Filed under: Computer, On the web, Strategy, Casual

The official Scrabble Facebook application has recently launched, but don’t expect the Scrabulous boys to be shaking in their word-savvy boots anytime soon. Copyright issues prevent the game from being played in the US and Canada, and numerous game-breaking bugs make it only slightly more playable everywhere else.

The region-locking is due to the confusing say of Scrabble’s international copyright. In the majority of the world, toy manufacturer Mattel owns the rights to the game, but in North America, that honor goes to Hasbro. Everything would be honky dory with the Facebook version, except that EA already has an agreement with Hasbro to distribute digital versions of their titles, which the RealNetworks-developed Facebook app would be in breach of if Scrabble were playable in North America.

Fortunately, North Americans apparently aren’t missing much: the game is currently suffering from the “beta blues”, with its woefully-small user base already up in arms on the discussion boards over some usability issues, as well as the system’s penchant for deleting in-progress games. Nothing beats the real thing, right?

[Via Purple Pawn]

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Filed under: News, Peripherals

Even though HD DVD died a slow and painful death, Microsoft is still showing current Xbox 360 HD DVD player owners ongoing love with the release of today’s auto update. Once connected to Xbox Live with a HD DVD player firmly integrated into your 360, you’ll be prompted to download a new update that’s stated to help with compatibility issues with some titles and will add additional support for network features. Although this update won’t resurrect Toshiba’s commitment to HD DVD, it should make your HD motion picture experience a tad bit more enjoyable.

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Via Xbox360fanboy

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Filed under: News

We’re a little late on this news (we blame Call of Duty 4, wholeheartedly), but cover it we have to for it concerns what may be the biggest release of 2008. Yes, Grand Theft Auto IV. Michael Pachter of Wedbush Morgan has a somewhat worrisome prediction regarding EA’s courtship of Take Two. In a recent episode of Bonus Round, Pach-Attack noted, “I think if EA takes over Take-Two, they have an economic incentive to delay [Grand Theft Auto IV].” The reason for this, naturally, would be to debut GTAIV during the much more lucrative holiday season at the end of the year (as was the original plan for 2007). Pachter says that Take Two can’t afford to delay the game on their own because they “need the money.”

So there you go. If you didn’t have a vested interest in the EA / Take Two saga, you do now (assuming you want some sweet, sweet GTAIV anyway). Let’s look on the bright side though. If EA does purchase Take Two, that means the Iron Man movie still has a fighting chance, right? In the meantime, GTAIV is still scheduled to release at the end of this month.

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Via Xbox360fanboy

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Filed under: News

Sierra just sent word that they’ve launched the official Prototype website and hidden among all the flashy flash are new screenshots, videos and prequel bits for you to enjoy. But if you’re interested in seeing the exclusive media, you’ll have to work for it, because it’s locked within the DNA. The DNA menu is a puzzle of sorts where you’ve to correctly switch DNA pairs to discover special media. For some, it may end up being a tiny too much work to handle, but for others, any new Prototype media or information is worth the effort. Heck, you might even discover that the game’s multiplayer and co-op has been re-integrated. Don’t hold your breath though.

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Via Xbox360fanboy

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Filed under: News

The crew over at 1UP just posted a handful of Halo 3 Legendary Map Pack screenshots, some being old, but quite a few of them are brand new screens that we haven’t seen. And after paging through all the Legendary Map Pack screenshot goodness, admiring Ghost Town’s detailed textures (that map looks amazing) and examining Blackout’s Lockout inspiration we’ve come to one final conclusion. We’re uncontrollably excited to get our hands on these maps. Even if they’re going to cost us 800 Microsoft points. Just look at the crate of barrels and try to tell yourself that you aren’t amazed or excited. Personally, bundled up blue barrels get us each time.

