A QA tester at TT Games, the makers of various Lego titles, tweeted a picture of a Wii U tablet controller that looks a whole lot different from what we saw at last year’s E3.

As you can see from the image to the right, the controller now has analog sticks that have replaced the 3DS Circle pads. The Select and Start buttons have been moved from the bottom of the controller to below the face buttons on the right side. There also now seems to be two additional square-shaped buttons below the D-pad and next to the power button. Click on the image for more detail and compare it to last year’s model below.

Source: Twitter

The financial struggles of 38 Studios, the development house behind Kingdom’s of Amular has been well documented this week, but you couldn’t tell by the first look at their long in development title — a MMO dubbed Project Copernicus. 

“When you play single player games, you have to rely on computer programming and artificial intelligence, but when you add the human element to it, a lot of different things can happen and I think that that variable is what has made this space (online gaming) so big,” Shilling said in a recent interview. “We’re looking at a Hollywood Production here, roughly $60 million dollars to put this out and a multi-year development cycle.”

38 Studios, headed by former Redsox Pitcher unveiled a short fly over video of the project’s world today, and it’s impressive. Just today, the Governer of Rhode Island announced that the game would release in June of 2013.

Stay with Blast for more on 38 Studios, their financial situation and Project Copernicus as we approach this year’s E3.

It appears that 38 Studios didn’t make payroll this week, but is in the process of making its late loan payment of $1.125 to the state of Rhode Island this week, confirmed a spokesperson for the state’s Economic Development Corporation.

Keith Stokes, EDC’s executive director who was involved in devising the $75 million loan the state granted 38 Studios also resigned last night. Former Gov. Donald Carcieri who was also responsible for the loan during his term in office has not responded to comments, but House Speaker Gordon Fox states “he has no regrets.” Taxpayers could end up paying over $100 million dollars to make up for the loan.

A source also told Joystiq that Curt Schilling’s company has fired all of its temps and contractors this week.

We have contacted 38 Studios for more comment, but the company has not responded to our questions.

Update: The check that was hand-delivered to the EDC has bounced because “there were insufficient funds to cover it.” The check was returned.

Source: WPRI, Joystiq

While most simulation video games strap you behind the cockpit of military fighter jets or even high-speed race cars, TML Studios wants you to ease into the world of a professional bus driver in its upcoming title European Bus Simulator.

European Bus Simulator recreates all the miniscule tasks bus drivers need to be mindful of during their workday and brings it to you on the PC. These include preparing the day’s schedule, monitoring your fuel and engine levels, and even clearing up those steamy windshields. Because the game captures things in crisp detail, the passengers you pick up and drop off will range in appearance and personality and the city you drive through will be bustling with life. When you’re done driving people around, you can also walk around and explore the city you so enthusiastically serve.

This isn’t the first time TML Studios has decided to make a game about driving jobs. The studio also released New York City Bus Simulator and even Tow Truck and Delivery Truck titles.

These games are great when you want to get a glimpse at the daily lives of many citizens. Just take a look at the trailer to see how a bus driver’s life isn’t as easy as it looks.

Ever dream of being a bus driver when you were little? European Bus Simulator is available worldwide on May 31.

Starting today, CCP games is letting players sign up for open beta access to its upcoming free-to-play first person shooter DUST 514. Players looking to participate can sign up on the game’s website and cross their fingers they get an acceptance email.

Releasing exclusively on PlayStation 3, DUST 514 combines the world of EVE Online with large-scale warfare and intense military combat. Select EVE Online players will also be selected to join in on the beta this week.

The game was announced at last year’s E3, so expect to see more news and our preview of the game next month. Dust 514 is expected to release later this year.

When Microsoft made Forza Horizon official earlier this year, all we got was a trailer of people and cars — not in game cars mind you. But now hey — look an in game screen shot — and there’s a car!

We’re expecting to hear more about Forza Horizon at this year’s E3 convention in L.A., which is less than three weeks away.

Also, I’d just like to point out, the screen looks awfully familiar to a certain automobile themed Disney movie…I’m just going to leave this right here…

Not wanting to be overshadowed by two other special edition pre-orders announced this week, 2K Games has announced not one but two deluxe editions for Borderlands 2.

As of today, players can pre-order the Deluxe Vault Hunter’s Collector’s Edition, which includes an authentic Marcus Kincaid bobble head, hardbound art book, map of Pandora, a comic book download, and a four sticker set. This set costs $99.

