If you've been itching to shoot and/or melee dinosaurs back into extinction, then you'll be happy to know a demo for Jurassic: The Hunted is now available on Xbox Live.

The 589MB download offers a sample of Cauldron's time-traveling shooter, which hit PlayStation 3, PlayStation 2, Xbox 360 and Wii on November 3 after being announced just two weeks before. Having purchased the game and played it to completion, I can say that it's an entertaining, though somewhat generic, experience ...but with dinosaurs!

Oh, and per usual, the Xbox 360 demo will only be available to Xbox Live Gold members for the next week, after which it will be available to free Silver-level accounts.

Once again, Electronic Arts has exploited Christians to help promote its upcoming video game adaptation of Dante's Inferno.

The official website for Mass: We Pray now unsurprisingly reveals the Church-centric mini-game compilation to be a hoax.

"He who betrays the beliefs of the Church blackens his soul with the sin of Heresy. A Mass not celebrated by ordained priest or on consecrated soil is naught but false ritual condemned by clergy," declares the message that pops up when users click to either pre-order the game or send a "digital blessing" to a friend. From there, users are presented with the ability to watch "an Exclusive Dante's Inferno Trailer" and the option to "Damn thy Fellow Sinners to Hell" through a "Go To Hell" Facebook application.

Please install Flash to view this Shackvideo

Shackvideo users can use the HD Stream.

"After all, a family shouldn't have to wait until Sunday to worship the Lord," read the original press release for Mass: We Pray, which described the title... Read more

New BioShock 2 gameplay footage has risen from the murky depths of the Internet to show a little from one of the multiplayer modes created by Digital Extremes for 2K Marin's subaqueous shooter sequel, including a glimpse of 'Trial' challenges.

BioShock 2 arrives for PC, Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 on February 9, 2010, with a swanky Special Edition packing Rapturian artifacts including a vinyl LP and posters.

Please install Flash to view this Shackvideo

Shackvideo users can use the HD Stream.

Harmonix has announced that Rock Band will celebrate next week's release of Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers' new live anthology box set with a six-pack of live tracks arriving as downloadable content, with P!nk, Kelly Clarkson and the Go-Gos as support.

Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers Live Anthology Pack
• Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers - "A Thing About You (live)" +
• Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers - "American Girl (live)"
• Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers - "Even the Losers (live)"
• Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers - "Here Comes My Girl (live)" +
• Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers - "Mary Jane's Last Dance (live)"
• Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers - "Refugee (live)" +
• Go-Go's - "Our Lips Are Sealed" +
• Kelly Clarkson - "Miss Independent" +
• P!nk - "Who Knew" +

All tracks are from original master recordings, and those marked with a cross will also hit the family-friendly LEGO Rock Band. Tracks will cost $2 a pop (160 Microsoft Points, 200 Wii Points) while the Live Anthology Pack will be priced at $10 (800 MS Points).

Xbox 360 and Wii players can rock out to the tracks from Tuesday November 24, while PlayStation 3 plastic guitarists must wait until Thursday November 26.

In this new developer diary for Bayonetta, director Hideki Kamiya shares some more details about the hair-clad anti-heroine's over-the-top special moves called 'Torture Attacks,' and how they relate to her troubled past. According to Kamiya, the Torture Attacks are representative of the specific cruelties Bayonetta was subjected to as the sole survivor of a brutal witch hunt.

"The demons she summons symbolize her evil spirit in an extreme way," Kamiya explains. The trailer's most extreme example comes in the form of a gigantic demon Bayonetta can summon to nosh her enemies like handfulls of bloody Doritos. Crunch all you want...

Bayonetta comes out for the PS3 and Xbox 360 in North America on January 5th, and releases in Europe on January 8th.

Please install Flash to view this Shackvideo

Shackvideo users can use the HD Stream.

Yesterday, we learned that Grasshopper Manufacture's eclectic Wii action game No More Heroes was coming to PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360. Now, we have screenshots of the prettied-up Xbox 360 port (via Xbox Japan) and video of a real-life wrestler.

Exactly what Ikuhisa "Minowaman" Minowa is saying and why the video is on the game's official site, I don't know, but it's got to relate to the game somehow ...right?

Please install Flash to view this Shackvideo

Just one day after revealing that Supreme Commander 2 is due next spring, publisher Square Enix has announced specific dates.

Gas Powered Games' strategy sequel will hit North America in PC form on March 2, with the Xbox 360 edition following March 16.

