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As a gamer I understand the need to kick back every once in a while and take a break from killing terrorists, aliens or even tearing around the track in a Ferrari Enzo. That is why Viva Pinata became such a big hit, a colourful, relaxing and surprisingly addictive game that appeals to all ages.

So today Microsoft announced that the sequel, Viva Pinata: Trouble in Paradise, will be released on September 5th. The game is now said to have a bigger island on which, players can travel around to pick up some of the more rare and exotic pinatas.

Along with a bigger island, there are an additional 30 new species along with plenty of new game modes, including full cooperative gameplay.

This looks like a must buy for returning fans, go pre-order your copy now to ensure you don’t miss out on any of the fun.

With Daniel Craig’s next stint as Bond still a few months away, Activision and Treyarch have decided to whet our appetites with some screenshots and details of their attempt to re-launch the Bond game franchise.

The movie will take place around an hour after the end of Casino Royale, making it the first continuation in Bond history. But don’t worry you won’t have to see Casino Royale to know what is happening in the game, because you’ll play through it first, along with an extra scene that was removed from the final release.

Activision and Treyarch revealed that Quantum of Solace will be using the Call of Duty 4 engine and have Rainbow Six Vegas style gameplay, first person until any interaction with cover, objects, etc. where the camera will pull back to show the character model. Along with this, Treyarch claim to have added some unique additions to create a “hybrid 3rd person game”

According to Treyarch, Daniel Craig has been very involved with the game, doing three dimentional scans to make sure the character looked the part, and doing all his own voice work. Not the motion capture though, Craig has had enough trouble doing his own stunts in the movie that Treyarch decided to hire Darth Maul himself, Ray Park, to handle that part of the process.

Treyarch have decided to play it safe with this project and stick with what they know rather than pushing the boundries. They want to make the gameplay paramount instead of adding all of the usual Bond features. Which means no driving, no poker and maybe even no Bond girls.

All in all this looks like a game to keep your eye on and we’ll keep you updated with the latest news in the coming months.

For all you gamers who love to jump around your bedroom wielding plastic instruments, there is some good news, Rockband 2 has been announced for a September release, this highly anticipated sequel will hit the Xbox 360 first, with PS3 owners having to wait until December / January.

Not much has been revealed yet, what we do know is Rockband 1 downloadable content will be compatible with the new game, along with the peripherals. However, “upgraded” instruments will also be available upon release. Rockband 2 DLC will also work with the first game, begging the question, “Why should I buy Rockband 2?”

Harmonix anticipated this, but are convinced that once you play Rockband 2 you won’t return to the original, promising it will have over 300 songs available to play straight off the bat. You can also expect major improvements to online functionality and a more “party friendly” set-up.

In an interview with IGN, Lead Designer Dan Teasdale had this to say:

“We’ve taken almost everything people have asked for in Rock Band and added it to Rock Band 2, as well as including some “first time ever” features.”

Although he could not officially confirm the details of the new features, he did make hints towards, Band World Tour online and a song creator.

Rockband 2 should debut at E3 this coming July. Expect more news in the coming weeks.

Earlier today, I (ed: Read: someone at Kotaku) stumbled upon a post over at the N4G Forums which basically included the picture above which shows that PS2 Games May be coming to The PSN store in the near future….

From what I can gather using my incredibly large brain, Sony may possibly be unveiling this at E3 which isn’t so far off… Even though the picture could quite easily have been Photoshopped, it is starting to seem like an exciting prospect and is also a way to work around the problem of the non-backward compatible PS3s. I guess We will just have to wait and see…

Ed: It’s also nice to know that Metal Gear Solid 2 (ie. not the one where you lie in grass and get shot like a tit) will be available for the very-much-competitive price of £12.99!)

If you have ever wanted to take your first step through the Stargate or serve as first prime of Apophis then wait no more! Aptly named, Cheyenne Mountain Entertainment’s eagerly anticipated MMORPG Stargate Worlds has just opened the proverbial iris for public beta testing.

This is a closed beta so make sure you sign up now for your chance to let loose the Stargate geek inside you.

Following the impact of Diablo III’s confirmation this week, Blizzard have announced some rather more dis-heartening news; their sequel to the 1998 Starcraft will not be released in 2008.

Blizzard executive VP Rob Pardo revealed the news whilst at the companies Worldwide Invitational, and stated that the games campaign was only “one third complete”, but revealed that they would have made significant progress by the end of the year.

Starcraft has received universal acclaim since its release in 1998, and is still played widely around the world in RTS tournaments, including the i31 LAN parties here in the UK. Such popularity has fuelled hype for the sequel, which was first announced way back in May 2007.

The delay has come as no real surprise to fans, who have become used to Blizzards ‘when it’s done’ mentality. This frustrating policy does however guarantee near-perfection upon release.

All Starcraft fans can hope for now, is that the game does not continue to be pushed back, especially now Blizzard are concentrating on Diablo III.

As none of you will already know, I love music, and while I’m not a harsh critic, I know what I like. Johnny Greenwood (funnily enough AKA Lead Guitarist for Radiohead) delivers a surprisingly fantastic turn in composing the soundtrack to the unmercifully outstanding film, There Will Be Blood.

There aren’t any close nerdy connections or reasons a gamer would particularly love it, but it is something I feel everybody should hear at least once. It provides an emotional, haunting accompaniment to the film and represents the chilling themes of the film on it’s own, as well as a dedicated supplement to the film itself.

The score comprises of a (mostly) string orchestra, who adapt from giving a sense of unease in their deep slow movements and send shivers down your spine through the pluccato sections. This use of instruments gives a great embodiment of not only events within the film, but settings and characters.

If you haven’t seen the film then you should definitely watch it at the closest opportunity. If you have seen the film, or are unsure whether it’s your cup of tea then you should listen to the soundtrack as it will vastly amplify your enjoyment of the film in doing so… It will give you a picture of the pacing and themes of the film, or give you vivid recollections of key scenes (depending on whether you’ve seen it or not, of course).

That’s right… Diababblo Three, the next chapter in a series of real-time place-crawling RPGs, all of which culminate in a standoff between you and the mighty demonic insurance saleswoman, Diababblo - in which you must fight for your life as she throws everything she’s got at you in a poor attempt to persuade your hero to buy ridiculous policies (the more difficult battles involve slightly plausible policies such as Insurance insurance) has been announced!

This revelation is sure to please the fans of the series… especially the who like the games (and consequentially, not themselves). Along with the revelation (made by developer Blizzard, makers of educational video-games such as Words of Warcraft), came a few videos, which we’ve provided for your viewing pleasure… Enjoy.

Many gamers who own a DS are entirely satisfied with the game catalogue and what Ninty’s pocket handheld has to offer. Many people though, on the other hand may have been looking for something more action-oriented and First Person Shootery (despite the critically acclaimed Metroid Prime: Hunters).

Well, unfortunately for you folks, you’re going to have to keep looking as this first-time effort from obscure developer, No Way Studios looks just like a segue between the original Quake and Star Wars: Dark Forces (with a sprinkling of Duke Nukem).

Brilliant news if you live in the 90s and hardly worthy of everyone else’s attention.

Unless you live in the 80s, or 70s, or 60s, or…

Sean’s currently in the throes of a Sonygasm, otherwise he would’ve posted this himself. Instead of not-so-subtly jabbing him in his fanboy ribs amidst details of the 2.40 update, I’ll just let this lovely young gentleman tell what the craic is: