Joystiq

BioShock Infinite pre-orders in EU, AU, NZ can get Steelbook case

Mike Schramm — Thu, 14 Feb 2013 18:00:00 EST

GameStop, EB Games and Micromania locations in Europe, Australia, and New Zeland will have a special, exclusive preorder item for the upcoming Bioshock Infinite. Players who pre-order the game at the specified retail chains in those regions will be rewarded with a special "Fink Manufacturing SteelBook case," emblazoned with the Fink Manufacturing logo.

In America, GameStop already offers the "Industrial Revolution" pack with a preorder, as well as a special in-game weapon. But it looks like the SteelBook case is just for GameStop International customers. Bioshock Infinite is due on March 26.

BioShock Infinite pre-orders in EU, AU, NZ can get Steelbook case originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 14 Feb 2013 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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A few more Gears of War: Judgment pre-order perks

Jessica Conditt — Wed, 09 Jan 2013 20:30:00 EST

Gears of War: Judgment has a slew of retailer-specific pre-order bonuses for players around the world, covering the US, UK, Canada, Australia and the Netherlands. In the US, those who order from the Microsoft Store get the Classic Hammerburst weapon and Gears of War comic heroine Alex Brand as a playable character. In the UK, order from Shop To and get the same goodies.

Order from EB Games in Canada to grab the Hammerburst, Alex Brand skin and the "Young Marcus" skin, which allows players to be Marcus Fenix as he appeared six weeks after the end of the Pendulum Wars. Australians can pre-order the Special Edition from EB Games to get the game, a steelbook case and the Alex Brand and Anya Stroud skin unlocks. Players in the Netherlands who order from Game Mania get the Hammerburst, Alex Brand and Young Marcus skins.

As noted previously, pre-orders from Amazon get the Hammerburst and the "Young Dom" multiplayer skin.

A few more Gears of War: Judgment pre-order perks originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 09 Jan 2013 20:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Crysis 3 pre-order perks go Predator with bow, arrow, suit, more

Jessica Conditt — Thu, 08 Nov 2012 16:00:00 EST

Pre-orders of Crysis 3 get upgraded to the Hunter Edition, which includes the following multiplayer perks: Predator Bow, Recon Arrow, Hunter Nanosuit Module, a level 5 XP headstart and three exclusive dog tags. This is on top of the free digital copy of the original Crysis already announced.

The Predator Bow allows firing while cloaked and the Recon Arrow is a long-distance projectile with "advanced optical recognition," which sounds like something we heard during our last eye exam. The Hunter Nanosuit Module removes all suit sounds while moving and muffles footsteps, like an invisibility cloak for the ears.

Of course, Crysis 3 pre-orders get a free download of Crysis for Origin, Xbox Live or PSN, according to pre-order platform.

Crysis 3 pre-order perks go Predator with bow, arrow, suit, more originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 08 Nov 2012 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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DmC pre-order bonuses slap some new paint on Dante's weapons

Jessica Conditt — Mon, 08 Oct 2012 22:00:00 EST

DmC Pre-order bonuses for Gamestop, Canada's EB Games, Best Buy and Amazon all "transform Dante's Shotgun, Scythe and Axe" into various re-skinned versions of themselves, Capcom announced today.

Gamestop and EB Games get the Samurai Pack and three free upgrade points, while Best Buy gets the Golden Pack and access to the "Item Finder" (Guess what that one does?), and Amazon gets the Bone Pack and Orb Harvester, the latter of which allows faster weapon and combo perk enhancements. Personally, we think the Bone skin looks the coolest in trailer form, perhaps because it stands out the best in 720p. Check out the perks for yourself in the videos above and below.

Continue reading DmC pre-order bonuses slap some new paint on Dante's weapons

DmC pre-order bonuses slap some new paint on Dante's weapons originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 08 Oct 2012 22:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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MechWarrior Online Founder's Program includes speedy Jenner mech

Mike Suszek — Sat, 28 Jul 2012 13:30:00 EST

The Jenner JR7 mech, seen above, is included in the Founder's Program for MechWarrior Online. The mech features a top speed of 118 km/h, a SRM-4 for firing missiles, and four medium lasers. Piranha Games describes the machine as light on armor, so using its speed and jumpjets to stay on the move is the key to victory for its pilots.

MechWarrior Online's Founder's Program is a three-tiered program in which players receive bonus content, early beta access, and in-game currency. The Jenner JR7 is one of four mechs exclusive to the Elite and Legendary levels of the program.

MechWarrior Online Founder's Program includes speedy Jenner mech originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 28 Jul 2012 13:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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FIFA 13 GameStop pre-order perks make Messi so happy he could skip

Jessica Conditt — Thu, 28 Jun 2012 16:30:00 EST

Details for GameStop's North American FIFA 13 pre-order bonuses are in, and they look shockingly familiar. GameStop pre-orders will receive one gold pack per week for 24 weeks, each of which consists of 12 items, including players rated 75 and up, contracts, stadiums, staff and badges, along with one "rare" item.