Two rather enthusiastic quotes from GPG founder Chris Taylor--"The partnership with Square Enix has been a highlight of my career" and "I couldn't be more proud of what the team has accomplished, as the game has continually exceeded all of my expectations throughout its development"--accompanied the news, as did some new footage:

Please install Flash to view this Shackvideo

While Airtight's sci-fi action game Dark Void has yet to be released--it hits PC, PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 in January--publisher Capcom has inked a deal to see it become a feature film.

The film rights went to Brad Pitt's production company Plan B Entertainment, with Capcom noting that the movie could be a "potential starring vehicle" for the Fight Club, Ocean's Eleven and Meet Joe Black veteran.

It's the latest movie deal for Capcom, which saw Street Fighter's second major theatrical outing released earlier this year and is currently in the process... Read more

2K Games has announced a 'Special Edition' of its subaqueous shooter sequel BioShock 2, revealing a treasure trove of goodies seemingly raised from Rapture itself.

"Limited to a single-production run" and packed into a rather fetching box with a butterfly motif, the Special Edition brings a 164-page hardcover art book, a 180g vinyl LP of the original BioShock's orchestral score, an audio CD with the BioShock 2 orchestral score, and three "vintage Rapture advertisement posters," not to mention a copy of BioShock 2.

BioShock 2 Special Edition arrives alongside the regular on February 9, 2010, priced at $90 on PC and $100 for Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3. The singleplayer is by 2K Marin and 2K Australia, while Digital Extremes is crafting multiplayer with a variety of modes.

Having previously announced an expanded edition of Resident Evil 5 for Japan and vowed to release the new content in downloadable form for current owners, Capcom today issued a release schedule and screenshots of the forthcoming expansions.

Along with the previously detailed "Lost in Nightmares" prequel mission, a second new episode will be released, as will new constumes and a new "Mercenaries Reunion" mode that packs "8 new playable characters and weapon load outs."

• "Lost in Nightmares" Episode: 2/17/10 (Xbox 360), 2/18/10 (PlayStation 3)
• Costume Pack 1: 2/17/10 (Xbox 360), 2/18/10 (PlayStation 3)... Read more

The first post-release downloadable expansion for Dragon Age: Origins has been announced by developer BioWare, with the content due "this holiday season."

Coming to all three platforms--PC, PlayStation 3, Xbox 360--"Return to Ostagar" is said to let players "exact their revenge and embark on a quest for the mighty arms and armor of the once great King Cailan when they revisit Ostagar, the site of the Grey Wardens' darkest hour, to reclaim the honor and learn the secrets of Ferelden's fallen king."

Along with battlefields "now thick with darkspawn encamped amidst the snow," players will also encounter "a second chance to add Dog to your party."

The download will go for $4.99 / 400 BioWare Points / 400 Microsoft Points in North America--a worldwide release "this holiday season" was promised, but international pricing was not disclosed. The developer has previously stated its commitment to fleshing out the fantasy RPG with extra content, noting this could last two years.

With such bonuses being all the rage these days, publisher Sega and developer Rebellion have paired with GameStop to offer pre-orders some extra Aliens vs. Predator content.

Pre-ordering the xenomorph shooter from the retailer will net a download code for three "exclusive" multiplayer skins "while supplies last." The promotion covers all three versions--PC, PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360.

The game itself is due out in February, with details and images of the three skins--SGT. Kaneko, Number Six, Alien Head Preadtor--following just below... Read more

Eighty-eight seconds of uncut Battlefield: Bad Company 2 footage are on display in a new trailer from DICE featuring tanks, sniping and a spot of explosive demolition.

The action occurs on the map 'Arica Habor', the sole level in the multiplayer beta which begins today for PlayStation 3 pre-orders then in December for all and sundry on PC.

Published by EA, Battlefield: Bad Company 2 arrives for PC, PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 on March 2. Pre-ordering also nets you a "day one advantage" through six multiplayer item unlocks. A multiplayer demo is planned, presumably arriving before the release.

Please install Flash to view this Shackvideo

Shackvideo users can use the HD Stream.

Just in time to sample the Xbox 360's new social networking and music steaming functionality (not to mention 1 vs. 100: Season Two), Microsoft will soon be offering Xbox Live Silver folk a brief taste of the perks that a paid Gold-level membership brings.

Along with the examples listed above, Silver accounts will temporarily have access to online multiplayer and other region-specific features like Netflix and Sky Player video streaming, with Microsoft's Major Nelson detailing the specific times:

For all Xbox LIVE regions except those in Europe, Xbox LIVE Silver members will have free access from November 20th from 12n ET /9a PT /17:00 GMT until November 23rd from 12n ET /9a PT /17:00 GMT

For All European Xbox LIVE regions, Xbox LIVE Silver member will have free access from November 25th from 17:00 GMT until November 30th at 17:00 GMT

Thanks to reader Gummy Joe for the reminder.