If you want to get an even better package, why not spend $50 more for the Ultimate Loot Chest Limited Edition, which comes in a replica loot chest and includes everything from the Deluxe version plus a SteelBook case, a creatures of Pandora identification chart, lithograph postcards, field notes from Sir Hammerlock, a cloth map of Pandora, and a numbered certificate of authenticity.

Even if you decide to forego the above sets and simply want the game, pre-ordering it from participating retailers will grant you access to the Borderlands 2 Premier Club, allowing them to download the Gearbox Gun Pack, a Golden Key to unlock an in-game race, the Vault Hunter’s Relic to boost your fortune, and an all-new fifth character class: the Mechromancer.

Borderlands 2 hits the Playstation 3, Xbox 360 and PC on September 18, 2012.

Vampires and Kirby. What do these two have in common? Well before you say they both have done their share of sucking in the past, how about also being the stars of this week’s Nintendo Downloads?

3DS eShop
Kirby’s Block Ball (Nintendo, $2.99)

Kirby’s Block Ball is one of those games that let players do something more than simply suck in their enemies with the pink puffball. Think of the game as Nintendo’s version of Breakout, so not only will you be moving a paddle around to bounce brick-breaking balls around, but you’ll also find Kirby-themed power-ups like Maxim Tomatoes and absorb enemy powers.

Rayman Origins (Ubisoft, DEMO)

If you haven’t tried out Ubisoft’s platforming gem, you can now download the game’s demo for free. With over 60 levels, nostalgic Rayman controls, and lush graphics, you just may be sold on adding this game to your collection.

DSiWare
Chronicles of Vampires: The Awakening (Teyon, $4.99/500 pts)

Vampires merely set the tone for this game, so don’t expect any gushy love story. In fact, this hidden object game will have you traveling to 20 different locations in order to stop a sinister plot from happening and destroying the living world.

38 Studios met today with Rhode Island Economic Development Corporation to discuss its current financial situation, which at the moment isn’t looking so good. During the meeting, studio founder Curt Schilling asked the state for more money, even after his studio defaulted its latest loan payment this month, leaving many to wonder what will end up happening to the Providence-based company.

Attorney and Game of the Law Editor Mark Methenitis told Joystiq that based on documentation and information he has reviewed, the state’s $75 million loan was secured by studio assets including all of 38 Studios’ intellectual property. This includes rights to Kingdoms of Amalur and any other unannounced games currently being worked on.

“What that means, in brief, is if they default on their obligations to the RIEDC, then the RIEDC can turn around and take possession of as much of that as is necessary to pay off the debts owed, Methenitis told Joystiq.

Remember that Rhode Island taxpayers may end up paying upwards of $112.6 million to pay up the studio’s loan. The state could bring in more money by auctioning off rights to Kingdoms of Amalur to the highest bidder, though it’s not likely anyone will want to pay $100 million for a relatively new IP that has only seen one game so far.

Source: Joystiq

While anyone can pre-order Kingdom Hearts 3D [Dream Drop Distance] and get a few AR cards, serious Kingdom Hearts aficionados will want to feast their eyes on the game’s Mark of Mastery box set.

Commemorating the franchise’s 10th anniversary, the special edition of the game will come in a snazzy magnetic box and will include a branded clear hard case skin cover and 12 art cards. The game will also come with five AR cards that will unlock creature companions known as Dream Eaters in the game.

The Mark of the Mastery box set is priced at $54.99

Brace yourselves, Halo fans. Microsoft today revealed the contents of Halo 4‘s robust, sleek-looking Limited Edition.

Available for pre-order now, the $99 game package grants players access to nine future DLC multiplayer maps, early access to six Specializations for their Spartan career character, and a UNSC Infinity Briefing pack, which includes some collectible documents and a neat blueprint of the game’s ship.

Players will also gain extra content through Xbox Live including,

• Unique in-game Spartan-IV armor skin
• Unique in-game weapon skin for the Assault Rifle
• An exclusive in-game emblem
• Xbox LIVE Avatar prop
• Xbox LIVE Avatar Spartan-IV armor set

Finally, the Limited Edition will also include lots of exclusive videos and featurettes including an extended 90-minute version of the live-action digital series Halo 4: Forward Unto Dawn. Even the box for the Limited Edition looks like it means business.

