And by spoiler alert, we mean that Cooper Hawkes and Edie Sellers spoil everything from Modern Warfare 2 to Sixth Sense. Oh, and Rosebud was a sled. Whups! Did we say that out loud. When they're not reminding you that Soylent Green is people, Edie and Hawkes discuss:

• Electronic Arts shuts down Pandemic Studios. The Saboteur will release on time but will be the studio's last title.
• Mass: We Pray isn't real. It's a viral marketing campaign for Dante's Inferno.
• Sony's Kaz Hirai says that the company will release a non-game developer kit in Q2 2010.
• Britain's Government Communications Headquarters (its version of the NSA) recruits gamers through Xbox 360 Dashboard.
• Black Friday Deals: Our pick of the best we've found.
• Random Stuff, emails, and general weirdness.

Enjoy.

Oh, you think we're talking about the game. Well, it is a game, but not that one. You'll just have to listen to find out. This week, Edie Sellers and Commander Tim are joined by Holy Goalie of the GameHounds Sanctuary. In addition to discussing drinking games and scorpion bowls, they also get into the news of the week, including:

• Modern Warfare 2 blows every previous sales record out of the water, meanwhile cheif douchbag Bobby Kotick sells off 40 perecent of his holdings in the company at a cool $20 million profit. Hail, Satan!
• Ars Technica says skip the PC version of MW2 because it sucks. Bobby will get you, and your little dog Toto, too.
• Regie Fils-Amie says that Super Mario Brothers will outsell MW2. Eventually. And with caveats.
• Microsoft initiates a holy jihad on Live customers using modded Xboxes and bootleg disks, banning more than a million customers and soft-bricking their machines. Meanwhile, the semi-bricked 360s are now showing up on Craigslist dirt cheap.
• Alan Wake is rumored to be arriving in stores in May.
• Sega says it won't be selling Alien vs. Pretator in Germany. Sorry, Hansel.
• The Rumble Pack will join the GameHounds Humpdate staff when it comes back from vacation. Check them out!
• Random stuff, email, thank yous.

Enjoy.

Yes, more zombies it does have. And more Edie Sellers and more Commander Tim. But it's got less Cooper Hawkes. Crisp and clean! This week, Edie and Tim discuss:

• Congrats to Ben Hiebing of Sheboygan Falls, WI, for winning the Platform Nation pumpkin-carving contest.
• Netflix streaming on PS3 is getting the nerd-rage treatment.
• Direct2Drive, Impulse and Gamersgate all turn their backs on Modern Warfare 2 because of the imbedded Steam store.
• No Doubt sues Activision for turning frontwoman Gwen Steffani into a hermaphrodite.
• Kotaku's Michael Fahey notes that Activision's butchering of lyrics in Band Hero is ridiculous.
• Random stuff, voice mail, and fun, fun, fun.

Enjoy.

Ugh. Mongo like this episode. Balmer like, too. Commander Tim nice man. So is Cooper Hawkes. Edie Sellers have pretty face and nice voice. They talk games. And news. Lots of news. Week very big and full with news. They make Mongo laugh. They funny. Show this week include:

• Xbox Live Dashboard Update preview not nice. Mongo hate.
• Sony lose lots of money on Playstation 3. That make Mongo sad.
• Nokia stop support of N-Gage. Mongo sad about that, too.
• Sega Racing Classic, or another word for next Daytona game but without bad words like "Daytona" and "NASCAR," testing in arcades now.
• Balmer make mistake last week. Major Nelson correct. But maybe Balmer not make mistake and Major Nelson lie. Mongo confused now.
• X-Game finally make adapter for Xbox 360. Mongo say Microsoft can suck it.
• Nintendo announce new DSi called DSi XL. Will be larger.
• Random stuff, email and thank yous.

Enjoy, nice people. Go night-night now.

Man, oh man, have we got man in this episode. In as long as it's been, we are stunned that we have two, count 'em two, men on this show. Both Commander Tim and Cooper Hawkes join Edie Sellers to do up the news that they do so well. On this week's episode:

• Wanna win a bunch of swag, including a The Beatles: Rock Band t-shirt, a Brutal Legend patch, a pack of candy cigarettes, a copy of Brutal Legend and a copy of Hello Kitty Online (oh, and a $20 gift card to Amazon)? Check this out!
• Xbox Live Dashboard Preview phase one is out. Did you get it?
• Gamestop says that its plan to combat digital distribution is to, among other things, to buy an existing digital distribution entity. Whoa.
• Unreal engine for consumers? Sign us up!
• If you got your copy of Borderlands early, you didn't get to play it early. Sorry.
• Peter Molyneux says there are five games that inspire him as innovators in the industry. Do they compute?
• Fable 3 will have microtransactions and Project Natal support.
• Major Nelson corrects Steve Balmer in public. Balmer make boom-boom in his pants!
• Nannies say Dante's Inferno's "Bad Nanny" achievement belittles their profession.
• Random stuff, email and more, more more!

Enjoy!

Hey, it finally showed up! Episode 84 is in the can, as they say in the "biz." And it seems that GamerEdie Sellers and Commander Tim have a lot to say after taking a week off. They came back rested and ready to talk out the issues of the last two weeks. As promised in the show, here's the show notes, including a link to sign up for the upcoming Xbox Dashboard Update Preview.

• Major Nelson says if you're using a non-authorized Memory Unit, you may not want to take the new dashboard update. Either that or move your game-save backups and profiles back to your hard drive first.
• Sony announces a 250GB PS3 for the US starting November 3 for $349.
• Oh yeah. That Xbox Dashboard Update Preview? Wanna sign up for it? Go to this link. You'll need your GamerTag, Windows Live ID name, your console serial number and your console ID number.
• Michael Pachter says that Project Natal needs to be $50, the PS3 motion controller $100.
• Nintendo, Capcom and 53 other publishers file suit against four resellers of the R4 flash cards that hack your DS.
• Random stuff, thank yous, and other fun.

Enjoy... Tim's genetically perfect eyebrows.

Lost joke? Yeah, it was almost a lost episode. First, let's dispatch with the credits. Opening music is "Sucky Yaki" from the album Nothin' But Sausage from Ken Yokoyama. The vocals on that track are not Ken, but the GameHouds official Japanese interpreter and "assistant sound engineer" Serge Verhovski (also known as the bass player for that album). We got his permission for the music, and we think it's very fitting for the first episode back after our soiree to Tokyo. Next, closing music is "Gay Bar" by Electric Six. As for show notes, GamerEdie and Cooper Hawkes discuss:

• The PSP Go is out and about.
• The Entertainment Consumers Association launches "Gamers for Digital Rights" to help keep that pesky DRM crap out of our games, hopefully.
• Do not update your Wii to Menu Update 4.2, unless you like big white bricks in your home theater system.
• Nintendo Life confirms that you cannot move purchased DSiWare from your old DSi to a new DSi. Sahweet! (uh, not).
• OnLive proves it can make a buttload of venture-capital scratch. But can it launch?
• Thank yous, email and fun.

Enjoy.

Huhwhaaa? Is it Humpday already? Man, this jet lag is kicking my butt. Thank god we have the SportsHound WillG and an interview with Chris Arbogast of Nyko Technologies and Edie's first-person impressions of Assassin's Creed 2 from Tokyo Game Show. Otherwise, we'd be in some serious, serious doodie, my friends. Hound doodie. The worst kind. Enjoy.

