ZEITGEIST

Filed under: Nintendo DS, Sony PlayStation 2, Sony PlayStation 3, Sony PSP, Nintendo Wii, Microsoft Xbox 360, Business

We here at the Japanese Hardware Sales Institute of Hardware Sales (yes, it's a tad redundant -- our R&D department is working on a new moniker) take great pride in our weekly charge of bringing you the console sales rankings from the Land of the Rising Sun. In fact, as our catalog of posts increases and our rapport with you, our incredibly sharp-witted readers, becomes more and more personal, we're beginning to notice that the aforementioned pride may be turning into irreversible hubris.

You see, earlier this week, the Japanese hardware sales made headlines outside of the confines of this humble feature. This enraged us -- not towards any particular author who had placed their journalistic toes in our highly specialized waters, but we were rather miffed that fate had snatched our solemn weekly charge from our unassuming hands. If only Enterbrain had not published the report that the Xbox 360 had unceremoniously overtaken the Wii (a report which was expediently contradicted by our source, Media Create), we could have continued our weekly routine of being your exclusive method of fulfilling your sales chart jones.

Sadly, we can't find it within ourselves to pretend that you don't actually know this week's rankings. We know you saw the headlines, and tried to restrain yourself from spoiling your beloved Sunday evening literature. Unfortunately, the part of your brain that causes you to flip to the last page of your Agatha Christie mysteries before you read them, or sneak a peek at the unwrapped Christmas presents nestled under your parents' bed caused you to read on. You cheated on us, is what we're basically trying to say. If we don't answer your calls for a while, it's because we need some time to think about your latest transgression -- and because we probably can't hear our phone over our Dashboard Confessional-infused break-up mixtape.

- DS Lite: 63,859 12,447 (24.21%)
- PSP: 30,156 4,306 (12.49%)
- Wii: 29,686 3,442 (10.39%)
- Xbox 360: 28,188 27,144 (2,600.00%)
- PS3: 8,053 264 (3.17%)
- PS2: 7,669 279 (3.51%)

[Source: Media Create]

See: The archives you have come to fear the most

 

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Filed under: Sony PlayStation 3, Nintendo Wii, Microsoft Xbox 360, Action

We know that gaming enthusiasts absolutely love it when game developers announce DLC for their titles before said titles are released -- that's why we're sure you'll be pleased to hear that Mega Man's morally ambiguous predecessor, Proto Man, will be available to download as a playable character in all versions of Mega Man 9 for two American dollars (160, 200 Wii Points). His core controls will be similar to the Blue Bomber's, though he does come with a few extra abilities -- for instance, he'll be able to use his shield to deflect certain projectiles, perform a sliding manuever, and inspire heated comments about DLC price gouging on internet message boards. Neat, huh?

 

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Filed under: Microsoft Xbox 360, RPGs

It appears that the "intentional" money-grubbing exploit in Fable 2 Pub Games was a limited time offer -- the game's development team has followed through on their promise of an update for the XBLA companion to Lionhead's upcoming action-RPG, removing the gold-garnering glitch and resetting the Fortune's Tower (the aforementioned glitched game mode) leaderboards. Mercifully, they've apparently allowed the title's nefariously wealthy exploiters to keep their piles of loot. We'll see if it was worth it when their Fable 2 characters are mysteriously stricken with an incurable case of dysentery -- provided Molyneux's threat wasn't just a bluff.

 

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Filed under: Culture, Online, Polls

We should've been doing this all along. Now realizing the error in our ways, the Weekly Webcomic Wrapup is reverting itself to a perpetual state of beta. All of our faults can now be explainedly, simply, as "we are still in beta and will work out the kinks for final launch at a later date." Brilliant! Here are our picks for the week's best game-related webcomic. Polling after the break; be sure to vote for your favorite!

Spartantenial (Fanboys Online)
In Due Time (Castle Vidcons)
In Tow (Awkward Zombie)
Thinking Small (Penny Arcade)
SQUIR- (Super Effective)
Great Debate (2P Start)
A Ring is a Ring (Digital Unrest)
Kung Fu Yeti (MNC)

Continue reading Weekly Webcomic Wrapup is going back to beta

 

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Filed under: PC, Sony PlayStation 3, MMO

Writing the back story for a new MMO is a pretty thankless job, we'd imagine. Most of the players living in the virtual world whose mythos you've so meticulously constructed probably skip through the dialogue from important NPCs and quest-givers in order to return to their regularly scheduled redundancies. However, you can bet we'll be reading every word in Sony Online Entertainment's DC Universe Online, as it was recently announced that the plot of the game will be penned by DC Comics writer Geoff Johns.

