Jet Set Radio first came out on Sega’s Dreamcast twelve years ago and gave players the chance to be Tokyo graffiti artists. The game is releasing digitally on Xbox Live Arcade, PlayStation Network and PC, and today Sega announced that it will also be releasing on PlayStation Vita.

The handheld version of the game will give players added gameplay options including touchscreen controls for faster graffiti tagging and Vita camera integration. Haruki Satomi, Senior Vice President of Digital Business at SEGA, said “As Jet Set Radio is focused on creativity, the touch capabilities of the PlayStation VITA are proving to be a perfect fit.”

We played the game’s XBLA version at PAX East this year, and it felt quite the same as it did playing it back on the Dreamcast, which is a good thing. We’ll see how this new Vita version compares to the original when we get our hands on it at E3 next week.

38 Studios let go of all its employees on Thursday

Blast Magazine has confirmed from industry sources that 38 Studios, the video game company founded by former Red Sox pitcher Curt Schilling laid off all of its employees Thursday and shuttered Baltimore arm Big Huge Games.

The financial difficulties of 38 Studios, which recently put out its first game, Kingdom’s of Amalur, have been well documented in recent weeks.

News of the closing of Big Huge Games, which was integral in creating the action RPG released earlier this year, came first, followed by a rumor, which Blast quickly confirmed, that 38 laid off its staff.

RI Gov. Chafee spoke to the press recently and said that an investor could rehire the 38 Studios staff, however he is “not here to share good news.”

In an email sent to employees, 38 Studios said that ”the company is experiencing an economic downturn. To avoid further losses and possibility of retrenchment, the Company has decided that a company-wide lay off is absolutely necessary. These layoffs are non-voluntary and non-disciplinary.”

Charles Dane, 38 Studio’s Lead Community Manager has also tweeted: @Historian Yup and now on the market. I had an awesome run with@38Studios but this dream is now ending.

Big Huge Games has been shut down

Sean Andrew Murray, Principal Concept Artist for 38 Studios and Big Huge Games has taken to Twitter as well to say his goodbyes: @Muttnhead: “In other news: I am now actively seeking fulltime and/or freelance employment!” … “Thanks, Big Huge Games, for 5+ amazing years. Hope everyone lands on their feet.”

Earlier this month it was reported that 38 Studios missed a $1.25 Million payment on its $75 million state-backed loan, leaving the company in default. The studio attempted to make a payment, only to have their check bounce, the loan was paid later, but not without having to let go of a number of employees.

Big Huge Games was no stranger to near death experiences, thee studio was close to being shutdown by former owner THQ before being bought by 38 Studios.

Blast has contacted both 38 Studios and Big Huge Games for comment, we’ll update this story if we hear anything.

Ivan Favelevic, John M. Guilfoil, and Giancarlo Saldana of the Blast Staff contributed to this report.

If you’ve always wanted to a visual tour of what awaits you in Square Enix’s upcoming open-world title, then this Sleeping Dogs 101 trailer is for you.

The video features actual in-game footage, so not only does it provide you with a guide of all the game’s features and story, but it also teases all the fun you will have once the game launches August 14. Our preview with the game’s producer highlights many of the game’s features showcased in the trailer, so if you want to know how the game feels, give a read.

For a more visual treat, check some new screenshots of the game below.

Kinect games have taught us to dance and to move our hands in the air like inflatable arm flailing tube men, but can they teach us the fluid and precise art of kung fu? Indie developer Kinesthetic Games thinks we can, and its upcoming game Kung Fu Superstar hopes to make us feel like action movie stars too.

Kung Fu Superstar follows the story of Danny Cheng, an up-and-coming martial artist, as he rises through the ranks of fame and stardom. “Aided by his trusted Sifu, Danny will discover the secrets of kung fu and become the most popular martial arts stuntman Hollywood has ever known.”

Using the Kinect, players will use their whole bodies to perform kung fu moves on-screen and take down various different opponents in distinct sets and environments. Past self-defense Kinect games like Ubisoft’s Training Camp just felt awkward because there isn’t another opponent in the same room as you, so it will be interesting to see how Kung Fu Superstar teaches you martial arts and also makes a game out of it without feeling too diluted in asynchronous motion controls. Not only that, but let’s hope the Kinect sensor can keep up with our lightning-fast reflexes.

Kinesthetic Games was founded by former Lionhead developer Kostas Zarifis and is made up of employees from other gaming studios including Codemasters, EA, and Climax.

Kung Fu Superstar is currently being marketed for just the Kinect, but its trailer also contains tags for Wii and PlayStation 3, so it looks like the game may be released on multiple platforms. With Jackie Chan having announced his retirement from the action film scene, who knows if this game will give us the next martial arts superstar.

Released back in 1967, Moonraker saw James Bond heading into outer space to foil the plans of a mad terrorist bent on poisoning the world. Fans of the film can now relive those moments including the many battles with Hugo Drax’s henchmen in the upcoming 007 Legends video game.

Releasing on October 16 for Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, and PC, 007 Legends will intertwine six separate Bond movies together into one game. Sticking true to tradition, the game will feature classic Bond gadgets, espionage missions, and an assortment of sleek vehicles and weapons.

Skyfall, the upcoming James Bond film out this November, is the other film revealed to be featured in the game, so that just leaves four more spots open.

Firaxis and 2K Games this morning announced the release dates for its upcoming real-time strategy game XCOM: Enemy Unknown. The game will be will be hitting US shores on October 9 and internationally on October 12.

While previously announced as an FPS title two years ago, 2K games decided to keep with the franchise’s traditional real-time strategy mechanics and give fans what they’ve been craving for years. We also ranked it one of our Top 10 Games of PAX East 2012.

“As we reimagine XCOM, one of our goals is to evolve the experience while recognising what made X-COM one of the greatest PC games to date,” said Sarah Anderson, senior vice president of marketing for 2K. “It’s important to create an experience that is appealing to both existing fans and newcomers to the world of XCOM, which is what we’re doing with XCOM: Enemy Unknown.”

XCOM fans who pre-order the game will receive an Elite Soldier pack containing several in-game extras like an original XCOM soldier recruit, a deco pack including a Hyperion and Reaper soldier armor kit, and color customizations for their squad. Participating retailers will also be selling a special edition of the game that comes with an art book, poster, XCOM insignia patch, and a collection of digital bonuses such as desktop wallpaper, soundtrack and more.

XCOM: Enemy Unknown is headed to Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, and PC this fall.

Dante won’t be slaying any monsters this year. Capcom today announced that DmC Devil May Cry is hitting consoles on January 15, 2013.

The game gives the Devil May Cry franchise on a more contemporary feel and follows a younger Dante and his journey through Limbo City as he fights his way through the city’s dangerous monstrosities. Players can play as Dante’s human form but can also shift into his more demonic version granting him access to angel and demon powers.

A PC version is also scheduled for next year, but it is still in development.

Throughout gaming lore there have been certain games that come in and out of development and dodge deadlines to the dismay of their loyal fans. Starcraft Ghost, Half-Life 3, the mythical Duke Nukem Forever; all these titles have taken their fans heartstrings and thrown them across the room throughout development. Among these titles lies Max Payne 3. When its predecessor ended back in 2003, fans were expecting a swift turnaround for the sequel. However, problems with developer Remedy and publisher Rockstar eventually lead the two teams to split and for Max Payne 3 to be continually delayed. Thankfully, the release date was not a joke thistime around. Max Payne 3 is out and it delivers on the famed action, while providing a dark story sure to satisfy fans of the series.

The game picks up several years after the end of the last game. Max has fallen into a deep hole in his life and the only way to get out is to take on a private security job in Sao Paulo, Brazil. As one would expect, the 8-10 hour story has its share of backstabbing and vendettas, all narrated by Max himself in classic film noire fashion. While the writing is as strong as ever, the game switches between bad guys too quickly near the end of the game. By the time the person who you are really after is revealed, there isn’t that strong a connection or hatred for them considering they weren’t even important earlier in the game. Nonetheless, Max’s constant monologuing and heavy handed use of metaphors is much better penned than before, characterizing him as a much more cynical, yet likable character than in earlier games. His remarks are actually witty and longtime fans of the series are likely to chuckle when they hear Max’s comments on techno music or Facebook statuses. While the story does get needlessly complicated near the end game, Max’s reasons for mass murder are always clear and it delivers a satisfying conclusion to this new chapter in his life.

Either way, as it was in both games before hand, the meat and potatoes of the experience lies in the ridiculous gunplay. Rockstar has implemented a cover system to the game, leading to a more tactical approach than before. The patented Bullet Time system is back, allowing Max to fall into a trance where he is faster than his enemies and has the ability to dodge bullets with ease. Every bullet is individually modeled, leading to a much higher level of realism to this unrealistic mechanic. Unfortunately, the difficulty within the game cancels out some of the overpowering action many fans are used to. Enemies take cover intelligently and have deadly aim, even from long distance. Not to mention that near the end of the game most bad guys will be covering every inch of their body in body armor, turning them into frustrating bullet sponges. While bullet dodging out of cover and through a window is as awesome as it ever was, when it is over you find yourself awkwardly laying on the floor and struggling to get up with a middle aged groan as bullets smack you across the face. Throw in the fact that your health does not regenerate and you need to be in constant search for painkillers and it can seem unfair at times. It is a problem of new meets old that can hold the game back. Enemies have gotten smarter, and the reckless style of play so suited for this kind of game just does not fly anymore.

Yet, when breaking down the mechanics of the action, it is a beautifully made game. The transitions between animations are extremely smooth, such as when you are left on the ground after a bullet dodge and can rain hell on your enemies. Despite the sometimes frustrating painkiller health system, the game finds ways around it with style. If you have a painkiller on you when you are fatally shot, the game will slow down into Bullet Time and direct your aim towards the guilty goon. If you dispatch him then Max will take the painkiller and give you a second breath of health.

Max Payne 3 is powered by Rockstar’s Euphoria physics engine that mixes Havok-style physics with artificial intelligence. This makes empting a clip on someone more realistic than in any other game in recent memory. Add in the fact that bullets damage enemies without censor, making an entry wound that quickly fills with blood and stains anything it touches, and killing someone in Max Payne 3 looks alarmingly close to the real thing. While the game is not the best looking around, the small details are what sell you on the package. Painkillers will not just be littered around the level, you will have to look for them in logical places such as bathrooms and behind some depressed secretary’s desk. Even the fact that every weapon Max is carrying is shown on his person, and when you reload a side arm he will stick the two handed weapon in between his chest and arm so that it won’t fall on the ground, is enough to convince you of the attention to detail Rockstar has put into this. Cutscenes are all done on the game engine and will often lead directly into gameplay, never taking you out of the experience. Max is suffering from a heavy drug addiction and the game will use some distortion effect in the cutscenes to remind you of that. It can get old quickly, but it successfully captures just how out of whack Max’s life is.

In a first for the series, Rockstar has added a full multiplayer suite with a dozen different game modes and fully integrated character customization. Standard modes such as deathmatch and king of the hill serve their purpose but the real bones of the experience lies with the Gang Wars mode. Players are sorted into teams and dropped into scenes ripped from the single player story. The game mode is always random but it will evolve according to who won the last match, linking together each round with cutscenes and voice over. There are five rounds in each match and the variety of game modes makes this some of the most fun you can have with the game. Bullet time is integrated beautifully into the experience. When you activate it any player in your line of sight will slow down until they break that line of sight. This goes without mentioning the implementation of Bursts (read: COD perks) as little additions to your arsenal. Each burst has 3 levels that you build up the same as you would Bullet Time. If you hold off from using it, and can stay alive, long enough to reach level 3 then the payoff is more than worth the wait. Overall, the multiplayer suite is fully stocked and has just as much attention put into it as the single player story.

Blast Factor: What is probably Max Payne 3’s biggest problem is that it does not always feel like a Max Payne game. You will often be forced into cover and have to pick off enemies like in Gears of War or Uncharted. While there is nothing wrong with this, it is sure to strike a nerve for fans that have been waiting years for this sequel. Nonetheless, when it does feel and play like it should, the experience is bar none some of the best action you can find in a game this year. Throw in the fantastic multiplayer offering and the return of the high scoring arcade mode and the game comes stocked with quality features. Much like Max himself, this game can stumble out of the gate and many of its mechanics have not aged gracefully, but at the end of the night, it is one hell of a good time to hang out with.

Sonic the Hedgehog 4 Episode I was a good attempt at giving players a continuation of the original Genesis titles, but its wonky physics and gimmicky stages kept it from achieving true potential. It looked like a classic 2D Sonic game, but the game lacked that special essence that made its 16-bit predecessors so much fun. Luckily, Episode II is the better of the two installments and gives fans a Sonic they’re more familiar with, even if does come with a few misses.

One of the biggest additions to Episode II is the inclusion of Tails, who now brings two-player co-op to the table. Like in the classic games, Tails can pick up and fly Sonic to places he can’t reach for a short amount of time, but players have a lot more control over him this time. By simply pressing a button, the action will pause, and Tails will teleport to where Sonic is and help him out. I found this too convenient sometimes because while it gets you out of sticky situations right away, after a while, it becomes too easy to press a button and save Sonic from a misstep. Tails and Sonic also have another combo ability that turns them into a giant ball, faster and stronger than the average spindash. The duo will always be joined by one another, so levels integrate these two abilities in unique ways that create a different experience. The game may feel like Sonic the Hedgehog 2, but this is a new game, after all.

Co-op mode lets two people play together offline or online, but it does come across a few problems, one of them due to the game’s fast-paced action. If you fall behind your friend, the game will respawn you right behind him, but you’ll need to press a button to pop out of your protective “bubble” like in New Super Mario Bros. The problem here, though, is that this happens a lot when going down slopes or slides, even when you don’t intend to leave someone behind. Another thing I noticed is that the person playing as Tails will have an advantage and can easily exploit certain situations by flying; this is especially evident during boss fights. Let’s just say, playing with someone else is easier than playing solo.

Controlling Sonic and dashing through the many colorful worlds feels quite good. Episode I’s physics engine has been overhauled, and the blue hedgehog runs a bit more like he did back during his Genesis years. Sonic’s homing attack is back, but aiming feels more accurate and is easier to pull off. He is also less shiny and doesn’t look out-of-place amid his colorful backdrops, which have layered textures that often give the game a great pseudo 3D effect. Considering the game is supposed to feel like Sonic 2, it’s great that controls and graphics don’t distract you from the game’s speed, a problem that often plagued Episode I.

Stages, too, are a lot more reminiscent of the original games and are designed to keep you always in motion. While it’s a bit apparent that the themes of past stages have been recycled into “new” zones – expect to see a sky fortress and a snowy amusement park, for example – the game does have its unique charm that is complemented by its soundtrack reminiscent of Sonic’s 16-bit days. There is, however, one section of an underwater level that requires you to swim past enemies that freeze the way forward. If you’re too slow or your aiming is off, you’ll be blocked from all sides, and all you can do is wait until Sonic and Tails drown to try again. Frustrated, I tried (in vain) to find a solution, and can only wonder why the developers wouldn’t provide one that doesn’t require losing a life.

Like classic Sonic titles, Episode II is great the first time you play it, but you may question playing through it several times. To extend playtime even further, the game includes chaos emeralds and red rings to collect in each act. As expected, collecting these emeralds lets you turn into Super Sonic, but it doesn’t really affect the game’s ending that much. Also, while finding each act’s red ring is supposed to provide a challenge, they are simply in areas you’ll explore anyway, and their presence simply serves to unlock an achievement. The developers did include a score attack and time trial mode for each act, so players can at least compete with each other via the game’s leaderboards.

