Welcome to Beyond Co-Op, a weekly piece that talks about industry stories that may or may not be related to co-op gaming.

It's getting darker early as fall progresses, but not nearly as dark as Dark Souls, which appears on several lists this weekend.  I guess some of our contributors are masochists or something?  Gears 3 and other recent releases, as well as drumsticks from a certain large poultry also make appearances.  Quite a lineup, don't you think?

Look at this image from Saints Row: The Third.  No doubt you've seen it before.  The Saints are moving up in the world.  Private planes, fancy cars, flashy suits, champagne, and assault rifle accessories.  The vision carries a certain elegance and style offset by the presence of firearms.  It's classy, with a nuanced subtety alluding to the dangerous lives of the characters.  Okay, it's not that subtle.  He does have a gun resting idly on his shoulder, but the image gets the job done.  Now check out this video of a cowboy bullet-juggling a mascot and making an obscene gesture.  Saints Row is cra-a-a-a-zy!

Battle Brothers!  Warhammer 40k: Space Marine is finally getting the promised cooperative mode, "Exterminatus."  For the Emperor, and all that stuff!  This is great news, because I've been holding off on the Space Marine review for over a month now.  I can't do a proper Co-Op Review if the game doesn't have co-op, can I?  

Activision has sent word that they have teamed up with toy store Toys "R" Us to launch the impressive co-op game, Skylanders: Spyro's Adventure.  We went hands on with the game at E3 and were incredibly impressed by the title, not only for it's unique technology, but for it being a fun family friendly game too.

Are you put to sleep by the gentle sound of shell casings hitting the concrete floor?  Is the boom of a shotgun your alarm clock wake up call in the morning?  Do you just like the sound of guns?  We've got good news for you today at 343 have revealed brand new remastered sound effects for many of Halo: Anniversary's guns.  

Transformers: War for Cybertron was one of the best co-op experiences of last year, allowing up to three players to pound Cybertron into rubble.  The latest Game Informer magazine has announced that a sequel is coming in 2012; Transformers: Fall of Cybertron.  

There are two types of co-op campaigns in this world: one that allows a single player to continue, and one that exacts the same fates to both. Which one is best suited for couples, and why?

RAGE is out now on all platforms and you can read our Co-Op Review of it right here.  But if you still have those lingering questions about just how to play the game's co-op mode or what the co-op mode entails, we've got a nice handy dandy FAQ for you.   This of course, supplements are already informative database entry for the game.

A Virus Name TOM is a new downloadable puzzle game from Misfits Attic.  You've seen these types of circut puzzles before, but not quite like this.  The game has a unique personality, art style, and sense of humor that sets it apart from the average puzzle game.  It also has four player co-op!  Check out the following videos to get a feel for this quirky puzzler.

This week in Indie-Ana Co-Op, we take a look at Dead Pixels, an incredible 8-bit zombie shooter that takes its cues from River City Ransom, and the PC version of Tobe’s Vertical Adventures. Folks who have been looking for a good starting point to co-op indie games need seek no further.

Are you having problems summoning your friends in Dark Souls?  Heck, are you having problems summoning anyone to help you in your battle against the demonic hordes of Lordran?  Have you been placing your summon sign at the beginning of every level and in front of every boss encounter, but no one calls for help?  You are not alone.  Well, you are alone.   Dark Souls is using a different server system than its predecessor, Demon's Souls, and it greatly hinders the possibility of meeting up with your friends.  Naturally, the internets are not amused.