The Arcade: The Land of Videogames!

[muthagoose]

Starting a newly requested thread...

THE ARCADE: The Land of Videogames...

Talk about the new platforms, what you are playing, what you are looking forward to and games from the days of yore! It will be a free for all!

[muthagoose]

Here is what I am currently playing...

Scarface: The World Is Yours



Platform: XBOX

Official Site: www.scarfacegame.com/

While the game engine is similar to GTA, Scarface is not trying to be GTA. It is made by a totally different company and tries to do its own thing. For example, if you love to run around and kill innocent bystanders, you won't like scarface. This game is built around killing enemies & earning money power and respect.

Some parts of the game are even better than GTA. In a shootout, the targetting system is much better and requires some more skill. You can actually aim at their heads and blow them off, or shoot their arms to disable them. In vehicles, it's even more impressive because you actually need to use skill and aim. Unlike in GTA where you just hit the target button and pull the trigger and you're pretty much guaranteed to hit the enemy.

As far as missions go, the skill level and fun factor is about the same as GTA. I really like how you can become Tony's enforcer, driver, or assassin and complete missions as these different characters to build Tony's empire. It adds some variation and lets you expand on what you enjoy in the game. For example, if you like to shoot and kill, do the enforcer missions...like driving, do the driver missions, and snipers can do assassin missions.

One of my favorite aspects to Scarface is the feel of building your empire. As you acquire properties, you can install surveillance or goons to protect the property. This is even taken a step further, hire a driver and you can use your cell phone to have him bring you a car. As you get money, Tony's not afraid of using it or flaunting it and this game makes you feel wealthy.

Another item that is unique and interesting is the negotiation meter. As you deal with suppliers, dealers and bankers you use a meter similar to a swing meter or kicking meter in sports games. The closer you get to the end of the meter, the better rate you get and the further (or if you go over) away the worse.

Banks are save points in this game and you can launder money through them on a case by case basis. The better your negotiations, the better the rate and once the money has been cleaned, the cops won't be able to take this money from you. You'll quickly learn that money is something you'll have lots of in this game with many areas to spend it as well. One of the initial missions has you hauling 50k away from a rival to deposit into the bank.

Verdict: Definitely a keeper... don't fear plunking a few bones down on this one. ChiChi get the yeyo!!!

[Southeast Jerome]

Overall Scarface is pretty cool, but the missions do get repetitive towards the end of the game.

[Southeast Jerome]

Right now I'm working on Smackdown v. Raw 2007 for Xbox 360, which is pretty fun even though I don't watch wrestling anymore. It's worth buying if for no other reason than to unlock Dude Love and see him come out to that ridiculous music. A great Xbox 360 game I finished recently that I highly recommend is Dead Rising. Kind of like Dawn of the Dead, you're stuck in a shopping mall surrounded by zombies. There will literally be tens if not almost a hundred zombies creeping around that you can kill, using anything from a lawnmower (Dead Alive, anyone?) to a katana to a toy lightsaber. Each boss fight is also unique and quite fun, requiring you to figure out your own strategy for winning. I also just finished Gears of War, another kickass game for the 360, which is basically a shoot-em-up kind of like Contra on steroids. I highly recommend all three.

[muthagoose]

Water-guzzling 'for a Wii' kills woman

SACRAMENTO: A water-guzzling contest organized by a radio station ended tragically on Friday after a participant - 28yr-old woman Jennifer Strange died of water intoxication.SACRAMENTO: A water-guzzling contest organized by a radio station ended tragically on Friday after a participant - 28yr-old woman Jennifer Strange died of water intoxication.

The woman was one of many participants in the “Hold Your Wee For a Wii” competition where the contestants were expected to drink as much water as they could without having to urinate. The last person to give in to the urge would win the recently released Nintendo video game system.



Ms Strange had hoped to win the video game system for her three children believing a few extra pints of the thirst-quenching would do no harm besides overloading the bladder. Participants first started off on small 220ml (8 ounces) bottles of water at 15-minute intervals. Those who progressed beyond five or more bottles without showing any discomfort were then given larger bottles to drink.

Ms Strange was among those who had advanced to the bigger bottles, according to fellow contestant James Ybarra who quit after five small bottles. But Ms Strange too quit after some time and headed for home complaining of a severe headache.

She called the Radiological Associates of Sacramento where she spoke to the supervisor asking for the day off as “her head was hurting her real bad” co-worker Laura Rios said. She was later found dead in her home.

