There’s a natural order to most things. Take buying stuff online. You place your order, your money and the product gets shipped to you. Except, that’s not what happened when one man ordered controllers from the makers of The Avenger controller, and his situation with what could be the worst Public Relations agent in not just all of gaming but the world has become internet legend over night. Dave shared the conversation below to a number of sites including Blast, and it’s amazing how far it goes and so fast.

Our story picks up with Dave questioning Paul Christoforo, a PR rep from Ocean Marketing whether the product he ordered would be available before the Christmas Holiday as promised, look for our comments in italics throughout the conversation.

From: Dave
To: Ocean Marketing
Dec 16, 2011, at 1:34 PM

I ordered 2 of the upcoming PS3 controllers (invoice xxxxxxxxx—Nov 3, 2011). Any chance of getting an update of when these items will ship? I’m not really happy about being forced to pay upfront then have the advertised date of “Early December” be completely missed without any sort of update on availability. I really need one of them for a X-mas present as well. Anyways, looking forward to finally using one of these bad boys. Thanks and happy holidays.

-Dave

From: Ocean Marketing
To: Dave
Dec 16, 2011 2:45 PM

Dec 17

- Paul Christoforo

From: Dave
To: Ocean Marketing
Dec 19, 2011, at 11:02 AM

Thanks for the reply Paul.  Can you clarify whether my particular order already sent or if Dec 17 was the first day shipments went out?  I have not received any sort of shipping confirmation email or tracking information.

From: Ocean Marketing
To: Dave
Dec 19, 2011 11:21 AM

They still haven’t shipped yet on the way here from china

Blast: We’d just like to point out that we deal with a ton of gaming PR Reps on a daily basis, and if they had the grammar and spelling of this guy — we’d probably just end the conversation.

From: Dave
To: Ocean Marketing
Dec 20, 2011 4:29 PM

So then delivery to customer doors by December 24th is no longer likely correct?  Do you have an estimated date of when units will arrive in California? Thanks.

From: Ocean Marketing
To: Dave
Dec 20, 2011 5:11 PM

They are in the USA now in customs so its wither before or after Christmas.

From: Dave
To: Ocean Marketing
Dec 26, 2011, at 9:47 AM

I noticed the updated info on the webpage, and I don’t understand why there is absolutely no benefit given to those like me who have already ordered, and paid their money.  You’ve had my money interest free for nearly two months, yet now ANY new order will get $10 off….meaning I should just cancel my order for 2 controllers, get my money back, then re-order.

My other questions is regarding item compatibility.  Ocean Marketing seems to be involved with the Xtendplay controller holder, so I was wondering if the Avenger N-Controller can be used in conjunction with the Xtendplay (for both Xbox and PS3)?  Thanks

From: Ocean Marketing
To: Dave
Dec 26, 2011 10:14 AM

Yes it can be used with xtend play if you remove the stand and no one is allowed to cancel and re order if we catch anyone doing it we will simply just cancel your order all together and you can buy it retail somewhere else.

Things happen in manufacturing if your unhappy you have 7 days from the day your item ships for a refund. You placed a pre order just like any software title the gets a date moved due to the tweaks and bugs not being worked out and GameStop or any other place holds your cash and im sure you don’t complain to activision or epic games so put on your big boy hat and wait it out like everyone else. The benefit is a token of our appreaciation for everyone no one is special including you or any first time buyer . Feel free to cancel we need the units were back ordered 11,000 units so your 2 will be gone fast. Maybe I’ll put them on eBay for 150.00 myself. Have a good day Dan.

Blast: And this is where things start to get ugly

From: Dave 

To: Ocean Marketing
Dec 26, 2011 12:11 PM

Then cancel my order if you want to.  I’m making a legitimate complaint about your poor communication and you’re the one stooping to childish levels, a patronizing attitude, and threats.  Hell you can’t even get the spelling of my name right.

And Gamespot pre-orders…wow what a terrible comparison.  Retailers take a couple dollars IF THAT for you to guarantee your game availability on the release date, whatever that is. That’s the understanding and that’s what you get.  Plus, I don’t have to complain to Activision or Epic games about these issues because they’re usually not missing the street dates for their AAA titles.

Now let’s take YOUR situation:
1) You’ve promised a new product based off the design for an existing, working product
2) For the longest time, you’ve stated on your website (your failure to update regularly is another issue) the initial/special/limited batch of your new product by early December, obviously in time for the all-important holiday gift-giving season.  I and thousands of other customers GIVE YOU OUR MONEY, INTEREST FREE on the promises you made online.
3) I reach out to you, on Dec 16 (AFTER you have FAILED TO MEET YOUR ADVERTISED DEADLINE AND FAILED TO COMMUNICATE TO ANYONE WHAT THE SITUATION IS) obviously a little frustrated but more curious about when I and other customers can expect the product we paid for.
4) Your reply to me is a cryptic “Dec 17” with absolutely no explanation of what that means.  In the mean time you having been using funds from pre-paid customers to complete Research & Development, product redesigns, and manufacturing mis-steps.
5) You force me to follow-up with an email asking for clarification about what “Dec 17” means since the day has passed and I have yet to receive any new information about my order.  Now you instead of ANSWERING MY QUESTION OF WHAT THE NEW DELIVERY DATE IS, you tell me the goods have yet to leave China…  Why are you telling me this?  I’m not your employee I’m your goddamn customer!  TELL ME WHAT THAT MEANS IN TERMS OF MY TIME AND WHEN I CAN EXPECT MY PRODUCT I PAID FOR.
6) So great…I have to email you AGAIN trying to get a CLEAR answer from you whether a Dec 24th delivery date is possible and if not, what the new date is.  Rinse & repeat: You give me an update of the delivery process (wow, thanks…you haven’t told me anything I don’t know about the order of international shipping procedures) but instead say “…so its wither before or after Christmas.”  WHAT THE HELL DOES THAT MEAN?  GIVE ME A DATE!?  One that you’re actually going to follow, because I already see “late Nov to early Dec”;  “Dec 17”; and now “CHRISTMAS” in my rear-view mirror.
7) So I guess what’s left for me to do but just wait?  Oh but what’s this, you’ve updated your website…Ok at least you’ve clarified the dates more, I can expect my controller my latest first week of January.  But now as a “token of our appreciation” to all your “loyal customers” (you mean like customers who put up cash for you hold an use?) you’re giving a $10 coupon.  Let me get this straight…so you held my money interest free for 2 months to help bring this product to market, and now some new customer can place an order and pay $10 less than what I paid?  You have financially penalized me in two ways for being a “LOYAL CUSTOMER.”

I’m SURE you’re getting tons of other inquiries and I’m sure you’re not enjoying the fact that your product is not out when you wanted it to be.  I and everyone else understands that “sh*t happens,” but if you want us to be understanding of that, then you need to keep us in the loop.  You’ve already set yourself up for failure by making explicit promises that aren’t even “likely” given that the design and manufacturing are still be refined.  Then you make sure you’re going to fail by actually taking all of our money, Not just a little bit….THE WHOLE F*CKIN BEEFALO.  Why wouldn’t we trust that you’re going to deliver our merchandise on time?  Besides…it’s based off an existing product so how hard can it be?  Well as your youtube video shows, making any consumer device is hard and requires many iterations and improvements.  But I’m not going to apologize for holding your feet to the fire.  You created these expectations by acting like the release was already a done deal and by hiding the fact that it was faaaar from it.

I want my two n-controllers.  I 1) PAID FOR THEM   2) WAITED   3) DEALT WITH YOUR UNHELPFUL ASS.  I also didn’t want to feel like my trust and loyalty as a customer was being abused and then actually punished in comparison to other customers.  But I guess we can’t have it all… so right now I’ll settle for getting my merchandise and hopefully never having to deal with you again.  I’ve spent enough time writing this email which I hope you gain some insight from.  If you actually do want to screw me over by not fulfilling my order, then I assure you be hearing more from me or people representing me.

You show a surprising lack of business polish for someone who’s quite established, AND an lack of awareness of your customer base: Hardcore gamers.  We’re a demanding, vocal customer but the flip side is we’re loyal and eager to spend.  It’s lucky for you that I really want this product because it seems really deliver on making the gaming experience more effective and enjoyable.  Hell, I want to combine the aventer-controller with the xtend play to make the ugliest, most comfortable, most awesome controller ever.  And I’ll still buy the xtend, so let that be a testament to your products, the rise above your poor representation.

-DAVE with a V

p.s. You look really douchy be having one youtube video complaining about the noise of traffic next to your home and then another video showing off your obnoxiously loud rice rocket (which is nice, I gotta hand it ya).

p.p.s. Welcome to the internet, bitch.  That’s how I roll.

From: Ocean Marketing
To: Dave
Dec 26, 2011 2:19 PM

LOL Thanks for the Free PR I know the Editor N Chief of Kotaku , IGN , Engadget I’ll be meeting them at CES .The noise complaint was for people high up on the food chain in a corporate world of real estate you have no clue about.  Thanks for the Rice Rocket Compliment too love me some motorcycle . Send that over to Engadget you look like a complete moron swearing and sending your customer service complaints to a magazine as if they will post it or even pay attention do you think you’re the first or the last what are they going to do demand us to tell you were your shipment is or ask for a refund on your behalf … Really … Welcome to the Internet ? Son Im 38 I wwebsite as on the internet when you were a sperm in your daddys balls and before it was the internet, thanks for the welcome to message wurd up.  Grow up you look like a complete child bro. I Don’t have my controller so im gonna cry to the world … Really ?? Hey take that free time and do something more productive. All you had to do was check the like everyone else , people have inquired but you’re the douchiest of them all J

To all our pre-order customers looking for information on the status of their orders after a busy couple of months The PS3 Avengers are on their way from our Manufacturing plant overseas. We are aware that everyone is anticipating having their Avengers under their Christmas Tree and were doing our best to get these orders shipped out as fast as possible. We appreciate you as loyal customers and for supporting our company. Customers will start receiving their products this week before Christmas and After Christmas and into the New Year. As a token of our appreciation we are offering all our pre-order customers and new customers 10$ off your next order with us just enter Avenger1001 at Checkout. Thank you and Happy Holidays!

Oh and FYI When a street date gets pushed by a publisher on a video game you pre ordered do you cry to them too ?

You just got told bitch … welcome to the real internet check kotaku in 2 weeks when they are reviewing free PS3 Avengers we send them as well as G4 and all the other majors hell yeah , don’t forget to check Amazon, gamestop.com, play n trade , Myers , Frys and a ton of other local stores coming your way you think you speak for billions son your just a kid you speak for yourself no one cares what you think that’s why were growing and moving 20-50 thousand controllers a month. We do value our customers but sometimes we get children like you we just have to put you in the corner with your im stupid hat on. See you at CES , E3 , Pax East ….? Oh wait you have to ask mom and pa dukes your not an industry professional and you have no money on snap you just got told.

Blast: If you’re going to namedrop, make sure you know what you’re talking about. At this point Penny Arcade steps in and things get funny.

From: Mike Krahulik
To: Dave, Ocean Marketing
Dec 26, 2011 at 8:45 PM

Holy shit this is unbelievable. Dave, if this guy has a booth at Pax east we will cancel it.

From: Dave
To: Mike Krahulik
Dec 26, 2011 at 8:53 PM

Hey thanks Mike.  It’s truly a shame because I think this device is great for gamers with disabilities and problems.  I think of Child’s Play and if anyone’s gonna need greater accessibility when using complicated gamepads…it’s sick kids!  Shit man, I’m really gonna feel bad if I think that sick children may somewhere down the line have fewer avenger controllers because I got into a pissing match with a sad old man.  Please don’t cancel their booth on my account.  As much as I hate this asshole, I still WANT his product and think it should be out there.  GAH, I wish I was in a position to make a competing product to really stick it to guy.

From: Ocean Marketing
To: Mike Krahulik
Dec 26, 2011 at 8:54 PM

Hey Mikey,

We’re not renting a booth at pax east this year , bigger and better shows to be at we got nothing from the show . Oh so you know this guy has sold over 500 thousand dollars of product in Dec and is my main distribution arm landing us in GameStop , fry’s , Myers , Best buy , Activision , MLG , play N trade and a lot more . Were in 6 countries and you’re not going to take my money for a booth that’s a crock I can guarantee I’ll get a booth if I want one money buys a lot and connections go even further.  He’s a native Bostonian from Little Italy . Who are you again ?

Oh Teh Noes!

-Gabe

From: Mike Krahulik
To: Ocean Marketing
Dec 26, 2011 at 9:08 PM

I am mike krahulik, Pax is my show. Feel free to google me=) I can promise you that you will never have space at any future Pax event.

