Today in Joystiq: April 7, 2008

We wanted to send some comfort and well wishes to Go Nintendo founder Kevin Cassidy, whose dog Buddy the Podcast Dog passed away this week. Many of the Joystiq staff can swear without a doubt that they are closer to their pets than other humans. Speaking personally, I went through almost exactly the same scenario, with the same story, about nine months ago. Take care Kevin, and be glad you gave him such a great life. Check out the highlights for today:

Joystiquery
THQ Gamers' Day 2008
The Political Game: Welcome to the Slippery Slope

News
New games this week: Portal edition
Eidos shoots the food, confirms Gauntlet for DS
Mega64 takes a (Rainbow Six) Vegas (2) Vacation
Treasure website: Ikaruga hits Xbox Live this week
Bases Loaded with Yoshi's Cookie on Virtual Console
Castaway Entertainment shipwrecked, suspends operations
Hudson expects explosive growth from Wii
Unreal Tournament 3 still alive for Xbox 360
Arizona bill would hold content creators liable
Stardock publishing Demigod, praying for domination Feb. '09
Eidos 'needs to be more ruthless,' says SCi CEO
This Wednesday: XBLA gets Ikaruga, Poker Smash DLC
First screens of 'The Incredible Hulk' on Wii
Ken Levine's favorite games of all time
Take a video tour of the Call of Duty 4 Variety Map Pack
SCEE severing several servers for online PS2, PSP games
Atlus bringing Trauma Center 2 for DS stateside before Japan

Rumors & Speculation
Rumor: Full Auto dev Pseudo Interactive closes doors
Rumor: Amazon reveals Metal Gear Solid 4 US, Europe box art
Rumor: Microsoft making motion-sensing Xbox 360 'Wiimote'
Analyst: NPD will show March was a winner for software sales
Rumor: Nintendo Wii Wheel MSRP may be $10
Rumor: Swedish retailer reveals GTA IV PS3 bundle

Culture & Community
Mass Effect, Too Human devs justify their trilogies
Sonic boom: Man uses hedgehog as a weapon