to reach acceptable levels of preparation for the inevitable future of a world plagued by the undead.

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