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Earlier today, Gamasutra reported that Harmonix co-founders Alex Rigopulos and Eran Egozy along with other ex-shareholders, has filed a lawsuit against Viacom.The shareholder suit alleges that Viacom attempted to manipulate Harmonix’s earn-out payments by negotiating a deal with EA that benefited Viacom instead of Harmonix. Specifically, the shareholder group claims that Viacom ignored the opportunity to lower EA’s distribution cost — in effect raising potential Rock Band profits — as part of a deal to continue distribution. Instead, the company allegedly made a deal that would see EA buy millions in advertising from MTV, thus benefiting its parent company, Viacom. The report says that when Viacom acquired Harmonix, shareholders would receive 3.5 times any gross profit of the Rock Band franchise over $32 million in 2007 and apparently didn’t have a cap of any kind. The Rock Band series last year surpassed the $1 Billion total sales in North America alone.

Harmonix has yet to comment on this situation.

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Earlier today Activision announced that they will host a free Xbox Live multiplayer weekend for the game early next year. Any Silver subscribers who pop into the game from January 28 – 30 will be able to play against gold members as well as other silver players absolutely free. The is to promote the “First Strike” DLC that is coming out on February 1 of next year.

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During the latest podcast of Major Nelson, Treyarch Studios’ Dan Bunting officially announced that a new DLC for Call of Duty: Black Ops is currently in development. The DLC will be called “First Strike” and will include 4 new multiplayer maps as well as a brand new zombie map. Here’s what we know so far…

The four new maps are the following: Discovery, based on the Reznov mission (location: Antarctic research station), Kowloon (location: Kownloon rooftops), Berlin Wall (location: a fight at Checkpoint Charlie), and Stadium (location: US hockey rink). The zombie map will be called Ascension. The DLC will be available on Xbox Live and Playstation Network on February 1, 2011 and will be priced at 1200 MS Points.

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For those hardcore Rockstar Games fans, you probably know that Max Payne 3 is supposed to come out early next year. However, the game wasn’t on Take-Two’s 2011 to 2012 release schedule. Don’t worry, the game is still under development according to a representative from Take-Two.

“We’re still working hard on Max,” a rep told gaming blog Kotaku, “and we’ll have more news in the coming months.”

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Earlier this weekend, a youtube video was uploaded about a Kinect games supposedly in production called ThriXXX. An Austria based company is making what they call a 3-D Adult Game that is Kinect enabled. Microsoft was quick to release an official statement…

“This isn’t the first example of a technology being used in ways not intended by its manufacturer, and it won’t be the last. Microsoft did not authorize or license its technology for this use. Xbox is a family friendly games and entertainment console and does not allow Adults Only (AO) content to be certified for use on its platform, and would not condone this type of game for Kinect.”

For those wondering, this 3-D adult game is actually in development, however it is now rumored to be available via PC for Hacked Kinects.

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For those who watched Spike’s VGAs, you noticed the new teaser trailer for Forza 4. Well Microsoft claims that it will be the “definitive racing game of 2011 on any console.”

This is what a Microsoft spokesman said…

“Forza Motorsport 4 will be the most expansive and vividly realistic automative experience across any console, bringing you closer to the edge than you’ve ever been before. Step through the TV screen and jump into the driver’s seat. There’s also excitement to be had, though, if you’re opting for the more convential controller, with players being immersed in “bone-jarring physics, unparalleled levels of customization, and rosters of dream cars and tracks.”

According to Gamestop, Forza 4 will be released on September 1, 2011.

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We all know that lots of games get banned around the world. Some for “Hot Coffee”, others for Nazi logos. This one is a little different, but we understand where this next one is coming from. Sonia Alfano, a Member of the European Parliament, last week asked the European Commission to ban Mafia 2. She believes that the game simulates the real pain that mob victims go through.

“It really, really hurts,” she said. “We can’t allow this to happen, our wounds are still too fresh.”

Alfano is the president of Familiari Vittime di Mafia, an Italian association for the families of Mafia victims. She also has first hand experience with her argument. Back in 1993, her father was brutally murdered by the Mafia.

Take-Two Interactive has already issued a statement in response. Alan Lewis, Take-Two’s VP for corporate communications and public affairs, said…

“Mafia II tells a compelling story about organized crime in America — a subject that for decades has been featured in award-winning movies, television shows and novels such as ‘The Godfather’ and ‘The Sopranos. We fully and completely stand behind our creative teams and products, including Mafia II.”

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That is right everyone, you to can be part of the Gears of War 3 beta. Epic Games announced earlier today that those who buy Bulletstorm Epic Edition will receive early access to the public beta of Gears of War 3. Epic Games President Dr. Michael Capps said…

Epic is poised to break new ground in 2011 with Gears of War 3 and Bulletstorm. “With these two highly anticipated triple-A experiences comes a unique opportunity to do something to really excite players, and that’s what we intend to accomplish with the support of Microsoft Game Studios and EA. This is for the shooter fans.”

Bulletstorm comes out on Xbox 360, PS3 and PC on Feb. 22, 2011 in North America and Feb. 25, 2011 in Europe. For those wondering, yes you have to buy the Xbox 360 version of the game to receive the beta code.

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Earlier today Square Enix announced some major changes to their overall financial expectations. The percentage of the amount being dropped is what is truly shocking. Square Enix projected a net income of ¥12 billion (US$142 million) for the fiscal year, from April 1, 2010 to March 31, 2011. With the announcement of a revised forecast, that number is down to just ¥1 billion (US$11.9 million). Overall sales were also sent down 18.8%, while first expected revenues of ¥160 billion (US$ 1.9 billion) went down to ¥130 billion (US$ 1.5 billion).

So what is the reason behind all of this? One reason is because of delays. The PS3 Version of Final Fantasy XIV has been delayed to March 2011. Deus Ex: Revolution has also been delayed as well. Square Enix also claimed that “weak sales” was also a major reason as well. Even though Square Enix also published Activision’s games in Japan such as Blur, Singularity, and Call of Duty: Black Ops, it still wasn’t enough to pull overall expectations any higher.

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In a recent interview with Kotaku, Performance Design Products Senior Manager Gerry Block discussed the difference between the Street Fighter FightSticks Mad Catz made, and the Fight Stick that will come with the Tournament Edition of Mortal Kombat. Block said..

“Mad Catz did some good work with the Tournament Edition (Street Fighter IV) sticks, but those are Japanese style sticks for a Japanese game. We thought it would be a lot of fun to respond with an American style stick for an American fighting franchise.”

One of the things that we here at Gaming Conviction think is really cool about this new fight stick is that the internal components are encased in easily removable transparent plastic for modding, as well as the bottom of the stick has a memory foam pad for comfortable use on your lap. It also helps the fact that your fight stick can be used as an extra case for when you want to take everyone over to a friend’s house and have a LAN battle.

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