All three will offer full access to the Borderlands 2 Premiere Club, which will allow players to download the “Gearbox Gun Pack, a Golden Key, the Vault Hunter’s Relic, and an all-new fifth character class – the Mechromancer.”

The Gun Pack is an assortment of weapons players will have access to as soon as they enter the realms of Pandora. The Golden Key allows players to unlock rare in-game items and The Vault Hunter’s Relic “boosts players’ gear-hunting fortune.” Lastly the new character class, The Mechromancer, will accessible when development on the class is complete.

The Deluxe Vault Hunter’s Collector’s Edition (below) is priced at $99.99 and will include: Borderlands 2; downloadable in-game content; comic book download; Inside The Vault: hardbound art book; a Marcus Kincaid bobblehead plus more.

The Ultimate Loot Chest Limited Edition (below) priced at $149.99 and will include: Everything that the Collectors Edition contains, plus a replica loot chest; Creatures of Pandora ID chart; Steel book case; Numbered certificate of authenticity as well other goodies.

Borderlands 2 releases for Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, and PC later this year on September 18.

The point is that a good video game is not unlike a really hot chick: a feast for the eyes, somewhat diabolical in its appearance; full of addicting little ‘buttons’ to push, adventures to take on, and of course rewarding reciprocation. Perhaps they’re even waiting to reap your soul for benefit. If she looks like this, we say: bring on the eternal damnation!

Brought to you by legendary Canadian troubadours IF*ckingHateThat – the minds behind such classics as “Sh*t My Mom Says” and “Drive By Compliments” – “If Diablo 3 Were a Girl” is filled with classic lines from the girl/devil/video game.

Lines like, “You used to know just how to work me,” “Play me like you did before” and other game/hot chick analogies male gamers would love to hear more often. It’s even got one-liners a lot of gamers would make in response: “Diablo, I’ve been waiting to role-play with you for a long time.”

Sadly, things don’t end up as planned, as is the case with many Faustian bargains (especially in the Diablo 3 sense). Nice touch with the Woody Allen-esque jazz in the background, however.

But by releasing several odes to various anime franchises, especially Mobile Suit Gundam, Branson’s attracted the attention of Japanimation fans worldwide. And it was his plea and tribute to the long forgotten network programming which made the topic of Toonami’s resurrection an Internet-wide sensation.

It even earned notice from Adult Swim themselves — according to Branson, the network called him up, asking for permission to use his “Bring Back Toonami” song for a series of commercial bumpers. Which led to, thankfully, the network’s announcement that Toonami is indeed returning. Among the commercials shown was the one below, dedicated to plugging his effort alone.

Thus, not only is Branson’s music epic, but it’s helped squire a movement to bring back something beloved by anime and cartoon fans around the world.

SO: awesome music for an awesome cause. Well done, Branson — don’t think this would have been quite so fast a turnaround without your help. And of course, some thanks are due to Adult Swim, whose encouraging words helped set a fire under anime fan asses worldwide.

It’s been 13 years in the making, but Adam Savage’s man cave has produced what looks to be the closest replica to the ZF-1 from The Fifth Element known to man.

Savage has produced the gun as part of his ever popular Tested Series on YouTube with Mythbusters partner in crime Jamie Hyneman.

“There are some guys who access to that prop for a while…so I started purchasing parts from them. I basically abandoned my ZF 1…although it was nearly complete — it’s wrong on almost every front in little tiny ways.”

Savage is said to be about mid way through production on the gun, and you can check out the specs in the above video. For your reference — since it’s probably been a while — here is the original in action for your own edification:

The episode will be part of a three part finale, which will last two hours, and will have 30 Rock’s finale squeezed in between (sure, why not).

According to TV.com, the storyline goes something like this:

A business partner of Pierce’s late father is battling Pierce for Pierce’s inheritance, and the group has to beat the guy in a video game to get it.

Hey video games found a way to get into the show…mission accomplished.

The photos below give a sample as to how the study group will look in 8 bit, but it also begs the question, why is NBC doing an 8 bit episode?

Community hasn’t exactly been knocking it out of the park in the ratings world, coming in fourth last week behind The Big Bang Theory and American Idol with around 2.5 million viewers (TBB had over 13). Could taking the series 8 bit try to pull in the “geekier” crowd?

Or worse, is the show capping off its third and what could be its final season, with an 8 bit gimmick that’s more sizzle than steak? We’ll have to wait until tonight to find out.

But it’s James Winters’ ‘Sabotage’ video that’s getting all the attention today, and featuring a bunch of kids chasing after each other just like the original, and decked out in aviator glasses, wigs and fake mustaches.

Admittedly, it is pretty much what everyone is calling it, which is yeah, adorable — though it’s a couple shots really stand out, like watching a bunch of kids dressed as seventies coppers, eating donuts and seeing that lot of their baby teeth haven’t even finished falling out, or classic scenes like when Hawthorne Wingo aka Gunner throws a young punk off the balcony, or ‘Crazy Larry’ parodies that pool fight bit when he tackles another young ruffian in a kiddie swimming pool. Not to mention running around town, firing guns (with After Effects, relax), and fake-pummeling one another.