From: Ocean Marketing
To: Mike Krahulik
Dec 26, 2011 at 9:33 PM

OK Mike whatever you say lol , are you sure hour not in Boston I spoke to the person who ran the show in Boston last year. If you let some little kid influence you over a pre order then we don’t want to be a your show ,Ill be on the floor anyway so come find me , I’m born and raised in Boston I know the people who run the city inside and out watch the way you talk to people you never know who they know it’s a small industry and everyone knows everyone. Your acting like a douchbag not that it matters pax east pax west , e3 , CES , Gamer Con , SSXW ,Comic Con, Germany I’m all over the place. If we want to be there we will be there with industry badges or with a booth you think I can’t team up with turtle beach , Callibur or Koy Christmas , I can’t get Kevin Kelly to pull some strings or G4 , Paul Eibler Ex CEO of take 2 ,  Rich Larocco Konami , Cliff Blizinski Epic who were working with on a gears version , Activision who were working with on a MW3 and Spider man Bundle , The Convention Center Owners themselves , Mayor of Boston come on Bud you run a show that’s all you do and lease a center in Cities you have no pull in its all about who you know not what you do.  I’ll see space where ever I want , with who I want when I want and where I want so many ways around you and so many connections in this industry its silly. Anyway , I have no issue with you Sean Buckley Engadget, Scott Lowe IGN and the list goes on and on. Little kids unhappy with a PRE ORDER starting trouble and you email that to us , he’s a customer unless you’re his boyfriend then you should side with the company not the customer. Be Careful

From: Mike Krahulik
To: Ocean Marketing
Dec 26, 2011 at 9:40 PM

I do run Pax, but I also run a website called penny arcade. It’s kinda popular.

From: Ocean Marketing
To: Mike Krahulik
Dec 26, 2011 at 9:41 PM

Love penny Arcade !!

From: Mike Krahulik
To: Ocean Marketing
Dec 26, 2011 at 9:42 PM

I’m glad you like it! You will be on it tomorrow:)

From: Ocean Marketing
To: Mike Krahulik
Dec 26, 2011 at 9:46 PM

Great !! Love PR

From: Ocean Marketing
To: Mike Krahulik
Dec 26, 2011 at 9:46 PM

Mike I’m not trying to fight with you I’m really not , you should give me the benefit of the doubt before judging over one person’s bitching . Did I feed into his emails a little bit too much yeah ok . But it’s one person dude for real. No disrespect intended for you , My name is good in this industry and I know a lot of people. I’ll be at CES are you going ?

From: Mike Krahulik
To: Ocean Marketing
Dec 26, 2011 at 9:47 PM

Please remove me from this mailing list

From: Ocean Marketing
To: Mike Krahulik
Dec 26, 2011 at 9:57 PM

Your spamming me you’re not on a mailing list you idiot ! You sent me an email remember . Make sure you stir up a lot of controversy about us the more the better we needed some drama gets good blood flow going about the new product launch .  Your sites amateur at best my son could put together a better site than yours and you run PAX ?? Wow , Ill put my marketing team on a smear campaign of you and your site and your emails , I have about 125 dedicated people to run PR , Blogs , Articles , Videos you have no clue who I am . Thanks again

Blast:  The PR rep has apparently lost his job, and good has triumphed over douchery. Let it be known kids, even in this day of video chat and other modern marvels, the golden rule still holds true: don’t be a dick.

2011 was quite the year for gaming right? Did you get to play everything? We did — and we’re exhausted. So we’ve taken a few days off to let our Christmas ham digest and you know, play some games that we aren’t reviewing. Oh, and see family. They miss us.

But check back later this week when we start dishing out awards for all of our favorite games, stories and people of the year.

Now go play some games.

Those of you hoping for a bit of relief from your wallet being stretched so thin with all of 2011′s big game releases should probably look away now. Tecmo Koei America just passed along word that Ninja Gaiden 3 will release on American shelves on March 20 of next year. For those keeping score, that’s just about two weeks after Mass Effect 3 hits shelves.

We got our hands on Ninja Gaiden 3 during this year’s E3 show in June and thoroughly enjoyed our time sliding under cars and slicing off limbs.

The United States Supreme Court ruled 7-2 today that video games are in fact protected by the first amendment, a ruling more than six years in the making and was the first time the court has ruled on the video game industry.

Specifically, the case was the State of California VS The Entertainment Software Association (better known as the ESA or the video game industry) and would make it illegal for anyone to sell a violent video game to anyone under the age of 18.

Justice Scalia, one of the Supreme Court Members who sided with the gaming industry had this to say about the vote; “Video games qualify for First Amendment protection. Like protected books, plays, and movies, they communicate ideas through familiar literary devices and features distinctive to the medium. And “the basic principles of freedom of speech . . . do not vary with a new and different communication medium.”

Not everyone is happy about the decision though, Senator Leeland Yee, co-author of the bill says that he’s disappointed in the court’s decision, and that it puts corporate interest above that of our children.

“Unfortunately, the majority of the Supreme Court once again put the interests of corporate America before the interests of our children,” said the law’s author, Senator Leland Yee (D-San Francisco). “As a result of their decision, Wal-Mart and the video game industry will continue to make billions of dollars at the expense of our kids’ mental health and the safety of our community. It is simply wrong that the video game industry can be allowed to put their profit margins over the rights of parents and the well-being of children.”

Blast will be updating this story throughout the day.

LOS ANGELES — After months of speculation, we know that the Nintendo’s next new console will be the Wii U. Unveiled just minutes ago during the company’s E3 2011 Press Event, The Wii U is like nothing you’ve ever seen.

The controller as seen above features a 6.2 inch LCD screen and can be used in a variety of different ways. Of course, you can use it in the traditional controller sense, but you can also transfer the image completely to the LCD screen, allowing the device to become more portable.

Perhaps the most interesting aspect is how the device can be used as a tablet. The video shown at the briefing allowed two players to sit the controller on a table and play a game of checkers just as you would with an iPad or similar device. The Wii U is also capable of surfing the internet, displaying pictures and a lot more.

A slew of games were confirmed for the new console including Ninja Gaiden, Dirt, Assassin’s Creed and of course, Super Smash Bros.

Blast will be going hands on with the console later this week.

WASHINGTON — The Supreme Court will hear arguments Tuesday in review of the decision by two lower courts’ to dismiss California’s ban on violent video game sales to minors.

The law was first signed in 2005 by Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, but a federal judge blocked it from taking effect soon after. Last year, a San Francisco appeals court upheld that decision, calling the ban “unconstitutional.”

Now the Supreme Court will, for the first time, hear a case related to video games.

If the law took effect in California, it would ban all minors from buying or renting blatantly gory games that involve “killing, maiming or sexually assaulting an image of a human being.” If minors were to get there hands on a game despite the ban, the retailer would be banned up to $1,000 per offense, the Associated Press reports.

Lawyers in California use the game “Postal 2” as an example of an overly violent game. In it, the gamer can go on graphically depicted rampages of murder and torture.

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) singled out “Grand Theft Auto San Andreas” because of its sexually explicit content and the gamers’ ability to use their characters to commit sexual assault.

Video games already employ a universal rating system, but retailers are not required to screen consumers or as for identification. The FTC however says retailers are starting to turn down minors who attempt to buy games rated “Mature” or “Adults Only”.

If the law were to be passed, video game retailers would have to act much like movie ticket vendors who are required ensure moviegoers are of age for certain films.

