Gadgets and Video Games

GameStop’s TV ad proudly proclaims that it’s the “biggest trade event ever.” We can’t really disagree. Starting today, GameStop stores will be offering an extra 50% bonus on used game trade-ins, boosting their usually-paltry offerings into the “sort of worth it” zone. Your old copy of Madden 08 won’t really help you much in this promo

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GameStop offering 50% bonus on every trade-in

Valve has announced that THQ’s Metro 2033 will join the growing list of titles that support Steamworks. The PC version of the game will offer a number of Steamworks features, including Achievements, updates and DLC. So, you can look forward to earning some sweet, sweet cheevos while exploring the creepy environs of the Russian metro system. And trust us, it is creepy . It’s worth noting that with Steamworks support now official, it’s likely that Metro 2033 will also be joining the ranks of downloadable titles that won’t be offered by competing services like Impulse and Direct2Drive.

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Valve announces Metro 2033 will use Steamworks

AaaaaAAaaaAAAaaAAAAaAAAAA!!! — A Reckless Disregard for Gravity developer Dejobaan Games is looking to take a “derivative of Aaaaa ” to other platforms. Studio founder Ichiro Lambe told us at DICE , “Over the course of 2010, we want to investigate branching out both to mobile, we’re talking about iPhone and Andriod, and also Wii and Xbox development.” One of those titles taking the multiplatform walkabout would likely be Musorqua , which Lambe describes as a game the studio is “very strongly prototyping.” He explained, “If that works, that’s the direction we’re going to take if people are excited, if the press is excited about it, if it excites us. If not, we’re going to tweak that a bit.” He also said that they’ll “definitely” be showing it off at PAX East next month. Dejobaan looking to branch out to other platforms, strongly prototyping Musorqua originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 19 Feb 2010 21:00:00 EST.

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Dejobaan looking to branch out to other platforms, strongly prototyping Musorqua

Though we’re pretty eager to explore the back stories of Heavy Rain’s quartet of protagonists and even take control of the nimble fingers of the Origami Killer , it seems those of us in North America will have to wait an extra week to get started on the prologuing. GameStop, which, among other retailers, is offering a code for the first Heavy Rain Chronicles DLC episode as a pre-order bonus with the game, recently updated the title’s listing on its site, stating, “due to a delay by the publisher, this content will not be available for download until Thursday, March 4, 2010.” SCEE confirmed to VG247 that the delay wouldn’t affect the DLC’s European availability on ” day one ,” so it would appear that the delay is particular to North America. We’ve contacted Sony America to find out what we can about it — we just can’t wait to find out why Madison is such an exhibitionist

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GameStop says Heavy Rain pre-order DLC delayed

NIS America isn’t all about making niche video games. No, they’re going to be making niche anime DVDs as well. Beginning mid-2010, NIS America will roll out their new anime line, beginning with these four titles: Toradora! , Persona: Trinity Soul , PandoraHearts , and Our Home’s Fox Deity . Jack Niida confirmed that these titles will be available exclusively on DVD at first, although didn’t rule out the possibility of Blu-ray, PlayStation Network and Zune Marketplace releases in the future. These series will receive a limited print, and will be available through online specialty retailers — brick and mortar stores, like Best Buy and Walmart, will not carry these titles

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NIS America to enter US anime market with Persona: Trinity Soul

Most businesses enjoy exchanging goods and services for fungible assets, so it’s not too shocking that Australian retailers are pulling for the nation to adopt an R18+ rating , which would cut down on the number of games the OFLC is forced to outright ban. Two retailers, GAME and Gametraders, recently spoke to GameSpot about their support of the new rating, and explained they’d be willing to adhere to surprisingly strict protocols in order to sell mature titles.

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More retailers sign on in support of R18+ rating in Australia

Click to embiggen. Launching simultaneously with Final Fantasy XIII in the US is a limited edition 250GB Xbox 360 console.

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Final Fantasy XIII Special Edition Xbox 360 Bundle includes 250GB hard drive, will cost $399

Retailers have started listing a Limited Collector’s Edition of Alan Wake , possibly in advance of an official announcement later today at Microsoft’s X10 event. Both Best Buy and Wal-Mart have listings for the item, with an $80 price tag and a May 25 release date. Wal-Mart’s listing actually includes the image seen here, and details the contents of the set: a linen case “designed to resemble a hardcover book” (is this game a book or a TV show?), a 144-page book with a story written by Alan Wake and FBI dossiers included, a soundtrack disc, a token for the first DLC pack, and a disc with an Xbox Live theme and avatar

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Alan Wake Limited Collector’s Edition spotted on retailer sites with May 25 date [update]

Nintendo has responded to Joystiq’s inquiry into the current Wii supply issues , with Nintendo of America’s Senior Director of Corporate Communications Charlie Scibetta telling us, “In the short term, replenishing Wii inventories will be a challenge.” He continues, “But we are doing everything we can to satisfy consumers looking to purchase a Wii system.” Analysts have already chided Nintendo for its holiday sales which, despite being record-breaking , could have been stronger had there been more Wii to go around. What makes this situation even stranger is the report from early December that Nintendo actually reduced Wii production going into the holiday.

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Nintendo: Replenishing Wii supply will be a ‘challenge’

We know we’ve already been diligent in keeping you abreast of the status of Bear McCreary’s epic soundtrack for Dark Void , so consider this our penultimate update on the topic: The game’s score is now available to download through iTunes , Amazon and a number of other retailers. It’s very, very good . If you have some extra cash lying around, and enjoy the occasional non-lyrical musical offering, you should purchase it post-haste

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PSA: Dark Void soundtrack now available on iTunes, Amazon