Humble THQ Bundle arrives with Metro 2033, Company of Heroes, and others

Steam and Windows-only, however

A new Humble Bundle has arrived and instead of a selection of fine indie games, this one is full of AAA titles. The Humble THQ Bundle has launched, with a name your own price for Metro 2033, Company of Heroes, CoH: Opposing Fronts, CoH: Tales of Valor, Darksiders, and Red Faction: Armageddon. Anyone who beats the average also gets a copy of Saints Row: The Third. How's that for a bundle?

The only caveat is all of these titles are Steam and Windows-only, so Mac and Linux gamers are left on the side. Still, five games plus DRM-free soundtracks for any price is a hard deal to pass up for Windows gamers. The average to beat for SR3 is $5.17 at press time, so that means six fantastic games for a little more than a Lincoln.

Proceeds can go directly to Child's Play, the American Red Cross, THQ, the Humble Bundle team, or any combination of the four. There are a little over 13 days remaining to pick up this bundle, so don't delay too much. The eerie depths of the Russian Metro, Mars, war-torn Europe, and other locales can only sit idle for so long.

The Elder Scrolls V: Skryim's latest DLC trailer introduces the first Dragonborn

You didn't think you were the only one?

Bethesda's latest trailer marks the official announcement of The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim's latest add-on,Dragonborn. Teased last Friday and leaked a few weeks earlier than that, Dragonborn returns Elder Scrolls faithful to the island of Solstheim, first shown in The Elder Scrolls III: Bloodmoon. Dragonborn isn't about an island, however, it's about a person. Specifically, it's about the first Dragonborn.

All we're shown of this first Dragonborn is a mask to accompany this small introduction:

LucasArts goes Disney as the multinational acquires Lucasfilm for over $4 billion

Will LucasArts go the way of Black Rock Studio?

The Walt Disney Disney Company has made another huge acquisition, following up their purchase of Marvel in 2009 with Star Wars and Indiana Jones film production company Lucasfilm. Included in the deal is Lucasfilm subsidiaryLucasArts, the game development studio behind The Curse of Monkey Island, Sam and Max, and dozens of Star Wars games. What this means for the future of LucasArts is unknown, but hopefully it doesn't turn into a Black Rock Studio scenario.

LucasArts is currently neck deep in the development of Star Wars 1313, the sexy, gritty, Unreal Engine 3 project revealed during E3 this year. Considering how involved Lucasfilm is in the development of the project, on top ofLucasArts recent leadership changes, just how the acquisition will affect the studio is up the air. Hopefully there are no dramatic consequences, but a comment from the studio could go a long way.

What Disney's acquisition of Lucasfilm means for the greater Star Wars franchise and films (Star Wars 7 promised in 2015) is a discussion better left for the comments. In terms of gaming, however, the possibilities are very exciting. What will Disney want to do with all of those classic adventure games? Will they encourage the resurrection of fan-favorite Star Wars franchises? Or will LucasArts carry on relatively independently? 

Team Meat of Super Meat Boy fame announces their next game, Mew-Genics

It's a game about cats... kinda

Oh, Team Meat, is it fair to question your sanity and sobriety at this point? Over the weekend Team Meat, of Super Meat Boy fame, announced the next title they are developing -- Mew-Genics. The title is a combination of two terms: mew, a sound that an adorable kitty cat might make, and eugenics, the science of improving the genetic make-up of a population. Oh dear, this is going to be a dangerous game in the hands of Team Meat.

Edmund, half of the Team Meat pair, promised that they're moving fast on Mew-Genics and will start talking platforms and gameplay soon. He also provided a brief summary of the game:

"Mew-Genics is by far the strangest project I've ever worked on.. and that's saying something. Tommy and i are very happy with how development has been going on it and decided that Mew-Genics will be the next official Team Meat game. We don't want to spoil too much here, but we can say the game will be randomly generated, strange and involve cats. 

It's something, isn't it, when Team Meat says they're working on a project stranger than any other of theirs. Especially when their last game was about a boy with no skin chasing after a fetus in a fishbowl wearing a top hat and monocle.

Don't fret, Super Meat Boy fans. Edmund also takes a moment to promise they're still hard at work on a new Super Meat Boy for iOS and PC. When you're a two person development team, sometimes you need to take a break and make a game about cat eugenics, is all...  hmm. Look forward to more news on Mew-Genics soon, ya crazies.

Tekken Tag Tournament 2 Wii U Edition will include DLC characters unlocked

Not too surprising anymore

Whenever Tekken Tag Tournament 2 arrives for Wii U, the game will already have DLC characters and stages from the Xbox 360 and PS3 versions unlocked. So confirms producer Katsuhiro Harada during a private Namco Bandai event this week.

