Zen Studios’ Pinball FX 2 is excellent at using current-gen console controllers to create that old school arcade experience. The game also has a number of affordable table options to keep things new and fresh. The Pinball FX 2 game is a free download but Zen charges for the tables.

To promote the game and have a little Halloween fun, Zen has made its Paranormal Table available as a free download in the Xbox Live Arcade until November 2, 2011. This table places you in the role of a paranormal detective investigating creepy creatures and weird happenings. (The truth is out there, Agent Mulder.)

This table was previously a PS3 exclusive. The rotatable table features four mini-games, floating objects and “supernatural events.” Those events include a close encounter with the Loch Ness Monster. There’s a rotating cube mini-game that actually determines which multi-ball will trigger. The haunted house mini-game has a vertical structure with flippers and windows that keeps the ball moving really fast.
After November 2, the table goes back to its regular price of 240 Microsoft Points. Other themed tables include Rocky and Bullwinkle, the Fantastic Four and Ms. Splosion Man.

When you download Pinball FX 2, you’ll be able to demo all the individual tables and see which interest you. I have the Marvel Comics table collection and I can’t recommend this game highly enough.

Each table shows a true dedication and love for the theme and, most importantly, is a blast to play. Considering this table is free, it doesn’t hurt to try. Even if you’re not a pinball wizard, you’ll probably be hooked. If you grew up trying to bust your buddy’s high scores on the machine at the local bowling alley, download this game right now. The table contains 50 points worth of achievements as well.

Here’s a trailer for the Paranormal Table. Have a happy Halloween weekend!

Site [Pinball FX] Also Read [Lazy Tech Guys]

The smallest prize will go to four random entrants, who will each walk away with $25 gift cards. There will also be three $200 gift cards given away to people with more specific costumes. The categories for that are Persona, Catherine and King of Fighters XIII. In order to get one of those cards, you need to be dressed as a character from one of those games. Finally, a $300 gift card will go to one grand prize winner who just has an overall excellent costume inspired by an Atlus game character. Entering is easy, as residents of the United States and Canada just have to take a pictue of themselves in costume and submit it at the contest page.

Now, don’t feel bad if you aren’t picked for one of the grand prizes. There’s also a general prize. The first 200 entries received by Atlus that are approved and follow all the contest rules will get Steam codes for Rock of Ages. So at least you’ll come away from this with something.

The entry period runs until November 11, 2011. After that, the entries will be uploaded to Atlus’ Facebook fanpage and people will be able to vote on the costumes from November 11-18, 2011. After that, Atlus will tally up the votes and dole out the awards

Site [Atlus-O-Weenie 2011 Costume Contest]

The prize is Your family name included as a dynasty for the medieval era role playing game. All you need to do is submit the most outrageous family story (real or otherwise), by October 31, 2011. That’s the gist of the contest, but you can see the rest of the details here:

In times of yore (i.e., before computers) it was fairly common for player-contributors to have their names inserted in games. Minor officers in Squad Leader were named after beta testers and Dungeons and Dragons is loaded with names and references to early players of the game (Tenser, for example, is an anagram for Ernest, Gary Gygax’s son). An appeal to vanity is an excellent way to garner critical early support for a game, whether in the virtual world or tabletop.

Much as Squad Leader was the most seriously detailed wargame of its time, the original Crusader Kings is an amazingly historically accurate game. playing it is a more educational experience than a college level medieval history course (the rule book for the game alone had more historical data than some textbooks). My own family name doesn’t have much of interest (beyond being associated with a few mob hits of decades ago), so I’ll pass on the contest, but I’ll be sure to give the sequel a whirl when it comes out early in 2012.

Product Page [Crusader Kings II]

It all involves watching a video, which was posted at the Sega Blog, and then using the information from said video to make your educated guess. Or, you could just scroll down after reading Sega’s hype and contest rules to see the spoilers in the comment section. (That would be cheating, by the way!)

Okay, so here’s the video you have to watch to enter the contest.

If you know you your classic Sega games, perhaps ones that appeared on consoles and in arcades, then you shouldn’t have too much trouble naming this particular game.

Once you know what it is, you email Sega at sweepstakes@sega.com by October 10, 2011. Email the company only once, with the game’s name as the title and your full and and birth date in the subject. Sega will then pick 10 people to get a downloadable copy of this game for their PS3s, which will be given out around October 24, 2011. The winners can then enter their codes at the PlayStation Store to get their free game.

Read [Sega Blog]

If you win, you will have one of only 50 VIP Madden kits in existence. Also, none of your Madden playing friends will ever want to leave your house. The football game has become an institution in addition to being an annual bestseller for EA. It has spawned a rabid fan following and a tournament scene so competitive ESPN covered it with the show Madden Nation. The legendary football coach has been less of a presence in the game since he’s retired. His brand name is as strong as ever.

In 2010, EA added the hyperactive play-by-play delivery of Gus Johnson. He returns in this year’s installment and joining him is NBC Football Night in America broadcaster Cris Collinsworth. The in-game action has gotten an overhaul with a new tackling engine designed to eliminate “suction” tackling. The feature debuted in NCAA Football 12 to rave reviews. EA Sports is also dealing with an issue that dominated much of the 2010 season: concussions. Starting with Madden NFL 12, players diagnosed with concussions must sit out at least one game as they would in real life.

Snap on your helmet and get ready to go big time August 30, 2011 as Madden NFL 12 comes to the Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, PSP, Wii, iPhone and iPad.

