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  Video Games Live Adds 30 Shows To World Tour

  Since 2005, Video Games Live has been performed in front of more than half a million people around the world. Today, the touring show featuring music from video games performed by orchestras, announced 30 more show dates from Taipei to Tucson. “Our goal and dream of successfully showcasing the video game industry and video game…

  By Brian Crecente Published August 28, 2009
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  Next Week In Rock Band: Same As It Ever Was

  Next week’s additions to the various Rock Band Music Stores are riding on a new wave, with five tracks from Rock and Roll Hall of Famers Talking Heads. Cue excitement on my part as some of the Talking Heads songs I would actually like to play join the previously released “Psycho Killer” on the Rock…

  By Mike Fahey Published August 28, 2009
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  BioShock 2 Artist Series Continues At PAX 09

  The BioShock 2 Artist Series that began with Jhonen Vasquez at the San Diego Comic-Con continues next week at PAX 09, with this creation from Penny Arcade’s Mike Krahulik titled, “Mr. Bubbles.” “Mr. Bubbles”, like Jhonen’s “The Sisters,” is a fine example of art that’s slightly more creepy because we know the story behind it.…

  By Mike Fahey Published August 28, 2009
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  Universal Ratings Raises Its Head Again, ESA Responds

  A new form of universal ratings is making the rounds in D.C. this week, with the Federal Communication Commission kicking off an inquiry to decide whether to create a single rating system for TV, video games and cell phones, Bloomberg reports. The FCC will begin the inquiry after they deliver a report on media blocking…

  By Brian Crecente Published August 28, 2009
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  Talk Amongst Yourselves

  Music games will battle, but we can get along here. Comment about video games, if you’d like. We welcome it. Confused about commenting on Kotaku? Read our FAQ.

  By Stephen Totilo Published August 28, 2009
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  No Tooth. Waiting. Patiently

  To: Crecente From: Bashcraft RE: Bring On The Price Drop Wars One of Mini-Bash’s tooth fell out at least a month ago. One of his front teeth. His adult tooth has yet to come in. It’s been a month! Always wonder if some people ever lose baby teeth and then another adult tooth never ever…

  By Brian Ashcraft Published August 28, 2009
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  Sakura Note, For The Nintendo DS

  Marvelous Entertainment‘s creative experiments with Nintendo platforms just keep on keepin’ on, with the release later this year of Sakura Note, an adventure game for the DS. Not much is known about the game other than the fact it’s an adventure title and is set in a small town, where a young girl is being…

  By Luke Plunkett Published August 28, 2009
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  King Of Games Does Tingle

  Japanese game clothing specialists King of Games have been in a bit of a funk lately. Some bland, boring designs. But not this one! This one’s the opposite of both bland and boring. You can thank Tingle for that. This shirt is based on the upcoming DS game Tingle’s Love Balloon Trip, the sequel to…

  By Luke Plunkett Published August 28, 2009
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  Nintendo Brings Shmup To DSiWare (Yes, Nintendo!)

  Nintendo does make things besides brain games, fitness games and I-don’t-know-what type games. Want proof? Here’s proof. This is Aa Mujyou Setsuna (Ah Cruel Instant or Oh Heartless Moment, depending on your localization fancy). It’s a chaining-based bullet hell shooter. From Nintendo. In 2009. Yes. The game’s official page lists Nintendo as the "maker", but…

  By Brian Ashcraft Published August 28, 2009
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  Early Halo: ODST Players Won’t Be Banned (So Long As They Bought A Copy)

  Let’s say, hypothetically speaking, you’re French. And somehow, your local game store was selling copies of Halo: ODST weeks before it was meant to be out. Then Microsoft threatens action. You’d think “action” meant “XBL bans”, right? Gladly, that’s not the case. Well, provided you bought the game, at any rate. Xbox Live Chief of…

  By Luke Plunkett Published August 28, 2009
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  Dragon Quest IX Sells Less Than 100,000 (Oh Noes!)

  According to the Japanese sales figures released last week, DS title Dragon Quest IX sold 127,000. According to the ones released this week, it did not. The game moved 79,000 copies — making it the first time it fell under 100,000. The game has already sold 3.7 million copies, so who cares, right? 3.7 million…

  By Brian Ashcraft Published August 28, 2009
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  Muramasa T&A Hits The Big Time

  Savvy marketing, this. For the September issue of play magazine, Ignition entertainment managed to get gorgeous Wii side-scroller Muramasa top billing on the front cover. Bottom billing, too. This amazing, dare we say sensual cover was drawn by Vanillaware’s George Kamitani, and yes, it’s a tip of the…hat to Hokusai’s sexy/creepy classic “The Dream of…

  By Luke Plunkett Published August 28, 2009
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  United Nations Calls For Explicit Japanese Game Ban

  In the wake of the Rapelay controversy, the United Nations‘s Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women is urging for the ban of explicit games and anime. The committee is suggesting Japan to ban “the sale of video games or cartoons involving rape and sexual violence against women which normalize and promote sexual violence…

  By Brian Ashcraft Published August 28, 2009
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  The PS3 “Ultimate Blu-Ray Movie Kit”

  This is the “Ultimate Blu-Ray Movie Kit”, a special PS3 bundle that’s being offered at a major Australian retailer. It’s got absolutely nothing to do with games, but still, it’s an interesting retail proposition. There are two of them available, both of which bundle two Blu-Ray movies along with a PS3 remote control. One offers…

  By Luke Plunkett Published August 28, 2009
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  Okami As A Cell Phone Strap

  Okami on the Wii has not been released in Japan yet. It will be this October. Those who order the game via Capcom’s online store will get this adorable, ceramic cell phone strap. First come, first served.

  By Brian Ashcraft Published August 28, 2009
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  Fable II Gets A Game Of The Year Edition

  Hot on the heels of a Gears of War 2 GOTY bundle comes the news that Fable II will also be repackaged, also in a “Game of the Year” edition. It’ll include both the game’s downloadable content packs (Knothole Island, See The Future), and while there’s no release date or US pricing available, we do…

  By Luke Plunkett Published August 28, 2009
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  7-Eleven: Next Famitsu Will Contain “Okamiden”

  That mysterious Capcom “Okamiden” trademark is set to get a little less mysterious next week. According to 7-11, the next issue of game mag Famitsu will be covering Okamiden. Okamiden is thought to be a sequel to PS2 game Okami. As game site Siliconera points out, 7-Eleven previously pointed out that Hideo Kojima’s cloud teaser…

  By Brian Ashcraft Published August 28, 2009
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  Twitter, Facebook On 360 Might Be For Gold Subscribers Only [Update]

  Buried at the foot of the press release announcing Microsoft’s 360 price cuts this morning was this little nugget: “Xbox Live Gold Membership will be required for Twitter and Facebook when they are available”. Seems a strange move, what with both Facebook and Twitter being 100% free on both PCs and phones. In defence, a…

  By Luke Plunkett Published August 28, 2009
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  King of Fighters XII Figures Fight Fight Fight

  When you think of SNK figures, you think of curvy Mai Shiranui figures. These are not Mai Shiranui figures! Rather, we’ve got 22cm statues of KOFXII‘s Elizabeth Blanctorche and Mature. Both are priced at ¥10,500 (US$112). Both are out September 20. Both are not Mai Shiranui. Volks KOFXII 1/6 Elizabeth Blanctorche resin kit and Volks…

  By Brian Ashcraft Published August 28, 2009
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  Tearing The DJ Hero Controller To Pieces

  Man, we’re on a streak with these this week, aren’t we? It’s like the internet’s out for flesh. Today, we’re going to see what the DJ Hero controller’s guts look like spread out all over the floor. Mmmm. Messy! Oh, if you’re wondering how these photos came to light, what with the game not due…

  By Luke Plunkett Published August 28, 2009