Kmart selling PS3 for $319 with coupon

Kmart is turning into a gamer’s paradise by selling Playstation 3’s for the low price of $319 with a 20% off coupon you can print out. The coupon is good from Nov. 11 - Nov. 17 and Nov. 18 - Nov. 21. No idea is the coupon is good for Xbox 360 or the Wii but reading the fine print it says nothing about game systems.

Various consumer coupon websites have reported that the above coupon works at select Kmart stores valid this week only (Nov. 11 - Nov. 17). No word if the coupon is valid for Wii or Xbox 360 purchases.

Regardless, prospective PS3 owners are encouraged to take advantage of this deal while they can. Enlarge the above image, print, and check with your local Kmart store to pick up a PS3 for a cool $319 before tax. Go on — get out of here. Shoo.

[Source Gamepro.com]

Xbox Originals Plagued with Problems

Microsoft announces ‘Xbox Originals’ the 2nd wave to the ‘Xbox LIVE is 5IVE‘. As the Xbox Live membership hits over the eight million mark, Microsoft unveils the new download service for full Xbox games. Allowing you to download full Xbox games such as Halo, Psychonauts, Crimson Skies: High Road to Revenge and Fable among others directly to your Xbox 360 for 1200 MS Points ($15). One small catch they hmmm don’t work correctly.

All ‘Xbox Originals’ game titles the publisher logos at the start of a game can be choppy. Any additional content within a game (such as a demo or trailer) is not supported by ‘Xbox Originals’ titles and selecting those options may result in crashing the game.

Here are the issues unique to the specific game titles:

• Crimson Skies: High Road to Revenge: There is some minor flickering at the top of the screen that happens very rarely. The “Press A to Continue” message is missing when the host player leaves a multiplayer game. Additional content within the game (such as demos & trailers) are not supported and selecting those options may result in crashing the game (requiring a restart of the console)
• Fable: There are some random bursts of audio static and some minor texture issues and a short hang up when removing tattoos. Additional content within the game (such as demos & trailers) are not supported and selecting those options may result in crashing the game (requiring a restart of the console)
• Fuzion Frenzy: There are some minor frame rate issues. Additional content within the game (such as demos & trailers) are not supported and selecting those options may result in crashing the game (requiring a restart of the console)
• Halo: There are some very mild frame rate drops.
• Psychonauts: HDMI 720p is not supported for PAL users. Running the game in 720p over HDMI will result in the game locking up for PAL users. If you are using HDMI output, set the resolution to 1080i or 1080p (anything but 720p)

Full ‘Xbox Originals’ Press Release after the Jump Full Story »

ATARI Stops Game Development

Atari CEO has resigned as the ailing publisher announces that they’ve ceased any game development. They will still publish titles apparently. Atari is only trying to put a positive spin on a really bad deal for us all.

Amidst concerns about the company’s lack of funds and ability to continue its business, Atari officials announced today that the publisher will “re-focus its operations on publishing and distribution in North America, completing its withdrawal from the production business.”

According to the release, Atari’s operations going forward “will involve title acquisition, sales and marketing, and physical distribution of products from [Infogrames] IESA, its 51% shareholder, and other selected partners.”

Atari has agreed in principle to terminate its Production Services Agreement with IESA in the near future. The company is planning to transfer certain employees and contract other staff on a project basis for a limited period of time. Unfortunately for Atari’s employees, this restructuring initiative will also reduce the company’s current workforce “in order to re-align the Company’s cost structure with its on-going business base.”

Along with the withdrawal from production, Atari CEO David Pierce has also announced his resignation. Curtis G. Solsvig III, Chief Restructuring Officer, has been appointed interim CEO and will assume Pierce’s responsibilities for now. Atari said that an executive search for a new CEO has already been started.

Alone in the Dark Coming to Wii and PS2

Atari announces today some good news for Wii and PS2 users. Their upcoming version of the Alone in the Dark game will have Wii and PS2 versions. Developer Hydravision will port the game to those platforms while Eden Studios will continue work on the previously announced PS3, Xbox 360 and PC versions.

