Xbox Live Update: Outland, Shift 2 DLC

This week Microsoft adds a range of new content to its virtual storefront including a Prince of Persia-inspired side-scroller and "new" cars and tracks for Shift 2: Unleashed.

Leading the charge this week is Ubisoft's Outland (800 MS points, or $10), which debuts on Wednesday. The publisher has previously said Outland was inspired by "epic adventures such as the Prince of Persia series" and Treasure's vertically scrolling arcade shooter Ikaruga. In Ikaruga, players could swap the color of their ship between black and white at will; each color could absorb bullets of the same shade, allowing skilled players to weave their way through otherwise impenetrable barrages of enemy fire. Outland brings the same mechanic to a side-scrolling action game, with blue and red enemies representing the forces of light and dark.

Gamers can travel to the Outland tomorrow on Xbox Live.

Available today is new content for Electronic Arts' racing game Shift 2: Unleashed. The Legendsdownloadable content (800 MS points, or $10) includes 14 vehicles and 5 tracks from yesteryear. Two of these cars are 1965's Austin Mini Cooper S and 1963's Ford Lotus Cortina.

Switching to the Games on Demand hub, Microsoft added three new games to the download spot today, the first of which is 2009's fighting game BlazBlue: Calamity Trigger ($20). The other two new full-game downloads now available are 2009's Tekken 6 ($20) and the zombie-themed Dead Rising 2 ($40).

Puppy kick

I'm so freaking tired I could kick a puppy.

Crysis 2 editor coming this summer!

Crytek's Crysis 2 shipped in March for the Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, and PC to much critical praise. It was the first series entry to arrive for consoles, but soon PC gamers looking to be more creative with the shooter will have access to a feature set their console counterparts will not.

Soon you can create that fire.

In an open letter to the PC modding community titled "Be Free…Be Creative…Be the Developer," Crytek CEO and president Cevat Yerli said this summer the developer will release a full-featured editor tool for Crysis 2. The Crysis 2 editor lets gamers create items, maps, and custom content for use in the sci-fi shooter.

Then, in "early August" Crytek will let gamers go deeper and get their hands on the entire CryEngine 3, which powered Crysis 2. With the CryEngine software development kit, gamers will have access to every tool they need to create a game from the ground up, including C++ code access, content exporters, shader code, script and asset examples, and more.

Additionally, Crytek said it will support gamers looking to go the commercial route with what they create. The company said it will offer a "low cost licensing model" for gamers who wish to release their games digitally. Unfortunately, Yerli did not elaborate further on this point.

To see the CryEngine 3 engine in action, check out GameSpot's video review of Crysis 2 below.

Free-download PS3 firmware behind PSN downtime?

Source: A Reddit report by self-proclaimed PSX-Scene moderator "chesh420."

What we heard: Late Friday, Sony Computer Entertainment America admitted the reason behind the ongoing PlayStation Network outage was an " external intrusion." Now, though, comes a different account, courtesy of chesh420.

Could the Rebug software be the real reason behind the PSN outage?

The self-styled PSX-Scene moderator says that he suspects the real reason behind the PSN outage isn't some kind of Anonymous-style mass-denial of service attack. Instead, chesh420 claims that Sony has shut down the service because of some custom firmware called Rebug. With a few modifications to a proxy server, the firmware apparently lets users simulate a PS3 debug unit used by Sony's developer network and media outlets such as GameSpot.

According to chesh420, these proxy-server modifications allow savvy hackers to enter fake credit card numbers that Sony won't check on the false assumption that Rebug firmware users are developers or members of the press. This, in turn, allows Rebug users to download PlayStation Store goods for free, undermining the entire PSN economy.

The official story: SCEA reps had not responded to requests for comment as of press time.

Bogus or not bogus?: By chesh420's own account, his suspicions are "all speculation." However, his speculation is "based on previous actions and known facts," making this--at the very least--an intriguing theory.

Gears of War 3 beta schedule detailed

Those who purchased the Epic Edition of Bulletstorm have been mutilating one another in the Gears of War 3 multiplayer beta test for a week at this point. Those who forwent Bulletstorm in favor of simply preordering Gears of War 3 will be pleased to know that they, too, can now rev their lancers and launch into the fray.

