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Burnout Paradise sells 20k copies via PS Store

At $30 per download, that amounts to $600,000 for the publisher (and Sony, who undoubtedly gets a share of that). Riccitiello also said that on average, $14.50 has been spent per user in The Sims 2 online store. For this fiscal year, EA expects $185 million in online revenue. Burnout Paradise "Party" DLC and Ultimate Box set are coming February 2009.
The best of WoW Insider: September 23-30, 2008

As you can see, Warcraft's heroes look a little different lately -- both Varian Wrynn (the missing king of Stormwind, who hasn't been seen since the game started) is looking heroic and back on the throne, and Sylvanas Windrunner, queen of the Forsaken players, has a new hot look as well. Varimathas ("You think you can match the might of a Dreadlord?") is the victim of a bug, though -- he's just a placeholder graphic for now. For more beta changes and strangness, hit up WoW Insider -- we're on the home stretch to the WoW expansion, and we've got everything you need to know.
News
- Spoiler: Angrathar, the Wrath Gate
Don't click that link if you don't want the story ruined, but s. is about to hit the f. in Northrend. if you know what we mean. - Ask a Beta Tester: Multi-passenger mounts and Enchanting
Our beta tester (one of them) answers your questions about what's going on in the Wrath of the Lich King beta. - New items for old Honor
Blizzard's about to wipe all Honor and marks off the map, so here's what they're offering to let you buy before everything goes bye-bye. - Shaman changes in Wrath beta build 8982
Class tweaks are coming faster than ever near the end of the beta, and our class columnists are keeping you updated on what's going on. - Boss models updated in Wrath beta
Finally, Sylvanas looks like the badass Blood Elf Banshee Queen she's supposed to be.
Features
- First Impressions: 5-man healing in the beta
What it's like to keep a group up in Northrend. - Skill Mastery: Mind Sear
A look at an Area of Effect ability coming to Shadow Priests, - Breakfast Topic: The last week of Brewfest
The in-game holiday of drunken Dwarves is almost over -- did you get your Brew of the Month membership yet? - WoW Insider's preview of PopCap Games' Bejeweled addon
Here's a first look at PopCap's official Bejeweled addon -- one addictive game inside another. - Will Wrath really be ready by November 13th?
Blizzard, a company known for polish, is still not done with some of Wrath. Will the game come out unfinished?
LBP won't have online co-op level editor at launch
PS3's much-anticipated LittleBigPlanet will not ship with the online co-op create mode, according to Sony's official US forums. The feature will be added with the "first major update" of the game after launch, but no indication was given as to when we can expect said update.
The four-player co-op will still be online and four-player level creation will still be possible -- as long as everyone is sitting in the same room. LBP is slated for release globally at the end of October.
[Via PS3 Fanboy]
The four-player co-op will still be online and four-player level creation will still be possible -- as long as everyone is sitting in the same room. LBP is slated for release globally at the end of October.
[Via PS3 Fanboy]
No online Create mode for LittleBigPlanet at launch

You'll still be able to create levels with three of your buddies at launch, they just have to be in the same room as you. Four-player online co-op will obviously be available out of the box too. There's still plenty to do (and be excited for) in the game, which should keep us busy until Media Molecule release the online Create patch.
Nintendo randomly reveals WiFi Network Adapter
Our faces lit up this morning after seeing this image on Famitsu's site. Surely, this was it: Nintendo's long-awaited solution to the storage woes of every Wii-owning geek and otaku on the planet. Alas, no. After scrambling for a machine translation of the accompanying kanji, our hopes were emphatically mangled. This is no HDD unit, but a portable air conditioner the "Nintendo WiFi Network Adapter." Once again, life had thrown us a cruel curveball. Happy Monday morning, us.
Anyway, if you struggle to get your Wii or DS online (and we know from experience that it can be fiddly), then this dinky wireless LAN router is for you. It can be used with the Wii, the DS, your PC, and other devices, and will be available on Nintendo's Japanese homepage from September 18th, priced at ¥5,800 (US$53). There's no news yet on a launch outside Japan, though as the Nintendo WiFi USB Connector was discontinued late last year, a western release would be a safe bet.
