Earlier today THQ pushed live the latest stats update for UFC Undisputed 2010. They have exclusively provided the changes that have been made in this latest update breaking down categories that saw increases and decreases for the 23 fighters affected.

Jon “Bones” Jones looks to be the biggest beneficiary having received upgrades almost completely across the board while Sean Sherk takes a hit in the most categories. Despite the loss to Cain Velasquez there is no movement made to Brock Lesnar’s ratings in this update. Continue on for a full listing of ratings shifts and leave any thoughts in the comments!

•Cain Velasquez: UP- 76 Speed, 70 Standing Kick Offense

•Carlos Condit: UP- 75 Standing Strike Offense, 73 Standing Strike Defense, 70 Standing Kick Offense

•Chael Sonnen: UP- 70 Speed. DOWN- 77 Ground Grapple Defense

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Tied for 1: I AM LOVE and I’M STILL HERE

My two favorite movie posters of 2010 – one for one of my favorite films of the year, the other for a film that I didn’t even see (not from lack of desire, though Casey Affleck’s opening weekend fess-up dampened my enthusiasm somewhat), and a perfect pair.

I have a lot of affection for the simple movie poster that places perfectly chosen type on a beautiful film still, but these are something else. For one thing, their images are portraits rather than film stills (Tilda Swinton at her most elegant, Joaquin Phoenix at his most studiously disheveled), and for another, the title treatments are given equal billing to the image, seemingly fighting with it, potentially overwhelming it, ultimately embracing it. It’s nice to see serif and script fonts being used so stylishly in the age of sans-serif minimalism; I only wish I Am Love didn’t have to devote so much real estate to the billing block, something I’m Still Here dispenses with entirely (instead crediting the designers and photographer). I Am Love was designed by The Refinery, I’m Still Here by the great Kellerhouse, who also designed my favorite poster of 2009.

3. BLACK SWAN
The most talked about and blogged about movie posters of the year were a series of four limited edition illustrated teaser screen prints for Black Swan, created by UK designers LaBoca. They are brilliant and there is not much more to say about them other than that I wish I owned a set. This was my favorite of the four, the design that best captures the sinister transformations and malevolent couplings of the film itself.

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With strong showings in December both Madden 11 and NBA 2K11 were able to secure their respective spots within the top 10 highest selling games of 2010. Madden 11 finished as the second highest selling game of the year while NBA 2K11 came in tenth.

For December alone Madden 11 moved approximately 1.2 million copies and came in seventh place, while NBA 2K11 sold nearly a million for a ninth place finish. The holidays always represent a resurgence for sports titles and in particular Madden as it’s an easy buy alongside new consoles. This year 2K11 became one of the few sports games to reach the mainstream and become a complimentary gift as well. There were also a number of deals that helped push sales with Madden and 2K11 being found new for as low as $ 30.

From its release in August through the end of December Madden 11 sold well over five million copies. It trailed only Call of Duty: Black Ops which more than doubled its total as the biggest game of the year. Madden 11 opened up 12% year-over-year but it did take a sharper drop-off in the months following compared to last year. That would seem to be a combination of the influence pre-order deals and the “Online Pass” along with word of mouth that wasn’t nearly as strong as what helped carry Madden 10 to better than expected returns.

That trend following release month has continued as Madden 10 sold significantly more in December of 2009 than Madden 11 did in December 2010. Madden 11 fell about 20% for the month which should continue the concern but at this point EA has surely realized they made missteps with the game. The drop in sales just cements how consumers felt about the offering and in the process they spent their money elsewhere.

In the case of NBA 2K11 it has surged to right around 2.5 million copies sold since its release in early October shattering what most thought possible out of a basketball game. 2K11 topped the charts in October and doubled the sales of 2K10. It fell back down to earth somewhat in November but the resurgence in December shows that it has appeal beyond just the initial rush due to Michael Jordan’s involvement and bodes well for the series going forward.

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If you were thinking that the Xbox 360 was running out of steam then think again; December’s NPD numbers reveal Microsoft’s console made the most money last year. How much money? $ 6.2 billion.

It’s not been the best of years the the game industry as a whole though; total game sales were down 9% to 5.06 billion and hardware was down 16% to $ 1.84 billion. Still a lot of money, sure, but will things pick up in 2011? However, thanks to Move and Kinect accessory sales are up to $ 853 million.

Also included are the month’s top 10 selling titles. Catch those below.

1. Call of Duty: Black Ops – 360, PS3, Wii, NDS, PC – Activision Blizzard
2. Just Dance 2 – Wii – Ubisoft
3. World of Warcraft: Cataclysm – PC – Activision Blizzard
4. Assassin’s Creed: Brotherhood – 360, PS3 – Ubisoft
5. Donkey Kong Country Returns – Wii – Nintendo
6. Disney Epic Mickey – Wii – Disney Interactive Studios
7. Madden NFL 11 – 360, PS3, Wii, PS2, PSP – Electronic Arts
8. Michael Jackson The Experience – Wii, NDS, PSP – Ubisoft
9. NBA 2K11 – 360, PS3, Wii, PSP, PS2, PC – Take Two Interactive
10. Need for Speed: Hot Pursuit – 360, PS3, Wii, PC – Electronic Arts

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It was a year in sports gaming that had a couple really great offerings followed by several good titles that lacked significantly in certain areas. In that sense it was no different than any other year though distinctly more top-heavy. In the four years of doing a countdown of top games 2K Sports has now captured the top spot twice with NBA 2K11 and The BIGS. EA Sports has one nod with NCAA Football 09, and last year’s winner UFC Undisputed 2009 came from THQ.

UFC Undisputed 2010 dropped completely off the list with a really rough showing and awful handling of the title by THQ that even resulted in the shifting of the franchise to a bi-yearly release. There seems to be a distinct trend with yearly sports titles where generally regarded “up years” are followed by “down years”. Is that because expectations are raised following a great year and it is tough to follow up on that? Or is it just that resources tend to shift and focus or goals change too often?

2011 will present a challenge for NBA 2K12 given the influx of new gamers to the series and having to find a way to top what was an extraordinary offering. MLB 11: The Show has something to prove and early signs are the game will at least feel different due to the analog controls. NCAA Football 12 is at the cusp of being great but they’ve taken steps back in the past when in that position. Madden 12 will be interesting to watch given they seem to have learned lessons from the way this year was largely mishandled.

#1: NBA 2K11
#2: 2010 FIFA World Cup
#3: NCAA Football 11
#4: EA Sports MMA
#5: FIFA 11
#6: Madden NFL 11
#7: Kinect Sports
#8: MLB 10 The Show
#9: NHL 11
#10: NBA Jam
The Worst of 2010
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