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As Dale pointed out the other day, thePlayStation Storeis about to get a much-needed facelift in mid-April. Yesterday, Sony gave us a virtual courtesy call via the PlayStation Blog, as agentle reminderthat no new updates were slated for this week. The newer look seems cleaner, and might even be easier to navigate. So far, there only seems to be one thing missing: a search function. You will still be able to browse all the titles in alphabetical order, but we’re still holding out hope that Sony includes something a bit quicker in a future update....

[Update:Sonyhas assured consumersthat the sites were not hacked, so there’s no need to fear that details were compromised. Sony itself did not state, in its post, why it took down the password reset pages. It’s neither confirmed nor denied the existence of the exploit. In any case, it’s recommending that users reset their passwords via PS3, despite the return of the websites.] Oh … Sony …no… Sony has had to restrict its online services yet again after discovering an exploit in its PSN password reset system, which could let hackers break in andmess with all your accounts again....

If you don’t ownThe Orange Boxby now, why not? This weekend’sSteam deal is 66% offthe normal $29.99 asking price, so you really have no excuse for not owning the collection of damn fine Valve games. Half-Life 2,Episode One,Episode 2,Lost Coast,Portal, andTeam Fortress 2… for $10. Crazy, isn’t it? I’m extremely curious to see what kind of effect this is going to have on sales, because I am a huge nerd, obviously....

E3 2009 was last week (which is one million years of internet time), but that doesn’t mean that I’m finished talking about what happened. Specifically, I’m going to talk a little about Sony’s ace in the hole:Final Fantasy XIV. In a surprise announcement, Sony revealed the latest installment in the storied (and checkered) franchise. Here’s the kicker — it’s an MMORPG, the likes of which we haven’t seen sinceFinal Fantasy XIstartedmaking people physically ill....

This new “artistic” trailer forStreet Fighter IVdoesn’t really do anything new. It simply implies that Seth and M. Bison are a couple of nasty bastards, something I’mprettysure we all knew already. Still, there’s plenty of sinister smirking and dramatic camera angles to keep us pumped for Capcom’s upcoming festival of public violence.Seth and Bison are so scary, actually, that I kind of pooped my pants a little at this video. They are incredibly terrifying and there is definitely poop in your future should you should you choose to watch the trailer....

Harrison Ford seems like a stand-up guy, and hey, he’s coming out with a Facebook game that is, unsurprisingly, for a good cause. Top men are working on it, we’re told. Ford is collaborating with developer Talkie and Conservation International to createEcotopia, a city-building game focused on green initiatives. Players will be rewarded in-game for real-world green acts, upon verification by friends; this is more than just a feel-good game, it would seem....

Those clever girls and guys at Valve aredoing their partto help support relief efforts in Japan. Team Fortress 2has received three special hats and two noisemakers, which can be purchased from the game’s Mann Co. store through April 6. The prices are higher than you might expect, however, all earnings will be going to the American Red Cross. Hats — and the marketplace for digital gear in general — have come a long way....

In a blog post,Edmund McMillengave us the skinny on a game he’s working on,The Binding of Isaac. He says it draws inspiration fromThe Legend of Zelda‘s dungeon structure, controls likeRobotron: 2084andSmash TV, and is coming to Steam this August for a price that “won’t put much of a strain on your wallets.” Do I even need to go on?Isaachas a “randomly generated semi-RPG world filled with power-ups, items, and special abilities....

I used to do this when I was a kid. LEGOs were awesome. Diablo IIIart director resigns, Warren Ellis worked onDead Space,Medal of Honormight visit Afghanistan, DMV heads to Otakon,GTA IVis used as a scapegoat again, and plenty more happened on Thursday. Thursday Regulars:Podtoid 64: Duct taped copies ofEternity’s Child Not Thursday Regulars:PlayStation Store Update: Two beta invites,NASCAR, and a ton of trailersRetroforceGO! episode 56: Listener questions Destructoid Reviews:Siren: Blood Curse News:Assassin’s Creedis worth ten million dollars?...

Alas, we’ve reached the end of theDestructoid/Blast Workscontest. The event goes out on a high note this week withDCitybyShadow1w2, who is the first contestant to really embrace the D-toid theme (though there are plenty of other Destructoid themed objects floating around theBlast WorksDepot). Every enemy in the level is a Destructoid shaped in one way or another, and the boss is Mr Destructoid himself inside a Destructoid robot. A robot piloting a robot....

What happens when you a simple tricycle race is too dull? Why you add a video game spin to it, that’s what! The gang atPanda Smashdecide to have a realMario Kartrace. They dress up as their favorite characters, have a full blown course with “real” environmental effects, and enemies like Chain-Chomps and Thwomps (“I’m a Thwomp, I Thwomp people”) to attack the racers. They even have weapons to throw at each other....

You don’t need it, but you want one — a Patapon in a bottle, byEtsy user zelas. Selling for $10, zelas put the center of the Patapon army, the flag carrier, inside of a 4 inch tall, 1 inch in diameter bottle. While the thing is only made from black card stock, a craft store googly eye, and wire, it’s a pretty convincing replica. Fans of Patapon would do well to put one of these on their desks; maybe you’ll catch the eye of that special someone who you didn’t know was a gamer....

It really is the perfect fit. BothPokemonand LEGOs are meant for everyone, and yet, some people seem to think you have to be a kid to get enjoyment out of them. I’m loving the heck out of these creations by Filip Johannes Felberg. Especially the Ekans one. He’sgot a sizable setalready, and the plan is to push out more each week. In case Filip is taking requests, I’d like to suggest Swalot....