Pre-orders will also receive a steelbook case featuring FIFA 13's cover athlete, Lionel Messi.

These offers mirror the Ultimate Edition announced for the UK, available through pre-order and on launch day, September 28 in the UK, only. The gold packs are meant to be used with FIFA's Ultimate Team, the online ecosystem that last year was subject to a flurry of hacks.

Continue reading FIFA 13 GameStop pre-order perks make Messi so happy he could skip

FIFA 13 GameStop pre-order perks make Messi so happy he could skip originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 28 Jun 2012 16:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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MechWarrior Online 'Founder's Program' bonus packages for sale

Jessica Conditt — Tue, 19 Jun 2012 23:59:00 EST

MechWarrior Online's Founder's Program offers bonus in-game content in three tiers: Veteran, Elite, and today's new addition, Legendary. Legendary runs $120 and includes early access to the closed beta starting August 7, an exclusive founder's tag, three months of a premium account, $80 worth of in-game currency, all four founder's mechs and recognition in the game's credits.

Elite costs $60 and includes early access, a founder's tag, two months of a premium account, $80 worth of in-game currency and a choice of one founder's mech. Veteran runs $30 and includes early access, the tag, one month of a premium account and $40 worth of in-game currency. The Founder's Package and closed beta is available in North America only.

All three ranks are available for purchase via the MechWarrior Online Founder's page.

Continue reading MechWarrior Online 'Founder's Program' bonus packages for sale

MechWarrior Online 'Founder's Program' bonus packages for sale originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 19 Jun 2012 23:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Halo 4 pre-order bonuses include Deadeye helmet, Web armor skins

Jessica Conditt — Fri, 25 May 2012 20:30:00 EST

If Master Chief were a superhero in the Marvel universe, he'd probably be called Space-Man and his armor would have seen dozens of disparate artistic interpretations over the years, from 1940s Americana to bloodthirsty zombie. He could have even looked like a melted candy cane, just as he does in one of the Halo 4 pre-order bonus skins revealed for EB Games, Play and Amazon today.

EB Games (Canada) has camo-style battle rifle and festive armor suit skins, Amazon gets the "Web" armor skin and Play puts Master Chief in the "Deadeye" helmet skin. GameStop also lists a pre-order bonus, the "Forest" armor skin, but hasn't yet provided an image.

Halo 4 pre-order bonuses include Deadeye helmet, Web armor skins originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 25 May 2012 20:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Lawsuit outs West and Zampella's salaries, bonuses at Infinity Ward: Projected $13M bonus in 2010

Jessica Conditt — Tue, 22 May 2012 19:55:00 EST

Former Infinity Ward studio heads Jason West and Vince Zampella had projected salaries of $420,000 in 2009, with projected bonuses of more than $3 million each, emails between Activision bosses in 2009 show.

The spreadsheet lists the expected salaries of the top 20 Infinity Ward employees in 2009 and 2010. The 18 remaining employees -- the bulk including software engineers and game designers -- had projected salaries between $71,500 and $173,000. The seven employees under West and Zampella each expected a bonus of $603,000, while staffers seeing the lowest percentage of the bonus pool (1.5 percent) had a projected $278,000.

In 2010, the year Activision fired West and Zampella, they were each expected to earn $437,000, with projected bonuses of $13 million each. The rest of the top 20's projected salaries and bonuses rose accordingly, with salaries between $74,000 and $180,000, and bonuses ranging from $1.4 million to $2.5 million.

"If you recently worked on a hit FPS, read this and see how incredibly underpaid you are," ngmoco general manager Benjamin Cousins tweeted about the documents.

The emails were released into public record in the lawsuit between the Infinity Ward Employee Group and Activision; West and Zampella sued Activision in 2010 claiming they were owed $36 million in royalties associated with Modern Warfare 2, after Activision fired them earlier that year. West and Zampella now claim $1 billion in damages and the case is set for trial May 29.

Lawsuit outs West and Zampella's salaries, bonuses at Infinity Ward: Projected $13M bonus in 2010 originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 22 May 2012 19:55:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Play as Stan Lee, Rhino in The Amazing Spider-Man pre-order perks

Jessica Conditt — Thu, 10 May 2012 01:15:00 EST

These two pre-order bonuses for The Amazing Spider-Man couldn't be more different: One has players rampage through Manhattan as Rhino, the hulking, horned villain, and the other has players run around as an old man as he tries to collect some papers he's misplaced, yapping non-stop about "kids these days" and Liza Minelli's golden era.

GameStop's pre-order bonus is The Rhino Challenge, a timed destruction event where players suit up as Rhino and break as much stuff as possible. Amazon's bonus is "Play as Stan Lee for the First Time Ever," and has players travel through Manhattan as the Marvel mastermind himself. He uses special abilities borrowed from Spider-Man to collect pages from his latest script, punctuated by "witty banter." A "special surprise" is revealed at the end of the Stan Lee mission, tied into Spider-Man's 50th anniversary this year.

