Because, I dunno, herding animals around is fun or something, there's an game coming soon via Capcom, called "Flock", first noticed this week when the developer unveiled its E3 lineup. More or less, you're manning an alien spaceship that's making off with flocks, gaggles, coveys, clowders, murders, cackles, prides etc. of animals. Your means of encouragement? Why, a death ray of course. PETA should love the shit out of this game. IGN describes it in very Lemmings-friendly terms. If that's your cup of tea, it'll be out via Xbox Live Arcade, Playstation Network, and for PC download, soon.

IGN: Flock Preview[IGN]

Can't say I've ever used the Inside Xbox section on the 360 myself, but hey, maybe you do. Then again, maybe you don't, and nobody does, which is why Microsoft have announced that they've signed a deal with IGN to bring the site's IGN Strategise segments to Xbox Live. Or, more specifically, that they're bringing the site's IGN Strategise segments to Xbox Live, and they'll be hosted by Jessica Chobot. Neat way to get the IGN brand on Xbox Live without worrying about editorial concerns, that (Strategise being a video hints and tips section).

IGN Strategise Now On Inside Xbox/Xbox Live [IGN]

Variety's Ben Fritz opined in his column The Cut Scene last week that the concept of an "exclusive" review, specifically the case of IGN's Grand Theft Auto IV review, was something he found troublesome. His entry on the matter read that Fritz seemed less concerned with the 10 out of 10 score, but that IGN securing an exclusive review—as it often does with game announcements, media and interviews—was the thing ethically troubling. (We suggest you read Fritz's original post, lest we misinterpret it in some sort of telephone game.)

The reviewer in question, Hilary Goldstein, editor-in-chief at IGN's Xbox 360 channel, talked to GameDaily about the GTA IV review mini-hubbub, chalking up Fritz's concerns to a possible grudge.

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A clip recently posted to IGN titled "Ladies of Liberty City: Very Bad Things" featured a montage of some of Grand Theft Auto IV's more lewd and violent behaviour. A portion of that clip—perhaps the most objectionable portion—can still be seen at Gawker with the re-hosted full rip over at Boinkology. It can't be seen at IGN anymore, as the Fox owned entertainment site tells MTV Multiplayer "In this case, we crossed a line in how we portrayed some aspects of the game and we've taken this video down."

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Misery loves company! It's OK, Capcom. You weren't the only ones to leave an IGN watermark on your own Okami art. Bradygames left one on the cover of their Okami Wii strategy guide, too! What's even kookier is that the watermark appears in a different spot on the book's cover than on the game's cover, meaning it's not just a case of re-using the same art from Capcom's cover. Whoops. Wonder if they'll offer replacement dust covers?

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If you hate 10-point rating systems, then pay no mind to the Nadia Comaneci 10 that IGN has handed Grand Theft Auto IV. The last game to get a perfect score from IGN was Soul Calibur for the Dreamcast, in 1999.

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Are you a North American member of the IGN Insider's program or Founders' Club who doesn't have a beta key for Metal Gear Online? Well you're in luck, as IGN is releasing three waves of beta codes to IGN Insiders starting tomorrow. The first two waves of keys will be for both Insiders and Founders' Club members, with the third wave strictly Insider online. Right now you can join the Founders' Club for just $US 9.95 monthly, so if all else fails and you desperately want to get into the beta you can always plunk down $US 10 and cross your fingers.

Metal Gear Online at FilePlanet [FilePlanet - Thanks Abel!]

Funcom, Eidos, and IGN are proud to present the 'open' beta for Age Of Conan, coming to a PC near you on May 1st, if you're lucky. Members of FilePlanet are invited to sign up for the open beta period, with 50,000 slots on the line for a chance to put the game through its paces. In order to make sure people are focusing on actually testing it, the lucky thousands will be restricted to level 13, so don't think you're getting that much of a leg up on the pile.

"The IGN and FilePlanet audience has consistently told us that Age of Conan is one of their most anticipated games of the year, and we are very pleased to partner with Funcom and Eidos on the Open Beta," says Senior Vice President of Consumer Products at IGN, Jamie Berger.

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There are a lot of splendid jokes hitting the net today, a lot of bad ones too, but this wonderful Zelda the Movie trailer created by IGN has to take the cake. I for one am happy it's a prank, Link, a real Link, wearing that silly little green hat is the last thing I want to see in a movie theatre.

Legend of Zelda Movie Trailer Premiere Your dreams realised. [IGN]

Yes, it's official folks. Derwent Howard released a statement yesterday that includes the gory details. Sadly, I'm not privy to the statement itself, but IT media news site ITJourno has extracted everything we need to know. Again, I'd provide a direct link, but the site is only accessible to registered IT journalists.

According to ITJ, the split is effective immediately, which means there's just one more issue of Official Xbox 360 Magazine in the pipeline from the publisher. After that, it's unclear how the magazine will transition back to its original owners or whether it's appearance on shelves will continue uninterrupted. On the bright side, I've heard that Derwent Howard will retain OXM's staff for a new Xbox 360-themed magazine.

Keeping with the industry gossip (dominated recently by the comedic antics of the phantom of the Internet), Derwent Howard's new Nintendo games mag hit newsstands yesterday. Look out for a Lego Indiana Jones on the cover. IGN Australia also has a new Editor-in-Chief, in the form of ex-Official Playstation Magazine editor Narayan Pattison, after Bennett Ring's recent departure to the world of mobiles.