During a meeting with the Economic Development Corporation to discuss his studio’s financial situation, Curt Schilling asked the state of Rhode Island for more money.

The meeting was called days after officials were notified that the studio failed to make its latest loan payment of $1.125 million this month. 38 Studios was given a $70 million loan from the state of Rhode Island to move from Massachusetts to Providence.

The EDC took no action on Schilling’s request, nor was the amount he asked for revealed. WPRI reports that the “state is still trying to decide whether it’s worth risking more to help the company.”

Schilling quickly left the meeting this afternoon and simply told reports that his priority was to get back to his team.

If 38 Studios doesn’t receive assistance, Rhode Island taxpayers could face paying back upwards of $112.6 million through 2020 after interest payments.

Source: WPRI

Disney Epic Mickey 2: The Power of Two is all about teamwork. The game takes Mickey back to the Wasteland where he discovers that things are not as peaceful as he left them. The game will include new co-op features that will enable two players to venture forth in the Wasteland together. While one player controls Mickey and his magic paintbrush, the other can take on the role of Oswald the Lucky Rabbit and use his remote controller to electrocute enemies.

In a new behind the scenes video, Warren Spector and his team discuss the making of The Power of Two and the important role of working together. The video below also showcases the game’s lush updated graphics coming to Xbox360, PlayStation 3, and Wii later this year.

Starting today, players who want to partake in online Mario Kart 7 races need to download the free patch for the game released a couple of days ago on Nintendo’s eShop. The Mario Kart 7 Version 1.1 patch removes three notable shortcut exploits in the Maka Wuhu, Wuhu Loop, and Bowser Castle 1 race tracks when the game is played online. These glitches allow players to skip entire laps or get transported too far ahead, giving them an edge over their competition, forcing many to either join in on the shortcut or wind up in last place.

This update is the first one of its kind Nintendo has rolled out since it announced plans to do so earlier this year. In Japan, the next batch of games to be patched include Kingdom Hearts Dream Drop Distance and New Love Plus. Its latest 3DS firmware update now allows Nintendo to update individual software over the internet, something its competitors have been doing for years.

More bad news for 38 Studios. It seems the studio founded by former Red Sox pitcher Curt Schilling failed to make its latest loan payment of $1.125 million, causing the state of Rhode Island to investigate the studio’s sketchy financial situation, WPRI reports after confirming the news with Rhode Island House Speaker Gordon Fox.

38 Studios was to provide payments to the Economic Development Corporation, but the EDC has now scheduled “an emergency meeting” tomorrow morning to discuss “an unexpected occurrence that requires immediate action to protect the public regarding the 38 Studios LCC financing.”

As was reported earlier, 38 Studios has already used up $49.8 million of the $75 million loan that it was given to move to Rhode Island. Fox didn’t comment on what would be discussed at tomorrow’s meeting, but it’s a safe bet the first thing on everyone’s minds will be how the money will be made up. If the burden falls onto taxpayers, Rhode Island citizens may wind up paying upwards of $112.6 million through 2020 after interest payments.

38 Studios has yet to make any statement.

Source: WPRI

Yes, we know Max Payne and Diablo III are out today, but Sega wants you to put down your AK-47 and gaming keyboard for a bit and take a minute to relive your childhood with Sonic the Hedgehog: Episode 2, which spindashes its way onto consoles and mobile devices this week.

Sega has been listening to fan feedback following the release of Episode 1, so expect to see some enhanced gameplay features such as two-player co-op, better physics, and the addition of the challenging red rings introduced in Sonic Colors.

Also, those who currently own Episode 1 will be able to replay the original game from the perspective of Metal Sonic and learn more about his backstory and how he survived the events at the end of Sonic CD.

Sonic the Hedgehog: Episode 2 is out today on PlayStation and Steam and will be out on Xbox 360 tomorrow. The game will also be available for iOS devices on May 17. Be sure to check out our upcoming review of the game once it posts!

Fans have been waiting over 12 years for the release of Diablo III, and today they finally go their hands on Blizzard’s latest offering. The game not only set a Blizzard pre-order record of 2 million copies and became Amazon’s most pre-ordered PC game of all time, but just last night, over 8,000 midnight launch events were held across the country.

“This launch is a culmination of many years of hard work by our development team, and many years of passionate, dedicated support from gamers around the world,” said Mike Morhaime, CEO and co-founder of Blizzard Entertainment. “We’re grateful for the enthusiasm of our players, and for the help of our beta testers in getting the game ready for release. Now that Diablo III is live, we hope everyone’s ready to have a hellishly good time slaying demons and collecting loot in Sanctuary.”

