Konami forecasts 82 percent decline in net income
by David Hinkle 
{ 4 days ago }
The company is hopeful for a climb into the black this time next year, forecasting net income to be around 16 billion yen ($177 million). Konami doesn't say what it expects to drive this rise in profits, but titles like Silent Hill: Shattered Memories and PES 2010 will likely play a part in that. Next year also promises the appearance of a revitalized Castlevania, a portable Metal Gear Solid and -- maybe -- a Rising action star.
[Via GI.biz]
Source - PDF document
Hyundai Genesis Coupe coming to Forza 3 for free
by Ben Gilbert { 4 days ago }
Gallery: Forza 3 Hyundai Genesis Coupe
Splinter Cell: Conviction collector's edition seeks revenge on your wallet
by Randy Nelson { 4 days ago } 
click to revenge-size
In Splinter Cell: Conviction, superspy Sam Fisher is seeking revenge for his daughter's murder. In the Splinter Cell: Conviction collector's edition, you'll find a varying degree of bonus items -- some cool, some silly -- that Ubisoft is seeking $79.99 for.Due to arrive on the same day as the standard edition (February 23, 2010) the set will include a comic book prequel to the events in the game; an art book with illustrations from all the previous Splinter Cell titles; a DLC weapon and player skin; a credit-card-sized USB drive filled with art and a making-of featurette; and two stickers: one of the Third Echelon logo and another that looks like those fake bullet holes people slap on their cars to make it appear that they live in a warzone.
Ubisoft's sell-sheet for the CE thankfully displays the game disc and manual, lest you worry they're not included. They go inside the DVD steelcase, which we'd say might be good for deflecting bullets, but appears to already have been used for just that purpose.
Gallery: Splinter Cell Conviction CE
Xbox Live Rewards pilot program launches, gives points for purchases
by Griffin McElroy { 4 days ago }
Okay, so the number of points you can accumulate using the Rewards program isn't really enormous, and according to the invitation's fine print, you can't spend the points you earn until the first three months of the trial are up. Still, you get free Microbucks for doing stuff you'd probably be doing anyways, so it's hard to complain about that. Of course, we know in our hearts that someone out there will find a way.
[Thanks to everyone who sent this in!]
Battlefield: Bad Company 2 beta details this week, EA says
by Justin McElroy { 4 days ago }
You know what this means, don't you? It's our worst fears made flesh: Online phishing scammers who can see into the future. Well, it's been nice knowing you, civilization.
[Via Blue's News]
Video: Censored Left 4 Dead 2 right 4 classification
by Alexander Sliwinski { 4 days ago }
The censored version lacks exploding heads, dismemberment (courtesy of the new melee weapons) and burning corpses. Sadly, for those of us who have built up a considerable hatred for the undead scourge threatening our civilization, the fallen undead just fade into the ether. Check out the full video after the break and pray for Australia's survival when the zombie apocalypse comes.
[Via Destructoid]
Left 4 Dead 2 demo, new Games on Demand available now
by Alexander Sliwinski { 4 days ago }
The demo of the zombie survival training game (also known as Left 4 Dead 2) is available now to Xbox Live Gold subscribers. Although the retail game completes the scenario snippet on offer, the demo certainly feels like "more of the same," albeit with the addition of some new melee and bullet-required weapons.
Also on the shooter front: Battlefield 2: Modern Combat can now be acquired through Games on Demand for $20. Far Cry 2 is also available outside of North America. As always, we feel it prudent to mention that the titles are likely to be found cheaper at a local brick-and-mortar shop (at the risk of running into shopper zombies!).