Hit the break for three more images, one of which depicts the adapter's three modes: "Router," "Bridge" (for connecting to your Wii or DS via another router), and "Auto" (which automatically switches your network). As for our ongoing storage issues, we're still waiting, Shiggy/Reggie/Satoru ...
Anyway, if you struggle to get your Wii or DS online (and we know from experience that it can be fiddly), then this dinky wireless LAN router is for you. It can be used with the Wii, the DS, your PC, and other devices, and will be available on Nintendo's Japanese homepage from September 18th, priced at ¥5,800 (US$53). There's no news yet on a launch outside Japan, though as the Nintendo WiFi USB Connector was discontinued late last year, a western release would be a safe bet.
Hit the break for three more images, one of which depicts the adapter's three modes: "Router," "Bridge" (for connecting to your Wii or DS via another router), and "Auto" (which automatically switches your network). As for our ongoing storage issues, we're still waiting, Shiggy/Reggie/Satoru ...
Wii Warm Up: Best online?
If Nintendo's got a weak point, it's the online capabilities of Wii games. Compared to other services, online gaming for Nintendo fans is definitely lacking, but at least these days, we actually have a few games that are online. It's an improvement! Which Wii game do you think has the best online mode, though, and why? Is that good enough?The best of WoW Insider: August 26 - September 1, 2008

Of course, if you know Blizzard at all, you know it doesn't really like the whole concept of "release dates" -- the developers prefer to say they'll release the next WoW expansion "when it's ready." But a bunch of retailers have recently pointed their noses at November 4th (with a November 3rd midnight release, so says the sign from an Australian store above), and if that turns out to be true, it's gonna be a busy Election Day. That story and more, all in these highlights from the last week of WoW Insider.
News
- 1-60 in 20 minutes
The Recruit-a-Friend program allows level granting, which lets this Paladin level up to 60 in just a few minutes. - Online retailers point towards a November 4th release for Wrath
It means as much as Blizzard wants it to mean (so don't start filling out your vacation forms yet), but retailers think 11/4 is Wrath release day. - Bambi terrorizes Northrend
Critter killers beware -- this time around, Bambi is on the hunt. - New titles for Wrath
Blizzard expands its player title system big time. Want to be a "Grand Master" or an "Ambassador"? Better get started on those achievements. - Raid buffs overhauled for 3.0.2
Huge changes in the Wrath of the Lich King beta for how raids buff and support each other.
Features
- Skill Mastery: Arcane Barrage
Our new look at the various skills coming out of the beta examines the spell that might save the Mage class. - Death Knight solos Onyxia
It's been done before, but the new class proves it can down the old dragon, too. - Chilton content to endorse multi-boxing
Blizzard has always been on the fence about multiboxing -- it's never really had a problem with it. But here's the first time it will actually support it. - WoW Machinima: The basics
Our machinima writer posts an in-depth look at how and where to start with making in-game movies. - Know Your Lore: High Overlord Saurfang
The game's biggest badass gets his backstory told.
Amazon offering release date delivery for big-name games
For gamers, there's usually a push-and-pull battle involved in deciding to order a new game from an online retailer. On the plus side, ordering online means not having to deal with clueless game store employees, not fighting off the harsh rays of the sun and, most importantly, not leaving the comfort of the couch! On the downside, though, those online delivery people will sometimes arrive days after a game is available in stores, losing you precious time you could be spending pwning n00bs.
Amazon is looking to get rid of that major online ordering negative with their Release Date Delivery program for some of the season's biggest games. Shoppers that pay an extra $5.98 can get Tiger Woods PGA Tour 09, Star Wars: The Force Unleashed, Fable 2 and Gears of War 2 delivered to their doors the same day they're available in stores (you may remember Amazon tested the program last month with Soul Calibur IV). Amazon Prime members can get this service for free, but it's only currently available in the continental U.S., so residents of foreign lands (not to mention the freak states) should be prepared to hoof it to their nearest brick and mortar game retailers.