Johns has worked on a number of major DC franchises, crafting the storylines of a number of Green Lantern, Action Comics and Justice Society of America series. In addition to the fantastic news that DC Universe's story is in qualified hands, a new salvo of screenshots for the title, each featuring a high-profile hero or villain, was recently released by SOE. You can check them out in the gallery below -- just don't get your hopes up for any Mister Myxzptlk action.

 

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Filed under: Sony PlayStation 3, Sony PSP

Here's a gem that many Joystiq readers may not know about: Supersonic Acrobatic Rocket-Powered Battle-Cars for PSN. The absurdly-named downloadable game released a new trailer that has that awesome Duke Nukem E3 vibe. The more we see of this game, the more it tickles our fancy. Read more about it here.

This week's featured games: LittleBigPlanet (PS3) and Star Ocean: First Departure (PSP). Check out their Game Pages to catch up on everything you may have missed! Also, for Trophy whores out there, don't forget to check out our Trophy Portal, which includes the most up-to-date list of games that will support Trophies, and many lists and guides.

Game Pages

• LittleBigPlanet [PS3]
  
• Star Ocean: First Departure [PSP]

Previews

• Alone in the Dark [PS3]
• Dead Space [PS3]
• Mirror's Edge [PS3]
• MotorStorm: Pacific Rift [PS3]
• NBA 09 The Inside [PSP]
• Pro Evolution Soccer 2009 [PS3]
• PlayStation Home [PS3]
• Red Baron Arcade [PS3]

Reviews

• Yggdra Union [PSP]

Continue reading PS Fanboy Week in Review: 9/8 - 9/21

 

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Filed under: Sony PlayStation 3, Action

Exactly one month stands between us and the release of Media Molecule's ambitious, customizable platformer LittleBigPlanet -- for the masses who've been eagerly anticipating the title since its Go! Team-infused GDC 2007 reveal, that kind of wait could be nigh-unbearable. Being the altruistic so-and-sos we are, we thought we'd help alleviate your impatience with a recently leaked, complete list of LBP trophies (posted after the break) -- though we imagine there's a good chance that further details about the game could only increase your already fevered excitement. If that's the case, we're totally sorry.

Continue reading All 48 LittleBigPlanet trophies revealed

 

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Filed under: Mac, PC, Meta (about Joystiq)

It's been another busy week for news, downloads and original features at the PC Big Download site. We've got reviews of two highly anticipated PC exclusive games, a preview of an unusual MMO, our detailed look at the space stage in Spore and lots more.

Exclusive Features

• Reviews: We have our final reviews of two major PC titles: The Witcher Enhanced Edition and Crysis Warhead along with the last review (for a while) of the latest American McGee's Grimm episode as well as Episode 2 of Strong Bad's Cool Game for Attractive People.
• Spore: Our detailed look at Will Wright's latest game ends this week with a multi-part look at the space portion of the alien evolution game. Check out Being Julius Caesar, Being The East India Company, Being Henry Kissinger, Being John Smith and Being Francis Drake.
• BigVersus: It's our weirdest entry in our column comparing games as we compare the PC version of Spore to the DS game Spore Creatures and the iPhone title Spore Origins.
• Previews: We go hands-on with FusionFall, an upcoming free browser based MMO based on the Cartoon Network universe of characters.
• MODMonday: We begin a multi-part look at the best mods for Max Payne with a look at True Matrix.
• MacMonday: Our latest look at Macintosh games has a review of the top down shooter (with an odd graphics style) SketchFighter 4000 Alpha.
• Independent Minds: Our look into the Indie game scene takes a look at how developers can market their creations.
• Big Ideas: Our column that looks at the big ideas in games takes a look this week at adaptations and how games translate into other entertainment mediumsand vice versa.
• Alt-Tab: Our feature gallery this week takes a look at why we should take a gander at Warhammer Online.
• Freeware Friday: Our weekly look at free PC games examines the music title Frets on Fire.
• BigCast: Our weekly podcast interviews (and says a sad goodbye) to our now former Big Download producer Barb Dybwad as well as other topics.