Medical investigation by the County Coroner confirmed that Ms Strange's death was caused by water intoxication (or water poisoning) - a condition where the body's vital fluids are diluted by the person's excessive water consumption.

A nephrologist explained that the body's sodium levels may dip below alarming levels by drinking too much water. The patient may experience nausea, headaches, light-headedness, vomiting, blurred vision, even behavioral changes. The actual damage may be much worse, causing the brain to swell, leading to seizures, coma and even death.

The contest was organized by the KDND 107.9 radio station as part of a promotional campaign.

[muthagoose]

PS3 in stock, Wii sold out says analyst

An analyst for American Technology Research this week said that Sony Corp.'s Playstation 3 is in stock in retail stores while Nintendo Co.'s Wii video game system remains sold out, Reuters reported on Tues.

Analyst Paul-Jon McNealy wrote in a research note that more than half of stores surveyed held stock of the PS3, while none had the Wii in stock.

"Our channel checks yesterday of 52 retail stores, from boutiques to big-box retailers, showed that 28 of the 52 stores had PS3 consoles in stock, while none had Wii consoles in stock," he said.

McNealy said that the new information may signal softening demand for the $499 and $599 console.

Sony spokesman Dave Karraker told Reuters that the company continues to airlift 100,000 units each week to U.S. retail and that the in-stock status is due to consistent shipments.

Sony encountered lower-than-expected holiday sales for the PS3 due to production delays. As a result, the company was outsold by Microsoft Corp. and Nintendo Co. in year-end sales.

The company has shipped 1 PS3 million units to the U.S. and recently shipped 1 million units to Japan, barely missing a year-end launch forecast of 2 million units. Analysts speculate that Sony may be unable to meet its next sales forecast of 6 million units sold by Mar. 2007.

[muthagoose]

Motion Controls Coming to "The Godfather" for Wii, PS3

Who would have thunk it, Electronic Arts is bringing a popular franchise over to two more consoles?

The company today announced The Godfather: The Don's Edition for the Playstation 3 and The Godfather: Blackhand Edition for the Wii.

The PS3 version will ship with the Corleone Expansion Pack, which features new gameplay and missions, as well as a new Shipyard and Rail yard to explore. The game will also make use of the Sixaxis motion controls to let you shake people around.

The Wii version will, of course, be dipped in motion-control goodness, letting you use the Wii Remote and Nunchuk to deliver a beatdown and the Remote to point and aim your gun.

The PS3 version will, I'm sure, be just fine, but the Wii version could swing either way. I could see it having a tacked on feel, sort of like with Call of Duty 3, or causing the game to really pop like with Madden.

[muthagoose]

'Earache Extreme Metal Racing' PlayStation 2 Game Due In February

Calling all extreme metal fans and gamers: the time has finally come for you to strap yourself into the driving seat for the release of the world’s first exclusively death metal- and grindcore-themed PS2 game. "Earache Extreme Metal Racing" will finally hit the shelves on Friday, February 2, 2007.

This "groundbreaking" PlayStation 2 game features an in-game MP3 player to access three hours of exclusively Earache extreme metal music including unreleased tracks, plus over an hour of video clips, including several exclusive never-before-seen clips, which are accessed during the higher levels of the game. Exhilarating gameplay plus music from the likes of NAPALM DEATH, AT THE GATES, CATHEDRAL, THE HAUNTED, HATE ETERNAL, ULTRAVIOLENCE, CULT OF LUNA, BEECHER, URKRAFT, ANATA, MISTRESS, SEVERE TORTURE and many others makes this an essential purchase for Earache fans.

Gamers can choose from 10 evil Earache racing teams, including DEICIDE, MORBID ANGEL, THE BERZERKER, AKERCOCKE and MUNICIPAL WASTE to burn rubber around an assortment of ghoulish racetracks as well as the pulverising Deathmatch Arena, while mercilessly mowing down zombies and mutilating the opposing teams' vehicles with an assortment of weapons. Unbridled brutality scores you ever-higher Skull tokens, thus enabling you to open more unlocked portions of the game, further racetracks and yet more unseen clips by the Earache bands.

All in all, "Earache Extreme Metal Racing" puts the world of gaming head-to-head with the explosive world of extreme metal and serves up an un-missable gaming experience.

