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

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

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

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

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

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

Source: WPRI, WPRI

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Source: New York Post
Via: Gamasutra

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Bird Mania 3D is about a little blue bird named Mojo whose friends left him behind after they decided to migrate to Africa. He’s now on a mission to catch up to them and enjoy the warm weather. That’s about all you’re going to get when it comes to a story, and the game itself repeats itself each time you die. But before your dismiss this eShop title, look at its price tag and read on.

The game is all about scoring high and quick reflexes. Using the 3DS’s Circle Pad and face buttons, you need to move Mojo up and down as he flies (scrolls) continuously on the top screen and steer him clear of obstacles like treetops, bees, and evil birds. One hit from anything will cause your little bird to fall to his doom. You can further increase your score by collecting stars in his path or by ramming into enemies with the shoulder button. Each baddie you take down increases your multiplier and the points you get. I told you scores were a big deal in this game!

That being said, I do wish the game offered online leaderboards. You are basically competing against yourself each time you get a new high-score, and while that’s okay, it would have made a lot more sense if you could see how others fared or how long they lasted. I mean, isn’t scoring what this game is all about? To remedy the lack of any online implementation, the game does offer 20 difficult achievements that will test your skills dodging trees.

Don’t take me wrong, Bird Mania 3D is a joy to play. The colorful graphics and the catchy music really let you concentrate on your session, which could end in just a few seconds if you’re too distracted. While the 3D effect is good, it hurt my eyes a little the farther into the game I got and the faster the screen started scrolling. I also found the touchscreen controls to be so much better than using the D-pad or Circle Pad, which felt a bit stiff. Sliding my stylus up and down and seeing how fluidly Mojo reacted really made guiding him a lot easier this way.

The Blast Factor: Just $1.99, Bird Mania 3D is one of the cheapest games on the eShop right now – but don’t confuse cheap for bad here. While it lacks depth (and online leaderboards,) Bird Mania 3D’s simple and addicting gameplay will inform you that some migrating birds do get left behind and that some games still care about how high you score.

Though the Wii version of the game has been out everywhere else since 2009, New Play Control! Pikmin 2 will finally be coming to US shores this June, according to a scanned copy of the May issue of Nintendo Power.

Pikmin 2 follows the story of Captain Olimar who returns to his home world of Hocotate after his treasure-hunting adventures in the first game only to discover his employer is still in debt. Sent back to the mysterious planet, Olimar is joined by his partner Louie, who together must ransack treasures like bottlecaps, batteries, and other things we might consider junk. They befriend small plant-like creatures called Pikmin that help them pick up different objects, fight off enemies, and create pellets that make more Pikmin for Olimar to control.

The added Wii motion controls make the sadistic act of throwing Pikmin a simple flick of the wrist. You can also aim at the screen to direct your army of Pikmin where to go.

It’s great Nintendo is letting more players discover the joy of Pikmin, especially since they are working on the third game in the series for Wii U. Great timing, eh?

The World Ends With You came out in the US back in 2008. Its catchy soundtrack and unique dual-screen battle system made it stand out from most DS games released at the time. Since then, fans have been wanting a sequel, and it sounds like the game’s co-creator Tetsuya Nomura was listening.

Rhyme, one of the characters from TWEWY, makes a cameo appearance in Kingdom Hearts 3D: Dream Drop Distance, another one of Nomura’s games. In an interview in the latest issue of Nintendo Dream, he states that the team decided to give Rhyme lines and a voice actor ”with the future of The World Ends With You series in mind.”

What’s more, Nomura also finished the interview by further hinting at a sequel and saying, ”Regarding The World Ends With You, I can’t say anything right now… (laughs). But there probably is something.”

Considering the original game did a great job implementing gameplay on both DS screens, its sequel could do an even better job with the 3DS’s added features. The game could let players trade battle pins, have Street Pass battles, and so much more. We’ll just have to wait and sit tight for more updates!

Via: Andriasang

In its effort to promote health and fitness among youth, Konami has teamed up with a few health and fitness organizations such as Let’s Move in Schools to introduce DanceDanceRevolution Classroom Edition to select high schools around the country.

The game that once swept arcades will now be making its way into classrooms letting students burn some calories while also dancing to licensed master tracks from today’s hit artists. Up to 48 wireless mats will be able to connect to one PC, letting the whole classroom dance and exercise together. The system allows teachers to track vital information about their student’s health and progress including steps taken, body mass index (BMI) and caloric burn rate.

