Hello YellowSn0w 3.0! iPhone unlockers can start to get excited now! The dev team will be showcasing their new jewel on their blog on Tuesday eve. For those who do not know, YellowSn0w is an unlocking tool that frees the iphone from the official carriers. The next 24 hours is going to be exciting.

http://www.modmyi.com/forums/iphone-...you-doing.html ...

While it wont do most of us any good yet, Apple has released iPhone 3G S firmware version (7A341) for download. The file name is iPhone2,1_3.0_7A341_Restore.ipsw and grab it here if you'd like. If you choose to download it and browse around inside tell us if you notice anything interesting!

edit: yes this is the same firmware version as the master gold, no, please DO NOT install on your iPhone 3G

http://www.modmyi.com/forums/iphone-...-download.html ...

When Max Payne again reappears on consoles this winter, it appears as though he'll be stepping into a much different setting. According to a cover story in issue 195 of Game Informer, the new title will not be taking place in the dark streets, warehouses, and construction yards of New York, but in Sao Paulo, Brazil. Max was booted from the New York Police Department and spent the following 12 years battling his inner demons and addictions, and at some point he moved out to the Brazilian metropolis to escape from his previous life. It appears once again he'll be drawn into elements undesirable, as his work as a security agent for a rich local family leads him into life-threatening situations.

In addition to the different setting, Max has undergone quite a few physical changes. He's burlier this time around, sports a beard and a shaved head, and appears to have ditched the long coat and black getup from the previous games in favor of a stained white sleeveless shirt and cargo pants. Screens included in the article also show a much brighter setting, making it appear like many of the venues for action in the third game take place while the sun is out. Rockstar did mention a few levels could take place at night or in the rain, and pointed out that achieving a 'noir' kind of feel is more about style than about a specific location or color.

Rockstar won't be using voice actor James McCaffrey again, saying it wouldn't really fit considering how much Max has aged. The talent being used won't be a big recognizable name, but Rockstar is confident it'll be appropriate, and the studio plans on giving Max plenty of lines of internal dialogue in the style of the previous games. Many details of the new plot aren't yet being talked about, but Rockstar told Game Informer players can expect it to include the elements of betrayal and violence the series is known for.

To build the new setting, Rockstar sent crews down to Sao Paulo to take note of environmental layouts and soak in the local flavor. The company believes it'll be able to put together some interesting locations for shootouts, with enemies being able to pop out of all sorts of unexpected spots as Max moves through the streets of shanty towns. This third game is being handled by Rockstar Vancouver instead of Remedy, the developer of the original games currently busy with Alan Wake.

One of the big questions Rockstar Vancouver is trying to answer with this game is how to evolve the third-person shooting mechanics of the franchise to make them feel new again. With the first two, the bullet time system that let Max slow down those around him while performing dives and dodges and blasting bullets was unique enough to stand out. The third game will still feature a bullet time system, but will also include a number of other features that have to do with animation and interaction with the environment to ensure the gameplay feels distinct.

The game is being built with Rockstar's RAGE, used to build past games like Grand Theft Auto IV, in combination with NaturalMotion's Euphoria technology that allows for enemies to react realistically to being hit by gunfire and as they impact things in the environment, which Rockstar is hoping delivers a greater sense of realism. To protect himself from incoming bullets, Max will also be able to take cover behind objects as well as grab enemies to use them as human shields, though taking advantage of the cover system isn't required for success. It seems quite a few bits of the environment will also be destructible, so perhaps not every bit of cover will be all that reliable.

Something called environmental bullet time is being built into the game, which according to the article can be compared to quick-time events in other titles. Yet instead of doing something like tapping a button within a small window of time, the player will have full control of Max as the event progresses. Rockstar provided one example to Game Informer, where Max slides down a tin roof in slow motion while tagging nearby enemies with bullets.

This won't be an open-world game, though it seems Max will have a limited ability to scale walls and access combat areas from a few different directions. A bullet-cam, which follows projectiles into their targets, will be implemented into the game to add more style, and it seems Max will be able to perform life-saving kill shots should he be near death. If he manages to kill his killer before the screen goes black, he'll spring back to life thanks to an adrenaline boost.

What Game Informer seemed most impressed by were the animations and attention to detail in the environments, which were said to enhance the gunplay and feel of the game. While hardly anything was said about the multiplayer, it was confirmed that there will be an online component in the PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, and PC version of the game.

http://uk.pc.ign.com/articles/995/995261p1.html ...