While I didn’t particularly enjoy Episode I that much, Episode II rewards players who played the first game and unlocks Episode I stages playable as Metal Sonic. This feels almost like an apologetic thank you to fans that played through the first game, but this expansion gives you some backstory to the character and lets you play through the first game in a whole new way. Plus, it’s great to see Sega implement a similar lock-on technology it did back when Sonic & Knuckles came out.

Episode II has some obvious gameplay issues and provides a lackluster ending, but the experience playing through each stage is very nostalgic of the fun I had playing through the Genesis games. I also appreciate the improvements the developers made to the game and that they listened to and fixed what fans disliked about the first one. At this rate, let’s hope Episode III is made and becomes something truly worth raving about.

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.

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.

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.

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

Starhawk is one of those games where a lot could have gone wrong. The developers at Lightbox Interactive and Sony Santa Monica were quite ambitious and tried to incorporate a ton of different environments, genres and mechanics — normally a recipe for failure, but not here. Starhawk works — and it works well; even when it shouldn’t.

Dripping with style, Starhawk is an absolute joy to get and cause some chaos with. Of course, it does have its drawbacks like a short campaign and some slight graphical issues, but don’t let that stop you from enjoying one of this year’s first truly great games.

Starhawk places players in the futuristic boots of rifter, Emmet Graves. In the distant future, rifters are humans who scavenge a series of planets, known as The Frontier for a precious yet dangerous resource known as rift energy. Of course, things can’t be that easy — the rifter’s way of life is threatened by the Outcasts, a group of humans mutated by the same rift energy everyone else is searching for.

The first hour or so into Starhawk, I was trying to figure out why the game felt so familiar, then it hit me. I’m this rogue character, scrounging for resources and trying to get myself out of trouble with corporations and enemies, only to jump into my dodgy craft and try to avoid my pursuers in a dog fight — I’m practically Han Solo. I just need a wookie. Starhawk drips with style and the mix of wild west steampunk and space combat is a unique setting that’s incredibly cool and fun to explore.

One of the major reasons Starhawk works so well is just how seamlessly everything blends together. In a typical battle, you’re likely to shoot out a ton of enemies, and then jump into your mech which can instantly transform into a flying ship so you can dogfight in space. This all happens nearly seamlessly, and there’s hardly any slowdown. It becomes incredibly cool and rewarding to move so quickly in between sections of the game. It also makes a good portion of the battles a lot more epic, as you’re often chasing the same group of enemies from land into space.

Starhawk isn’t just another action game though, the game features a number of mechanics from other genres, including strategy and tower defense. The biggest example of this is the game’s structure building system, which plays an integral part in the game’s core structure. You create everything from simple walls, to gates and even entire armories. Once the game tells you how to build them, you’re free to use them practically anyway you want in battle. The best part of all this is that building these structures requires them to fall down from the sky, and it’s an incredibly cool moment when you time it just right and it falls directly onto enemies.

As well animated and voiced as it is, Starhawk’s campaign is simply a primer for the game’s intense 32-person multiplayer suite, and it’s a primer you’re going to want to take. The game’s multiplayer suite requires your knowledge of each of the game’s mechanics to be successful. It may be a bit stressful at first, but the payoff involves some of the coolest moments I’ve had with a game in a long time. There are so many ways to take out your opponents, and games end up getting personal and find you going from ground to space all in search of your rival.

The Blast Factor: There could have been a million ways to screw up Starhawk, but, thankfully, Sony Santa Monica did a great job avoiding many of these pitfalls. What they’ve created is a fun, chaotic mix of genres that’s easy to fall in love with and hard to put down. Starhawk is simply a must own for PS3 owners.

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.

Juliet Starling is a zombie slayer trying to save her town from an outbreak of undead monstrosities. But, she’s also a high school cheerleader, and like any teenage girl her age, deciding what to wear is a big deal. At least, that’s the impression you’ll get when looking at her costume selection in Lollipop Chainsaw.

You won’t need to do anything to get these outfits, as they will be unlocked as you make your way through the game’s campaign mode. Next time you find yourself facing zombies, remember to accessorize! Take a look at some of these costumes below, but expect to see a lot more including Japanese-themed costumes from various anime and manga series.

Lollipop Chainsaw comes out on June 12 for Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3. Check out our preview of the game and our interview with the game’s creator, Goichi Suda!

Hitman: Absolution is making its way to consoles and PC on November 20, but before you get your hands on Agent 47′s latest chapter, Square Enix wants to challenge your sniping skills first.

Available only for those who pre-order the game at GameStop, Hitman: Sniper Challenge is a downloadable taste of the game that also doubles as a contest. The game will put players behind a balcony and will task them with taking out Richard Strong, Jr., CEO of Stallion Armaments, and his staff of bodyguards. Your goal is to score as high as you can, discovering kill multipliers and added bonuses for hiding dead bodies. Online leaderboards will track everyone’s progress, and the top score by November 20 will win a trip for two to Copenhagen, Denmark where they will meet with the Hitman development team and have their likeness incorporated into the “next Hitman game.” Pre-oders for the game and the Sniper Challenge begin May 15.

Did Square Enix indirectly just confirm that another Hitman game is in the works? One thing’s for sure however, this pre-order incentive sure beats getting a code for an in-game weapon.

It looks like BioShock fans will have to wait a few more months to get their hands on Irrational Games’ latest title as BioShock Infinite has been pushed back to February of next year.

