So here's an odd story.  Ruffian Games, creators of Crackdown 2, were working with SEGA on remaking the classic Streets of Rage franchise for modern day consoles.  A two minute video was leaked to the internet showcasing the game's graphics, environments, and even some gameplay.  It's easy to see some of the Crackdown influence in the fighting engine, but it definitely looks like this could have worked.

A million billion years ago (OK, more like 2008), I wrote an article about open world co-op games and their overall awesomeness. The examples I used were Crackdown and GTA IV, but the list wasn’t a long one to choose from at the time, though Mercenaries 2 and Saints Row 2 came out around the time of the article and didn’t get a fair mention. Well, it’s been four years. Have the co-op gods been good to open world fans?

Ruffian Games, the developer behind Crackdown 2, has some rather interesting teases for what could be their next game. Last January, the Scotland based team was in search of some more programmers to help them work on some "really exciting, high action, visceral titles that are heavily focused on online [components]." Speculation began about what their next game might be, if it would have co-op, and if it would be another Crackdown title. Now, word comes from Ruffian that the company has "signed a major contract with one of the biggest publishers in the industry."

You've decided to splurge on a second system for that one game you and your spouse just HAVE to play together. You got it. You beat it. Now what are you going to do?

Old school gamers, prepare your PCs.  The Sega Genesis Classic Collection Gold Edition has 46 titles of pixelated awesome, and it's available today.  You can get your co-op on with titles like Altered Beast, Golden Axe, Streets of Rage, and more.  This collection has already been released digitally on Steam, but now you can pick up all four Volumes in on compact physical package.  For a full list of all the titles, read on.

Ruffian Games, the makers of Crackdown 2, are looking for a few good men and/or women to help them work on some new projects.  No details are given, other than the projects are "really exciting, high action, visceral titles that are heavily focussed on online."  Is Crackdown 3 in the works?  Maybe.  Is Ruffian Games hiring new coders to work on new games?  Definitely.  

"With only one week to retirement, the last thing that any grizzled veteran needed was a rookie fresh from the academy.  This goes doubly when your beat is the crime riddled metropolitan of Pacific City.  With three gangs dominating the three different islands, DjinniMan and I (Samoza), were about to embark on a deadly mission.  I’m getting too old for this …… type of game.

Crackdown 2 took 2009's E3 by surprise storm, and was even playable at PAX East, 2010. How does something turn from announcement, to release in almost one year? Loads of hectic crunch time. Kind of like facing a horde of Freaks by yourself. Good thing Ruffian had a good team together, because they really hit the nail on the head with Crackdown 2.

This weeks On The Download explores the realm of cheating in games. What is cheating exactly, and when can it be considered okay? Take a walk with us now while we explore online hint guides and gaming together for benefit.

This week in co-op, I played the Crackdown DLC titled "Keys to the City" with internet personality Keadin. This DLC was by far the strangest, most unique, and most pointless DLC I've ever played - and I loved every second of it. Follow me now through the gates of Paradise City using their own Keys.

Incoming intel Agent...still in search of those illusive agility or secret orbs? Trying to finish off those stunt rings? Just want to blow stuff up with a friend? Then Crackdown co-op night is your answer. This month for the three year anniversary of the game we take to the streets.

Eurogamer recently sat down with Crackdown 2 producer James Cope.  In the interview, Cope gave lots of details about the upcoming open-world co-op sequel.  One of the best points, for fans of co-op, at least, was the freedom from restrictions for co-op.  No "Special Ops" mode here; the entire game is available to experience with your fellow agents.

Crackdown, the classic 2 player co-op sandbox title, is now available on Microsoft's Games on Demand channel on Xbox Live.   The title is available worldwide, except Korea, Germany and Japan.  Did you know Crackdown was called Riot Act in Japan? 

When the New Xbox Experience was released last year, one of the greatest features of the update was the ability to install games to your Xbox 360 hard drive to help decrease loading times.  Sadly, not all games benefited from this.

The first official screenshots have arrived for the upcoming 4 player co-op Crackdown 2.  The sequel to the wildly popular original, Crackdown 2 has some new tricks up its sleeve.  We see the agents look quite a bit different from these screens, and we also have a glimpse at some of the vehicle mounted weapons for co-op play!