Tekken Tag Tournament 2 Wii U Edition already bundles in some extra content, but Harada felt that all versions should have access to the same characters. During the event, he also downplayed the recently discovered content found on the Xbox 360 disc, noting that "not all the content [Namco Bandai] bplanned for the PS3 and 360 has been revealed yet, so there's still some stuff left."

Namco Bandai certainly aren't the only company trying to lure gamers to Wii U versions of previously released games this way. BioWare and EA are doing the same with Mass Effect 3 on Wii U, which will include an extrasquad member and associated content that is otherwise available only through Collector's Edition or as paid DLC.

Company of Heroes 2 Collector's Edition is $100, Steam pre-orders include Team Fortress 2 hats

Skins, hats, Digital Collector's Edition detailed

THQ has announced a digital special edition of Company of Heroes 2, the RTS from Relic coming out next year, plus a number of pre-order bonuses for the especially eager gamers out there.

For most participating retailers, the pre-order bonus entails two vehicle skins for medium weight vehicles -- the German Rotbraun and Soviet Leningrad -- in addition to beta access during closed beta.

As for Steam, folks who reserve the game there will enrolled in the "Steam Pre-Purchase Tiered Reward Program." That basically entails unlocks for Team Fortress 2 and Dawn of War II.

For Origin pre-orders, you'll get all "global pre-order incentives," with an exclusive Soviet Bryansk Front vehicle skin for heavy vehicles.

Pre-order from THQ and you'll get the same stuff as all other pre-orders, plus the Command Pass, which grants players a download of the new bonus multiplayer maps and take part in members-only events. For everyone else, the Command Pass will be purchasable after the game is out.

If you're looking at the Digital Collector's Edition, that'll be $100 total, but you do get the first three single-player "Content Packs" whenever they come out. On top of that, there's the Command Pass mentioned above, the exclusive heavy German Whitewash and Soviet Winter Cobblestone tank skins, a Veteran badge to display, and the original Company of Heroes with both expansions.

The Humble Indie Bundle 6 is here, pay what you want for Torchlight, Dustforce and more

Beat the average and also get Dustforce

Did the summer video game slump just end or what? The Humble Indie Bundle 6 has just gone live and it's as good as ever, packaging up six epic games that will make everyone say, "Why did I ever spend $60 on a game ever before in my life?" We've got action role-playing game Torchlight (Torchlight II releases on Thursday), action-platformer Rochard, puzzle-platformer Vessel, Breakout style paddle game Shatter, top-down space combat gameSpace Pirates and Zombies, and if you beat the average the indie hit Dustforce is also included. The summer drought is officially over.

As always, pay whatever you want to acquire five of the games, but you'll have to beat the average (currently rushing past $5) to get Dustforce too. And of course, you can split your payment in-between the developers, charity and a Humble Bundle tip. Each title is supported on PC, Mac and Linux...  err, well Vessel still needs like 24-72 hours to wrap up their porting code. Plus, each of their soundtracks is included as well!

If you're interested, head on over to the Humble Bundle website and check out what they're selling yourself. Or, we've got the official Humble Bundle trailer below, too. Oh, and if previous Humble Bundles are good examples, expect some extra goodies to be added sometime between now and 14 days from now when the Humble Bundle 6 expires.

Black Mesa released, return to Gordon Freeman's humble origins

It's not Half-Life 3, but it's still pretty sweet

Black Mesa has been officially released by the aptly named Black Mesa Modifcation team. The Source Engine upgraded version of Half-Life isn't yet available through Steam, but the developer's website has multiple options for download (it's just a little borked right now). The best part is, the modification is completely free! In order to playBlack Mesa Steam will have to installed, as well as as the Source SDK Base 2007 which is also free. Everyone should be crackin' crabs with a crowbar in no time.

In development since 2004, Black Mesa's goals have been to create a modernized Half-Life built on the Source Engine that fans could be proud of. It won't be the first time Half-Life was ported to Source, Valve did that themselves with Half-Life Source in 2004. The Valve port was met with mild dismay that Half-Life hadn't been upgraded to the extent it could have been. At the time, even Gabe Newell acknowledged the port's faults, but insisted the fan community would inevitably create a superior product -- and how.

One of the most anticipated modifications in years, Black Mesa was quickly voted one of the first titles to be accepted through Steam's Greenlight system. Play the classic Half-Life, updated for a modern audience, right now. Nihilanth, the G-Man, and head-crabs small and Gonarch await. 

