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New copies of 38 Studios' fantasy RPG come bundled with code to download House of Valor faction questline; studio says it was "always intended" to be DLC.   Electronic Arts and 38 Studios are giving gamers an incentive to pick up a first-run copy of the fantasy role-playing game Kingdoms of Amalur: Reckoning. An online pass included with new copies of the game unlocks seven House of Valor faction quests inside the gameworld. The world of Amalur is a little larger for those who purchase a new copy of Reckoning. A new copy of the game for the Xbox 360 provided to GameSpot includes the online pass, and a statement to Joystiq confirms that first-run PlayStation 3 copies will also sport the pass. Downloaded versions of the game for the PC will include the content by default. It was not made clear if the House of Valor questline will become available as downloadable content for those with a secondhand copy of the game. As of press time, EA had not responded to GameSpot's request for comment. Writing on the game's official forums, 38 Studios community manager "Muse" noted that the House of Valor quests were not included on disc and then taken out. "The House of Valor content was not in the finished game/disc at one point, then removed. It isn't there and we're locking you out of it. The House of Valor was created as stand-alone content, and was always intended to be the first DLC. Instead of holding onto it and charging for it later, we opted to give it to everyone who purchases the game new, for free, on launch day." Kingdoms of Amalur: Reckoning is not the first EA-published title to sport an online pass. New copies of Battlefield 3, Dead Space 2, Need for Speed: Hot Pursuit, and several EA Sports titles all included onetime-use codes to download additional content. Kingdoms of Amalur: Reckoning is due out for the Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, and PC on February 7. For more on the title, check out GameSpot's latest preview. [ Watch Video ] Read and Post Comments | Get the full article at GameSpot "Kingdoms of Amalur: Reckoning online pass unlocks seven quests" was posted by Eddie Makuch on Fri, 27 Jan 2012 14:53:25 -0800

$300 version of new handheld will now include free 8GB memory stick, PSN game, AT&T 3G data plan access; $350 First Edition preorders to receive just the PSN game and data plan.   Potential PlayStation Vita purchasers have another option to consider, as Sony today announced new incentives to pick up the 3G versions of its hardware bundles. At least now the $300 system will be able to play all the games. For a limited time, those who pick up the $300 3G Vita package will receive an upgraded bundle with an 8GB memory card ($30 when sold separately); a 30-day, 250MB AT&T DataConnect Pass ($15 on its own); and a PlayStation Network game. The data plan and PSN game will be provided upon online activation of the system. The standard $300 3G Vita does not include a memory card, which is a required accessory for many of the system's games. Gamers who pick up the $350 First Edition bundle will also receive a bonus. While they will have to settle for the 4GB memory card already announced as part of that package, Sony will still offer them the DataConnect Pass and PSN game upon activation. The First Edition also includes a limited edition case and a copy of the launch game Little Deviants, not to mention that it goes on sale February 15, a week prior to the Vita's February 22 wide release. Once activated, the DataConnect Passes for both packages will automatically renew for a $15 fee every 30 days, although users are able to cancel their subscription at any time. Beyond the 3G bundles, Sony will offer a $250 Wi-Fi-only model of the PS Vita at launch. For more on the system, check out GameSpot's previous coverage. [ Watch Video ] Read and Post Comments | Get the full article at GameSpot "Sony sweetens PS Vita 3G deal" was posted by Brendan Sinclair on Fri, 27 Jan 2012 14:24:37 -0800

Organizational shift leads to second round of layoffs in as many months at California-based publisher; five internal studios unaffected. The effects of THQ's decision to stop making children's games are already being felt. THQ has confirmed layoffs in the publisher's administration and publishing departments as a result of the company's new direction. Reorganization at THQ has led to a dip in headcount. "THQ confirms a reduction in force to the company's administration and publishing organization," reads a statement provided to GameSpot. "As recently announced, the company is exiting the kids' licensed games category, and is focusing on its core game franchises and developing its digital initiatives." THQ did not say how many staffers were let go in the action. THQ's five internal studios--Vigil, Volition, Relic, THQ San Diego, and THQ Montreal--were not affected by the layoffs. Further information regarding THQ's new direction will be provided at the company's third-quarter 2012 conference call on February 2. This round of layoffs at THQ comes just one month after the publisher let 30 go from its Play label, the development unit behind the underperforming uDraw tablet peripheral. Read and Post Comments | Get the full article at GameSpot "Additional layoffs strike THQ" was posted by Eddie Makuch on Fri, 27 Jan 2012 11:35:22 -0800