In past speeches, President Obama has told kids to “put down the PlayStations,” and name checked the Xbox 360 whentalking about out kids education. Now it seems that the leader of the free world is changing his tone, as he’s backing a challenge to get kids to make video games.

The National Science Technology Engineering and Math (STEM) foundation wants kids to become more interested in creating video games and are offering prizes to the kids who can create the best educational games.

“I applaud partners in the National STEM Video Game Challenge for lending their resources, expertise, and their enthusiasm to the task of strengthening America’s leadership in the 21st century by improving education in science, technology, engineering and math,” said Obama. “Our success as a nation depends on strengthening America’s role as the world’s engine of discovery and innovation.”

There are two separate challenges in the competition, one for grade school kids to create their own game, and the other for developers who are asked to make an educational game. For more information on the challenge, check out the STEM Challenge webpage

This weekend, FOX Broadcasting will show a short based in the world of Rockstar Games’ open-world adventure game Red Dead Redemption.

Created and directed by John Hillcoat, the man behind The Road and The Proposition, the short is hardly short, as it’s 30 minutes long.

The entire film was created using the in-game world of Red Dead Redemption as a virtual set, borrowing its assets and harnessing its technology to get the job done.

The film debuts on FOX May 29 at midnight and the publisher has provided a 60-second teaser of it today (embedded below).

For those currently playing the game. What do you think of it?

Embedded in an Associated Press report detailing the success of Bungie’s Halo: Reach Beta and what’s on the proverbial horizon for the company, was a September 14 release date for the final, shipped product.

In addition to the release date revelation came numbers and statistics from Reach‘s Beta.

According to the report, during the Beta’s 18 day length, more than 16 millions hours and over 1.1 billion kills were logged, leaving Bungie quite the happy camper.

“It’s exceeded our expectations,” said Bungie Studios community director Brian Jarrard. “Our only real perspective going into this was the ‘Halo 3′ beta test, which had about 800,000 people. We knew there were a couple million copies of ‘ODST’ out there, but we really didn’t have any specific information that let us know what the population might be like.”

via AP

The series finale of LOST aired last night. Twitter exploded, heads rolled and tears were shed.

Though the show may now be over, it won’t soon be forgotten, as songs from the sci-fi drama will arrive in the Rock Band music store in the near future.

Gaming site and television channel G4 is reporting two original songs, heard only in the show, will make their way to the popular music game. If you’re a fan of the series, you probably have a guess at which songs were chosen, but for those outside the loop, here’s the skinny.

The cast

Driveshaft’s “You All Everybody” and Geronimo Jackson’s “Dharma Lady” are the tunes in question and G4 thinks they’ll show up on the Rock Band Network in the next few days.

Don’t know about you, but I think it’s pretty neat when two major mediums: television and videogames, pool their creative essences and end up with a mash-up like this. No mention of price or specific date of availability. But wouldn’t it be great if both songs were free?

via G4

Even in 2010, it’s still pretty much a given that playing video games is thought of as a predominantly male pastime.

Hell, even the most popular video game characters are mostly male.

For whatever reason, female gamers are marginalized, and often mocked. However, thanks to the increase of notoriety of serious female gamers like The Frag Dolls, the voices of the ladies who love to game is growing stronger every day.

One such lady gamer, is Dana Pirkle (also known by her gamertag: J for Jade) who’s 19, and from Cumming, Ga. Dana’s one of three finalists on the reality show, WCG Ultimate Gamer 2 (airs on SyFy) in which she’s hoping to be voted in by viewers for the chance to compete for $100,000 in cash, a bunch of Samsung related prizes, and to become the
face of the World Cyber Games. Which essentially would be like wearing a badge that says, “I’m the best all-around gamer, and I will ruin your shit.”

Dana *ahem* excuse me, J for Jade, took some time to answer some of my questions about getting on to the show, and what it’s like to be a hardcore female gamer.

BLAST: When did you REALLY get into gaming seriously, and what was the game that got you hooked?

DANA PIRKLE: Gaming has always been apart of my life, growing up with 5 older brothers, but when my gaming career seriously was around 2005. I was 16, an attended my first ever tournament for Halo 2. I am an avid Halo gamer and when Halo 2 became a huge nation wide game for tournaments, my gaming career changed completely. I dove immediately in to the gaming industry and never looked back.

BLAST: How did you get chosen to participate in the WCG?

DP: Before the airing of WCG Ultimate Gamer Season 1, I had the opportunity to meet WCG Prod1gy x through Empire Arcadia (gaming organization). He was Season 1′s second place finalist and shortly after the air of the show I met Dante, who was also another cast member from the show. Once I met them and watched the entire Season 1, I was determined to make it on the next Season, so I kept up with WCG until they released news about the Season 2 casting calls in my area.

BLAST: Any story behind your tag “J for Jade”?

DP: Yes. The name mainly originates from a Mortal Combat character and because my favorite color is green. Although, what sparked me to get the name “Jade” was because I had a close friend to me online named Jaded and it seemed to fit.

BLAST: What do you think of games that are marketed specifically at girls? Such as fashion and dress up games?

DP: I consider them to be more for the casual female gamer, but I would also encourage girl gamers to reach out to more games that they maybe interested in. Although, I do on occasion love playing the Sims 3, I also believe that many other female gamers would enjoy getting involved with FPS, RPGs, RTS, or other games rather than dress up. With that being said, I believe the gaming industry shouldn’t target female gamers as just being casual and only enjoying fashions games.

BLAST: When you play games online, how are you treated?

DP: Normally, I try to play with people I know and enjoy playing with or other female gamers like myself, but I do get a lot of harassment. Just by being a female gamer in a room with all random guys, there is always a point to where someone has to make a rude comment just because of my gender. But once I show them my skills and give them a beating of a life time. They don’t have much else to say.(laughs)

BLAST: As a follow up to that, I’ve noticed some of the comments on your voting page. Why all the hate? And is there really a jealous ex that’s trying to sabotage you?!

DP: Probably, I’m not really all that sure. I figure its other gamers who are jealous of the fact that they want to be on WCG Ultimate Gamer, but I am not letting it get me down. There are always haters in the gaming community and you just got to be the mature one and not let it get to you. I have been around the gaming community for quite some time and the drama that surrounds it has become over rated.

BLAST: What do you think of the Frag Dolls, and the image they portray?

DP: I personally think the Frag Dolls are doing good things in and outside of their community. They are helping portray a better image for female gamers and I am always supportive of other females, organizations, and communities that work for the same common goal of female gamers.

BLAST: If you win this thing, what’s next for you in the world of gaming?

DP: I first would like to further my education in college and hopefully one day get my masters, but a portion of my success by winning WCG Ultimate Gamer Season 2 would go to attending more tournaments, conventions, giving back to children’s help organizations (such as Gamers for Giving), and getting more females involved with the gaming industry to work on making female gamers a norm in society.

