When looking at game design, a few things are necessary in order for co-op to work properly. Most of these things gamers don’t think about on a day to day basis - and it’s not covered in our Co-Op Terminology guide. It’s the core principles for getting players to work together, which Ubisoft designer Patrick Redding disclosed at GDC. He talks about moments where he is very satisfied with during the co-op test phase, and things that every developer (should) think about during co-op development.

Being careful while reading a press release has never been easier than when Twisted Pixel announced a partnership with Home Depot to deliver a Gunstringer Marionette Controller. The project was originally codenamed "Project 144in. x 1-1/4in. Pine Round Dowel," and at first I was like "...What the?" And then I remembered what day it is.

Anyone that knows me knows that I'm a HUGE fan of Smash T.V.  The original two player co-op arcade game has a place near and dear to my heart.  So when Uber Entertainment decided to create a new version of the game for their April Fools joke utilizing Monday Night Combat characters I was both amazed, excited and heart broken all within the same 10 second span.  It even has four player co-op.   You're killing me Uber...you're killing me.

Warhawk 2 was recently seen at a super secret SCEA event. JustPushStart.com claims that select players of the PS3 launch title were invited to play, and no cameras were allowed.  This story may sound like a crappy April Fool's joke, but the story has had a week to marinate, and no one has denied it, yet.  Co-op play has been listed among the games features, and there is reportedly and actual story mode.  You can read more features after the break.  Right now, Warhawk 2 is rumored to hit the PS3 in 2012.  

When Ubisoft announced Outland last September, the lack of co-op kept it off our radar.  At PAX East, game producer Adam Sarasohn revealed that there would be two player online support.  Outland just blipped. Housemarque,  the developers of the excellent Dead Nation, are bringing the game to the XBLA and the PSN. The gameplay has been compared to Castlevania: Symphony of the Night, as well as Ikaruga.  The visuals invoke the minimalist look of Limbo, or Patapon.  The title promotes acrobatic exploration with an added kick of bullet hell.  You play as yet another Everyman called forth to save the day.  There is a light and dark dichotomy at play in the game world. Enemies take on a red or blue color, while players will be able to switch between red and blue energy alignments on the fly. When a player is red they are immune to red dangers, but vulnerable to blue enemies, and vice versa.  

If you didn't know, today is April 1st.  That means its "April Fools Day" - or a day when the internet is inindated with silly jokes and gags.  The gaming industry traditionally gets in on the action, usually with Blizzard topping the charts with their antics.  While the trailer for Saints Row: The Third might seem like a joke at first - it was actually released yesterday - so its legit.

Giant videogame retailer GameStop has got its foot firmly in the door of digital distribution on the PC side.  Today they've announced that they purchased Impulse from Stardock Entertainment.  Along with that acquisition, the company purchased startup company Spawn Labs which had technology for videogame streaming.

Can a game combining George Lucas’ Star Wars universe and LEGO stay on target for a third time? Or is this one sequel too far, turning to the dark side and bricking it?

Though we live in an age where robot helicopters can juggle, and Mercury now has satellite TV, but cross platform co-op is pretty rare.  Playing the in the same game as your Playstation 3 owning friend while on your Xbox 360 is pretty much a pipe dream.  But maybe a game could talk between two different platforms if, say, they both had the same manufacturer?  That's exactly what has happened with a new iPad/Mac game, Guerilla Bob.

If you were of gaming age in the early 1980s, you probably had an Atari 2600, or knew someone who did.  And, chances are, you played one of the best titles for that system: Warlords.  Though originally an arcade game, the port was far more well-known and successful, and is generally regarded as one of the best games for Atari's vintage console.  Throughout the years, several remakes have been made, including an XBLA version a few years ago.  But through the years, Warlords has always been a competitive experience.

What do Sonic the Hedgehog, Sonic the Hedgehog 2, Streets of Rage 2, Golden Axe 2, Comix Zone, and Altered Beast have is common?  Give up?  They will all be available on the PlayStation Network for $4.99 each. If you are a PlayStation Plus subscriber you will get all six titles for the low, low price of nada.  Zip, zilch, zero. (Aside from the initial PlayStation Plus subscription fee.)  Each title is a timed release, so you can expect one new game a month through August.  PlayStation Plus members will get the games earlier than regular Sony customers.  They're also better looking and have more friends.  

What does every wizard need?  If you said an RPG-7, you probably worked on Magicka: Vietnam, either that, or you have some weird form of Tourette's which makes you scream "RPG-7" every time you read a simple wizard query.  You should get that checked out.  Earlier this month we announced the first major expansion to the excellent four player co-op romp, Magicka. We were more than a little surprised to learn that the new content would be taking the wizards to Vietnam. Hilarious, right?  Check out the new screens after the break.