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Jurassic Park delayed to fall on PC, pre-orderers get free game

Dinosaurs are usually known for their timeliness -- think of people being referred to as "dinosaurs" when they're ahead of the curve on trends -- but the dinosaurs of Telltale's Jurassic Park game aren't going to make their appointed release date.

Telltale CEO Dan Conners sent an email out to people who had pre-ordered the adventure series, informing them that the PC and Mac release of the first episode would not occur in April as planned. "The game's mechanics and storytelling have come together in such a way that we see great potential," he said, "so much so that we feel we can push these elements to the next level if we spend some extra time working on them."

That means that the PC and Mac releases will now take place simultaneously with the PS3 and Xbox 360 versions this fall. In addition, Telltale is issuing full refunds to those who pre-ordered, and throwing in a free Telltale game of the user's choice.

Can we put Telltale in charge of PSN customer service?

[Thanks to everyone who sent this in!]

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Sony's failure to report data breach incurs CT Senator Blumenthal's wrath

Connecticut Senator Richard Blumenthal is "demanding answers" about why Sony Computer Entertainment of America failed to inform customers of the data breach of the PlayStation Network on April 20.

"When a data breach occurs, it is essential that customers be immediately notified about whether and to what extent their personal and financial information has been compromised," Blumenthal said in a release. "Compounding this concern is the troubling lack of notification from Sony about the nature of the data breach."

Of course, Sony just issued a statement that it says will be emailed to "all of our registered account holders" but, as we noted in our post, it's been nearly six days since the "intrusion" first took place. Blumenthal elaborated, "Although the breach occurred nearly a week ago, Sony has not notified customers of the intrusion, or provided information that is vital to allowing individuals to protect themselves from identity theft, such as informing users whether their personal or financial information may have been compromised."

Sen. Blumenthal also sent a letter to SCEA President and CEO Jack Tretton, which can be found after the break.

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Sony says PSN 'intrusion' compromised personal info; hopes to have 'some services' back 'within a week'

[PSA for PSN users, from your pals at Joystiq: Before you start reading this informative news post, go change every internet password you've ever had. Done? Okay, read on!]

Nearly six days in, and Sony has finally sent out an email to the millions of affected PSN users explaining the prolonged downtime, and elaborating on the security implications of the "external intrusion" of the PlayStation Network. The most important new detail: Sony has determined that there has been "a compromise of personal information" as a result of the attack. The second most important new detail: "We have a clear path to have PlayStation Network and Qriocity systems back online, and expect to restore some services within a week."

So, what did the bad guys manage to steal? Uhh ... just about everything, it seems. Here's what's in the definitely jacked column: "name, address (city, state, zip), country, email address, birthdate, PlayStation Network/Qriocity password and login, and handle/PSN online ID." Our takeaway: you'd better start changing passwords if you use the same one frequently. We'll leave the decision on whether or not to pack your bags and move away up to you.

In the possibly jacked column: "profile data, including purchase history and billing address (city, state, zip), and your PlayStation Network/Qriocity password security answers." That leaves your credit card information, which ... well, we'll let Sony tell you itself: "If you have provided your credit card data through PlayStation Network or Qriocity, out of an abundance of caution we are advising you that your credit card number (excluding security code) and expiration date may have been obtained." Yikes.

Sony provides a bunch of links for consumers to keep an eye on their data. Most important is probably the free credit report services. It also cautions PSN users to change their password when the service is back online. Lastly, while they never directly say as much, we're going to suggest making PSN purchases through other retailers instead of directly on Sony's service. Well, when it works again. But after that, stock up on some PSN points cards from anywhere else.

[Update 5:22pm: While we're working on a more thorough piece about what little old you can do in the face of such overwhelming barbarism, we did want to share some short tips. Our first tip comes to us from friend-of-the-site Robin Yang, who (re)tweets: "To see what card you used w/ PlayStation Network, check your emails from 'DoNotReply@ac.playstation.net.'" Once you've figured out what that card is, call your bank and tell them you think it may have been compromised. That's one part of the security equation.

