According to the word sweeping around the net, PC Gamer’s June issue has a preview story debuting C&C 3 to the public. Complete information can be found on this Wikipedia page… but here’s a summary of what we know so far:

• The game is set in the original Tiberium Universe (the other C&C universes are Red Alert and Generals.) The Tiberium universe was created by the original Westwood Studios RTS team in Nevada, which were closed after EA purchased Westwood Studios many years ago, and after their Command & Conquer: Tiberian Sun project kinda sucked.
• The title is under development at the EA Los Angles office. EA LA was founded around a group of developers who made the very explosive Red Alert 2. Since then, EA LA created the new C&C Generals universe, and both of the Battle For Middle Earth Games.
• It’s unclear if the team is still together - if they’re going to make only the C&C game, or concurrently work on another BFME sequel. I hope they stay focused.
• Tiberium continues to infect the earth, rendering nearly 1/3 of it uninhabitable. Is it just me, or was this threshold already reached in the other C&C games?
• GDI is back, and also Kane (the leader of Nod) will return.
• The game will have full motion sequences just like the original line of C&C Games! Sweet.
• There’s no release date set.

Ah yes, E3 Approaches.

We just love that the E3 machine is warming up. We also love Beer. So together.. this may be the best Monkeygames story ever.

Our good pals over at Liquor Snob have a pleasant little write up of a drinking game you can play with your friends when you settle in to watch the E3 Keynotes.

“We don’t know who Reggie or Myamoto are, but that Nintendo drinking game sounds like a hoot. “

Did I say good friends? I meant loose acquaintances.

There have been a few articles recently echoing the content of this NYTimes story that looks at the future of Lucasarts. It seems that the folks there have decided that now that Episode III is over with, its time to get Lucasarts back working on innovative games, and not just for the Star Wars franchise.

I take this as good news as Lucasarts was responsible for many a great game. I recall such beauties as Maniac Mansion, Day of the Tentacle, the Monkey Island Games, Full Throttle, The Indana Jones games, and of course there were more than a few Star Wars gems like Tie Fighter, and Jedi Knight.

It seems that one franchise game they WILL be doing is one that is about Darth Vader.

All I’m wondering is..

Which one of these buttons call’s your mom to take you home?

(if you didn’t get that.. you MUST click here)

So, I had never heard this, but it makes so much sense. Apparantly the Super Mario Brothers 2, that we all played here in the US, with turnips, the floating Princess, and shyguys, was not really Super Mario Brothers 2. It was a coat of mario sprites chucked over another game called Doki Doki Panic. About.com has a story reviewing the Real Super Mario Brothers 2. And I for one am shocked. I mean, my young impressionable mind was so fooled by that egg-shootin bird thing. Sure, I wondered what the hell happened to Bowser in every level, and What the hell happened to everything else about the game we knew and loved, but I just assumed it was a new twist on a an old game. Oh Mario. How Will I ever trust you again?

I always knew there was something weird about that game. I still love that music tho.

Today one of the most ambitious xbox live tournaments begins, and I for one am excited. The PGR3 tournament is a Global event (think of it as the world cup for Geeks).
In preparation for this world wide event MSFT has done some major work to PGR3, including a massive update (patch) to the game.
On Friday a new set of cars was made available for download form the xbox live marketplace. This “speed pack” available for 400 msft points, includes cars that appear to be specifically for this weeks qualification rounds. The cars included in the speed pack are:

Aston Martin V8 Vantage (FREE)
RUF RT12
Saleen S7 Twin Turbo
Audi RS 4
Chevrolet Corvette Z06
Dodge Viper SRT-10 Coupe
Ferrari 612 Scagliett
Lamborghini Gallardo SE
Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution VIII
Nissan NISMO R34GT-R Z-Tune
Pontiac GTO
Radical SR8

Starting today all registered participants begin time trials on one of my favorite courses

Tokyo Nishigushi:

During the qualification period all participants are allowed unlimited attempts to get into the top 64 players in their region. Also all players who qualify will receive 50 points to their gamer score.
To be honest I am happy to see that the qualification round is not massive 8 player races. One of my chief complaints about online play in PGR3 is the online log jam at the beginning of each race. What tends to happen is all players hit the first turn and spin out/ collide. whoever makes it out of the turn first usually wins the race (because everyone is always using the same car).
The time trials ensure that only skilled drivers will make it into the semi-finals.
Players lucky enough to make it to the finals in the PGR3 tournament will have the privilege of racing each other at the Lamborghini factory in Sant’Agata Bolognese, Italy.
Will I make it that far, probably not, have i been training for the past week HELL YES!. If you have an 360, and PGR3 keep an eye out for “Gadgetron” on Gotham TV, as I will be flying around the streets of Tokyo every free moment I have!