“When we announced the release date of BioShock Infinite in March, we felt pretty good about the timing. Since then, we’ve uncovered opportunities to make Infinite into something even more extraordinary,” said Irrational Games Creative Director Ken Levine. “Therefore, to give our talented team the time they need to deliver the best Infinite possible, we’ve decided to move the game’s release to February.”

Levine also stated that Irrational won’t be showcasing the game at E3 or Gamescom this year, as “preparing for these events takes time away from development, time we’re going to use instead to get the best version of Infinite into your hands in February.”

While a company has its own reasons for delaying a game – most of them are to improve it and polish it up as much as possible – one can only wonder if Irrational did this to avoid the holiday rush of some big name titles such as Assassin’s Creed III and the new Call of Duty.

Source: Take-Two

You might already like Assassin’s Creed III, perhaps you even love it by now, but Ubisoft’s latest marketing campaign wants you to officially announce it to the world (or your Facebook and Twitter friends, at least.)

Sure, this one minute teaser trailer looks amazing enough already, but if you want more, head on over to the game’s official Facebook page and join others who are on a mission to unlock the entire trailer full of Revolutionary goodness. Share links to it on Facebook; tweet about the game on Twitter. Everything you do online that involves Assassin’s Creed III will add to Ubisoft’s goal of 1,776,000 tweets, posts, and shares and will unlock the world gameplay premier of the game. Why that number? 1776 is when the Declaration of Independence was signed, of course.

The Unite to Unlock campaign has already started, and while Ubisoft could have simply unveiled the trailer like very other publisher usually does, this brings fans together and also lets them become video game marketing professionals.

Assassin’s Creed III will release on October 30.

Have you met Agent 47? If you’ve been a fan of his games, you might heard of the guy. He’s regarded by many as the world’s deadliest assassin, and this new trailer of Hitman: Absolution will showcase how skillful he truly is.

The trailer was created entirely from original gameplay moments, and hopes to show off  the richness, depth and possibilities surrounding the living and breathing world of the game. Each choice you make can truly change your gaming experience, so whether you play as a stealth ninja or a ruthless killer, you’ll be sure to learn why Agent 47 looks so angry.

Click here to watch Agent 47 in action.

When Skullgirls released on consoles last month, many players were left wondering where their characters’ move lists were. Today, Reverge Labs and Autumn Games announced plans to release updates to the game (including this simple option) as well as plans to make the game available on PC.

Coming later this year, the game will be available to download through Steam, Origin, GameFly, GamersGate, and GameStop PC Downloads. It will include updates such as in-game movelists, additional tutorials, better single player AI, and username display for online matches. If you already have Skullgirls on the consoles, these updates will be coming to you for free as well.

“We’re thrilled with the very positive reception the game has received and the great support and feedback we’ve been getting from the community on a number of ways to make the game even better,” said Jason Donnell, president and COO, Autumn Games. “We’re excited to be working on answering those requests.”

Skullgirls is currently available on Xbox Live Arcade and PlayStation Network.

Activision is concocting a new James Bond title featuring an overarching storyline that ties together six classic Bond movies. Developed by Eurocom, the game is expected to be released this fall for Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3.

Aside from the main campaign mode, Legends will include single-player Mi6 Ops Missions, similar to those seen in GoldenEye: Reloaded, and additional local and online multiplayer modes. Players will also be able to take control of Bond’s dastardly foes, reliving missions through their eyes.

Fans can also enter Activision’s “Get in the Game” contest to design their own villain that will appear in the game. Participants can submit a digitally altered photo or a picture of themselves dressed up as a bad guy, and on May 24, the community will vote on the top 10 entries. One winner will see his or her creation in the final game.

The latest James Bond film Skyfall will be included in the game, but the other five films remain a mystery. Expect to hear more in the coming months and perhaps at E3. If it were up to you, which films would you want to relive? The Spy Who Loved Me, anyone?

Rockstar today announced its plans to release seven DLC packs for Max Payne 3 starting this summer and ending in the fall. The DLC will focus primarily on the game’s multiplayer, adding new maps, challenges, and multiplayer avatar items.

Similar to what it did last year for L.A. Noire, the developer will also be releasing a Max Payne 3 Rockstar Pass, letting players take advantage of a 35 percent savings on all the planned DLC by purchasing them in advance and redeeming them when they become available. The Pass will be be available for 2400 Microsoft Points or $29.99 on PlayStation Network.

The Local Justice Map Pack will come in June and give players the Police Precinct map for Gang Wars, Deathmatch, Team Deathmatch, and Payne Killer multiplayer modes. It will feature new maps for these modes as well as additional challenges.

June 2012
• Local Justice Map Pack

Summer 2012
• Disorganized Crime Map Pack
• Deathmatch Made In Heaven Mode Pack
• Hostage Negotiation Map Pack
• New York Minute Co-Op Pack

Fall 2012
• Painful Memories Map Pack
• Trickle Down Economics Map Pack

Max Payne 3 heads to consoles on May 15 and to PC on May 29.

Sega today announced Sonic & All-Stars Racing: Transformed, an upcoming game featuring a cast of Sega favorites racing on land, air, and water.

Perhaps drawing inspiration from Mario Kart 7, the game will feature karts that will adapt to quick changes in the terrain as well as also offering dynamic changing tracks inspired by different Sega titles. The game will feature notable names like Sonic the Hedgehog and Dr. Eggman as well as new characters like Gilius Thunderhead of Golden Axe and Vyse of Skies of Arcadia.