Site [Madden NFL 12 Facebook] Read [Game Hunters]

The Tokyo Game Show Twitter 100 pairs of tickets (200 total) to give away to anyone with a twitter account. You just follow the TGS account, then post why you want to visit the 2011 Tokyo Game Show with the tag “#tgs2011ticket” tacked onto the end. On August 31, 2011, 100 winners will be picked and receive a message on Twitter telling them the good news.

While the Twitter account does seem to be the favorite here, it isn’t the only way to win. The Tokyo Game Show Facebook page is running the same contest. The announcement was made there on its wall on June 30, 2011. Just comment on the TGS wall saying what you are looking forward to at this year’s show, adding the tag “See you @ tgs#” at the beginning of your comment, you’ll be entered. After the contest ends, the TGS officials will email the 50 winners who will get the 50 pairs of tickets (100 total).

Since only 297 people have “liked” the TGS Facebook page as of 9:40am CST on July 11, 2011, compared to the 5,350 followers on the Twitter account, you probably have a much better chance of winning if you enter via Facebook. Just remember, you’re only getting tickets for free. You aren’t getting a free trip to Japan. So if you can’t actually be in Chiba, Japan on September 17-18, 2011, don’t enter and take the chance away from someone who can.

Read [Destructoid] Also Read [Capsule Computers] Site [Tokyo Game Show on Twitter] Site [Tokyo Game Show on Facebook] Site [Tokyo Game Show 2011]

We received a whopping 49 entries on the original post highlighting the contest. We’ve randomly selected eight of these people to win one of eight codes for 500 Turbine Points, which is worth about 5$.

For those who don’t know, Turbine Points are a currency used in Lord of the Rings Online, purchased with real money. They can be used to obtain a multitude of items including consumables, cosmetics, stat boosters, and horses.

Free-to-play players can even use Turbine Points to purchase quest packs. So yes, having 500 free Turbine Points is pretty sweet. And although subscribers and lifetime members get 500 free Turbine points a month, winning free points is still winning free points!

We’re going to contact the winners privately via email by Friday, May 20, 2011 and send them the code so keep an eye on your in-box.

If you entered the contest and have not received a response from us by Saturday May 20, that means that you were not selected for a code, but we thank you for playing.

Many thanks to Turbine for donating the codes and congratulations to the eight winners!

Site [Lord of the Rings Online]

However, just because the festival is ending doesn’t mean and the anniversary has passed doesn’t mean that you’ve missed out. Turbine has kindly given Gamertell eight (8) codes for Turbine Points, worth about $5 each. These Turbine Points are used in LOTRO to purchase in-game items that include cosmetic clothing, quest packs, stat boosters, and even mounts. Gamertell in turn will be giving away these codes to eight readers.

Entering the contest is really simple. Just register on the Gamertell site and leave a comment on this page.

The contest will run from today, May 2, 2011 until May 15, 2011. That’s two (2) weeks. Winners will be chosen at random and notified by email within seven days of the drawing. For full contest rules, see the article prior to this one.

Good luck!

Site [Lord of the Rings Online] [Gamertell]

A few days ago I reported that the Dragon Age 2 demo will be available to the public on February 23, 2011 as evidenced from this page. The page also hinted that the demo will be PC-only. Apparently, either some changes were made since the creation of that page or that information was wrong to begin with. In fact the demo is coming out a day earlier, and on all available platforms.

So yes, on February 22, 2011 PC, PS3, and Xbox 360 owners will be able to download and enjoy a demo of Dragon Age 2. The demo will feature the prologue in which you get to choose among three character classes. After the prologue you’ll get to check out Kirkwall and meet Isabela, who you may remember if you’ve played Dragon Age: Origins.

As a bonus for trying out the demo, you’ll get to unlock an in-game item called Hayder’s Razor, an “ancient dwarven blade which increases health, mana, and combat abilities” when you play the full version of Dragon Age 2. I wish there was a staff option for mages but free stuff is free right?

Dragon Age 2 will be available on the PC, PS3, and the Xbox 360 on March 8, 2011 in North America.

Site [Dragon Age 2]

NIS America is going to be giving away underwear to promote its forthcoming PSP game, Prinny 2: Dawn of Operation Panties, Dood!. I am absolutely serious. And not just any underwear – underwear that will feature a design made by the winning entrant. That you can even wear, if you’d like.

But what does underwear have to do with a game? Well, the whole point of the game is to help the prinnies retrieve Etna’s stolen underwear before she just decides to destroy them all. See for yourself:

So here’s where the Etna’s Secret: Demon Collection Contest part comes in – you can only win one of the 50 pairs of Etna’s undies if you enter. There are two ways to win. You can enter the contest, which means you need to create a one color, 3″ x 3″ (1050 x 1050 pixels) design and either email or mail it to NIS America. If it’s under 2mb, you can email it in, but if it’s over that you have to upload it and send NIS America a link or mail it to them on a disc. If you can’t draw, you can just enter the giveaway portion, which only requires your name, address and contact info to try and win. Submissions won’t be accepted after November 12, 2010.

Sometime after that NIS America will pick the winners. The artists behind the top three designs in the contest will each get a pair underwear featuring the winning design and a copy of Prinny 2: Dawn of Operation Panties, Dood!. In addition, 50 people who entered the contest and giveaway will be randomly picked to get panties.

Even if you don’t want to enter, you may want to pop by the Etna’s Secret: Demon Collection Contest page. The “prinnies” are giving all the information there, and some of the comments are really funny. “I know I’m excited, I can only turn my underwear inside out so many times before it’s time for a change, dood!”

Read [Joystiq] Also Read [Siliconera] Site [Etna's Secret: Demon Collection Contest]