Electronic Arts has just released a new video showing off Criterion's Need for Speed: Hot Pursuit.

Check it out after the jump:

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Morning folks. And welcome to the last working day of the week - the weekend is so close you can taste it. This morning I've got something special for you. We're giving away a copy of Mafia II on Xbox 360.

We're going light on the small print here - I'm happy to send the game anywhere in the world. Whether it works on the Xbox 360 where you are - well that's beyond my control. But here we have a European version of the game up for grabs.

Entering the competition is simplicity itself. All I want you to do is complete the following sentence in the comments section below.

"Dear Boomtown X, I really deserve to win the copy of Mafia II because..."

Registering is free, and we won't spam you in any way. You'll need to register with a valid email address as your account isn't activated until you've clicked the link in your validation email. Register here.

The competition closes on Friday 10th September at midday UK time. I'll then choose the response I like the best from all the entrants and post the result on this very page. Be aware this is an 18 rated game and is definitely not for children - are you listening rubbish parents?

Good Luck.

_{Competition listed on Loquax Competitions}

Some tasty new shots from Warner's Lord of the Rings: War in the North after the jump:

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You can now download the Toybox DLC for Crackdown 2 from the Xbox Live Marketplace. The download is 49MB and will cost you 560 Microsoft Points.

Expand Crackdown 2 with the Toy Box Pack! It's bursting at the seams with extra toys and treasures, including an expanded Keys to the City mode, the ATV Assault Vehicle, the Squad Chopper, Suit Thrusters, new Agent armor colors, and a Vehicle Tag game, just to name a few. The Toy Box Pack is packed so full it would take a Level 5 Agent to hold it closed!

Download the content via your console or queue it up online via this Xbox.com linky.

Sony has announced that the PlayStation 3 firmware update which will add support for 3D Blu-ray playback will not be released until next month.

So sorry for the four or five people that actually affects.

Source: Engadget

After the jump you'll be able to watch the first of Paradox Interactive's Commander: Conquest of America tutorials.

Don't forget our review too.

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After the jump we've got the latest Medal of Honor trailer from Electronic Arts.

This latest vid is called The MOH Experience Part 2: Gunfighters and shows off an Apache Gunship level.

While this made me want to play MOH right now, the biggest emotional response I had was "it's about time publishers started making good flight sims again, where's my Gunship sequel."

Anyway, check out the video after the break:

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Mafia came out of nowhere and showed how a city-based game should be done. Despite some awkward driving moments it has grown into a modern classic and the sequel has been highly anticipated.

But has it been worth the very long wait? Alas Graham doesn't think so, read on for his review.

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Kotaku is reporting a rumour that major job cuts will be taking place later today at LucasArts.

Some 30 percent of the staff are expected to go.

Our thoughts go out to those leaving the company today, we hope you find a new role soon where your skills are rewarded.

Team 17 reminds us today that Alien Breed has arrived on European PSN.

Alien Breed: Impact is priced at £11.99/€14.99.

The press release is but a click away:

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Cryptic Studios is celebrating the first birthday of the superhero MMO Champions Online.

Part of the celebrations include a free trial and a sale in the game's store.

Check out the details and links after the jump:

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Sega has released seven new screenshots from Shogun: Total War, Creative Assembley's visit to the era and location that began the whole Total War series.

One wonders if CA is running out of ideas - I guess we'll know if the next game announced is Medieval: Total War III.

Check out the new shots after the jump:

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Square Enix has sent word that the investigation into bugs that slightly delayed the launch of the Final Fantasy XIV Beta has solved the problems.

So the beta will begin tomorrow - 2nd September.

We would like to take this opportunity to provide an update regarding FINAL FANTASY XIV Open Beta Test, which was announced to be postponed on Aug. 31, 2010.

Along with the completion on investigation and correction of the critical issue, we have decided to begin FINAL FANTASY XIV Open Beta Test on Sep. 2, 2010 at 02:00 (GMT).

Starting on Sep. 2, 2010 at 02:00 (GMT), acquisition of registration code required for FINAL FANTASY XIV Open Beta Test will become available on "FINAL FANTASY XIV Open Beta Test Application Site." For more details, please refer to "FINAL FANTASY XIV Open Beta Test Application Site."

We are looking forward to your participation in FINAL FANTASY XIV Open Beta Test!

And here's the link for you to apply to join the beta - entry.ffxiv.com

Who says PC gaming is dead? Blizzard has today announced that it has sold over three million copies of StarCraft II in the first month on sale.

Day one says accounted for one million, making it instantly the best selling PC game of 2010. Another half million sales followed in the next 24 hours.

"We appreciate all the enthusiasm that players around the world have shown for StarCraft II," said Mike Morhaime, CEO and cofounder of Blizzard Entertainment. "It was important to us to deliver an overall gameplay experience that was accessible, balanced, and fun, and it’s been gratifying to see how strongly the global community has already embraced the game."

Activision has released this launch trailer for Spider-Man: Shattered Dimensions.

Microsoft has announced that the Kinect Xbox 360 motion control system will be release in Australia on November 18th for AUS$199.

A 4GB Xbox 360 Slim bundle will also be available complete with Kinect system for AUS$449.

Kinect is set for release in Europe on November 10th and in the US on November 8th.

Blizzard has announced that a forthcoming update for World of Warcraft - which paves the way for the Cataclysm expansion - will mean PPC Mac hardware will be no longer supported.

The following was posted in the game's Mac support forum:

A little forewarning to those of you that play World of Warcraft on these systems. Shortly before the release of Cataclysm, a patch will be released in which PowerPC processor based Macs will no longer be supported. This update indicates the removal of PowerPC support from World of Warcraft. Attempting to run the game after the update will bring up a message stating the hardware is no longer supported, and the game will not run.

You Mac loving Warcrafters are going to have to get yourself an Intel-based Mac or even a proper computer<sup>1

_1Joke</sup>

You can now download a playable demo for Sega's Vanquish from the Xbox Live Marketplace and PSN.

LONDON (September 1st, 2010) – SEGA® Europe Ltd. can confirm that the VANQUISHTM Official Demo: Velocity Attack, is available exclusively for download from Xbox LIVE® Marketplace for the Xbox 360® video game and entertainment system from Microsoft®, and PlayStation® Store for the PlayStation®3 computer entertainment system in Europe today.

VANQUISHTM is the hottest title Shinji Mikami has worked on in over 4 years, achieving high tension throughout the game and delivering a new sense of game merged shooting and action in a finely balanced manner. The game is set for release across North America on 19th October, Australia on 21st of October and across Europe on October 22nd 2010 for the Xbox 360® video game and entertainment system from Microsoft and PLAYSTATION®3 computer entertainment system.

Activision has today revealed plenty of the details of some of the "warriors" featued within Guitar Hero: Warriors of Rock.

Join us after the jump for information and art for characters such as Axel Steel, Casey Lynch and Judy Nails.

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Microsoft has announced a new version of the Xbox 360 controller with a configurable d-pad which switches between a cross and a disk.

The controller also features grey face buttons on concave sticks.

The new controller will hit the US market first - November 9th for $64.99. Europe will have to wait until the new year.

After the jump we've more details and images:

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