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Peggle 2 trailer and screens are head-banging


These screens and trailer for Peggle 2 show snippets of colorful gameplay, the same kind we've come to adore in the series. The trailer is layered with Ode to Joy and peppered with lots of peg-pelting action, but it's the head-banging Bjorn during the "Extreme Fever" part near the end that really gets our blood pumping.

Microsoft revealed during its Gamescom press event that Peggle 2 will be joining Plants vs Zombies: Garden Warfare on Xbox One prior to hitting other consoles, with Peggle 2 launching alongside the system later this year.

PSA: PSN maintenance scheduled for Thursday

PSA PSN maintenance scheduled for Thursday
Heads up, PS3 and Vita owners: Sony announced that the PlayStation Network will be undergoing maintenance this Thursday, August 22, closing off access to the PlayStation Store and other online features. The outage will begin at around 12:00 Noon PT (1:00PM MT / 2:00PM CT / 3:00PM ET) and will wrap up at approximately 6:30PM PT (7:30PM MT / 8:30PM CT / 9:30PM ET).

The PlayStation Store will roll out an update later tonight, giving players a couple of days to queue up their downloads for the debuting Divekick and this week's new batch of PlayStation Plus freebies. It may help to think of Thursday's outage as an opportunity to hone both your jumping and your kicking skills in Divekick's single-player mode.

Gamescom trailers and screenshots giga-post


Psst, hey kid. You want some ... trailers? How about some Gamescom trailers? C'mere for a second.

Yeah that's right, we got all kinds of trailers. Murasaki Baby, Dragon Age: Inquisition, Resogun, Infamous: Second Son, Watch Dogs, pretty much any kind of trailer you wanna put in your eyeballs, we can hook it up. Hey, and you know what? Since you seem like a nice kid, we're gonna throw in some screenshots too. Oh no, put your wallet away – the first one's free.

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PSN Tuesday: Saints Row 4, Divekick, The Walking Dead on PS Vita

The weekly PlayStation content update has downloads of Saints Row 4, The Bureau: XCOM Declassified, Splinter Cell Blacklist and Divekick. On the PS Vita side, The Walking Dead makes its platform debut.

PlayStation Plus subscribers can snag a free pair of games today: Star Wars Pinball and Darkstalkers Chronicle: The Chaos Tower. Rounding out this week's update is the public multiplayer beta for Killzone: Mercenary, the PS Vita installment in Guerrilla's glowy-eyed shooting gallery.

Super Joystiq Podcast Special: Gamescom 2013 Day 2

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Gamescom 2013 marches on, and number two of five Super Joystiq Podcast Specials is here.

Yesterday featured insight from a group of indie developers, today's show features fellow members of the press. Alexander, Richard, Jess, Sinan, and guests discuss what is likely to be the biggest news day of the show, with presentations from Microsoft, EA, and Sony. Microsoft revealed its full launch lineup slated for November, EA went over its catalog of upcoming releases, and Sony doubled-down on its indie push and revealed November 15 (US), and November 29 (EU), release dates for the PlayStation 4.

We also have another amazing prize to give away from The Great Gamescom Podcast Giveaways of 2013! In today's episode, we reveal the password required to enter to win an Xbox 360 S Halo 4 hardware bundle. Instructions for how to enter can be found on this post, and after the break. Be sure to catch each episode every day this week for a new giveaway. See you back here tomorrow!

Listen to the Super Joystiq Podcast: Details about each segment are available after the break.

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Battlefield 4 Premium includes five DLC packs


EA will once again offer a Premium service alongside its latest Battlefield game. Battlefield 4 Premium offers five expansions on top of Battlefield 4, kicking off with the Second Assault DLC pack, available first on Xbox One when Battlefield 4 launches in October.

Second Assault is a collection of four multiplayer maps from Battlefield 3, updated in Frostbite 3. China Rising, which takes place on the Chinese mainland, arrives next in December, followed by the ocean-based combat of Naval Strike in Spring 2014. The "all-out urban warfare" of Dragon's Teeth makes up the fourth pack, available next summer, and Final Stand brings it all to a close in Summer 2014.

In addition to the DLC packs, Battlefield 4 Premium also guarantees access to the Battlefield 4 beta this October and "priority" position in server queues. Other means of beta access include pre-ordering the digital deluxe version of Battlefield 4 or getting in through limited edition and digital deluxe versions of Medal of Honor: Warfighter.

There is no pricing listed in the original announcement, though the Battlefield site lists Battlefield 4 Premium for PC at a one-time fee of $50 – the same price as Battlefield 3 Premium.

Wal-Mart opening up pre-orders for Xbox One and PS4 on August 24

Starting August 24, Wal-Mart stores across the US will open up pre-orders again for PS4 and Xbox One consoles. Folks that show up to reserve a console will need to put a 10 percent down payment on their system of choice: $40 for PS4 and $50 for Xbox One.

Wal-Mart will hold all pre-ordered consoles until December 13, giving customers more time to pay for their systems, even after their respective release dates pass. In the PS4's case, that launch date is November 15 as Sony announced during its Gamescom press conference today.

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Rumor: Wii U 32GB bundle with Wind Waker HD incoming

Rumor Wii U 32GB console with Windwaker HD bundle incoming
A purported Target retail listing suggests a new 32GB Wii U bundle is on the way, and that it includes The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker HD.

Word comes from Destructoid, which claims a source at retailer Target shared some listings from the company's internal tracking system. The Destructoid source pegs the new console at $349.99, the same price as the 32GB console offered now at retail.

That same source also claims Nintendo will offer two special 3DS XL bundles that include a copy of Pokemon X/Y for $199.99. And though no launch date was provided for these proposed bundles, we'd assume Nintendo is eyeing October – that's when both Pokemon games and Wind Waker HD will launch.

War Thunder to divebomb PS4 launch as free-to-play MMO


Gaijin Entertainment will run a free-to-play blitzkrieg on the PS4's launch with its World War II-oriented aerial and terrain combat MMO, War Thunder, the studio announced today at Sony's Gamescom press conference.

A press release from Gaijin revealed that War Thunder will "have more than 300 historically accurate WWII military vehicles available at launch," though fans can expect "hundreds more" in future updates that will be simultaneous with the PC version.

Players can enlist in co-op, single and multiplayer battles by downloading War Thunder for free from the PlayStation Store. PlayStation Plus subscribers will also receive "some bonus content."

Over three million players have registered to blow each other to bits in War Thunder's open beta for the PC and Mac.

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Ubisoft partners with Sony, New Regency on Watch Dogs movie

Ubisoft Motion Pictures, the film wing at the Ubisoft estate, has announced a new movie based on upcoming game Watch Dogs. The film, called a thriller in the announcement, is being developed in collaboration with Sony Pictures and New Regency Productions.

If this all sounds familiar, it's because Ubisoft has a similar deal with New Regency in place for the upcoming Assassin's Creed film starring Michael Fassbender. No casting choices for the upcoming Watch Dogs film have been announced.

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League of Legends compromised; North American accounts and transactions accessed

League of Legends
Riot Games has just issued a letter to League of Legends players revealing that North American account information has been compromised by hackers. According to the message, usernames, email addresses, "salted password hashes," and real names were accessed. Riot insists that password information is unreadable but that players with easy-to-guess passwords might be at risk.

Also accessed were hashed and salted credit card numbers from around 120,000 transactions made in 2011. Riot noted that the payment system in question has not been used since July of 2011 and that it is "taking appropriate action to notify and safeguard affected players."

If your information was affected, you will receive an email from Riot. All North American players will be required to change their passwords "to stronger ones that are much harder to guess." In the meantime, keep an eye on your accounts for any suspicious activity.

DualShock 4 available in Magma Red, Wave Blue on November 29 in Europe

DualShock 4 available in Magma Red, Wave Blue on November 29 in Europe
Seemingly determined to prove that the DualShock 4's light bar isn't the only thing capable of changing colors, Sony Computer Entertainment Inc. revealed in a press release today that the DualShock 4 will be available in Magma Red and Wave Blue "concurrently with the launch of PS4 in Europe."

The color variations are listed as €59 (£54) for Europe and $59 in North America. Both colors will launch in North and Latin America "later this year."

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PlayStation 4 launch window lineup [Updated: PSN games added]

PlayStation 4 launch window lineup
Sony has revealed its planned launch window lineup of retail games coming to the PlayStation 4. Each one of the games will arrive between the console's November 15 launch and the end of the year, in stores and digitally.
  • Assassin's Creed 4: Black Flag (Ubisoft)
  • Battlefield 4 (EA)
  • Call of Duty: Ghosts (Activision)
  • Driveclub (SCE)
  • FIFA 14 (EA)
  • Killzone: Shadow Fall (SCE)
  • Knack (SCE)
  • Just Dance 2014 (Ubisoft)
  • LEGO Marvel Superheroes (Warner Bros.)
  • Madden 25 (EA)
  • NBA 2K14 (2K Games)
  • NBA Live (EA)
  • Need for Speed: Rivals (EA)
  • Skylanders: Swap Force (Activision)
  • Watch Dogs (Ubisoft)
Sony promises a total of 33 titles, both at retail and only available on the PSN, will arrive before 2014. Downloadable titles such as Outlast and Blacklight: Retribution are confirmed to arrive later this year, while a PS4 version of indie darling Minecraft will arrive alongside the console at launch.

