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Taking a few stabs at competitor Madden NFL, developer NaturalMotion uses this developer diary to detail how its physics-driven PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 footballer Backbreaker differs from other games. For example, a lower camera view.

"You're not this kind of, god over the football field who can see everything," explains tester Mike O'Neill. Another example? The use of pink character outlines to highlight the procedural animations--though sadly, that particular aspect seems like the sort of development tool that won't be accessible to the end users come Spring 2010. [video]17077[/video] Shackvideo users can use the HD Stream.

Team Bondi's former PlayStation 3 exclusive L.A. Noire is "apparently coming in September," according to games journalist and GameTrailers TV host Geoff Keighley.

The release window reveal came in the form of a tweet Keighley made after reading the new issue of Game Informer, which features the old-fashioned game on its cover. "It definitely sounds interesting," he added.

While L.A. Noire was originally announced as a PlayStation 3 exclusive, an Xbox 360 edition of the long-coming project--originally due by September 2009--was recently confirmed, with Keighley noting that both versions are due at the same time.

Gov. Pat Quinn and fellow Democratic leaders began the delicate dance of picking a new running mate for Quinn today, while emphasizing there was no horse-trading involved in a scandal-ridden Chicago pawnbroker's decision to abandon his primary nomination for lieutenant governor.

Quinn said Cohen should not be reimbursed for the roughly $2 million in personal funds he poured into his campaign, and a spokesman for Democratic Party chairman and House Speaker Michael Madigan agreed, saying the topic never surfaced in Madigan's two conversations with Cohen leading up to his teary-eyed withdrawal Sunday night.

Already at least two of the five rivals who Cohen bested in last Tuesday's primary have said they want to be considered for his replacement - state lawmakers Art Turner and Terry Link.

But other names are also being thrown around as the Democratic Party considers how to balance a ticket that is heavily weighted with Chicago candidates.

Rea...

An area winter storm warning has been issued for late Monday through early Wednesday with up to 12 inches of snow expected to blanket the area, according to the National Weather Service.

WGN-TV's Tom Skilling thinks there's a possibility the final totals could be closer to 14 inches, making this storm the worst of the winter for Chicago. According to the WGN Severe Weather Blog, the storm could last 35-40 hours, affect three rush hours, and generally make life unpleasant until at least Wednesday.

The warning takes effect at 9 p.m. and will continue until 4 a.m. Wednesday. The heaviest snowfall is expected Tuesday afternoon and early evening. Blowing and drifting snow with near blizzard conditions in open areas can be expected Tuesday night, the weather service said. Both surface and air traffic are expected to encounter severe difficulties.

By Tuesday night, snowfall will generally be in the 6- to 12-inch range, with some locally higher totals possible, especial...

State child welfare officials said today that they are investigating allegations of abuse after a 19-month-old Carpentersville boy died over the weekend after languishing at the hospital for three days.

Chicago police also said they are conducting a death investigation after Hamad Moore of Oxford Drive in Carpentersville was pronounced dead at 6:54 p.m. Sunday at Children's Memorial Hospital.

On Feb. 4 at about 4:30 a.m. the boy was taken by ambulance to the hospital from his grandmother's home on the 900 block of North Long Avenue, said Chicago Police New Affairs Officer Daniel O'Brien. At about 6:15 p.m. later that day, police were called to the hospital where hospital officals reported that the toddler appeared to have signs of abuse.

Three days later on Feb. 7, the boy was pronounced dead at Children's Memorial Hospital, according to police and the medical examiner's office.

An autopsy conducted today did not determine a cause of...

Curious as to what mega-publisher Electronic Arts has up its sleeve for the next year?

Wonder no more, as the company today issued a breakdown of its major titles through March 2011, including release windows for Crysis 2, Dead Space 2, Medal of Honor, the new shooter coming out of Epic and People Can Fly, "something far-reaching from Mass Effect," another Dragon Age, a new Spore entry, and much much more.

Also, don't fret that BioWare's MMO Star Wars: The Old Republic isn't on the list. The company has previously stated that it is aiming for a Spring 2011 launch--a timeframe that conveniently extends a bit beyond the below list's end date of March 31, 2011. Key EA Titles - Fiscal Year 2011 Q1 FY2011 - April 1 through June 30, 2010 Skate 3 (Console) Need for Speed World (PC) 2010 FIFA World Cup...

1998: "Mandy, I am going to declare war on you and I have declared it as of now. See what I will do to you. From now on you are dead. I will start with your mum first. If, in the next hour, you don't leave a message. I am so emotionally disturbed now, that anything is possible from me... You think it's a bluff? I give you an hour and see what I will do to you. If you think I am worried about my career, to get back at you, you must be joking. Just remember what I did to ******'s husband. It is not safe for you to stay in that house. You are not safe. I am going to come and catch you, on my mother's life. If you are at home, get out . . . because if I see you, I am...

The Chicago Transit Authority and its unions agreed Monday to possibly meet later this week to try to negotiate a quick end to service cuts that are forcing riders to wait longer in freezing temperatures for packed buses and trains.

But no meeting date was set or areas of potential agreement highlighted as the winter's worst snowstorm headed toward the Chicago region, threatening to add to the slow-going during Tuesday morning's commute.

Some regular CTA riders found other ways to get to work Monday morning or altered the times they traveled as a way to avoid the large crowds that were predicted to queue up at bus stops and train platforms, CTA officials said.

Ridership was lighter than on a usual Monday, CTA president Richard Rodriguez said.
Because of it, the morning rush period went well overall, he said, with no major delays reported, despite the transit agency eliminating nine express bus routes as well as reducing service on more than 100 oth...