Microsoft's next dashboard update will be launching soon, and they are offering gamers a chance to get their hands on it early.  

What exactly will the update entail?  Twitter and Facebook integration for one, making it easier to find other co-op gamers and get games going.  There's also Zune Marketplace to integrate with that shiny new ZuneHD you have.  

So hit this link and sign up, chances are you'll get in.  They are looking for thousands of previewers.

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If haven't had a chance to check out the Dawn of War 2 Multiplayer beta - well now is your chance!  The beta is available to download via Steam or Games for Windows Live Marketplace and allows players to battle it out online in five different maps. 

I know, that doesn't sound very co-op.  But you can actually play skirmish style co-op on a few of the maps...certainly not as cool as the campaign co-op... but fun none the less.  These three maps allow up to three human players versus three CPU controlled opponents of varying difficulties.  The other two maps are 1 vs. 1 style maps.

Don't forget to check out our in-depth interview with Relic regarding everything co-op in Dawn of War 2! 

So go out there and get the beta for the Emperor...he'll be pleased.

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Yesterday we mentioned that the Dawn of War 2 beta info would be released today, and true to our promise it has been.  Unfortunately for us co-op fans there doesn't appear to be any co-op in the beta.  That doesn't mean we can't get a good feel on this gritty sci-fi RTS to prepare for the real deal with our buddies. 

You knew it was coming, and now we can reveal the dates of Warhammer 40,000: Dawn Of War II multiplayer beta.

The beta will be hosted via Steam and will launch exclusively to Warhammer 40,000: Dawn Of War - Soulstorm owners on January 21. If you’re not a Soulstorm owner, you’ll be able to get in on the action on January 28 when the beta is opened to all worldwide.

All four races (yes, including Tyranids!) will be available to try out in the beta, along with five multiplayer maps and Games For Windows LIVE TrueSkill Matchmaking. Keep your eye on THQ-Games for more information on the Beta.

Sign up to the Game Alert to stay up to date with the latest on Dawn Of War II.

Now would be an excellent time to sign up for the Co-Optimus Steam Group!

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In case you missed it this weekend, there was some pretty good Resistance 2 Co-Op News.  First up, the beta started.  Those folks who preordered via Gamestop or subscribed to Sony's Qore service should have received their codes via email.  If you haven't gotten yours yet, you may want to check your spam filters.

The co-op portion of the beta is in an area called Orick, and it supports randomization of player paths to increase replayability.  Character classes in co-op are capped at level 10, which according to the above chart, should take you a good chunk of time to obtain.  With so few games coming out this fall, you'll have plenty of that...right?  (That was sarcasm)

While the beta won't feature any simultaneous split screen, the full version will thanks to a day 1 patch from developer Insomniac.  Score!

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RUN do NOT walk.  Quick.  Stop reading.  Click here.  Go go go.  If not you may not make it into the Resistance 2 Co-Op Beta. 

CallofDuty.com posted a World at War beta FAQ in the Intel section yesterday, which provides a few juicy new details on the private beta. We already know that the beta starts in October, sometime before the game's ship date of November 11th.

We encourage you to register at the official site and sift through the FAQ yourselves, but the tidbits relevant to co-op are posted after the jump link, including tips on how to get in.

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Resistance 2 is likely the most anticipated game for the PS3 this holiday season.  The promise of 8 player co-op earned it a respectable #4 on our own list of hot upcoming releases.  Oh yeah, and it features up to 60(!) players at once competitively.  It is for these reasons, then, that today's news regarding the beta for the game is noteworthy.  Shacknews reports that the online application form for the Resistance 2 beta is now available.  You can guarantee a spot in the beta by preordering, or subscribing to Qore (Sony's downloadable video magazine), but what about the more economically minded?  Just diddy-bop on over the the official Resistance 2 site and apply.  The beta will test multiplayer, including the previously mentioned 8 person co-op.  This sounds like a good way to spend some time until the games release on November 4!

We've been following the development of LittleBigPlanet for what seems like a very long time here at Co-Optimus.  The unique side scrolling platformer just keeps getting pushed back.  However, the wait might not be much longer.  A post in the official Playstation forums informs us of the following, and not much else:

There will be a limited public beta test for LittleBigPlanet in September. If it will be possible to "sign up" for this test, full information on how to do so will be made public in advance of the test. Similarly if the test is going to be conducted in an invitation-only we will let you know ahead of time.

Here's to hoping that they mean September of this year.  We look forward to playing something on our PS3 besides Blu-rays and upscaled DVDs. 

The folks at Insomniac are breaking a lot of ground with Resistance 2.  Not only will the game support over 50 players online in team based gameplay, it will support 8 players online in a special cooperative campaign.  In fact, the co-op campaign is so special in Resistance 2, it's been decided to have a public beta of it sometime in early October.  To gain guaranteed access you'll need to pre-order Resistance 2 at Gamestop or subscribe to the PSN Digital Magazine Qore.  If neither of these options are suitable for you, perhaps simply registering on the website will suffice - entry to the beta is not guaranteed though.

With a co-op beta early in October release must be getting close, right?  Actually it's getting very close, with Insomniac announcing a November 4th release date and details of a collector's edition of the game.  What's in the package?  A behind-the-scenes making-of documentary, video commentary from the game's developers, a "Twisted History" chronology video, an exclusive multiplayer character skin, a double-sided art book, and a preview of the unannounced Gathering Storm novel and a five and a half inch tall Chimera Hybrid action figure (Karate chop action not included).