Co-Optimus

Beyond Co-Op, November 15th to November 21st

Loren "AgtFox" Halek

Welcome to Beyond Co-Op, a weekly piece that talks about industry stories that may or may not be related to co-op gaming.

The stories for this week:

- BioShock 2 Special Edition Announced
- "Return to Ostagar" DLC Coming to Dragon Age: Origins This Holiday
- Halo: Reach Premiering on Spike's Video Game Awards on December 12th
- Modern Warfare 2 Earns $550 Million in First Five Days
- Happy Thanksgiving to US Readers and Black Friday Deals

Co-Op Classics: Donkey Kong Country

Marc "DjinniMan" Allie

A few years ago, a neighbor offered my wife a Super Nintendo with five games, all for $25, before it went into their garage sale. My wife nabbed it, and I was a happy classic gamer that entire day. One of the games in that lot, Donkey Kong Country, was easily worth that price by itself.

Donkey Kong Country

Co-Optimus

We've added Donkey Kong Country for the Classic to our database of Co-Op games!

Trine PSN Co-Op Impressions

Katrina "ShadokatRegn" Pawlowski

We previously reported a few bugs with the PSN version of Trine. It was brought to our attention that our source had a few issues with the game that weren't directly related, and it was recommended we take on the challenge of playing Trine ourselves to see how it works. We've now played Trine in our very own co-op brand of reviewing, and are ready to set the record straight.

Our Weekend in Gaming - Please Grant us a 36 Hour Day Edition

Nicholas "bapenguin" Puleo

At times like these we all wish for an extra 12 hours in the day. Too many games to play, too many responsibilities to fulfill.

Nick "bapenguin" Puleo - "I have a lot I'd like to play, lets see what I accomplish. Left 4 Dead 2, Dragon Age Origins, Modern Warfare 2, and Resident Evil 5 PC are all on my radar!"

Marc "DjinniMan" Allie - "I'm planning to spend lots of time in Left 4 Dead 2. Other than that, more Half Minute Hero!."

Mike "pheriannath" Katsufrakis - "I have a lot to play as well, but almost no time to do it in! Since I've got to work over the weekend, time will be scarce, but I'll spend as much time as I can in Left 4 Dead 2 so I can have my review ready for everyone to enjoy."

Jim "txshurricane" McLaughlin - "What little game time I have will be spent on Clone Wars: Republic Heroes and Modern Warfare 2."

Katrina "ShadokatRegn" Pawlowski - "I'll be pushing to make time to play Prince of Persia and Borderlands - even if that means forgoing sleep for the weekend."

Jason "OrigamiPanther" Love - "My weekend will likely see me splitting my time between slaying darkspawn in Dragon Age: Origins, and hitting zombies with frying pans (*ptong!*) in Left 4 Dead 2."

Loren "AgtFox" Halek - "Maybe play some New Super Mario Bros. Wii, but probably just take some time away after getting through and reviewing three games in under a week with over 40 hours of gameplay combined."

What are your gaming plans for this weekend? Don't forget about our RE5 co-op night tonight!

UP

Co-Optimus

We've added UP for the Wii to our database of Co-Op games!

Buy UP @ Amazon to support Co-Optimus.

UP

Co-Optimus

We've added UP for the Playstation 3 to our database of Co-Op games!

Buy UP @ Amazon to support Co-Optimus.

UP

Co-Optimus

We've added UP for the XBox 360 to our database of Co-Op games!

Buy UP @ Amazon to support Co-Optimus.

Serious Sam HD Out Next Week

Nicholas "bapenguin" Puleo

We finally have a release date for Serious Sam HD, or at least, a release date for the PC version. Expect to kick names and take ass on November 24th with up to 15 of your friends in co-op. This was announced in an exclusive trailer posted on Eurogamer's website.

You can read our short hands on preview with the game from PAX 09. We came away impressed, and are itching to dive into the chaos with one of the largest and most insane co-op gatherings I've ever witnessed. There's going to be a lot of exploding harpies.

You can preorder the game right now on Steam for only $18. There's still no word on whether or not the XBLA version, which contains four player co-op, would be released the following day on November 25th.

Infinity Ward may Add Party Chat Options Back into Modern Warfare 2

Nicholas "bapenguin" Puleo

Keep the pedal to the floor on those party chat complaints in Modern Warfare 2! According to Infinity Ward's Robert Bowling, they hear you loud and clear on the complaints from the community. Whether hearing is the same as acting, well that's yet to be seen, but for those of you annoyed by the lack of party chat options in certain multiplayer play lists on the Xbox 360 - scream to the heavens:

"For the love of Soap MacTavish give us our party chat!"

The lack of party chat was done in part to prevent cheaters in different multiplayer game types. Basically these punks would jump onto the opposing team calling out their teammates positions to their friends on the other team in party chat. For most of us, we're unaffected by this decision because we're too busy playing Spec-Ops in co-op!

Resident Evil 5 Alternative Edition, Upcoming DLC Details

Marc "DjinniMan" Allie

Resident Evil 5 was an early co-op hit this year. As you'd expect for a title so popular, quite a bit of extra content is headed your way soon. The PS3-exclusive "Alternative Edition" is coming soon, and will include all the DLC listed below, plus compatibility with Sony's forthcoming motion controlling doohickey. (Pretty sure that won't be the final name.) Xbox 360 owners and those who already own RE5 for PS3 can also download this content.

Diner Dash

Co-Optimus

We've added Diner Dash for the Xbox Live Arcade to our database of Co-Op games!

Borderlands Soundtrack Available December 8th

Katrina "ShadokatRegn" Pawlowski

After Borderlands blew us away with its release, we haven't been able to get enough of it. Additional content to extend the experience is a wonderful thing, but now we're ready to experience Borderlands at all times. In the car, in your office, at school - wherever, you'll now have the soundtrack to Borderlands available just in time for the holidays.

"The soundtrack features a number of tunes from various composers including Jesper Kyd, Sascha Dikiciyan, Cris Velasco and Raison Varner, Tim Larkin. Unfortunately, the catchy song "Aint No Rest For The Wicked," which was featured in the game's trailer and TV commercials, is not included."

Battlefield Report: December 19, 2009

Staff

Ever wonder why PC gamers are so vehement about their dedicated server support? For this month's Battlefield Report, guest writer Dan "Jackel" Greiner enlightens our readership about what makes dedicated servers so popular among PC gaming communities.

Ellis is Gonna be Pissed, Jimmy Gibbs Jr. is a Zombie

Nicholas "bapenguin" Puleo

If you've played Left 4 Dead 2 and reached the finale of the first campaign, Dead Center, then you know all about Jimmy Gibbs Jr.

"He's only the greatest stock car racer of our generation... read a book sometime!" says Ellis during the finale's intro. And while we may have hoped that Mr Gibbs found a way out of the apocalypse and made it to safety, it seems that isn't the case. An enterprising modder has found a zombie model for Gibbs available for unlocking.