Modern Warfare 2 isn’t supposed to launch until 12am tonight, as you most likely already know, but it seems that some GameStops in the North East have broken the street date.

Kotaku says that one such retailer was quoted to have said that they were given permission by Activision to start handing out the title a day early to which they quickly responded:

“Activision has not given any retailer permission to sell Modern Warfare 2 prior to the Nov. 10 street date. The company fully supports the Nov.10 street date.”

On the other hand, if you did get your hands on the game early you don’t have to worry about getting the banhammer as Infinity Ward’s Robert Bowling pushed out the following tweet:

“ANY store selling #MW2 early is in violation of street date. There are no “special permissions”. That said, we won’t punish players for it.”

It’s no secret that Modern Warfare 2 has had just about as much hype around it as Halo 3 but considering the Activison’s title is multiconsole while Bungie’s is exclusive to the Xbox 360, it’s no surprise that MW2 would cause much more on an impact.

That impact was so big, in fact, that GameStop VP was quoted to have told Game Hunters:

“As of today, the number of pre-order reservations we’ve taken for the game is the highest for any title we’ve ever sold in our 6,200 store network.”

Now imagine how many people are going to be online on November 10th when the game hits store shelves.

DICE has yet to tell us when we will officially be able to get our hands on the Battlefield: Bad Company 2 beta but GameStop has once again stepped in to fill the void.

While it has since been pulled Cinemablend reports that the GameStop listing for the Battlefield: Bad Company 2 limited edition stated that we would be seeing the official demo dropping on November 19th at 11PM PST. Of course, DICE then commented through the official Bad Company 2 Twitter that you need to hold off on pre-ordering for a beta code until they officially announce a release date.

Looking for a part-time job this holiday season and like video games? Well then, you should head over to your local GameStop and get an application as it was recently announced that the retailer will be hiring 15,000 part-time employees for this year’s holiday season rush.

Of course, since this is a seasonal job don’t except to hold onto the position for more than a few months if you are chosen. However, while you are an employee you will be given normal benefits like game borrowing and a discount.

via rttnews

We’ve known that Modern Warfare 2 would be making its way onto store shelves on November 10th for some time now but Activision has kept quiet about the minimum PC requirements. Today, GameStop has put up a picture of the back of the box that reveals said minimum requirements and I have to say, they don’t look too bad.

Below are said minimum specs:

OS: Windows Vista/XP
Processor: AMD 64 3200+ or Intel Pentium 4 3.0GHz or better
Memory: 16 GB free hard drive space / 512 MB RAM (XP) / 1GB RAM (Vista)
Video Card: Shader 3.0 or better 256 MB nVida Geforce 6600GT / ATI Radeon 1600XT or better

Anyone in dire need of an upgrade?

While this sounds about right considering the previously announced release window and the fact that it is essentially a SF4 add-on, don’t put too much stock in it as GameStop has been known for putting up estimated information as a place holder.

In other words, we’ll have to wait for an official announcement from Capcom before we mark this one as confirmed.

If you’re dying to get get your hands on DJ Hero and happen to live by a GameStop, you’re in luck — Activision has recently announced that they are teaming up with GameStop to give the general public a chance to play DJ Hero this Sunday, October 11th from 10:00am – 6:00pm.

The best part about this promotion is that it is going on at every GameStop across the nation and even gives you the opportunity to win prizes scuh as a chance to meet Eminem and attend one of his concerts in New Orleans, among other things like Xbox 360s, the game and more.

Full list of prizes below courtesy of Joystiq:

Grand Prize (1 Winner)

• VIP trip for you and a friend to EMINEM’s concert at the Voodoo Music Experience in New Orleans on October 30, 2009
• Exclusive invitation to EMINEM’s sound check
• VIP meet and greet with EMINEM
• 2 Xbox 360 DJ Hero Renegade Editions signed by EMINEM
• 2 Xbox 360 consoles
• 2 Xbox LIVE Messenger Gold Packs
• 2 DJ Hero exclusive prize packs

1st Runner Up (10 Winners)

• Xbox 360 DJ Hero Renegade Edition signed by EMINEM
• Xbox 360 console
• Xbox LIVE Messenger Gold Pack

2nd Runner Up (1,000 Winners)

DJ Hero exclusive prize pack including: DJ Hero hat, keychain, pen and sticker

GameStop has recently put up a listing for the Xbox 360 Wireless N network adapter that we’ve been hearing about for some time now that lets us know of both a release date and price.

Of course, GameStop has been known to put up phoney release dates as a place holder until the manufacturer actually speaks of one but they currently have the adapter listed as releasing on October 3rd at $99.99.

A steep price but if you’re looking to ramp up your wireless connection this is your answer.