You can pre-order the game now, shipping on February 2 from Earache's webstore by visiting:
www.earache.com/

Screenshots and Info:
www.earacheextrememetalracing.com

Watch the Trailer:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=PKSqOw9RNNo&eurl=



- -

Ashley Mortimer, Marketing Manager, Earache Records says:
"Earache prides itself on innovation. As an independent label we've been on the cutting edge of unique and groundbreaking music for 15 years and we relish every opportunity, particularly a new or unusual one. We don't know of any other labels who have released their own game and the cross-marketing possibilities are really exciting. Culturally we don't think music and gaming are so far apart, many music fans play computer games, and nearly all gamers listen to music so we have teamed up with DDI and Metro3D to produce Earache Extreme Metal Racing. Your car shreds the opposition, the soundtrack shreds your ears - what a great combination!"

EARACHE EXTREME METAL RACING uniquely was conceived and created by 16 year old Gothic metaller Sky Nash and all started as a possible way to not only keep her amused but potentially to dissuade her from following her overworked father into a gaming career.

Frazer Nash of Frazer Nash Communications describes how his daughter created the game during work experience at developer, DDI: "Sky, then just 15, was given a huge responsibility to design her own (tongue in cheek) game. By the end of the first week, she had created a Gothic-looking game, complete with drafted levels and an awesome soundtrack. 12 months on and with professional development courtesy of Sam King and Mike Rooker (art), Mark Gemmell (production), Karl White and Julian Salter (Programming) at DDI. Aimed to appeal to Goth / Rock music fans the world over, Metro 3D have created EARACHE EXTREME METAL RACING - a monster of a game."

Stewart Green MD of Metro 3D says: "In a very male dominated industry you tend to think in stereotypes so when I heard that Sky, our latest girl on work experience had some design ideas to improve an off road racing game. I initially thought I was going to hear 'make it pink with rainbows' but I was very pleasantly surprised to hear she thought we needed the ability to mow down zombies, more carnage with chainsaws and metal spikes, and it just had to have an extreme thumping heavy metal sound track and so Earache Extreme Metal Racing was born" "The game is frantic, mad as hell fun, oh and in the end there was some pink on the headless corpse bride! We have been working with Sky for the past year and the school has already booked her back for next year - to work on the sequel."

[The Duke]

Try Lost Planet: Extreme Condition for XBOX 360. I loved it! My only regret was not haivng more time to play it. Not normally my type of game, but found it to be excellent.

[The Duke]

Anyone into the Tiger Woods series of games?

[Chick-O-Stick]

Sadly I am still a GameCube girl, and my favorites are the oldies- Pac-Man, Galaga, Paperboy, Animal Crossing, and anything Mario. I am interested in getting a Playstation 2 or an XBox...but the only reason I want one of them is to play Guitar Hero. I'm a geek that way.

I do plan to get a Wii, but who knows when that will actually be.

[Ponyone]

For some reason I just plain stopped playing video games about 2-3 years ago. I just lost interest and the games just seemed to get repetitive.

However, that Earache Extreme Metal Racing looks cool and I'm also itching to try guitar hero but don't feel like dropping $75 for the package right now.

[Chick-O-Stick]

admin said:

However, that Earache Extreme Metal Racing looks cool and I'm also itching to try guitar hero but don't feel like dropping $75 for the package right now.

If you want to try stuff out just do what I do- go to your local Wal-Mart where, even though you can't buy an uncensored cd, you can play rated Mature games on the set up they have in the store. Guitar Hero was set up, with a nice gaming chair and everything, for the past 3-4 months. Now they have Earache Extreme Metal Racing set up there, I tried it yesterday and it is really sweet.

[muthagoose]

Wii Virtual Console Monday has arrived

Virtual Console Wii Super Mario WorldEvery Monday is Christmas for Wii owners, since this is the day for new releases on the Virtual Console. Today, Nintendo Wii gamers have their choice between titles from Super NES, Sega Genesis, and TurboGrafx-16. Choose wisely.

Super Mario World (Super NES, 1-2 players, 800 Points): During a vacation in Dinosaur Land, Princess Toadstool gets kidnapped and a spell is cast on the inhabitants of the island. When they stumble upon Yoshi, a young dinosaur, Mario and Luigi learn that Bowser is responsible for the terrible misdeeds. Now, all Yoshis are trapped in magical eggs that Bowser has hidden throughout seven castles. Many hidden paths aid Mario in making his way to Bowser's castle, completing 74 areas and finding all 96 exits. Discover items, including a feather that gives Mario a cape that allows him to fly, or a flower that shoots fireballs in layers upon layers of 2-D scrolling landscapes. Players can even ride Yoshi and swallow their enemies.

