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12GB PlayStation 3 now available at Sony's US online store for $200
After some observant readers spotted it at Walmart and Future Shop in Canada, Sony's flash-based 12GB PlayStation 3 has turned up at its US online store. Originally slated for Europe and Hong Kong only, Sony decided to release the memory-challenged device stateside with virtually zero fanfare. It's now listed there for $200, as well as at the above retailers and possibly others -- though we're not really sure, because again, no fanfare. If you'd like to save 70 bucks over the 500GB version and skip all the spinning parts, hit the source
PSA: Mark of the Ninja Special Edition DLC available on Steam, XBLA
Mark of the Ninja's "Special Edition" DLC is available now on Steam and XBLA. The additional content will set armchair ninjas back 400 MSP ($5), and offers players the chance to portray Dosan, the game's mysterious tattoo artist. Dosan's adventure is set before the events of the game and includes new challenges as well as two new items. The new items and play-style introduced by Dosan can be used in the original game. Mark of the Ninja's Special Edition DLC also offers developer commentary tracks for every level of the game.
PSA: Spelunky, Guacamelee, Papers Please available on Steam
A triple-threat of indie games made their way to Steam today, starting with Papers, Please, which is debuting for $9.99. Additionally, Spelunky and Guacamelee Gold Edition are ten percent off (each game priced at $13.49) until August 15. The Gold Edition of Guacamelee includes a free copy of Tales from Space: Mutant Blobs Attack for this week only, which is regularly priced at $7.99 on Steam.
PSA: New 3DS firmware out today, adds StreetPass 'relay' functionality
The latest firmware update for the 3DS is available, bringing new StreetPass functionality along with it. 3DS owners with firmware version 6.2.0-xU or higher will now be able to access StreetPass data from other users that previously passed by Nintendo Zone locations. Nintendo Zone locales now temporarily store one user's StreetPass data for games like Animal Crossing: New Leaf and Monster Hunter 3 Ultimate for a future passer-by to collect, then automatically stash the following person's game data. Nintendo points out that Relay Points will be especially helpful for Mii Plaza games, which have done well for the company.
PSA: Skullgirls pre-orders open on Steam, include color palette options
Skullgirls is now available for pre-order on Steam for $14.99. Pre-orders for the fighting game grant players access to the beta, slated to launch on August 22. By pre-ordering the game on Steam, players will also receive the game's color palette DLC, which offers more colorful costume options for Skullgirls' fighters. The flashy fighting game first launched in April 2012 on XBLA and PSN.
PSA: Free iCloud storage for MobileMe users to end on September 30th
All good things come to an end, and for ex-MobileMe users, that end is fast approaching: Apple's complimentary 20GB of iCloud storage for former users expires on September 30th -- this time for good. The promotion, launched to assuage user sorrow over the death of MobileMe and to entice them to try out iCloud, was only meant to last until September 2012 before receiving a year-long extension. Users who want to keep their storage after the kill-date will need to pony up $40 per year for a 20GB subscription, or risk being bumped down to the free 5GB plan. Unfortunately, iCloud Backup, Documents in the Cloud and iCloud Mail will stop working if a user's data goes over that limit, undoubtedly forcing many to shell out for additional storage. Of course, digital hoarders could always opt to do a little housekeeping.
PSA: Black Ops 2 'Vengeance' DLC on PS3 and PC today
The Vengeance DLC for Call of Duty: Black Ops 2 is now available on PS3 and PC via Steam. Vengeance adds four multiplayer maps in Cove, Detour, Rush and Uplink. It also includes a new zombie map known as Buried, which has players traverse through a "long-forgotten subterranean Old West mining town infested with swarms of flesh-eating undead." Vengeance will set players back $14.99, though the DLC is free for Season Pass holders. %Gallery-193520%
PSA: Martian Manhunter now stalks Injustice: Gods Among Us
J'onn J'onzz, the shapeshifting, telepathic last-of-his-kind alien also known as Martian Manhunter, is now available as the fifth DLC fighter for the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 versions of Injustice: Gods Among Us. No word on when/if J'onzz will make his way to the Wii U version, as has historically been the case with new DLC character releases for this game. The price on J'onzz's head tallies up at 400 MS Points/$4.99, which also fits the status quo. It's worth mentioning, however, that he is not free for those that purchased the game's DLC Season Pass, which only acted as a voucher for the first four DLC characters: Lobo, Batgirl, Scorpion and Zod. Carl Lumbly reprises his role as the voice of J'onzz, proving that there is at least a small amount of justice still left in the universe.
PSA: Skulls of the Shogun out on Steam today
Skulls of the Shogun is now available on Steam for $14.99. Developed by 17-Bit, the game features turn-based, strategic battles that take place in a Japanese warrior's afterlife. Skulls of the Shogun also offers local, online and asynchronous multiplayer modes, matching nicely with the Steam version's six extra maps. %Gallery-173382%
PSA: Last day for GaymerX pre-registration pricing
Today marks the final day for pre-registration pricing to GaymerX, "the first LGBT gaming convention focused on the queer geek culture." Taking place next week on August 3rd and 4th, the event will be held in San Francisco's Japantown district. Speciality event pricing offers access to "all panels, dealer's room, gaming rooms, a Saturday night dance, and convention areas" for $45. After today, passes will be available for $60 at the convention. VIP passes are also available, including the normal registration incentives along with access to a VIP party on Friday and a t-shirt commemorating the event; however, VIP passes will not be available at the event. Special guests at the event include GLaDOS voice-actor Ellen McLain, game designer Anna Anthropy and more. Joystiq will be at GaymerX, covering the event and basking in the warm glow of inclusion.
