Quick! Make like fox being shot at by an M16 and point your browser over to Eurogamer. That is if you're at all interested in Call of Duty: World at War. They're giving away a massive amount of World at War beta codes to anyone who registers on the site, but they're going fast. Enough reading already, make the jump and insta-join the beta fun. We hear there will be free orange juice and muffins at the sign in table.

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The MGC crew just sent word that all 1000 Gamerscore worth of Mirror's Edge achievements have been revealed and most all are acrobatic in nature.

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I have seen the future of user-generated content on consoles, and it is the Beta version of Media Molecule's much-awaited LittleBigPlanet -- which the nice folks at Sony were kind enough to give us advance access to, ahead of its imminent PlayStation 3 debut.

Now, I'm sure some might accuse me of hyperbole in the face of relatively little evidence. And it's true that I can't tell what's going to happen to the community based around the game, when the full weight (and, hopefully, ingenuity) of the PS3 masses are brought to bear on it.

But the game has managed to do what console titles have thus far shuddered to provide - an open, easy to use creation system that lets the community make the magic, while the creators stand back and marvel.

Why is this such a big deal, and what makes LittleBigPlanet's air of creativity so different?

Here's the key things that LBP does correctly with regard to user-generated content. Previous console games just haven't managed many of these -- often through no fault of their own:

Robust Online Sharing

This is an absolutely key differentiator. Playing levels in LBP is as easy as going to the main menu, selecting an option, and rotating around a globe filled with the latest community-contributed levels. A simple selection from there, and you've downloaded the level and you're playing it, within just a few seconds.

Compare this with the hoops you have to jump through for pre-online console games (ugh, memory card sharing) or even recent Wii titles such as Blast Works (go to a website, queue your levels, go to your Wii and download them -- extremely fiddly.)

Joypad-Based Level Construction

There's another reason why very few decent user-generated levels/games have been created on consoles thus far, with the possible exception of Enterbrain's Maker series. It's the input device. Compared to using mice and menus, having to create objects and manipulate levels via the Dual Shock might be rough.

But I believe -- at least, judging by some of the comments from MM's Alex Evans at recent conferences -- that a large reason for the game's delay was because of constant testing and refinement of the creation tools.

As a result, it's hardly perfectly straightforward to design levels in LittleBigPlanet -- it can still be daunting. But it's definitely the smoothest and most entertaining interface created thus far, with your character the creative center of the levels as they are created.

Graphical, Text-Based Design Freedom

Historically, many console games that you can modify have been loath to give the player full control over all of the bells and whistles.

Why? Well, it's in case those darn users say rude things or express views that might be tied to the game's makers, publishers, or hardware manufacturers.

And let's be honest, this may still be a problem with LBP -- we've already had video of the penis level, even if it's not playable in the game, so when's that illogical tabloid smackdown due?

But -- and I think a lot of this was the Phil Harrison-led Sony at work -- the real-time community flagging ability (and the willingness to tell the more terrified lawyers not to sweat it) has meant freedom, freedom, freedom.

You can tell stories with a combination of visuals and text -- as with the charming but basic 'Heist', an early community level highlight. Or you can riff on pop culture cults, as in the charming Ninja Warrior (Sasuke) level that recently got added, complete with the Hanging Wall. Oh, and there's that 'Little Big Computer' level, showing you can create amazingly complex mechanical devices.

You can even scan in images using the PlayStation Eye, which led to the cheeky 'red ring of death' Xbox 360-pastiching level, something which Sony could have hardly made on their own. But that's the strength of allowing your fanbase to tell your stuff for you, perhaps?

Web 2.0-Style Tagging

I suspect this is the least-discussed of the innovations in LittleBigPlanet. In a lot of ways, it's not an innovation if you've remotely been connected to the web for the past few years.

Everyone's used to creators tagging their blog posts or Flickr users tagging their snaps. But LBP makes players rate a level after they've played it. And that's a piece of genius.

In particular, what it allows is filtering by a particular keyword that interests you, with a new universe of custom levels to play after you've filtered.

So whether you're looking for stupidly short, ridiculously fast, or actually plain bad/frustrating user levels, guess what? You can find them, and it's forever dynamically updated with sprinklings of the latest goodness. This is the best Web 2.0/games mashup in quite some time.

