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We’ve featured this game countless times on here, so anyone who doesn’t have it at this point must hate Batman or enjoy depriving themselves of pleasurable experiences. For instance, in Arkham Asylum, you can beat up shirtless, sweaty convicts for hours on end and no one will question your motives.

Why? Because you’re the goddamn Batman. This was worth paying the full $59.99 for way back when, and it’s certainly worth putting up $14.99 for Amazon’s sale today.

Based on a preview email we received this week, it sounds like Lost Planet 2 for $19.99 (PS3/360) and Super Street Fighter IV for $19.99 (360) will also make lighting round appearances today. Go get on that.

We’ve featured this game countless times on here, so anyone who doesn’t have it at this point must hate Batman or enjoy depriving themselves of pleasurable experiences. For instance, in Arkham Asylum, you can beat up shirtless, sweaty convicts for hours on end and no one will question your motives.

Why? Because you’re the goddamn Batman. This was worth paying the full $59.99 for way back when, and it’s certainly worth putting up $14.99 for Amazon’s sale today.

Based on a preview email we received this week, it sounds like Lost Planet 2 for $19.99 (PS3/360) and Super Street Fighter IV for $19.99 (360) will also make lighting round appearances today. Go get on that.

Seriously, it’s out of control. And, technically, it’s not even a controller per se — more of an add-on for your existing controller. The Avenger, as it has been dubbed, is specifically designed for people who aren’t happy with their competitive online game performances, and want to obliterate the equal playing field.

This contraption has been the talk of the morning between Nick and I, mostly because of how absurd it looked initially. But then we found the testimonial video and the user review page, and everything just grew from there. I’ll leave you with this bit of insight from reviewer Johan:

“Strongly recommend. Unless you’re a bitch.”

Everyone seems to be obsessing over the possibility of Activision adopting Battle.net for its games. It's an interesting notion, but Blizzard hasn't really spoken one way or the other on the topic. Perhaps this Gamasutra interview with Battle.net project director Greg Canessa will give us something to go on.

"Bobby Kotick and all the folks at Activision are very, very supportive of Battle.net and what we're doing," he explains. "Having said that, as you know, Blizzard and Activision are really two separate entities, and we really do our own thing."

"There are huge opportunities in front of us with new games, with licensing opportunities, with movies, and other things we have going on, and the risk is that we get distracted off of what we're really good at, which is making kick-ass entertainment experience. So, for today, it's Blizzard games."

"Some day," Canessa continues, "maybe we add other titles in there. Who knows? When we really feel like we've really delivered that kick-ass set of experiences for Blizzard games, and we feel like we've grown the team — and you've heard some of my challenges growing the team and finding the talent — when I've got that sustainability, when we really feel like we've got that dialed in and nailed down, you know, who knows what the future holds."

TL;DR: Activision games may one day support Battle.net, but not anytime soon. The more you know!

Building Battle.net [Gamasutra]

Everyone seems to be obsessing over the possibility of Activision adopting Battle.net for its games. It's an interesting notion, but Blizzard hasn't really spoken one way or the other on the topic. Perhaps this Gamasutra interview with Battle.net project director Greg Canessa will give us something to go on.

"Bobby Kotick and all the folks at Activision are very, very supportive of Battle.net and what we're doing," he explains. "Having said that, as you know, Blizzard and Activision are really two separate entities, and we really do our own thing."

"There are huge opportunities in front of us with new games, with licensing opportunities, with movies, and other things we have going on, and the risk is that we get distracted off of what we're really good at, which is making kick-ass entertainment experience. So, for today, it's Blizzard games."

"Some day," Canessa continues, "maybe we add other titles in there. Who knows? When we really feel like we've really delivered that kick-ass set of experiences for Blizzard games, and we feel like we've grown the team — and you've heard some of my challenges growing the team and finding the talent — when I've got that sustainability, when we really feel like we've got that dialed in and nailed down, you know, who knows what the future holds."

TL;DR: Activision games may one day support Battle.net, but not anytime soon. The more you know!

Building Battle.net [Gamasutra]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V_YUl3hr4Jo

Atlus has announced The Cursed Crusade for Xbox 360, PC, and PlayStation 3. This Kylotonn Entertainment-developed co-op game is set in medieval Europe, and yes, there's a supernatural element to it. There always is, isn't there?

This game is going to be a third-person action-adventure title with both splitscreen and online co-op play. So far so good! Players have the ability to turn the world into a "flaming red vision of Hell," which ups your strength and lets you see otherwise hidden objects, but this comes "at the expense of your humanity."

I'll be interested to see how that actually plays out. Either way, they have my attention.

Got a few quality deals for you today, courtesy of Amazon. The current Deal of the Day is Medal of Honor for $40, and that goes for all three versions. From what I've heard from friends who have played it, that's a much easier price to swallow for this less-than-perfect game.

There's also a Lightning Deal in effect, right now. It's a 320 GB PlayStation 3 Move bundle for $400, plus they're throwing in $50 worth of videogame credit for future purchases. Act fast!

Lastly, Amazon is running a "buy two games, get one free" sort of promotion. Lots of current hits, and a considerable number of older ones, too. Check it out.

[Thanks, dober7 and Anthony]

Speaking with Famitsu, Team Ninja head Yosuke Hayashi gave an update on a few of the studio's missing projects and, of course, Ninja Gaiden 3. He revealed that the DoA prequel, Dead or Alive Code Cronus, has been scrapped, as has Project Progressive, a game I have no memory of whatsoever.

As for brighter (and bloodier) news, Ninja Gaiden 3 is still progressing along nicely. "We've already completed an internal prototype," says Hayashi. "We held a sampling event for the prototype, and it was well received within the company. It will be a bit longer before we share info with everyone."

"We'd like to make the action game that's most interesting for the current era. With this meaning," he continues, "it's going to be a game that's not bound by the past more than necessary. Of course, we will be valuing the past, but in a good meaning we'd like to make it into a game that's not tied down by the past."

Team Ninja's Boss Talks Ninja Gaiden 3 and Cancelled Projects [andriasang]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LoodrUC05r0

You may look a tad bit silly playing Vertigore Games' Star Wars Arcade: Falcon Gunner in public, but that's okay. You'll likely be enjoying yourself so much, you won't even notice the onlookers who are silently judging you. But hey, their loss — you're shooting up TIE fighters, and that's pretty cool.

What makes this experience cooler than, y'know, all of those other times you blasted the Empire's ships away in the comfort of your own home, is that it's fueled by augmented reality. Just watch the video, and everything will become clear. The game is supposed to come down the App Store pipleline by the end of this month.

I can't wait to see someone playing this on the light rail so I can give them an awkward look of geeky approval.