There have been many imitations that paled in comparison to the original (including GTA IV) but GTA III still remains the king of the open-world mayhem genre. 10-years after its release, Rockstar is celebrating with an anniversary collection. They also recently dropped this video, check it out below:

THE TRADITION CONTINUES

Madden ’12  Easily Lives Up To Its Predecessors Gold Standard

For NFL fans the threat of the lockout was a mixture of distress, frustration and disappointment. Sure, we get the business angle and those of us with sufficient brain power understood that the clichéd argument of “millionaire’s vs billionaires” doesn’t come close to explaining the many complexities involved with high-stakes labor negotiations. Annoyed or not we were willing to accept that no football was an option for this year–we have to respect anyone involved in working to improve their shot in life. At the end of the day it’s a job and what right does anyone have to criticize another person’s professional relationship just to satisfy our entertainment hunger.

Thankfully it all came to an end and by late July the NFL was officially back in business. For team employees, sportswriters, bar owners and the like it’s much more than a leisure activity. Those people have financial investments at stake and were obviously more than relieved. The people at EA Sports obviously have a similar emotional and financial investment. Madden ’12 was in the works already and was scheduled for release regardless if actual football was going to be played or not. How exactly that would have looked is anyone’s guess and presumably would have been a challenge the Madden dynasty’s hold on people—would people support it no matter what? Would it be sold at half the price as an enticement? Or would it sell-out as it always does? Is it that undeniable? Fortunately that’s all a moot point (I still think it would have sold. Maybe not to usual successful standards but people are going to play Madden no matter what).

I had a chance to play the new game  during EA Sports Madden ’12 Pigskin Pro-Am. This year it went down at NYC’s Bryant Park where gamers and media pro’s had the opportunity  to see and play the latest offering in what is without question the greatest game of all time.

Hit the jump for what you need to know:

1.       The actual game play didn’t seem any better or more complicated than last year’s version.  In past years the level of difficulty, especially on offense, goes up a notch and is obvious from the first moment. But in ’12, reading the plays, executing the routes and moving the players were reminiscent of last year’s version. Complex sure, but mind-numbingly hard? Not really. That being said, I need to mention that I don’t know what setting the game was on. The EA people just set it up and we just grabbed the controllers. I usually play at the All-Pro setting but for all I know it could have been set lower.

2.       Every year they amp up the realness with some cool addition. This year it’s their all-new collision system. Now players can control player movement up until the last millisecond of impact so if you’re the type of person who likes to spin and juke all the time, you can really exploit that skill-set. It’s applicable on defense too and allows much better and technical tackling. Instead of just getting to a space on the field and having a tackle sort of just happen you get to put your hands on a joker and drag him to the ground. As usual EA has given the game a bunch of new tackle angles and animations, so visually it follows the tradition of great graphics.

3.       EA says that calls for a customized playbook are the number one request by fans and those fans won’t be disappointed. Fans can modify their favorite team’s current playbook or create their own by selecting up to 400 different plays from 75 different playbooks. If you’re someone like me who thinks plays should be always be tailored towards each teams particular personnel this is a potential difference maker.  For me that means everytime LeSean McCoy hits the hole in a Draw Formation he’ll have a lead blocker. Trust me, it matters.

4.       The new eye candy is cool too, with ariel views of each stadium, team specific mascots and cheerleaders , real camera views provided by actual NFL FILMS cameramen, 3-D grass, player equipment, helmet stickers and  jerseys that appear worn in relation to a players activity on the field  all join together to give the realest game atmosphere ever.  There’s just a lot to like here.

Overall, longtime fans will have few beefs with the new improvements and the game continues to astound. The release date is later this season for obvious reasons but when its drops on August 30^th expect to be wowed per the usual. In the meantime you can check out the demo on Xbox Live and PlayStation Network–Khalid Salaam

There goes the neighborhood. The good people over at Harmonix have finally added some hip-hop flavor to the Rock Band franchise via none other than the Doggfather himself… Snoop Dogg. Eight of Snoop’s songs spanning his entire career will be available throughout September in the Rock Band music store.

