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Kombo's Comprehensive E3 2009 Index Page Every single E3 2009 related update and article posted on Kombo... conveniently organized in one location. Just for you. 
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REVIEW: Battlefield: Bad Company 2 Redefines Online Warfare
by Sascha Lichtenstein | 03/19/10 | 3:22 PM PST
Halo killer. Remember that phrase? It wasn't long ago that any publisher with a first-person shooter to sell would hype their game up as the one that would finally outdo Bungie's pride and joy. The term died off sometime in 2008 when, to the surprise of many, Call of Duty 4 outgunned Halo 3 at retail and on the Xbox Live charts, making Modern Warfare the new game to beat. Rather than focusing on being "better than Halo," Infinity Ward made something entirely different, something with its own identity and unique selling points. In the years since, the industry has seemingly learned nothing. The success of Modern Warfare 2 has every publisher racing to add a contemporary military shooter to their portfolio, the most of notable of which is Electronic Arts' reboot of the Medal of Honor series due later this year. It's a maddening scenario for anyone with a hint of historical perspective, but doubly so when one considers that Electronic Arts already has a far more exciting answer to Modern Warfare 2. Bad Company 2 outmatches Modern Warfare 2 on the multiplayer stage because DICE are championing their own vision of what modern combat should play like instead of simply following in Infinity Ward's footsteps.
REVIEW: Battlefield: Bad Company 2 Redefines Online Warfare
by Sascha Lichtenstein | 03/19/10 | 3:22 PM PST
Halo killer. Remember that phrase? It wasn't long ago that any publisher with a first-person shooter to sell would hype their game up as the one that would finally outdo Bungie's pride and joy. The term died off sometime in 2008 when, to the surprise of many, Call of Duty 4 outgunned Halo 3 at retail and on the Xbox Live charts, making Modern Warfare the new game to beat. Rather than focusing on being "better than Halo," Infinity Ward made something entirely different, something with its own identity and unique selling points. In the years since, the industry has seemingly learned nothing. The success of Modern Warfare 2 has every publisher racing to add a contemporary military shooter to their portfolio, the most of notable of which is Electronic Arts' reboot of the Medal of Honor series due later this year. It's a maddening scenario for anyone with a hint of historical perspective, but doubly so when one considers that Electronic Arts already has a far more exciting answer to Modern Warfare 2. Bad Company 2 outmatches Modern Warfare 2 on the multiplayer stage because DICE are championing their own vision of what modern combat should play like instead of simply following in Infinity Ward's footsteps.
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Switzerland Bans Violent Games
by Brad Hilderbrand | 03/19/10 | 12:55 PM PST
Today Switzerland passed wide-ranging legislation which will effective band the sale of any violent video games in the European nation. While the language of the legislation itself is vague, it is based off a bill which originally called for the barring of any game which "requires cruel acts of violence against humans and humanlike creatures for in-game success."
Find out what this move means to Swiss gamers after the break.
Switzerland Bans Violent Games
by Brad Hilderbrand | 03/19/10 | 12:55 PM PST
Today Switzerland passed wide-ranging legislation which will effective band the sale of any violent video games in the European nation. While the language of the legislation itself is vague, it is based off a bill which originally called for the barring of any game which "requires cruel acts of violence against humans and humanlike creatures for in-game success."
Find out what this move means to Swiss gamers after the break.
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GameStop Loyalty Program Coming in May
by Daniel Sims | 03/19/10 | 12:42 PM PST
GameStop confirmed this week that they will be launching a new loyalty program in the summer in certain markets. The program will be based off of one that saw a lot of success in Europe and will go far beyond markdowns.
The program doesn't have a name yet, but it will start in May 2010 in "four territories." These territories could mean anything from regions to countries to individual states.
The program itself won't just offer markdowns like GameFly does after a certain period of time, but will offer rewards and other features. "It will also have unique rewards like tickets to shows and early entrance to midnight launch, etc," said GameStop CEO J. Paul Raines.
GameStop Loyalty Program Coming in May
by Daniel Sims | 03/19/10 | 12:42 PM PST
GameStop confirmed this week that they will be launching a new loyalty program in the summer in certain markets. The program will be based off of one that saw a lot of success in Europe and will go far beyond markdowns.
The program doesn't have a name yet, but it will start in May 2010 in "four territories." These territories could mean anything from regions to countries to individual states.
The program itself won't just offer markdowns like GameFly does after a certain period of time, but will offer rewards and other features. "It will also have unique rewards like tickets to shows and early entrance to midnight launch, etc," said GameStop CEO J. Paul Raines.