Konami has collaborated with the following organizations that all agree DDR is changing the way “schools and educators look at physical education:” American Diabetes Association, National Foundation on Fitness, Sports, and Nutrition, Let’s Move in Schools, and Sony Music.

Studies have even shown 40 minutes of playing DanceDanceRevolution is equivalent to a 5k run, so it’s a great alternative to traditional gym class activities such as dodgeball, a game I personally dreaded growing up. What are your thoughts on the inclusion of these kinds of games in the classroom?

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.”

Nintendo today confirmed its plans to unveil new Pikmin and Super Mario. titles at this year’s E3 in June.

The last Pikmin game came out back in 2004 on the Gamecube and was released again in 2009 with updated Wii motion controls. Eurogamer states that Miyamoto waited to move the third game to the Wii U “because he thought the franchise would be especially suited to HD visuals.”

Also confirmed by Nintendo is that their newest Super Mario Bros. title will, in fact, be based on the playable Wii U tech demo showcased at last year’s E3. The game plays very much like New Super Mario Bros. Wii, but the added tablet controller gives players more gameplay options and touch-screen controls.

Stay tuned for more news about E3 in the coming weeks.

Peas may not be everyone’s favorite veggie, but the folks over at Gotta Pea hope to change that. Peakour stars a smooth-talking, pun-wielding pea named PeaG that also happens to be a parkour artist, or in this case, a “peakour” artist. Get it? Good because the puns don’t stop there. This iOS game may draw inspiration from the action-packed sport, but Peakour is actually a decent game that’s great for physics puzzle enthusiasts.

Each level requires you to place various items along PeaG’s path that will help him reach his target. After placing all your items, you then press the play button to let PeaG take over and start his parkour race. You can’t control him, so all you can do is watch and hope your item placement is correct and leads him on the right path to victory. If he fails, you can simply continue fiddling with your items until you get it right. An added challenge is to also collect three bottle caps per stage that unlock additional levels and the ability to create your own puzzles to share with friends.

I found the levels in Parkour to be somewhat difficult at first because you are essentially guessing where PeaG will go before you see him in action. Luckily, you can always check out his skills list to see what he will do when he runs into a wall or a slope, for example, and you can press play before setting any items to see where he will end up going. Do this enough times, and the game losses its difficulty and simply becomes a trial-and-error experience reinforced by the fact that you only lose points the longer you take to get to your target. Because your score only determines your leaderboard standings, you might end up just focusing on getting all the bottle caps and not care about your finish time.

Another thing I noticed is that the game’s controls actually make it difficult to drag items to where you need them to go. I had to tap an item several times to finally grab it, and even then I started thinking I wasn’t actually tapping its required area on the screen. Some items are quite small on the iPhone, so successfully grabbing them is quite a challenge in itself.* Also as you may have noticed earlier, the game is chock-full of pea puns that get annoying each time the loading screen tells you to “Peas Wait” or reminds you that PeaG is a trained peafessional. It’s a game about peas. We get it.

It may be marred by unnecessary jokes and sticky controls, but Peakour manages to give you a solid experience with over 100 levels to play through and the ability to create and share your own stages. It makes for a great pick-up-and play game that’s actually pretty inexpensive for the amount of content you get. Don’t judge Peakour by its looks and frivolous jokes – this smart little game is definitely not for peabrains.

*It’s worth noting that the game’s control issues only happen on the iPhone and that the developers plan to release an update soon. 

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.

If you have yet to register for Penny Arcade Expo (PAX) East or are having second thoughts about going to the biggest gaming expo on the east coast, you better make up your mind fast as Friday and Sunday passes for this weekend’s event are quickly disappearing.

“Only a few hundred Friday passes left. Probably sell out in a 2-3 days at this rate,” announced the official Twitter account for PAX, the three-day event that had sold out its three day passes a couple of months ago.

PAX East and its west coast cousin PAX Prime are one of the only occasions fans can play some big-name games before they are released. Here’s a quick list of some of the games, demos, and previews the big developers and publishers will be showcasing this weekend.

