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

Warhammer 40K: Dawn of War II – Chaos Rising , a “standalone” expansion to last year’s critically acclaimed RTS, will unleash the traitorous Chaos Space Marines on March 11, 2010. In the service of the Emperor, players will cleanse, purge and kill across a new single-player campaign with 15 missions, and will acquire a bunch of multiplayer enhancements for $30. Remember, several retailers are offering a free copy of Saints Row 2 with a pre-purchase of the Chaos Rising expansion

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‘Chaos Rising’ in Dawn of War II on March 11

It’s unsurprising that most game retailers who dabble in the pre-owned market feel jilted by an initiative EA CEO John Riccitiello calls “Project Ten Dollar” — after all, it was designed to reclaim some of the revenues earned by secondhand sellers. A number of representatives from used game retailers recently spoke to GamesIndustry (login required) about the perils EA faces by bundling DLC redemption codes with new copies of the publisher’s games.

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Used game retailers respond to ‘Project Ten Dollar’

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

By way of G4 and IGN comes this handful of Dragon Age: Origins – Awakening videos, found after the break. In the first, meet dwarven legionnaire Sigrun, tasked with returning to the old fortress of Kal’hirol . There’s talking Darkspawn, those merry band of adventurers known as the “Legion of the Dead,” and even a cameo from our old friend Oghren.

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Dragon Age Awakening videos: meet Sigrun, ogle B-roll

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

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