"The True Gamers Strategic Choice"

The recently released Wii re-imagining of Goldeneye 007 does much to evoke feelings of nostalgia, and that includes goofy secret modes as well. One enterprising Kotaku reader managed to figure out a trio of cheat codes by dumping data from the main executable file. These codes add invisibility and tag mode to split-screen multiplayer, and the infamous big-head mode returns as well.

To get the big head mode, you simply need to enter the code "<477MYFR13NDS4R3SP13S>" though it's only available in local multiplayer. Invisibility, meanwhile, requires the code "Inv1s1bleEv3ryth1ng" and it can be activated by pressing B, which means it replaces the sprint move. Finally, to get tag mode , you'll have to input the code "NotIt!!!11." But the tag mode is only available in matches with three or more players. All codes are case sensitive.

The news of the big-head mode—or DK mode as it's affectionately known as—is especially interesting considering that Activision previously stated that it wouldn't be making an appearance in the game. Now we wait and see if someone manages to find the tiny Bond mode.




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When Portal 2 was first announced, it was expected to be released sometime this holiday season. But, in traditional Valve fashion, the developer has announced that the game has been delayed and is now expected to launch at some point next year.

The news comes via a press release titled "VALVE ANNOUNCES MAKING GAMES IS HARD," in which the company explained that "even though Portal 2 will arrive slightly later than planned, all life on earth won't instantaneously stop as every molecule in your body explodes at the speed of light."

This news comes soon after the announcement that Valve had cancelled its previously planned Portal 2 event at E3 and replaced it with a "surprise." However, it looks like that surprise—which Ars has a meeting to see—will be Portal-related. Valve describes it as the "E3 ***PORTAL-2-THEMED-FOR-GOD'S SAKE*** surprise."

Stay tuned for further details, which should be revealed at E3 next week.



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Mac gamers are in for a treat today, as the Steam client for Intel-based Apple systems has finally been released. We had fun playing with the beta, and now, with the full release, anyone can jump in. Here's the best part: the list of games available is much wider than we had anticipated.

Portal is available as expected, but so is Civilization IV. So are a bunch of Lucasarts adventure games. You can pick a copy of Torchlight, newly on sale for $10. You can buy Braid, or Peggle, or City of Heroes. Right now there are 63 games for sale in the Mac store, and it looks like all of them feature the Steamplay logo, so if you own the PC versions you can download and play the Mac versions for no extra charge.

Just to get you started, you can play Portal for free on your Mac or PC until May 24. The prices for games are all over the place, and of course there are some sales going on (and more coming), but for a launch this is pretty damn exciting. No Left 4 Dead yet, but we'll be patient. If support continues and the game selection continues to grow, this is going to be an easy way for Mac gamers to enjoy their hobby.



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It was a simple idea: take a collection of independent games, offer them with no DRM, and allow people to pay whatever they'd like. The result? 123,182 people have paid for the bundle so far, and the total raised is now an incredible $1,126,563.

That generosity will be rewarded. "As of 5/11/10, Aquaria, Gish, Lugaru HD, and Penumbra Overture pledge to go open source," the developers blogged. "We are preparing the sources right now and will be releasing them ASAP." The sale was a huge success, began many conversations, and it provided insight into the behavior of gamers. Here's a look at what comes next.





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Machinarium wastes no time at all getting you familiar with its world, dropping you directly into the action without any form of introduction. You're a robot who has been trapped in some sort of prison-like facility and you need to escape. That's all you know. There is no exposition at all—largely because there is no actual dialog in the game—so the bits of story you do pick up throughout the adventure are sparse but meaningful.

Though initially appearing to be nothing more than a cute adventure starring quirky robots, the game slowly reveals itself to be a touching tale of separated lovers and a crumbling society straining underneath an oppressive leadership. Think of it as Wall-E meets 1984 with a steampunk makeover.

Television is a problematic market for advertising to certain demographics, and it's no secret that magazines are in trouble. Online destinations are just starting to come into their own. So where does that leave opportunities for advertising? Video games. A new study, attractively titled "Eye-tracking Analysis as a Means to Visualise the Effects of In-Game Advertising" by 11 Prozent Communication and the University of Offenberg shows that marketing to gamers can be very effective... if you follow the rules.