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Free iPhone/iPod Touch Game Giveaway - J-Stache!
by Joey Davidson | 03/19/10 | 9:30 AM PST
John Oates's mustache has a game on the iPhone. We were contacted by the PR company supporting the brand and they gave us some codes to give away.
The first 10 people to email us at prizes@kombo.com with "Run, J-Stache Run!!" in the subject line get the game. Easy. As. That.
Hurry, the codes expire next week!
Want to know more about the mustache in front of the man? Head to his internet page of infamy.
Free iPhone/iPod Touch Game Giveaway - J-Stache!
by Joey Davidson | 03/19/10 | 9:30 AM PST
John Oates's mustache has a game on the iPhone. We were contacted by the PR company supporting the brand and they gave us some codes to give away.
The first 10 people to email us at prizes@kombo.com with "Run, J-Stache Run!!" in the subject line get the game. Easy. As. That.
Hurry, the codes expire next week!
Want to know more about the mustache in front of the man? Head to his internet page of infamy.
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Check out this game's graphics! - Modern Warfare 2
by Joey Davidson | 03/19/10 | 5:58 AM PST
Welcome to our newest weekly feature! Every Friday, we'll get all graphical and plot out the obvious in videogames in a visual fashion. Do you like math, spreadsheets, statistics and other nerd things? Then, please, turn around.
Otherwise, enjoy some ridiculocity (ridiculousness at breakneck speeds).
This week we check out Infinity Ward's latest masterpiece, Modern Warfare 2, and pick it apart. Few games are subject to more drama. Between the sales, lawsuits, hacks, and patches, MW2 has certainly earned its place here.
Hit the break to see the rest of our efforts.
Check out this game's graphics! - Modern Warfare 2
by Joey Davidson | 03/19/10 | 5:58 AM PST
Welcome to our newest weekly feature! Every Friday, we'll get all graphical and plot out the obvious in videogames in a visual fashion. Do you like math, spreadsheets, statistics and other nerd things? Then, please, turn around.
Otherwise, enjoy some ridiculocity (ridiculousness at breakneck speeds).
This week we check out Infinity Ward's latest masterpiece, Modern Warfare 2, and pick it apart. Few games are subject to more drama. Between the sales, lawsuits, hacks, and patches, MW2 has certainly earned its place here.
Hit the break to see the rest of our efforts.
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Check out this game's graphics! - Modern Warfare 2
by Kombo Staff | 03/19/10 | 5:58 AM PST
Welcome to our newest weekly feature! Every Friday, we'll get all graphical and plot out the obvious in videogames in a visual fashion. Do you like math, spreadsheets, statistics and other nerd things? Then, please, turn around.
Otherwise, enjoy some ridiculocity (ridiculousness at breakneck speeds).
This week we check out Infinity Ward's latest masterpiece, Modern Warfare 2 and pick it apart. Few games are subject to more drama. Between the sales, lawsuits, hacks, and patches, MW2 has certainly earned its place here.
Hit the break to see the rest of our efforts.
Check out this game's graphics! - Modern Warfare 2
by Kombo Staff | 03/19/10 | 5:58 AM PST
Welcome to our newest weekly feature! Every Friday, we'll get all graphical and plot out the obvious in videogames in a visual fashion. Do you like math, spreadsheets, statistics and other nerd things? Then, please, turn around.
Otherwise, enjoy some ridiculocity (ridiculousness at breakneck speeds).
This week we check out Infinity Ward's latest masterpiece, Modern Warfare 2 and pick it apart. Few games are subject to more drama. Between the sales, lawsuits, hacks, and patches, MW2 has certainly earned its place here.
Hit the break to see the rest of our efforts.
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USB Storage Coming to Xbox 360
by Nolan Earl | 03/18/10 | 7:47 PM PST
Since the launch of the Xbox 360, Microsoft has held a monopoly on compatible memory devices, but that all is about to change. Joystiq reports that they recently received documentation (that was later confirmed by two other sources) announcing that the Xbox 360 will soon support USB memory devices. The document was released by a Microsoft senior software development engineer, and it proposes the release of a system update this spring to allow such access.
Hit the break to find out more.
USB Storage Coming to Xbox 360
by Nolan Earl | 03/18/10 | 7:47 PM PST
Since the launch of the Xbox 360, Microsoft has held a monopoly on compatible memory devices, but that all is about to change. Joystiq reports that they recently received documentation (that was later confirmed by two other sources) announcing that the Xbox 360 will soon support USB memory devices. The document was released by a Microsoft senior software development engineer, and it proposes the release of a system update this spring to allow such access.
Hit the break to find out more.