PSA: White House to host 'We the Geeks' hangout tomorrow at 12PM ET
In the spirit of San Diego Comic Con, the White House is set to host a special geek-themed Google+ Hangout tomorrow, July 19th, at 12:00 PM ET to celebrate the geniuses pioneering real-life superhero-style technology. The event, part of its "We the Geeks" series, will cover recent innovations in materials science that could potentially take us to infinity and beyond, like impenetrable liquid armor, self-healing and touch-sensitive synthetic skin. Joining the Hangout are notable experts including (but certainly not limited to) James Kakalios, author of The Physics of Superheroes, Nathan Landy, a Duke University graduate student working on an invisibility cloak and Nate Ball, host of PBS's Design Squad Nation and inventor of the Batman-like Ascender. Got a question for these real world Tony Starks? Share it via Twitter or Google+ using the hashtag #WeTheGeeks.
PSA: Watch today's ISS spacewalk right here, coverage begins 8:10 am ET
ISS Flight Engineers Chris Cassidy and Luca Parmitano are set to commence a spacewalk on the ISS today starting at 8:10 ET. The pair will undertake the final installation of bypass jumpers, providing essential power redundancy to critical components. Other tasks to be completed on the walk include replacing a video camera, relocating wireless television kit and performing vital checks on component door covers. This will be the fifth spacewalk performed on the ISS this year, and the 171st in support of the station overall. You can watch the preliminaries right now, or head back at 8:10 to catch the action. Update: As those watching will be aware, the spacewalk wound up being cut considerably short due to a water leak in astronaut Luca Parmitano's helmet that required him to be assisted back inside the space station.
PSA: Molyjam Deux is underway, here's where to watch
The second-annual Molyjam is in full swing, and thanks to the magic of the internet you too can see what it's like to build a ridiculous game from scratch over the course of 48 sleepless hours. The event, which is taking place at 32 locations in 15 countries, has a live Twitch hub set up to allow for easy switching between the various webcam livestreams broadcasting the event. Unlike last year's Molyjam, which took its inspiration from the Twitter work of parody account Peter Molydeux, this year's function sources quotes from the man himself.
Call of Duty: Black Ops 2 enacts Vengeance on Xbox Live
The latest DLC for Call of Duty: Black Ops 2, dubbed Vengeance, is available for download on Xbox Live today. This 1,200 MS Points ($15) DLC includes four multiplayer maps in Rush, Detour, Cove and Uplink, the latter a remake of Summit from the original Black Ops, and one new Zombies mode variant called Buried. The final piece included in this DLC is the Ray Gun Mark 2, a new sidearm for use in Zombies mode.
PSA: Gears of War: Judgment 'Lost Relics' DLC found today
VIP members can access some new maps in Gears of War: Judgment today, available as part of the Lost Relics DLC pack. Headlining the pack is a new mode called Breakthrough, where one side attempts to move a flag from one point to another while the other team tries to stop them. Lost Relics includes four multiplayer maps in total: Lost City, Museum, Ward (OverRun only) and Checkout, the same fan-favorite map featured in Gears of War 3. Rounding out the DLC pack are some new weapon and armor skins. Hit the jump for some flythrough videos of each map – if you like your DLC tours a little more static, then feel free to peruse our gallery of screenshots below.%Gallery-191677%
PSA: IGF finalist 7 Grand Steps now available
Independent Games Festival Nuovo award finalist 7 Grand Steps is now available for PC and Mac through both Steam and the developer's official website. Purchasing the game through Steam will net you a sweet 10-percent discount off the game's full price of $14.99 (provided you buy before June 14), whereas buying directly from Mousechief gets you a free digital copy of 7 Grand Steps' soundtrack. A free demo is also available, should the prospect of a multi-generational, lineage-based strategy game not instantly sound like the coolest.
PSA: Black Ops 2 Uprising DLC out today on PS3, PC
Call of Duty: Black Ops 2's multiplayer offerings grow stronger -- and undead-er -- with today's release of the Uprising DLC map pack for the PlayStation 3 and PC platforms. The pack is priced at $14.99. Uprising adds the Magma, Encore, Vertigo, and Studio multiplayer maps, the latter of which is a reworking of the classic Firing Range level featured in the original Black Ops. The bundle also includes Mob of the Dead, a Prohibition-era Zombies mode map that takes place at Alcatraz Prison. Today's release brings PC and PS3 players up to speed with the Xbox 360 version of the game, which received Uprising a month ago. Activision has not announced plans to release any of Black Ops 2's DLC for the Wii U.
PSA: System Shock 2 on Steam, 30 percent off until May 17
System Shock 2 is now available on Steam for $6.99. The first-person survival-horror game is 30 percent off until May 17. System Shock 2 found its way to the platform courtesy of Night Dive Studios, the outfit who picked up the rights as the game's publisher in February, when System Shock 2 also launched on GOG.com. To those of you that have yet to play this game: You're running out of excuses.
PSA: QUBE DLC out now on Steam, 10 percent off until May 13
The Against the Qlock DLC for puzzler QUBE is out now on Steam, and is 10 percent off ($5.39) until May 13. Against the Qlock challenges players to beat ten levels in record time to top the scores of their friends. QUBE will be coming to Wii U the form of QUBE: Director's Cut. "Quite possibly," it may also make its way to Vita. No release date for either platform has been announced.
PSA: T-Mobile's Samsung Galaxy S 4 available online today
Samsung's latest flagship, the GS4, landed on Sprint and AT&T a couple of days ago, and now it's T-Mobile's turn to join the party -- at least by way of its virtual stores. Taking advantage of the carrier's recently unveiled pricing scheme, the Galaxy S 4 will be available starting at $149.99 up front for the 16GB model (plus the $20 extra per month for the next two years, of course). Now, if you're looking to physically pick one up instead, you'll have to wait a little longer, as it won't be available at brick-and-mortar shops until May 1st.