But before you relish in the hellishly new adventures you’ll be playing through in Diablo III, be aware that the game does come with a few bugs, and one in particular may lock you out of your game.

Here’s a list of the currently known bugs and errors players have experienced in the game and possible solutions. Blizzard is looking into correcting all these errors, but in the meantime, be careful who you trade with!

Error 37
This error indicates that the Diablo III server is full and is likely the result of high login traffic. If you receive this error message, please wait and try again.

Error 3005 and 3006 (time outs)
If you receive either of these messages while playing, please wait and try again.

Error 3006 (affects Demon Hunters)
When playing a Demon Hunter, giving a shield to your Templar before you kill Jondar and hire him can disconnect you from Battle.net and give you an Error 3006. Blizzard is working to resolve this issue as quickly as possible and may address it via hotfix.

Error 14009 and 315300
If you are experiencing either of these issues and are using Windows, create a new user account with administration powers (http://www.wintuts.com/Manage-User-Accounts). From there, log into Diablo III.

Grayed-Out Login Button
Please make sure that you are using your Battle.net email address and password to log in to the game. Do not attempt to log in with your BattleTag.

Character Creation Issues
While most of the character creation issues have been resolved, it’s possible that if you attempted to create characters previously and did not log out, you may have actually maxed out your character list with “invisible” characters. If you are still receiving an error creating new characters, log out and log back in and then check your character list.

In conjunction with the release of Max Payne 3 today, Marvel Comics and Rockstar Games have released a brand new comic based on the grizzled detective — and you can get the first issue right now, for free without leaving your favorite chair.

Max Payne: The Fall, written  looks into Max’s troubled past, as well as tells a bit of the story leading up to the new game.

Head over to the official Max Payne webpage to download the first issue now, as well as enter to win a printed copy of the book.

Heroes of Ruin impressed us with its mission-based gameplay at PAX East last month, but the game is also coming with some features that are not too common on the 3DS including voice chat and a fluid drop-in-drop-out campaign mode.

This bustling RPG encourages players to play it with others and will come with daily Spot Pass challenges, Street Pass item trading, and other features that will make you reconsider playing it solo. Check out our preview to learn more about the game and watch the trailer below to see some of these multiplayer features in action.

A local Rhode Island NBC station reported on Monday night that Curt Schilling’s 38 Studios is now facing insolvency issues, just three months after the release of their first major title Kingdoms of Amalur: Reckoning.

Back in 2010, 38 Studios moved to Providence from Massachusetts after Rhode Island offered the company a $75 million loan with the hope of bringing 450 employees and tax revenue to the state. WPRI reports that the studio has received $50 million and currently has 288 employees.

Rhode Island Governor Lincoln Chafee has been in talks this past weekend with company executives regarding the future of 38 Studios.

“We’re concerned and just doing everything possible to ensure that 38 Studios stays part of the Rhode Island community,” Governor Chafee told WPRI on Monday night. “We’re working on different issues with them.”

The massive taxpayer-backed loan is actually funding the studio’s “Project Copernicus,” a massively multiplayer online game that is supposed to be released this September. 38 Studios has not announced plans to showcase the game at E3, nor has it planned any booth for the show.

If the former Red Sox pitcher can’t find a way to pay off his studio’s loan, Rhode Island taxpayers could be forced to pay up to $112.6 million through 2020 after interest payments, according to bond documents reviewed by WPRI.

Source: WPRI, WPRI

Revealed at last month’s Nintendo Direct webcast, Pokémon AR Searcher, now known officially in the US as Pokémon Dream Radar, will let players use their 3DS cameras to search for Pokémon in the real world. The game is an AR shooter that will also give players access to new Pokémon like the recently revealed Sacred Beast Formes of Tornadus, Thundurus, and Landorus and transfer them to their games.

Pokédex 3D Pro is another upcoming eShop title that will give 3D owners a full working Pokédex with information on the over 600 species of Pokemon.

These two titles will coincide with the release of Pokémon Black and White Version 2 and be released this fall in the US. Available only on the 3DS, these two titles will give 3DS owners an advantage even though the upcoming Pokémon sequels are actually DS titles. No price was announced, but do recall that the current Pokédex 3D was offered at no cost to 3DS owners when it first launched last year.