Developed by Hydravision, Alone in the Dark for Wii and PS2 follows the same story as the PS3, Xbox 360 and PC version, where over the course of one apocalyptic night, hero Edward Carnby must uncover the earth-shattering secret hidden in New York’s iconic Central Park.

“Realizing the enormous ambition of Alone in the Dark is a huge technological challenge,” said Hudson Piehl, Vice President of Production, Atari, Inc. “Hydravision has risen to the occasion to ensure Wii and PlayStation 2 owners will be impressed by the gripping gameplay experience.”

The game still does not have a release date.

Assassin’s Creed Launch Trailer

The Assassin’s Creed launch trailer is now available for download, if you didn’t already know the PS3 and Xbox 360 version of the game will be available this week.

Championship Gaming Series World Finals

The details on the world finals for the first season of the Championship Gaming Series, sponsored by DirecTV have been announced today. The finals will take place Dec. 6-14 at the Sony Studios in Los Angeles with 12 teams battling for a total of $1 million with $500,000 of that money going to the world champion team. Counter-Strike Source, FIFA 07, Dead or Alive 4 and Project Gotham Racing 3 are the tournament’s official games. In addition a World of Warcraft: Burning Crusade 2v2 tournament will also be held for a top prize of $30,000.

CGS World Final prize distribution is as follows:

TEAM WORLD FINAL
1st Place $500,000
2nd Place $150,000
3rd-4th Place $70,000
5th-8th Place $30,000
9th-12th Place $15,000
MVP $25,000

INDIVIDUAL WORLD FINAL
1st Place DOA4 (men’s) $5,000
1st Place DOA4 (women’s) $5,000
1st Place PGR3 $5,000 (x2) CORRECTED
1st Place FIFA 2007 $5,000
1st Place CS:S $5,000 (x5)

WORLD OF WARCRAFT: BURNING CRUSADE ARENA 2V2 WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP
1st Place $15,000 (x2)

Grand Total Prize Purse $1,075,000

CGS WORLD FINAL EVENT SCHEDULE IS AS FOLLOWS:
December 6: CGS World Final press conference
December 6: First round day 1
December 7: First round day 2
December 8: WoW:BC 2v2 CGS Championship (Competition will be webcast on thecgs.com)
December 8: Individual World Final (Competition will be webcast on thecgs.com)
December 10: Quarterfinals day 1
December 11: Quarterfinals day 2
December 13: Semifinals
December 14: Final

The CGS official teams participating in the World Final are as follows:

Berlin Allianz
Birmingham Salvo
Carolina Core
Chicago Chimera
London Mint
Mexico City Furia
Rio Sinistro
Seoul Jinhwa
Singapore Sword
Stockholm Magnetik
Sydney Underground
Wuhan Dragon

TimeShift Xbox 360 Multiplayer Demo Details

Sierra Entertainment announced today that a multiplayer demo for TimeShift will be available via Xbox Live download available On Marketplace On November 14.

Developed by Saber Interactive and published by Sierra Entertainment, TimeShift is a first-person shooter (FPS) video game that allows players to master the flow of time, to become the ultimate weapon in war-torn environments. Armed with the experimental time-manipulating Beta Suit and a huge arsenal of weaponry and vehicles, players have the ability to slow, stop and reverse the flow of time, allowing them to control several aspects of each battle sequence. Intuitive time controls give the player the ultimate advantage in avoiding attacks, correcting mistakes and outsmarting the enemy.

With a comprehensive online 16-player multiplayer mode, featuring time grenades, 14 different maps and over 40 different features, TimeShift gears itself to the players’ unique style of gameplay by allowing matches to be completely customizable. Players can battle it out in a tight, well-balanced multiplayer experience that implements several aspects of the time-manipulating gameplay element found in the single-player campaign.

The Simpsons Game Achievements and Unlock Codes

How about a list of xobx 360 The Simpsons Game achievements and unlock codes?

Unlock costumes and trophies: (Cheat codes)

Enter the code while at the main menu. Costumes can be used and trophies viewed during the current gameplay session only.