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Halo: Reach Gives the Franchise a Much Needed Matchmaking Revamp
by Alex Osborn | 03/18/10 | 7:34 PM PST
Bungie revolutionized the way consoles handle online play with Halo 2, and their formula since then hasn't changed all that much. Why change what isn't broken? In the game industry however, that only flies for so long. It's been almost three years since the release of Halo 3. Over that time, Bungie has been hard at work developing a shiny new interface for online play in their upcoming title Halo: Reach.
Hit the cut to find out what changes will be coming to Bungie's swan song.
Halo: Reach Gives the Franchise a Much Needed Matchmaking Revamp
by Alex Osborn | 03/18/10 | 7:34 PM PST
Bungie revolutionized the way consoles handle online play with Halo 2, and their formula since then hasn't changed all that much. Why change what isn't broken? In the game industry however, that only flies for so long. It's been almost three years since the release of Halo 3. Over that time, Bungie has been hard at work developing a shiny new interface for online play in their upcoming title Halo: Reach.
Hit the cut to find out what changes will be coming to Bungie's swan song.
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Kane and Lynch 2 Release Date Announced
by Cory Dickson | 03/18/10 | 6:11 PM PST
It has been announced that Kane & Lynch 2: Dog Days will hit store shelves August 24th on PC, Xbox 360, and PS3. In the original, you played as Kane accompanied by one of the most chilling, cynical, and evil characters in all of gaming, Lynch. Though, the poor controls, bugs, and various other broken gameplay mechanics took away from the experience.
Eidos hopes to fix these problems this time around. With the player now in control of Lynch, anything can happen in the streets of Shanghai.
Hit the jump for the trailer
Kane and Lynch 2 Release Date Announced
by Cory Dickson | 03/18/10 | 6:11 PM PST
It has been announced that Kane & Lynch 2: Dog Days will hit store shelves August 24th on PC, Xbox 360, and PS3. In the original, you played as Kane accompanied by one of the most chilling, cynical, and evil characters in all of gaming, Lynch. Though, the poor controls, bugs, and various other broken gameplay mechanics took away from the experience.
Eidos hopes to fix these problems this time around. With the player now in control of Lynch, anything can happen in the streets of Shanghai.
Hit the jump for the trailer
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EA: Bad Company 2 Sells 2.3 Million; Claims March
by Jeff Grubb | 03/18/10 | 2:49 PM PST
Seems like coming back from the future to tell us what it is like is becoming a common tactic. Before the month is even over EA is ready to claim it as the best March ever. Led by Battlefield: Bad Company 2's 2.3 million units sold -- according to EA.
That is a pretty hefty number and should be considered a huge success for DICE.
EA: Bad Company 2 Sells 2.3 Million; Claims March
by Jeff Grubb | 03/18/10 | 2:49 PM PST
Seems like coming back from the future to tell us what it is like is becoming a common tactic. Before the month is even over EA is ready to claim it as the best March ever. Led by Battlefield: Bad Company 2's 2.3 million units sold -- according to EA.
That is a pretty hefty number and should be considered a huge success for DICE.
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BioShock's Enemies Were Very Nearly Horrors
by Brad Hilderbrand | 03/18/10 | 1:30 PM PST
While the BioShock games sometimes edge toward creepiness they could never really be described as "horror" titles. Sure, an enemy may jump out and frighten you from time to time, but the overall aesthetic is much more atmospheric than it is scary. As it turns out though, the original enemies looked much different than the final ones, and the first wave of BioShock baddies were truly terrifying.
Check out more monstrosities after the break.
BioShock's Enemies Were Very Nearly Horrors
by Brad Hilderbrand | 03/18/10 | 1:30 PM PST
While the BioShock games sometimes edge toward creepiness they could never really be described as "horror" titles. Sure, an enemy may jump out and frighten you from time to time, but the overall aesthetic is much more atmospheric than it is scary. As it turns out though, the original enemies looked much different than the final ones, and the first wave of BioShock baddies were truly terrifying.
Check out more monstrosities after the break.
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DICE Postulates on Battlefield 2 DLC
by Cory Dickson | 03/18/10 | 1:06 PM PST
Battlefield Bad Company 2 has sold more than 2.3 million units, making it one of the best selling games to be released this month. With multiplayer DLC right around the corner, it is apparent that DICE plans to support this massive FPS.
Karl Magnus Troedsson, executive producer at DICE, in an interview with IGN he talked about the possibility of downloadable single-player content.