Hey look, it’s Halo 4′s box art.  Appreciate it, because a ton of gamers had to work damn hard to get it.

Being the fun loving company that they are, Microsoft sent out a ton of emails to select users titled “Your piece of the Halo Puzzle”, each with a piece of the above image. NEOGAF user spawn031 collected them all and supplied the above image.

Now everyone say thank you.

EA knows watching a football game is a complete sensory experience and hopes to give Madden NFL 13 fans the closest experience possible to attending an NFL game without actually buying a ticket.

In its latest NFL playbook, EA highlights the game’s enhanced audio system including the new commentary team of Jim Nantz and Phil Simms, the award-winning broadcast duo who have worked together since 2004 as the top team of the NFL on CBS. The two have spent over 82 hours in the recording studio and have created over 9,000 unique lines of in-game dialogue, a majority of which were improvised on the spot.

The game also includes new dynamic sound effects and crowd banter as well as a newly orchestrated theme song by veteran composer Colin O’Malley. You can also check out EA’s website for videos and outtakes from Nantz and Simms’ recording sessions.

Madden NFL 13 hits stores August 28.

Ubisoft may be releasing Ghost Recon: Future Soldier on May 22, but if you’re someone who likes to get to know your characters on a more personal level, even those in FPS titles, you may want to check out Ghost Recon: Alpha, a short film that serves as a prequel to the game.

Tom Clancy’s Ghost Recon Alpha is a 25-minute film that follows the game’s four protagonists as they are dropped deep behind enemy lines after an attack on a European city. The plot plays an important role in the game and the film’s soldiers are the four protagonists you’ll play as in the game. There is also a special code in the film that gives access to an exclusive weapon in Future Soldier. The full film can be viewed below.

Made up of former employees from companies such as Harmonix, Irrational Games, and Iron Lore, Eeerie-Canal Entertainment is a Boston-based independent studio whose goal is to make creative and inspired games that are too risky for large studios.

Well into the development of its first title, the team today released the teaser trailer for Dreadline, a game that turns the tables on typical monster huntings and has you controlling a group of creatures that visit humans right before they face certain calamities. The trailer shows off the game’s Titanic level that involves harvesting the luxury liner’s passengers before they face their inevitable doom.

Eerie-Canal plans to release Dreadline on PC. Considering how well versed its employees are at making console titles, let’s hope the team gives us more platform options in the future.

Crystal Dynamics is pushing back the release date of its upcoming Tomb Raider reboot to ensure your next adventure with Lara Croft is perhaps the best one yet.

One of the most common reasons companies delay the launch of their games is for quality purposes. It’s no surprise then, that Darrell Gallagher, Head of Crystal Dynamics, told fans on the Crystal Dynamics forums that their reasoning behind the delay is to ensure they “fully deliver the very highest quality game.”

“When Crystal Dynamics first set out to reboot the Tomb Raider franchise, there were two goals that we were extremely passionate about,” wrote Gallagher. “The first was to create a modern Tomb Raider game that would surprise and excite gamers. The second was to make this the best game of our careers, something we would be really proud to be a part of.

“We’re doing things that are completely new to Tomb Raider in this game and the additional development time will allow us to put the finishing touches into the game and polish it to a level that you deserve. We believe this is the right choice and I guarantee it will be worth the wait. ”

Gallagher also gave us a sneak peek at what we might see at E3 with the inclusion of the above image titled “The Reach.” Last year’s demo showed Lara navigating some underground caverns, so perhaps this year’s playthrough will take her out into the wilderness.

Soure: Crystal Dynamics

Looking to save some cash by picking up Max Payne 3 from a Redbox kiosk when it releases this Tuesday?  Let’s just hope you’re playing on PS3, as the US based rental service has confirmed that they will only be renting out the first disc of the Xbox 360 version, meaning you’ll get half of the single player game and the multiplayer suite.

Redbox corporate policy is to carry only single disc games, but as a spokesperson told the consumerist, they’re taking a different tone with Rockstar’s latest. “Redbox kiosks are only equipped to rent out one disc per rental fee,” the spokesperson said. ”Since customer feedback has told us that many of our game customers like to test out titles before they buy them, we’ve decided to offer Disc 1 of Max Payne 3 for Xbox 360 so that renters can try it out for a low daily rate.”

There is currently no option to rent out disc 2 via the service.