Snoop who is a regular gamer seems pretty excited about his inclusion. “I consider myself an OG gamer, and to be chosen as the first hip hop artist to appear in Rock Band…well, it doesn’t get any better than that, ya dig?!?” Snoop said. “I know my fans gonna get down with tha Pound with this one and tha youngsters really gonna realize who started this gamer ish, u hear me?!?”

Tracklist and pricing are listed

• “Beautiful”

• “Drop It Like It’s Hot”

• “Ridin’ In My Chevy”

• “Sensual Seduction”

• “Snoop’s Upside Ya Head”

• “Tha Shiznit”

• “That’s Tha Homie”

• “Who Am I (What’s My Name)?”

Availability: These tracks will be available for purchase as individual tracks on Xbox360, PS3 and Wii and as “Snoop Dogg Pack 01” on Xbox360 on Sept. 7. “Snoop Dogg Pack 01” will be available for PlayStation 3, Sept. 21 in North America and Sept. 22 in Europe.

Pricing:

$1.99 USD, £.99 UK, €1.49 EU (160 Microsoft Points) per song

$2.00 USD (200 Wii Points™) per song

$13.49, £8.99 UK, €13.49 EU (1,080 Microsoft Points) for Snoop Dogg Pack 01

EA recently announced that Real Madrid midfielder Kaka has been chosen for the cover of FIFA Soccer 11. The superstar futbol player will be the center-piece of global advertising, marketing and promotional campaigns for the game.

Kaka is part of group of 17 stars who will adorn FIFA Soccer 11 worldwide. he will be accompanied by stars from other teams in other countries in territory specific packaging when FIFA Soccer 11 is available in stores September 28 in North America and October 1 in Europe and Asia.

PES2011 hits stores on every console and PC this fall.

The release date for God of War: Ghost of Sparta (PSP) will hit stores on November 2, 2010. SCEA also announced a pre-order package that includes an exclusive Game Directors Documentary featuring David Jaffe (God of War), Cory Barlog (God of War II), Stig Asmussen (God of War III), Ru Weerasuiya (God of War: Chains of Olympus), and Dana Jan (God of War: Ghost of Sparta).

What would a big PSP game release be without a limited edition PSP. If you have the extra cashflow you can pre-order God of War: Ghost of Sparta Entertainment Pack beginning today ($199.99 MSRP). The pack contains a Black and Red Two-Toned PSP-3000, God of War: Ghost of Sparta UMD Game, God of War: Chains of Olympus PlayStation Network Downloadable Game Voucher, Kick Ass UMD Movie, and a 2 GB Memory Stick Pro Duo.

Check out footage of Kratos battling King Midas from the upcoming PSP title.

Just in time for the World Cup, Konami has released the first assets from the upcoming Pro Evolution Soccer game.

PES2011 hits stores this fall.

Today Sony Computer Entertainment America (SCEA)announced the PlayStation Protection Plan, an extended service offer for the PS3 and PSP systems. Under the new program, PS3 and PSP owners in the United States can purchase an extended service plan of one or two years that begins after the original one-year manufacturer’s limited warranty expires. PSP owners can also choose the Accidental Damage Plan, which adds coverage for cracked-screen damage in the event of an unexpected drop.

* PS3 – 1-year extension ($49.99) or 2-year extension ($59.99)

* PSP – 1-year extension ($29.99) or 2-year extension ($39.99)

* PSP with Accidental Damage – 1-year extension ($39.99) or 2-year extension ($49.99)

The pricing includes all shipping charges and repairs, which are performed by PlayStation-trained service technicians using official parts at SCEA-authorized repair facilities. The PlayStation Protection Plan is available beginning in May 2010 and will be priced competitively.