Next up is your password, and it's a little trickier. Giant Bomb's Patrick Klepeck asked Sony if there was any way to learn what password was attached to a PSN account and was told "there is currently no way to determine what password you were/are using on PSN." That means you should probably be changing everything. Then again, if you followed our pre-post recommendation, you've already done that.]

LA Noire will let you skip those pesky action sequences (upon repeated failure)

If the bevy of trailers and previews we've seen of LA Noire are any indication, it looks like it might be Rockstar's most cinematic game to date. What about those poor souls who want to enjoy these film-like qualities, but can't manage to virtual-shoot to save their virtual-lives? According to MTV Multipalyer, Rockstar art director Rob Nelson assuaged this group's fears while demoing the game at the Tribeca Film Festival last night, telling attendees that they'll be afforded the option to skip action sequences after failing them two or three times.

Nelson explained, "You can skip those action elements and still experience the bulk of the narrative." Can you? We're not exactly sold on the idea. Wouldn't that be like reading a book, and then skipping those pages where the protagonist shoots hundreds and hundreds of dudes?

Fanmade 'Golden Axe Myth' available to download, for now

A fan-created Golden Axe game called "Golden Axe Myth" is now available for download on PC. In development since 2007, Myth has been designed as prequel to the arcade/Genesis game, and features all-new graphics, music and levels, and even a downloadable artbook and soundtrack. And it all looks great! So why is it that we're feeling so sad on this otherwise happy occasion?

It's basically a total bummer to be reminded of Sega's takedown of Streets of Rage Remake just two weeks ago. Presuming that Myth will fall to the same fate, we're already feeling sad about the (future) ending of this fan creation. But that's all the more reason for you to download Golden Axe Myth while you can.

And to future fan-game developers: Just make a couple of changes! Call it "Platinum Halberd" and give the dwarf blue hair or something. It doesn't have to end in tragedy!

Black Ops Escalation DLC includes 'Call of the Dead,' stars George Romero (as himself)

Well this is certainly ... wow. Activision has revealed "Call of the Dead," the previously unnamed Zombies Mode map in the Call of Duty: Black Ops "Escalation" DLC. "Call of the Dead" is no ordinary map, however, as Treyarch is throwing in lots of zombie-related fan service, starting with George Romero. The famed horror director stars as himself in the Zombies episode, alongside the likes of Sarah Michelle Gellar, Robert "Freddy Kreuger" Englund, Machete's Danny Trejo and Michael Rooker, who plays Merle Dixon in The Walking Dead.

Treyarch's Mark Lamia promises that "Call of the Dead" will provide "an exciting new zombie experience" that "takes Zombies to an insane new level." Check out some sceens in the gallery below and watch a (very Robert Rodriguez) trailer after the break. Oh, and we call dibs on Danny!

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PSN Tuesday: ...


Sony rep to Joystiq: "Today's PlayStation Store Update will be rescheduled once service is restored."


Choose your platform to view the corresponding release list:

Iwata: 3DS launch sales below expectations

For Nintendo, 3.61 million just isn't enough. That's the number of 3DS systems sold since launch, and it's approximately 400K short of Nintendo's launch goal, says company head Satoru Iwata. Speaking to investors today in Osaka, Japan, Iwata specifically noted (in an official translation), "Nintendo 3DS started very well but, on the other hand, did not perform as expected after the second week."

Iwata cited the massive earthquake and tsunami that devastated Japan earlier this year as a factor, but added, "I should not blame this situation just on the impact of the earthquake. There are other challenges that have shown up." Without being specific, he said that the company is "making efforts to get the popularity of Nintendo 3DS back on track for the upcoming summer season." How about, you know, some games we'd want to play?

Nintendo has a followup earnings briefing scheduled for next Tuesday in Tokyo, so perhaps we'll find out more about the company's plans then.