Source - Press Release
Source - More Details
Amazon is looking to get rid of that major online ordering negative with their Release Date Delivery program for some of the season's biggest games. Shoppers that pay an extra $5.98 can get Tiger Woods PGA Tour 09, Star Wars: The Force Unleashed, Fable 2 and Gears of War 2 delivered to their doors the same day they're available in stores (you may remember Amazon tested the program last month with Soul Calibur IV). Amazon Prime members can get this service for free, but it's only currently available in the continental U.S., so residents of foreign lands (not to mention the freak states) should be prepared to hoof it to their nearest brick and mortar game retailers.
Source - Press Release
Source - More Details
New info on Tetris Party's game modes
Aside from learning about Balance Board support and when the game would be releasing on WiiWare, we haven't heard much about what's in the Tetris Party game. Well, other than Tetris. We all pretty much know what's going on with that.
We now have some idea as to what gamers should expect from the title's many modes of play, though. There will be 18 different modes of play, with 10 of them supposedly being never-before-seen variations of single and multiplayer Tetris. Online modes will be titled World Battle and Friend Battle, where up to six players can take part in play simultaneously.
Aside from all of that, other modes were mentioned, including Stage Racer, Wii Balance Board Tetris Marathon, Field Climber, and Duel Space modes. We don't have any specific info on those, though, so we'll just have to wait until the game releases to spend some quality time with those modes.
We now have some idea as to what gamers should expect from the title's many modes of play, though. There will be 18 different modes of play, with 10 of them supposedly being never-before-seen variations of single and multiplayer Tetris. Online modes will be titled World Battle and Friend Battle, where up to six players can take part in play simultaneously.
Aside from all of that, other modes were mentioned, including Stage Racer, Wii Balance Board Tetris Marathon, Field Climber, and Duel Space modes. We don't have any specific info on those, though, so we'll just have to wait until the game releases to spend some quality time with those modes.
Midway at E3: Mortal Kombat vs. DC Universe

Scorpion vs. Batman. Catwoman vs. Subzero. These aren't exactly matchups players have always dreamed of, but Midway is going to do their best to cram two disparate universes into one with Mortal Kombat vs. DC Universe, the very first Mortal Kombat game on the next-gen systems. Here at E3, Joystiq got to sit down with Brian Lebaron, senior designer for the game, and we talked about why it's OK to set the Flash on fire, why Bizarro probably won't be in the game, and what Midway is doing to Toasty uppercut the fighting genre.
After the break, find our hands on with the game, as well as details from our chat with Lebaron. When MK vs. DC comes out, you'll finally be able to find out whether Liu Kang's kicks can catch the Flash in the jaw.
After the break, find our hands on with the game, as well as details from our chat with Lebaron. When MK vs. DC comes out, you'll finally be able to find out whether Liu Kang's kicks can catch the Flash in the jaw.
Born for Wii: ChuChu Rocket!
In spite of its untimely demise, the Dreamcast still lives on in gamers' hearts due to a small library of now-classic titles, ranging from the grandiose, such as Shenmue, to the bizarre, like Space Channel 5. Falling closer to the latter on the weirdness scale is ChuChu Rocket!, a unique Dreamcast puzzler that's noteworthy for being one of the last great games to come out of Sega's Sonic Team (I mean, really -- Shadow the Hedgehog?), and for taking the Dreamcast online with four-player multiplayer -- no small feat in 2000. Just like Katamari Damacy, ChuChu Rocket! succeeds on the strengths of simple-but-addictive gameplay and irresistible charm.ChuChu Rocket! makes no attempt to hide what it is -- a pure puzzler, free of all frivolities and unnecessary dead weight like a story. The concept is quite straightforward -- your only goal is to guide a group of mice (or, in some levels, just one mouse) into a rocket. In many cases, this involves avoiding cats who are roaming the puzzle terrain, waiting to make a mouse sandwich out of your little ChuChus. Both the mice and the cats move in the exact same fashion -- they head in a straight line until they hit a wall, which will cause them to turn right. It's a little like watching a group of lemmings, but, thankfully, the mice move just a bit faster.