Square Enix (Booth 850)

Sleeping Dogs, Theatrhythm Final Fantasy, Quantum Conundrum, Heroes of Ruin, Wafku, Risen 2: Dark Waters

Microsoft (Booth 524)

Crimson Dragon, Deadlight, Dust: An Elysian Tail, Trials Evolution, Minecraft: Xbox 360 Edition, Fable: Heroes, Kinect Sports: Season  Two, Kinect Star Wars, Steel Battalion: Heavy Armor

Nintendo (Booth 412)

Mario Power Tennis Open, Spirit Camera: The Cursed Memoir, Kid Icarus: Uprising, Mario Kart 7, Resident Evil Revelations, Ketzal’s Corridors, Sakura Samurai: Art of the Sword, Pushmo, Dillon’s Rolling Western

2K Games (Booths 924, 936, 1036)

Borderlands 2, Spec Ops: The Line, XCOM: Enemy Unknown, Civilization V: Gods & Kings

Rockstar (Booth 912)

Max Payne 3

Sega (Booths 448, 548)

Hell Yeah, Sonic 4 Episode 2, Jet Set Radio, Virtua Fighter 5: Showdown, Virtua Tennis Challenge, Sonic & Sega All-Stars Racing, House of the Dead 4, Aliens Colonial Marines

Ubisoft (Booth 824, 836)

Assassin’s Creed III (footage,) Far Cry 3, Mad Riders, Tom Clancy’s Ghost Recon Future Soldier, Tom Clancy’s Ghost Recon Online, I Am Alive, Babel Rising, Monster Burner, MotoHeroz, Prince of Persia Classic HD

Reverb Publishing (Booth 808)

Girl Fight, Wheels of Destruction, Black Knight Sword, Bang Bang Racing, JAM Live Music Arcade, Primal Carnage (booth 1167,) Deadliest Warrior: Ancient Combat, Shoot Many Robots (booth 612,) Dungeon Defenders, Jeremy McGrath’s Offroad, Country Dance All Stars,

Paradox Interactive (Booth 368)

War of the Roses, The Showdown Effect

Perfect World (Booth 736)

Neverwinter, Blacklight: Retribution, RaiderZ

Don’t forget too that aside from these studios, other, lesser known, developers will be there as well, so be sure to check them out. You never know what indie game will be the next Journey!

Last week, Brookline-based software company Worlds Inc. filed a lawsuit against Blizzard and Activision for violating their patent for creating and controlling 3D avatars in online interactive environments.

World of Warcraft and the Call of Duty games supposedly violate their patent received betwen 2007 and December of last year. One of its patent claims is as follows:

A method for operating a server to enable a plurality of users to interact in a virtual space, wherein each user has a computer associated therewith, wherein each computer has a client process associated therewith, wherein each client process has an avatar associated therewith, wherein the server has a process associated therewith, and wherein each client process is in communication with the server process, comprising: (a) receiving, from each client process by the server process, data indicating a position of the avatar associated with the client process; and (b) synchronously disseminating less than all of the positions of the avatars not associated with a particular client process to each of the other client processes so that the particular client process can determine from the positions a set of avatars that are to be displayed.

Worlds Inc. launched in 1994 and “ leverages its patented proprietary technology…to offer members multi-user environments that have interactive Avatars, rich media graphics, text chat, voice-to-voice chat, video and e-commerce.”

Such claims are not only vague, but could apply to countless other games currently on the market. Regardless, Worlds Inc. is suing the two game companies for damages and fees.

Via: Universal Hub, Complete complaint, 2011 patent, 2007 patent

Good news for fighting game fans: Skullgirls has just passed Microsoft certification and will be available on Xbox Live Arcade on April 11 for 1200 Microsoft Points.

Reverge Labs community manager David Barthlow posted the news on NeoGaf forums and also stated that the game’s PSN release date was yet to be determined but would most likely be April 10. The PSN version will be $14.99.

Irrational Games has been showing off its series of Heavy Hitters, unique and powerful creatures you will encounter as you roam the halls in BioShock Infinite. These range from the creepy Boys of Silence to the freakishly bizarre Motorized Patriot. Today’s unveiling of the Siren marks the final mechanized monster to grace the game.

Below you will find four videos introducing these Heavy Hitters. The Big Daddies have nothing on these guys.

The Handyman

The Motorized Patriot

The Boys of Silence

The  Siren

What do you get when you launch birds into space? Success!

In less than three days since it launched, Rovio’s Angry Birds in Space has been downloaded an astounding 10 million times. The studio shared this milestone with the world on their Twitter account this morning.

Rovio didn’t specify which of those 10 million downloads were free or paid, but it did reassure its loyal fans that they should “stay tuned for more.” No details yet, but don’t expect this game to slow down for a long time.

Were you one of those people who was met with a different looking Shepard when importing your character into Mass Effect 3? Several players reported this glitch when the game first launched, and no solution existed.