LIVE FROM TOKYO
(well, it was live when we recorded it)

This week, Edie brings us all the news and happenings from the floor of Tokyo Game Show (or TGS as the kids call it). And even though she's totally exhausted herself in the pursuit of journalistic excellence, she dishes out on the sites and very loud sounds of the upcoming games we'll all be playing (well, except Commander Tim, he only plays Pong). Listen in for info on: Assassin's Creed 2
Bayonetta
Pixel Junk Shooter
Insightful comments by a Japanese game developer panel
PSPGo (or Sony Face-Palm)
A new Project Natal demo

Yep, it’s a day early because Edie’s taking off to Tokyo tomorrow morning.

And yep, it’s without shownotes for exactly the same reason. We just don’t have time to post anything, especially considering that Edie hasn’t unpacked from PAX yet.

So, enjoy the extra day of GameHounds love. And the next time you hear us, it will be from Tokyo Game Show.

This week's Humpdate is ever so special. Have I mentioned how special it is? I did. Didn't I? In addition to all that specialness, we have Edie with her interview with Tom French, the lead designer of Saboteur from PAX, the SportsHound WillG reviews Madden NFL 10 and the "AFC Legacy Pack" add-on, Holy Goalie offers some non-gaming advice for the backyard barbequer (hey, we can't game all the time), and the Digital Cowboys discuss lesbian love and Fear Effect with the Eidos' community manager. Enjoy.

Yay. Edie's back home, at least for a couple weeks. And after a last-minute dash to PAX, she's got a lot to talk about. She, Commander Tim and Cooper Hawkes discuss what she saw at the Penny Arcade Expo and the rest of the general news of the gaming world. These tasty news nuggets include:

• Nineties-rock gargoyle Courtney Love cries foul as Kurt Cobain becomes a playable character in Guitar Hero 5. Former Nirvana members Dave Grohl and Krist Novoselic agree. Too bad all three personally signed off on the music and images and spent the last three years working with Activision so Cobain would be part of the game. Damn the internet. It never forgets.
• Wolfenstein flounders at retail. But isn't it nice to know that Blizzard brings in so much money that Activision doesn't need to sell anything but one game a year?
• Dear Resident Moron, when you pirate a copy of Batman: Arkham Asylum for the PC, don't complain about bugs in the company forums.
• Random stuff, email.
• Edie takes a listener-written gaming history test. Hilarity and embarassment ensues.

Enjoy.

Didn’t get enough PAX coverage from day 1 of Platform Nation’s live coverage?

Didn’t get enough GameHounds for the week?

Never fear, day 2 is available for download.

On this recap, Steve 519 hosts Edie Sellers of GameHounds and Lefty Brown and Mrs. Lefty Brown from the Married Gamers. We get cameos from BDazzler and GuiJ of the Gamers Pub.

A bunch of great guests drop in for the show as well, including Doc Adams of Sarcastic Gamer and Dan Echo of Breaking the Game, and Kiki Lewis of The Blue Skittle.

Oh, and did we mention that we also get visits from:

• Chris Keene of Playlogic to chat about Fairytale Fights.
• Dave Marshal, editor of upcoming Mass Effect Redemption comic series for Darkhorse Comics.

And the games we chat up?

• Mass Effect 2
• Saboteur
• Tekken 6
• Star Trek Online
• Champions Online
• Left 4 Dead 2

We're back home and, if you didn't get a chance to listen to the live UStream coverage of Platform Nation at Penny Arcade Expo 2009, don't worry. We've got you covered. On this recap of the first day of PAX, Steve 519 hosts a roundtable discussion with Elaine from Some Other Castle podcast, Mrs. Lefty Brown of the Married Gamers, and BDazzler from the Gamers Pub. Topics include Borderlands, Halo ODST, Split Second, Blur, Tony Hawk's Ride, and Left 4 Dead 2. Want to know what they thought? It's in dere! Enjoy.

Just because Penny Arcade Expo is this week doesn't mean you won't be getting your Humpdate. This week, Holy Goalie offers his advice on and shares his love of the iPod Touch, while the Digital Cowboys lighten up the place with a whimsical discussion of what would be the perfect team composed of video game characters. Enjoy.

This week, Cooper Hawkes, Commander Tim and Edie Sellers are definitely the wettest trio in gaming podcasting. In addition to our regular show, we had a visitor drop by: Patrick Fortier, creative director of the upcoming third-person shooter Wet (yeah, we know, Edie called it a first-person shooter. Honest tongue slip). Patrick offers a huge amount of insight to the game, what it's like, why it's like that, and where did they find all that great music. It's quite a look inside the inner workings of how developers bring a concept to reality — while also being dropped by Activision. Yeah, he talks about that, too. Just when you think it can't get any better, we also cover news of the week, including:

• Hawkes' review of Batman: Arkham Asylum.
• The price drop for the Xbox 360 Elite, the discontinuation of the Pro and the likelihood of a 250 GB Elite coming to a retailer near you.
• Ubisoft reportedly has put Beyond Good and Evil 2 on hold. Because apparently they don't like money.
• Kaz Hirai says that Sony is selling the PS3 Slim at a loss. Yeah, and your ass looks great in those pants.
• Microsoft says it's hunting down those who have leaked copies of Halo: ODST and will make them pay.
• Random stuff, voicemail, thank yous, and your mom.

Enjoy.

Is your week "humped" yet? Well, it is now. Because you have this week's Humpdate. On the show, Mr. Maynard gives his opinions on Shadow Complex on Maynard's Minutes, and Holy Goalie discusses the pros and cons of the new offerings from Spinal Tap, including new Rock Band tracks. Enjoy.Is your week "humped" yet? Well, it is now. Because you have this week's Humpdate. On the show, Mr. Maynard gives his opinions on Shadow Complex on Maynard's Minutes, and Holy Goalie discusses the pros and cons of the new offerings from Spinal Tap, including new Rock Band tracks. Enjoy.

That sounds kinda dirty. But it isn't. It's actually in reference to Bethesda's upcoming title, Wet. Edie Sellers got her hands on the final build, and she dishes up the details on the game. In addition, she and co-host Cooper Hawkes fill you in an all the latest news, including:

• The PS3 Slim is now official, but it's got some issues.
• Mass Effect looks like it will be getting some DLC very soon, as three new achievements have magically appeared.
• Peter Molyneux announces Fable III in Cologne.
• The Beatles: Rock Band to get three albums in three months.
• Random stuff, emails, voice mails, drunk dials, the works.

Enjoy.

Three shows this week to tickle your fancy on the Humpdate: Mr. Maynard with Maynard's Minutes, Holy Goalie on the GameHounds Sanctuary, and the Digital Cowboys. I'd like to flower this up, but it's 3 a.m. and I'm cooked. Enjo.... zzzzzzz...