“Disc 1 contains the entire online multiplayer mode and the first half of the extremely substantial single-player game. We think that’s a great deal for just a couple of dollars a day, and we’re excited to offer it! We’ve added a message on the website and on kiosk screens to let renters know about the limited game-playing.”

Would you pay $2 a day for what is essentially a limited demo? Let us know!

A video game lawsuit filed against Beyoncé has been given the go ahead by Manhattan judge Charles Ramos. The lawsuit, filed by Gate Five Studios last year, claims that the songstress broke her contract and backed out of a $20 million deal for a game called Starpower: Beyoncé after demanding more money.

This forced Gate Five to lay off 70 employees during the busy 2010 holiday season. Beyoncé’s legal team claims that Gate Five did not have enough funding for the game and it was in her rights to abandon the project. Judge Ramos, however, states that Beyoncé simply did not give enough notice.

“You continue to negotiate right up until the time you pull the plug. That is not going to work with me,” Ramos told Beyoncé’s lawyers, according to the New York Post.

Gate Five is hoping to recover $6.7 million in investment capital and over $100 million in potential profits for the game. The lawsuit will head to court later this year.

These claims were filed while Beyoncé was pregnant with her first child Blue Ivy, and this news now comes to the singer during her first Mother’s Day weekend. If Beyoncé had done a little research, she should have just gone ahead with the production of her video game. Dance games actually have a nice niche in the gaming market, and considering her mama’s Beyoncé, I’m sure Blue Ivy would have learned to dance along with the game way before she started walking.

Source: New York Post
Via: Gamasutra

After two years giving its fans things to knock down, Rovio is moving past destruction and focusing on construction in its latest new IP titled Amazing Alex to be released in about two months. The Angry Birds developer is basing its new game on Casey’s Contraptions, an intellectual property Rovio recently purchased.

Casey’s Contraptions, released over a year ago, is a physics-based puzzle game that focuses on building Rube Goldberg-esque machines to collect stars on the screen. Once you are done putting everything together, you can press the play button to see if your machine was a success. While there are no screenshots of Amazing Alex as of yet, we can only assume that much of the game will resemble Casey’s Contraptions but with Rovio’s signature charm. It’s also safe to assume the game will be released on mobile devices.

Rovio has definitely seen success with its Angry Bird franchise. Heck, the games have been downloaded a billion times and the latest Angry Birds in Space hit 10 million downloads in just three days. As news starts trickling in, let’s see if fans will greet Amazing Alex with the same enthusiasm.

Monthly Japanese magazine CoroCoro has leaked some more information about the upcoming Pokémon Black and White 2 games releasing in Japan next month and in the US later this year.

Legendary trio Tornadus, Thundurus, and Landorus will be joining version mascots Reshiram and Zekrom and receiving new forms. Their original form from Pokémon Black and White will be known as their “Incarnation Forme” while their new ones will be known as their “Sacred Beast Formes.” Of course, these are translations, so their official name could always change. These new forms boost each Pokémon’s stats and change their appearance. Players will be able to unlock them using the Pokémon AR Searcher, a new app that was announced during last month’s Nintendo Direct webcast, making them exclusive to 3DS owners.

Since the games will take place two years after the events of the original, many trainers and characters have acquired new roles. Cheren is now a Normal-type gym leader and Bianca is now Professor Juniper’s assistant. The game will include new gym leaders too, and so far two new gym leaders have been revealed, including the Poison-type user Homika and Water-type user Shizui. Many past trainers from previous Pokémon games will make a return in the game’s new Pokémon World Tournament mode letting you battle favorites like Misty, Brock, and Cynthia. Other confirmed participants include Blaine, Erika, Lt. Surge, Giovanni, Blue, Janine, Steven Stone, Volkner, and Lance.

Stay tuned for more information as we get closer to the game’s Japanese launch.

Via: Pokebeach

Andy Gavin was 16 when he created a little game company called Naughty Dog with lifelong friend, Jason Rubin. That would lead to the creation of Crash Bandicoot, Jak & Daxter, and a game style we’ve come to appreciate for its use of technology and polish.

No doubt partly attributable to his time at MIT, Gavin’s programming know-how made him a recognizable leader in the gaming industry. Though he has turned his attention to books and hasn’t made a game since 2004, to date, more than 35 million of Andy’s games have been sold to the tune of a cool billion.

