If the videogame industry thought they were immune to the economic downturn just a year ago, they’re certainly not still singing that tune today. Electronic Arts posted net losses of $391 million dollars for their second fiscal quarter this year, compared to last year’s loss of $310 million.

Here’s the controversial ‘No Russian’ game play from Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2. Personally, I don’t get why it’s a big deal. It’s disturbing, but serves the story. You have the option to watch the sequence via a disclaimer that pops up before you play the game. Hell, should you choose to interact, there’s the option to shoot the civilians yourself or not to shoot. It’s ultimately your call. Infinity Ward doesn’t force you to do anything uncomfortable to progress, and I applaud them for it. I felt more uncomfortable with some of the moral choices in Fable II, and there came a point where the story wouldn’t let you progress made it difficult to progress unless you made a horrendous decision in that game.

There is powerful imagery at work in Modern Warfare 2. If folks are getting hung up on this scene, they’re kind of missing the forest for the trees.

Anyway, Modern Warfare 2 tells a challenging story, and this is certainly one aspect of it. Game play follows the jump, and you can read our review here.

At this point, it’s seems silly to question whether Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 should be judged solely on the criteria of being ‘A good game’. Even if the developers at Infinity Ward had offered gamers ‘more of the same’, Modern Warfare 2 would qualify as excellent. Fortunately, with two years of development, and lots of time to listen to gamer feedback, Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 is a veritable smorgasbord of new game play features, new scenarios, and more of the award-winning story that awed gamers in 2007.

In a holiday season bulging with A-list titles, the real question gamers should ask is whether Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 distinguishes itself enough to justify spending your hard-earned $60.00. It’s a tough economy, and after the original Modern Warfare’s exceptional tour of duty, does Activision’s blockbuster sequel offer enough compelling new bells and whistles, or is it simply a better dressing for a tired old veteran?

I knew that I was in trouble. 2am in the middle of the week, and I had to be at work by sunrise. My fingers were already cramped from my tenth play through of the advanced tutorial, but once I opened one of the early songs, a DJ Shadow mix of “Fix Up, Look Sharp” by Dizzee Rascal, and It was hopeless for me. I was in love.

With Sam Fisher’s return fastly approaching, Ubisoft has released the second behind the scenes trailer for Tom Clancy’s Splinter Cell Conviction. In “Behind Closed Doors Part 2″ the developers of Splinter Cell Conviction give you an inside look at how the Israeli martial art Krav Maga and real-life firearm techniques inspired Conviction’s new gameplay. You’ll also learn about Sam’s newest toys such as EMP grenades and improvised gadgets and get a look at how the storyline will be taken in surprising new directions following the tragic events of Double Agent.

2009 has been the year of the fighter with many noteworthy (and somewhat disappointing) entries into the fray. Namco Bandai hasn’t been asleep this year having already released the PSP fighter Soul Calibur: Broken Destiny and now, their flagship series Tekken returns with its sixth iteration. After being released in overseas arcades in 2007, and completely missing stateside arcades, Tekken 6 has arrived for both PS3 and Xbox 360 (the first time appearing on a non-Sony console), and as a mainstay in the fighting genre, it crosses the finish line with proof that a good fighting game is always worth the wait.

Though the announcement comes a little later than expected, Bioware and EA shocked no one by confirming a limited Collector’s Edition for Mass Effect 2. The Collectors’ Edition of Mass Effect 2 comes in a premium, tin case and includes the full version of the game, a 48-page hardcover “Art of Mass Effect 2” book, Issue 1 of the Mass Effect Redemption comic book, and a bonus DVD with behind-the-scenes and making-of videos. In addition, the Mass Effect 2 Collectors’ Edition will include unique in-game weapons and armor that can only be obtained by purchasing this version.

Capcom has released the final official trailer for Resident Evil: The Darkside Chronicles, featuring all of your favorite RE characters along with the new characters, Javier and Manuela — not to mention glimpses of new scenes, new enemies, new big bosses and lots of head shot zombie awesomeness. Darkside Chronicles hits stores November 17.

As UDON & Capcom fans alike know, UDON recreated HD versions of all the sprites, backgrounds, and character select shots for Super Street Fighter II Turbo HD Remix — but what we didn’t know is that they also recreated the classic intro sequence for the game! Tragically, it did not make it into the final version of the game — but, presented for here for the first time thanks to UDON themselves, we have the the full intro with redone HD artwork! CLASSIC & AWESOME.

Sony released details on pre-ordering God of War 3, but a follow-up email dropped the bombshell.
If you want to play the E3 Demo of God of War 3 on your PlayStation today, you’d better follow the jump.