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Reuters - God did not create the universe and the "Big Bang" was an inevitable consequence of the laws of physics, the eminent British theoretical physicist Stephen Hawking argues in a new book.

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After what is arguably the longest, most troubled development in the history of video games, Duke Nukem Forever is finally, really, truly here. It's not being shown secretly, behind-closed-doors at some industry event. Instead, it's at PAX, an event that is, more than any other in this industry, consumer facing and that tangibility is a big part of Gearbox's reveal.

Wait, who? Gearbox Software, the Texas-based dev who's helping to bring 3D Realms' pre-Google (think about it!) labor of love to consoles, is behind this revival along with publisher 2K Games. "This is a game you can't make promises about," Gearbox prez Randy Pitchford told an audience of incredulous gamers this morning. "Haven't we not been teased enough? We don't want to tease. We just thought we'd bring it to PAX." And Gearbox didn't just bring a trailer - although it did bring one of those - but more importantly, there's about 15 minutes of playable game. Let that sink in for awhile.

While we weren't able to grab video of the trailer - you'll have to settle for my account - Pitchford did say that people could take pics. Actually, he said, "You've got cameras. You've got cellphones with cameras on them. Take all the pictures you want [...] We'll even take the pictures for you." You know, when Duke Nukem Forever was first announced, I didn't have a cellphone yet ... and the idea of a cellphone with a camera on it? Madness.

Continue reading Duke Nukem Forever Preview: Yeah, it's actually playable. No, really.

Duke Nukem Forever Preview: Yeah, it's actually playable. No, really. originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 03 Sep 2010 16:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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We have a pretty good idea what boxing gloves with knives taped to them will do to zombies. But how about wyverns? Japanese gamers will get to find out exactly that when Dead Rising 2 launches there (September 30 on consoles, October 28 on PC).

Those who purchase Dead Rising 2 will get vouchers to unlock Dead Rising 2-themed items in either the PC or Xbox 360 versions of Monster Hunter Frontier. Those items include the aforementioned knifegloves, a boomstick (a shotgun with a pitchfork on it), a moose head, and several different colors of Terror is Reality racing suit. Now let's see some giant swords in Dead Rising 2!

Monster Hunter Frontier features improvised Dead Rising 2 weapons in Japan originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 03 Sep 2010 15:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Stardock CEO Brad Wardell has spoken out again on the troubled launch of his studio's latest game, Elemental: War of Magic. Taking to Stardock's forums, Wardell (aka "Frogboy") said, "I don't think people yet fully realize the completeness of Stardock's fail on Elemental's launch. I'm going to write more about this, but not only did we think v1.05 was ready for everyone, but we felt v1.0 was too. That's the level of disconnect/poor judgment on our part we're talking about."

And while he places the blame on Stardock as a whole, he takes a full paragraph to account for his own mistakes. "EVERY competent software developer knows that the programmer must never be the one deciding whether the program is done. Yet, my love of Elemental broke my self discipline and I began coding on the game itself in vast amounts and lost any sense of objectivity on where the game's state was. I normally only program the AI on our games so I can keep a level of distance from the game itself to determine whether it's 'Ready.' On Elemental, I was in love with the world and the game and lost my impartiality."

He finishes his screed with the promise, "We'll do better," and in a separate post lists off the many changes and additions coming to the game (including free expansions and an intended v1.1 patch in September). Both pieces really are worth reading in full. You can grab them here and here.

Stardock CEO calls Elemental launch 'disastrous,' promises to do better originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 03 Sep 2010 12:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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A feast of XBLA games may be headed to Xbox Live Marketplace soon, but that's not all there is. First up, there are a lot of festivities planned for the launch of Halo: Reach. Microsoft is dubbing September 14-20 "Invasion Week," and plenty of Halo goodies will be available "including new gear, exciting content, spectacular prizes and a chance to play with the creators of the game." Microsoft will also be offering opening up Xbox Live Gold features to Silver members from September 17-20. Finally, "all fans that jump online" can download a free "Invasion" theme. It's a bit unclear exactly what's meant by "jump online," whether it be players that play Halo: Reach or simply anyone that signs into Live. We've contacted Microsoft for clarification.

New Deals of the Week are headed down the pipeline as well, with Resident Evil 5 "avatar outfits and game add-ons" receiving as yet unspecified discounts next week. The week of September 13, several puzzle games will get the DoTW treatment. Bust-a-Move Live, Puzzle Chronicles and Tower Bloxx Deluxe are all being knocked from 800 MSP ($10) to 400 MSP ($5), while Gyromancer will drop from 1200 MSP ($15) to 800 MSP ($10).

If you still have money to spend after all that, some new Rock Band 3 Avatar items are now on Marketplace, as are two new Games on Demand, Bully: Scholarship Edition and Cabela's African Safari.

Xbox Live in September: Halo goodies, free Live Gold, cheap puzzle games originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 02 Sep 2010 20:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Infamous 2 is set to electrify (hopefully, not literally) the PAX crowd with seven demo kiosks on the show floor this weekend. The demos feature Cole's new glorified cattle prod weapon and will be set up at booth #122, where developer Sucker Punch will be giving away a "limited number" of t-shirts (pictured).

The crew from Sucker Punch will also be holding the "Creating Super Powers" panel in the Seattle Sheraton's Pegasus Theater at 6:30PM PT on Saturday. They'll show off the new Kinetic Pulse power and an enemy known as the "Ravager." It's sure to be electric ... boogie woogie woogie.

Infamous 2 at PAX: playable, panel and cool shirt originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 02 Sep 2010 17:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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According to reports coming out of the recent GameStop managers meeting in Texas, Dead Space 2 will be getting a multiplayer component in which players will control either Necromorphs or "soldiers" (presumably not welders, then?). GamerNode claims that the mode will consist of "deathmatch-style combat" and will be just one of several multiplayer game modes when the game launches in early 2011.

Additionally, the source claims that pre-orders of the game at any outlet would net purchasers a free download of Dead Space: Ignition. Alas, if you pre-order it at GameStop, you'll allegedly get another bonus: a rivet gun. EA didn't respond to request for comment by publishing.

Rumor: Dead Space 2 to feature 'Soldiers vs. Necromorphs' multiplayer originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 02 Sep 2010 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Next week, we'll finally get to find out what became of Morrigan at the conclusion of Dragon Age: Origins. Well, technically that wasn't the conclusion of the game -- this is the end, but you get our point. Sort it all out for yourself past the break, courtesy of a teaser video from GameTrailers.

Continue reading Dragon Age 'Witch Hunt' DLC teaser offers a taste of our Warden's final quest

Dragon Age 'Witch Hunt' DLC teaser offers a taste of our Warden's final quest originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 02 Sep 2010 15:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Yesterday, we reported that Puzzle Quest 2 would make its way to PSP later this year, but we still had questions. Specifically, it was unclear if the game would see a UMD release and whether it'd be as full-featured as the console versions.

Steve Fawkner, CEO and president of Infinite Interactive, confirmed with Joystiq that the PSP game would only be available as a PSN download -- there will not be a UMD version. "Although we've received great support from D3 and Namco for all previous Puzzle Quest releases, PQ2 PSP is the first Puzzle Quest game that Infinite is doing by itself, without a publisher, so we're not really able to handle a full UMD release at this time," Fawkner told us. He went on to say that "it's important to get a PSP version out there for all the people who enjoyed the original PQ on PSP and wanted the second one."

Fawkner offered further insight into why Infinite would be publishing the PSP version itself (since other versions were published by D3). "The truth is that most publishers really aren't keen to take a risk on PSP these days, which is kind of sad, because it's 'taking risks' that gets great games like Puzzle Quest published in the first place!"

As far as features go, Fawkner confirmed the PSP game would include no multiplayer. To him, it was a decision based on what he thought players would appreciate most. Since the multiplayer in the first Puzzle Quest game on PSP wasn't so popular, the team decided the Elite mode (a tougher version of the single-player experience yielding better rewards for players) would be a better fit.

Puzzle Quest 2 PSP only available via PSN, lacks multiplayer originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 02 Sep 2010 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Not long after hearing about Call of Duty: Black Ops' multiplayer options, I grabbed a controller and tried to shoot fellow press as best I could in the new Wager Match modes. I got to play three of the four new modes at the Activision reveal event: "One in the Chamber," "Sticks and Stones," and "Sharp Shooter."

As you might have read, Call of Duty: Black Ops not only rewards XP in multiplayer, it also rewards CP ("CoD points"). CP is your main currency for unlocking gear and content. Everything in multiplayer costs CP to unlock -- killstreaks, new guns, even layers and symbols that can be used to create your own emblem and logo. So CP, while plentiful (especially when you're good), is important. Losing it in wager matches puts you further away from getting whatever items or unlocks you want.

Continue reading Call of Duty: Black Ops Preview: Put Your Money Where Your Multiplayer Is

Call of Duty: Black Ops Preview: Put Your Money Where Your Multiplayer Is originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 02 Sep 2010 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Continue reading OnLive to test WiFi support, extends free year offer and sale on all games

OnLive to test WiFi support, extends free year offer and sale on all games originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 02 Sep 2010 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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