145w ago - PlayStation Network Executive Producer Kevin Furuichi has shared a video alongside news today of a PSN casting contest for The Tester Season 2.

To quote: We hope you've had a chance to check out all the casting video submission we've received for Season 2 of The Tester.

We're down to the Top 100 and there's only 5 more days of voting until we make the cut to the Top 10.

So, get busy and vote for your favorites before the deadline this Friday at 11:59:59 PM EST.

Thanks again to everybody who's participating either as a contender or a fan with your votes, comments, and interest in The Tester Season 2.

And make sure to check out thetester.com next week to see who's in the Top 10.

185w ago - Update: Although not really necessary, Wal-Mart has now confirmed this promotion on their site.

Today gkrykewy on NeoGAF (linked above) reports that the XBox 360 Arcade will be just $200 with a $100 gift card at Wal-Mart starting this Saturday, November 7, 2009.

The offer is set to end on November 13, 2009 so those interested in taking advantage of the deal may want to do so as soon as possible.

According to Kotaku, the retailer will also be selling a Sony Blu-ray player for $148.

To quote: "From CAG and Fatwallet - runs through 11/13, apparently.

Not a bad deal at all if you want to trade up to a Jasper... which is what I'm thinking of doing."

195w ago - Today PlayStation Home Online Community Specialist Locust_Star has announced that this Thursday over 100 new pieces of content will be hitting PlayStation Home.

To quote: Attn: Killzone 2 fans. We've seen you in Central Plaza all decked out in your Helghan wares. We've seen you in the Bowling Alley showing your love for the ISA. We've heard you proudly boasting your Warzone rank in the Gamer's Lounge.

So we know that this Thursday, August 27th, you'll be rushing into PlayStation Home to grab the new KZ2 content we'll have waiting for you - specifically, the Killzone 2 Visari Throne Room.

This special personal space is based on the final stage of Killzone 2 in Scolar Visari's Palace and is the absolute ideal gathering space for you and your KZ2-obsessed friends.

Releasing in tandem with the Visari Throne Room will be a variety of virtual items that you can use to customize your area (including the Helghan Defense Painting - my personal fave). Check out the video below for a sneak peek of this space and other Killzone 2 items available in PlayStation Home.





We know that you guys and gals love collecting personal spaces, furniture, and gear for your avatar, which is why we've been working night...

197w ago - Following analyst Michael Pachter's prediction from earlier today comes another PS3 price cut ad leak... this time from Hastings, a Texas-based retailer.

According to the ad, the current stock of 160GB PS3s will be cut to $400, a $100 savings over the original.

In related news, CAG is reporting FYE is now selling 80GB PS3 consoles for $299, with the Uncharted bundle for $400.

To quote: Of potential importance is the phrasing: the ad mentions the PS3 is experiencing a "price cut" versus a temporary "sale." The cut begins September 8th, weeks after Sony's press conference at Gamescom.

The reduced price could be exclusive to Hastings, and isn't necessarily indicative of a nationwide price drop. However, a price drop on current PS3 models can clear inventory and make way for a possibly upgraded one.

197w ago - It appears hackers have found a way to exploit Microsoft's Xbox Live interactive quiz show 1 vs 100, which has resulted in Microsoft halting the BETA phase for the software.

The quiz allowed participants to win prizes including 40" HDTVs, so it's likely until Microsoft fixes the exploit the trial will remain at a standstill.

To quote: The beta phase for Microsoft's free Xbox Live interactive quiz, in which players can win prizes, has been taken offline, presumably following the news that hackers have exploited the software.

The 1 vs. 100 beta phase kicked off in July and thousand of gamers have been competing to take home a variety of prizes including 40" HDTVs and the top prize of 10,000 Microsoft points.





From the video's caption: This is proof that gamertags with Defensive in front of their name are cheaters at 1 vs 100.

Console Monster first broke the news that a number of gamers with the word "Defensive" in their gamertags had manage to exploit the system.