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1 vs 100 'skill-based' prizes start July 10 'for the mob,' stays in beta [update]

He continued, saying that while the prizes will start next week "for the mob," the game will be staying in beta. Guess that means this isn't part of the first "season" of prizes? We're not so sure, but we are sure of this -- given the whole fireworks thing going on this weekend, we're probably not going to hear more news on the subject until at least Monday.
Update: Near the end of the episode, Cashman also seemed to mention that "the one" would also be eligible for "skill-based prizes." We're currently following up with Microsoft about getting more concrete information about the prizes, the new sweepstakes announced last night and how long the show plans to stay in beta. We'll be sure to update as soon as we hear back.
Gallery: 1 vs. 100 (Xbox Live)
New Uncharted 2 multiplayer demo incoming
We're hoping that by "even wider group," he's referring to everyone who can't wait to play the frantically anticipated action-adventure (which is everyone) and failed to gain entry into the recent beta. Uncharted 2: Among Thieves is currently scheduled for release this Fall -- a more exact date will be announced "very soon," Wells teased.
Microsoft beta testing Avatar awards
From what we've been told, the test is an executable built for Beta users to play with the awards program before it launches. Avatar awards are triggered by in-game achievements: when a player unlocks an award -- clothing was the only specific award mentioned -- it is made available in the Avatar customization menu of the NXE. Select Xbox 360 users are already sporting fancy new threads, which are presumably related to this beta test.
Avatar awards were one of the many new features coming to the NXE revealed at E3 2009 -- including the
Gallery: Avatar Marketplace
Sign up for Tropico 3's closed beta revolution

Being El Presidente of a South American country is an exclusive club. With that in mind, Kalypso Media is currently taking applications for players interested in Tropico 3's closed PC beta. Despite what you've been led to believe in recent years, a beta is not a demo, and your job is to actually help test the game and report bugs.
Those interested in helping make the banana republic simulator the best it can be, can head on over to the Haemimont Games website and fill out an application. The actual testing begins July 13. Tropico 3 is expected to start a revolution on PC and Xbox 360 this September.
Gallery: Tropico 3
We've got Uncharted 2 multiplayer beta codes for you!
Naughty Dog just gave us 300 Uncharted 2 multiplayer codes to give out (zowie, thanks guys!), and we're going to be randomly dropping them in groups of 30 throughout the day. If you snag one, pop it into your PS3 right away ... there are only two weeks left in the beta! But that's still plenty of time to plunder and "accidentally" kill your own team with grenades.
Stay tuned to the Joystiq Twitterfeed for more info. We're not going to be doing a Da Vinci Code treasure hunt for these suckers, but they won't be right here on the front page either. Watch shortly for the first batch, and keep your PS3 opened to the PlayStation Store where you can redeem the codes. Good luck!
Update: We've confirmed via Naughty Dog that these codes are good for the US and Canada only, unfortunately. Sorry about that! It's out of our hands, unfortunately.
Gallery: Uncharted 2: Multiplayer
Naughty Dog gives us details on Uncharted 2 multiplayer beta patch
Naughty Dog's Multiplayer Designer Justin Richmond got back to us with some answers:
Was player feedback the reason for the tweaks? Or was it internal?
A little of both. We LOVE getting feedback on the forums, and appreciate everybody taking the time to post about what they like and dislike. The data from the players themselves is invaluable.
Almost everything we patched for was stuff that was broken in code that we could address in a short amount of time. We did raise the score limits in the game pre-patch due to overwhelming player response. We have been looking at the forums constantly and are aware of all of the issues that people have with the game. Already, changes have been made based on feedback from the beta that are NOT in the patch however, and we will continue to do so as we hear from the players on the forums.
What specifically was changed about the grenades? Made more powerful? Less powerful? Can you still teamkill with them?
Players will still take team damage from grenades as they did before, but accidentally grenade killing your whole team in the first seconds of a game are being fixed for the full game. We are also tweaking the "kick" system.
Team Joystiq plays the Uncharted 2 multiplayer beta
So what did we think about it? Head beyond the break to see the writeup and to watch video from our sessions, and to see the list of what we liked and what we didn't like. Naughty Dog is asking for feedback on the beta, so maybe they'll be able to tweak some things before launch. However the "fun" knob was definitely turned up to 11, so we weren't complaining (much). Except when we got pwned.
Gallery: Uncharted 2: Multiplayer
Naughty Dog confirms Uncharted 2 beta begins midnight, June 3

The beta includes two playlists, co-op and competitive, which sounds just like what we got our hands on -- and had a hard time getting them off of -- last month. We wish everyone luck in getting past the saloon in co-op. It's kinda tough.
1 vs 100 beta hops the border June 1, coming to America
Wait, let us explain ...
You see, the 1 vs 100 beta has heretofore been limited to The Great Nation of Canada but, beginning June 1st (read: the day of Microsoft's press conference next Monday!), that beta will be expanded to include the US as well. You see where we're going with this: While we can't guarantee you'll be matching wits with Canadians every game, we think you'll agree that the mere potential of a mental mano-a-mano (-a-mano-a-mano-a ...) with real live Canadians presents a thrill you probably haven't experienced since firing that first round into a cardboard cutout of zombie Celine Dion.
Oops! 1 vs 100 US beta news shelved at zero hour
A tweet earlier today doled out the bad news: "A few more things need to be in place before we can share the good news w/you." While the update promises news on the horizon for US players, as of now, the 1 vs 100 beta is reserved solely for those lucky Canadians.
When asked for comment, the nearest American available, editor Alexander Sliwinski said, "Apparently free health care isn't enough for you people."
Huxley still exists, closed beta accepting entries
But, before you get all excited, know that you can't play the game yet; Huxley's teaser site is only accepting entries at this point in time. You can merely sign up to maybe play it in the future.
Gallery: Huxley: The Dystopia
[Thanks, Paul!]
Qore subscribers get access to Uncharted 2 multiplayer beta
Episode 12 of Sony's e-magazine features previews of Ghostbusters and Batman: Arkham Asylum. In addition, the episode will also include a bonus inFamous theme that "evolves over time." Check out a preview after the break.
Gallery: Uncharted 2: Multiplayer
inFamous pre-order box reveals Uncharted 2 multiplayer beta
Oh, and multiplayer in Uncharted 2??? That sounds pretty rad, too. Guess we'll find out all the details when embargoes end on Monday.
[Thanks, tmacairjordan87!]
Rush to USA Today and get a Fat Princess beta code
Didn't have cake yesterday? Don't worry, here's another chance to enter the Fat Princess beta. If you're one of the first 1600 people to register at USA Today, you'll be delivered a poppin' fresh code right to your e-mail. Yum! You'll want to hurry up because if you're reading this right now, that means thousands of other people are as well. GO!
[Thanks, Hugo!]
Eat cake, get into the Fat Princess beta
Now, if you'll excuse us, we have to stop by the grocery to pick up some Devil's Food.
[Via PlayStation.Blog]



