Hey! We're on time this week! Slowly we're converting from old, clunky methods of editing to new, clunky methods. Cantcha tell? One thing that hasn't changed: GamerEdie and Commander Tim are still bringing you all the great gaming news. Or at least part of it, right? The part they talked about this week:

• Lionhead Studios' website teases Molyneux news.
• Save the arcades, or at least four of them, by playing a Flash game.
• If you wish you could see that vintage Genesis game on XBLA, now might be your chance! But in the meantime, Tim notices a little mystery.
• Random stuff, thank yous — you know the drill.

Enjoy.

If Al Pacino played video games, that's what he'd say about this week's GameHounds episode. "Blue-ya!" Why? Because on this episode, in addition to the regular industry and news coverage, Edie Sellers and Commander Tim chat up Mike Mansanaras of Aksys Games, developers of Blaz Blue: Calamity Trigger for the Xbox 360 and PS3, Bit.Trip.Beat and Bit.Trip.Core, and a host of other goodness. Check out their interview, stay for the great commentary. Topics include:

• Best Buy is price matching new games for used game prices in Utah. Roadtrip!
• VentureBeat says Fizz Factor is making cutbacks at Double Helix and consolidating the Amaze and Griptonite teams.
• Atomic Games is "pretty much dead," according to sources inside the company.
• Valve is rumored to be looking to add sign language into a future Half Life episode.
• Bobby Kotick is an ass. No really. He's a total douchebag.
• Random stuff, thank yous and more.

Enjoy.

Getting tired of the same old Humpdate? Well, you'll love this one, then. It's all new. Not only do we have new shows from the SportsHound WillG and from the Digital Cowboys, we also have a whole new show and a new host. We proudly introduce Holy Goalie and his new GameHounds Sanctuary, where you can confess your gaming sins and be forgiven. Can he get an amen, brothers and sisters? Enjoy.

Did you miss him? We sure did! Cooper Hawkes returns from his sabbatical to join GamerEdie Sellers and Commander Tim for a weekly wrap-up of the latest in gaming industry news. This week, topics include:

• An emailer points out that Playstation 3 does have a PS2 emulator, or does it? You decide.
• Another emailer points out that the Nintendo DS and the DSi can pictochat to each other.
• Yet another emailer says that the night-vision goggles included in Modern Warfare 2's Prestige Edition are military grade.
• Enter for your chance to win a coveted Monkey Island E3 t-shirt.
• A Los Angeles judge refuses to halt the release of Double Fine's Brutal Legend, so far.
• Microsoft and Ubisoft reprice Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Turtles in Time Re-Shelled.
• The Xbox Live Update Preview goes live, is full of badness and goodness.
• ComicCon wrapup: Full of sound and fury, signifying nothing.
• Random stuff and a super-awesome thank you.

Enjoy.

It's the last GameHounds show for July, so put your face in and suck it up, kids. This week, the Sportshound WillG, Mr. Maynard and the Digital Cowboys bring you scintilating topics to get your juices flowing. They probe the issues you want to talk about, thrust their opinions deep into your ears, and make you want to beg for more hot gaming news. Enjoy. Oh yes, yes, yes! ENNNNJOOOOYYYY...

That title may confuse you. Let's just say, it all gets clear in the last 10 seconds of the show. This week, we had yet another guest fall through (what is it with us? Oh yeah, ComicCon week), so GamerEdie Sellers and Commander Tim are joined by Kropotkin (aka: Chris O'Regan) from SuperHappyFunTimeShow. Topics include:

• Gamasutra says we're starting to see the death of the rhythm game.
• The official Tron Legacy trailer is orgasmic.
• So, how much kickback does it take to get to the center of PC Gamer's editor in chief?
• Halo Chronicles, whatever it was, is dead.
• Double Fine countersues Activision claiming it's trying to kill Brutal Legend. Ya think?
• Random Shit, tons of email, tons of voice mail.
• A Very Special Moment with Simon DI.
• Oh, and did we mention that Tron Guy's roommate is a sex-crazed furry?

Enjoy.

Bet you thought we forgot about you. We didn't. In fact, neither did the Digital Cowboys, That One Guy Ry the iPhone Guy and the Sportshound WillG. They do their best to cuddle up close and say, "Hello, sailor. Looking for a good time?" Okay. That was weird. Enjoy.

All you long-standing GameHounds listeners will be pleased to know that, this week, GamerEdie Sellers holds down the fort solo with special guest Elaine Garbarine (aka: etDragon) from Some Other Podcast. You'll be thrilled because you'll remember that Elaine was the partner in crime with Edie in the infamous Estrogen and Alcohol episode, wherein both got extremely ripped on the podcast. This time, they're a year older and a year wiser. They only brought caffeinated drinks. But there was so much news this week, there was no shortage of sweet, sweet gaming-news lovin'... with a girlie twist. They bring home the bacon, fry it up in the pan... you know the rest. How do they do it? By chatting about:

• Activison reveals its profiteering-level prices for Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 in the UK. Anal rape ensues.
• Sony lays off 5 percent of its Sony Online Entertainment division.
• Rock Band Network coming to your Xbox 360 in August.
• Realtime Worlds' CEO blames GameStop for the failure of Crackdown.
• Random stuff: Left 4 Dead mod, Assassin's Creed PSP details, XBL update weirdness, Fallout 3 DLC pricing, Heavy Rain, LucasArts annoucements, Alan Wake.

Enjoy.

A yes. Birds. Big, loud bluejays. Have I mentioned they're loud? No, Edie and Commander Tim didn't record this episode in an aviary. It's just that, only after we recorded, did we notice that we had a third host: The bird. And we also had a bunch of other guests. Because it was another Guest Roulette night due to a scheduling snafu with the Very Special Guests we promised last week. But no worries, we did chat about these topics:

• We give away the Dragon Age book. Finally.
• Battlefield 1943 is a great game and a cockup of the first order.
• 2K Games adds a fourth developer to Bioshock 2.
• Hawkes says Tim and I are morons for saying we'd pay for a PS2 emulator for the PS3... Well, he does actually use more colorful language.
• Eidos reportedly has promised pre-embargo coverage for magazines that give a front-page placement and a 90 percent score.
• Random stuff, email, voicemail.

Enjoy.

Hey. Check it out! Finally you're going to get a Humpdate! This week it's a short cast, with One Guy Ry the iPhone Guy and the Digital Cowboys. I know. Been so long you almost forgot their voices. Well, curl up and get reacquainted. Enjoy.

What is Alpha Proto-Maul, you ask? Well, it's a new game in which GamerEdie Sellers, Commander Tim and special guest Hendrix from Superhappyfuntimeshow invite Matthew Rorie of Obsidian Entertainment onto the show and then maul him with questions about the studio's Alpha Protocol. And boy, is it fun. Yes, you read that right. Want to find out the deets about what looks to be the heir apparent of Mass Effect (well, if you don't count Mass Effect 2)? This would be your show. And thanks Matthew for being a sport! In addition, we have the regular line up of GameHounds news, views and commentary, including:

• Reintroducing... Chewie Nutshit.
• Sony flies a patent for a Playstation 2 software emulator. Where have we heard that before??
• Valve says Left 4 Dead 2's pre-orders are beating the pants off Left 4 Dead 1's numbers.
• Valve also promises DLC for the original Left 4 Dead and asks you to be patient to understand its reasoning for a sequel so soon.
• Midway's studios not part of the sale to Warner Bros. will remain open for 60 days.
• Random stuff, voice mail, emails, thank yous.

