Video Game News, Geek Stuff & Gadgets

Lego Universe Beta Sign-Ups Being Taken

Leave a Comment Posted 12 minutes ago - By Stephen Johnson

LEGO Universe Hands-On Demo And Beta Sign Ups At CES 2010

If you're eager to get your hands on Lego Universe, the block-tastic MMO supposedly coming out in the second half of 2010, your chance is now: Lego is accepting applications for the Beta test of this title. The splash page for the invite site says:

"Sign up now for your opportunity to become one of our chosen heroes that must answer the call. Your mission is to test LEGO Universe for bugs, so prepare yourself to strap on your suit of armor and help your friends battle the dark forces of the Maelstrom!"

I love Legos. And I love video games. And I love MMOs. But I won't be signing up. In the best of all possible worlds, this game will be revolutionary and awesome and will eat up all of my free time. Must. Stay. Away. You, however, might have a less addictive personality than I have. What do you think? Are you down for Lego Universe?

Official Site

Tags: PC Gaming, Videogames

Christopher Nolan To Oversee Superman?

2 Comments Posted 1 hour 16 mins ago - By Joseph Baxter

Christopher Nolan To Oversee Superman?

It seems that the mastermind behind the success of Batman Begins and The Dark Knight could be overseeing a huge reinvention of DC Comic's other iconic franchise player (no, not Booster Gold.) According to a story broke by Deadline, efforts to revive the Superman film franchise are apparently underway and whoever will be tapped to helm this monster of a film will have Nolan's expertise at his/her disposal.

The prospect of another reboot Superman always seems to have its up's and downs. Coming off the lukewarm reception for Bryan Singer's 2006 effort, Superman Returns, the folks over at DC Comics (now DC Entertainment) and Warner Bros. pictures have been scratching their heads for the past 4 years as to how (or if) they would go about giving another shot with the Man of Steel on the big screen. There seemed to be little progress, as even Diane Nelson, the president of the newly-christened DC Entertainment had announced that there just were not any plans lined up for Superman. So, what could have suddenly motivated this surprising second-wind for the project? Apparently (in a very familiar scenario,) it may have to do with "legal issues."

Some may recall the recent lawsuit from the estates of Superman creators Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster, which sued for damages incurred from alleged "sweetheart deals" between Warner and DC over licensing fees that were below fair market value, depriving the estates of their respective cuts. While the judgment was ultimately not in the favor of the estates, the Court did lay down some conditions on the status of those rights. A new Superman film had to begin production by 2011, or not only would the disputed damages be awarded, but the exclusive rights to the Superman franchise would revert back to the Siegels and Shusters. (Who already own half.) Unfortunately for Warner and DC, they did not believe that anything could get off the ground until 2012 at soonest.

Tags: Comics, Movies

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How about actual Superfilms ala Darkseid or Doomsday? The problem with the Superman movies is that he never really has anyone equal or more powerful than he is. The exception being Superman 2 and we all know how that farce ended.

Posted: 34 minutes ago by gambit1023

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Sessler's Soapbox: Dante's Inferno - When Cloning Goes Wrong

30 Comments Posted 1 hour 19 mins ago - By Patrick Roche-Sowa

We've all played clones before. When a big franchise develops a great gameplay mechanic and becomes popular it's only a matter of time before other publishers and developers start pumping out very familiar feeling games. Adam Sessler was reminded of this while he was writing his review of Dante's Inferno, and some of you didn't take too kindly to his references to the God of War series. So, being the humanitarian that he is, Adam decided to use this week's Soapbox to explain himself to you, his loyal audience. Find out why The Sess thinks that not all clones are bad, just the ones that lack innovation and originality. Like that crappy Bruce Willis movie.

Sessler's Soapbox: Dante's Inferno - When Cloning Goes Wrong »

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Tags: G4, G4 Web Exclusive, PlayStation 3, Sessler's Soapbox, Videogames, Videos, Xbox 360

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the last time this happened was when Batman Arkham was being compared to Metroid.

Posted: 5 minutes ago by thekingdom195

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Midday Discussion: Does Bioshock 2 Live Up To The Original?

4 Comments Posted 1 hour 25 mins ago - By Stephen Johnson

Bioshock 2, the sequel to water-logged shooter Bioshock, is finally on store shelves, so we'll all have the chance to find out whether the return to Rapture lives up to the gold-standard set by the first game.