Along with announcing the opening of the Gears of War 3 multiplayer beta, Epic delineated a schedule for what players can expect over the next several weeks. Up first will be the Team Deathmatch and King of the Hill modes, which will be tested from April 25-May 1. Gamers will be able to engage one another in the Thrashball, Checkout, and Trenches maps.

Seriously, this image is not a spoiler.

From May 2-8, Epic will open up the Capture the Leader game type as well as the Old Town scenario. The last week of the beta--May 9-15--sees gamers able to launch into any of the three battle modes on any of the four maps.

Epic is also planning a few incentives to keep gamers engaged with the beta. These include exclusive medals, weapon skins, and character model variants that will carry over to the retail edition of Gears of War 3 when it launches for the Xbox 360 on September 20.

Sony unsure if credit card info compromised in PSN outage

Better watch your information, the hackers might be buying all the pr0n they ever wanted!!

As if the fact the ongoing PlayStation Network outage entering its sixth day wasn't bad enough news for Sony, now comes word that the company isn't sure if the service's 75 million subscribers have had their personal information compromised.

PSN users may want to keep an eye on their credit card accounts.

According to a PC World report, Sony spokesman Satoshi Fukuoka said that the company had "not yet determined" if the confidentiality of PSN users' personal or credit card information had been undermined by the "external intrusion" that brought the network down. As of press time, Sony Computer Entertainment reps had not responded to requests for comment on the matter, and theofficial PlayStation Blog had not offered any updates on the situation regarding PSN users' information.

The cloud of uncertainty over the security of users' information is the latest development in the ongoing PSN outage saga. The crisis began Wednesday evening, when Sony took down the service with little explanation. Two days later, the hacker collective known as Anonymous--which had previously mounted attacks on the PSN--announced it was not sanctioning action against the PlayStation 3 and PSP's online service.

Then, late Friday, Sony revealed an "external intrusion" was behind the PSN outage, and said that it was conducting an investigation into the incident. Then, late Saturday, the company announced it was rebuilding the PSN infrastructure to ensure "additional security" would be added to the network.

New Nintendo Console Confirmed

Here's more news about crap we already know.  But, it's been confirmed. :)

Nintendo Japan tonight confirmed it will release a new game console in calendar year 2012. It will be announced and playable at E3 this coming June. 

"We will show a playable model of the new system and announce more specifications at the E3 Expo, which will be held June 7-9, 2011, in Los Angeles," the company said in a brief statement. Nintendo did not reveal any additional details. 

Multiple sources tell IGN the console - dubbed Project Cafe - will be "significantly more powerful" than the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3, and be backwards compatible with current Wii software. The console will also utilize a new, tablet-shaped controller. Sources say it will have a 6-inch touch screen display, dual analog sticks, and has the ability to stream content directly from the console. 

Nintendo president Satoru Iwata told Bloomberg News, "We would like to propose a new approach to home video game consoles" with the Wii successor. He added, "It's difficult to make 3-D images a key feature, because 3-D televisions haven't obtained wide acceptance yet."

Could dinosaurs play video games?

Click the photo for a full size

Blog Update

I started a new job and I am also a fitness trainer.  I will do my best to get at least one post per day.  I like to have at least two post per day for people to read, but I will do my best to keep up with the current gaming news.

PSN down for the sixth day!

For PlayStation gamers, it's been almost a week of frustration. Today, Sony offered a small update on the sixth day of the PlayStation outage. In a brief post on the official PlayStation Blog, Sony Computer Entertainment America senior director of corporate communications and social media Patrick Seybold thanked PSN subscribers for their patience.

The PlayStation Network remains down for a sixth day.

"I know you are waiting for additional information on when PlayStation Network and Qriocity services will be online," he said. "Unfortunately, I don’t have an update or timeframe to share at this point in time. As we previously noted, this is a time intensive process and we’re working to get them back online quickly. We’ll keep you updated with information as it becomes available."

The PSN outage began last Wednesday evening, when Sony took down the service with little explanation. Two days later the hacker collective known as Anonymous--which had previously mounted attacks on the PSN--announced it was not sanctioning action against the PlayStation 3 and PSP's online service.

Then, late Friday, Sony revealed an "external intrusion" was behind the PSN outage, and said that it was conducting an investigation into the incident. Then, late Saturday, the company announced it was rebuilding the PSN infrastructure to ensure "additional security" would be added to the network.