Continue reading The Best of Big Download: September 15-21

 

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Filed under: PC, Puzzle, MMO, Casual

There are many ways to deal with the boredom that can sometimes strike during lengthy World of Warcraft sessions -- other than walking away from the computer to partake in a more enjoyable activity (that's just unthinkable). Some people level up new characters. Some people head to the Barrens area to spew their hate-speech towards like-minded scoundrels. However, the virtual denizens of Azeroth will soon be wasting their time using a popular, real-life time wasting engine -- PopCap's uber-successful casual puzzler, Bejeweled.

The in-game add-on began as a homebrew Bejeweled clone from Michael Fromwiller, cleverly titled Besharded. Fromwiller developed the add-on as a method of killing time during long raids and farming sessions, but it wasn't too long before PopCap caught wind of the MMO mini-game. Instead of issuing a timely cease and desist, the casual gaming colossus hired Fromwiller to create a more polished version of the application. The add-on will launch this coming Thursday -- it would probably be wise to put in as much quality time with your WoW-playing acquaintances before then, as you won't be seeing them again for quite some time.

 

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Filed under: Sony PlayStation 3

In a recent interview with gamesindustry.biz, Peter Molyneux, the outspoken creator of Black and White and Fable, gave his opinion of a territory he's relatively unfamiliar with -- the PlayStation 3. Molyneux, whose games have appeared exclusively on PCs and Microsoft's home consoles, explained his position that the PS3 is "still waiting for that definition title that represents the platform", much like Wii Sports has for the Wii, and how he hopes Fable 2 will for the Xbox 360. We'd probably award that honor to a certain ring-shaped shooter, but hey, to each his own.

Molyneux tried to smooth the assuredly ruffled feathers of the PS3 camp by stating his belief that LittleBigPlanet, whose development team was founded by former Lionhead Studios employees, could fill that void. He goes on to sing the praises of the texturized platformer, saying that he's "incredibly proud of what they've done," and that "it's just an amazing experience to see how their game has progressed." We wonder if he can maintain his LittleBigEnthusiasm when Fable 2 and LBP compete for top honors on their shared release date of Oct. 21.

 

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Filed under: PC, Strategy

If we could somehow produce an audio version of this particular post, you'd hear a distinct gruffness to our characteristically un-gruff voices -- an unfortunate, though not completely unforeseeable, result of our enthusiastic observation of International Talk Like a Pirate Day. Capcom had their own way of celebrating the seafaring holiday -- yesterday, the open beta for Age of Booty (formerly Plunder, even more formerly Pimps at Sea) went live via a free download for all Fileplanet users.

You probably don't need us to tell you that the beta is for the PC version of the game -- those hoping to buckle their swashes on Xbox Live Arcade will have to wait for the game's yet-to-be-decided 2008 release date.

[Via Evil Avatar]

 

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Filed under: Sony PlayStation 2, Sony PlayStation 3, Nintendo Wii, Microsoft Xbox 360, Rhythm

We imagine that Activision Blizzard has more green cash money than a number of medium-sized countries thanks to their ownership of some ridiculously profitable franchises. While the skeptical industry analyst might expect them to sit on their surplus, or perhaps swim through it Scrooge McDuck style, a recent announcement from Activision revealed that they're using said wealth to provide faux-rockers with a pretty terrific pre-order bonus for Guitar Hero: World Tour -- an extra guitar peripheral.

As far as we can tell, the offer is only extended to those living (and purchasing rhythm games) in the UK, and is limited to pre-orders of the GH:WT bundle (currently retailing for £150 in most online stores). While it's scientific fact that the modern gaming enthusiast already owns approximately seven guitar peripherals, newcomers to the rockstar simulation genre will now be able to play with a full band without incurring any pesky fees for an extra axe. Would-be bassists, rejoice!

 

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Filed under: Culture, First Person Shooters

We've been told that attending a premiere for a Uwe Boll movie is like visiting Disneyland in the middle of a category five hurricane -- it's a disaster, certainly, but it's a fun disaster. That's why we were so dismayed to learn that Boll's latest dose of box office poison won't be making its maiden voyage in the States -- but rather, in the pugilistic director's homeland of Germany.