Call of Duty publisher Activision Blizzard is looking to further expand the blockbuster series by adding a third development studio to the mix, claims a Los Angeles Times report.

Recent years have seen the company release annual entries by alternating lead development duties between series creator Infinity Ward (Call of Duty, Call of Duty 2, Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare, Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2) and Treyarch (Call of Duty 3, Call of Duty: World at War), with external studios n-Space and Rebellion having assisted with Nintendo DS and PlayStation 2 editions.

Activision claims that this year's entry, Modern Warfare 2, represents "the biggest launch in history across all forms of entertainment," with indications that the inevitable next one is being handled by Treyarch and could be set in the Vietnam War era.

The publisher has also repeatedly spoken of a possible Call of Duty-branded massively multiplayer game, with CEO Bobby Kotick pondering how to monetize "the natural evolution of a property like Call of Duty into a massively multiplayer environment" and CFO Thomas Tippl noting "you should expect us to test and ultimately launch additional online monetization models of some our biggest franchises like Call of Duty."

As indicated by this trailer, Army of Two: The 40th Day's weapon customization options present some very difficult choices. For example, what to use as a suppressor on an AK-47--a DSS Silent Strike Silencer? K03 Bayonet? Kitchen Knife? Screwdriver?

And just what about the paint job? Pimp? Giraffe? Hearts? Fleur-de-Lys? Bubbles? Stars? It's a tough call, but fortunately, EA Montreal's buddy shooter sequel isn't slated to hit PlayStation 3, Xbox 360 or PSP until January 12, so you've got some time.

Please install Flash to view this Shackvideo

Shackvideo users can use the HD Stream.

Publisher Activision continues to toot its own horn over the recent release of Infinity Ward's Call of Duty 2 Modern Warfare 2 with new figures for the first five days of sale, revealing a "new worldwide estimated five-day sell-through record" of $550 million.

Backing up its bold claim that Modern Warfare 2's arrival on November 10 was "the biggest launch in history across all forms of entertainment," Activision lists the following book, movie and video game records broken by the shooter sequel's launch.

• The largest reported five-day opening worldwide box office gross figures, held by Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince ($394 million)
• The largest reported five-day opening domestic box office gross figures, held by The Dark Knight ($203.8 million)
• The largest reported five-day worldwide video game sales record, previously held by Grand Theft Auto IV (6 million... Read more

Narrowing down the general 2010 release of Supreme Commander 2, publisher Square Enix has issued several new robot-tastic screenshots and revealed that Gas Powered Games' PC and Xbox 360 strategy sequel will hit European territories in spring. The company has yet to confirm if the spring release window also applies to North America, though it seems likely as Square Enix has recently been shipping many of its North American and European releases within close proximity of one another.

The first mission of Codemasters' tactical shooter Operation Flashpoint: Dragon Rising can now be sampled and assessed on PC with a 1.39GB demo from FileShack.

Charging players with entering enemy territory to pave the way for a larger force by disabling a radar station and missile sites, the mission 'Dragon Rising' can be played in either singleplayer or co-op. You can also experience "turning it right up to 11" with Hardcore mode, where the HUD is turned off to leave you at the mercy of your senses.

Operation Flashpoint: Dragon Rising was released for PC, Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 in October. New multiplayer maps and co-op missions arrived this month as downloadable content, accompanied by a title update. A second update is en route.

IO Interactive today formally announced Kane & Lynch 2: Dog Days, the sequel to its million-selling 2007 shooter Kane & Lynch: Dead Men whose existence and name have both been public knowledge for quite some time now.

A press statement boasts "every aspect of the game has been designed to deliver a fresh perspective to the words 'intensity' and 'realism' in video games," with IO Interactive general manager Niels Jorgensen adding, "Gamers are always looking for something new and that is exactly what they are going to get with Kane & Lynch 2: Dog Days."

"Introducing a new visual experience," the Hitman developer declares, "Dog Days is inspired by documentary filmmakers and the user-generated era" as it probes "the gritty Shanghai underworld." A pair of teaser trailers--included below--offer a distorted security camera perspective, though they of course do not necessarily reflect the game's style.

A Kane & Lynch movie is currently in production, with Bruce Willis set to star as Kane. Dog Days is slated to hit PC, Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 in 2010... Read more