How to Vote Joystiq in the Webbys

We've just got a couple more days until the end of voting in the 2011 Webbys and, frankly, we're starting to get a little nervous. After a brief, shining moment in 2nd place yesterday, Joystiq is now firmly ensconced in 4th.

To help you be the hero we need, we've created a helpful audio-visual walkthrough that you can find right after the break. We hope you like it. Thanks in advance for the help!

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Red Faction: Armageddon demo on XBLM and (maybe) PSN May 3

THQ will give you a chance to take a brief jaunt over to Mars on May 3, when it releases a demo for Red Faction: Armageddon. The demo will launch on Xbox Live and PlayStation Network simultaneously -- assuming that PSN will be functional again at that time, of course -- but no PC demo is planned.

According to THQ's description of the demo, players will get the opportunity to play with the Nano Forge's destructive and reconstructive abilities, and even "throw entire buildings at your enemies with Red Faction's signature weapon, the Magnet Gun." We'd certainly try that for zero dollars.

Amazon offers Crysis 2 for $40, that nano-suits us just fine

We know you're having a hard time choosing between all the different nanomachine-infused, suit-centric first-person shooters set in a ruined New York City. Why not go with the cheap one? Amazon's marked down Crysis 2 to $39.95 as its current deal of the day. ... continue reading.

Keiji Inafune is shooting lasers out of his face in an RPG

Well, it's official: Keiji Inafune has the best life ever. According to this week's issue of Dengeki PlayStation (as translated by Andriasang), the former Capcom head will appear in Idea Factory's upcoming PS3 RPG Hyperdimension Neptunia mk-II -- a bizarre outcome of an even more bizarre marketing partnership between Inafune and the game's publisher, Compile Heart. The real magic comes from the descriptions of his character's special abilities, such as the "Donnahandanda Nova," in which Inafune opens up his mouth, and vomits out an assumedly potent laser beam.

We can't decide what's more wonderful: The aforementioned power, or "Creator Sword Inafune," in which Inafune wields an actual photograph of himself, much like one would wield a sword. Nope! Wait, forget what we said. That's obviously the most wonderful thing we've ever heard.

Nintendogs + Cats is Nintendo's first 3DS million seller

As it does after every earnings report, Nintendo sent out a "supplementary" release featuring all of the first-party games that sold a million copies or more in the last fiscal year. One 3DS game made the cut: Nintendogs + Cats, which sold 460,000 units in Japan and 1.25 million in the West. The odds were kind of stacked in favor of this game -- it was released in three different versions, it was the only first-party game at launch, and puppies are cute.

On Wii, Mario Sports Mix made it into the million-seller category, with a worldwide 1.54 million copies. And Super Mario All-Stars Limited Edition proved the viability (unfortunately) of selling an SNES game in a $30 box, by shifting 2.24 million units. On DS, Pokémon Black and White are up to a combined 11.51 million units, which, in our professional estimation, is an uncomfortably large number.

It's 'Portal Kombat' atop the UK charts

Portal 2 nabbed the top spot on the UK software sales chart last week, followed by Warner Bros. Interactive's Mortal Kombat reboot in second place. According to Chart-Track, Portal 2 was actually Valve's first ever all-formats chart topper -- the closest the company ever got to the crown was with The Orange Box, which reached third place.

Call of Duty: Black Ops "price promotions" in the region caused Activision's behemoth to jump back into the the top three, followed by last week's chart topper, Zumba Fitness, which still increased sales by 10 percent last week. The top five was rounded out by the blockheads of Lego Star Wars 3: The Clone Wars.

Operation Flashpoint: Red River also had a solid debut, entering the charts in sixth place. Check out the full top ten after the break.

[Image: The Game Station's Portal Kombat]

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Excitebike 3D Classic to be offered free with 3DS eShop update

When Nintendo finally flips the switch on the 3DS eShop, it's got a pretty solid plan for enticing users into the service. During an investor briefing, president Satoru Iwata announced that Nintendo plans to offer a free downloadable version of Excitebike through the eShop, for a limited time starting at launch.