Gallery: Born for Wii: ChuChu Rocket
EA: Online to make up around 60% of Asian business in 5 years
After showing considerable interest in conquering Asia, Electronic Arts has been noticeably mum of late regarding its plans for the region, lurking like a rogue in the shadows, as if waiting to club the market on the back of the head with a fat bag of cash. Now EA has admitted as much, with EA Asia's vice president Chris Thompson telling Reuters that the company looks for the region to comprise some 15 to 20 percent of its total business by 2012. Compare this to the meager 5 percent of EA's wallet it's responsible for today.Key to this expected growth is the Asian market's love affair with playing games online. According to Thompson, while online gaming represents a respectable 10-15 percent of the company's Asian footprint today, "five years from now, that the online portion of our business could be representing somewhere plus or minus around 60 pct of our business." Mama always said if you're gonna set a goal, make it lofty, though with Hellgate: London finding some rare success in Korea and Warhammer Online waiting in the wings, maybe there's method to EA's infatuation with Asia after all.
Wet your wireless whistle at new Nintendo DS Centers
Nintendo is taking the whole portable connectivity concept one step further in the UK, with 33 brand-spankin' new DS Centers installed at various retailers. There used to be a bunch of creaky old "Download Stations" dotted about the place, but these latest models outstript the dated machines with their sleek superiority and high levels of rad.The official website has launched, where you can learn what these white towers of fun can do for you and your DS. We love making generalizations around here, so we'll assume every UK citizen lives in a quaint little cottage in the countryside, always having scones and raspberry jam for tea. If you want to try one of these DS Centers, you'll need to crank up your old Reliant Robin and pop down to the local big-shot retailer to bust out some Wi-Fi fun.
These centers are a pretty good way to physically show UK gamers that their DS can do more than sit unloved at the bottom of a bag while waiting around for the next Coronation Street house party. You can download the latest demos, try a game you may have missed, and even get global with a worldwide network of DS players. It'll be just as fun as downing a pint at the Rub-A-Dub, right lads?
A guide to content sharing in Blast Works
As you can see in the helpful video above, sharing your own stuff in Blast Works is likely going to be a ... well, uh ... a blast. It looks fun, doesn't it? Of course, the main issue is will anyone actually take the time to share? We hope so!
The stuff that folks can share ranges from something as small as a ship to something as big as an entire stage. It really looks like it'll offer Wii owners some solid online content. And, as you all know, the Wii is in need of some online functionality.
First Mario Kart competition opens, disappoints
Those of you who booted up the Wii this morning and checked out the Mario Kart Channel may have noticed that the first competition has finally been opened for entry! The process is simple: complete three laps of Mario Circuit as quickly as possible, upload your time to Nintendo's big list 'o times, wait until the deadline (May 9th or May 10th, depending on your timezone), and get ready to bask in internet glory. Hurray, right?
Wrong.
When we think of Mario Kart time trials, we think of gradually shaving milliseconds off of our best times, of taking every corner as finely as possible, of finding the best way to utilize our three mushrooms, of locating the perfect racing line, and of keeping our noses just ahead of the time trial ghosts. Yet this first Mario Kart Wii competition totally misses the point.
For instance, it's not a time trial at all, but a fully fledged race, complete with eleven opponents and all the usual items. In other words, you can take every corner as flawlessly as possible, only to get blue-shelled on the final straight. Which doesn't strike us as a terribly fair contest. We guess this is meant to level the playing field for newer players, but shouldn't more skillful players be justly rewarded?
Anyway, if you do want to try your hand at being robbed of a deserved victory, this blogger's best time so far is a quite appalling 2:03.325.
Wrong.
When we think of Mario Kart time trials, we think of gradually shaving milliseconds off of our best times, of taking every corner as finely as possible, of finding the best way to utilize our three mushrooms, of locating the perfect racing line, and of keeping our noses just ahead of the time trial ghosts. Yet this first Mario Kart Wii competition totally misses the point.
For instance, it's not a time trial at all, but a fully fledged race, complete with eleven opponents and all the usual items. In other words, you can take every corner as flawlessly as possible, only to get blue-shelled on the final straight. Which doesn't strike us as a terribly fair contest. We guess this is meant to level the playing field for newer players, but shouldn't more skillful players be justly rewarded?
Anyway, if you do want to try your hand at being robbed of a deserved victory, this blogger's best time so far is a quite appalling 2:03.325.













