Disney Interactive Studios has confirmed that its action/role-playing game,Pirates of the Caribbean: Armada of the Damnedhas been canceled. The news comes following the reported lay-off of “as many as 100” folks from the game’s Vancouver-based developer, Propaganda Games. “As a result of this decision, Disney Interactive Studios completed a restructuring of Propaganda Games, its Vancouver, BC internal studio, affecting one of the studio’s development teams,” said vice president of communications Angela Emery today in a statement toKotakutoday....

This week’s PlayStation Network update is dominated by Capcom awesome, including the much-anticipatedBionic Commando Rearmedfor $9.99; the game supports remote play, so you may play it on the crapper! A demo of the game, along with a demo for Capcom’s1942: Joint Strike, is also up for grabs for the cool price of “free.” The PlayStation 1 version ofStreet Fighter Alphais also available today, justnot in the UK. Oops! Not into Capcom classics or remakes?...

‘Nother week, ‘nother Podtoid — this time around, we’ll probably discussBioShock 2in great detail. We may also briefly touch on some of theX10 announcements, though as I’m the only person on the podcast (or perhaps the Internet) who likesFable, that conversation could go by pretty quickly. We’ll need listener questions, though, just like we always do. Hit the jump and start asking them.

We restrained ourselves from completely spoilingHeavy RaininMonday’s Podtoidso that we could discuss the story in greater detail in last night’s very special EX+ Gaiden Alpha Bonus episode. You can find ithere. In it, we discussMASSIVEHEAVY RAINSPOILERS.Jim also does a Kevin Spacey impression at one point. Additionally, there’s a bit at the very end where right before signing off, Samit says, “well, it’s a quarter to midnight.” Adam cut the recording there, but we went on to decide that “It’s a Quarter To Midnight” was the name of Samit’s Nickelback cover band, and that the next time he’s at an E3 party he has to do a karaoke version of “Hero....

It seems like with all the censorship and politically-mandated shuffling of papers and clearing of throats directed towards gaming recently, the Podtoid has become increasingly focused on the topic of our oppression. Like minorities and women before us, gamers are being increasingly persecuted for our beliefs, and, as a wise man once said “Our freedom of speech is freedom or death”. No, actually, I’m just f***in’ with you. We’re not persecuted, and honestly, our lives aren’t much different than they were a month ago....

There’s a story behindColin’s Bear Animation, of course, but it’s just as hilarious without context. Whether you watch theoriginal video, or thenine minute loop, or any of the myriadhomages, Colin’s Bear Animation remains the greatest thing to ever grace the Internet — short of this week’s Podtoid, that is. See that segue? See howsmooththat was?Yeeuh. Check the new show out HERE.This week, the regular Podtoid cast talked about random news stories from the past few months....

You’re looking at one of two — count ’em,two— variant headline pictures for this week’s Podtoid. The above 3D rendering of The Blogocube, created byGynecologist Cobra, is sexier than most Mac ads. Head tothe official Podtoid pagenot only to check out this week’s show, but to seeAshley Davis‘s illustration of a rivalry as old as time itself. This week,Chad ConcelmoandTopher Cantlerdropped by to fill the voids left byBastard McHatesOcarinaOfTimeandFloozy O’Doesn’tPlayVideogames....

Jagged Alliance: Back in Action, the remake ofJagged Alliance 2, has a bit of controversy surrounding its new take on turn-based combat, but purists will be happy to hear thatJagged Alliance Onlinegives you a more traditional turn-based affair. The only thing you’ll have to come to terms with is that it’s a free-to-play browser game. The upside of this is that you’ll be able to play it anywhere you have a laptop or computer....

Last week, I was fortunate enough to be invited over to Blizzard headquarters down in Irvine to get the first hands-on look at the eagerly anticipatedStarCraft II. While the original plan was for us to get some hands-on time with the Terran campaign in the single-player mode, we were informed a few days before the event that the focus had shifted, and that we would be seeing multiplayer instead. Either way, I was happy; it’sStarCraft II!...

A McGill University professor hasattacked the games industryfor its focus on violent content. Michael Hoechsmann has claimed that focusing on guns, violence and warfare does society no favors and is unimaginative. Perhaps, but I NEED TO SHOOT THINGS OR I WILL KILL MY NEIGHBOR IRL! “There is a tremendous lack of imagination on the part of the games industry. I think it’s barbaric,” stated Hoechsmann when asked about EA’s upcoming mercenary-fest,Army of Two....

OK, well maybe hot is stretching it. How does desperate sound? According toMCV, a few UK retail outlets have slashed their PlayStation 3 prices in order toget ridof that big black meanie box. Here are the juicy details: “PS3 performed well pre-launch and the first week of release, but since then sales have dropped considerably,” said Gameseek boss Stephen Staley. “I am sure the deal will help matters. I personally believe the cuts are down to overstocking from launch....

Rare?! What are you doing? Still, this is pretty neat. TheKinect SportsFacebook app takes your Xbox 360 gamertag, pulls your scores, and then compares them with other friends and gamers. It’s a way to get online leagues going — the Facebook app does all the sorting of times automatically.Eurogamersays that you can join a weekly international league, create your own league, or watch videos uploaded fromKinect Sports. The ability to see your complete stats is coming soon....

The French site LiveWiibrings word thatUbiSoft has announced that they are makingRed Steel 2.According to the article, they’re justifying making the second game by saying that they’re completely reworking the sword system. There’s no announcement yet as to whether or not the game will support online play or anything, but there should be more details rolling out soon. I believe I’m the staff member who has played the most ofRed Steel(~70% of the game), I actually do want to see how much of an overhaul they can give this game, and possibly turn it into something worthwhile....