Play as Stan Lee, Rhino in The Amazing Spider-Man pre-order perks originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 10 May 2012 01:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Pre-order Diablo 3 from Future Shop, get this steelbook

Jessica Conditt — Sun, 22 Apr 2012 15:00:00 EST

Diablo 3 Pre-orders from Canadian games distributor Future Shop will snag a pretty pretty steelbook for free. The steelbook features character art and the standard Diablo 3 emblem. Future Shop warns there are "limited quantities," so if steel or books are your thing, you may want to jump on this one soon.

In related news, Diablo 3 has 131 review votes on Future Shop for a score of 4.5/5, and we assume these are all based on the beta -- which is open for all this weekend -- and the box art. Unless the idea of a steelbook alone is really that cool.

[Thanks, Zack!]

Pre-order Diablo 3 from Future Shop, get this steelbook originally appeared on Joystiq on Sun, 22 Apr 2012 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Good Guy Sniper: Kills Hitler in Sniper Elite V2 pre-order bonus, doesn't die

Jessica Conditt — Tue, 28 Feb 2012 19:30:00 EST

Sniper Elite V2 doesn't ask too much out of players, just that they have a steady hand and, with a new pre-order bonus, that they kill Hitler. Pre-ordering Sniper Elite V2 before its North American ship date of May 1 gets players the Kill Hitler bonus mission and two new rifles, the SVT-40 and the Kar 98.

The story in Kill Hitler has players intercept the Fuhrer's train before it leaves for Berlin and snipe him as he scurries away on foot, with only one opportunity to actually hit Hitler and alter history. Really, this game is actually a time-paradox generator, and every time you miss sniping Hitler a world exactly like our own is created -- and you know you don't want that. If you hit him, though, you'll have never been born. Twilight Zone style.

Good Guy Sniper: Kills Hitler in Sniper Elite V2 pre-order bonus, doesn't die originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 28 Feb 2012 19:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Need for Speed: The Run's PS3-exclusive supercars revealed

JC Fletcher — Mon, 14 Nov 2011 11:00:00 EST

The PlayStation Blog unveiled the seven exclusive supercars offered in the PS3 version of Need for Speed: The Run. EA already informed us at E3 that the Bugatti Veyron would be one of the fancy cars you'd get out of and walk. The other six include the Lexus LFA, Porsche Carrera GT, Hennessey Venom GT, GUMPERT apollo s, Lamborghini Countach QV5000, and the Koenigsegg Agera R.

The exotic (i.e. weird-sounding) quality of those names underscores their rarity and outrageous expense. Be careful not to scratch the paint!

Need for Speed: The Run's PS3-exclusive supercars revealed originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 14 Nov 2011 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Yakuza's Kazuma enters the Binary Domain

JC Fletcher — Fri, 11 Nov 2011 00:00:00 EST

You'd think the team behind the awkward Yakuza: Of the End (coming here as Yakuza: Dead Souls) might want to hide its shooting pedigree in trying to market Binary Domain -- but we suppose the selling power of the charismatic Kazuma Kiryu outweighs gameplay concerns.

Fans who buy the first pressing of the Japanese version of Binary Domain will get the option to play as the Yakuza protagonist, who has somehow warped 100 years into the future to shoot robots. If you play on the government side, Kazuma will wear his flashy white suit; if you choose the resistance side, he'll don a guerrilla getup, complete with headband.

Yakuza's Kazuma enters the Binary Domain originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 11 Nov 2011 00:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Green Lantern Extended Cut Blu-Ray combo pack to include Batman: Arkham City Sinestro Corps skin [update]

Jordan Mallory — Sat, 08 Oct 2011 15:30:00 EST

Well, that's one way to boost Blu-Ray sales.

A devastatingly handsome tipster has sent us pictures of the unreleased Green Lantern Extended Cut Blu-Ray combo pack due out on October 14, and wouldn't you know it, right there on the cover is a sticker proclaiming yet another Batman: Arkham City costume.

For those unfamiliar with the Green Lantern mythos, the Sinestro Corps are a team of baddies lead by the ex-Green Lantern Corps member Sinestro (natch). The Sinestro Corps did, at one point, attempt to recruit Batman into their ranks, so we suppose this Sinestro Corps skin isn't entirely non-cannon.

~~No word from our incredibly popular and good-looking tipster on whether or not the promotion is exclusive to a specific retailer~~, however it is exclusive to a specific console: Seeing as this is a Blu-Ray and all, the included code is a PSN code, and therefore only functional on PS3 copies of the game.

Update 1: According to our source, the skin-packed copies of Green Lantern will be limited edition and exclusive to Best Buy, however there's a chance the costume will eventually be converted into DLC.

Update 2: Best Buy exclusivity is, according to our source, no longer on the table. While they did not name specifics, "certain other stores" will also be receiving costumed copies.