Like in the previous Sega All-Stars Racing title, players can use a character’s All-Star Move and pick up offensive and defensive items as they race. The game will offer an “all new fair weapon system” that affects how your characters defend against an item depending on the skills at their disposal.

Offering a Grand Prix mode, online multiplayer, and competitive Battle Arenas, Sega hopes to change the rules of the race when its title hits consoles, handhelds, and PC late this year.

Source: Sega

Square Enix today announced it has  opened sign-ups for a special fan event to promote its upcoming title Quantum Conundrum.

The publisher is teaming up with iam8bit Productions to create the ultimate fan experience. Without going into much detail, Square Enix invites fans to volunteer for a “special, multi-dimensional production” in the Los Angeles area this May. That’s “all they can say.”

Participants must be at least 18 years of age, available during the days of Friday, May 11 and Saturday, May 12 in the Los Angeles area. You can sign up for the event by visiting this website. Only 50 fans will be chosen.

iam8bit is known for creating elaborate game-themed experiences and exhibits, so whatever it is might perhaps tie in with the game’s unique physics puzzles. Maybe fans will get to enter an anti-gravity chamber and compete to solve logic puzzles as fast as they can? Who knows!

Quantum Conundrum will release on Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, and PC this summer.

During tonight’s episode of GameTrailers TV, PlayStation All-Stars Battle Royale was officially revealed. As its lengthy name indicates, All-Stars will be a fighting game that might remind some of you Super Smash Bros. Just think Sony this time.

The game is being devleoped by SuperBot Entertainment and will include a roster of PlayStation favorites. Some of these characters include Fat Princess, Kratos, Radec, PaRappa the Rapper, Sly Cooper, and Sweet Tooth. Aside from Sony-exclusive characters, All-Stars will include third party characters too. Stages will represent different franchises and will even include special effects such as a Buzz! Quiz World pop quiz in the middle of battle.

The game will offer a single player mode that will culminate in a boss battle and an online multiplayer mode for up to four players.  Future DLC is also planned for the title.

PlayStation All-Stars Battle Royale is expected to release this holiday season.

Anyone anxiously waiting for Capcom’s upcoming RPG title can get a taste of the action when the demo for Dragon’s Dogma hits Xbox Live and PlayStation Network tomorrow.

The demo lets players control a party of three Pawns and lets you design and control two of the game’s character classes, the Fighter and the Strider, and play through two unique encounters. As the melee professional Fighter, you’ll venture through underground tunnels until you battle the deadly Chimerain. Using your daggers and bows, you’ll then lead the Strider on a quest to defeat the mighty Griffin.

One of the neat parts about the demo is that you can take time customizing your characters using the in-game character creation tools, and then easily export them to the full game once it launches next month.

Dragon’s Dogma is headed to Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 on May 22.

2012 could, in fact, be the year of the bat – the Batman, that is. Not only is the next long-awaited Batman film coming out this summer, but Warner Bros. Interactive also just revealed that a Game of the Year edition for Batman: Arkham City is heading to stores next month.

Starting May 23, players can pick up the copy of the game that comes complete with all five previously released downloadable content including the Catwoman, Nightwing, Robin, Challenge Map, and Arkham City Skins Pack. The game will also come with a download of the Batman: Year One animated movie.

In addition, the GOTY edition also comes with the “Harley Quinn’s Revenge” expansion pack, giving players an extra two hours of gameplay. Playing as both Batman and Robin, players must utilize each of the characters’ unique combat and investigative skills to uncover Harley’s vengeful plan and shut the gates on the urban mega-prison forever. New environments and enemies will also be introduced.

If you already own Batman: Arkham City, you can still purchase the new Harley DLC individually starting April 30. Batman: Arkham City GOTY Edition will be available for both Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3.

Deep Silver just announced that Risen 2: Dark Waters will be coming out July 31 for both Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3. The pirate-themed RPG was originally planned to hit shelves next month.

To perhaps make up for making players wait a bit longer, both console versions of the game will now come with extra content including the episode “The Air Templar,” which gives players several hours of additional gameplay, taking them on a mission to explore an old temple and find the source of air magic.

The Special Edition of the game will still come with “The Treasure Island DLC Mission Pack,” adding five more hours of play time. Additionally, the game’s PC version is still on schedule and will be released next week on April 27.

It was revealed on its official website this morning that Darksiders II will be pushed back until August. Its original release date of June 26 was changed to ensure the developers “meet the high quality threshold that [they] are committed to achieving.”

The website denies this change has anything to do with the recent layoffs at Vigil, and reaffirms that it was done merely to make sure the game is as good as it can be. “Darksiders II is a substantially larger game than its predecessor and the ambition of this project requires extra time to polish to the high standards that Vigil Games and THQ are committed to.”

Picture running through the pube-infested corridors of Hell with a chatty shotgun as your companion. Now, imagine defeating hordes of zombies with stylish pompom attacks while your boyfriend’s severed head cheers you on.

Welcome to the world of Goichi Suda.

Better known by his nickname Suda51, the CEO of Grasshopper Manufacture is no stranger to the undead. His latest creation Lollipop Chainsaw stars Juliet, an American high school cheerleader, who mixes agile gymnastics with her talent for wielding chainsaws to fend off against her town’s sudden outbreak of zombies. When I asked Suda if he enjoyed making zombie games, he smiled and answered with a resounding “Yeah!”