Also, if you're an Aussie listener, check out OzBox Live's upcoming fundraiser for the Royal Children's Hospital at xperiencexbox.eventbrite.com. Enjoy.

What a weird episode this is. Other than being unusally long, it's a GameHounds-record number of people on it. Without Hawkes, Edie Sellers and Commander Tim decide to open up the Skype line to anyone who calls. The result is charming and sometimes hilarious. In addition to meeting just a few of the GameHounds faithful, Tim and Edie discuss:

• VG247 says that Warner Brothers is on the verge of buying Codemasters.
• Could disk-activation technology be coming to game retailers near you?
• Mortal Kombat's movie director files suit to make sure he gets a piece of the Midway fire-sale pie.
• id Software bought out by ZeniMax, John Romero reacts badly.
• Random stuff, thank yous, and guests, guests, guests.

Enjoy.

Has it really been almost a month since you've heard from the Humpdate? Yes, yes, it has. But that didn't keep the SportsHound, Maynard's Minute, or the Digital Cowboys idle. It's the first Humpdate post-E3, so check in with them to find out what they're thinking. Enjoy.

How is it that an episode with a number synonymous for an extreme act of lovemaking could have so much hate? But then again, this is the GameHounds. Unfortunately, it's a GameHounds without Cooper Hawkes this week, but in his stead we have Mr. Maynard of the Unknown Gamers of STL and the Humpdate! This week, Maynard, Commander Tim and Edie discuss:

• An Ubisoft forum manager swears that Splinter Cell Conviction will be a "true Microsoft exclusive title."
• Bobby Kotick says that he's disappointed in Sony and wants it to shape up or he'll take his games and go home.
• Sony tells developers to expect its motion controller in Spring 2010 with a bunch of games.
• Forza 3 Limited Edition. Yeah "limited" really says it all.
• Random Shit: Ghostbusters-gate, Choplifter
• And an extra special message of universal love from Hawkes.

Enjoy.

Late. Very late. Incredibly tired. Show. Listen. Notes? Not. Enjoy.

Want to know what Edie and some other Platform Nation hosts thought of Bethesda's offerings this E3? This is the first of several developer-focued podcasts recorded by the Platform Nation kids. In this episode, Steve519 of Platform Nation, Lefty Brown of the Married Gamers, and Edie discuss what Bethesda broght to the table. Enjoy.

To borrow the phrasing of Commander Tim, the boss lady is back. We know those who'd use another description. The important part is that Edie Sellers is indeed back home and talking about her week down at E3. This is a free-form show with no break — and why would there be with so many games to talk about? To name a few that co-hosts Cooper Hawkes, Tim and Edie discuss:

• Escape from Monkey Island
• Brütal Legend
• Mass Effect 2
• Alpha Protocol
• Project Natal vs. Sony's motion-control experiment
• Tony Hawk Ride
• The Last Guardian
• Dragon Age Origins
• Dante's Inferno
• Just Cause 2
• Darksiders
• Forza 3
• God of War 2
• Uncharted 2
• Alpha Protocol
• Scribblenaughts
• Star Wars: The Old Repubic

And yes, if you've been following our GameHounds Twitter feed, you know. And yes, we have multiplayer beta codes. Just sayin'. Enjoy.

Even though we’re a day late, you better believe that the B-Team GameHounds crew is bringing the pain. Join Mr. D of the Artificial Intelligents podcast, Mr. Maynard of the GameHounds Humpdate and The Unknown Gamers of St. Louis, and me, lovable ol’ Commander Tim. We give you the rundown of what we loved, what we hated, and what should be killed with fire. And don’t worry folks, I bring the curmudgeon, ’cause I know you like it like that. Listen.

Hey there. To kick off things proper during these holiest of holy days known as E3, Commander Tim and Cooper Hawkes sit down and give you their thoughts on all the things that happened today at the Microsoft press conference. No, it’s not all wine and roses. Listen in to find out what we loved, what we hated, and what we wanted to make sweet, sweet love to.

Here it is, your weekly Humpdate. And it's a very full house with all four of our regular Humdpate cast reporting for duty. ThatOneGuyRy, Maynard's Minutes, WillG the Sportshound and the Digital Cowboys fill out this week's show. And where's Hawkes, you say? Well, he's part of the Digital Cowboys this week, so we really do have everyone on board. Also, this is your last show before we hit the insanity that is E3, so get it while the gettin's good. Enjoy.

What? It's Monday? Well, that doesn't count. It's the last day of the weekend so it counts. Yes, yes, I know — Monday technically is only a holiday. It's not really Sunday at all. Well, all I have to say is "nutsh*t." Chewy nutsh*t, at that. Here's your damn show. On Monday. There, we said it. Happy now? This week Edie Sellers, Cooper Hawkes and Commander Tim Wilsie discuss:

• The rundown on the recent Xbox Live Community Playdate with the Gamehounds.
• What we're playing, including Super Rub-a-Dub, Bit.Trip.Beat, Grim Fandango, Fable 2 DLC, Fallout 3 DLC.
• Edie gives the lowdown on what she's seen of Battlefield 1943, Battlefield Bad Company 2, and Brutal Legend.
• 3D Realms says it's not dead after all, but Duke Nukem Forever is.
• Geoff Keighley and company make the ill-advised decision to tape an E3 special in front of a live audience and then proceed to drop a bunch of news.
• OnLive snubs E3, further sparking questions about whether it's ever going to be all we dreamed.
• German review panel inadvertetly starts rumor that Escape from Monkey Island is coming to XBLA.
• Random Stuff: Ex-president Bill Clinton was approached for Fallout 3; Nintendo announces all three Metroid Prime games will be bundeled for upcoming Metroid Prime Trilogy; Batman: Arkham Asylum with Poison Ivy; Saints Row 2 "Corporate Warfare" DLC release date; Japanese developers spooked by H1N1 virus; Warner Brothers offers $33 million for Midway.

Enjoy.

Here it is. What you've been waiting for. Well, half of it at least. Yes, as mentioned earlier, the usual GameHounds repetoir was hijacked by early-onset Alzheimers — in other words, Edie forgot to press "record." So, here's what you do have. You have Hawkes, Edie and Tim for a while, and they offer great stuff, including impressions from when she went down to Electronic Arts' Los Angeles campus and got to see Sims 3 and Saboteur. Then bad things happen and Edie goes solo for details on Dragon Age: Origins. Finally, to not rob you of all the GameHounds goodness before our hiatus, we give you Digital Cowboys and Maynard's Minutes. To pay you back for our misdeeds, we offer you this. Yes, it's Tim Mother F*cking Schafer. And yes, he is that cool. Tim Schafer thanks Cooper Hawkes

Two weeks in a row and we still have Hawkes, Tim and Edie together for a show. We think that's a record. It's a fun- and fued-filled show with your three illustrious hosts discussing the week in gaming news, including:

• Is Sony going to unveil a Wiimote–style controller at E3? And is Microsoft working on a full-body controller? Rumors abound!
• Ottumwa, Iowa declares itself the video-game capital of the world and announces the future Video Game Hall of Fame.
• Details emerge on Fable 2's upcoming DLC via Lionhead's video diary. Ohhh, the goodness.
• Random stuff: Turtles in Time 3D for the XBLA, Bit.Trip Beat sequel announced, BlazBlue special edition is yummy, Batman: Arkham Asylum delayed, check PlatformNation.com on Monday for MAG details, Forza 3 and Perfect Dark for the XBLA, Mass Effect for the iPhone.