Gallery: Batman: Arkham City (Sinestro Corps Bonus)

Green Lantern Extended Cut Blu-Ray combo pack to include Batman: Arkham City Sinestro Corps skin [update] originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 08 Oct 2011 15:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Pre-order Bit. Trip Saga from Gamestop, rock out with your chiptunes out

Jessica Conditt — Fri, 26 Aug 2011 23:30:00 EST

Pre-order Bit. Trip Saga online from Gamestop and show your eardrums some love with a free, 18-song soundtrack of hypnotic chiptune beatage. The Soundtrack Sampler includes three songs from each Bit. Trip game.

The disc also comes free with the Wii version of Bit. Trip Complete, no pre-ordering necessary. The 3DS soundtrack deal is only valid with online pre-orders from Gamestop.com, so stay home, kick back, and rest your eyes and ears for a few weeks. If you jump on this deal, they'll need it.

Pre-order Bit. Trip Saga from Gamestop, rock out with your chiptunes out originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 26 Aug 2011 23:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Greece's Ocarina of Time pre-order bonuses are the best bonuses ever

Griffin McElroy — Thu, 05 May 2011 18:10:00 EST

Nintendo Greece has apparently decided that selling its customers a renovated, three-dimensional version of the best game ever made isn't a sweet enough treat. The official Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time 3D page on Nintendo.gr has revealed that folks who pre-order the game through Nintendo will receive a plethora of bonuses, including a keychain, baseball cap, 3DS cover, an actual ocarina and -- get this -- a canister of Deku tree seeds. (We hear that if you plant them, actual sentient shrubs come out of the ground.)

No pre-order bonuses for the U.S. have been announced, but needless to say, the bar's been set pretty high. If we don't get a pouch of replica rupees, or at the very least, a remote-controlled Bombchu, we're going to be extremely disappointed.

Greece's Ocarina of Time pre-order bonuses are the best bonuses ever originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 05 May 2011 18:10:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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LA Noire trailer demos 'Slip of the Tongue' pre-order bonus case

Griffin McElroy — Thu, 31 Mar 2011 15:20:00 EST

There are plenty of similarities between LA Noire and Rockstar's other crime-centric franchise, Grand Theft Auto. Namely, the former contains a lot of grand theft auto. Check out the trailer for "A Slip of the Tongue," a case offered exclusively as a Walmart pre-order bonus, posted just below.

Continue reading LA Noire trailer demos 'Slip of the Tongue' pre-order bonus case

LA Noire trailer demos 'Slip of the Tongue' pre-order bonus case originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 31 Mar 2011 15:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Battlefield Heroes bonuses are brought to you by the letters E, A, and the number 7

JC Fletcher — Tue, 08 Mar 2011 10:52:00 EST

Battlefield Heroes, EA's free-to-play shooter, appears to be a success, with the company announcing that 7 million people have felt free to play the game so far. To celebrate those 7 million registered users, EA is offering a bunch of bonuses to players, all themed with the number 7.

For seven days, today through March 15, Heroes players can download a free pack containing 77 bandages, 77 Battlefunds, and 77 wrenches. You can then reinvest those Battlefunds (and, uh, 700 more) into a special weeklong store deal containing seven-day boosts for VP, XP, and Sarge's stamina, along with 777 tonics.

This deal doesn't just reward current players, it provides subtle motivation for those players to bring more in. Don't you want those 10-million-player bonuses?

Battlefield Heroes bonuses are brought to you by the letters E, A, and the number 7 originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 08 Mar 2011 10:52:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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LA Noire trailer opens investigation into 'The Naked City' DLC

Andrew Yoon — Thu, 03 Mar 2011 12:50:00 EST

Rockstar's L.A. Noire will be released with a plethora of retailer-specific pre-order bonuses. GameStop, however, may be offering the most compelling one of them all: "The Naked City" DLC has you investigating the apparent suicide of a fashion model, but in typical noir fashion, nothing is as it seems.

While initially a GameStop pre-order exclusive, The Naked City bonus "vice case" will be available for digital purchase after the game's release. "All of the L.A. Noire pre-order content will be made available for purchase as DLC at some point after the game comes out," a Rockstar representative confirmed. "We have long planned to do this for all digital pre-order items."

Check out The Naked City trailer after the break.

Continue reading LA Noire trailer opens investigation into 'The Naked City' DLC

LA Noire trailer opens investigation into 'The Naked City' DLC originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 03 Mar 2011 12:50:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Dreamcast Collection gets dreamy pre-order bonus vinyl Down Under

Randy Nelson — Wed, 16 Feb 2011 05:00:00 EST

Though we still lament the all-too-early demise of the late, great Sega Dreamcast, its maker lets us know from time to time that our unending loyalty does not go unrequited. Case in point: the pre-order bonus item for Dreamcast Collection in Australia. It's a silver record (an ancient audio storage media made of vinyl) containing songs from Sonic Adventure, Space Channel 5: Part 2 and Crazy Taxi in a sleeve that looks like a Dreamcast. Pretty cool, right?

Pretty collectible, too, no doubt. The Sega Europe Blog has a bunch and intends to give them away in an upcoming contest. Hopefully, foreign fans will get a shot at them -- hey, we can dream, right?