Update: Sony has updated its PS4 launch window line-up listing with its planned digital offerings. The list is available after the break.

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Titanfall drops into Gamescom with a new trailer

Image Did you know there is a place on the human body that, when shot with a gun, will cause the person to fully explode? It's one of the many highlights in this Titanfall trailer from Gamescom. ... Continue Reading

PS Vita memory cards now cheaper in North America

In addition to knocking $50 off the price of a PS Vita in North America, Sony has also announced memory cards for the device are now cheaper. 4GB cards are now $15, 8GB cards are $20, 16GB cards are $40 and 32GB cards are $80. These updated prices should be reflected at all North American retailers starting today.

Sony to offer 'discounted' upgrades to PS4 software on select titles for a limited time

During Sony's Gamescom briefing, Andrew House announced that PS3 players who purchase select software will have the ability to upgrade to the PlayStation 4 version for a "significantly discounted price."

House confirmed a number of games will be available for the "limited time" offer, including Call of Duty: Ghosts, Assassin's Creed 4: Black Flag, Watch Dogs and Battlefield 4. Activision, Ubisoft, EA and Warner Bros. were noted as publishers partnering with Sony on the upgrade initiative. It's unclear if the program will be available worldwide.

Unlike similar retailer offers revealed for Xbox One software earlier this week, Sony's plan is to offer the discounted games through its own digital storefront.

PlayStation 4 launches in North America on November 15 and in Europe on November 29.

PS4 launch date: Nov. 15 in NA, Nov. 29 in Europe

The PlayStation 4 comes to North America on November 15 and to Europe on November 29. It's been six months that we've been hanging on "Holiday 2013," but at today's Gamescom conference Sony finally gave its next-generation system a date to go along with its price of $400.

The company also noted that one million individuals around the globe have pre-ordered the PS4. "The response that we have received has been nothing short of incredible," CEO Andrew House said. "We were consistent in maintaining policies that are fair and in tune with consumer desires."

Update: Sony has announced the PlayStation 4 will arrive in Australia, Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Russia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom as part of its November 29 launch plans. Latin America will also see the system arrive on November 29, with launches planned for Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Mexico, Panama and Peru.

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Minecraft digs into PlayStation 4 at launch [Update: Also on PS3, Vita]

Minecraft digs into Sonytktktk
Minecraft is coming to the PlayStation 4 at launch, Sony announced during its Gamescom press conference today.

Minecraft launched on PC in 2011 as an early access alpha, and from there it gained unprecedented, worldwide sales and mainstream acclaim. It's since launched on Android, iOS and Xbox 360 – during its E3 press conference, Microsoft announced Minecraft for Xbox One. This month Minecraft on XBLA passed 8 million sales.

Update: On Twitter, Markus 'Notch' Persson wrote "PS4, PS3 and Vita," following a tweet referencing Sony's Minecraft announcement. "Minecraft+Sony=true." Get a room, you two! It's unclear if the PS3, Vita version will arrive alongside the PS4 launch.

Tequila Works' Rime will explore islands on PS4

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Tequila Works (Deadlight) is abandoning dreary silhouettes to venture out into a cel-shaded island in Rime for the PS4, Sony announced at their Gamescom press conference today.

VP of Sony Worldwide Studios Michael Denny explained that Rime is an open-world adventure focused on exploring the ruins of an ancient civilization. The trailer showed a figure exploring grassy hills amongst wildlife and clambering across portions of a broken bridge to scale a towering staircase.

Shadow of the Beast reimagined for PS4 [Update: Trailer!]


Shadow of the Beast was announced for PS4 during Sony's Gamescom press conference today. The game is a "reimagined" version of Psygnosis' 1989 side-scroller for Amiga in development by Heavy Spectrum. No release date was given for the game, which was accompanied by a trailer that showed a gruesome-looking beast with long claws.

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Quotable

'There's a huge portion of our fans that are female gamers. It was less about getting more people and more about appreciating the people we already have.'

— Mark Rubin, Infinity Ward executive producer, on adding female soldiers to multiplayer in Call of Duty: Ghosts.

The Joystiq Podcast

The Joystiq Podcast

Super Joystiq Podcast Special: Gamescom 2013 Day 2

Latest episode: Tuesday, August 20th, 2013

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