Personally, after several hours of play, I love Bioshock 2... with reservations. There are only so many things you can do with a sequel, especially to something as innovative, distinctive and impressive as Bioshock. You can try to make it bigger and more badass, but that too often results in something over-the-top and ridiculous. Or you can go in a totally different direction with it: But that often leads to bitterness on the part of fans of the first game. The makers of Bioshock 2 wisely chose to take a middle path, and make some incremental improvements to the game without really trying to "outdo" the original in terms of story and/or "Wow!" factor. That makes for a great game, but not a game that's better or as good-as the original.

Going back to Rapture is like returning to a city you had a great time in. I found myself greeting each element from the first game with the kind of excitement I usually reserve for old friends. "Look! A Leadhead Splicer! Ooh, there's an ammo vending machine!" But there's just enough new stuff to keep the experience from being a total re-tread. So I really like the game, but, so far, there's been nothing that matched the "Oh. My. God" amazement of that first trip down the bathysphere in Bioshock.

What do you think? Have you played it yet? Do you plan to? How does it stack up to the first game?

For a more in-depth (get it?) look at the game, check out Jake Gaskill's review!

Tags: Videogames

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I think of Bioshock as more of a mystery story than a shooter game. I played it for the appeal of the story, the ambiance, and the characters. When you've killed all of those characters, solved the mystery of the story, and the exotic setting has already been visited, well, it's a tall order to replicate with originality. Not having played Bioshock 2 yet, I don't look for it to live up to the expectations of the critics or the masses based on the success of the last. Success leads me to very...

Posted: 19 minutes ago by greenboom

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Sinclair Solutions' Top 5 Rejected Plasmids For BioShock 2

15 Comments Posted 1 hour 41 mins ago - By Jake Gaskill

Sinclair Solutions' Top 5 Rejected Plasmids

Creating plasmids for Andrew Ryan’s underwater metropolis of Rapture isn’t as easy as it looks, and people rarely take the time to consider what went into bringing about such revered ability boosts like Incinerate or Hypnotize. And while plasmid creation is a taxing process, the results have been undeniably fruitful. Of course, like with any scientific endeavor, there are bound to be mistakes, miscalculations, and lapses in judgment. And to prove it, we’ve compiled a list of Sinclair Solutions' Top 5 Rejected Plasmids for your consideration. See what the citizens of Rapture could have been spending their hard earned money on had these abominations been approved.

Sinclair Solutions' Top 5 Rejected Plasmids

5. Sympathize – Tired of never having enough cash? Always find yourself patting down your Big Daddy suit to see if you have a few bucks for another health pack or Eve hypo? Well, with the new Sympathize plasmid, you’ll be up to your helmet in expendable income. Just one injection and your hand will never be without a grimy paper cup, perfect to bum a few extra cents off of splicers before pinning their heads to walls with spears.

Click through to see the full list.

Tags: Videogames

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Is there a plasmid that can score me some nachos? im starving!

Posted: 13 minutes ago by the_azure_knight

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G4's Valentine's Day TV Massacre: 12 Hours Of Cheaters And A Trip To The Adult Entertainment Expo

Leave a Comment Posted 1 hour 46 mins ago - By Stephen Johnson

The only holiday G4 hates more than Arbor Day (eff trees!) is Valentine's Day. It's a made-up holiday where wives and girlfriends force their men to buy gifts through a complicated regim of psychological manipulation and incessant whining. Forget that noise, boys; G4 is bringing you a days worth of programming that you want to watch -- we're going totally romance-free, all day!

For 13 hours on February 14th, G4 will present a marathon of bitch slaps, catfights and punches as the Cheaters team uncovers case after case of love gone wrong. Then adult entertainment superstar Sasha Grey teams up with G4’s Blair Herter to host the two-hour special Adult Entertainment Expo 2010, which takes viewers inside the always-shocking Adult Entertainment Expo in Sin City, a/k/a Las Vegas, NV.

G4’s anti-Valentine’s Day extravaganza kicks off at 9 AM ET/PT
with back-to-back episodes of Cheaters
followed by the AEE '10 special at 10 PM ET/PT.

Do not miss a moment; unless you're too busy watching Sleepless in Seattle for the 14th time with your "girlfriend." (sissy.)

Check out our Valentine's site for all the details.