Multiplayer, Co-Operative Level Exploration

So you may get a little frisson of excitement when you're playing Halo 3 and a bunch of unconventional maps are chosen, outside of your control. The similar effect of being taken on a 'magical mystery tour' by whoever is controlling your LBP co-op session is delightful.

Of course, with most of the user-created levels being made for one, as opposed to multiple players, it can be aimless and hit and miss at times. (I believe there's a tag to help people find the best co-op levels, however).

Even so, exploring new levels in the game by having other people show them to you in real-time is a really interesting and different discovery method -- like 'Hey guys, look what I found?' cool.

Leaderboards, Leaderboards, Leaderboards

Everyone's used to online high score tables nowadays. But, somewhat as in Rock Band 2's impermanent challenges, the concept of having massive amounts of leaderboards, each for a very granular, small part of the game is a great one.

Why? Because then anyone can be a star on one tiny part of the whole game, getting their score up into the Top 1000 or even Top 100.

Conclusion

Now, I'm not sure that everyone will take to LittleBigPlanet. The single-player, Media Molecule-created game is pretty darn neat on its own. But you do probably need to be a fan of short, self-contained, bite-sized experiences to love the user-generated content it is spawning.

Yet hey, isn't that the way that your spare time, my spare time, everyone's spare time is going nowadays? And what's better than an endlessly refreshing series of levels, forever?

Hit the jump for press release, fact sheet, and a few more screens.

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HIGH VOLTAGE HOT ROD SHOW RUMBLES ONTO THE WII!!
High Voltage Software announces new multiplayer racer for WiiWare

Hoffman Estates, IL – October 10, 2008 - High Voltage Software, Inc., one of the world’s largest independent developers, today announced High Voltage Hot Rod Show, an intense new racing title scheduled for release on the WiiWare downloadable service later this Fall.

High Voltage Hot Rod Show requires players to master more than the basic racing skills to compete. A unique stunt system gives players multiple ways to build boost, which drastically increases a Hot Rod’s speed. If you get too greedy, you might crash and burn! The game utilizes the company’s proprietary Quantum 3 Game Engine technology, which provides graphical performance and game play not possible on other Wii titles.

“We wanted High Voltage Hot Rod Show to be a fresh and exciting racing title for the Wii that would provide up to four friends with endless replay value,” said Kerry Ganofsky, CEO and founder of High Voltage Software. “The result is a game that is easy to pick up and play, but maintains a core of skill-based racing, which gives it special appeal.”

“Style was important to us on this project,” said Benjamin Savage, Lead Artist on the title. “We were inspired by the work of Ed “Big Daddy” Roth and that led us to design some really exciting characters, Hot Rods, and even music. We hope players will love the direction we’ve taken.”

“We set the bar for ourselves very high with each new title” said Eric Nofsinger, Chief Creative Officer of High Voltage Software. “Not only have we created a fantastic racing title with support for split-screen racing and online leaderboards, but we’ve also demonstrated the incredible versatility of the Quantum 3 Game Engine.”

About High Voltage Software, Inc.

High Voltage Software is a game development company located in Hoffman Estates, Illinois. Established in 1993, employs more than 130 staff members. Red Eye Studios, a motion capture facility, is a wholly-owned subsidiary of HVS. For more information, please visit their website at www.high-voltage.com.

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Fact Sheet:

High Voltage Hot Rod Show
Format: WiiWare™
Launch Date: Q4, 2008
ESRB: E (Everyone 10 and Older) – Mild Cartoon Violence
Game Type: Racing
Players: 1-4
Developer: High Voltage Software, Inc.

Key Information
High Voltage Hot Rod Show is a slick and fast-paced racer that challenges up to 4 players to tear up the track on a variety of off-road courses, mastering death-defying stunts and building enough Boost to stomp the competition. Players must learn to tame their monster Hot Rods by nailing ramps, powerslides, bunny-hops and tricks, while avoiding mud pits and smashing through Boost Rings to fill their Boost Meters. Players can compete against seven CPU opponents in Championship mode, or set their best lap times in the Time Trials. Top times can be uploaded to an online scoreboard via Wi-Fi Connection and shared with players around the world. Multiplayer supports up to four players in split-screen mode, giving each player a wide range of controller choices. High Voltage Hot Rod Show is an addictive racer that fully leverages the company’s cutting-edge Wii technology!