Anyways, the launch parties are said to play host to things such as trivia, give-aways and other normal business. But who cares about that, the only reason you’re buying Halo 3: ODST is for the Halo: Reach beta, right?

via kotaku

Well, lucky for you guys GameStop has recently announced a promotion that will give $150 credit to anyone who trades in a PS3 Fat towards the purchase of a PS3 Slim.

Then again, you can probably just slap your PS3 Fat on eBay and get much more than you would from GameStop, but it’s the laziness that counts, right?

via psxextreme

Apparently, the Antioch Grove was on hand at a Halo 3: ODST event hosted by GameStop where a representative hinted at a possible buyout. Below is an excerpt from their coverge:

“Perhaps even more interesting than all of the buzz and activity surrounding the event, was a conversation that we had with a few of the Gamestop employees who were helping to host the event. After lamenting about the poor customer experience from the video game by mail company Gamefly, we asked why Gamestop didn’t come up with their own games by mail program, so that residents could get their games from the mail or locally. Pretty much all of the employees agreed that this would be a fine addition to the Gamestop family, but it was what they said afterwards that was a bit surprising.

Apparently, the water cooler gossip around the Antioch and Brentwood stores is that “someone” (Gamestop) is planning on buying out Gamefly before the end of the year. When pressed for more details on the subject, the Gamestop representatives grew quiet and didn’t provide a lot of details, but most of the employees in attendance seemed pretty confident about the rumor. Having a hot game come into town for a preview is exciting, but would pale in consideration to how big this would be. We’re still keeping this one on rumor status until we can get more concrete information, but it definitely caught our attention and something that we will keep our eyes open for.”

If/when this deal goes down it is sure to make GameStop a force to be reckoned with, as if it wasn’t already.

According to the press release this level mimicks a Quiksilver event help in December 2008 where Mr. Hawk himself took gold. Furthermore, it allows players to “skate on a full 80’s style vert ramp, dressed in an authentic Quiksilver retro wardrobe, executing a special, vintage trick list” along with come face to face with an “’80s version of Tony Hawk”.

Will this help spurr Tony Hawk Ride sales? Maybe, but not as much as top notch game play would. Will it deliver? We’ll have to wait until November 17th to find out.

via gonintendo

GameStop has recently announced that their online Casual Store has gone live featuring digital downloads of just about every casual PC game you could think of. And, to celebrate its launch, GameStop is offering 50% off on select downloads with the full list made viewable, here.

Games featured in GameStop’s Casual store include Plants Vs. Zombies, Peggle, Roller Coaster Tycoon, etc. Additionally, GameStop will host over 800 casual game trials that you can download free of charge.

GameStop will be offering the following 6 Wii titles for just $19.99:

• Madworld
• Wario Land: Shake It
• Excitebots: Trick Racing
• Major League Baseball 2K9
• Mario and Sonic: Olympic Games
• Animal Crossing: City Folk

This is a perfect chance to increase your Wii’s game library if you haven’t already done so.

via NintenDeals

If you can’t find the time to leave the house to run over to GameStop, you can order online via EBGames for both the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3. Unfortunately, the PC version still retails for $39.99, but you might get a deal if you walk up to the store in-person. The deal is only valid through August 2nd, so now is definitely the time to grab this fighter.

A few other older titles are also on sale, including F.E.A.R. 2: Project Origin, and Silent Hill Homecoming.

As for the Limited Collector’s Edition, which retails for $79.99 exclusively at GameStop, more vehicles and perks are included, along with a 2GB USB thumb drive.

Forza Motorsport 3 will, of course, be released on the Xbox 360. Be sure to check out the trailer of the game, which took about a month to make.

Arkham Asylum will be out in stores August 25th for the Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, and PC.

via EvilAvatar

• Don King Boxing
• Mario and Sonic: Olympic Games
• Sonic Unleashed
• MadWorld
• Rayman Raving Rabbids TV Party
• Shaun White Snowboarding Road Trip
• Wario Land: Shake It
• Wii Music
• Animal Crossing: City Folk – Game Only
• My Fitness Coach
• Donkey Kong Jungle Beat
• Excitebots: Trick Racing – Game Only

Not exactly your triple-a titles, but hey, it’s a free game. Wario Land: Shake It is a pretty damn fun game, too. Anyways, the offer began today and will last until July 26th.

Read (GameStop)

Players who are planning on reserving Tom Clancy’s Splinter Cell: Conviction from GameStop will be receiving an exclusive in-game semi-automatic shotgun. The website reads, “If you prefer the rugged sophistication of a manual shotgun, but also enjoy the convenience of an automatic, then this is the shotgun for you! Available for online and in-store customers while supplies last.”

Online customers will receive an e-mail with a code to input into the game, while store customers will receive a game card. Either way, it’s still the same code. You can pre-order the game at GameStop. Splinter Cell: Conviction comes out this October for the Xbox 360 and PC.