Boing Boing linked this great open letter that calls for a Corporation for Public Games, that is modeled on the Corporation for Public Broadcasting.

It is just going to show you how Gaming, and Games as a medium are maturing.

Where do I sign that petition!

Today a whole bunch of rumors about the PS3 showed up on the Internet. Here is a quick rundown of the troubles Sony’s next console could be having (rumor source Guardian):

1. Presently it seems that the components that make up the Ps3 are to big to fit in the accrual case. This would make sense seeing as how the PS3 will only be playable in a small room at the Sony booth this year at E3.
To be fair at last years E3 MSFT did have “xbox 360″’s on the show floor, but the games were running on Mac Dual g5’s, that were hidden under each monitor stand.

2. The OS that runs on the PS3 will consume 25% of the system’s core and 18.75% of system RAM. That seems like a bit of huge footprint.

3. Last rumor is a good one, it appears that the PS2 will hit the wonderful, wonderful price point of $99.00. This prediction was made by Lazard Capital. If the new price were to hit, look for it closer to the PS3’s launch.

Via slashdot comes this Gamasutra article where a tidbit is dropped about this ever-in-development title.

Sure the concept of the game sending you an email is nifty.. but .. Will we ever really see it?

Hell. Now Im thinking we might. If for no other reason than that all the media coverage / industry joking about it, could end up being the longest marketing campaign for a game ever.

I mean.. who HASN’T heard of Duke Nukem Forever by now.

Oh , and it will be the premier title on the Phantom.

Well if you were a bit disappointed with Bethesda’s first Oblivion Mod (horsey Armor) fear not. Over on the
Bethesda forums there are details about the upcoming Orrery, and Wizards tower mods. the best thing about these mods is they will cost LESS than the horse armor (price point of: $1.89 or 150 xbox points).

Here are the high points:

The Orrery allows you to help the Mages Guild of Cyrodiil repair the Imperial Orrery, an ancient dwarven machine with mystical properties. Bandits have stolen a shipment of parts destined for the Arcane University; if you can return them, the Orrery will function once more.

Features
* A new, full-featured quest, including dialogue, journals, and rewards
* Access to the Imperial Orrery in the Arcane University, an incredible mechanical marvel
* New powers available for your character based on the phases of the moons

The Wizards Tower
Located high in the Jeral Mountains of Cyrodiil away from prying eyes, this Wizard’s Tower, Frostcrag Spire, will become available. Packed with numerous useful enhancements, this structure will prove invaluable to magic-oriented characters.

Features
* A fully detailed tower for you to explore
* A breathtaking view of Cyrodiil from the highest point in the land
* Simple furnishings including a bed for leveling up
* An indoor botanical garden with over 130 specimens… including Oblivion-native herbs!
* Summon Atronach Familiars that obey your commands
* Instant teleports to every Mages Guild in Cyrodiil
* New Spell and Recharge vendor in the Imperial City
* Fully upgrade the furnishings in your lair to suit your needs
* Upgrade to a fully functional Enchanting and Spellmaking station with no need to join Mages Guild
* Upgrade to a laboratory that buffs your Alchemy skill

New content such as this, in my opinion is worth the money or “points” and I hope Bethesda keeps it up. Considering I am 20hours into Oblivion and going to the main quest only when i have time, it appears that Bethesda will be keeping us busy for a long time to come.

Can you feel it?

That thrumming down in your gut? That slight twitch in your eye? Thats not the bird flu, thats E3, and its about to lay you down for the count.

And beginning the fits of jaw “drop aches” that will spread around the office this year, comes this fine article at IGN. The writing is meaningless babble, and the only real news is that Quake Wars will have a 24 player lan setup for convention-goers to get their grubby mitts on. But hey.. we don’t look at IGN for the articles.. do we?

Theres plenty more where those came from.

Try to clean up after yourself.