As I played through the game’s demo, I couldn’t help but get reminded of Shadows of the Damned, a survival-horror title Suda worked on last year that managed to be more funny than scary. Suda told me that while the monsters in Damned were zombie-like, the ones seen in Chainsaw are the real deal.

A lot of his inspiration behind Chainsaw’s concept came from movies. Suda has always liked American horror and comedy films that are set during high school. Being a fan of zombie films in general, he one day fused these two genres in his head, and the game was born. Suda also incorporated depictions of zombies from around the world and from different time periods to give players more variety.

In the game, Juliet can stun zombies with her pompoms and then slice through them with her powerful chainsaw. You can do fancy backflips as you’re attacking, and if you manage to kill three zombies in a row, you’ll start a flashy combo complete with glitter and confetti. Also, not only do you have Juliet’s boyfriend’s head by your hip, but you can also use him to attack zombies, even placing his head on the ones you decapitate to make them dance via a surprisingly fun rhythm game. I could definitely sense that familiar Suda humor among all the blood and gore.

As I made my way through the game, I noticed the music change when I entered into battle with one of the mini-bosses. The high school level I played may have showcased rock music, but the game’s soundtrack will be very eclectic. The various zombie lords Juliet will face are inspired by different music genres. Video game composer Akira Yamaoka knows his stuff, Suda told me, so he’s once again in charge of the game’s score, this time collaborating with singer and composer Jimmy Urine. Their collaboration was great, and Suda can’t wait for fans to experience it.

At PAX East I also got to sample the bizarre, but enjoyable, Black Knight Sword, another game of his coming out soon for Xbox Live Arcade and PlayStation Network. This would be the third game, the first being Sine Mora, that Grasshopper Manufacture has made available in a downloadable format. Suda told me that downloadable games are something his company likes doing and hopes to do more often.

Before ending our interview, I just had to ask Suda how he comes up with such interesting (to say the least) video games. Other Japanese game designers like Shigeru Miyamoto have drawn inspiration from their hobbies, but I learned that Suda gets most of his ideas while he’s driving around town. The passing scenery and people help him blend together all his thoughts and ideas.

Suda is aware that our society loves zombies, whether they be on television, movies, or in games. Lollipop Chainsaw is another game that will feed our hunger for the undead in a way we perhaps haven’t experienced before, this time allowing us to cheer and dance with them as we fight for our lives.

Lollipop Chainsaw hits stores June 12.

Playing Sleeping Dogs was one of my highlights of PAX East 2012, and it looks like people will soon be able to experience it for themselves as today Square Enix announced the game’s release date of August 14 for Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, and PC.

Also revealed were some pre-order incentives from Best Buy, GameStop, and Amazon:

Best Buy: ‘Georges St. Pierre (GSP)’ Pack:

·         GSP’s signature “flying punch”
·         Exclusive GSP outfit including T-shirts, headband and shorts
·         GSP’s outfit unlocks the “flying punch” and increases grappling and throwing damage

GameStop: ‘Police Protection’ Pack:

·         Exclusive “High Speed” Mission
·         Exclusive HK Police SWAT Outfit
·         Exclusive assault rifle
·         Exclusive SWAT Police Vehicle

Amazon: ‘Martial Arts’ Pack:

·         Shaolin Showdown Mission
·         Shaolin Warrior outfit (with increased striking damage)
·         Bonus Triad XP points
·         Wing Chun decoration for safehouse (with temporary combat buff)

Exclusive content for the digitally downloadable PC version of Sleeping Dogs will be announced at a later date.

Namco Bandai today announced plans to release its latest Tekken installment this September, much earlier than their previously expected.

Aside from their usual tag battle system, Tekken Tag Tournament 2 will let up to four players fight together, each controlling one character on each team. Matches wlll also include one-on-one and one-on-two varieties. There will also be a Fight Lab mode where players can practice their moves and customize a character to their liking.

Tekken Tag Tournament 2 will feature more than 50 playable characters, new stages, and additional modes. The first Tekken Tag Tournament featured around 35 characters, so expect to see some favorites make their way back to the arena even if it means bringing them back from the dead.

Sleeping Dogs is shaping up to be an amazing title. Not only is the game’s back-story deep and engaging, but its hand-to-hand combat system is fluid and fun. (For more insight into the game, check out my preview.)

It looks like Sleeping Dogs is about to get even better now that Square Enix and United Front Games have announced their partnership with highly acclaimed mixed martial arts champion Georges St-Pierre who is sharing his expertise on elements of the game including its combat system.

“Working with Square Enix has been an incredible opportunity,” said St-Pierre. “I’m really impressed to see how the hand-to-hand combat in the game is shaping up – it’s been a great experience being involved.”

Sleeping Dogs lets players take on the role of Wei Shen, an undercover cop sent to Hong Kong to infiltrate the Triad organization. The open-world game is expected to release this Fall on Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, and PC.

Below are screenshots from the preview video shown at PAX East last weekend. Read our full preview here.

The ones below are not from the video shown at PAX but they are awesome nonetheless.

Assassin’s Creed 3 comes out for Xbox 360 and PS3 on October 30th.

This weekend at PAX East I had the opportunity to sit down with Sleeping Dogs and United Front Games producer Dan Sochan and play a demo of the open-world game that takes players on a trip to Hong Kong. You play as Detective Wei Shen, an undercover officer sent back to his homeland to infiltrate the Triad organization. If all this sounds a tad familiar, that’s because it is.

