LOS ANGELES (LALATE) – Mafia 2 Playboy photos (pictures below) will offer pics to compliment Mafia 2’s setting from vintage Playboy issues. The Mafia II Playboy deal is the latest “in-game integration” deal that is dominating the gaming industry. Mafia 2 is set in the 1940s and 1950s. In the game, once Players get all five magazines, they can then enjoy the vintage spreads. Mafia II’s deal with Playboy was announced to news yesterday as the product rolled out on Playstation3, XBox, and Online.

Mafia 2 Playboy Pictures Set 1
Mafia 2 Playboy Photo 1
Mafia 2 Playboy Photo 2
Mafia 2 Playboy Photo 3

The two companies said the following of the deal  “2K Games has signed a licensing agreement with Playboy magazine for a unique in-game integration use more than 50 of its branded caps and Centerfolds at Mafia ® II, the long-awaited epic in this year’s gangster game for the Xbox 360 ® video game and entertainment system from Microsoft, PlayStation ® 3 computer entertainment system , and Windows PC. Mafia II, located in the fully realized and fascinating 1940?s and 1950?s American urban landscape Empire Bay will allow players to collect virtual copies of the iconic magazine, which serves as a guide for the ultimate lifestyle and culture for men in December 1953.”

On news of the deal,  Christoph Hartmann, president of 2K said the following “In partnership with Playboy, we can add a unique element of authenticity to the game with vintage images from the magazine, which illustrate the power of influence Playboy’s attitude and culture of that generation. Although the focus of the most lynchings inspired game exclusively on the action , Mafia II has a deep and compelling story, which is decorated with complicated, age, causing the atmosphere.

Mafia 2 Playboy Pictures Set 2
Mafia 2 Playboy Photo 4
Mafia 2 Playboy Photo 5
Mafia 2 Playboy Photo 6

Yet some critics are claiming the photos are from the 1960s while the game is set decades before between 1945 & 1957. Models to be included are are Connie Mason — Miss June 1963, Kaya Christian — Miss November 1967, Sally Duberson — Miss January 1965, Tish Howard — Miss July 1966 and Susan Denberg — Miss August 1966. The final version offers 50 women.

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LOS ANGELES (LALATE) – Video game “Medal of Honor” by Electronic Arts is being denounced by Britain’s defense secretary today. Liam Fox is telling consumers not to purchase Medal of Honor. The controversy rests in the game’s ability to let consumers play the role of the Taliban. The game has yet to be released, scheduled for an October 2010 role out.

Liam Fox issued the following statement to news today against Electronic Arts Inc. “At the hands of the Taliban, children have lost fathers and wives have lost husbands. It’s shocking that someone would think it acceptable to recreate the acts of the Taliban against British soldiers. It’s hard to believe any citizen of our country would wish to buy such a thoroughly un-British game. I would urge retailers to show their support for our armed forces and ban this tasteless product.”

EA spokesperson Amanda Taggart is cited in the Sunday Times as defending the game. She says it “merely reflects the fact that every conflict has two sides…. We give gamers the opportunity to play both sides. Most of us have been doing this since we were seven: someone plays cop, someone must be robber. In Medal of Honor multiplayer, someone’s got to be the Taliban. Nobody who plays video games is going to be shocked or surprised by this.”

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Halo Reach Beta premieres today. Halo Reach Bea is set to release reportedly at 1 pm EST 10 am PST featuring two maps Swordbase and Powerhouse.

Digital Foundry reports it will run at a full 720p and delivers an almost 30 frames-per-second of highly frenetic gameplay. Some users reports ghosting or frame bending (blurring of consecutive images together). Hovied reports Powerhouse is an outdoor map that focuses on a circular wall situated in the center of the map.

Gamespot says Halo Reach Beta runs until May 19:

“For most of the beta, access will be limited to Xbox Live Gold subscribers, as is typical for multiplayer gameplay on the Xbox 360. However, Xbox Live Silver members will get a chance to play the Reach beta (as well as Halo 3 and Halo 3: ODST) online for free from 9 a.m. PDT on May 14 through 9 a.m. PDT on May 17. Additionally, all players who finish a full game in the Halo: Reach beta will be able to claim free hoodies for their XBL Avatars by going to the Halo Waypoint area of Xbox Live and accessing their career stats. “

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TRAILER! The video trailer for Marvel vs. Capcom 3 has been released. The Marvel vs. Capcom 3 game is the latest in a series following X-Men vs. Street Fighter (Arcade, Playstation, Sega Saturn (Japan Only)), Marvel Super Heroes vs. Street Fighter (Arcade, Playstation, Sega Saturn (Japan Only)), Marvel vs. Capcom: Clash of Super Heroes (Arcade, Playstation, Dreamcast), and Marvel vs. Capcom 2: New Age of Heroes (Arcade, Dreamcast, Playstation 2, Xbox, Xbox Live Arcade, Playstation Network)

Marvel vs. Capcom 3’s release date on the Playstation 3 and Xbox 360 has not been announced.

Marvel vs. Capcom features Capcom’s characters battling those of Marvel. Many of the games derive from situations nearly a decade ago in the early 1990s. Terminology unique to the series includes “Aerial Rave” and “Variable Combination”.

Watch the trailer below.

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PHOTOS! Here again are pictures from Pokemon Black and White. These Pokemon Black and White pics detailed on LALATE last week are reportedly the characters Zorua and Zoroark.

Pokemon Black and White Pictures
Pokemon Black and White Photo 1
Pokemon Black and White Photo 1

If you are excited enough with these entries from Zorua and Zoroark, then get ready. More characters are slated to be released in the next seven days.

These initial characters dropped on Thursday / Friday, months before the game’s release locally. The game’s release date is autumn 2010 in Japan. Worldwide release has not been announced. Just weeks ago, Nintendo released Pokemon HeartGold and SoulSilver.

And what should you expect? The promo simply says “Every aspect will be reborn innovatively.” Exciting!

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