This glitch affected some players who imported a Mass Effect 2 Shepard that had been originally created in the first game. This not only led to hours of emotional counseling to some, but it also meant these players had to painstakingly recreate their Shepard’s faces if they wanted their commander to look the same.

BioWare’s community coordinator Chris Priestly updated their forum thread with an updated stating that the glitch has in fact been fixed and is currently under going testing to make sure it doesn’t affect anything else in the game. This fix will be issued in the next Mass Effect 3 patch, which, unfortunately, doesn’t have a release date as of yet. Rest assured, your Shepard will soon be how you remembered him.

Games like Journey have assured many that video games are in fact an art form, and that their emotive strength is relies heavily on what we see and hear onscreen. A talented artist’s contributions, then, make a big impact on game’s overall success.

But what do artists do after months working on a game? Many seek creative outlets that give them the freedom tight schedules and product deadlines often deny them. Some just do what they enjoy doing  - their art!

“Art Out of the Game” is a show sponsored by the New England Institute of Art that brings together nine local New England artists who have worked on pieces “for a wide range of reasons, from exploring themes of identity to exercising their passion for history to connecting with lost family.”

Their professional work has graced the games of New England video game studios including Turbine, Harmonix, Demiurge, 38 Studios, and Zynga Boston. Now, their personal art is on display for all to enjoy.

“Art Out of the Game” is currently running through April 19 at the Gallery on the Plaza at the New England Institute of Art. There will also be a reception on April 4 from 7pm-9pm. The show and reception are both free of charge. Click here for more information about the show.

Namco has released a rather critical patch for Soul Calibur V that balances out every character in its roster. The changes range from major tweaks of some characters’ moves to minor framerate adjustments. This updated version will also be used in the upcoming Soul Calibur V Worldwide Finals on April 10 in Vegas.

Also starting April 3, Namco will begin releasing monthly customization parts for the game’s Creation mode. Today’s update is free, but be prepared to cough up some dough for all those extra costumes and headpieces.

Here is a quick detailed list of some of the changes coming with today’s patch:

• Fixed a bug where players were able to evade low attacks and block mid attacks by inputting “up” direction when holding guard button. Although this makes it difficult for players to evade low attacks by just jumping, there is no change when evading with jump attacks.
• Unblockable frame duration is now longer during the back step. No change in moving distance and speed.
• Buffering time has decreased when you get hit by the opponent character. This is to avoid attacking when you accidentally hit buttons after getting hit. Direction key/pad buffer time has not changed.
• Attack cancel will no longer shorten unblockable frame in 8-way run and side step. The cancel frame of some characters’ unblockable moves have also been changed to fix this issue (please refer to changes in individual characters).
• Fixed character’s guard burst damage not recovering between rounds. Characters that were affected: Voldo, Astaroth, Raphael, Tira, Algol, Z.W.E.I., Patroklos, ?Patroklos, Xiba, and Ezio.
• Fixed incorrect moves coming out when inputting in the buffering frame during front/back roll.
• Fixed characters being thrown outside the screen when certain moves are performed by both characters simultaneously.

• Fixed crouching stance being forced to stand when hit by some character’s 2A, 2K, crouch A, or crouch K.
• Lowered jump attacks’ guard burst damage and critical gauge increase rate.
• Lowered guard burst damage and critical gauge increase rate for some characters’ 2B. As a result, most characters will not execute guard burst with 2B.
• Re-balanced move lists for following characters due to unintended aerial combos connecting even during aerial control: Ivy (while turning moves), Cervantes (AA, 6A, etc.), Leixia (6B, etc.), Xiba (3B).

Fans have been busy voicing their opinions on the conclusion of the Mass Effect series, and BioWare is still listening. The studio wrote on their Facebook page that Mass Effect 3 may or may not receive a change to its endings and that fans’ feedback is still being considered.

We would like to clarify that we are actively and seriously taking all player feedback into consideration and have ruled nothing out. At this time we are still collecting and considering your feedback and have not made a decision regarding requests to change the ending.

Just a few days ago, Mass Effect 3 executive producer Casey Hudson told fans that he and his team were going to support the game by adding more content determined by feedback and constructive criticism.

Whether this content will be a direct change to or a reworking of the game’s ending remains unknown. What is certain, though, is BioWare’s commitment to its fans in at least listening to their complaints and opinions even after their game has already been released and met with favorable criticism.

Dishonored is an upcoming first-person action game where you take on the role of a supernatural assassin drawn into a revolutionary organization driven by revenge.