BLAST: Last (and somewhat silly) last question. As an attractive female gamer, let’s say that you’re hypothetically in a relationship with another gamer like yourself. If he asked you to dress up as your favorite female video game character, who would it be?

DP: Probably, Bayonetta. That game was badass! Plus, she is sexy and can kick anyone’s butt!

Afterward

Wow. Looks, smarts, AND can house people in Halo?

J for Jade is going to make someone very, very happy someday.
Either that, or she’ll own your n00b ass online someday, and you’ll learn to respect the lovely ladies of gaming.

Either way wish her some luck, or better yet, vote for her to be the finalist on WCG Ultimate Gamer 2.

Voting ends at Midnight Sunday.

Sony’s worst kept secret, a third Killzone title, was outed today. The June issue of GamePro magazine, due to subscribers beginning June 1, has graced mailboxes early, with readers confirming the magazine’s Killzone 3 blowout and detailing some of the game’s specifics.

Supposed Killzone 3 screenshot

According to a reader, writing on the GameSpot forums, the game will be fully playable in 3D, more deeply familiarize gamers with both Helghast language and culture, incorporate jetpacks to the core game experience among other interesting tidbits found right here.

Killzone 2 remains one of my most favorite PlayStation 3 titles and was actually the reason I picked up a console in the first place. My hopes are high for the third installment, don’t let me down Guerrilla!

To celebrate the 30th anniversary of legendary arcade title Pac-Man, Google has launched its first playable doodle, allowing Internet searchers to play the game, in its entirety right in their browser.

That’s right, all 255 Pac-Man levels, plus the 256th, the Kill Screen, are accessible right now.

Play Pac-Man, in your broswer.

The doodle, what Google officially calls the themed illustrations, is the first playable doodle in Google’s history.

Simply press the “Insert Coin” button and you’re good to go! Also, we’re not liable for your boss’ anger.

In my estimation and based on my personal experiences, people either love or hate the 90s metal band Pantera.

If you’re in the latter group and enjoy the melodies and biting guitar riffs of the late Dimebag Darrell, you should be pleased to learn Pantera’s 1996 The Great Southern Trendkill is coming to the world of Rock Band next week.

Each song is $2/160 MS Points/200 Wii Points or $15.99/1280 MS Points for the entire pack (not available for Wii).

Available on Xbox 360, Wii and PlayStation 3 system (May 25):

· "The Great Southern Trendkill"

· "War Nerve"

· "Drag the Waters"

· "10′s"

· "13 Steps to Nowhere"

· "Suicide Note Pt. II"

· "Living Through Me (Hell’s Wrath)

· "Floods"

· "The Underground in America"

· "(Reprise) Sandblasted Skin"

(All tracks are original master recordings; "Suicide Note Pt. I" is not included in this pack.)

(These tracks will be available in Europe on PlayStation 3 May 26)

Harmonix made no mention in the release if these songs will also be available in the kid friendly LEGO: Rock Band music store, but, being Pantera, we wouldn’t expect to see them there anyway.

Lionhead Studios’ third installment in the famed Fable universe, Fable III, will set sail on Windows PC in addition to Xbox 360, the development house today revealed. The Guildford, England based developer also announced, detailed and priced a Limited Edition bundle of the popular role-playing-game.

Unlike its predecessor Fable II, Fable III, a title in which you become the king or queen and serve justice unto your land, will arrive on Windows PC. In Lionhead’s news release, it did not specify if both the Windows and Xbox 360 versions will simultaneously launch, only stating “the journey expands to Windows this Holiday season.”

Fable III

This announcement falls directly in line with what was already teased. Last week Xbox 360 boxart for Fable III popped up and adorning its face was a rectangle with the words “Only On Xbox 360 & Windows” in it. The art was swiftly taken down.

The other Lionhead news arriving this morning was the reveal of both the Standard and Limited Collector’s Editions of Fable III. The former bundles everything you’d expect in it; the game and the box, but the Limited Collector’s Edition has many more goodies inside.

First, the Limited Collector’s Edition will feature “a distinctive box created in the likeness of a book from "Fable III,” where oodles of collectibles will be housed.

They include:

A new quest: Uncover the mystery of the haunted forests of Silverpines and earn the legendary sword, Wolfsbane, deadly against wolves and balverines.

Exclusive location: Unlock a new region, ideal for settling down with a family and discovering new treasures.

"Fable III" playing cards: Created by Lionhead, these cards depict every type of character in "Fable III," including Heroes, royals, rebels and villains from across Albion and beyond.

Guild Seal Coin:  The coin features a Good side (blue) and Evil side (red) to assist players in making critical decisions that will impact the fate of the world forever.

A new dog breed: Renowned for its loyalty, the Boxer is a brave canine companion worthy of greatest Queens and Kings.

One unique outfit: Unearth one male and female outfit from the mysterious, faraway land of Aurora, a new destination in your "Fable III" adventures.

The Standard Edition will retail for $59.99/£44.99/€64.99, and the Limited Collector’s Edition will sell for $79.99/£59.99/€84.99.  And for the PC faithful, the Windows version will cost you $49.99/£39.99/€54.99, and will also be available for digital download via the Games on Demand marketplace for Windows – LIVE.

No art of the Standard Edition or Limited Collector’s Edition was provided. If/when Microsoft or Lionhead provides assets to us, we will update the post. [UPDATE] – and now they have. Find the shots below.

Limited Collector's Edition

Windows version

Standard Edition

The “I think games are too expensive” sentiment is one we’re all familiar with. The going rate of new titles ranges anywhere from $39.99 for a new DS/PSP game to $59.99 or above for console titles. While gamers can whine all they want, prices aren’t ever going to drop…are they?

At least one publisher wants to see such a thing happen. Namco Bandai recently voiced its opposition to the hefty going rate of new releases in today’s gaming world and suggests a summit, with major international publishers, be held to tackle the issue.

“I feel all the big video game companies need to join together in a worldwide summit to discuss the future of our industry. I think we have to pull our thoughts together”, Namco Bandai’s Olivier Comte told MCV.

“I am convinced that in the future we must change the price of video games – they’re too expensive for the audience. With the cost of development and the retail margins, £40 is a fair price [to us], but for the consumer it is too much.”

“From September to December there are three new blockbusters every week, and consumers just can’t afford to buy all that.”

Everything the man has said so far sounds exactly in line with my thoughts and feelings, but where he loses me is when he says “a good price of a game should be around £20 — but for this price we can’t make a ten to 15-hour adventure. So for £20 we should offer consumers four to five hours of gameplay, then after that we can make additional money with DLC.”

Ouch. That’s not what you want!

via MCV

Activision recently began airing a television spot that pokes fun directly at longstanding cart racing champion Mario Kart.

