Look, we totally get it. Video games are evil -- they're turning your kid into some kind of arsonist or blood-obsessed psycho killer or -- in the case of one Boston area mom -- a rebellious little rabble-rouser. A frustrated mother called police about her son's overzealous gaming this past weekend, complaining the kid wouldn't shut off his console and go to bed.

The call came in on 2:30 a.m. Saturday, when the mother complained her son was walking about the house, turning on all of the lights and failing to comply with her wishes. Two officers responded to the call and were able to diffuse the situation.

The Boston Herald -- the outlet which broke the news -- said the kid was apparently playing "Grand Theft Auto."

Square Enix went for a Star Trek vibe with the latest English trailer for Star Ocean: The Last Hope International. If Star Trek was made in Japan and starred a bunch of angsty, futuristic, computer-generated teenagers instead of B-movie actors, and if it was a video game, it would probably look a lot like this. At least the part of the trailer before the sword fights and the demonstrations of language options.

However, while Star Trek benefited from a vocal fan base that saved the original show from cancellation, people who have put time into Star Ocean: The Last Hope are more likely to warn than evangelize.

The second wave of DLC has finally deployed for Codies' Operation Flashpoint: Dragon Rising on Xbox Live Marketplace, and where the first pack focused on more team-based content, this new DLC addition, dubbed "Overwatch," is -- uh, actually, it's more multiplayer stuff. It's kinda this game's thing, you know?

Overwatch adds two new multiplayer modes: Blindside and Supremacy. In the former, PLA players are tasked with accomplishing goals as quickly as possible, while the USMC players are charged with preventing the PLA team from achieving said goals. Supremacy pits players in a race to capture strategic checkpoints featuring "multipliers," including gun emplacements and air strikes.

And, just like the Skirmish DLC before it, Overwatch also packs two new Fire Team Engagement missions to play though: Friendly Skies and Hostile Takeover. You can get the new DLC on Xbox 360 today for 400 ($5) -- PS3 players ($4.99) and PC gamers (free download) will have access "soon."

Did you miss the first release of Holy Invasion of Privay, Badman!? Don't worry if you did, because it appears NIS America is readying a spectacular bonus for the upcoming sequel. According to an Amazon.com listing, the "complete original game [is] included for free." Yep, it's two games for the price of one, and who doesn't like a promo like that?

It's unclear if this bonus will apply only to the UMD version of the game, or if the PSN version will also benefit. Considering how often PSP Go owners have been screwed, we wouldn't be surprised if the digital release arrived late with no discount and no prequel bonus.

[Via Siliconera]

If you haven't yet played Spider: The Secret of Bryce Manor, you're missing out on one of the most enjoyable and highest rated iPhone games of 2009. The good news is that now is the perfect time to get stuck in its web of delight. The game's developer, Tiger Style, has just released a free Director's Cut update for the game that adds 10 new levels, 24 new achievements, new music and a level select feature.

If you're unconvinced by our word alone (scandal!) check out Spider: Hornet Smash, a just-released freebie that focuses on Spider's hornet tackling maneuver. The free game provides a good introduction to the mechanics of Spider, so you can see if the main game's worth your gaming dollar. Spoiler alert: It is.

Spider: The Secret of Bryce Manor ($2.99):
Spider: Hornet Smash (Free):

Take-Two announced the sale of Jack of All Games to software distribution mega-company Synnex. Jack of All Games, acquired by Take-Two in 1998, distributes games published by Take-Two (and its various brands) to retail. The sale is expected to be completed sometime in the first quarter of 2010, and will cost Synnex "$43.25 million, including $36.50 million in cash and up to an additional $6.75 million based on the achievement of certain items."

In the announcement, Take-Two CEO Ben Feder indicated that the company will continue to work with Jack of All Games after the sale. Though at first this move would seem to be aimed at bringing money in during a period of disappointing performance, the company also reduced its forecasted first-quarter revenues, since it can no longer count money being brought in by Jack of All Games.

It's okay if you need to read that headline again. It's pretty confusing. Here's the gist of it: Microsoft filed a patent in June of 2008 for the automatic generation of an Avatar based on a user's physical health. The patent application, discovered by 1UP, specifically details an "avatar generator" that "reflects a physical characteristic of the user." Physical data about the user would be used to "reflect a degree of health of the real person." In turn, this could be linked to "rewards of capabilities of a gaming avatar, an amount of time budgeted to play, or a visible indication." In other words, the patent is all about "injecting a degree of reality" into Avatar appearances, thus encouraging users to exercise and maintain a more active lifestyle.

Beyond this, the filing also explains that the generator could be used to reflect all kinds of data about a person, including religious beliefs, politics, hobbies, and even intelligence. Such information could help users connect with like-minded individuals. The patent application even notes that the generator could take "hidden physical characteristics such as allergies, chronic conditions, etc" into account, thus helping users find other players with similar conditions that might "understand someone with a like condition."

