Filed under: News

Taking a page out of the Call of Duty 4 manual of how to successfully launch a video game, Activision wants you to select the cover art of the upcoming Spider-Man: Web of Shadows game. There are only two options to select from and, as you can see above, the designs are similar but different in their own right. Currently, the design featuring Spider-Man with crossed “X” arms is in the lead, but we like the other design superior. We don’t know why we care, but we don’t want that stupid crossed arms cover to win. So, even if you don’t care about the game or the cover (sorta like us), still vote on the other design. Crossed arms are so lame, holding a city in the palm of your hand … now that’s l33t.

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Via Xbox360fanboy

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Filed under: News, Videos

Although Saints Row 2 and GTAIV are very different, Saints Row 2 isn’t absolutely forgoing some sort of fleshed out storyline. Per the latest Saints Row teaser trailer, we’re treated to a taste of what sort of story Saints Row 2 will follow, a glimpse at the characters involved and (of course) some in-game footage. It’s a pretty interesting trailer at that. What’s our favorite one liner you ask? “You definitely need a stripper pole in this b*tch” … now that’s classic Saints Row.

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Via Xbox360fanboy

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Filed under: News

Refuting rumor claims that Microsoft will be opening up Xbox 360 hardware development to third celebration manufacturers, analyst Michael Pachter of Wedbush Morgan Securities says such a move would make the devices too costly to manufacture.

“To add 360 functionality to another consumer electronics device, such as a Blu-ray player, the manufacturer would incur relatively significant additional cost” Pachter told GamesIndustry.biz, adding that the additional cost would put the “hybrid device at a disadvantage.” Though, Pachter did say there would be an advantage to adding 360 hardware to devices in under-performing markets (cough, Japan, cough) allowing the 360 hardware to penetrate those markets more easily. But that’d only a benefit to Microsoft. Interesting points Pachter brings up, points that we’ll keep in mind come E3.

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Via Xbox360fanboy

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Filed under: News, Xbox Live Marketplace

Continuing their downloadable content release frenzy, Guitar Hero III will be releasing another free download this Thursday, July 3rd, just in time to celebrate the Fourth of July.

This Thursday, available as free download off the Xbox Live Marketplace will be the “Top Gun Anthem” as GHIII downloadable content. An iconic 1980’s anthem that single handily changed the world. No really, it changed the world! Though, we’ll be the first to admit it is a bit repetitive and long, but we can’t help but be uber excited to celebrate our Fourth of July festivities with a tribute to our Tom Cruise Maverick. Fly on Maverick, fly on!

Continue reading GHIII’s July 4th surpise: Free ‘Top Gun’ DLC!

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Via Xbox360fanboy

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Filed under: PC, First Person Shooters, On the internet

First the Medic, then Pyro, and now Mr. Heavy. Valve has announced that the Heavy class is next in line for Team Fortress 2 class updates (i.e. new weapons and achievements). Additionally, Valve stated they’ll “open up the process a little” in talking about how the update is designed. The goal of the update is to “make the Heavy more viable when he has no Medic to pair with” but in a manner that does not significantly change the Heavy’s role in the game. We’re interested to see how those ideas and constratins translate to new firepower.

[Thanks, Andrew R!]

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Filed under: Culture, On the internet, Polls

For the Rush reference and a Seussical interpretation of Guitar Hero V’s drum set, we handily hand Hijinks Ensue this week’s webcomic wrapup award.

Second and third place go to Penny Arcade and 2P Begin, respectively. Thanks to everyone who voted, and be sure to let us know of any game-related webcomics you stumble upon this week!

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Filed under: Online, Meta (about Joystiq), MMO

Where can the world’s biggest World of Warcraft fans go to speak with Blizzard devs, hear news about upcoming games, and dress up like Murlocs? Paris’ Worldwide Invitational 2008, of course — that’s where WoW Insider was last weekend, and we’ve got a ton of news about everything WoW from the event, including Death Knight exclusives, new talents for Wrath of the Lich King, and coverage of all the panels and ceremonies. If you’ve ever played World of Warcraft, now’s the time to go check WoW Insider — odds are there’s something new that’ll remind you why you liked the game in the first place.