In light of these recent events, Capcom senior vice-president Christian Svensson issued the following press release, according to DigitalTrends:

“We’ve been getting several questions, here and elsewhere about the future of on-disc DLC.
We would like to assure you that we have been listening to your comments and as such have begun the process of re-evaluating how such additional game content is delivered in the future. As this process has only just commenced in the past month or so, there will be some titles, where development began some time ago and that are scheduled for release in the coming months, for which we are unable to make changes to the way some of their post release content is delivered.”

Street Fighter X: Tekken was among the first in a line of games to spark fan ire, mainly because all of the extra features Capcom later offered for extra DLC $$ were already there, locked up in the retail version.

For instance, Capcom seemed fine with customers paying for the privilege of unlocking extra playable game characters Cody and Guy, for example — but then youtube user FightingGameAddict pointed out that the characters didn’t need to be downloaded at all, just unlocked through the disc itself with extra money. The company itself, meanwhile, had been somewhat flippant about the complaints, having issued the following statement nearly two months ago:

“While Capcom is sorry that some of its fans are not happy about the chosen method of delivery for the DLC, we believe that this method will provide more flexible and efficient gameplay throughout the game’s lifecycle. There is effectively no distinction between the DLC being ‘locked’ behind the disc and available for unlocking at a later date, or being available through a full download at a later date, other than delivery mechanism.”

And yet apparently so many customers/fans complained (some even to the Better Business Bureau)  that Capcom has obviously relented. But does a move like this come too late on their part?

According to United States copyright law, a buyer of a product/game has full rights to do whatever they wish with it, Capcom finds loopholes through the amorphous End User License Agreement, which establishes the publisher’s right to use the software however they wish. It’s a bit of  conundrum that could use some fine print fine-tuning.

Even if there’s no difference in the eyes of Capcom, however, what say you? Does this pass the ‘sniff’ test, or is it more than just morally questionable?

After a rendezvous at a local restaurant, Xin parted with his date, only to be accosted by an unknown assailant and a bunch of his cohorts. After forcing Xin down to the ground, they forced a 1.2 meter computer wire in through the man’s urethra. Aka, yes, his dickhole.

Turns out that the man was the girl’s ex-boyfriend, and he’d been following Xin around and waiting for him to walk home alone. Kotaku reports that Gao was too embarrassed to seek medical help, or even tell his parents (he was afraid they might be upset over the incident). He tried to remove the wire himself, to no avail — before finally relenting and visiting the emergency room.

Fortunately a bunch of skilled doctors were able to remove it via surgery, and doctors believe it should cause no permanent damage to his penis.

So I guess since all this happened afterwards, it technically wasn’t the date, but chances are he’d gladly exchange ever having met this girl so he didn’t go through it. My dad told me he once went on a blind date with a girl who took off her wig afterwards to reveal her Charles Xavier-like chrome dome, and I’d always thought that was as bad as it could get — but at least he didn’t have to walk around with a 1.2 long meter wire in his dickhole.

For whatever reason, this video just seems right:

The show’s creator, Kurt Sutter, has been Tweeting as of late that the game is not only in the works but is now in serious discussions with major publishers to create a AAA console title based on the show (via GT).

Sons of Anarchy follows a biker gang in the fictional
California town of Charming in a Shakespearean style organized crime drama. Definitely sounds like a perfect IP for a GTA-style action sandbox game.

Sutter went on to Tweet that he had a “great meeting” with a major distributor about the development of the game. He has also now confirmed to the legions of SOA fans that the title wont be some “slapcrap browser MP thing” but instead a major big budget console title.

The FX Network, although no stranger to game’s being made of it’s shows, has not done this in quite a while for a few reasons. FX hasn’t really had a massively popular show like this in a little while and secondly, its last attempt was The Shield game which did quite poorly among critics. Hopefully the Sons of Anarchy title wont fall to the same fate.

“Myself and everyone at FX and Fox is committed to making this happen.” – Kurt Sutter

It has been quite a while since we have seen a biker gang driven game as well. Our consoles were last graced with the Grand Theft Auto IV: The Lost and Damned DLC when it comes to biker gangs, so we could use some more. What do you think? Can an SOA game actually be good?

Check back here for more updates on the Sons of Anarchy game’s development.

Who better to answer many of the debates encircling the gaming world: Do video games cause us to become violent? Are they harmful to our health? Between science and Halo, which one would you pick?

We asked Andrea Letamendi (@ArkhamAsylumDoc) all these questions and more:

JHS: Talk a little bit about your site “Star Wars and Wine“? Who is the site “for”?

A few years ago, I got very tired of people telling me that Star Wars is “just for kids” or “just for boys.” I realized that there are a ton of Star Wars products across the areas of fashion, art, decoration, and entertainment that appeal to adult women like myself.