It’s a bold and ultimately humorous spot, something we wish others had tried in the past.

“Race like a big boy” is its catchphrase and I won’t spoil the even funnier comment immediately preceding it. Enjoy!

Game distributor Steam and guide book penning team Prima  have joined forces, today announcing a partnership that will see game guides make their way online, and in the digital hands of gamers.

The guides can be downloaded and read or viewed in-game, hopefully reducing the extent of those frustrating moments when you get stuck and need a hand.

Game guides, now available on Steam

There are six guides available today including one for each of the following recent titles: Just Cause 2, Dragon Age: Origins, Battlefield: Bad Company 2, Left 4 Dead 2, Dragon Age: Origins Awakening and Splinter Cell: Conviction.

More titles are promised for the future, but don’t expect one for Counter Strike. That formula is simple; point and shoot.

Each Prima guide costs $19.99, but to coincide with the launch announcement, each of the six available today are going for half off, or a much more alluring $9.99.

Take a look at the full catalog here.

Despite reporting its first ever non-record holiday in January, GameStop today reported record first quarter sales to the tune of over $2 billion.

Total sales are up 5.1 percent from 2009′s first quarter to $2.08 billion due to a 13.3 percent software sales increase.

GameStop attributes the uptick to strong sales of popular franchises’ newest sequels Battlefield Bad Company 2, BioShock 2, Final Fantasy XIII, God of War III and Nintendo’s powerhouses duo Pokemon HeartGold and SoulSilver.

God of War III, a strong seller for GameStop in its first quarter

Daniel DeMatteo, Chief Executive of GameStop said strong sales at brick and mortal locations is providing necessary capital to the company needed to expand to digital ventures.

“I am pleased that our earnings have achieved the high end of guidance and total company sales have exceeded $2 billion for the first time in a non-holiday quarter. By maintaining a sharp focus on our customer needs and overall business execution, our strong brick and mortar business continues to provide the capital needed to invest in new stores as well as execute our strategic plan to incorporate digital gaming into our global operations.”

GameStop recently began internal promotion for the browser-based title Legends of Zork, a game distributed by Activision and one the company used to test the waters of digital gaming. According to DeMatteo, it work out swimmingly.

Is GameStop ready to embrace the digital revolution?

“The in-store Legends of Zork test proved highly successful in economically acquiring and converting our customers to browser game players. Additionally, at the end of this month, GameStop will be marketing and selling downloadable content in a group of test stores. Of equal importance, our new customer loyalty program will launch in select markets. Altogether, we continue to deliver a superior shopping experience and are introducing our customers to the digital options for gaming,” he said through the statement.

What’s more, the tried, tested, and now reportedly proven trifecta buy-sell-trade has worked well for the company. Paul Raines, Chief Operating Officer at GameStop said store associates have done a great job promoting new releases and putting the aforesaid threesome to great use.

“Our store associates did an outstanding job of executing our ‘Go Big’ marketing campaigns to promote hot new titles. Their effectiveness can be measured by the significant day one, week one and overall market share GameStop captured of this quarter’s new releases. Our unique buy-sell-trade model continues to provide a strong value proposition for new game buyers.”

Many analysts believe the videogame industry is headed towards a more significant level of digitization, bringing about a time where traditional brick and mortar retailers will be affected by the sale games through digital methods. If GameStop’s DeMatteo is to believed, the company is ready for that change. How the company will move ahead in the digital age remains to be seen.

GameStop first quarter fact sheet.

Today mega international retailer Wal-Mart opened a new store, but not in the traditional brick and mortar sense.

The company unveiled its digital videogame outlet “GameCenter” today. It’s being called a “new online destination that combines special savings on the latest video games with first-look exclusives and previews.”

The GameCenter

Before you write off the destination as merely a shiny gimmick, know that the Center actually has some seriously bright spots.

For one, in the Game Center today is an exclusive video (no one’s seen this) of Harmonix designers as well as Tre, Billie Joe and Mike from Green Day speaking at length about Green Day: Rock Band in a behind the scenes look. Wade deeper into the site and you’ll find a Toy Story 3 exclusive look. Not too bad.

"Walmart Gamecenter combines incredible savings with exclusive gaming content all in a

compelling and interactive experience online," says Kelly Thompson, vice president of

merchandising for Walmart.com. "Gaming enthusiasts will be drawn in by the exclusive content

and developer interviews, while moms will appreciate the special savings only Walmart can offer

on the hottest video game titles."

Personally, I’m surprised it took Wal-Mart this long to do something like this.

Billionaire owner of Virgin Group Richard Branson, will grace the annual video game trek to mecca we call the Electronic Entertainment Expo next month where he’ll debut a new “gaming service.”

United Kingdom industry site MCV reports that Branson will appear at E3 2010, which runs from June 15-17 in Los Angeles where he’ll wow gamers with whatever he has in tow.

‘The new gaming service rumoured to launch at E3 will seek partnerships with leading publishers and content owners, offering new and unique opportunities… [we] understand that the new video games venture will be online-only and again challenge-based, possibly built on a technology acquisition,’ reads the MCV report.

The Virgin Group used to have an Interactive division until it was bought off in 1999. During its glory days  however, it pushed out classics Cannon Fodder (1993), The Lion King (1994) Command & Conquer (1995) as well as mega popular Capcom hits Resident Evil, Devil May Cry and Dino Crisis in Europe.

via MCV

In the Sims 3‘s upcoming expansion, Ambitions, players will get yet another hefty dose of famous artists singing their tunes in the Sim language, Simlish.

The artist lineup for The Sims 3 is already quite extensive, but when Ambitions launches in June popular bands Lady Antebellum and their song “Need You Now” as well as Rise Against and their high energy mix “Savior” will find their ways into the game.

“Each time we set out to create a soundtrack for an expansion pack, it’s always exciting matching the vibe of the game to the music by our incredible lineup of extremely diverse artists,” said Robi Kauker, Audio Director for The Sims Studio at EA. “It’s fun hearing hit tracks in the language of The Sims, and I think fans will be pleased to find their favorites songs and artists throughout this game, and will no doubt discover new bands to follow in The Sims 3 Ambitions.”

In case you missed the announcement trailer for Ambitions, find it, and the Lady Antebellum tune embedded below.

Beginning next month, 32 national teams will take part in the world’s largest and grandest tournament, the FIFA World Cup and Sony wants you to be there to revel in the splendor.

Played once every four years, the World Cup is an event many live for, but should you win this contest, your heart actually may stop beating.

Sony, in a partnership with Modnation Racers on PS3 and PSP, is granting enthusiasts the chance to win tickets to the FIFA World Cup Final. The final!

Should you win, Sony will fly you there to South Africa, set you up in a hotel, and equip you with a camera to capture the spectacle.