Tags: G4, Girls, TV

Not Even Old Internet Memes Are Safe From Naughty Bear

6 Comments Posted 2 hours 19 mins ago - By Jeffrey Kanjanapangka

505 Games and A2M continue to keep things concise about what type of attitude their upcoming action, arcade project, Naughty Bear, will be bearing. Peanut Butter Jelly with a baseball bat... indeed.

Naughty Bear Peanut Butter Jelly Time Trailer »

Tags: PlayStation 3, Videogames, Videos, Xbox 360

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@ xL7717 not at all.

Posted: 35 minutes ago by RockieOllie

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Next Assassin's Creed Takes Place In Rome, Stars Ezio

30 Comments Posted 2 hours 21 mins ago - By Jake Gaskill

Next Assassin's Creed Takes Place In Rome, Stars Ezio

The Ubisoft info train just keeps rolling today, as the publisher has revealed that the next Assassin’s Creed, which continues the story of Ezio Auditore da Firenze, will take place in Rome. The confirmation came during Ubisoft’s third quarter financial call.

Seeing as the first game ended in Italy’s capital city, this news is far from surprising, but it’s still good to know, especially since, as Ubisoft explained, it means Ezio will be taking the fight to those dastardly Templars on their turf. It’s about time too. I mean, if you don’t count the end of Assassin’s Creed II.

Ubisoft also said that the game will feature "very innovative assassination multiplayer,” and that the publisher will be putting a heavy emphasis on cooperative multiplayer in all future titles as well.

What do you think about continuing Ezio’s story as opposed to jumping into a new character in a different time period?

Tags: PC Gaming, PlayStation 3, Videogames, Xbox 360

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Yes, I love Ezio and Italy, but I would also love to work in a new place as well. If they were to allow you to switch between Ezio and another time period, like they did with Italy and current time in the 2nd, it would be amazing.

Posted: 9 minutes ago by CheddarBBQ

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Dante's Inferno + Sexy Burlesque Dancers = Super Good Time For All

2 Comments Posted 2 hours 28 mins ago - By Stephen Johnson

Dante's Inferno + Sexy Burlesque Dancers = Super Good Time For All

L.A.-area gamers: What are you doing on Wednesday night? To celebrate the release of Hellish video game Dante's Inferno, Devil's Playground Burlesque, the group of talented young ladies who brought you St*r Warz Burlesque and Video Game Girls Burlesque, are presenting their Seven Deadly Sins Burlesque at L.A.'s Dragonfly. Doors open at 9PM and the show starts at 10.

Performers include Courtney Cruz, Mia Vixen, Audrey Deluxe, Kitty Cadillac, Scarlett O'Gasm (best name ever), Miss Rose and Sin Fisted. (No relation to TheFeed's Andrew Pfister.) There are seven dancers and Seven Deadly Sins. Personally, I can't wait for the dance that goes with "Despair!"

Want to check out the gals of Devil's Playground bumping and grinding as video game inspired characters? Just click the read more tag and go to town.

Tags: Girls, Videogames

Featured Comment

Aww, man! Not related to Pfister. That sucks. I would have went if I knew I'd be seeing the equivalent of Pfister with boobs.

I'd hate to see the dance for gluttony with an overweight performer stuffing her face with fried chicken, but I guess some people are into that kind of stuff.

Posted: 57 minutes ago by Wozman23

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Talkabouts: Dante's Inferno

15 Comments Posted 2 hours 37 mins ago - By Patrick Klepek

Dante's Inferno was released this week. My review sparked some intense debate, especially from gamers with a deep love for God of War. If you want to go beyond the review, though, check out my discussion with Adam Sessler, where I had a chance to expand on some points in the review and reflect on what it's like to read through a very deep pool of heated (but welcomed!) commentary.

Talkabouts: Dante's Inferno »

Tags: G4 Web Exclusive, PlayStation 3, PlayStation Portable, Talkabouts, Videogames, Videos, Xbox 360

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Did anyone else notice a lot of aukward prolonged eye contact? Hey camera guy. Next Talkabout zoom in a little closer so Klepek can sit on Adams lap.

Seriously thought, Im getting a little tired of G4 staff constantly defending their review scores. The same people that hated your review are going to hate the expaination behind your review. I personally dont agree with 50% of G4 reviews but luckily there's a billion other gaming sites (including my own) out there where I can get...

