Today developer Creative Assembly announced details for the two different North America editions of Shogun 2: Total War. There will be two available editions: the Standard Edition (the core game experience) and the Limited Edition. The Limited Edition will score you a unique playable faction (the Hattori Clan), an additional battle scenario ("Nagashino"), a full set of armor for your online avatar, and a starting bank of XP to spend on your online character. Well now doesn't that sound fancy? Now you have the option of making your Standard Edition buddies jealous as they watch your shiny Hattori Clan units strutting around on the battlefield during your fully cooperative campaign sessions.

With all the hectic activity of a live awards show, some things never make it to air.  That was the case for the full version of Insomniac Games' Resistance 3.  The original trailer was cut down to two minutes for the Spike TV VGAs.  Here's the full trailer, featuring more live action footage to set the mood.  

Hi there, loyal Co-Optimus readers.  Occasionally, we get a real gem of a press release.  The latest comes from our friends at Southpeak, who are diligently working on Two Worlds Two.  Normally, press releases are rather dry, but this one goes above and beyond in an attempt to get our attention.  Here is how it begins:

More and more shooter franchises are adding Hardcore modes into their team-based competitive multiplayer, which - of course - invite friendly fire accidents. We venture into Call of Duty: Black Ops' Hardcore Team Deathmatch for a couple of particularly dangerous matches.

Microsoft must be running out of room in their digital warehouse.  Xbox LIVE's Major Nelson has a preview of some new deals in the coming weeks.  Xbox LIVE is having an end of the year blow-out sale.  There are some great co-op titles for 50% off, like Castle Crashers and The UnderGarden.  Add-on content for Borderlands: Claptrap's New Robot Revolution is also half off.  There are some fun non-co-op titles available for a discount as well.

Since launching Co-Optimus we've had plenty of contests to thank you, our awesome community and readers. Over the next couple of days you'll be seeing us giving away a bunch of goodies - and up first is actually the biggest. We have a brand new Kinect to give away to one lucky reader!

By my math, Aliens: Colonial Marines was announced almost a full three years ago.  Co-Optimus was only a month old at the time but it was something we immediately knew would be special.  What we didn't realize is it would be special not because its an incredible looking four player co-op title based in the Aliens universe, but because of the ups and downs of its path to existence.

So it’s time for another round of co-op gaming. Since we were both in the mood for some manly men accompanied by some hot, chainsaw on Locust action, Katrina and I were looking to go old school with a little Gears of War 2. I don’t know if it actually meets the definitions of ‘old school,’ but let’s just say it hasn’t been spinning in my machine lately.

There's this little strategy game out called Civilization V - maybe you've heard of it? If, on the off-chance, you own it, you may be interested to learn about the ginormous patch that just went live. The patch includes many AI and gameplay changes and fixes as well as a smattering of UI, diplomacy, and modding changes. Read on for the full list of changes.

Last month, with a little help from Eurogamer.net, we detailed the new 4 player co-op "Swarm Mode" for Section 8: Prejudice, the sequel to the drop-trooper-shooter, "Section 7: Pride".  What's that?  I am being told that the first game was simply titled: Section 8.  That's a shame.  The next logical step would have been of course, "Section 9: And Zombies."  But that's neither here nor there. 

We like to support the Xbox Live Indie Games as much as possible here at Co-Optimus.  We've got news of a recent release called Fear the Dronx.  It's a rather unusual puzzle/strategy game.  The goal in each level is to catch the evil Dronx mastermind, which I guess is supposed to be very scary!  The game reminds me a bit of Chu Chu Rocket, and that is certainly a good thing.  Drop in/drop out local co-op is available.  The game is a mere 80 MS points, which translates to a buck.  If you can spare a bill, and are a fan of the genre, grab a friend and check it out. 

This edition of On The Download addresses the dangerous mental, social, and emotional disorder known as Hoarding. Hoarders are people who feel they need to hold on to everything they’ve ever touched. This week we’ll be taking a look at a handful of dragons effected by Hoard-ing on the PSN.