November's PlayStation Plus freebies include Dragon Fin Soup and The Walking Dead

Magic, zombies, and space travel oh my

November's right around the corner, which means it's time for more free games. Microsoft is offering DiRT 3 and Dungeon Siege III as their Games with Gold headliner games. Sony doesn't want PlayStation owners to feel left out, so they're giving away Mass Effect 2 and The Walking Dead: Season 2 to Plus subscribers.

Also included in this month's lineup are Magicka 2 for the spell slingers out there who want to show off their wizardry to friends. Beyond Good & Evil will take you on an adventure to uncover a government conspiracy after shooting some fireballs at your friends in Magicka or surviving the zombies from The Walking Dead. If that's not enough free game goodness, grab your spoon and bowl and sit down to enjoy some Dragon Fin Soup. The tactical action RPG has been in development for over three years now but makes its debut this Tuesday as a free game for PlayStation Plus subscribers. The full list of games being offered is:

• Beyond Good & Evil (PS3)
• Dragon Fin Soup (PS4, Vita, PS3, cross buy compatibile)
• Invizimals (Vita)
• Magicka 2 (PS4)
• Mass Effect 2 (PS3)
• The Walking Dead: Season 2 (PS4)

The PlayStation Store is only updated on Tuesdays, so November's free games won't be available until the third. May your November be filled with zombies, magic, and science fiction as you enjoy this month's free PlayStation Plus titles.

Source: neoseeker

Fallout 4's Nuka Cola Quantum will be available at Target starting November 10

Vault up with even more Fallout 4 swag

Fallout 4 may have gone gold, but that doesn't stop the hype train. So far, Fallout fans have the mythical Pip Boy edition and even Fallout Monopoly to get their real life Wasteland fix. If you're as hyped up for Fallout 4 as Bethesda is, a legendary version of the game that's so rare it might as well be a unicorn and a themed board game just aren't enough. Bethesda agrees, so they've teamed up with Jones Soda Company to bring Nuka Cola to life. Now you can enjoy Nuka Cola in real life as you're enjoying it in-game or just playing Monopoly with friends and family.

The ever-elusive Nuka Cola Quantum will be making its real life debut alongside Fallout 4 November 10. The video game themed soda will be available exclusively from Target. Given how hard to find Nuka Cola Quantum is in the Fallout series, some people are concerned that the real life version will suffer from limited availability. There's no telling how much of the themed beverage has been produced or how long it will be available. International fans will have to settle for unofficial versions if they'd rather not drink the Fallout Beer being sold in the UK.

Fallout 4 will turn your PC, PlayStation 4, or Xbox One system into a virtual wasteland for at least 400 hours before taking into account the coming DLC starting November 10. Get ready for the nuclear apocalypse by making sure your PC can run it or your console has enough free space.

Source: Neoseeker

Super Mario Maker update brings checkpoint flags and official Nintendo levels on Nov. 4

Difficult levels won't be impossible now

Since the launch of Super Mario Maker on September 11, reviews have been largely positive. However, many of them mention one major flaw in the game's course creation system -- the lack of checkpoints. Nintendo is finally addressing that with the inclusion of checkpoint flags (among other improvements) in a free downloadable update due November 4.

Many creators use the tools included in Super Mario Maker to build levels that are, simply put, sadistic. Some designers have found ways around nearly-impossible levels by creating clever checkpoint systems that use passwords, similar to the NES days of Kid Icarus and Metroid. Nintendo is looking to take all of the hassle out of that by introducing checkpoint flags that can be created and placed simply by shaking the directional arrow object.

Of course, the November 4th update is set to include more than just one tool. Fans of Mario Paint on the SNES will be plesaed to hear that Super Mario Maker is getting a longer, more difficult version of the Gnat Attack minigame. Shaking a Muncher enemy in the Create Mode will result in the Gnat Attack gauntlet. Players will also be able to access levels made by Nintendo's development team -- the console giant is adding an "Official" tab full of levels made by Super Mario series level creators. Additionally, Nintendo is set to launch worldwide events featuring thematic levels and challenges after this update.

The checkpoint flags, a more challenging Gnat Attack, access to official levels, and more are planned to arrive to Super Mario Maker for the Nintendo Wii U starting November 4.