Much of the story’s plot was influenced by the Hong Kong crime-thriller Infernal Affairs. Much of the game’s mechanics are based on those previously seen in other games. But, you see, all these influences aren’t necessarily a bad thing. Sleeping Dogs brings everything other games have done right in an attempt to do it better.

One of the first things I noticed about the game was its open-world environment. Sochan told me he and his team visited Hong Kong to really capture the realism of the city. Streets are lined with storefronts that glimmer at night and tight alleyways are situated right beside high-rise towers. His team’s goal wasn’t to recreate a geographically correct city, but instead incorporate its essence into what works for the game and its various missions.

As I made my way through the streets and had to chase after one of Wei’s targets, I noticed the controls were very contact-sensitive and allowed me to dodge people I was running into simply by tilting the analog stick. Jumping on ledges was also a matter of pressing the A button in front of them. Pressing it quickly during a run, allowed me to climb it instantly, but stopping and then pressing the button made for a slower climb.

Combat in the game focuses on melee attacks such as punches and jabs but also incorporates grapple moves that let Wei use the environment to his advantage. You can grab enemies and push them into certain items like dumpster, or you can press the same grab button when the enemy is near a rotating fan, for example, to finish them off. Wei can also counter-attack if you press the Y button right when an exclamation mark appears over an enemy’s head. This fluid combat system reminded me a lot of the more recent Batman games that let you go from one attack to the next in quick succession. As you progress through the game, you gain experience points to upgrade your combat moves or purchase new ones.

Sochan also told me that the game’s combat drew heavy inspiration from films where the protagonist is outnumbered by a group of enemies. In these scenes and in Sleeping Dogs, enemies take turns coming at you, so you have a greater chance of survival. You’re not Batman, and so must rely on more ground-based attacks like fancy martial arts combos. Much of the light humor of these films is also evident in the game’s occasionally humorous cut-scenes.

The next part of the demo took me to the second-to-last mission in the game that involved a scene where Wei was being tortured by his kidnappers. Sochan mentioned that his team did research and interviewed Triad members who detailed their experiences within the organization to portray the Triads in the game as accurately as possible.

After escaping from their hideout, I was introduced to the game’s shooting mechanics, a combat system that wasn’t planned to be included from the beginning. Guns can’t be stowed away, and instead, are treated like special power-ups that augment Wei’s melee skills. Personally, I preferred playing through the hand-to-hand portion of the demo a lot more just because the combat system was more my style. Even so, these gun-heavy parts still included a lot of running, ducking and covering behind destructible barriers that added to the action in the game. I especially liked the slow-mo effect that takes place when you get out of cover to quickly shoot your gun. Very John Woo.

The final part of the demo allowed me to drive around the city and engage in some street racing. The race portions of the game are not forced, but instead tie in with the story’s main plot and missions. Races take place on Hong Kong’s wider streets and give you a decent control of your vehicle even around tight corners. Depending how you drive, whether you run over civilians or not, your score will differ and you’ll accumulate either Triad points or Police points. These are unrelated to the way others perceive your character or the story’s plot, but they encourage players to replay missions in various ways. There is, however, the reputation-based Face System that is affected by the missions you accomplish and gives you certain bonuses when shopping or exploring the city.

While there will be no direct multiplayer, the game will let you track your records like race times, headshots, and other achievements, and compete with others via online leaderboards.

Sleeping Dogs isn’t trying to compete with the big boys. It’s fine with that. Sochan’s goal is to create a very tight experience lasting over 20 hours, making all its individual game elements “genre-defining.”

Watch for Sleeping Dogs when it releases this Fall.

Following the negative response to Mass Effect 3′s ending, BioWare co-founder Casey Muzyka promised that his team was working on initiatives that would provide more clarity and give its fans better closure.

Their “initiatives” remained vague until today when EA announced their plans to release a free DLC pack titled “Extended Cut” that would expand the game’s ending events with key additional cinematics and cut-scenes.

“We are all incredibly proud of Mass Effect 3 and the work done by Casey Hudson and team,” said Ray Muzyka. “Since launch, we have had time to listen to the feedback from our most passionate fans and we are responding. With the Mass Effect 3: Extended Cut we think we have struck a good balance in delivering the answers players are looking for while maintaining the team’s artistic vision for the end of this story arc in the Mass Effect universe.”

Casey Hudson also added, “We have reprioritized our post-launch development efforts to provide the fans who want more closure with even more context and clarity to the ending of the game, in a way that will feel more personalized for each player.”

Now, this doesn’t mean BioWare is making additional endings or changing anything. “BioWare strongly believes in the team’s artistic vision for the end of this arc of the Mass Effect franchise,” states BioWare’s blog. “The extended cut DLC will expand on the existing endings, but no further ending DLC is planned.”

The DLC is expected to release in the Summer with no specific date. Hudson’s statement also indicates that there is definitely other DLC in the works, but that priority was given to address its fans’ disappointment and feedback.

The PlayStation 3 adds a new member to their video streaming family today with the addition of Amazon Instant Video. Joining Hulu, Netflix, Vudu. and others, Amazon’s streaming video service brings all your purchased movies and television shows right to your console.

Adding to the estimated 100,000 shows and films, if you are an Amazon Prime subscriber, your membership will carry over and let you to stream over 17,000 videos on your console right now. The app is available to download from your PlayStation 3.