Sound like something you’d be interested in? Head over to the official page to enter.

THQ’s upcoming fighting game UFC Undisputed 2010 will require the activation of a one-time use code to play the title online, and will charge anyone playing the title second-hand to purchase the code for $5.

Purchasers of a new copy of the game will find the code waiting for them on the back of the game’s instruction manual, but should you pick up the game pre-owned, you’ll need to buy your way into online play.

The "enter code" screen

Electronic Arts’ sports division, EA Sports, is implementing a similar strategy by the name of the Online Pass. This Pass is required to enjoy EA Sports titles’ online functionality beginning with Tiger Woods PGA Tour ’11 on June 8.

But THQ is beating EA to the punch (pun sorta intended) by launching their attack on used games, at half the price and a week earlier.

UFC 2010

When this story broke, late last night, THQ hadn’t yet responded. Now, they have. Speaking with gaming mega blog Kotaku a representative cleared up the issue.

“This multiplayer content for UFC Undisputed 2010 will be available via a one-time code included with the game at purchase. Codes for accessing the content will be available for second-time buyers for an additional $5.”

If this endeavor proves fruitful for both companies,  it could possibly be implemented to more popular franchises both within the sports library of titles (FIFA, etc.) and outside (online shooters, etc.), meaning those “cheap” pre-owned titles you picked up, can’t be played online without forking over more cash.

It’s time to get used to this sort of thing.

Blizzard Entertainment’s World of Warcraft is set to receive its third official expansion sometime later this year.

It’ll bring changes to familiar landscapes a new level cap and also new characters to waste time grind level to their peaks.

One of the new races is Worgen and today Blizzard showed off the nagging female.

The female Worgen

If last night’s Black Ops debut 100 percent gameplay trailer wasn’t enough, Activision and Treyarch today dispatched the first batch of Call of Duty: Black Ops screens, letting the world in on what to expect from the Vietnam War era shooter.

Look for the game on shelves for Wii, Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 November 9, 2010.

James Cameron’s science fiction epic Avatar did wonders at the box office and more recently on DVD and Blu-Ray. It made more money than any other before it.

Ubisoft was quick to control the license for a video game adaptation and released Avatar: The Video Game a few weeks before the film hit shelves, a decision some say was backwards and silly.

Well, those naysayers feel the force of karma today, as Ubisoft reports the title sold nearly 2.7 million units life-to-date.

“The game Avatar performed ahead of our expectation in the quarter, notably on Wii, and ended up close to 2.7 million units sold in the full year, delivering a positive contribution for the company,” Ubisoft CEO Yves Guillemot said yesterday in a conference call. He added “”The game continues to sell well, notably thanks to the launch of the movie DVD.”

I haven’t played the game, but clearly millions of you have. When I see the game in the cheap bin, I’ll certainly pick it up.

via GameSpot

Blizzard Entertainment’s massively multiplayer online role playing game World of Warcraft aims to siphon more money from its over 11 million users with a new paid Auction House monitoring service.

World of Warcraft Remote Web version.

For $3 a month, those who regularly venture to the rolling hills and dark crevasses of Azeroth, can access World of Warcraft Remote. It’s a service allowing users to manage whatever in-game auctions they currently are engaged in through a Web browser or Blizzard’s Mobile Armory App for the iPhone and iPod Touch.

The app is currently in beta, where users can enjoy its fineries free of charge. Blizzard has set no exact time for its full, official and paid release.

During this beta period, only a large handful of realms are running the beta test, and as the above image reveals, mine isn’t one of them.

For lots more detailed informational tidbits, head to the World of Warcraft forum page.

According to a report, Rockstar Games’ sandbox Wild West title Red Dead: Redemption cost $100 million to develop.

Rockstar, in a previous statement said the project was its “most ambitious to date” and with a huge marketing budget as well as a more than five year development cycle, the development price tag doesn’t seem too farfetched.

The $100 million game?

First revealed at E3 2005, before Microsoft’s Xbox 360 and Sony’s PlayStation 3 were even available to consumers, Red Dead: Redemption, finally hit the market on Tuesday (later this week in Europe) and analysts expect it to sell in excess of four million copies before the summer is over.

via The Daily Mail

No, this isn’t some kind of twisted, nonsensical joke. Electronic Arts today posted shots of Dead Space protagonist Isaac Clarke riding a skateboard in the world of Skate 3.

Isaac Clarke

In the newly released skateboarding simulator from EA, if you enter this cheat, you’ll unlock the Isaac suit and can enjoy shredding rails instead of dismantling necromorphs.

Rockstar Games released their open world action game Red Dead: Redemption yesterday and, while its garnered near perfect scores across the review spectrum, it’s also stuck to classic Rockstar roots.

To unlock this Achievement/Trophy simply hogtie a lady and leave her on the train tracks.

This is Rockstar we’re talking about, so yes, let her die and you’ll unlock the “Dastardly” Achievement/Trophy.

Your cries for updates have not been lost and forgotten, Gears of War 2 fans. Epic Games recently announced Title Update 6 for the 2008 third-person shooter as well as a nice discount for those who’ve yet to venture deep into the bowels of the game.

Gears 2

Title Update 6 addresses issues in the game’s multiplayer component, including bug fixes, reconditioning of balancing issues, the addition of a new game mode in Social, and still more.

And on top of the numerous fixes (listed below) Epic revealed  “a promotion that will dramatically reduce the cost of the All Fronts Collection,” for those who haven’t already picked up the DLC.

All the details are below.

Improvements

Title Update 6 makes these new improvements:

• Adds a new public multiplayer match option called Social Xbox LIVE (aka player matches), open to anyone who owns all downloadable maps (that is, All Fronts Collection). We’ll be having a promotion that will dramatically reduce the cost of the All Fronts Collection.
• You can join Social Matches in progress and can quit any time without penalty, although players who quit a match early don’t receive earned experience (XP) from that match.
• Social matchmaking lets your party join a match in progress. If a match is not found, your party hosts a new match, filling any empty player slots with bots.
• Social Matches automatically cycle to the next map without further matchmaking.
• Teams are rebalanced between matches based on XP level without splitting parties.
• If you quit, your spot is taken by a bot until a new player joins the match. That new player can join while the match is in progress.
• If you join a match in progress, you are assigned a team based on XP level and party size.
• If you join a match in progress, you replace a bot at the earliest opportunity: at the first bot’s death for respawning game types (for example, Annex) and at round completion for Warzone, Execution, and Wingman.
• Social leaderboards become part of the War Journal.
• Renames Public Matches to Ranked Xbox LIVE Matches to differentiate these from Social Xbox LIVE Matches, and adds some improvements to these matches.
• Improved host selection using bandwidth testing and previous hosting data has been added.
• Before the match begins, teams are balanced based on XP without splitting parties.
• Renames Private Matches to Custom Xbox LIVE Matches and makes these matches invite-only.
• Adds the ability to join Horde sessions that are in progress.
• In Social Horde, you can join a session in progress through matchmaking and you are able to continue your session from the last wave you failed without starting over.
• In Ranked Horde, you can join a session in progress only through invites.
• If you join a session in progress, at the end of the session you receive the score you achieved during the time you spent in the session.
• Improves the precision of weapon selection using the D-pad.
• Improves client-side hit detection for ballistic weapons.