Continued →

'Tis the season for crazy sales on iPhone games from major publishers. Namco Games has joined EA and Konami with a temporary price drop on a wide selection of touchscreen titles, including the new Pac-Man Championship Edition. While the price of all the DLC hasn't dropped, it's cheaper to try the game now, with a starting price of just .99. Strangely, regular Pac-Man dropped not to .99, but to $2.99.

Another big Namco game, Ace Combat Xi, is available for its limited-time launch price of $4.99 once again, down from $7.99. See the list after the break, and just try not to freak out at the prospect of Mr. Driller for a dollar.

[Via App Advice]

Continued →

News of yet another SOCOM delay should be unsurprising to those who have been following the franchise since Slant Six took the reigns from Zipper Interactive. Fans have only recently received the long-awaited SOCOM Confrontation 1.60 patch, one that fixed crucial game-crashing bugs; after months of suffering through bugs and game balance issues, Joystiq commenter Solace went so far as to call Confrontation a "glorified beta."

For reasons not yet revealed by SCEA, the upcoming PSP installment, Fireteam Bravo 3, has been pushed back from its already-delayed January 12 release date. Considering Sony's admitted failure at marketing the upcoming tactical shooter, a later date will certainly give the publisher more time to prepare the title for retail. A new release date will be announced "in the coming weeks," according to an SCEA rep, but we wonder if SOCOM fans will have any patience left when that day comes.

Valve's just served up a fresh update for Left 4 Dead 2 that aims to give our fellow survivors a gnawed-off leg up on the zombie horde. Most of the fixes deal with backend issues, streamlining the lobby system, and making official dedicated servers preferred when searching for team matches. The game now also has Russian subtitles for our comrades defending the Red Square (which, of course, is really a Burger Tank in the deep south). Remember: communication is paramount to winning the war against the undead.

Head past the break for the full patch notes.

Continued →

Speaking to Gamasutra, Blizzard's J. Allen Brack said the company will "definitely" return to console game development ... "at some point." Brack dismissed criticism that Blizzard is "anti-console," assuring that the developer simply wants to make "the right game for the right platform." He elaborated that StarCraft II will be "a better game" on PC than it would on consoles -- something StarCraft 64 players can probably attest to.

Still, Brack noted that Blizzard is "a company of gamers." "We will definitely work on a console game at some point. I have no doubt about that." This is a statement we've heard from Blizzard before, previously from COO Paul Sams and specifically in regard to Diablo III. Of all the known games coming down the pipe from the studio, Diablo III certainly seems to fit the console mold the closest.

Then again, StarCraft: Ghost was never officially canceled, right? Right?!

[Via The Escapist]

EGM Media this morning announced the distribution of its upcoming magazine via an "agreement" with Time/Warner Retail Sales and Marketing (former EGM/Ziff Davis Media distributor), alongside intentions to release its first issue with an April cover. Though no specific date was given other than "March 2010" for the newsstand re-launch of Electronic Gaming Monthly, the press release detailed the "weekly interactive version of the magazine," named "EGMi: The Digital Magazine" (rolls right off the tongue!).

Accessed by a "special code" included with each issue, the digital extension of the magazine will be made up of "exclusive article extensions and original content." Also of note, game previews and reviews will make up at least part of the premiere issue, with notorious rumor-monger Quartermann, ex-EIC Dan "Shoe" Hsu (as previously announced), and prankster Sean "Seanbaby" Reiley all contributing content as well. Publisher and prez of EGM Media, Steve Harris, claimed the digital content "is complementary to the print magazine" and gives editors "a way to communicate with our readers and update the print product in an ongoing manner." We'll see how his claims play out when the magazine arrives this March.

As the final shopping days before Christmas begin to fly by, digital gift givers will have one more potential gift from Xbox Live Arcade. That gift is 0 Day Attack on Earth (at least it is according to Square Enix). Quick description: It's a twin-stick shooter that uses real-world satellite imagery for its environments (we suppose that's the "earth" part). For a slightly longer description, you can check out our hands-on with the game at the Tokyo Game Show earlier this year. We don't want to spoil it for you, but we walked away less than impressed.

We'll update this post as soon as Microsoft confirms this week's XBLA title and price.

Exciting news for those of you who were unable to get into the MAG beta via Sony employee status, email invitation, Qore subscription, GameStop pre-order, Europe-only signup, or Joystiq contest! Now Sony has announced a MAG beta for everyone -- including the people who, somehow, didn't get into it already!

The new beta file will be available for download on PSN starting January 4. Existing beta members will be able to update their files now to prepare for the upcoming trial -- which means that you shouldn't delete your MAG data yet! The beta is short-lived, lasting only until January 10, so be sure to get your fill of 64-player "Sabotage" and 256-player "Domination." Or, at least, be sure to play enough to tide you over for sixteen days.

Heavy Iron Studios will allegedly let go of 60-70 of its over 100 employees. Kotaku was informed by sources that the layoffs will occur at the former THQ subsidiary this week. The company previously handled much of THQ's movie tie-in titles.

Attempts to confirm the layoffs with the studio have been met by ominous e-mail bounce-backs -- not to mention, our complete inability to navigate the company's labyrinthine phone system.