Ah, the July 4th weekend. The perfect time for grilling hot dogs, setting off fireworks, jumping in the pool, and ... hockey? That's what 2K Games wants you to think about -- it's sending an NHL 2K11 recreational vehicle on the road this summer, giving you a chance to play the new game in a town near you. The RV started at E3 a few weeks ago in LA, and after a quick stop in Santa Monica next week, it's off to the wild roads of the United States and Canada (the full schedule is after the break).

Ryan Kesler has a tour of the vehicle over on 2K's website, and it looks like a fine conveyance. For now, anyway. Sorry, Philly and New York -- after a couple of months on the road, that shower might not be quite so pristine.

Continue reading NHL 2K11 riding in an RV across the US this summer

NHL 2K11 riding in an RV across the US this summer originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 03 Jul 2010 21:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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While StarCraft 2 may benefit from a "robust new 3D graphics-rendering engine," we didn't know until recently that the game would be receiving a post-launch patch enabling that other kind of 3D (read: the "needs glasses" kind). In an interview with IGN at a South Korean media event -- where, no joke, a StarCraft 2 logo-emblazoned Korean Air plane was unveiled -- production director Chris Sagaty explained, "We will be releasing 3D in the first few months, for those Nvidia cards and screens that support it."

For what it's worth, an Nvidia rep also told IGN that it's "optimising for all systems," so that the 3D support would work on as many systems as possible. We might try to get it working ourselves, if it wasn't for our sheer terror at the thought of a Zergling flood coming through the screen.

StarCraft 2 getting 3D support post-launch originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 03 Jul 2010 19:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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What's that? The Maloof Money Cup DLC from early last month for Skate 3 wasn't enough to quench your desire for more skateboard-based hooliganery? Well perhaps the addition of a new skater (Danny Way) in a new locale (Hawaii) with 24 new challenges will help? Have a first look at Skate 3's "Hawaiian Dream" content pack just after the break.

Continue reading Skate 3 'Hawaiian Dream' DLC lands on July 6

Skate 3 'Hawaiian Dream' DLC lands on July 6 originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 03 Jul 2010 17:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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There have been nearly half a dozen Idolmaster titles in the past five years. But, it looks like the franchise is finally ready to jump to the big number 2. Andriasang reports that a new Idolmaster for Xbox 360 -- Idolmaster 2 -- will be coming your way in 2011. A new trailer (which we sat through in public for you) was also released via the game's official website.

Apparently, this time around, players will be tasked with turning three Idols into national hits. Characters from the first Idolmaster, as well as characters from Idolmaster SP and a couple new Idols, will be making up the game's roster, and everyone is said to have aged by one year. Little else is known about the sequel at the moment, but if you want to sing along to some bubblegum J-Pop, click past the break.

Continue reading Idolmaster 2 announced for Xbox 360, coming in 2011

Idolmaster 2 announced for Xbox 360, coming in 2011 originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 03 Jul 2010 15:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Host: Larry Hryb, Xbox LIVE’s Major Nelson (Xbox LIVE ) (Twitter)  
Co-host : e (Xbox LIVE ) (Twitter)  
Co-host : lollip0p (Xbox LIVE) (Twitter)
Co-Host: Stepto (Xbox LIVE) (Twitter)

Name the Game
Xbox 101 and more

Note: I’ve added the above show notes to the ID3 Lyrics data field. Check your device if this is supported

Links to some of the things mentioned in this episode:

http://www.connecticon.org/

Crackdown 2

Xbox 360 250GB Elite Console
http://www.xbox.com/en-US/live/familypack/default.htm

DirecTV

http://fitbit.com/

http://store.microsoft.com/Locations

Livescribe Pulse Pen

Alienware M11x

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Independence_Day_(United_States)

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You'll definitely want to watch this gameplay clip of inFamous 2. Not only does it show off Cole's new look, it highlights the revamped graphics engine, improved "in your face" camera ... and best of all, a new power.

Continue reading Video: inFamous 2 gameplay, now with more cyclones

Video: inFamous 2 gameplay, now with more cyclones originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 03 Jul 2010 13:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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We're just as easily drawn into the shame spiral that is buying games we don't have any time to play as the next guy -- especially when a tremendous sale is involved -- so when we offer up news that every game available through OnLive is currently 30 percent off, we have to be a little wary.

Sure, it's great for those among us with "self restraint" (or whatever) who'll simply purchase one or two titles and not go totally bananas, but what of us folks with ... control issues? Well, yeah, we suppose there's always the rental options being equivalently discounted. Thankfully, the sale only lasts through Monday (at 11:59PM ET), otherwise we might end up with another two or three copies of AaaaaAAaaaAAAaaAAAAaAAAAA!!! -- A Reckless Disregard for Gravity ... which is only $7, by the way. Dammit!

OnLive giving 30% discount on all games and rentals for the Fourth originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 03 Jul 2010 11:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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What... are you off reading a book or something? Come play games!!

Sales of Madden NFL 11 are set to kick off on August 10, and leading up to the title's launch, EA plans to release a series of videos highlighting the different divisions of the NFL. This week, we've got preview videos for the AFC East and AFC West, which you can find huddled up past the break.

The team to beat in the AFC East is undoubtedly The Jets, who fell just shy of the AFC Championship game last year -- but don't discount The Patriots, who've still got plenty of weapons at their disposal. In the AFC West, it's going to be a tough year. The Broncos, The Chiefs, The Raiders and The Chargers all have a shot at winning the division this year.

But, hey, don't take our word for it! Spin past the break and run down each team's skill set for yourself. Hut-hut-hike!

Continue reading Madden NFL 11 videos preview AFC East and AFC West

Madden NFL 11 videos preview AFC East and AFC West originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 03 Jul 2010 05:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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In an interview with PSNStores, 24 Caret Games' Matt Gilgenbach offered an update on the development of the time-reversing rhythm shmup ... thing, Retro/Grade. Most obviously, the PSN release is getting a nice visual boost over what has been shown: "We've redone pretty much all the graphics to make the game look really snazzy on your HDTVs," Gilgenbach said, "especially because Retro/Grade runs at Full HD (1080p) at 60 fps with anti-aliasing." Power-ups (and power-downs) have also been added, as have "some epic reverse boss fights" that the team isn't talking about yet.

If you want to try out the odd guitar-controlled PSN game (and there will be a demo!) you'll have to jump forward in time to next year: "I am confident we will release it sometime in 2011," Gilgenbach said, "but I can't really narrow it down too much further."

PSN's Retro/Grade is progressing, but not coming in 2010 originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 03 Jul 2010 03:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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