Enjoy.

Hey. It's on time this week! What is? The Humpdate, that's what!

• The Digital Cowboys bring you much Lego goodness chatting up the upcoming Rock Band title (and how it might affect Cooper Hawkes).
• ThatOneGuyRy the iPhone Guy reveals who won the big iPhone App Store sweepstakes and how he feels just a bit cheated by it.
• The Sportshound WillG honors the announced retirement of John Madden by waxing poetic on his favorite football titles of all time and why he loved them.

Enjoy.

Hey! Guess what? We actually have a GameHounds episode, it's on time, and it features Cooper Hawkes (with Edie Sellers). It's the grand hat trick of podcasting. This week, Hawkes and Edie discuss:

• What should happen to Hawkes now that Lego Rock Band is official.
• Kotaku finds a creative way to break the embargo on news that Uncharted 2 will have multiplayer and beta keys will be included in copies of inFamous.
• Wet finds a new home with Bethesda after being cast off from Vivendi.
• Gamefly files a formal complaint about disk damage, theft and second-class treatment by the United States Postal Service.
• American McGee says he'd love to put Grimm on PSN or XBLA, but both are flawed.
• Random Stuff: Champions Online, Gamestop deals, Virtual On to XBLA, Red Faction: Guerilla, Guitar Hero: Van Halen, Battlestations Pacific, Bioshock movie news.

Enjoy.

This week's Humpdate is four-scoop sundae of gaming goodness. ThatOneGuyRy offers his analysis of the new iPhone rumors, the SportsHound WillG reviews Legends of Wrestlemania, the Digital Cowboys rant on what you'll be losing if you buy a new DSi, and Maynard's Minutes examines a recent import, Initial D: Street Stage. And as an added bonus, enjoy the best fan art we've ever had. And don't forget to #punchitchewie on Twitter, would ya? Enjoy.

I have exactly five minutes to write notes, post the show, brush teeth and get to bed. So, I'll make this quick. It's Episode 62, with Tim, Edie and a special guest, listener Blacksphearvoid who was fast on the Twitter reply and won a spot on the show for a night. Also, in this show is a contest to win Guitar Hero swag. The rare kind. So do what you must, because, well, you must. Enjoy.

It's Tax Day! Did you pull an all-nighter to finish your returns? Well, we have just the thing to soothe your aching brain. A new Humpdate. This week, Cooper Hawkes' "Panties in a Bunch" and the Digital Cowboys ease the pain of being sleep deprived and poorer. Enjoy.

Dear Sir or Madam, Our records show that your account has a balance due of exactly one Humpdate. To rectify this matter, please download the enclosed Humpdate. Within you'll find three pods that will ensure that you will receive the same fine service you've enjoyed from us to date.

• ThatOneGyRy with a discussion of iPhone killers;
• Maynard's Minutes reviews Rhythm Heaven;
• Digital Cowboys talk the last bit of GDC news.

Thank you for choosing the GameHounds Humpdate. Enjoy.

That title makes no sense now, but just listen and you will find the wisdom. This is a very Zen episode of GameHounds as we have found oneness, completeness and wholeness. In other words, Cooper Hawkes is back with Edie Sellers and Commander Tim. All is good. It's an episode a little light on topics but not on news discussion. This week, Hawkes, Tim and Edie discuss:

• Hawkes says that Onlive may very well be successful, but not in the way it's been proposed.
• Brütal Legend is set for porting to the Wii, but Double Fine Studios isn't doing it.
• Sex or games, which would you choose? A UK game store's very unscientific poll offers surprising results.
• Random Stuff: Lord of the Rings Online heading to the Xbox 360, Magic the Gathering's Duel of the Planeswalkers is pretty neat, Battlestar Galactica's composer getting a gaming job.

Enjoy.

Wow, you were soooo easy. Did we get you? Actually, we really had cancelled it, and then we had a mini-miracle happen and we got what we needed to put a short show together. Maynard's Minutes and the Digital Cowboys save our Humpdate from the nether. Maynard reviews Grid, and the Digital Cowboys really delve deep into the Onlive service. Enjoy.

There's so much to talk about this week -- what with the Game Developers Conference hitting the news -- that we brought in an extra pair of lips to waggle about it. Edie Sellers and Commander Tim Wilsie are joined this week by Hendrix of superhappyfuntimeshow for a whole lot of surly Minnesota gaming love. This week, Tim, Edie and Hendrix discuss:

• GDC announcements from the big-three console makers (or lack thereof).
• Onlive aims to change everything about gaming as we know it. Can it deliver as promised?
• Crytek reveals its new CryEngine 3.
• Edie's cool stuff: Cletus Clay, iZ3D monitor, Neurosky.
• The Wii Fit officially sells more units that Halo 3.
• Valve forces Kim Swift to drop out of this year's GDC Game Developer Challenge.
• Random Stuff: Nintendo offers sweet DSi deal, Steam offering great package, Molyneux says next game won't be Fable but will be announced at E3.

Enjoy.

God, news is slow. GDC just started, and there's nothing... NOTTTTHHHHing going on. So, as Tim and Edie spent the evening trying to find topics for the show, it became evident that there was not enough news to actually talk about, so they made the world's longest pre-show. Bunches of topics. Next week, more structure... We promise. Enjoy.

Seriously, where did this month go? There's so much we have to do by the end of the month, and so little time. So rather that waste precious minutes repeating the same thing I say every week, we'll condense this down to a more managable size. Show. Edie. Hawkes. GuyRy, Maynard. New pod coming next week. Listen. Wow. That was refreshing. We should try caveman talk more often! Enjoy.

Hey guys. It's Humpdate time. It's the last show where you'll get all four pods from the GameHounds staff, so swim in it until your fingers get pruny. This week, you have Cooper Hawkes' Panties in a Bunch, One Guy Ry the iPhone Guy, Maynard's Minutes and the Sports Hound. All four shows are pretty damn good, if we don't say so ourselves. Enjoy.

And this week it's on time. Conquering time, space and virus, the GameHounds team brings you the latest and greatest episode. This week it's Hawkesless, but Edie Sellers and Commander Tim Wilsie carry the torch of news, views and commentary. It's a good week for news, and here's what they talk about:

• Will Actilizzard be bringing five additional Guitar Heroes to market? God, we hope not.
• Harmonix and MTV announce a release date for The Beatles: Rock Band. It's coming September 9.
• Will Microsoft decomission the Xbox 360 Elite and make it a special-edition console?
• At least three new players enter the field to compete against GameStop for used-game trades.
• BlazBlue coming to consoles in US and Japan.
• Watchmen: The End is Nigh isn't as bad as some say it is.
• Random Stuff: Street Fighter II HD Remix gets patched, Metal Gear Online gets SCENE expansion, Fallout 3 The Pitt expansion coming March 24, The Path (a damn fine game) due on March 18.

Enjoy.