Hit the jump to read more
DICE Postulates on Battlefield 2 DLC
by Cory Dickson | 03/18/10 | 1:06 PM PST
Battlefield Bad Company 2 has sold more than 2.3 million units, making it one of the best selling games to be released this month. With multiplayer DLC right around the corner, it is apparent that DICE plans to support this massive FPS.
Karl Magnus Troedsson, executive producer at DICE, in an interview with IGN he talked about the possibility of downloadable single-player content.
Hit the jump to read more
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BioWare Explains Day One DLC
by Daniel Sims | 03/18/10 | 12:42 PM PST
The director of Mass Effect 2 explained at the Game Developer's Conference last week why the game had downloadable content available for it the day it was released.
If that content is available at the same time the full game is, why not simply include it on the disc? Anything made before the release date can be included on the disc right?
Wrong according to Casey Hudson. There is a lengthy period in-between when a game is code complete and when it hits shelves where no new content can be added to the disc.
BioWare Explains Day One DLC
by Daniel Sims | 03/18/10 | 12:42 PM PST
The director of Mass Effect 2 explained at the Game Developer's Conference last week why the game had downloadable content available for it the day it was released.
If that content is available at the same time the full game is, why not simply include it on the disc? Anything made before the release date can be included on the disc right?
Wrong according to Casey Hudson. There is a lengthy period in-between when a game is code complete and when it hits shelves where no new content can be added to the disc.
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Tecmo Bowl Throwback Interview
by Lucas DeWoody | 03/18/10 | 6:05 AM PST
Tecmo Bowl is like a religion to football fans of the NES/SNES generations. Before there was a Madden, 2K, Quarterback Club, or Blitz, there was Tecmo Bowl. Many would argue that Tecmo's take on the sport was a perfect game—a teetering balance between simulation and arcade playability with a dose of sometimes unintended comedy on the side.
Tecmo's brand of football has been missing from the scene for a few years, but with the recent Tecmo Bowl Kickoff for DS and now Tecmo Bowl Throwback for the HD consoles, it looks as though it's time to finally to return to the top-down gridiron. Kombo recently had a chance to sit down with Tecmo producer Mike Fahrny to talk about the upcoming Tecmo Bowl revival. Here's what went down.
Tecmo Bowl Throwback Interview
by Lucas DeWoody | 03/18/10 | 6:05 AM PST
Tecmo Bowl is like a religion to football fans of the NES/SNES generations. Before there was a Madden, 2K, Quarterback Club, or Blitz, there was Tecmo Bowl. Many would argue that Tecmo's take on the sport was a perfect game—a teetering balance between simulation and arcade playability with a dose of sometimes unintended comedy on the side.
Tecmo's brand of football has been missing from the scene for a few years, but with the recent Tecmo Bowl Kickoff for DS and now Tecmo Bowl Throwback for the HD consoles, it looks as though it's time to finally to return to the top-down gridiron. Kombo recently had a chance to sit down with Tecmo producer Mike Fahrny to talk about the upcoming Tecmo Bowl revival. Here's what went down.
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Skate 3 Dated, Final Pro Skater Roster Revealed and More
by Casey Jones | 03/18/10 | 4:41 AM PST
This years big skateboarding hit shall be heading to your local game shop on May 11th, so get ready to scrape up some cash and pre-order or do whatever it is you do when your favorite franchise game is released every year.
It seems Black Box and EA are looking to make Skate a yearly franchise indeed, with the recent failure from Tony Hawk known as Ride it would be stupid for them not to continue dominating the skateboarding genre. With such a gimmicky feeling game and peripheral Tony Hawk was doomed from the start (sorry Tony), making Skate the go-to series for the last few years for skateboarding fans young and old. Talking with one of the Skate developers he mentioned hearing from a few of the pros in their game that Tony Hawk's own son plays Skate instead of his father's games, now that is funny.
For the final pro roster and more about the game hit the cut
Skate 3 Dated, Final Pro Skater Roster Revealed and More
by Casey Jones | 03/18/10 | 4:41 AM PST
This years big skateboarding hit shall be heading to your local game shop on May 11th, so get ready to scrape up some cash and pre-order or do whatever it is you do when your favorite franchise game is released every year.
It seems Black Box and EA are looking to make Skate a yearly franchise indeed, with the recent failure from Tony Hawk known as Ride it would be stupid for them not to continue dominating the skateboarding genre. With such a gimmicky feeling game and peripheral Tony Hawk was doomed from the start (sorry Tony), making Skate the go-to series for the last few years for skateboarding fans young and old. Talking with one of the Skate developers he mentioned hearing from a few of the pros in their game that Tony Hawk's own son plays Skate instead of his father's games, now that is funny.
For the final pro roster and more about the game hit the cut
March 20, 2010
