Today we've got a great giveaway for our dedicated Co-Optimus readers!  We're giving away five copies of Serious Sam HD: The First Encounter on Steam to five lucky readers.  You may be asking yourself why we'd be giving away the game now, almost two years after it was released.  That's because if you decide to purchase the upcoming Serious Sam 3: BFE through Steam and own any previous Sam product, you'll get 10% off.  It's like we're not only giving away a game, but giving you free money.  Sweet!

I have fond memories of playing the first Serious Sam game.  Humor elements like that of Duke Nukem, plus huge hordes of enemies in a gorgeously rendered setting made for a great time.  Recently, the Serious Sam games were given the HD makeover, and this weekend, each game is on sale for a whopping 75% off!  That's a really... er... serious savings!  Definitely worth picking up if you are a fan of fun.

This week, several Xbox Live Arcade titles are on sale for Gold members.  (CHEESY ONE-LINER ABOUT METALLIC PHALLUS)  Of the six games on sale, two of them feature co-op!  The most recent of the two is Serious Sam HD: The First Encounter.  (CHEESY ONE-LINER ABOUT WHAT "HD" STANDS FOR)  You can grab Sam, with 4 player online co-op, for 800 points, which is 33% off.  If that's too rich for your budget, perhaps the second co-op game on sale is for you.  Duke Nukem 3D is available for 400 points, which is half off!  (CHEESY ONE-LINER ABOUT STRIPPER ATTIRE)  Better grab these deals while you have the chance!

We've gone ahead and updated our review of Serious Sam HD: The First Encounter to include impressions and thoughts on the recently released Xbox Live Arcade version.

Uber-pretty, graphically-tuned remake Serious Sam HD: The First Encounter brings hordes of exotic monsters, 4 player online co-op, and some truly ridiculous weaponry to Xbox Live today.  If you can spare 493 Megs of space on your hard drive, and 1200 MS Points from your virtual wallet, go ahead and queue up the game right here.  Not sure about the game?  Check out Nick's review of the PC version of the game!

I considered writing this whole news post in alliteration, but for your sake, dear reader, I restrained myself.  Another huge weekend sale is here on Steam, this time featuring recently released remake Serious Sam HD.  A scandalously sizable 66% savings means you can pick up the game for a slim $6.67.  I was planning to purchase the as yet unreleased Xbox Live Arcade version, but with 16 player co-op and the big sale, I'll be glad to settle for the PC version.  Will cannons and enormous alien bulls be in your future this weekend?

Sam Stone likes the holidays as much as anyone, but there's one thing he likes more - guns.  The folks over at Devolver Digital have created a nice holiday treat for Serious Sam HD fans in the form of Carol of the Shells, a short video featuring the famous holiday song Carol of the Bells.  Sixteen Sams adorned in Santa Claus attire take on hordes of bad guys all while spreading plenty of Christmas death...er...cheer.

As Nick highlighted in a news post the other day, Steam is currently running their annual holiday sale from now until January 3rd and this means a lot of great co-op title can be snatched up (or gifted, in the true holiday fashion) at a great price.  Well for the next 24 hours only, you can pick up Serious Sam HD: The First Encounter at the low, low price of just $9.99, and Left 4 Dead 2 for just $33.49.  Picking up both titles rings in at $43.48, the price you'd likely pay, with sales tax, for Left 4 Dead 2 just by itself.  That's a lot of co-op possibilities for that price, and Serious Sam HD: The First Encounter by itself could make for an excellent last minute e-stocking stuffer!

Welcome back Sam. You've certainly cleaned up well for this generation of games, no doubt thanks to the Serious Engine 3.0. We take the brand new Serious Sam HD: The First Encounter for a spin and give the goods on the insane 16 player co-op mode. Does the 2001 classic stand the test of time?

I've changed the date in our database of what seems like a dozen times for Serious Sam HD on the Xbox 360, but it appears we finally have a firm date for the Devolver Digital developed title.  

Well...crap.  I was wrong.  If you listened to the latest Co-Opticast I managed to open my big mouth and pretty much guarantee Serious Sam HD on the Xbox would be released this week or next week.  According to a tweet from the game's developer, Devolver Digital, it's not hitting till next year now.

Serious Sam HD: The First Encounter is still steaming...and the Xbox Live Arcade version isn't even released yet - but Croteam has officially announced Serious Sam HD: The Second Encounter is coming to PCs and 360s next year.