News

• Worldwide Invitational Paris: The roundup
  Everything we posted from and about Blizzard’s Worldwide Invitational event in Paris this last weekend. If you weren’t there, read this, and you’ll feel like you were (and it’s a lot cheaper than a plane ticket).
• Hands on with WWI ‘08 Death Knight demo
  We actually play, for the first time, the first new class implemented in the game since launch.
• WWI ‘08 Costume Contest gallery
  Let’s face it, the real reason you go to these nerdy events is to see the wacky cosplayers. Here they’re.
• Blizzard unveils Diablo 3
  What were you doing last Saturday morning at 4:30am? Sleeping? We were compiling information on Blizzard’s newest game.
• Blizzard’s splash screen changes for June 27th
  Of course now, we know it was all for Diablo 3, but last week, we were still guessing our hearts out as to what the splash screen ice meant.

Features

• Arena Season 4: Brutal Gladiator
  Season 4 started last week, and we’ve got the most definitive guide on the World wide web for what to spend your Honor on.
• Midsummer Fire Festival quest guides
  All the news coming out of Paris might have distracted you, but we didn’t forget: the Midsummer Fire Festival is live on the realms.
• The Care and Feeding of Warriors: Titan’s Grip!
  Yes, Warriors can do in Wrath what we never though possible: wield a two-hander in one hand.
• Blizzard Authenticator introduced at the Worldwide Invitational
  Blizzard is selling a physical key, to make sure the only person who signs into your account is you.
• Two talent trees for the price of one?
  We dip into one of the most underrated pieces of news coming out of WWI: could Blizzard be making it easier for players to respec?

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Those of you disappointed in the less-than-stellar performance of Insecticide on the DS, but not inspired enough to put forth the momentous effort required to pick it up for the PC, take heart! Gamecock has announced an agreement with Valve Studios allowing them to launch their titles on Steam starting today.

The first titles available on Steam are Stronghold Crusader Extreme, a title picked up by Gamecock from Firefly Studios, and Insecticide Part One. So if a noir-themed insect shooter isn’t quite your bag, you can find solace in the decimation of the Middle East and its inhabitants via Stronghold Crusader Extreme. Isn’t cultural exchange fun?

Part two of Insecticide, Legendary, and Velvet Assassin will be available on Steam later this year. While I’m hesitant to spend more money on Insecticide, there’s just something about bug noir I really can’t resist, especially sans hard copy. Hit the jump for the full release.

Via Destructoid

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Poor Star Trek Online. It got chucked by Perpetual Entertainment back in January, a full eleven months after we were shown a slew of fantastic concept art at GDC 2007. Even after the rumor surfaced that Cryptic Studios had picked up the title, it was hard to guess if the massive project would ever see the light of day again.

CVG spotted a countdown on the Cryptic Studios website that seems to be aiming for July 27th and has a piece of the Star Trek On the web concept art as its backdrop. Could the game be unveiled next month? I certainly hope so, as it’s definitely a universe I am a fan of and would love to play a game within.

Have you been holding out any hope for this one, or is it just another time-gobbling MMO to you?

[Thanks, Jonathan]

Via Destructoid

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Oh, you crazy kids and your clicky-clicky loot games. In the wake of Diablo III’s official announcement, it seems that fans of picking up crap that a skeleton dropped simply can’t wait for the PC roleplayer to arrive, and are filling in time with the Diablo Battle Chest.

Diablo Battle Chest collects the original Diablo, Diablo II and Diablo II: Lord of Destruction along with two hint guides in one handy box, providing fans of the Blizzard series with everything they need to catch up. It currently rests atop the mountain as Amazon’s top-selling Personal computer game, but you better hurry if you want one — at present, there are but three left in stock. Oh noes!

I’m guessing this Diablo stuff is a big deal, right?

[Cheers, Zulu]

Via Destructoid

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