US News Wrap, August 27 - What Happened Today

PAX Prime is going on this weekend and quite a bit of decent news has come out of it so far. Get caught up on it below.

I am going to try and get you wrapped up as fast as I can here, because it's an anniversary of sorts for me, and I am being taken out to a swank Italian place tonight. I deserve it too. I have put up with this person for nine years running. Longer, if you count the fact we've been on and off since we were 13 and 14 years old, respectively. I won't say how many years total that makes it, because I would be giving away how old I am. Let's just say, I am old enough to where I don't need a babysitter, just someone to bail me out of the drunk tank if need be.

Okay, I best hurry up with this wrap so I can get all gussied up and not make us late for our reservations, otherwise, I will get yelled at and it will ruin my rare good mood. By the way, he needs to be ordained a saint when he dies for putting up with me as well. I have to admit that.

• Valve releases six CS:GO screenshots from PAX – look

Here's some screens to go along with the trailer released the day before.

• Funcom releases beta recruitment video for The Secret World

I really hope they get the bleating beta page issues fixed soon.

• Skyrim developer discusses Xbox 360 graphics, scale

The more I see of this game, the more I plan on going AWOL for a few days after it releases.

• Newell discusses whether Steam will ever allow used game trade-ins

I am still, personally, trying to figure out how something like this would work. It makes my head hurt.

• Warhammer Online: Wrath of Heroes video introduces you to Felicia

Check out how Felicia can take down enemies with her magic.

• Video for Jurassic Park: The Game stars velociraptors and a determined T-Rex

Damn dinosaurs. They all must die. Horribly.

• id’s Willits on why “DLC’s important” for RAGE

Seems as though id knows what it's doing here.

• Watch an hour of Ultimate Marvel vs Capcom 3 live gameplay

Got an hour to spare? Watch this video then.

• First look at PSN Pass voucher shows up online

Here's a look at the PSN Pass voucher whether you like it or not. Ahem.

• Minecraft update to include NPCs, more lethal spiders, silverfish

A few details on the next Minecraft update have been revealed.

• Turbine releases new Isengard shots and developer diary

I bought the expansion as a birthday present to myself. Now, I just need to work my ass off on my Loremaster to make sure she is ready for the expansion. Mirkwood bound, I reckon.

• Quick Quotes: Gearbox on deathmatchs in Borderlands 2

Deatmatches are being looked into, apparently.

• Marketing survey suggests Disney’s assessing interest in Epic Mickey 2

Disney is fishing around to see if people are interested in an Epic Mickey 2. At least the survey says so.

• Saturday Shorts: Castle Crashers, Warlock, Bit.Trip Saga, Homefront, StarCraft 2

Shorts! Lots of lovely shorts!

• Mass Effect 3 – Default Female Shepard is a redhead

Hooray for redheads and Brenna's Dad for being one of the fellas who voted for the hair color. It is the best, after all.

• Crimson Alliance to cost $15 for full class access, $10 for one character

Pay $15 if you want all the classes to play around with; pay $10 if you only want one.

• SWTOR walkthrough video takes you through the Eternity Vault

Check out the latest developer walkthrough for SWTOR.

• Weapons and armor won’t suffer degradation in Skryim

Nice. Now I can continue to be a money hoarder in an Elder Scrolls game.

Have a lovely weekend, darlin's.