Shortcuts:
- Add Left 4 Dead 2 demo to your download queue [via Xbox.com]
- Purchase and add Battlefield 2: Modern Combat to your download queue [via Xbox.com]
Scratch: The Ultimate DJ deck ain't no half-steppin'
by James Ransom-Wiley { 5 days ago }
"These aren't some made up tricks," scoffs our friendly narrator. "They're authentic scratches heard every night in the hottest clubs in the world." But authenticity -- the act of keeping it real -- doesn't end there for Scratch: The Ultimate DJ's Numark-designed peripheral, the Scratch Deck. Check these street credentials:
Update: So what's up with the game? "The game is coming along quite nicely under the direction of the Commotion Interactive team, and we will be releasing some new assets in a few weeks," a Scratch spokesperson tells Joystiq. And adds, "As of now, the release date is still spring 2010."
- "the first legitimate DJ controller for video gamers" (oh snap!)
- "Numark have been at the forefront of turntable production since the 1970s" (before you were even born, son!)
- "utilizes technology that locks your scratches in the sweet spot of any sample" (bust that scientifical)
- "build skills that will transfer over to any DJ setup" (who said anything about mad skillz?)
- "you need beats" (just sayin')
- "Dr. Dre, Just Blaze and Pete Rock" ( ... just sayin')
Update: So what's up with the game? "The game is coming along quite nicely under the direction of the Commotion Interactive team, and we will be releasing some new assets in a few weeks," a Scratch spokesperson tells Joystiq. And adds, "As of now, the release date is still spring 2010."
Modern Warfare 2 is GameStop's most pre-ordered game ever
by Justin McElroy { 5 days ago }
So feel free to grouse all you want, but unless Activision replaces the FPS gameplay with first-person putting puppies into a wood chipper and renames it Osama bin Laden Pushes Jesus Christ Down a Flight of Stairs Made of Baby Skulls, we're not sure there's any amount of controversy that's going to slow Modern Warfare 2 down.
Review: Dragon Age: Origins
by Randy Nelson { 5 days ago } 
The long wait for a true successor to the fantasy throne ends today with the arrival of Dragon Age: Origins. The latest title from Mass Effect and Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic developer BioWare is a testament to the company's mastery of the art of building the worlds, characters and stories that constitute a "classic" -- and that's exactly what this excellent experience is.
Gallery: Dragon Age: Origins
Diner Dash serves XBLA on Nov. 18
by Alexander Sliwinski { 5 days ago }
The XBLA version of Diner Dash naturally includes HD-ified graphicals, along with a new multiplayer mode that includes support for up to eight players. The game will allow direct control over protagonist Flo, or the "traditional control scheme," which involves "point-and-click style with hotkeys." All the best to Flo in opening up her diner in the midst of the triple-A retail season ... she's going to need it.
First Halo Waypoint programming revealed
by JC Fletcher { 5 days ago }
Other content up this week: "Welcome to Waypoint," which serves as an introduction and overview to the service, some Firefight strategy from Prima, and, on Saturday, a full episode of Halo Legends called "The Babysitter." See the full schedule after the break.
Gallery: Halo Waypoint
Assassin's Creed 2 pre-orders up 10 to 20% over original
by Randy Nelson { 5 days ago }
Judging by one analyst's estimation, Assassin's Creed 2 is set to escape from store shelves faster than its protagonist can outrun his pursuers. According to Mike Hickey of Janco Partners, pre-orders for the game are running 10 to 20 percent more than those of the original Assassin's Creed, which, as the firm pointed out to Gamasutra, greatly exceeded its initial sales forecast of 3 million units. (It sold 8 million.)
In other words, it looks like Ubisoft's going to make a killing off an assassin.
In other words, it looks like Ubisoft's going to make a killing off an assassin.
Nielsen and EEDAR join forces to provide 'unprecedented' game tracking data
by Alexander Sliwinski { 5 days ago }
The data will be combined beginning in March of 2010 and be available to both Nielsen Video Game Tracking and EEDAR subscribers. This may not mean much to the average gamer, but to stat-obsessed executives and folks in marketing departments, this is like licking triple-chocolate ice cream covered in bacon and honey.
Tim Schafer presents: Brutal Legend Multiplayer Deathmatch
by David Hinkle { 5 days ago }