The purpose of Star wars and Wine is to showcase all those fantastic and deliciously geeky items that are both nerdy and sophisticated–you know, for “grown-up geeks.” (And I considered the title “Star Wars for Adults,” but it sounded too…well, pornographic).

The site celebrates everything from high heels to jewelry to costumes to crafts– and yes, most of it has something to do with Star Wars. I also like to remind people that geeks who have been around a while have standards. We don’t just gobble up everything that has a picture of Darth Vader on it. We’re a selective demographic and want to spend our money on high-quality products. I also want to change the old-fashioned idea that geeky isn’t stylish or pretty! A favorite thing I like to do is take shots at Star Wars products available for only for male geeks and do not come in women’s shapes and sizes (For Men Only). My readers know I’m shameless, snobby, self-indulgent, and snarky.

JHS: Give us a little bit on what qualifies you as a geek…do people ever challenge your “prowess” because you’re a woman?

There are a lot of assumptions and expectations that people seem to have about women who happen to be geeky. I don’t think there should be a set of qualifications or proficiencies that we have to have to earn a geek title. Anyone who self describes as a geek or nerd is “allowed” to be included. Despite believing in geek equality and inclusion, I’m aware that I can be challenged or overlooked because I’m a girl. I take this as an opportunity to shine. I simply embrace the confusion people have! There’s no better feeling than surprising people with my knowledge of Batman, complex statistics, and eye-shadow blending.

JHS: Do you have any opinion on those who say gaming is bad for the state of people’s mental health/causes violence/etc.

People who say “gaming is bad” for someone’s mental health are simplifying a very complex process. Video games can actually be considered one of our “informal learning environments” because they inadvertently produce learners who possess a variety of psychomotor and cognitive abilities. For instance, a “side effect,” of leisurely gaming is the development and sharpening of visual-spatial skills, including iconic representation and spatial visualization. Not bad for an after-school activity!

Very little is known, however, about the specific brain mechanisms involved in prolonged gaming and whether there are negative effects. Unfortunately, the state of the science is far from giving us a satisfying answer, which is why I don’t have one either!

BUT WHAT ABOUT ALL THE KILLING?

Research findings about video games that contain violent themes have caused much debate within the mental health community. Without question, violent gameplay is associated with negative psychological traits by today’s sociocultural standards. Child studies, for instance, point to increased hostility and aggressive cognitions among youths who play violent video games. But before we jump to conclusions about that, we must take a critical perspective. As consumers of science, we are often thrown a chicken-or-egg dilemma; in this version, we are constantly told that gaming and child aggression are intertwined and yet we’re given little evidence for where or how the cycle began—and if there are any third parties involved (parenting, perhaps).

Many of us are exposed to a lot of television violence, for instance, and do not exhibit abnormal aggression—therefore, mere exposure is not sufficient to explain behavioral effects of violent gaming.

In short: I love science. But I love Halo more!

JHS: You dub yourself an “awkward scientist” (sounds dangerous) is this a knickname you’ve given yourself or what other people have come up for you?

It’s true. In my field, in what I do on a day-to-day basis, I’m particularly green and clumsy. I’m probably the Clark Kent of the office: self-conscious, feeling inferior, adjusting my glasses, and just wanting to fit in as a human! Ultimately, I have a very nerdy job–I am typically surrounded by other scientists, thinkers, and psychologists. The profession requires a lot of deep analysis and vast knowledge of research. It’s not my work ethic that’s awkward– it’s simply my personality. I think my mumbling about Batman can be off-putting.

JHS: What is your favorite comic book? Any sleepers that you don’t feel get enough love in the “mainstream”

Hands down, Batman: Hush. Jeph Loeb and Jim Lee are my favorite creative comics team! Other favorites include The Killing Joke (Moore) and Identity Crisis (Meltzer). Oh, and I’m a sucker for anything featuring the Penguin. He’s underappreciated. And messed up. I can say that because I’m a psychologist

JHS:What originally drove your passion for psychology? What advice would you give to anyone who wants to make it a career?

Growing up, I was obsessed with board games, math, chess, and other problem-solving activities. I basically had this incessant drive to solve mysteries. The human brain is one of the most complex, unanswered mysteries!

Now, I’m finding ways to combine my curiosity about the mind and my comic book hobby. I teach others about psychology by delving into the fictional characters we all know and love. I’ve lectured about the psychology of superheroes at universities and comic conventions. At Comic-Con, my panel on the “Superhero Battlefield” featured the similarities between actual soldiers I’ve worked with and fictional heroes like Batman, Superman, and Iron Man.

My advice to anyone who wants a career in the mental health field: It’s a long journey and requires self-sacrifice, but it can be very rewarding! Also: Don’t go the Harleen Quinzel route.

JHS: What’s the geekiest thing you own?

I have a personal collection of Star Wars art and home decor. Here’s a few of my favorites:

Thanks again to Andrea for taking the time to talk with us. If you’re into tweets that will undoubtedly make you smarter, you should be following her on twitter if you aren’t already.

Check out her website here and her other affiliate networks: The League of Extraordinary Ladies.