• Boost or Die - Unique Stunt/Boost system rewards players with more speed for getting the biggest air and pulling off the wildest stunts. Be careful though, your Boost will evaporate if you crash and burn.
• Shake It Up – The default control scheme is similar to Mario Kart Wii, with motion-based steering and stunts.
• Racing, a la Mode – Three different game modes: Championship, Time Trial, and Multiplayer provide hours of white-knuckle competition.
• Choose your Poison – Players can choose from a variety of rockin’ Hot Rods, each associated with a unique character. Each Hot Rod has skins that can be unlocked by earning gold trophies in Championship mode.
• Bragging Rights – Post your top lap times for each of the tracks online and see how you fare against the world’s best.
• Couch Crashers – Fire up the game with up to four players in split screen mode and customize your multiplayer race series to suit your taste.

Gameplay Mechanics: High Voltage Hot Rod Show is an off-road racer with jumps and stunts. To win the race, players must not only successfully navigate each track at high speeds, but they must hit ramps and perform tricks in the air. These tricks build Boost in the Boost Meter. Boost kicks in automatically when the wheels hit the ground, providing a burst of speed. Other tools the player can use are the Powerslide, which makes handling more difficult but increases the speed through turns and maximizes boost, and Bunny-Hopping, which can be used to clear mud and obstacles and also to achieve maximum air off ramps. Players can also aim for lofty Speed Stars, which hover high above the track and reward skilled drivers with top speed bonuses.

How to progress through the game: The game is divided into three modes. The single-player Championship mode provides a series races with increasing AI difficulty. By winning races, the players unlock more races and skins for their Hot Rods. Time Trial mode encourages practice, helps players to learn the best lines through each track, and records their best times to be stored locally and compared with other players online. Multiplayer mode lets players customize a series of races with different tracks and lap counts to compete against up to three of their friends in split-screen fashion.

Track Features: There are various types of tracks: Island, Desert, Forest, and Ruins, each with a unique layout that challenges the player in different ways. Ramps, Powerstrips, Boost Rings, Mud Pits, Speed Stars, barriers and chasms all play a part. The more difficult tracks have fewer guard rails, more intense jumps, and more danger.

Difficulty: This is a skill-based game, but it is still fun and accessible for new players, even if they need a few races under their belts before they can hang with the veterans. Championship mode is geared to provide a few extra-easy races while players acclimate to the driving mechanics. Tips appear before each race begins to help players learn advanced techniques. Once players have the controls down to a science and the tracks memorized, they will find a whole new level of skilled gameplay that provides endless replay value.

Controls: It’s tough to be all things to all people, but High Voltage Hot Rod Show pulls it off by providing players with lots of control options. Controls default to the Wii motion-based scheme used by Mario Kart Wii and Excite Truck (players can use the Wii Wheel if they choose). Players can also plug in a Nunchuk for analog steering, or use the Classic Controller or GameCube Controller if they prefer a more traditional control scheme.

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No one would ever admit to being influenced by an advertisement, let alone a pithy slogan.

But that doesn't mean they don't often become embedded in our skulls forever.

Today Screen Play tests your gaming knowledge (and helps justify those ridiculous salaries that marketing executives earn) by presenting a quiz on console catch phrases from the past 30 years.

Click below for the quiz. Never fear if you are baffled - answers will be provided on Wednesday.

Feel free to also nominate your favourite advertising slogans, or come up with your own clever catch phrases for today's generation of machines or yesteryear's classics.

1. Now You're Playing with Power!

2. This is Living

3. Gaming 24:7

4. Jump in

5. Live in your world, play in ours

6. Anyone, anywhere

7. The challenge will always be there

8. No one can beat us at our own game

9. Welcome to the Next Level

10. Connecting people through play

11. It takes AGES to be as good as .......

12. Do the Math

13. Your vision is our vision

14. Don't just watch television tonight, play it!

15. Get N or Get out

16. ....... do what Nintendon't

17. Touching is Good

18. It's good to play together

19. Intelligent Television

20. It's thinking

21. U R NOT E

22. Are you keeping up with your .......? Because your ........... is keeping up with you!

23. Play Beyond

24. To be this good would take Sega ages

25. Get N or get out

26. Welcome to the third place

27. Let the games begin

28. My friends are knocking down my door to get into my ....

29. Life is short. Play more.

30. Do not underestimate the power of .....

Yesterday marked the last of the four days of this year's Tokyo Game Show. It was crowded, it was hot, and it was tiring. Now, as we reflect on the show, we realize that there's still a lot more we have to tell you about.

