CrimeCraft, the game that isn't an MMO but is rather a "Persistent World Next-gen Shooter" (PWNS), will be available for purchase exclusively from Best Buy at retail. Why? Honestly, I haven't the slightest idea. Does this mean we'll see Best Buy billboards in the game too? Who knows.

As odd as this whole situation is, there are some benefits. For buying CrimeCraft at your local Best Buy, you'll get two free months of play time, two in-game t-shirts and a combat backpack, and finally, a virtual discount card which reduces the cost of purchasable game items.

Also, If you pre-order in person (starting June 7) or online (starting May 31) at -- you guessed it -- Best Buy, you will receive a pair of in-game Ecko Unlimited shoes, access to the CrimeCraft beta, and the opportunity to start playing the game three days before launch, which is happening on August 25.

I'm all for buying my videogames from Best Buy since I like being able to play on day one without pre-ordering, but good lord is this partnership strange. I suppose the benefits outweigh the weirdness of it all, though.

THQ and Vogster Entertainment to Bring Exciting New Persistent World Next-Gen Shooter CrimeCraft to Windows PC

New Urban Crime Drama Available Exclusively at Best Buy

AGOURA HILLS, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--May. 28, 2009-- THQ Inc. (NASDAQ: THQI) and Vogster Entertainment, LLC, today announced the upcoming release of CrimeCraft for Windows PC. Scheduled to ship across North America in August 2009, this highly-anticipated game will be available at retail exclusively at Best Buy stores and on www.bestbuy.com. Gamers can begin pre-ordering CrimeCraft in stores on June 7 or online beginning May 31.

“CrimeCraft is a unique forerunner into a genre dominated by fantasy and sci-fi themes,” said Wim Stocks, senior vice president of strategic partnerships for THQ, CrimeCraft’s retail publisher. “The seamless merger of a cutting-edge shooter experience with the depth of online play normally reserved for MMOs has Crimecraft defying traditional genre classification.”

Added Daniel Prousline, vice president of development for Vogster, CrimeCraft’s developer, “We are delighted to partner with Best Buy and THQ on CrimeCraft with its truly refreshing blend of genres. CrimeCraft will offer a great gaming experience to fans of shooters and massively multiplayer titles alike.”

Consumers who purchase CrimeCraft at Best Buy will receive two months of free play time and a number of exclusive in-game items, including two in-game t-shirts from acclaimed real-world fashion labels and a combat backpack for their avatar. Gamers will also receive a virtual Best Buy discount card that allows them to purchase in-game items at a reduced cost.

Those gamers pre-ordering CrimeCraft via Best Buy retail stores or online at www.bestbuy.com, will additionally receive virtual in-game shoes from Ecko Unltd., created by fashion icon Marc Ecko, access to play the pre-release version of the game during beta, and three days’ head start at the game’s launch.