Dreamcast Collection gets dreamy pre-order bonus vinyl Down Under originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 16 Feb 2011 05:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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inFamous 2 'Hero Edition' appears briefly on Amazon, includes Cole's bag

Griffin McElroy — Wed, 09 Feb 2011 11:25:00 EST

If a recently uploaded (then swiftly removed) Amazon listing for an inFamous 2 "Hero Edition" was legitimate, then the gaming community might just solve one of life's great mysteries when the Sucker Punch sequel comes out later this year: What the heck is in Cole McGrath's little backpack? The answer: A thermos, a Nintendo DS, some comic books, a half-empty bottle of flat soda, an ancient Crunchy Peanut Butter Clif Bar, and a tube of assorted Pogs and Slammers. In other words, the essential objects we carry with us when forced to leave the safe confines of our domestic abodes.

Yes, one of the bonuses listed with the Hero Edition -- alongside an 8.5" Cole MacGrath statue, a voucher that gives access to new powers, weapons and character skins, an inFamous comic from DC Comics, and the game's soundtrack -- is a "Replica Cole MacGrath sling pack." We must have one, if only so that we can be halfway to becoming a city-climbing crimebuster. (All we'd need is, you know, powers. And courage. Like, any courage at all would help.)

The special edition also includes a $99.99 price tag, and a super unofficial May 24 release date. We've contacted Sony for more details about ... well, everything.

inFamous 2 'Hero Edition' appears briefly on Amazon, includes Cole's bag originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 09 Feb 2011 11:25:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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'Gods Eater Burst' GameStop pre-order includes bonus DLC

JC Fletcher — Thu, 13 Jan 2011 01:00:00 EST

If you plan to pick up D3 Publisher's anime-style, Monster Hunter-style PSP action RPG, Gods Eater Burst, you might as well pick it up from GameStop. D3 announced today that pre-orders from GameStop will include an exclusive downloadable content pack, including new missions and fights against two of the game's creepy, part-weapon "Aragami" monsters.

That's not a typo in the headline, by the way. D3 sneaked in a name change recently: The game is now "Gods Eater Burst" instead of "God Eater Burst." We guess D3 didn't want to give the impression that it was about eating the God ... just some gods.

'Gods Eater Burst' GameStop pre-order includes bonus DLC originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 13 Jan 2011 01:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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God of War: Ghost of Sparta includes downloadable Deimos for GoW 3

Griffin McElroy — Thu, 07 Oct 2010 16:00:00 EST

Filed under: Weird But True, Opinions, New In Pop Culture

It must be really, really hard being the brother of the God of War series' surly protagonist, Kratos. Not only was the ash-covered warrior probably a brutal roughhouser in his youth, but his siblings more than likely get pummeled with guilt at family reunions: "Why can't you be more like your brother? He's killed like, twenty gods, you know?" You'll get to suffer these slings and arrows if you pick up Ghost of Sparta, as early, specially-marked copies of the game will include a voucher to download a character skin modeled after Kratos' bro, Deimos, for use in God of War 3.

Deimos, who bears a strong familial resemblance to the titular Ghost of Sparta, isn't just more hirsute than his brother, he also comes with "enhanced combat damage and the ability to receive 4x the amount of Health, Magic and God Orbs," according to PlayStation Blog. The voucher will be available in early copies of the game, in the hardware-bundled Entertainment Pack and for PSP Go users who purchase the title from November 2-9 on the PlayStation Store. Don't miss out on this once-in-a-lifetime experience to play through a God of War game with a full head of lustrous, waxen hair.

Check out a new, extremely bald trailer for God of War: Ghost of Sparta after the jump.

Continue reading God of War: Ghost of Sparta includes downloadable Deimos for GoW 3

God of War: Ghost of Sparta includes downloadable Deimos for GoW 3 originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 07 Oct 2010 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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God of War: Ghost of Sparta pre-order bonuses announced

Griffin McElroy — Thu, 16 Sep 2010 17:00:00 EST

Filed under: Weird But True, Opinions, New In Pop Culture

If the recently announced God of War: Ghost of Sparta hardware bundle just isn't enough Kratos to satisfy your obsession, Sony's keen to remind you that you can deepen your devotion by pre-ordering the game. Your commitment will net you a bonus pack of extras; each of which will be individually highlighted on the PlayStation Blog over the following weeks.

While only the Kratos PSN Avatar has been fully revealed, it's probably not too much of a stretch for God of War devotees to imagine what the other bonuses entail. Also included with a Ghost of Sparta pre-order: the original soundtrack, the "God of War Live" creative directors documentary, a Legionnaire character skin, and both a PS3 Dynamic and PSP theme.

God of War: Ghost of Sparta pre-order bonuses announced originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 16 Sep 2010 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Need for Speed Hot Pursuit Limited Edition is same price as standard version, adds bonus cars

James Ransom-Wiley — Tue, 17 Aug 2010 13:45:00 EST

Filed under: Weird But True, Opinions, New In Pop Culture

EA's new marketing strategy, "Project Buy The Game Immediately," will be applied to certain launch copies of Criterion's upcoming Need for Speed game. When Hot Pursuit is released on November 16, the so-called "Limited Edition" of the game will be offered for the same $60 price as the standard version through participating retailers -- and "while supplies last." The Limited Edition will include two exclusive cars (see below) and immediate access to four additional rides, which are otherwise unlocked through the painstaking process of actually playing the game.

Exclusive access to:

Alfa Romeo 8C Competizione
Ford Shelby GT500

Early access to:

Audi TT RS Coupé
Chevrolet Camaro SS
Porsche Cayman S
Dodge Challenger SRT8

Continue reading Need for Speed Hot Pursuit Limited Edition is same price as standard version, adds bonus cars

Need for Speed Hot Pursuit Limited Edition is same price as standard version, adds bonus cars originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 17 Aug 2010 13:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Etrian Odyssey 3 also includes two-sided poster

JC Fletcher — Sat, 14 Aug 2010 05:00:00 EST

Filed under: Weird But True, Opinions, New In Pop Culture

Pre-ordered copies of Etrian Odyssey 3 already include the 60-page "Forests of Eternity" artbook, but Atlus has added a little more bounty to the game, in the form of a two-sided poster.

Continue reading Etrian Odyssey 3 also includes two-sided poster

Etrian Odyssey 3 also includes two-sided poster originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 14 Aug 2010 05:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Buy Yakuza PSP, get ... a razor

JC Fletcher — Tue, 10 Aug 2010 12:45:00 EST

Filed under: Weird But True, Opinions, New In Pop Culture

You've heard of this old marketing technique: give away the razor for free with copies of Black Panther: New Yakuza Chapter, then sell the blades. Wait, what?

Continue reading Buy Yakuza PSP, get ... a razor

Buy Yakuza PSP, get ... a razor originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 10 Aug 2010 12:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Spider-Man: Shattered Dimensions' other costumes revealed

Griffin McElroy — Sat, 24 Jul 2010 11:30:00 EST

Filed under: Weird But True, Opinions, New In Pop Culture

You didn't think that Peter Parker's wardrobe would only contain four outfits in his upcoming outing, Spider-Man: Shattered Dimensions, did you? No, no sir. Revealed during Marvel's Comic-Con panel were a handful of new costumes that will be unlockable in-game -- a few of which will be instantly unlockable as pre-order bonuses from select retailers:

Scarlet Spider (unlock code included with Kmart pre-order)
Negative Zone Spider-Man (unlock code included with Best Buy pre-order)
Spider-Armor (pictured)
Mangaverse Spider-Man

Additionally, the previously revealed GameStop-exclusive Cosmic costume (which includes variants for each dimension) and the Iron Spider-Man suit featured in the 2099 universe (and immediately unlockable with an Amazon pre-order) were also shown at the panel. It's as yet unclear if the newly announced costumes will be tied to certain dimensions within the game or wearable throughout, like the Cosmic getup.

[Update: Clarified details about the nature of the pre-order bonuses and previously announced costumes.]

Spider-Man: Shattered Dimensions' other costumes revealed originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 24 Jul 2010 11:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Force Unleashed 2 'Maulkiller' GameStop pre-order bonus revealed

Griffin McElroy — Wed, 21 Jul 2010 04:15:00 EST

Filed under: Weird But True, Opinions, New In Pop Culture

Hardcore preservers of Star Wars canon might want to avert their eyes while we share with the rest of you Gamestop's recently announced pre-order bonuses for Star Wars: The Force Unleashed 2. No peeking!

Okay, we good? Cool. Folks who reserve the game will be able to play through the game using the "Maulkiller" skin, which is a genetic fusion of Sith superstars Darth Maul and Starkiller. See -- they took the awesome stuff from both dudes and combined it into a doubly awesome doubledude. Can you handle the power?

Pre-orderers will also get the Maulkiller Silver Saber Crystal, which, according to Gamestop, "allows the player to consume less Force energy when using Force powers in order to devastate enemies." It also turns your lightsabers silver, which we all know to be the world's best color. Those chumps wielding red, green, blue and purple laserblades are going to be so jealous.

Force Unleashed 2 'Maulkiller' GameStop pre-order bonus revealed originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 21 Jul 2010 04:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Sonic Colors pre-order GameStop bonus is this Sonic hat

Alexander Sliwinski — Tue, 13 Jul 2010 04:01:00 EST

Filed under: Weird But True, Opinions, New In Pop Culture

You may get burned for the umpteenth time by pre-ordering Sonic Colors before the reviews are in, but at least you'll get an awesome hat out of it. Reminiscent of the Scribblenauts "Rooster Hat" bonus, this Sonic hat is the worm on GameStop's hook for purchasing either the Wii or DS version of the game.

The hat will be handed over for both online and in-store purchases when the game launches. If recent history serves as any indication, it may be easier to justify spending the money if one thinks of the game as being the pre-order bonus for the hat.