If you're truly dedicated to your pursuit of attending the debut of a Boll-sterpiece, you'd better make your travel arrangements now, as the film will rear its ugly head October 2. We probably won't be in attendance, so make sure you tell us how it was, and what it was like meeting all those movie stars people who were in the movie former Wienerwald employees.

 

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Filed under: Microsoft Xbox 360

We find it indicative of the quality of the past Electronic Entertainment Expo that the biggest piece of news out of the event was not a new high-profile game, or a console redesign -- but rather, the "major" announcement that was not actually announced. We speak, of course, of the Bungiegate pseudo-scandal, in which the announcement of a new project (teased by the Halo developer in the weeks leading up to E3) was pulled from the Microsoft presentation, and was promised to be revealed at a later date. Judging by a recent update on Bungie's site, we're guessing that date is quickly approaching.

The enigmatic Superintendent, whose tidy countenance appeared in the pre-E3 teases for the new project, recently reared his head in a Bungie news update, along with a few Howard Hughes-esque demands to "KEEP IT CLEAN." Between the reappearance of the immaculate mascot and hints in the developer's latest weekly update that "dawn is about to break," we think it's safe for the Bungie fanatics among us to ready their anticipatory fingers for a lengthy F5 session.

[Thanks to everyone who sent this in!]

 

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Filed under: Mobile

Beware citizens, for it would appear that the T-Virus has mutated, and has now taken to resurrecting not only the recently deceased, but also mobile platforms thought long since dead. Or at the very least irrelevant. Gamasutra reports that Capcom is bringing a game based on its upcoming CGI flick, Resident Evil: Degeneration, to Nokia's N-Gage service, which (re)launched earlier this year and is available on multiple Nokia smartphones.

According to the report, the movie tie-in will feature two separate modes of play and 3D graphics designed to both show off the platform's capabilities and illustrate Capcom's "dedication to N-Gage," a fascination we imagine will blur the line between devotion and necrophilia when the title launches later this year.

 

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Filed under: Sony PlayStation 3, Microsoft Xbox 360, Action

 

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Filed under: Meta (about Joystiq)

We've all decided that this whole Joystiq thing may not be for us (and unlike the last time, we're totally serious now). Thanks to the Fallout 3 G.O.A.T. exam, we know exactly what we'll be doing with our future selves. Oh, and here's what we'll be playing this weekend. Be sure to let us know what games will be occupying your time!

• Alexander Sliwinski: The GOAT tells me I'm a "Fry Cook." Coincidentally, I like making fried food. Anyway, this weekend I'll be playing Infinite Undiscovery, Company of Heroes and seeing if I can get the hang of Civ IV: Colonization.
  
