Joystiq [PlayStation]

With SOCOM's 1.50 patch finally "feature complete," the guys at Slant Six decided to announce plans for patch 1.60. The release will add new Special Forces to the game: the Dutch KCT and the Italian COMSUBIN. Each Force will include new heads, voices and outfits. Each of the Forces will also don special weapons: the 417 assault rifle for the Dutch KCT and the SPAS 15 shotgun for the Italian COMSUBIN Special Forces.

Additionally, four new weapons will be available to all players with the 1.60 patch. These are the 9mm Sub Machine Gun, M82A1A, Ak-74 and SR-25. The patch will also include a number of weapon updates and adjustments to existing weapons.

Beyond patch work, Slant Six has also been working on "a major content release/pack," which will be revealed later this month.

[Thanks, Tim B.!]

If your thirst for over-the-top brawling wasn't quite quenched by UFC 2009: Undisputed, perhaps you should turn your attention to a fighting style with a bit more Latin flavor -- we speak, of course, of the divine art of Lucha libre, featured in the new project from young publisher Slang, titled AAA: El Videojuego (that's Spanish for "the video game," dontchaknow). The debut trailer for the game is posted after the jump.

The game's being developed for Xbox 360 and PS3 by Immersion Software and for Wii, PSP and DS by Argentine developer Sabarasa Studios. The 360 and PS3 versions are due out in late 2009 or early 2010, with all others following shortly thereafter. The game focuses on the action and the stars of the AAA wrestling league -- our personal favorite is La Parka, who's known for his Flying Eagle Kick maneuver, as well as his proclivity for delivering cans of gasoline to stranded motorists.

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Looks like our glowing preview of ZEN Pinball paid off for Zen Studios. The first (and only) pinball game on the PlayStation Network met an incredible debut, taking the top spot in May. Perhaps the free demo, which showcased the game's solid physics engine and graphics, convinced gamers to go for the full version?

According to GamerBytes, Zen Studios' Pinball FX did "similarly well" on Xbox Live Arcade. That game went on to sell 250,000 units over time -- perhaps ZEN Pinball can meet an equally favorable fate? In addition to ZEN, the rest of the top 5 included many PSN mainstays:

1. ZEN Pinball
2. Worms
3. Mortal Kombat II
4. Wheel of Fortune
5. Flower

For the rest of the top 10, and more analysis of PSN sales, check out GamerBytes.

Are you excited for MAG? Zipper Interactive's PS3 follow-up to the SOCOM franchise will melt PS3s everywhere with its ambitious 256-player online multiplayer. In spite of the unprecedented number of players being tracked, Zipper's targeting a steady 30fps beat, even when all 256 players start converging on one point. The notion seems a bit staggering, and we have our doubts -- remember the framerate of 4-player N64 games?

Certainly, we want Zipper to deliver on all of its promises. The end of the dev diary makes us hungry for more, when the developers explain their vision: "In other first-person shooters, you might see big events, like helicopters going down, or explosions, and buildings on fire. Those things are all scripted; they're happening outside of the gameplay space. In MAG, it's the first first-person-shooter where all those things are happening around you as an effect of gameplay."

Following the tenets of a religion is supposed to net you blessings and well-being, but that's just not tangible enough for us. Judaism has wised up, though. Those who follow its teachings in regards to keeping kosher – specifically by blasting a ham at a bar mitzvah in Ghostbusters – will be rewarded with an Achievement (and a Trophy, we presume) called "Kosher." It's only 10 points, but still, it's substantial.

Man, why does all the best stuff happen to Jews?

[Via What They Play]

Hey, remember that Gamasutra feature where Michael Pachter said Xbox Twitter was the greatest thing of E3? Yeah, well in that very same feature, Cowen and Company analyst Doug Creutz had some choice words for the PlayStation Motion Controller. Specifically, Creutz believes that while Project Natal may have gotten the bulk of E3 coverage, the PlayStation Motion Controller is the better peripheral for hardcore gamers.

"Natal appeared to me to be a technological solution in search of a problem," said Creutz. "I had a very hard time envisioning playing Modern Warfare 3 using Natal," he said, adding, "By contrast, I had a very easy time envisioning it (and enjoying it) using Sony's control/motion capture scheme." Creutz stated that Microsoft is likely trying to snag some of the Wii's casual marketshare -- "a difficult proposition given that you're essentially asking casual gamers to upgrade twice during the cycle," according to Creutz -- while Sony's device caters more to the core gaming demographic.

We must point out that neither Project Natal nor the PlayStation Motion Controller are finished products, so there's no telling how they might be implemented in future games. For example, there's no reason that Natal couldn't make use of both motion sensing and traditional control, similar to Sony's device. Furthermore, we'd say Sony is probably just as keen to capture some of the casual market as Microsoft.

EA's getting a new slapsticker for its NHL series of games, as the Chicago Blackhawks' right winger, Patrick Kane, will be gracing the cover of NHL 10. Drafted in 2007, the kid has been a great player since hitting the ice, and is a solid choice for the cover. But is he a better choice than the competition's cover guy?

All we want to know is: where's the Sidney Crosby love? The Penguins did win the Stanley Cup this year, after all. Also, we looked that up on Wikipedia.

Over the past few months, we've come to rely on Saints Row 2's bizarre, Gary Busey-centric advertising campaign as a source of humor and, more importantly, spiritual renewal.

As a final farewell, Busey is promoting the free "UnKut" DLC from the game in a new video. Gary has used his laser-like vision to peer into your soul ... and his reaction to what he found there? Well, we don't think you're going to like it, let's just leave it at that.

Oh well, the DLC is free, just how much persuasion do you need?

Speaking to MCV, Activision CEO Mike Griffith was feeling pretty confident about his company's position in the game industry this year. "This is the best competitive position we've ever had," said Griffith, adding, "Our titles are strong, and competitive titles are a little sparser than in the past." Griffith sounds particularly proud of the Guitar Hero franchise, which he notes has its strongest lineup ever with DJ Hero, Guitar Hero 5 and Band Hero all set to release this year (what, no love for Van Halen?). Griffith also mentioned Modern Warfare 2, which he says will be the biggest Call of Duty ever (no surprises there). And let's not forget Tony Hawk's Ride and Bizarre's upcoming racer, Blur.

Griffith doesn't seem concerned by competition from The Beatles: Rock Band either, saying quite simply, "Well, Rock Band is the most similar title on the market, but Guitar Hero outsells it by four to one in the US; in Europe that number is ten to one." Okay then. Griffith also shakes off the notion that Activision is flooding the market with peripheral-based games (Ride and all of the Guitar Hero games rely on peripherals), stating that the company only uses peripherals when they "define a magical experience that comes about when you marry hardware and software."

Other topics covered in the interview include Griffith's feelings about Natal and the Playstation Motion Controller, Activision's business in Europe and the continued importance of retail.

GameStop is giving away the Palazzo Medici with a pre-order of Assassin's Creed 2. The bonus location for the stealth game is available with the purchase of either the Xbox 360 or PS3 versions. Both online and in-store customers will receive the code when the title releases.

The Palazzo Medici Ricardi is, like, a totally famous place and stuff. So, exploring it in the game for treasure is far more liberating and cheaper than flying to Florence and checking out the real thing. We also believe that, in the real building, they won't let you climb up the walls and sneak around.