Source: Neoseeker

Assassin's Creed IV: Black Flag officially announced by Ubisoft, press release on 4 March

Ubisoft announces the game on Twitter

Today Ubisoft officially recognised Assassin's Creed IV: Black Flag. An update on Twitter told fans that they can expect information from them regarding the newest title in the Assassin's Creed series on Monday 4th March at 6pmCET.

Along with the tweet they also unveiled the official box-art for the game. It shows a, to be frank, freakin' awesome looking assassin with a cutlass in one hand and a pistol in the other. In the background a black flag (so that's where it got it's name from) sporting the Assassin's symbol surrounding the jolly roger skull.

Here's the Assassin's Creed IV: Black Flag official confirmation. No bright light, sparkly banners or party poppers. Just a twitter update telling us to, "Watch this space," but then why am I so excited? Assassin's Creed IV: Black Flag is planned for the Xbox 360, PlayStation 3 and PC. Financial reports from Ubisoft state a planned fiscal year 2014 release date, but to be more specific we can likely expect Black Flag this fall.

Monster Hunter 3 Ultimate demo arrives in the eShop, try it for Wii U and 3DS before release

Demo will feature two full quests, including option for beginners

Lot of Monster Hunter fans out there, and you might be happy to know that today marks the arrival of the Monster Hunter 3 Ultimate demo on the Nintendo eShop. Whether you're interested in getting this game for Wii U or 3DS, the demo is available in both versions.

Included in the demo are two full quests, one that can accommodate Monster Hunter rookies and the other for intermediate players. You'll also be able to try 12 different weapon options in battle, and travel across a number of environments to take on the Lagombi and Plesioth.

The full version will be landing March 19 in North America and March 22 in Europe. Players step into the role of (duh) a hunter exploring a settlement in the Monster Hunter universe. Ultimate will boast over 200 quests, and aims to be the biggest title in the franchise to date.

Final Fantasy XIV: A Realm Reborn's closed beta starts February 25, trailer and screenshots to celebrate

One step closer...

Square Enix revealed early this morning in a Q&A with the community that Final Fantasy XIV: A Realm Rebornwould be entering closed beta starting February 25 -- next Monday. Only a select number of the most loyal of fanswill be allowed into this early stage of the beta. For everyone else, Square Enix made available a benchmark that shows off the game in all of its new, glorious splendor.

The closed beta will offer players their first look into the remade Final Fantasy XIV, as well as giving fans their first shot at trying out the new FATE system. FATE, or Full Active Time Events are dynamic scenarios where a group of monsters, a boss, or some sort of a event can spawn at random. All players in the zone are notified of the event and all who participate will gain a reward.

While you're downloading the new benchmark, check out the newly released Final Fantasy XIV: A Realm Reborntrailer, titled "Exploration". It's mostly footage taken from the benchmark, but if you're curious as to how the new combat systems work, or just what the new world looks like in general, this is what you're looking for. We also have new screenshots of each of the playable races (of both sexes) available in A Realm Reborn.

Keep in mind this is all PC related, as any news on the PlayStation version of Final Fantasy XIV: A Realm Rebornwill likely come at the end of the PC beta after the game has relaunched.

Skyrim: Hearthfire DLC finally arrives for PSN, just a few days after Dragonborn

In case you were really itching to build homes and adopt some kids

Bethesda is keeping with the PS3 release schedule, and today, Skyrim: Hearthfire makes its way to PSN.

The add-ons are coming each Tuesday, and began with Dragonborn last week, on February 12. Next Tuesday, February 26, will see the arrival of Dawnguard, Skyrim's vampire-tastic DLC.

All of the aforementioned stuff was released first to Xbox 360, then PC. And now PS3 is finally catching up. As though to apologize for how long it all took -- and how broken the game has been on Sony's console -- Bethesda's also marking down each of the DLC packs for a week after they're released. Hey, can't ever complain about a 50% discount.

Hearthfire basically allows the Dragonborn to custom-build their own homes at select locations across Skyrim. Inside, you can pick and choose furniture, install a trophy room, and create a home for your spouse and child. Yes, you can adopt in Hearthfire. Good times.