Sorry we're late this week. Edie's down with a rather nasty flu bug, and she couldn't really hear much for the last two days. Or smell. Or taste. But she didn't let you down. Once again GameHounds brings you the Humpdate update podcast, this week with four pods for your listening pleasure. Cooper Hawkes talks the PSP2, That Guy Ry the iPod Guy talks iPod apps, Mr. Maynard offers a game review in Maynard's Minutes, and WillG rounds it out with a discussion of Electronic Arts and sports games on the Sports Hounds report. Enjoy.

No Commander Tim with us this week, and the show's a day late. But it is here, nonetheless. This week, Cooper Hawkes and Edie Sellers make the most of a slow news week. And yes, we finally talk about the Mass Effect 2 trailer. When they're not piddling our pants about what could possible be in store for Commander Shepard, they discuss:

• An Examiner.com writer (not Edie, though) says his sources say that Killzone 2 is the number one most returned game. Really?
• An investment-banking advisor says he's hearing rumors of a PS3 price drop and a future version of the console what doesn't include a Blu-Ray drive. Yeaaah. Riiiight.
• XBLA Awards open today. Go vote!
• Dark Horse has released the first issue of its Star Wars: The Old Republic web comic. And it's awesome.
• Modern Warfare 2 is happening. Want proof? You can Twitter suggestions for what you want for the game.
• Random Stuff: Microsoft cuts original Xbox support, Steam has Lost Planet: Extreme Condition for $5, Sam and Max coming to XBLA, don't see Street Fighter movie.

Enjoy.

The new Humpdate is here! The new Humpdate is here! And not just a new episode; a whole new Humpdate format. This week, we have spots from Simon DI of Cyberpunks Gaming, Mr. Maynard from the Unknown Gamers of St. Louis, and Will G, our official "sports hound" for the GameHounds podcast. Hope you like the format. Tell us what you think, what you'd like to see and how we can improve it. Enjoy.

It's the dawn of a new era, or the end of an old one, depending on how you look at it. The new improved Humpdate details get announced, courtesy of GamerEdie Sellers and Cyberpunks Gaming Podcast's Simon DI, who sits in for one last regular Humpdate show. In addition to offering details about the future of the Humpdate, Simon and Edie hit up the gaming news, including:

• Ubisoft officially announces it will publish The Wheelman and that it will launch March 24.
• Having trouble with your Mad Catz SFIV Fightstick? You're not the only one.
• If you used an email service like Gmail or Hotmail for your Gamertag, you might want to login once in a while, or bad things happen.
• Dead Space coming to the Wii as a prequel titled Dead Space Extraction.
• Bad economy hits G4. Xplay and Attack of the Show to get cutbacks beginning March.
• Live in the UK and expecting a son? Name him "Jason" and win free games for a year.
• Random Stuff: Braid to hit PCs on March 31 for $15; Nintendo DSi launches April 5; Burnout Legendary Pack on February 19 for $1.99 and up.

Enjoy.

The title? Well, with three stooges on the mic, you have to wonder who is who? This week, Cooper Hawkes, Commander Tim Wilsie and GamerEdie Sellers wrap up the week in gaming news as they teach listeners a new podcasting position: The Three Way! This week, topics include:

• Twitter for Netflix allows you to add movies to your Netflix queue, move their position, delete them and get film details via Twitter.
• Looks like Activision/Blizzard isn't going to let EA publish Brutal Legend, at least not without a bribe.
• Aliens: Colonial Marines may have had its funding pulled by Sega.
• The Wheelman may not be dead, even though Midway filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy.
• Upcoming MMO Star Trek Online won't include any of your favorite characters.
• David Jaffe says games are not a viable storytelling medium. Your thoughts?
• Random Stuff: Details about "The Pitt" DLC, Street Fighter IV sales in Japan, Left4Dead on sale, Psychonauts soundtrack on sale, The Watchman's release dates revealed, and Lemmy in GH: Metallica.

Enjoy.

It's a new day and a new Humpdate. Commander Tim Wilsie and GamerEdie Sellers have an annoucement to make and have a lot of news to dish. You'll get the latter first, though. Don't worry, you won't feel cheated. Both are well worth a listen. This week, Edie and Tim discuss:

• Blockbuster announces it's adding games to it's Total Access online movie rental service.
• Sega announces a new Alien vs. Predator game, just in time to announce it's delaying the already announced Aliens: Colonial Marines game.
• Hideo Kojima will deliver a keynote at next month's Game Developers Conference. Wonder what he'll say.
• A new FUEL trailer is out from Codemasters. Looks epic-y.
• Game Crazy is holding a Street Fighter IV tourney in 20 locations. Will you dare to compete?
• Random stuff: Godfather 2 gets a release date, Eidos shutters Gimme5Games, iTunes to deliver The Lost and the Damned music purchases, Killzone 2 street date gets broken, Battlefield Heroes beta is back up.
• And of course... the annoucement.

Enjoy.

You'd think after 55 episodes we'd be past the "technical difficulties." But this week a gremlin pops into Edie's headset and stays for the entire show. Unfortunately, Edie didn't notice the gremlin until the editing process. So be warned: There's a lot of great chat and info on this episode, but you'll have to suffer through a bunch of cli This episode also features a guest visit from Engineer Kev, who shows off his new voice. Or what's left of it. When not popping and clicking, Edie and co-host Cooper Hawkes discuss:

• Opening and closing music by Heliosphere, one half of which is our very own Andrew Davies. Check out new album, H8 (not sure if that's pronounced "H-eight" or "Hate") at Heliopshere's website.
• Gamefly buys Shacknews, and we now officially don't trust a damn thing it has to say.
• Wii Music isn't living up to sales expectations because people aren't saying nice thing about it. How do you say "Waambulance" in Japanese?
• Todd Howard of Bethesda says the studio is working on an iPhone game.
• Are games to expensive, MSNBC asks? Question is, should we be asking ourselves that, too?
• Halo Wars is the next victim of the fanboy wars. Does it bother you that Metacritic seems to be doing nothing about it?
• Random stuff: Farcry2 gets a patch, Halo: ODST will have 24 maps, Fallout 3's DLC delayed, Burnout Paradise gets all cops 'n' robbers. Square Enix's stock is in the tank.
• Email, thank yous, and more.

Enjoy.

We didn't really know this was going to happen right now, but it did, and we can't be happier. Although you were all cheated by fate out of a Humpdate episode, instead you get an exclusive "GameHounds Original" interview with Joel Wade, senior producer of Godfather 2. This title has been in the news quite a bit in recent days, mostly concerning its delay from later this month to sometime later this year. GamerEdie Sellers and Aaron Stepens of Platform Nation check in with Joel about the game, the skinny on the pushback, the mood around Electronic Arts after the recent downsizing, and other various gaming topics. And yes, we ask about the boobs. See you next Saturday with the regular GameHounds episode. Enjoy.

