So if you head over to Youtube today you can watch episode 1 of an animated series that bridges the 10 year gap between Crackdown and Crackdown 2. There will be five episodes in all and when complete will answer all the lingering questions you might have about the current state of Pacific City. Like, where did The Freaks come from, who are The Cell, and what state is The Agency in? What are you waiting for? Go watch episode 1, now! Then look at this schedule to find out when the remaining episode air.

Episode 1                                                                                                        May 21, 2010

Episode 2                                                                                                        May 28, 2010

Episode 3                                                                                                        June 4, 2010

Episode 4                                                                                                        June 11, 2010

Episode 5                                                                                                        June 21, 2010

On July 6th Microsoft Game Studios and Ruffian games will release the sequel to 2007′s sleeper hit, Crackdown. While that game wasn’t deadly serious, it wasn’t nearly as humorous as this vidoc shows. When I say humorous I mean, “over the top murder”. The way you kill dudes in this game is very, Three Stooges of the future. Sign posts, bus shelters, beach balls(?), you should probably just watch the video, because I’m not doing it justice.

Trailer via Joystiq

I randomly picked a Crackdown 2 screenshot from a folder full of Crackdown 2 screenshots, and man, that’s just not a very good screenshot. What were they thinking over there? Anyways, that’s not why you are here, it’s because on July 6th Ruffian Games and Microsoft Game Studios will release the sequel to the surprise hit Crackdown. The game features 4 player co-op in the campaign and 16 player multiplayer of the “kill each other” variety. Should be a blast, nice to know we’ll have some orb catching to do this Summer. I mean, what would you rather do, go outside? Have you ever been outside? You could get hurt.

Just so you know, the image above is from Crackdown 1, because apparently images of Crackdown 2 don’t exist. Anyways, IGN UK spoke with James Cope one of the producers on Crackdown 2 and here is the new stuff we know. There will be a demo just like last time. There are helicopters so you can finally fly around. That should certainly be fun in multiplayer. Finally, there will be more ways to get orbs, but ones for driving will be harder to get. You will literally have to chase them down. Crackdown was a surprisingly good game let’s hope Crackdown 2 is a surprisingly good sequel.

Here is the trailer for Crackdown 2 from last night’s VGAs. Watch carefully and tell me that it isn’t going to be like 4 player+ co op. Seriously, I’m thinking at least 8 players.