We cornered Andy on Twitter recently and he agreed to do an interview for Blast:

BLAST: In your career, you’ve created a bunch of memorable characters — Crash Bandicoot, Jak & Dexter. Where do you get your inspiration for your gaming characters?

ANDY GAVIN: Mostly from combining ideas from TV, comics, movies, books, films etc plus a dose of random and pure imagination.

BLAST: How did you get your start in the gaming industry?

AG: Jason and I met at age 12. We both loved video games and had some friends in common that swapped (aka pirated) games together. I was a pretty decent programmer and he was a good artist (for 12). Since my games ran well but were ugly and his looked great and crashed, we combined forces. We worked on some games we never published while 13 and 14, including an Apple II version of PunchOut, then when we were 15, sold our first game, Ski Crazed. Naughty Dog was born (although it was named JAM Software until 1986).

BLAST: But you’re a writer at heart right? Writer or gamer? What’s your label?

AG: Serial creative. I was a reader first, and during my entire video game career. I also did a lot of writing in High School and college (but never published anything). Only recently have I been able to devote the time to writing that it really needed. But I would say that my video game career really helped me with it, not so much in the particulars of story or prose craft, but with my general skills at managing and pacing big creative projects. I find that writing uses essentially the same creative muscles as game making.

BLAST: Well speaking of writing, you have a fantasy book that’s out now and, surprise, surprise, another on the way. Tell me about your upcoming title “Untimed” — I hear it’s steampunk. Can never get enough of that.

AG: “Untimed” is a YA time travel novel that chronicles the crazy adventures of a boy no one remembers, who falls through a hole in time and finds himself lost in the past. It’s very different with an extremely immediate first person present voice (in this book the only thing anyone can hold on to is the present). It rocks. Seriously rocks.

Right now (as of early May) it’s out on submission to New York and London publisher’s via my agent, Eddie Schneider of JABberwocky.

BLAST: You also co-founded a little outfit called Naughty Dog. Are you working on any gaming projects right now? What’s percolating? Anything caught in limbo that you want to try to free up here in this interview?

AG: I still love video games, particularly fantasy ones, but I don’t have anything in development. I’m counting the days until the release of Diablo III! I’d love to make a game somewhere between that, Dark Souls, and WoW. But then I think about the 5-7 year project…

BLAST: When you’re not writing or gaming or writing games, what do you do for fun, since this is all obviously WORK, right?

AG: Spending time with my family. Reading (mostly speculative fiction and history). Food and wine. I’m an incurable gourmand. Photography, video games, technology, history, travel, and archeology are a few of my other passions. I’m particularly fascinated by the ancient western world.

Despite encountering some problems with its German publisher, Awesomenauts was released to great reviews. Since its launch last week, over half a million games have already been played.

Listening to its fans, Ronimo will be releasing a patch next week that will address some of its balancing issues. While we didn’t encounter much of an unbalance during our review, some characters like the game’s healer could get overpowered in the hands of skilled players. Ronimo is also looking into communication issues that prevent some players from joining matches. The developer recommends resetting your console and router until they work on solving this issue.

Ronimo is also working on new character DLC and gave us a sneak peek at the game’s first female Awesomenaut coming soon. Get excited!

Targeting bored office workers who want to add a little fun to their day, Halfbrick has released its popular iOS game Jetpack Joyride on Facebook.

Currently in beta, Jetpack Joyride will let players compete with their Facebook friends in pursuit of the high score. You’ll be able to unlock achievements and equip Barry with new weapons and gear. In addition, players will also be able to save in-game screenshots directly on to their Facebook pages.

Since its launch last year, Jetpack Joyride has reach over 25 million downloads. Put that spreadsheet aside and start your new addiction.

Source: Facebook

After you’re doing playing through Max Payne 3‘s campaign mode and before you check out the slew of online maps Rockstar Games has planned for the game, why not check out its Arcade Modes and unlock some goodies while you’re at it?

Making a return from Max Payne and Max Payne 2 is New York Minute, a mode that has you racing the clock to kill as many enemies as possible in 60 seconds. The game’s Score Attack mode is also similar, but gives you more time to enjoy each headshot you make and every kneecap you blow off. Your scores in both of these modes are uploaded to the Rockstar’s Social Club leaderboards and top scores will unlock exclusive multiplayer avatars and XP bonuses.

Max Payne 3 will be out on May 24. In the meantime, check out our preview from PAX East and stay tuned for our full review.