• Christopher Grant: This Vault Chaplain will spend the weekend helping others, as is my want. I'm at my sister's new house helping her fix the place up. Some sheetrock; some trimwork; some demolition; good times. I've brought my good friend Professor Layton along to pitch in with sage advice at opportune times: "Every puzzle has an answer." When I return back home I'll be repenting for my sins ... namely the sin of not having played Beyond Good & Evil earlier! Just a few hours in, BG&E has already revealed itself to be one of the best games I've played in the last couple years.
• Griffin McElroy: According to the GOAT, I'm the Vault Chaplain. While not attempting to save some post-apocalyptic souls, I wager I'll be spending this weekend as I likely will spend most from now on -- playing Rock Band 2 with the roommate. Unfortunately, on more than a few occasions, the drum part of "Aqualung" has made me lose my religion (an activity not befitting a man of the cloth such as myself).
• Kevin Kelly: I'm playing in traffic, for the most part. Plus I'll be visiting the Arcade UFO in Austin, TX to get some quarter-licious gaming on. Oh, and GOAT tells me I'm a Clinical Test Subject.
• Kyle Orland: This Waste Management Specialist is taking out the trash... all the way to Maryland, where he's paying his family and friends a visit this weekend. My sister and mom both really want to try out with Wii Fit, so it seems that's what I'm going to be forced to play all weekend.
• James Ransom-Wiley: This PIP-Boy Programmer is considering a new career. In the meantime, he'll find some time this weekend to accept the 5¢ trade-in value for the original Rock Band at GameStop -- at least it's something toward Rock Band 2, right?
• Jason Dobson: GOAT says I'm a Pedicurist, who knew? Now that I'm with consoles again (unboxed!), this weekend will be spent lacing up and taping my virtual stick as I hit the ice in NHL 09. It may be the only way I ever get to see the Buffalo Sabres lift Lord Stanley, after all.
• Justin McElroy: This Pedicurist is going to be enjoying some Warhammer Online, with occasional breaks for Force Unleashed. Or at least, that's what I would be playing if I played video games on the weekends, instead of doing what you all should be doing: Partying hard. Like, Andrew WK hard.
• Ludwig Kietzmann: With the Prince of Persia trilogy behind me (much like my career as a Clinical Test Subject), I imagine this weekend will be dedicated to finding the answers to Eternal Sonata's mysteries -- chief of which is, "Why am I still playing this?" If I can break the level-up cycle, I'll almost certainly be giving Tomb Raider: Legend yet another replay. Gotta be prepared for Underworld!
• Randy Nelson: When I'm not busy with my work as a PIP-Boy Programmer, I'll be hacking my way through The Force Unleashed with an elegant weapon (though not a very elegant camera) for a more civilized time. Then it's time to get up-to-speed - quite literally - with the Burnout Bikes expansion. Vroom!
• Ross Miller: The Fry Cook inside me (wow, that sounds awkward) will be making up on hours of missing sleep. If I do have any energy this weekend, I will be overcoming the mid-chorus fill in the expert drums of "Everlong" for Rock Band 2. Once I master that, I will have the whole song and feel an overwhelming sence of silly pride.
  

 

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Filed under: Features

Each week Mark Methenitis contributes Law of the Game on Joystiq, a column on legal issues as they relate to video games:

Digital Rights Management (or "DRM" for short) is back in the news in a big way with the recent Spore fiasco. DRM, much like a Spore creature, is a quirky animal, with legs of technology, a torso of law, and arms of business, but it doesn't always have a head on its shoulders. But like so many other things that potentially put consumers and producers at odds, the viewpoints on DRM are extremely polarized with almost no middle ground. So this week I wanted to take a look at DRM, why it exists from a legal and economic viewpoint, and most importantly, try to get hold of that slippery middle ground.

Thinking back to the days of the floppy disk, piracy wasn't yet an overwhelming concern. Yes, it was easy to bypass the write protection on a floppy, but without an internet, you had to find someone who had an existing copy in real life. For the majority of the population, this wasn't an option. Then we entered the initial CD-ROM phase, and at the time, the CD-ROM was a pretty secure media. The idea of a low cost home CD burner and blank CDs were years off, and the Internet was still in its infancy, so CDs were pretty safe from piracy well into the 1990s. It was the proliferation of CD burners, high speed internet connections, and peer to peer file sharing (Hi Napster!) that made software license security a big issue for all software companies in the late 1990s, and things haven't slowed down since.

Continue reading Law of the Game on Joystiq: Rare footage of the DRM in its natural habitat

 

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Filed under: Sony PlayStation 3, Microsoft Xbox 360, Online, Rhythm

Next week's Rock Band DLC will be a second attempt at making Rush's Moving Pictures album available. Harmonix will also be releasing several individual tracks that may tickle your wallet's fancy.

Rush - Moving Pictures (880 / $11)

• "Tom Sawyer" (Original) (160 / $2)
• "Red Barchetta" (160 / $2)
• "YYZ" (160 / $2)
• "Limelight" (Original) (160 / $2)
• "The Camera Eye" (160 / $2)
• "Witch Hunt" (160 / $2)
• "Vital Signs" (160 / $2)

Individual tracks

• "Sorrow" - Bad Religion (160 / $2)
• "She Sells Sanctuary" - The Cult (160 / $2)
• "Bandages" - Hot Hot Heat (160 / $2)
• "Shoot the Runner" - Kasabian (160 / $2)
• "You're No Rock N Roll Fun" - Sleater-Kinney (160 / $2)
• "Love Spreads" - Stone Roses (160 / $2)

Videos for the tracks can be found after the break. The songs will be available for download next Tuesday and Thursday for Xbox 360 and PS3, respectively.