It won't just be Excitebike -- it'll be 3D Excitebike. This freebie will be 3DS owners' first experience with the "3D Classics" line, in which classic games are updated with new 3D effects. So when some anonymous racer knocks you off your bike, it'll be more ... exciting. Iwata didn't specify a region for this release, so there is a possibility that it might be restricted to Japan.

EA COO John Schappert resigns, reportedly heads for Zynga

Former Microsoft corporate vice president of Live -- and now former EA COO -- John Schappert has left EA and is reportedly heading to the greener pastures of Zynga. A Securities and Exchange Commission filing this morning confirmed Schappert's departure, official as of this past Monday.

A "source close to the matter" told Reuters that Schappert has plans to work at Zynga in some capacity, though his role at the company (if a role even currently exists) has yet to be confirmed. EA confirmed Schappert's departure to us, but declined to offer a comment regarding his decision to leave.

Hydrophobia Prophecy coming to Steam on May 9, then PSN

Though Hydrophobia Prophecy may sound like a new entry in the Hydrophobia series (as part of a planned trilogy), it's actually a PlayStation Network and Steam release of last year's aquatic Xbox Live Arcade title. It was later given a substantial, feedback-driven overhaul in the "Hydrophobia Pure" update following a chilly critical reception. Hydrophobia Prophecy popped up in a recent Australian ratings board listing, and was today confirmed as heading to Steam on May 9 and PlayStation Network at some point after that.

Like the game's Pure iteration before it, Prophecy augments the original game based on player feedback. "This comprehensive reinvention of the title includes upgraded graphics, brand new gameplay mechanics, exclusive new levels, a reworked back story, a dramatic new ending, recast voice acting and much, much more," the game's announcement reads.

The updated version also includes an in-game service called "Darknet," allowing players to "deliver specific opinions at any point during the game, which are automatically augmented with contextual data about the game state at that time." It's an even more direct line of communication than the developer's "Listening Post," which was erected in January to gauge played feedback online. We're hoping that by the time Dark Energy Digital gets around to working on that promised sequel, it'll be able to crowdsource the whole thing.

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Xbox Live discounts Dead Rising 2 content

When grappling with the undead apocalypse, few traits are quite as important as frugality. Well, okay, speed, strength and general survival skills are helpful too, but ... well, saving cash is just vital. You can start with this weeklong discount on Dead Rising 2 content on Xbox Live Marketplace. ... continue reading.

Sony reveals two PlayStation Suite-compatible Android tablets

Two more PlayStation Suite-compatible devices are joining the Xperia Play in Sony's product lineup. Last night, Sony officially unveiled the S1 and S2 tablets, both running Android 3.0, and both pretty weird-looking as tablets go.

The S1 is the tablet whose unconvential design was revealed early by Engadget. It has a back panel that tapers downward, which is supposed to make it more comfortable, and a 9.4-inch screen. The S2 is the DS of tablets, with two 5.5" screens in a clamshell case, allowing one screen to be used as a soft keyboard.

Both tablets will feature PlayStation Suite, so users will be able to play selected PSOne games on the devices, albeit with virtual controls. Both Sony Tablets (in a rare moment of sensible naming convention, "Sony Tablet" is the name of the line) will be out this fall globally. Check out a brief video after the break -- there's a little Crash Bandicoot in it for you.

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Fan-made Halo UNSC frigates dock at Minecraft station

At this point in Minecraft's life, we expect every gigantic space ship from every sci-fi property has been recreated. Imagine our surprise then when we looked through our records and found no documented UNSC frigates from Halo. That changes now.

Seen above is the work of Minecraft forum user Garified, who constructed not one but two UNSC frigates in the game -- one large-scale and one a bit smaller -- modeled after Halo: Reach's UNSC Savannah. We think you'll agree: kudos are most certainly in order.

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