Exploit Fixes

Title Update 6 fixes these possible exploits, where under certain circumstances:

• Execution rules could be ignored when using certain weapon types.
• On the Subway map, you could get outside of the playable environment by sliding into cover and rolling between a train car and the side of tracks.
• On the Blood Drive map, you could get outside of the playable environment in various locations.
• Players could grief other players on Submission, Annex, King of the Hill, and Guardian games by preventing the objective from being completed while racking up experience. Title Update 6 adds match time limits to each of these game types to prevent this practice.

General Fixes

Title Update 6 fixes these other issues as well:

• An issue that could cause your profile to be overwritten, erasing XP level, and achievement progress.
• An issue that could cause a campaign save slot to be overwritten if you previously chose to continue without saving and then signed in.

Balancing

Title Update 6 makes these balancing changes:

• Changes the Gnasher Shotgun pellet pattern to increase hit consistency.
• Changes the Guardian game type to select the leader based upon XP level (highest to lowest

via Kotaku

Originally scheduled to drop out of service today (May 19) Bungie has extended the life of the Halo: Reach multiplayer Beta until tomorrow (May 20) for unknown reasons.

Extended a day!

Speaking with gaming blog Joystiq, Bungie’s Brian Jarrard revealed the extension.

“Our official plans as of now are to turn off the Reach beta on Thursday, 5/20 at 10AM PDT,” he said.

You’ve earned yourselves an extra day, headhshot-honchos. Go at it while you can!

via Joystiq

“A lie is a lie. Just because they write it down and call it history, doesn’t make it the truth,” reads a nameless narrator in the first full-length trailer for Treyarch’s Call of Duty: Black Ops.

Call of Duty: Black Ops

The trailer, composed entirely of gameplay and clocking it at a hefty 1:42, is one impressive feat, serving its purpose of sticking in your mind past the time you spent watching it.

Call of Duty: Black Ops comes to Xbox 360, PS3, PC and Wii November 9, 2010. And we’re expecting some hands-on time with it next month at E3 2010.

During this “tough” economy, one we’re all soldiering through together, a threesome shines above the rest.

Knives, killing and death.

Ubisoft reported its financial earnings today, and despite a net loss of $54 million for the year ending March 31, over 9 million copies of Assassin’s Creed II were sold and plans for the next installment are pushing ahead as well.

Ubisoft CEO Yves Guillemot blamed the dip on a global economic downturn and said motion control technology from both Microsoft and Sony will “re-energize the casual games segment.”

What’s more, the man expressed his company will shift internally in order “to release new iterations of our major franchises on a more regular basis and guarantee high quality levels.”

via GameSpot

Bungie’s final Halo effort, Halo:Reach, has been in multiplayer beta since May 3. In that time, a mere 2.5 weeks, it has managed to overtake Halo 3‘s player count by leaps and bounds.

The Beta’s fast paced train of death comes to a abrupt halt tomorrow, when Microsoft says it will pull the figurative (or literal!) plug on the trial.

In Reach‘s first week alone, over 14 million games were logged and 157 million kills amassed, which equals more than Halo 3 enjoyed in its beta’s lifetime.

Possibly the allure of the beta was found for gamers in its new gametypes; Invasion and Generator Defense. Personally, Generator Defense felt like a buzzkill. I loved the ideal objective, but with only three versus three, it got old and stale very fast. On the other hand, Invasion and Invasion Slayer, are two areas I’ve logged the most time in, simply because Bungie finally went for it and they nailed it, right on the head.

What do you think?

via Destructoid

While the title remains shrouded in thick, smog-filled clouds of question marks, Ubsisoft today confirmed a pre-release multiplayer beta for  Assassin’s Creed: Brotherhood.

When in Rome...

If you weren’t aware, Brotherhood will be the first Assassin’s title to incorporate a mulitplayer component and the beta will serve as a very important testing ground for those skeptical of Ubisoft’s ability to infuse multiplayer into the stealth game.

More Brotherhood details are promised for E3 2010 next month in June, where the title will in all likelihood be playable on the show floor. We hope.

via G4TV

Famed Halo developer Bungie signed a ten-year publishing exclusive deal with Activision last month, but that’s not stopping bitter rival Electronic Arts from pursuing the developer and locking them in for a deal.

Bungie’s deal with Activision extends to only one immediate intellectual property, and, given the growing size of the studio, could spiderweb, a la Rockstar Games, and create sub-studios like Bungie East or something, in addition to the headquarters in Washington state. This way, Bungie would be able to enter into an agreement with Electronic Arts as well as Activision.

“We had extensive conversations with them, but could never really figure out a deal that made sense for both of us. It just didn’t come to fruition,” David DeMartini, Electronic Arts Partners boss said. “Obviously, they were able to come up with some kind of deal that made sense to Activision and made sense to Bungie and we hope they make great games. It’s healthy for the industry to have big independent studios that are making great products.

“I don’t want to see them fail – I want them to be successful. And when they start up a second team, we’ll have other discussions with them about that game as well – because they’re a great studio. There are probably only 20 studios in the world that are that highest level – and they’re certainly one of them.”

Whatever happens, the gaming world should be excited. Bungie’s making a game not called Halo. Weird, huh?

via CVG

The legendary Tomb Raider franchise extends this summer with Lara Croft and the Guardian of Light, an Xbox Live Arcade, PlayStation Network and Windows mini-title.

Crystal Dynamics, the team developing the action puzzler, released a trailer for it today, introducing Tomb Raider fans to a fresh take on the storied series.

Lara Croft and the Guardian of Light comes XBLA, PSN, and PC sometime this summer for $15.

Hankering for some more good lovin’, Splinter Cell style?

Hopefully you are, as Ubisoft recently dated and detailed downloadable content for Sam Fisher’s latest adventure, Splinter Cell: Conviction.

More is better.

The DLC includes new cooperative  missions on four new environments for play in the game’s Deniable Ops game modes. There is 250 GamerScore up for grabs here, so do your work, and you’ll be rewarded.

Unlike the game itself, which saw release on the Xbox 360 two weeks prior to that of the PC, the “Insurgency” DLC will arrive on both the Xbox 360 and PC simultaneously May 27 for 800 MS Points/$10.