VIGILANTE (TurboGrafx-16, 1 player, 600 Points): Brave the streets of New York City in this side-scrolling beat-'em-up game. Thugs kidnap the beloved Madonna, and it's up to players to become vigilantes. Players fight their way into enemy territory to get her back. Enemies attack with weapons like iron pipes, chains, guns and motorcycles. To fight back, players can punch, kick or use the "nunchaku" item that appears in the stage. Players must use each of the attacks effectively to defeat their enemies. To clear a stage, defeat the boss that waits at the end. Players fight their way through exciting stages that include the City Streets, Junkyard, Brooklyn Bridge and the Backstreets.

Gain Ground (Sega Genesis, 1-2 players, 800 Points): It's the 31st century, and science and technology have progressed to the point that the human race is approaching perfection: no war, no poverty and no conflict. With nothing to worry about, the human race seems destined to live forever in harmony. But what if Earth came under attack? By this point in time, people did not know how to cope with problems or conflicts, and had completely lost their survival instincts. In response to this, the United Earth Government created the Gain Ground system, a war simulator that would help humans rediscover their lost instincts. After several terrible malfunctions, the creators became prisoners in their own creation. Now it's up to players and two courageous comrades to go into the Gain Ground system, rescue their fellow humans and destroy the system. Players battle through different periods in history as they revive their survival instincts, while trying to live.

[muthagoose]

High-def 'Battlestar Galactica' game

NBC Universal is partnering with Sierra Online, a division of Vivendi Games, and Microsoft's Xbox Live Arcade to deliver an original, high-definition "Battlestar Galactica" space combat game this fall.

The game, based on the popular Sci Fi Channel show, also will be available on Windows PC and will be digitally distributed, bypassing retail. Fans will be able to download the PC game at a number of Web sites, including Scifi.com, NBC.com and Sierra.com.

" 'Battlestar Galactica' has been progressive with new technology from blogs and podcasts from the creators to the digital distribution of the show on iTunes," said Bill Kispert, vp interactive of NBC Universal. "This new game on Xbox Live Arcade is consistent with that."

This marks the first time that an original Hollywood-licensed property will be available on Xbox Live Marketplace. Beginning Friday, Xbox 360 owners will be able to download "Galactica" Gamer Pics and Themepacks in an effort to build awareness for the new game and the TV series, which airs 10 p.m. Sundays.

Developed by Australian-based Auran Games, "Galactica" will feature single- and multiplayer modes and allow the gamer to take part in intense space battles as a pilot for either the humans or Cylon forces.

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"We wanted to bring a more intense combat experience to gamers," Kispert said. "From a story standpoint, fans will be able to relive key battles from the first two seasons of the show, and then we'll add new content and missions outside of that."

Kispert said that Sierra Online has spent time on the show's set in Vancouver to incorporate elements from the show into the new game, including everything from actual ships to the computer monitors aboard the Galactica. The game will feature sound effects from the show, including weapons firing, and Kispert said they're talking about incorporating radio chatter from the show that could feature cast voices.

"We have the likeness rights to talent from the show for video games," Kispert said, "but this game will put players in a first-person perspective, allowing them to experience the world of the show by piloting Vipers and Cylon Raiders, so there won't really be room for actors in this game."

If all goes well, there will be plenty of room for actors in a next-generation console "Battlestar Galactica" game. Vivendi Games published an Xbox and PlayStation 2 game developed by Warthog in November 2003. That game was tied into the launch of the "Galactica" miniseries, which paved the way to the series.

"We love 'Battlestar Galactica' and we've had proposals to do another 'Battlestar Galactica' console game, but we haven't moved forward just yet," Kisbert said. "We feel that the show is so rich in mythology and politics and drama and story that when we do it, we'll take a full two to three years to do it right on next-generation consoles."



Xbox 360 owners may get additional "Galactica" content via the new Video Marketplace. Kispert said NBC Universal experimented with Marketplace before the launch of season three by offering a free downloadable recap of the first two seasons.

"The reaction to this show was fantastic, so we know there are fans out there on Xbox Live," Kispert said. "We have discussions going on with Xbox Video Marketplace about offering 'Battlestar Galactica' on that service. We're looking at a number of digital platforms for the show, but at this point, we're just looking."

Kispert said Xbox Live Arcade could become a new way for the studio to reach out to audiences from other shows. He said he likes the notion of using Xbox Live Arcade with several of NBC Universal's TV properties because it allows the studio to deliver episodic or short gaming content quickly and efficiently to a large fan base. The "Galactica" game will have a one-year development cycle for this fall's game.