Continue reading Rock Band Weekly: Rush's Moving Pictures, individual tracks

 

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Filed under: Culture, Hacks, Retro, Mobile

All right, kiddies, we know all of you out there have dutifully replaced your DS with a gaming-powered iPhone 2.0, but with all that gaming power comes the responsibility to be careful. Thus, you should all be on the lookout for a new Windows virus masquerading as apparently popular iPhone game Penguin Panic.

According to Sophos, the computer-controlling Trojan shows up as a zipped attachment to an e-mail with a subject like "Virtual iPhone games!" or "Apple: The most popular game!" Ironically, it seems the virus won't actually infect your iPhone or any Mac-based computers. It also seems incapable of infecting other portable gaming systems, which should be a relief to those of you still living in the past with those long-defunct platforms.

 

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Filed under: Nintendo DS, PC, Sony PlayStation 2, Sony PlayStation 3, Sony PSP, Nintendo Wii, Microsoft Xbox 360

Don't be fooled. This week's list of new releases may look like the first really big fall week just chock-full of new, great games. Well, they're new all right (most of them at least) but we're not sure there's a ton of "can't miss" games on deck.

Brothers In Arms: Hell's Highway is an obvious one, LEGO Batman will probably be good, if a bit similar to every other LEGO game. Wii's got some good looking stuff too, with Wario Land: Shake It and Samba de Amigo. That's the killer, but there's definitely a fair amount of filler. Our favorite: Barbie Fashion Show: An Eye for Style. What's yours?

Gallery: Brothers in Arms Hell's Highway

Continue reading New games this week: Brothers in Arms: Hell's Highway edition

 

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Filed under: Nintendo Wii

We knew that today would be the day, but still, it feels a little momentous: We, the one-man staff of WiiWare Weekly, are proud to announce ... that there's a good, exclusive game on WiiWare: Mega Man 9 (Capcom, 1 player, 1,000 Wii Points) will be available at noon today. Yeah, it's only exclusive for three days, but it's exclusive for now, and you can't take that away from us.

As if to counterbalance the modicum of confidence we can place in WiiWare with Mega Man's arrival, he'll be showing up with (we kid you not) PLÄTTCHEN twist 'n' paint (Bplus, 1-8 players, Rated E for Everyone, 1,000 Wii Points) in tow. Accord to the release, you'll (we're still not kidding) "Play as one of the countless FantasyMEs and fight as an astronaut, butterfly, car or football against sharks, cowboys, asteroids and skulls in numerous, fabulous fantasy Worlds."

...When Haley Joel Osment finally finishes that biopic about the brilliant yet cripplingly autistic boy who manages to create a WiiWare game every week, we imagine the part where his game PLÄTTCHEN twist 'n' paint is released with Mega Man 9 will be the equivalent of "the big game."

 

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Filed under: Sony PlayStation 2, Sony PlayStation 3, Nintendo Wii, Microsoft Xbox 360, Rhythm

Let's just say that Rock Band was on its walkabout and that's why it will finally arrive in Australian stores on November 7. Gamespot reports the game will be sold the same way as the European version with instruments and software sold separately. The good news is that the instruments plus software will only cost $250 AUD ($208), instead of the $300-something the Europeans had to shell out.

What about Rock Band 2? Oh, let's just not talk about that. First the Europeans need to get their fix and then EA can slowly worry about the land down under. At least the Aussies can rock out like it's 2007 now -- or there's always Guitar Hero World Tour.

 

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Filed under: Microsoft Xbox 360, First Person Shooters

We'd like to suggest a new video game rating system. It's super easy to remember and, with only two different degrees of quality, we think it's something just about anyone can understand: "Games That Are Worth Getting Sued for $150,000 to Pirate" and "Games That Are Not." That's exactly the light that James R. Strickland of New York is having to see Call of Duty 3 in, as he was sued last month by Activision after he (allegedly) "copied the Copyrighted Video Game and distributed the Copyrighted Video Game to the public."

Our friends at GamePolitics did a little digging and found that these sorts of lawsuits were pretty common for Activision, with at least six examples that GP could locate. It appears that the suits are for the actual copying of games rather than just sharing files, but we bet it's probably enough to give some wrongdoers pause.

And if you are going to get sued, at least go with Call of Duty 4, OK?

Read -- Activision Sues Alleged CoD Pirate
Read -- Activision Suing File-Sharers RIAA Style?

 

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