We've barely sobered up and here we are, podcasting for your listening delight. Fresh from a drinking, gambling and renewining-of-vows binge in Las Vegas (well, maybe not so fresh), Cooper Hawkes and Edie Sellers catch you up with the latest of gaming news. Or at least the news that they think is important for you to hear about. Topics this week include:

• Don't feel like playing Skate 2 to completion? No problem. Electronic Arts will give you all earnable bonuses for $5. Such a deal!
• Rumors say that Disney is working on a new Tron title, despite mass layoffs. Somehow this nauseates and electrifies us. Is that even possible?
• World of Goo publisher Brighter Minds files for Chapter 11 bankruptcy. Not so brighter, are we?
• In other rumor news, Apple may be creating a premium games section in its Apps Store for major publishers. And the money train keeps rolling... right over you.
• Random Stuff: DJ Hero confirmed by Bobby Kotick, DC Universe Online nabs Marv Wolfman for dev team.
• Thank yous and other cool stuff.

Enjoy.

Yes, you read that right. We would have loved to get this episode up to you on Wednesday when it was recorded, but it seems that Vegas casino/hotels don't want you sitting around and surfing the web in your room, so they charge $15 a day per computer for internet access. I know. Boggles the mind. So we had to wait to get back home to post the show. It's not very long, and it's mostly Hawkes talking about himself -- which you know he loves to do. But we do hit a couple topics, talk about a few games, and have some good times. GameHounds will release its normal Saturday show on Monday, so that way we're not slamming your podcast listening time. Hope you enjoy it as much as we did. Enjoy.

You'll notice right off the bat that this GameHounds episode is different. First, it's short. Second, it's a one-host show this week, as Hawkes was busy and we're gearing up for the big event next week in the "mystery location." So rather than let you wait a week for the show, we put together just a quick-and-dirty episode with the essential information for the week. Enjoy.

Sorry for the delay. This week, GamerEdie Sellers and Commander Tim Wilsie once again bring you the latest in gaming news and discussion of the week's events. Topics include:

• A mysterious preview site from Sega Japan touting a new title from Takao Miyoshi has surfaced.
• XBox is becoming the political junkie's console. Will this trend evolve to other consoles?
• Bad news for Sony all around. Michael Pachter says the PS3's price needs a overhaul, and CEO Howard Stringer says it's time to rethink the company in general, but the "old guard" won't budge.
• Rumors emerge about how Batman killed Pandemic Brisbane.

Enjoy.

You know how that old song goes: Good girls don't, but I do. Or in the case of this week, it's "we do." As in, two good girls on this podcast, friends. This is the fullest -- and longest -- GameHounds episode to date. Joining regular hosts GamerEdie Sellers and Cooper Hawkes are The Married Gamers: Lefty Brown and Mrs. Lefty Brown. It takes all of about 90 seconds for the podcast to come apart at the seams, but this episode is pure hilarity. Anyone who thinks we're fake... well, getta load of this episode! It doesn't get any more real than this. In addition to lots of hilarity, the gang talks about the week in gaming news, including:

• Take Two's Gary Dale leaves the company due to "personal reasons."
• Eidos execs say the company is being courted by a mystery buyer. No word on who, tho.
• Mass Effect and its sequels won't be an Xbox exclusive for long, says a "fairly reliable source."
• A full Killzone 2 press kit sells on Ebay for a stupid amount of cash.
• A gameplay video of Star Wars Battlefront III leaks to YouTube and other sites.
• Fujisoft says it will bring streaming video and video "rentals" to the Wii.
• Random stuff: F.E.A.R 2 demo, Burnout Paradise "Ultimate Box," Zork (yeah, Zork!), Final Fantasy XIII, and other great stuff.

Enjoy,

Hey. Guess what? It's Humpdate time kids! Yaaaayyy! This week Edie the Clown and Mr. Commander Tim teach valuable lessons in how to be angry, bitter old people! Yaaaayyy! Marvel as they grind their teeth and shake their fists about the following topics:

• Analysts project that Sony will post a $1.1 billion operating loss this fiscal year.
• While not technically dead, Pandemic Studios Brisbane has been kicked to the curb by Electronic Arts.
• One of IGN's podcasts says that one "major online title" coming to the Wii will be dropping the Friends Code system.
• Nintendo desperately attempts to make Wii Music relevent by sending it out to music teachers and hoping they will say nice things.
• Random stuff: Nintendo DSi release date, Resident Evil 5 demo news, The Maw's release date, Wii Rock Band news, and DLC info for Castle Crashers, Fallout 3, and Mirror's Edge.

Enjoy.

If you really want to understand that title, you're just gonna have to listen. We'd really like to give you the obligatory cute opening on this one, but it's late for us and we've played too much Left 4 Dead to bother you with ornamental openers. Instead, we'll do us both a favor and just launch into this week's topics. Of note, Edie Sellers and co-host Cooper Hawkes discuss:

• Hawkes' thoughts on the demise of EGM magazine.
• Sony Online Entertainment president John Smedley says that he expects Playstation 3 to accout for half of SOE's business from now on.
• Peter Edwards, Playstation Home's director says that he thinks his company made a mistake annoucing the social-networking whatever-it-is way too early.
• Xbox's Alan Greenberg says the Microsoft is working on expanding the friend-list cap to something larger than 100 people,
• Harmonx's CEO Alex Rigopulos says that the company is actively pursuing a partnership to allow Rock Band players a one-price option for both the game track and the song.
• Mass Effect 2 is most certainly coming!
• Star Ocean: The Last Hope, SOCOM: Confrontation, and Ghostbusters news, contests and more.

Enjoy.

Welcome to the first Humpdate of the new year. Actually, this Humpdate is of many firsts: First with Commander Tim Wilsie as permanent host; first with the new explicit Humpdate format. It's chock-full of gaming news goodness. This week, Tim and co-host Edie Sellers discuss:

• The biggest news in some time! Hearst Publishing, owners of UGO, buy 1UP from Ziff-Davis, kill EGM magazine, and fire all but a handful of employees. The end of an era, my friends
• Christoph Hartmann says he sees up to five more Bioshock sequels, but promises they're not looking to "cash in" on the franchise. Cross his heart.
• Left 4 Dead for the Xbox 360 gets a patch to prevent cheating cheaters who cheat.
• PETA says Fable 2 is the most animal-friendly game of the year. Apparently kicking chickens and shooting bunnies doesn't count.
• Midway delays half of debt payment by one month. It's like watching an animal struggle in a trap.
• Killzone 2's demo is exclusive to GameStop pre-order customers. As in, if you want to test it before it releases, be prepared to hand over five bucks. No really. Stop laughing.
• Random items, voice mail, and the usual fun and games.

Enjoy.

Why is this week's episode The Wookie Episode? Believe us when we say it will become patently evident once you listen. Cooper Hawkes and Edie Sellers once again bring you this week's latest in gaming news. Or at least the parts of gaming news that they find interesting. Topics include:

• Q Entertainment's Dylan Cuthbert says there'll be at least two more Pixeljunk games in the next year. Can we get a woot?
• Nielsen Research releases its year-end report of media usage, and the video console results are very surprising.
• Wiley Publishing announces a partnership with Electronic Arts to create "For Dummies" books on gaming. Ugh.
• Kotaku's Owen Good nails it with a scathing piece about Illinois, Alcopops, video games and a seemingly permanent departure from sense or reason.
• VG247 says is has a very well connected and adamant source that says LEGO Rock Band is in the works. Hawkes puts his body where his mouth is. Check out the forums to offer suggestions.
• A new book by two former IBM engineers details how Sony got royally double-donged by Microsoft and Big Blue over the Cell Processor.
• We got drunked dialed... again.

