Target, Best Buy join the used games market, News from GamePro

Two big retailers waded into the used games/trade-in market today with separate approaches. Target wants your trade-ins and Best Buy will take what it can get.

With theTarget trade-in program, consumers can turn in their"new or used iPod, iPhone, video game, GPS system, camera, and DVDs and Blu-ray discs"and receive a Target GiftCard to spend on anything in any Target store. The program is part of a joint effort between Target and NextWorth, an electronics recycling system committed to reducing e-waste.

Best Buy offersa similar programstarting today at over 600 stores across the United States. Here, consumers can trade in"select gently used video games and consoles"for Best Buy gift cards.

Notice how the gift cards obtained from used games can be used on stuff that isn't game-related. Better hold onto your games, lest Grandma trades 'em in to help pay for a car amp.

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Clone Wars online virtual world to launch alongside show's third season, News from GamePro

Fans of the animated series Star Wars: The Clone Wars will have more than just a new season to look forward to, come mid-September. LucasArts and Sony Online Entertainment have announced plans to launch the online game Star Wars: Clone Wars Adventures during the same week as the third season premiere.

In the official announcement, alongside the September 15 release date and the listing of in-game entertainment like 'minigames, daily activities, events, rewards, lively social environments, and competitions' Sony Online also revealed the premium pricing structure for Star Wars: Clone Wars Adventures . While the game won't cost anything in some areas like Sony Online's other major free-to-play game Free Realms, the game will also carry a $6-a-month 'Membership' subscription the company says will 'take the galactic action to the next level.' Free Realms' subscription service runs $5 a month.

The announcement also mentions the game's 'Station Cash,' which, while not tied to microtransactions, does seem to have a bit of cash value, given its ties to the 'Clone Wars Adventures Galactic Passport' that will be sold at retail locations. Along with 500 units of Station Cash and a few other undisclosed items, the Galactic Passport will give users a 90 day membership, the chance to obtain the Togruta playable character, and a Yoda monitor topper.

To learn more about Clone Wars Advetures, check out thein-depth preview of the gamewe put together at E3. Any Clone Wars viewers planning on taking their fandom online? Will you go free-to-play or splurge for a subscription?

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THQ planning urban combat shooters, biannual WWE games, News from GamePro

In a recent interview, executive vice president of core games at THQ Danny Bilson provided information about the company's plans for its top franchises, including a new focus for shooters and a ramped-up WWE release slate.

Bilson recently spoke at length with Computer and Video Games, providing the company's current and future strategy when it comes to its most popular franchises. Speaking to CVG about Homefront, he described the upcoming shooter's merits in a gun-filled marketplace, stating"There's no steroided-out, super-soldier, waving the American flag, saying, you know 'We're rangers. Toughest guys in the world.' You know? It's like: No interest in that. We're a global company. No jingoism here. Some of that's political, some of that's personal."Describing game's hook as"urban combat,"Blson noted"The tonality of Homefront is very different to what's out there today. It's violence with consequence."

Bilson also laid out the release strategy for WWE games, planning a more frequent schedule of titles from the pro wrestling company. Starting with next year's arcade-influenced WWE All-Stars, the company will release wrestling games on a bi-annual basis."We're growing that brand basically through an alternate SKU every six months - the other SKUs are more friendly, easier and less simmy,"Bilson said.

Bilson and other THQ executives will likely explain more of the company's strategy during the company's quarterly earnings call next Monday, which GamePro will be listening in on.

SOURCE:Interview: THQ's Danny Bilson pt. 1{Computer And Video Games}

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