Playlogic Entertainment, Inc. (Nasdaq OTC: PLGC.OB), an independent worldwide publisher of entertainment software, announced today that Vertigo, the action-packed, futuristic racing puzzle game, has been shipped to retail stores nationwide. Vertigo is available for play on the Wii system and Windows PC.

Vertigo is a high-rolling, adrenaline-fueled combination of futuristic racing, puzzle solving and precision control. With four multiplayer gaming modes, this is the ideal game for the entire family or a competitive group of friends. Vertigo takes gaming to dizzying new heights, where only the most skilled can survive!

Vertigo challenges players to take their Xorb across 54 hair-raising landscapes and nine different worlds, each with their own unique treacherous terrain and death defying obstacles. Along the way players can upgrade their Xorb, seek hidden shortcuts and col lect power-ups to help them survive all with the goal of becoming the fastest and most envied Xorber in the Universe!

For added playability, Vertigo for Wii features Wii board compatibility, allowing players to use either the Wiimote or Wii balance board for an all-new realistic balancing experience.

Additional game features include:
*Four multiplayer modes: Time Trial, Xorb Football, Death Match, and 10-pin Xorb bowling
*Four trial modes: Arcade, Career, Practice, and Time Trial
*Fully Customizable Shell type: Bodywork and Hatch customization
*Three racing classes to progress through

Vertigo is rated "E" for everyone by the ESRB. For more information about Vertigo or Playlogic, please visit www.playlogicgames.com. ...

Electronic Arts Inc. (NASDAQ: ERTS) today announced details on the exclusive driver profile system in Need for Speed™ SHIFT. Driver profile is the ultimate extension of the true driver's experience. Extending through the single player career and online multiplayer modes, driver profile gives each player a unique game experience based on the way each player drives on the track. This exclusive driver profile system pushes the entire racing genre forward.

During this year's Electronic Entertainment Expo (E3) in Los Angeles, EA invited attendees to participate in a Need for Speed SHIFT Hero Car Competition that showcased the driver profile. Competitors raced around the Autopolis track in the BMW M3 GT2 hero car generating the highest number of driver profile points. The winner of the Need for Speed SHIFT Hero Car Competition, Mitchell Francis, from Los Angeles won a brand new 2009 BMW M3 Coupe.

Driver profile is a tailor-made career mode based on four key game play components:

1. Personality - a player's driving style determines whether they are an aggressive or precise driver.

2. Success - as in every race, the ultimate goal is to finish at the top of the podium.

3. Profile points - every car passed, every corner mastered, every opponent taken out generates profile points.

4. Badges - these unique icons bring individuality and style to each player's driver profile, as each player races and completes top achievements.

As a player's driver profile develops through the course of the game, it creates rivalries, triggers specific challenges and even unlocks vehicles and customization options. Need for Speed SHIFT's multiple reward systems keeps players in each race regardless of their position.

"The new driver profile feature in Need for Speed SHIFT gives players full control of how they progress through game," said Patrick Soderlund, Senior Vice President of EA Games Europe. "In SHIFT, how you drive is who you are behind the wheel."

Need for Speed SHIFT is being developed by Slightly Mad Studios in collaboration with Black Box and Patrick Soderlund. Slightly Mad Studios includes developers and designers that worked on the critically acclaimed games GT Legends and GTR 2. The PSP (PlayStation Portable) version is being developed by EA's Bright Light studio.

Need for Speed SHIFT is scheduled to ship in Europe on September 17 and in North America on September 22 on the PLAYSTATION 3 computer entertainment system, Xbox 360 video game and entertainment system, PC and PSP system. More information can be found at www.needforspeed.com or follow us on Twitter at NeedforSpeed. Press can download assets at http://info.ea.com. ...

Electronic Arts Inc. (NASDAQ: ERTS) today announced details on the exclusive driver profile system in Need for Speed™ SHIFT. Driver profile is the ultimate extension of the true driver's experience. Extending through the single player career and online multiplayer modes, driver profile gives each player a unique game experience based on the way each player drives on the track. This exclusive driver profile system pushes the entire racing genre forward.

