If you’ve been one of the people banging your head against the wall waiting for Sony to restore the PlayStation network so you can get on with your life (trust us, we know people who are doing exactly that), you’ve got more time to wait. On its PlayStation Network blog yesterday, Sony gave an official statement on when the PlayStation Network will be back online.

Sadly, the answer wasn’t “right now.” Instead, the answer is that the network won’t be restored for “at least a few more days.” I’m sure you recall that both the PSN and Sony’s Qriocity networks suffered a major security breach recently where hackers reportedly stole 12.3 million credit card numbers and compromised personal data from 101 million accounts. Awesome, right?

“I know you all want to know exactly when the services will be restored,” Sr. Director, Corporate Communications & Social Media Patrick Seybold wrote on Sony’s PSN blog. ”At this time, I can’t give you an exact date, as it will likely be at least a few more days. We’re terribly sorry for the inconvenience and appreciate your patience as we work through this process.”

Sure we will. I can hear cash registers all over the world ringing right now with sales of brand new XBox 360′s.

Sony better hurry, get the network back up and running and make this right with users or soon nobody will care and will have switched to XBox 360 and XBox Live.

That is, if they haven’t already.

In what may be a good thing or a bad thing, today Microsoft  announced it will buy Skype for $8.5 billion in cash. This news comes just days after reports cam out that Facebook and Google were both interested in purchasing the online video chat company.

Microsoft said Skype will be used to support Xbox and Kinect, Windows Phone and other Windows devices. Microsoft also said it will connect Skype users with Outlook, Xbox Live and other software platforms.

“Together we will create the future of real-time communications so people can easily stay connected to family, friends, clients and colleagues anywhere in the world,” Microsoft’s CEO Steve Ballmer said in a statement.

Skype, which currently has 170 million users, will become a new business division at Microsoft with Skype’s current CEO Tony Bates taking on the role of president of the Microsoft Skype Division.

Click through for the full press release from Microsoft. So, is this a good thing or a bad thing?

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The Call of Duty: Black Ops map expansion, called “Escalation,” is now available to Xbox Live subscribers. Escalation adds five new maps, including four that are available in multiplayer mode.

As we told you back when the expansion map pack was first announced, the new maps include a Russian Zoo, a Cuban hotel and casino, a weapons of mass destruction stockpile, and “convoy.” If you still haven’t had your fill slaying the living dead, the update also includes a new zombie experience called “Call of the Dead.”

The update is available for $15, 0r 1200 MS points. What are you waiting for, get to downloading! Those damn zombies aren’t going to kill themselves. And while you’re waiting for it to download, check out the cool poster for the “Call of the Dead” maps after the jump.

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Much like the roommate that disappeared with your credit card, Playstation is crawling back to life this week after over 2 weeks of being down due to an alleged “hacking”. There were plenty of rumors as to why the gamer network went down, and one fact that was floating to the top was that some credit card numbers and personal information would have been compromised.

With that scary seed planted into thousands of PSN customers’ minds, the network is making it’s way back this week with both regular and a few new features. GeekWeek‘s got a full breakdown.

• Restoration of Online game-play across the PlayStation®3 (PS3) and PSP® (PlayStation®Portable) systems
  -This includes titles requiring online verification and downloaded games
• Access to Music Unlimited powered by Qriocity for PS3/PSP for existing subscribers
• Access to account management and password reset
• Access to download un-expired Movie Rentals on PS3, PSP and MediaGo
• PlayStation®Home
• Friends List
• Chat Functionality

The network is said to be back at 100% by sometime this month, with no specific date announced yet. So the network is coming back. That should be enough for most people right? Not so much.

With droves of PSN customers screaming mad because they haven’t been able to access the network for 2 weeks, Sony and PlayStation have decided to sweeten the pot a bit with some free features and bonus material. here’s the list.

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Anticipation for the new Call of Duty: Black Ops Escalation map pack just keeps building. Last week we let you know the map pack was coming, some clues to what its all about and when it would arrive. Now, thanks to our pals at Activision, we’ve got the screenshots and video to prove it — not that you doubted us.

In this new trailer we go behind-the-scenes with Treyarch as they talk about the Escalation multiplayer maps – Zoo, Convoy, Hotel and Stockpile. Yes, you get a chance to see all the work that goes into these map pack.

But no, you probably won’t get any hints on how to beat the maps. That would be cheating. And nobody likes a cheater.

Anyway, click through and check out the video and screens after the break. Call of Duty: Black Ops Escalation hits XBox Live on May 3rd.

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Marvel Knights Animation has been responsible for taking motion comics and pushing their boundaries by blending the lines between motion comics and traditional animation. The latest in their string of ever-improving motion comics is Thor/Loki: Blood Brothers which is currently being released as episodes.

Episode 3 is on the way and things are getting tense for our hero. Marvel has released their trailer for the newest installment:

Get your first look at the third episode of the critically acclaimed Thor & Loki: Blood Brothers animated mini-series, on sale this Wednesday! Adapted from the acclaimed story by superstar creators Robert Rodi and Esad Ribic, Loki finally has a chance to tell tale of his brother’s crimes…and inflict the punishment he has craved for eons.

It’s the series that has everyone talking so don’t miss out on this Marvel classic. Download the third episode of Marvel Knights Animation’s Thor & Loki: Blood Brothers, a best seller on iTunes (Animation, Animation Season Pass and Television categories), Xbox LIVE, and PlayStation®Network, this Wednesday!

Check out the all new trailer after the jump!

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These days, there are plenty of classic games that are getting the big-budget revamp, but it’s the few that gamers from the 90s remember with nostalgia that are finally getting justice in the world of next gen consoles. TNMT: Turtles in Time was the first to get the face lift, and now comic fans everywhere rejoice as the classic arcade game X-Men is coming to Xbox Live and the PlayStation Network.