Gallery: Sonic Colors (E3 2010)

Sonic Colors pre-order GameStop bonus is this Sonic hat originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 13 Jul 2010 04:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Iron Spider-Man is Amazon 'Shattered Dimensions' bonus ... unlock

James Ransom-Wiley — Wed, 30 Jun 2010 23:00:00 EST

Filed under: Weird But True, Opinions, New In Pop Culture

What If... Cosmic Spider-Man and Iron Spider-Man were pitted against each other as opposing retailer pre-order bonus characters? Further complicating the continuity of a not-so-tidy superhero storyline, Amazon is offering to manipulate the appearance of the Iron Spider-Man costume in Spider-Man: Shattered Dimensions' 2099 dimension for your pre-order purchase of the game. In other words, "you'll receive a code to unlock Iron Spidey early," explains HeroHQ, Activion's Marvel games web base. Amazon will also ship you an art book.

Sulking there in the background, the previously revealed GameStop pre-order bonus, Cosmic Spider-Man, is playable in all four of the game's dimensions (of which still only three have been revealed). Cosmic Spidey will actually have a unique look in each dimension and is being advertised as a true "exclusive" for GameStop pre-order purchases (but is not listed as a bonus for the Wii version of the game).

Not such a thrilling "What If" scenario, after all. Now, if we add Spider-Ham to the equation ...

Gallery: Spider-Man: Shattered Dimensions (Iron Spider-Man costume)

Iron Spider-Man is Amazon 'Shattered Dimensions' bonus ... unlock originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 30 Jun 2010 23:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Pre-order Monkey Island 2 on Steam, get the first one free

Griffin McElroy — Thu, 24 Jun 2010 11:29:00 EST

Filed under: Weird But True, Opinions, New In Pop Culture

We've devised a fool-proof plan for getting games at zero cost on Steam: just wait for the next game in the series to come out, and pre-order said sequel. It's an offer Steam users have no doubt become familiar with in the past and one that's being extended yet again -- anyone who pre-orders Monkey Island 2: Special Edition: LeChuck's Revenge before its July 7 launch will get Secret of Monkey Island: Special Edition for free.

Already own the remake of the first game? Well, you could take that complimentary download and gift it to a friend's Steam account. Or, you could just wait for The Curse of Monkey Island: Special Edition to come out, and then get Monkey Island 2 for free, provided you've got supernatural reserves of patience.

Pre-order Monkey Island 2 on Steam, get the first one free originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 24 Jun 2010 11:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Crackdown 2 demo now available; Facebook game unlocks bonuses

Griffin McElroy — Mon, 21 Jun 2010 16:00:00 EST

Filed under: Weird But True, Opinions, New In Pop Culture

Can't wait to earn 'Cheevos for the many, many heads you'll be busting in Crackdown 2? You can get an early start today -- the 1GB demo of the game, now available on Xbox Live Marketplace, features accelerated character leveling, four-player co-op and the ability to start earning Achievements, which will fully unlock when you boot up the retail version of the game, coming July 6.

In addition, the Crackdown 2-themed Facebook game Chuck's Duck 2 unlocks a new difficulty in the demo and a multiplayer weapon for use in the retail version of the game. Appropriately, said weapon is an exploding, sticky rubber duck. That ought to strike some fear into the hearts of Pacific City's mutant inhabitants, shouldn't it?

Xbox.com: Add Crackdown 2 demo to your Xbox 360 download queue

Crackdown 2 demo now available; Facebook game unlocks bonuses originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 21 Jun 2010 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Pre-order Blur on Steam, get Geometry Wars Retro Evolved free

Griffin McElroy — Sun, 23 May 2010 15:30:00 EST

From what we've heard from folks who got in on the game's multiplayer beta, Bizarre Creations' Blur has some surprisingly potent addictive properties. That's why we find this Steam deal so unashamedly sinister: If you pre-order the PC version of the racing title on the popular digital distribution platform, you'll get an equally (if not more) addictive game for free: Geometry Wars: Retro Evolved.

Blur goes on sale this Tuesday, so if you're hoping to grab Bizarre's twin-stick time sink at no charge, you should probably pre-order the game ASAP.

[Via Big Download]

Pre-order Blur on Steam, get Geometry Wars Retro Evolved free originally appeared on Joystiq on Sun, 23 May 2010 15:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Europeans get tutorial DVD with Super Mario Galaxy 2

Mike Schramm — Mon, 03 May 2010 20:15:00 EST

Nintendo really wants to make sure you know how to play Super Mario Galaxy 2, so in addition to the Cosmic Guide feature of the game (which will play for you past the hard parts, if you so choose), it'll also be releasing a bonus DVD in Europe with video tutorials of how to pull off some of the game's toughest tricks.

We'll skip right over the irony of Nintendo releasing a bonus disc that can't be played on the Wii (since it's just a standard DVD), and tell you that we've contacted Nintendo of America to see if those of us in the States will have this same option. In the meantime, you might want to grab a copy of the first Galaxy and start practicing, because with all of this extra help that Nintendo is offering, SMG2 must be really, really hard.