During this year's Electronic Entertainment Expo (E3) in Los Angeles, EA invited attendees to participate in a Need for Speed SHIFT Hero Car Competition that showcased the driver profile. Competitors raced around the Autopolis track in the BMW M3 GT2 hero car generating the highest number of driver profile points. The winner of the Need for Speed SHIFT Hero Car Competition, Mitchell Francis, from Los Angeles won a brand new 2009 BMW M3 Coupe.

Driver profile is a tailor-made career mode based on four key game play components:

1. Personality - a player's driving style determines whether they are an aggressive or precise driver.

2. Success - as in every race, the ultimate goal is to finish at the top of the podium.

3. Profile points - every car passed, every corner mastered, every opponent taken out generates profile points.

4. Badges - these unique icons bring individuality and style to each player's driver profile, as each player races and completes top achievements.

As a player's driver profile develops through the course of the game, it creates rivalries, triggers specific challenges and even unlocks vehicles and customization options. Need for Speed SHIFT's multiple reward systems keeps players in each race regardless of their position.

"The new driver profile feature in Need for Speed SHIFT gives players full control of how they progress through game," said Patrick Soderlund, Senior Vice President of EA Games Europe. "In SHIFT, how you drive is who you are behind the wheel."

Need for Speed SHIFT is being developed by Slightly Mad Studios in collaboration with Black Box and Patrick Soderlund. Slightly Mad Studios includes developers and designers that worked on the critically acclaimed games GT Legends and GTR 2. The PSP (PlayStation Portable) version is being developed by EA's Bright Light studio.

Need for Speed SHIFT is scheduled to ship in Europe on September 17 and in North America on September 22 on the PLAYSTATION 3 computer entertainment system, Xbox 360 video game and entertainment system, PC and PSP system. More information can be found at www.needforspeed.com or follow us on Twitter at NeedforSpeed. Press can download assets at http://info.ea.com. ...

Huh. We just might see a Kamen Rider game in North America. No, not the decade in the making clash of Kamen Riders coming to the PlayStation 2. This Kamen Rider game is for the Nintendo DS.

Gamefly has a listing for Kamen Rider: Dragon Knight, which is mostly likely based on the Saturday morning kid’s show of the same name. According to the retail listing D3 Publisher is handling the title. There weren’t any Kamen Rider games at their E3 booth, but a representative from D3 told me they have more titles to announce while I was checking out Astro Boy: The Video Game.

http://www.siliconera.com/2009/06/16...north-america/ ...

Newly released today:



features
aka. Guitar Hero: Greatest Hits

description
Turn down the lights, crank up the amps and prepare to command center stage as some of the most famous AND infamous tracks from Guitar Hero®, Guitar Hero II™, Guitar Hero® Encore: Rocks the 80s™ and Guitar Hero® III: Legends of Rock step into the spotlight in the most epic, full band jam session to-date -- Guitar Hero® Smash Hits*. The #1 best-selling video game franchise of 2008 presents the best of the best to music video game aficionados so they can join together with guitar, bass, drums and vocals and rock to master tracks of their favourite Guitar Hero music.

http://www.play-asia.com/SOap-23-83-...j-70-3cqr.html ...

Newly released today:



features
Smash Hits brings 75% brand new content for Wii users!
Features the most memorable songs from Guitar Hero games now in one epic setlist, comprised of all master recordings including: 1. Ozzy Osbourne – Bark At The Moon; 2. Joan Jett & The Blackhearts – I Love Rock N' Roll; 3. Incubus – Stellar; 4. Franz Ferdinand – Take Me Out; 5. DragonForce – Through the Fire And Flames; 6. Poison – Nothin’ But A Good Time; 7. Twisted Sister – I Wanna Rock; 8. Alice In Chains – Them Bones
Rock Guitar Hero favorites through 8 fantastic new venues based on wonders of the world, including Amazon, Polar Ice Caps and the Grand Canyon
Using Rock Star Creator create your own superstar rocker or customize your favorite Guitar Hero character with brand new costumes
Create your own hits in Music Studio, share them online with GHTunes and watch your superstar shred and drum to your soon to be breakout hit!
aka. Guitar Hero: Greatest Hits

description
The Most Fun Guitar Hero Music now for the Full Band!

Join together with friends and rock out with guitar, bass, drums, and vocals to the best collection of Guitar Hero Music.

http://www.play-asia.com/SOap-23-83-...j-70-3cqn.html ...