The game is currently in development at Arkane Studios, with direction from Deus Ex lead designer, Harvey Smith.  Creatively eliminate your targets with the flexible combat system as you combine the numerous supernatural abilities, weapons and unusual gadgets at your disposal. Pursue your enemies under the cover of darkness or ruthlessly attack them head on with weapons drawn. The outcome of each mission plays out based on the choices you make.

Below is a brand new batch of screenshots and concept art of the game.

The ending of Mass Effect 3 has been met with mixed criticism, most of which is just plain outrage over its failure at giving players choice and closure. Many longtime fans who have been playing the series since 2007 just don’t like it and have taken it upon themselves to petition for a new ending. Other are venting their feelings on Facebook and other social media sites.

Casey Hudson, the executive producer of Mass Effect 3, released a statement yesterday responding to their dissatisfaction. His statement promises that we have yet to hear “the last of Commander Shepard” and that he and his team will continue to work on new content that will “reshape the remaining experiences of the Mass Effect trilogy.”

There’s been a lot of discussion and debate about the conclusion of Mass Effect 3, so I thought I’d share my  perspective with you here. I’ll avoid outright spoilers, but I’d still recommend finishing the game and experiencing it for yourself before reading this.

For the last eight years, Mass Effect  has been a labor of love for our team; love for the characters we’ve created, for the medium of video games, and for the fans that have supported us.  For us and for you, Mass Effect 3 had to live up to a lot of expectations, not only for a great gaming experience, but for a resolution to the countless storylines and decisions you’ve made as a player since the journey began in 2007. So we designed Mass Effect 3 to be a series of endings to key plots and storylines, each culminating in scenes that show you the consequences of your actions.  You then carry the knowledge of these consequences with you as you complete the final moments of your journey.

We always intended that the scale of the conflict and the underlying theme of sacrifice would lead to a bittersweet ending—to do otherwise would betray the agonizing decisions Shepard had to make along the way.  Still, we wanted to give players the chance to experience an inspiring and uplifting ending; in a story where you face a hopeless struggle for basic survival, we see the final moments and imagery as offering victory and hope in the context of sacrifice and reflection.

We’ve had some incredibly positive reactions to Mass Effect 3, from the New York Times declaring it “a gripping, coherent triumph”, to Penny Arcade calling it “an amazing accomplishment”, to emails and tweets from players who have given us the most profound words of appreciation we’ve ever received.

But we also recognize that some of our most passionate fans needed more closure, more answers, and more time to say goodbye to their stories—and these comments are equally valid. Player feedback such as this has always been an essential ingredient in the development of the series.

I am extremely proud of what this team has accomplished, from the first art concepts for the Mass Effect universe to the final moments of Mass Effect 3.  But we didn’t do it on our own.  Over the course of the series, Mass Effect has been a shared experience between the development team and our fans—not just a shared experience in playing the games, but in designing and developing them.  An outpouring of love for Garrus and Tali led to their inclusion as love interests in Mass Effect 2.  A request for deeper RPG systems led to key design changes in Mass Effect 3.  Your feedback has always mattered.  Mass Effect is a collaboration between developers and players, and we continue to listen.

So where do we go from here? Throughout the next year, we will support Mass Effect 3 by working on new  content.  And we’ll keep listening, because your insights and constructive feedback will help determine what that content should be. This is not the last you’ll hear of Commander Shepard.

We look forward to your continued support and involvement as we work together to shape the remaining experiences in the story of the Mass Effect trilogy.

Thanks for taking this journey with us.

Casey Hudson

Whether or not this means we will see future DLC that directly affects the game’s ending, this move would speak volumes on how much impact fans and consumers can truly have on an interactive medium such as video games.

BioWare has previously listened to their fans when developing their Mass Effect titles, removing unpopular features and implementing things based on input from their fans. This move, however, just might give players as much power as the developer has.

The Massachusetts Convention Center Authority announced this morning that PAX East, the annual gaming convention that drew over 60,000 visitors last year will remain in Boston through 2023.

“We’re thrilled to host PAX East for at least ten more years,” said James E. Rooney, Executive Director of the MCCA in a statement released earlier today. “Hosting an event for the next decade that draws gamers from around the globe to Boston is fantastic, but the international attention it brings to the technological advancements coming out of the common wealth is a win-win.”

PAX East is the sister event of PAX Prime, the Seattle based gaming convention put on by the folks at Penny Arcade. This year’s PAX East will take place April 6-8.

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