• Unlock all Bart’s costumes and trophies - Dpad Right, Dpad left, X, X, Y, Right thumb stick (push in)
• Unlock all Lisa’s costumes and trophies - X,Y,X,X,Y,left thumb stick (push in)
• Unlock all Marge’s costumes and trophies - Y X Y Y X Right thumb stick (push in)

Achievements:

• A Passive Fish (15) - Finish The Day of the Dolphin
• Back to the Futurama (5) - Win time challenge for Five Characters in Search of an Author
• Burger Victory (10) - Finish Around the World in 80 Bites
• Burns Baby Burns (10) - Finish Lisa the Tree Hugger
• Challenger (50) - Win every time challenge
• Chocolate Heaven (5) - Win time challenge for The Land of Chocolate
• Chocolate Victory (10) - Finish The Land of Chocolate
• Cloud Nine (100) - Finish Game Over
• Clown Around (5) - Win time challenge for Shadow of the Colossal Donut
• Complete Package (150) - Finish every episode, find every collectible, and discover every Video Game Cliché Moment
• Doggie Dazed (25) - Finish Grand Theft Scratchy
• Doll Crazy (50) - Find all of Lisa’s Malibu Stacy Seals
• Dragon Slayer (25) - Finish NeverQuest
• Dufftacular Finish (50) - Find all of Homer’s Duff Bottle Caps
• Engine Fun (5) - Win time challenge for Enter the Cheatrix
• Fast Times (50) - Beat every episode target time
• Fight the Power (10) - Finish Mob Rules
• Goes to 11 (30) - Find all of the collectibles in Springfield
• Hairs to You (50) - Find all of Marge’s Try-n-Save Coupons
• Heavenly Joy (5) - Win time challenge for Game Over
• Heavenly Score (20) - Get a perfect score on the final Boss battle
• Heist Hijinx (10) - Finish Bartman Begins
• Hot Coffee (5) - Win time challenge for Grand Theft Scratchy
• Maki Roll Mania (5) - Win time challenge for Big Super Happy Fun Fun Game
• Mall Rising (5) - Win time challenge for Invasion of the Yokel-Snatchers
• Mmm Donut (15) - Finish Shadow of the Colossal Donut
• My Precious (5) - Win time challenge for NeverQuest
• Nice Cans! (5) - Win time challenge for The Day of the Dolphin
• On the Matt (40) - Finish Five Characters in Search of an Author
• Poster Paster (50) - Find all of Bart’s Krusty Kollectible Koupons
• Power Up! (15) - Finish Enter the Cheatrix
• Press START to Play (5) - Easiest achievement…ever  
• Pwnd (0) - Dude, need help? You’ve died, like, 10 times…
• Save the Simpsons (15) - Finish Bargain Bin
• Shooters Rejoice (5) - Win time challenge for Medal of Homer
• Sim Sandwich (5) - Win time challenge for Bargain Bin

Mass Effect best game ever?

That’s a basically what The Official Xbox Magazine is saying, according to a scan of the holiday issue at N4G.com. Before giving the game a perfect 10, the reviwer, Paul Curthoys, said:

Still, that’s what’s remarkable about Mass Effect. If you separated the gameplay from the story, you could crap on the gameplay for a handful of different things. But in this game, story and gameplay are relentlessly intertwined, and the impact of that is so powerful that any irritation you feel is washed clean away.

More after the jump.

Full Story »

Mass Effect street date broken

Kotaku is reporting they’re receiving emails from readers who have been able to snag their copy of Mass Effect already. The offending (or godsent, depending on your point of view) party this time is Kmart, so if you hustle it’s possible you could get there in time to grab a copy for yourself.

Reports of broken street dates have become incredibly common in recent months. Halo 3, Bioshock, and even Super Mario Galaxy have reportedly had their street dates broken. I’m curious, though, as to whether this is a new phenomenon or if the interwebs is just getting better at reporting/ showing off the information. If developers and publishers have a problem with broken street dates, why wouldn’t they just make sure the game gets to the vendor on the released date, no sooner, no later? Do they just expect a certain number of broken street dates? Could they purposefully be allowing the street date to be broken to drum up pre-release excitement (like Mass Effect or Super Mario Galaxy need it)?

Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’m going to figure where the local Kmart is.