Ed Zobrist, president of Sierra Online, said the great thing about digitally distributed content is that it can constantly be updated, in this case with new ships, story lines, multiplayer maps and missions.

"Digital distribution allows Hollywood licensors the ability to work with game makers and turn around content to capitalize on a show's success, providing timely content without a lot of lead time," he said. "Moving forward, we'll be able to add game content via multiple delivery methods to provide new content that's topical to what's going on in the 'Battlestar Galactica' universe for seasons to come."

[The Duke]

Most definitely I am going to have to check that game out. I also recommend Gears of War for the 360. Not my type of game normally, but I found it to be awesome!

[Kid Rick]

okay...Guitar Hero II is awesome.......

[muthagoose]

Star Wars: The Force Unleashed

The Star Wars saga continues this November in Star Wars: The Force Unleashed, a videogame developed by LucasArts, which casts players as Darth Vader's "Secret Apprentice" and promises to unveil new revelations about the Star Wars galaxy. The expansive story, created under direction from George Lucas, is set during the largely unexplored era between Star Wars: Episode III Revenge of the Sith and Star Wars: Episode IV A New Hope. In it, players will assist the iconic villain in his quest to rid the universe of Jedi - and face decisions that could change the course of their destiny.

As its name implies, The Force Unleashed completely re-imagines the scope and scale of the Force by taking full advantage of newly developed technologies that will be seen and experienced for the first time: Digital Molecular Matter (DMM), by Pixelux Entertainment, and euphoria by NaturalMotion Ltd. Paired with the powerful Havok Physics™ system, these new technologies create gameplay only possible on the new generation of consoles. DMM incorporates the physical properties of anything in the environment so that everything reacts exactly like it should - wood breaks like wood, glass shatters like glass, plants on the planet Felucia bend like plants on the planet Felucia would, and more. Meanwhile, as a revolutionary behavioral-simulation engine, euphoria enables interactive characters to move, act and even think like actual human beings, adapting their behavior on the fly and resulting in a different payoff every single time.
Features

* During the period between Episodes III and IV, players hunt Jedi in the role of Darth Vader's Secret Apprentice.

* Unleash and upgrade the Secret Apprentice's four core Force powers - Force push, grip, repulse and lightning - throughout the course of the game, and combine them for ultra-destructive, never-before-seen combos.

* Examples of unleashing the Force in ways never thought possible:
The Secret Apprentice won't just Force push enemies into walls - he'll Force push enemies through walls.

The Secret Apprentice won't just Force grip foes to throw them aside - he'll Force grip them in midair, zap them with lightning, then drop them to the ground to explode like a bomb.

In addition to new adversaries created just for the game, such as fugitive Jedi and Force-sensitive Felucians, players will also confront and associate with familiar faces from the Star Wars films, including Darth Vader.

* Visit locations such as Episode III's Wookiee homeworld

For more info on The Force Unleashed game check out Lucasfilm's site:

www.lucasarts.com/games/theforceunleashed/

[The Duke]

Awesome! I can't wait to play that one! It sounds, from the descriptions, like it will be a winner for certain.

[muthagoose]

No doubt it will be sick. They have some renderings on the official site... I think it is gonna be one of the best of the series (on any platform).

[The Duke]

If you have not checked out Tiger Woods PGA Tour 2007, do so, even if you are not a golf fan. That game is both highly addicting and a heck of alot of fun. It is the most realistic golf sim I have ever played.

[muthagoose]

Xbox 360 Elite launched: official details and specs

There have been endless rumors the last week or so of just what the new Xbox 360 Elite would be. Microsoft has formally announced the product, so we can now say with certainty what the Xbox 360 Elite is, and what it isn't. There's also good news on the accessory front.
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First, the basics. Aside from the obviously new all-black finish, the two most notable changes involve a new 120GB hard drive and the addition of an HDMI port (and cable) to the unit. Both features are aimed primarily at the Xbox Live Video Marketplace, which appears to be going quite well for Microsoft.

The Elite will also include a black wireless controller and headset as well as the default Xbox Live Silver membership.

Suggested price is $479.00, or about $80 more than the "premium" Xbox. For what Microsoft is charging for the add-on hard drive, this is a good deal. Users wanting to pick up the 120GB hard drive by itself will face a MSRP of $179.99.

360 Elite When can you get in line for one of these units? They go on sale starting April 29 in the US. Microsoft has made no announcement about availability in other regions.