Posted: 42 minutes ago by chocosquirrel

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Electronic Arts Confirms Yesterday's Surprising Mass Effect News

21 Comments Posted 3 hours 12 mins ago - By Patrick Klepek

Second Mass Effect DLC Pack Now Available On Xbox Live

I placed was a small asterisk next to Electronic Arts' casual announcement of "something far-reaching from Mass Effect" in early 2011 during a financial call yesterday: maybe it was a mistake. Nothing Mass Effect-related was in EA's uncharacteristically detailed lineup for the next 12 months, but there was mention of a new Dragon Age game due to arrive between January and March 2011.

That would be quite the mistake, however. Thankfully, it wasn't one.

An EA spokesperson has just confirmed there was no confusion yesterday, and BioWare and EA are, indeed, cooking up something Mass Effect-related that will arrive sometime in early 2011.

"Both of those games [Mass Effect and Dragon Age] were referenced in our plans for the coming fiscal year," said the spokesperson.

Let your rampant and potentially misguided speculation...begin.

Have something to share? Sitting on a news tip? E-mail me. You can also follow me on Twitter.

Tags: PC Gaming, Videogames, Xbox 360

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Mass Effect 2.5: The Search for More Money???

Posted: 2 minutes ago by TKEmysterio

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Ghost Recon: Future Soldier Announced, Coming Holiday 2010

15 Comments Posted 4 hours 2 mins ago - By Jake Gaskill

Ghost Recon: Future Soldier Announced, Coming Holiday 2010

Ubisoft announced today that the next installment in its hit Ghost Recon series will be hitting shelves this holiday season for PlayStation 3, Xbox 360 and PC.

Tom Clancy’s Ghost Recon: Future Soldier (which just sounds like a streamlined way of saying “Advanced Warfighter,” right?) is being developed by Ubisoft Paris, the team behind the Advanced Warfighter and Advanced Warfighter 2. Ubisoft says the game "will go beyond the core Ghost Recon franchise and deliver a fresh gameplay experience, with an unparalleled level of quality that will excite long-time fans and newcomers alike."

There will also be a multiplayer beta this summer, but if you want access to it, you’ll have to pick up a copy of Splinter Cell: Conviction (poor you!).

Tags: PC Gaming, PlayStation 3, Videogames, Xbox 360

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YEAAAAAAA, made my day, Loned GRAW 1 and 2. time to play some more

Posted: 30 minutes ago by NUKEMANN1995

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Brian Posehn Brings More Comedy to AOTS

Leave a Comment Posted 4 hours 7 mins ago - By Moye Ishimoto

Brian Posehn Brings More Comedy to AOTS

Let's be honest. Today is an exciting day at Attack of the Show. "Comedian of Comedy" Brian Posehn will be stopping by the studio to talk about the new season of The Sarah Silverman Program, his comedy CD and his love for metal. Okay, maybe not the last one but this interview will be full of laughs.

The nerd love continues with a special edition of Sneakerheads, where Alison Haislip checks out the premiere of Adidas' new Star Wars sneaker collection.

Tune in at 7:00pm for Brian Posehn and Skywalker shoes, only on G4.

Tags: TV

First Look Preview: UFC Undisputed 2010

1 Comment Posted 4 hours 54 mins ago - By Stephen Johnson

X-Play's Albert Iskander took a look at UFC Undisputed 2010 and has an early look at THQ's fighting game. The verdict: Many improvements have been made over the previous game.

"From what I saw so far, the game is shaping up to be a winner. UFC Undisputed 2010 promises new modes, deeper customizations, more online options, and a complete upgrade from the previous version."

To get in-depth with this game, check out the preview, or else you'll have to wait until it's released on May 25th for the 360 and PS3!

Tags: Sports, Videogames

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we shall see, I'm gonna get it because Im an mma fan but Im also wanting to try easports mma

@stephen johnson
speaking of that game the rumor mills are going that easports MMA is being pushed back till fall. you should do some follow up on that to find out why. I've heard its to add more fighters/features and improve overall gameplay

I think its the former more than anything because they've been announcing fighters at every big SF event for the last 3 months plus...

Posted: 4 hours 15 mins ago by Juicelee

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X-Play Investigates Korean Professional Gaming

6 Comments Posted 5 hours 18 mins ago - By Stephen Johnson

In Korea, video gaming is serious business... well, in South Korea it's serious business. In North Korea, they probably have other things on their minds. In any case, to get inside the Korean gaming scene, X-Play's Morgan Webb traveled across the ocean to investigate. Click the video below, whydon'tcha?