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Via Xbox360fanboy

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Filed under: News, Xbox Live Arcade

As part of our blogging duties to the X3F community, we must inform you of some sad developer news. Ex-Blizzard founded developer Castaway Entertainment has run into a heaping pile of financial troubles due to a few projects falling through and, of course, the company has run out of cashola. So, they have been forced to close down operations. Sad …

You now may be asking yourself why we’re reporting on Castaway going the way of dial-up world wide web and that answer is quite simple. They created the despicably-disgustingly-dreary Xbox Live Arcade game Yaris. Yes, that Yaris. So, maybe we shouldn’t feel bad for Castaway or shed any tears, because they were a part of our XBLA torture. Chalk their bad luck up to karma being a bi**h. Ouch, maybe that’s a bit harsh. At the time Castaway probably needed any money they could scrounge up and Yaris was waiting to be developed. Nah, they deserve it. Yaris is the scum of the Earth and we’ve no compassion for any company involved in its creation. We’re somewhat bitter, can you tell?

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Via Xbox360fanboy

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It’s no secret — Grand Theft Auto IV has multiplayer modes. Surprise!

There at least 15 of them actually, and the integration is seamless with the single-player experience, in a way that’s not unlike what Criterion Games pulled off with Burnout Paradise. Accessible any time, players can create, join, or search for multiplayer games by pulling out the single-player central character Niko Bellic’s cell phone with the touch of the d-pad.

Rockstar isn’t ready to reveal all of the mutiplayer modes, but they did give us a opportunity to go hands-on with four of the 15 plus that’ll ship with the game which hits shelves on April 29. Check after the jump for the first information on and screens of GTA IV’s multiplayer, including detailed information on “Team Deathmatch,” “GTA Race,” “Cops N’ Crooks,” and the cooperative scenario, “Hangman’s NOOSE.”

[Quick update/correction: This article originally stated that there would be 15 multiplayer modes. Rockstar was quick to correct me upon seeing the article — there will be more than 15 modes when the game ships. Sorry for any confusion, and might I say “more than 15 modes” sounds pretty sweet, eh?]

Via Destructoid

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Sure, Darth Vader has been a playable character in games prior to Star Wars: The Force Unleashed. Let’s not forget that PS3 owners will have the chance to control him even before The Force Unleashed is released, by picking up Soul Calibur IV this Summer.

But, when was the last time you got to massacre Wookiees with the Sith Lord himself by using his plethora of Force powers? Though it might only be for the first level of the game, you’ll be able to do just that come this September.

Every new screen, trailer, and bit of info surrounding The Force Unleashed has me salivating over the game. I’m already sold on the concept, so please, LucasArts, keep the content coming!

Via Destructoid

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As Dale pointed out the other day, the PlayStation Store is about to get a much-needed facelift in mid-April. Yesterday, Sony gave us a virtual courtesy call via the PlayStation Blog, as a gentle reminder that no new updates were slated for this week. The newer look seems cleaner, and might even be easier to navigate. So far, there only seems to be one thing missing: a search function. You’ll still be able to browse all the titles in alphabetical order, but we’re still holding out hope that Sony includes something a bit quicker in a future update.

The good news is that they’re still open and ready to take your money, and that Warhawk is still very much going for an attractive discounted rate of $29.99 (for those late to the party). Sony is promising a walkthrough video, so you can see the store in action, but you’ll have to wait until next week. Since we can’t deliver that to you just yet, you’ll have to make do with a couple of screenshots instead. Looking good?

Via Destructoid

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Filed under: News

Is making Darth Vader a playable character even a bonus anymore? Regardless, we’re sure Star Wars fanboys out there will be happy to know that Darth Vader is indeed playable in Star Wars: The Force Unleashed. Darth is playable in the first level of the game, in which he travels to Kashyyyk and locates the boy that will become his secret apprentice. For those of you keeping score, stated secret apprentice is the actual star of the game. Darth Vader comes complete with the Force powers you’d expect, most notably Force choke, which he uses to … um … choke people. Check out the video above for the first gameplay footage of the Sith Lord in action.

[Via Joystiq]

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Via Xbox360fanboy

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