Europeans get tutorial DVD with Super Mario Galaxy 2 originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 03 May 2010 20:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Splinter Cell: Conviction's digital bonuses available for download

JC Fletcher — Fri, 16 Apr 2010 18:01:00 EST

Ubisoft's chosen method for distributing the bonus materials in the Splinter Cell: Conviction collector's edition, didn't work out due to defective USB drives. Therefore, rather than hiding the bonuses inside a stealthy card-shaped disk, Ubisoft is taking the direct approach, allowing you to just download them yourself. Which means that those of you who bought the more expensive version saved $10 for the trouble of having to wait just a few days.

Best of all, you don't even have to have the collector's edition to take part in this offer! Just click here. Now you're downloading screenshots, concept art, making-of video, and more! You're a collector!

[Thanks, MLC!]

Splinter Cell: Conviction's digital bonuses available for download originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 16 Apr 2010 18:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Prince of Persia: The Forgotten Sands pre-order freebies detailed by Ubisoft

JC Fletcher — Tue, 13 Apr 2010 18:00:00 EST

Ubisoft has announced a fairly comprehensive roundup of the free junk you'll get from pre-ordering Prince of Persia: The Forgotten Sands from various American retailers. We say "fairly comprehensive" because only the bonuses associated with the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 versions of the game have been covered.

Pre-ordering Forgotten Sands from GameStop will earn you the previously revealed "Forgotten Arena" gameplay mode. An Amazon pre-order will be $5 off and come with a free Prince of Persia mobile game. And Best Buy pre-orders will include a downloadable "SandWraith" character skin based on the Prince's transformation in Prince of Persia: Warrior Within.

Ubisoft appears to have mistimed its jump with this announcement, however, as these offers have yet to appear on the Amazon or Best Buy product pages. Luckily, the company has possession of the Dagger of Time. Any second now ...

Gallery: Prince of Persia: The Forgotten Sands pre-order bonuses

Prince of Persia: The Forgotten Sands pre-order freebies detailed by Ubisoft originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 13 Apr 2010 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Green Day: Rock Band releases June 8 worldwide

David Hinkle — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 09:45:00 EST

That's right, folks -- Harmonix has just revealed that Green Day: Rock Band will be available for all come June 8 on Xbox 360, PS3 and Wii. Up to 6 players (3 mics; 3 instruments) will progress through the career of the trio, unlocking collectible images (more than 100, apparently) and some 40 minutes of "rare and unreleased" footage from interviews, outtakes and performances along the way.

As alluded to above, GD:RB will also sport the same vocal harmonizing feature that made The Beatles: Rock Band such a delight for mic hogs and comes loaded with 47 Green Day tracks, including "Brain Stew," "Jaded," "Hitchin' a Ride," "American Idiot," "Wake Me Up When September Ends" and "Boulevard of Broken Dreams."

Oh, and if you're looking to export these tunes, worry not: all 47 tracks are fully exportable to a console hard drive and playable in Rock Band, Rock Band 2 and the recently announced Rock Band 3. The export fee is $9.99 via Xbox Live or PSN. The export features is not available for the Wii system. Additionally, if you've picked up the six Green Day tunes already available as DLC, you can play them in the new game with added harmonies, "unique" visuals and more "exclusive archival material."

Green Day: Rock Band will be available as a standalone game for Xbox 360 and PS3 for $59.99, while Wii owners will get a bit of a price break at $49.99. A special edition Green Day: Rock Band Plus will also come to Xbox 360 and PS3 for $69.99 and includes fancy packaging, an "export" feature (we assume, a voucher to export the disc tracks to the hard drive) and the six previously released Green Day DLC tracks.

Update: The GameStop pre-order bonus for the standalone game is an export voucher (for Xbox 360 or PS3). Essentially, pre-order GD:RB from GameStop, and you can export all 47 tracks to your console hard drive for free.

Gallery: Green Day: Rock Band

Green Day: Rock Band releases June 8 worldwide originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 11 Mar 2010 09:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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PS3 Final Fantasy XIII includes 'XIV' bonus item, chance for beta access

Griffin McElroy — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 12:28:00 EST

Last night, during the -- super awkward -- Final Fantasy XIII launch party in San Fransisco, Sony's Rob Dyer took a big shot across the bow of any Microsoft representatives in the audience by promising a pending announcement of exclusive content for the PS3 version of the game.

Today, on PlayStation Blog, Dyer revealed that the PS3 version includes a "secret in-game item" for Final Fantasy XIV -- a similar, or perhaps the same promotion offered in Japan. Additionally, PS3 players can enter for a chance to beta test Final Fantasy XIV, which has only been announced for PS3 and PC.

The in-game item might be interesting (baby chocobo vanity pet, please), but we're not really enthralled by a "potential opportunity" to get in on the beta. A potential opportunity? So there's a chance that there's a chance we'll be able to get into the beta? Well that's slightly better than no chance of a chance, we suppose.

PS3 Final Fantasy XIII includes 'XIV' bonus item, chance for beta access originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 09 Mar 2010 12:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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