This includes, but is not limited to: hands-on impressions, interviews, screenshots, and videos. Exciting stuff, so check back tomorrow when we'll be blowing out the rest of our TGS coverage direct from Japan. 

In addition to all of the great news coverage our team at home has been bringing you these past few days, we've been getting down and dirty in Japan. Think you might have missed something? We think so, too. 

Hit the jump for a quick run down of stories direct from TGS. 

Yesterday marked the last of the four days of this year's Tokyo Game Show. It was crowded, it was hot, and it was tiring. Now, as we reflect on the show, we realize that there's still a lot more we have to tell you about.

This includes, but is not limited to: hands-on impressions, interviews, screenshots, and videos. Exciting stuff, so check back tomorrow when we'll be blowing out the rest of our TGS coverage direct from Japan. 

In addition to all of the great news coverage our team at home has been bringing you these past few days, we've been getting down and dirty in Japan. Think you might have missed something? We think so, too. 

Hit the jump for a quick run down of stories direct from TGS. 

Yesterday marked the last of the four days of this year's Tokyo Game Show. It was crowded, it was hot, and it was tiring. Now, as we reflect on the show, we realize that there's still a lot more we have to tell you about.

This includes, but is not limited to: hands-on impressions, interviews, screenshots, and videos. Exciting stuff, so check back tomorrow when we'll be blowing out the rest of our TGS coverage direct from Japan. 

In addition to all of the great news coverage our team at home has been bringing you these past few days, we've been getting down and dirty in Japan. Think you might have missed something? We think so, too. 

Hit the jump for a quick run down of stories direct from TGS. 

I had a spine-chilling nightmare last night I was being brutally attacked by disfigured and bloodthirsty alien creatures. I quickly pulled out a weapon to kill them but discovered it was out of ammo. Completely panicked and backpedaling into a corner, I pulled out another weapon which was also out of ammo. Four weapons and no ammo later, the violent pack continued to approach and began to devour me after slicing my body completely in half. I watched in horror as my blood splattered on the creatures that were consuming my flesh and the life slowly seeped from my body. Then I promptly proceeded to relive the same experience five more times as the nightmare continued to replay, small variances each time but always reaching the same deathly conclusion. Meet Chapter Five of Dead Space, a small part of the nightmare you can’t wake up from.

A horror survival game in which you play as an engineer named Isaac Clarke, Dead Space takes you to the future where you must battle a hostile alien species called the Necromorphs aboard a stricken and infested mining ship. So far I have only managed to complete five levels of this terrifying game as the sheer creepiness has stopped me from playing it for extended periods at night. Dead Space does an amazing job at not only making you jump out of your seat in fright but also maintaining a constant level of fear. The scariest game I have played on the 360 thus far, Dead Space keeps the goosebumps raised through a near perfect balance of sinister sound effects, ominous environments, infernal enemies, and spooky lighting. The absence of a HUD and the lack of cut scenes allows you to maintain full control of your character and thus stay completely and fully immersed in the nightmare that is your mission to survive upon the USG Ishimura.

I’ll bring you more impressions as I battle my way through the game but as I attempt to forge a path to level six, I will tell you the story line is enthralling enough that I am completely enraptured in solving the mystery that is Dead Space. The numerous text, audio, and video logs available for pick up throughout the game are addicting as they provide greater insight into the depth of the story. The game controls take a little getting used to but become second nature before you reach the end of the first level. The graphics are beautifully gory and jaw-dropping gorgeous, as is Isaac Clarke. At one point I upgraded his suit and he disappeared into a chamber to get changed. I was hoping he would come out in an easter egg birthday suit but alas, he reemerged fully clothed but still very much drool-worthy. As someone who loves looking at all the smaller details of the game, I’ll leave you with something I found written on the walls of the ship.

Indeed.