Straight from 1992, the arcade was forever known as “that gigantic machine in the back of the arcade that was always taken up”, which was one of the rare machines to allow 6 simultaneous players, all dedicated to one classic 80′s X-Men character. Now, developer Konami has plans finally bring the once arcade-only game to the console.

Many fans remember that the available characters were chosen from probably the best X-Men team roster in the history of the comic, including Cyclops, Wolverine, Nightcrawler, Colossus, Storm, and unfortunately, Dazzler. Though, the addition of Dazzler in a members-only jacket and headband only make the game that much more nostalgic.

No word yet on a release date, but it was mentioned in the Marvel panel at New York Comic-Con that the game will feature a drop-in online multiplayer system that allows up to 6 players at once, each with varying difficulty. We expect to hear more about the game as it develops. In the meantime, check out the awesome trailer for the re-release after the jump.

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Last year, Twisted Pixel earned a place in our hearts with ‘Splosion Man,  a quirky game that turned a simple platforming adventure into an hilarious meat filled romp in a secret laboratory. Last year, Twisted Pixel released news on their latest new IP, Comic Jumper: The Adventures of Captain Smiley.

With one of the funniest debut teaser trailers, Comic Jumper instantly had our attention on the Flickcast. After seeing levels and getting some hands on time at San Diego Comic Con, we could not wait for the game’s release yesterday to XBox Live Arcade.

Gameplay:

Unlike ‘Splosion Man which had only one button, jump, Comic Jumper has a much wider variety of gameplay. The majority of the game is a side scrolling shooter. Using the analogs and thumb sticks, players take aim at what sometimes feels like a never ended classic arcade onslaught of enemies. These crushing waves attack Captain Smiley from all angles as he traverses through the level with both melee and projectile attacks. While all these areas can be beaten even if it does take a few tries, it’s near impossible to make it through unscathed. In addition, the game adds shooting gallery sections, quick time events and a simple melee system as well. The melee sections are rewarded with a special “help” power from the team at Twisted Pixel.

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If you’re a gamer chances are you probably use Microsoft’s XBox 360 console. If so, you probably also use XBox Live and have paid for a membership.

If the answer to both of these is a resounding yes then this post is for you. Yesterday over at his blog, Major Nelson put out the word that new XBox Live pricing for 1 year Gold Memberships is going to go into effect starting on November 1st. The new price: $59.99.

Yes, that’s right, Microsoft giveth and Microsoft taketh away. Well actually, they’re just raising the price on something you already have and not really taking much away. Fortunately, there’s a silver lining in this price increase cloud. If you act now and secure your year renewal for XBox Live Gold you can get the full year for only $39.99.

So, if you’ve still got a few months left on your membership like I do, that can potentially save you a bit of money and the pain of having to pay the higher rates in November.

See, Microsoft isn’t so bad.

After playing a demo of Shank at this year’s PAX East, this game has been on my radar. Between the fantastic art design and the addicting but simple gameplay, I really couldn’t wait to get my hands on the full game. PAX East was back in March and not much has been seen or heard from the game since, but it looks like we’ve officially got a release date for Shank, which is finally coming to Xbox Live and Playstation Network later this summer.

What’s more, we finally got a chance to see some more gameplay in a preview video that just appeared, including a first look at the co-op feature of the game. While one person plays as Shank, another will play as his best friend Falcone as they slash their way across rooftops, bash into bathrooms, and beast through bars.

We’re not sure whether a second player will be able to drop into a one player game at will or if co-op is a separate mode, but seeing it in action gives me even more reason to really be excited for this game.

Shank will be released on the Playstation Network on August 24th and XBLA on August 25th. You can watch the video right here after the jump.

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You should know that we are big fans of studio Twisted Pixel’s past creations ‘Splosion Man and The Maw. Since the reveal of Comic Jumper,  we have been following news of the title closely as well. With E3 upon us, Twisted Pixel has unleashed a slew of information regarding the game.

First off, in addition to the Modern, Fantasy and Silver Age levels, the final theme will be Manga which according to the trailer below looks hilarious in the team’s take on this twisted genre. In addition, since Twisted Pixel likes to use current titles to complement previous ones, there will be two unlockable levels to ‘Splosion Man that can be earned over the course of Comic Jumper.

Comic Jumper will be featured on the E3 show floor with a demo of their silver age story, The Improbable Paper Pals, which can be seen in one of the videos below.

After the jump, check out a ton of new artwork for the game as well as its official E3 Trailer and The Improbable Paper Pals level demo.

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Already having a much smoother launch than its predecessor, the Resurgence Pack dominates the Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 playlists. The five maps bring with them new strategies and further multiplayer variety, something that many of us who have sunk in an ungodly amount of time playing will surely appreciate. The timed exclusivity of this pack along with the Stimulus Package has proven its worth as sales dominate on the XBox 360 marketplace.

As with the Stimulus Package, three of the five maps in the Resurgence Pack are completely new (“Carnival”, “Trailer Park” and “Fuel”) while two are revamps of Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare maps (“Vacant” and “Strike”). Activision has shown they have the power to set their own price point as years ago, many would have been up in arms about a $15 fee for only three new maps along with two they have played before.

Not surprisingly, “Vacant” and “Strike” both have very dated seen-it-before feels to them both. Even not having played them in the original Modern Warfare, they feel like incredibly generic scenery and layouts in comparison to many of the other maps in this game. “Strike” does nothing to make itself standout with its generic Middle Eastern city setting. “Vacant” goes on to feel like a map that has appeared over the years in everything dating back to Counter-Strike.

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