One of the first things we noticed when playing the Sleeping Dogs demo at PAX East was its great melee system, heavily inspired by Hong Kong films that often put protagonists, like the game’s own Wei Shen, against a mob of enemies unlikely to win.

The game’s new combat trailer shows off the undercover cop’s martial arts moves and also highlights different attacks and combos you can upgrade as you progress through the game. Also, because the in-game world of Hong Kong is huge and has plenty of things to interact with, you’ll also be able to use your environment to your advantage when in combat. Ever feel like throwing someone into a rotating fan? Well, now you can.

Sleeping Dogs is scheduled for release on August 14.

In Kingdom Hearts: Dream Drop Distance, Sora won’t be joined by his old pals Donald and Goofy, but will have to rely instead on the help of various Dream Eaters in battle. Each Dream Eater has unique powers and abilities and you can recruit over 50 unique colorful creatures during your adventure.

Square Enix wants to give players a few new friends when starting their game and will be providing special augmented reality cards to unlock two special Dream Eaters for those who pre-order Dream Drop Distance. One AR card will randomly unlock one of the three rare Dream Eaters: Ursa Circus, Sudo Neku or Meowjesty. The second AR card unlocks R&R Seal Dream Eater, and the last AR card unlocks a 360° viewing stand.

Kingdom Hearts: Dream Drop Distance will be available on July 31.

Are you a Nintendo Ambassador? Did you wait several hours in the blistering cold for your shiny Aqua Blue 3DS over a year ago? If you did, you better give it a tight hug tonight as it looks like Japan is ending production of that color sometime soon as indicated on its Japanese product website.

No reason was indicated as to why Nintendo is ending production of that specific color or whether this will also impact US sales, but with six other colors to choose including the new Midnight Purple 3DS, players still have a wide selection to choose from. Like I said, if you own an Aqua Blue 3DS, hold it tight. It may soon be extinct.

Source: Nintendo

So here’s the good news. We’re getting an Avengers game. The bad? It’s going to be a motion based title for the Kinect and Wii U. Yeeeeeeah.

Marvel’s Avengers: Battle for Earth from Ubisoft is said to feature roughly twenty characters from the Marvel Universe and draws its inspiration from the recent Secret Invasion storyline.  That sounds promising..right?

“We are excited to team up with Marvel Entertainment to bring some of the most iconic comic book characters from the Marvel line-up to life in motion-gaming,” said Tony Key, US senior vice president of sales and marketing at Ubisoft in a recent press release. ”Fans of the Marvel universe and superhero games are going to love the extensive combinations of characters, motion-controlled moves and competitive gameplay.”

From the sound of things, we’re either getting a motion controlled version of Ultimate Alliance, or a slightly retooled version of Kinect: Power-up Heroes, a slightly underrated game released for the Kinect last year.

A website has been set up for the game here, but there’s not much to it. While you’re waiting for more info, why don’t you read my list of what I would personally want from an Avengers game.

Do you want to be able to surf the web by simply gesturing to your Kinect? Sure you do. Sources tell The Verge that Microsoft is currently testing Internet Explorer 9 to run on Xbox 360.

While the Kinect peripheral will not be needed to use the internet browser on Microsoft’s console, but the browser is being “tuned” for full Kinect voice and gesture integration letting users fully surf the web in a whole new way.

Xbox 360 users currently can search on Bing using voice commands, but full console-based internet surfing that already exists on both Sony’s PlayStation 3 and Nintendo’s Wii will be a first for Microsoft if these rumors hold true. It’s safe to assume Microsoft will be unveiling this and other announcements at E3 next month.

With Kinect gestures in play, it looks like Microsoft is being fashionably late to the web-surfing party.

Source: The Verge

German manufacturer Roccat Studios will be heading to E3 hoping to make PC gamers happy with their lineup of new gaming mice.

Its first product is the Roccat Kone XTD Max Customization Gaming Mouse. This mouthfull of a peripheral is equipped with the latest of technologies including a Pro Aim R3 laser sensor capable of scanning surfaces at 8200 DPI. It will also come with software to let it customize it to your liking when it is released in October. For those wanting a little less power, Roccat is also unveiling its Lua – Tri-Button Gaming Mouse that has a 2000 DPI Pro Optic sensor that’s coming in August.

Roccat will also be featuring a beta version of its Power-Grid app that lets PC gamers control their games and computer with their smartphone. More will be revealed at E3.