And of course, lots of fun, a few internet disconnects and more Hawkes than you can shake a stick at. Enjoy.

It's that time of year again. Namely: The end of it. And that means a lot of resolutions, lists and maturbatory remixes of past events. We chose to do the latter. This Very Special Episode recaps some of our favorite moments from the last year in gaming and of the GameHounds Podcast. Cooper Hawkes and Edie Sellers bypass the week in gaming news -- and let's face it, it was little more than top 10 lists anyway. Instead, they bring you some golden moments of 2008 and discuss what they're expecting for 2009. There's a little something for everybody. Enjoy.

About five of you get the joke. Anyway, it's Monday morning. I'm up with fewer than my requisite eight hours. I got a dog that whining to be taken out to piddle. I got a house that looks like a podcast hit it. I have a bare refrigerator. I have no tree nor Christmas presents yet purchased, much less decorated and/or wrapped. Tonight is my Christmas Eve... ... and today's my birthday. So, in order to get this GameHounds episode out quickly and keep you waiting, I'm posting it without show notes. If any of you really can't find the site or want further links, just email me at edie@gamehounds.net and I'll send you the link. I know many of you really count on those show notes, but they do take a long time to put together, and I know there's a bunch of you impatiently waiting on this show. Enjoy.

Wednesday may just be the Jan Brady of weekdays, but it's the Humpday and that makes it special. Another special thing about this Humpday is that GamerEdie Sellers' co-host this week is listener Heartbreak Ridge, who brings a scholarly edge to the show. This week, Edie and Heartbreak discuss:

• Peter Molyneux offers up a post-mortem on Fable 2 to Eurogamer and explains why he made so many of the game choices he did, including the vexing single-save slot. And the reasons aren't what you think. He also offers details on possible upcoming DLC.
• Sony thinks Home is a console seller. Maybe so, especially to hackers!
• Microsoft won't answer Jeff Mintner calls. Wonder why. (Hint: Rhymes with "Snase Sneraffe"...)
• Did Microsoft know about Xbox's tendendcy to eat game disks before the console ever launched? If it did, how pissed would you be?
• Gears of War map pack releases and prior furor goes down the memory hole.
• Errata and Data: HR responds to Commander Tim; Gamerscores are now job requirements; letter from Deadite; the next Metal Gear is...

Enjoy.

The little hand is on the thirteen and the big hand is on the elevendy-seven. In the legendary words of Town Cryer, "The time is... very late." And thus, we'll dispatch with this week's show notes. Gamer Edie and Cooper Hawkes bring you, once again, the latest in gaming news. Topics they discuss include:

• Hawkes' impressions of Playstation Home.
• The results of the Great Wii-Bate.
• The early leaked results of the Spike VGAs.
• Double Fine's Brutal Legend has a publisher! Nice score, EA!
• EGM and 1UP are in serious trouble. Not only is parent Ziff Davis possibly going to kill the magazine in favor of the website, it's already started the process by shuttering EGM en Espanol.
• No more maps for Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare according to Infinity Ward's Robert "FourZeroTwo" Bowling.
• Top 10 games pirated this year? Yeah, guess which game took top honors!
• Random stuff: Fallout 3's editor, GECK, is out and available; Knothole Island, the Fable 2 DLC, coming December 22; Mercenaries 2 Blow It Up Again DLC now available on PSN, coming to XBLive on Tuesday; Harmonix confirms 28 million downloads.
• Emails from Akiira and JS.

Enjoy.

Yes, the long, long three-day wait is ovahh! The new Humpdate is here and ready for your enjoyment and scorn. Because we aim to do both. This week, Commander Tim returns for a more regular kind of Humpdate -- one with 100 percent fewer stories about scars. ... and 100 percent more gaming news. This week, Edie and Commander Tim discuss:

• The nasty economy hits Sony hard as it annouces 8,000 job cuts from its electronics division. No word yet how it may, or may not, affect Playstations and PSPs.
• Fable 2 lead designer Richard Ham leaves Lionhead Studios for Splash Damage to work on a Syphon Filter-esque title.
• Factor 5 opens a can o' whoop-ass on one of its artists reveals on his personal website tha the developer hasn't paid its employees for a month.
• Guitar Hero Arcade heading to movie theaters and corner bars near you.
• Resident Evil 5 viral site launches and proceeds to cause viral sites to jump the shark.
• Atari snaps up Cryptic Studios for $26.7 million.
• Time magazine lists its top 10 games of the year and proves once again that mainstream press is pretty clueless when it comes to video games.
• Data and Errata: Halo Wars coming to Japan on February 26, Europe, Africa and Middle East a day later, and North America on March 3; Sony launches yet another self-congratulatory news site; Playstation Home launch "immenent."

Enjoy.

Finally, a GameHounds episode where almost nothing goes wrong. GamerEdie and Cooper Hawkes return again to the podcast mics to bring you the wrap-up of the week in the gaming-news world. Let's face it, it's the end of the year; news is slow. That doesn't mean Edie and Hawkes don't find a lot to talk about. These two could chat up a fence post -- and manage to make it walk away offended. This week they discuss:

• Say goodbye to gaming legend Midway Games. With its recent purchase by what looks to be a corporate raider and looking down the business end of $240 million in corporate debt, stick a fork in it.
• Spike TV's Video Game Awards is looking like must-watch viewing this year. Dammit.
• Xbox says Friendship is Free for December. In January, it will cost ya.
• Have you see this Kojima Productions website thing? Seriously. Weird.
• Random Shit: Lips mic to be Rock Band 2 compatable "soon;" Killzone 2 coming February 27-ish to North America-ish; Get reconditioned 20GB Xbox HDs from Circuit City cheap.

Enjoy.

Some Humpdates are just a little more Salvador Dali than others. This week, Edie Sellers co-hosts with Commander Tim Wilsie , formerly of The Widget and currently of Pink Ninja Studios and the Commander Tim Podcast. With so little happening this week, rather than try to interest you in so-so news, Edie and Tim just kinda shoot the sh*t, you might say. Think of it like a pre-show chat up that just ended up becoming the show. Which is exactly what happened. No topic items, since no actual news topics really get discussed. But there's a whole lot of gaming chatter and even more details of how Tim and Edie got their best scars. Enjoy.

It's late and rather than bore you with the formalities, this will be a short and sweet explanation of this week's episode. GamerEdie Sellers and Cooper Hawkes discuss:

• Major Nelson offered little explaination of what causes Xbox to reset a profile's achievements. But Hawkes has his own take on the story of JackTheWhack and his claims of innocence.
• Jasper-equipped Xboxes are finally on the loose!
• Gamasutra notices that Gamestop's website shows Grand Theft Auto IV's DLC available as a code on its product page.
• A fan offers a bustier, younger-looking version of Mirror's Edge's Faith. That makes DICE producers sad.
• An Adults Only game producer says the ESRB isn't fair to porn gaming.
• Random Shit: Voice actor Michael Rudder (Assassin's Creed, Prince of Persia: Warrior Within) was one of the hundreds injured in the recent terrorist attacks in Mumbai. Pete Hines says the upcoming Fallout 3 DLC will have similarities to Oblivion's DLC.

Enjoy.