Now, on to what the Xbox 360 Elite is not. This is not a console with a 65nm fabbed CPU in it. The innards are largely the same as the existing Xbox, so the 'great hardware refresh' is still out there, off in the distance. The same is true on the DVD drive front. Not only is it not an HD DVD drive (which we believe will never happen… the add-on is enough), but Microsoft also didn't take the wraps off a supposedly new "super quiet" drive.

Also, there's still no word on IPTV and how it relates to the Xbox 360 Elite. At this stage we still consider it a rumor that the 360's IPTV support will only come with new consoles. Our understanding is that it could work on any existing Xbox, and was indeed demonstrated on standard Xbox 360 hardware. However, what few people seem to be talking about is the fact that to use IPTV service, you'll have to subscribe to service from a local provider such as ATT. So the IPTV isn't going to be a general use feature, anyway.

If you're in the market for an Xbox 360, now is a good time to start looking for deals on premium units in used sales channels. From what we gather, more than a few of you are planning to make the jump to the Elite, but only if you can find someone to take your slightly used 360 premium off of you.

[The Duke]

I hadn't heard of this yet...sounds very interesting, and I may just have to look into it when the time comes.

[muthagoose]

I know we have some hardcore fans of the "Guitar Hero" game on the board, this is for you...

Wii Plays a 'Real' Guitar Hero III

Fans of Guitar Hero III on Wii are getting a special Guitar peripheral to string along...

Co-founder and President of Red Octane, Kai Huang, confirmed that the Wii version of Guitar Hero III will have a Guitar peripheral, and will feature online play.
Huang said while they are really excited about the possibilities of the Wii remote, the Wii version of Guitar Hero III will be played strictly with a Guitar peripheral that will be as close to the real thing as possible.

Besides, the Guitar controllers will come in a plethora of colors and designs, allowing fans to play the 'rock star' to perfection.

Also, the Wii version will feature both cooperative and competitive online modes, along with extra downloadable content.

Huang said their wish list of artists and songs is pretty exhaustive, and that they are trying to get bands like Metallica, AC/DC, and Led Zeppelin, among others.

Guitar Hero III is coming to Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, PlayStation 2, and Nintendo Wii - just in time for the holidays, Huang disclosed.

And, there's a Nintendo DS version of the game expected to hit stores early next year...

[muthagoose]

Madden cover secret slips through defenses
Tennessee Titans quarterback Vince Young to grace cover; mainstream outlets blow lid off of surprise.


Though the official announcement wasn't due until later tonight, the cat is out of the bag: Tennessee Titans quarterback Vince Young is the cover athlete for this year's Madden NFL game. The honor was supposed to be revealed on tonight's episode of Jimmy Kimmel Live!, where the cover athlete is a surprise guest.

Young shocked many during his rookie campaign when he led the woeful Titans to six straight wins near the end of the season, bringing hopes of a playoff berth to Music City. He broke the rookie record for rushing yards by a QB, was named Offensive Rookie of the Year, and made the Pro Bowl team.

While yet to cement his place in the pros, Young is probably best remembered for his role as quarterback for the undefeated 2005 Texas Longhorns. In one of the most exciting title games in college football history, Young led his squad against the vaunted USC Trojans, scampering into the end zone to put his team up for good at the end of the game.

The news of Young on the cover was first reported by Nashville's City Paper, before being confirmed by Young's agent in The Tennessean. John Madden also revealed Young as the cover athlete on The Daily Madden podcast on San Francisco news radio station KCBS.

"Vince Young is going to be on the cover. Why? Is that not out yet?" Madden said to KCBS. "Did I just let something out of the bag? ... And once it's out of the bag you can't bring it back in and say I was just kidding?"

While one would think the honor would be warmly welcomed, some believe it is an omen. The so-called Madden curse allegedly spells doom for athletes who grace the cover of the game. San Diego Chargers fans even began an online petition to beg EA not to put their star player, MVP Ladainian Tomlinson, on the cover.

"We don't believe in no jinx,'' Young's agent, Major Adams, told The Tenneseean. "People said when they put Vince on the cover of Sports Illustrated [that] it was going to jinx him in the Rose Bowl game, and [Texas] won the national championship. We don't believe in stuff like that. In the unfortunate event he gets hurt, it is just a part of the game, not because you have the cover.''

EA could not confirm that Young will be the cover athlete this year. The official box art is expected to be unveiled tonight on Kimmel.

Madden NFL 08 will be released on August 14 on the Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, Wii, PC, Xbox, PlayStation 2, GameCube, PlayStation Portable, and DS.