Nintendo Wii U's North American release date is November 18, base price $299

Beating Japan's Wii U Release date by half a month

During Nintendo's live Wii U event, Reggie Fils-Aime started the show with his biggest reveal: the Nintendo Wii will release on November 18, 2012. It will come in two different bundles, a basic bundle that is colored white, and a premium bundle that is colored white. The first will cost $299 and the latter will cost $349. BAM. Reggie doesn't hold back with that junk; Reggie delivers.

The white, Basic, set will include the following:

• Wii U console
• Wii U GamePad
• AC adapter
• HDMI cable
• Sensor bar

The black, Deluxe set will have all of the content of the Basic set and:

• Extra storage memory
• GamePad charging cradle
• Stands for GamePad and Console
• NintendoLand game 
• Digital Deluxe Promotion

What is the Digital Deluxe Promotion, you may ask. A special service that will reward digital purchases with point that can later be used for more purchases. Reggie promises more on top of this, so expect more details soon. 

The conference is just beginning, so expect more information soon.

Quick note, the European and Australian release date for the Wii U has been confirmed to be November 30, between the North American release date and Japan's on December 8.

Final 'Professor Layton' game releasing 2013

A new Professor Layton game is coming next year. DubbedProfessor Layton and the Legacy of the Super Civilization, it will have new types of puzzles, which could be 'more visual' than in previous games, if Siliconera's impressions are anything to go by.

Legacy will mark the sixth straight up entry in the series, and also the final one, according to Level-5 CEO Akihiko Hino. The games have sold 13 million copies in total as of March 2012.

The fifth game is of course Professor Layton and the Miracle Mask, and is due for North America this year.

Help bring Medabots 7 overseas

http://projectrisingbeetle.wordpress.com/

Metal Gear Solid 4 Trophy patch goes live

Patch also offers full installation option

Kojima Productions has released the Trophy patch for Metal Gear Solid 4.

The PlayStation 3 exclusive released back in June 2008, so it's been a long wait for fans who yearned for Trophy support. The patch is now live worldwide and it's around a 9 GB install.

A total of 34 Trophies are included in the patch, which also delivers an option to fully install the game. Before, players had to wait at the beginning of each chapter in order for it to install, but the new option allows players to install all of the chapters in one go. Due to this, it'll also apparently deliver "quick loading times".

A budget-priced version of the game, which includes both the Trophy update and the full installation option, will be released this month in Japan.

NiGHTS into Dreams HD remake confirmed with trailer, due in fall

Coming to PSN, XBLA, and Steam

Looks like that NiGHTS into Dreams HD remake is really happening, and we've got a trailer to prove it. Earlier this week, SEGA released a teaser image to Facebook showing familiar scenery taken from the original NiGHTS into Dreams; today, they've confirmed the HD redo with an announcement video.

Right now, the remake is expected to arrive on PSN, XBLA, and Steam for PC in the fall. Surprisingly, SEGA Japan hasn't given any official word on the Japanese release, but we're thinking it'll be about the same time.

Check the new trailer for a rundown of features and a long look at all the new, enhanced graphics. Still looks like what you'd expect from a SEGA Saturn remake, but still, it's the nostalgia that counts.

Announcement trailer - YouTube

NiGHTS into Dreams is just the latest in a series of HD re-releases from SEGA. Space Channel 5 was the first, followed by Crazy Taxi and Jet Set Radio.

Skyrim: Dawnguard DLC available on Xbox 360

The rest of you: wait a month

The tentatively exclusive Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim - Dawnguard DLC is now available on Xbox LIVE; hit the source to download away.

Dead or Alive 5 Collector’s Edition Comes With Art Book And Swimsuit Costumes

Dead or Alive 5 is getting a GameStop-exclusive collector’s edition, as well as pre-order benefits for those that decide to pre-order the game through either GameStop or Amazon. Tecmo Koei announced details on both fronts this morning.

Pre-ordering Dead or Alive 5 at GameStop or Amazon will get you a set of in-game bunny-style swimsuits for three of the game’s female characters. GameStop pre-orders come with a “DOA Angels” set of white swimsuits for Kasumi, Leifang and Hitomi. Meanwhile, Amazon pre-orders come with a “DOA Devils” set of black swimsuits for Christie, Tina and Ayane.

The collector’s edition is more grand. If you buy the collector’s edition at GameStop, you’ll get exclusive swimsuit costumes for every female character in the game, along with a hardcover art book and a soundtrack CD. Also included will be a poster, and the entire package will come in an embossed steel case for $80.

Tecmo Koei haven’t released images of the pre-order or collector’s editions of the game yet (just the image above), but we’ll keep a lookout for when they do. Dead or Alive 5 will be released on September 25th in North America.

Team Fortress 2 update teases something Pyro related, plus Adult Swim collab

In a rather unexpected update to its Team Fortress 2 blog, Valve is teasing something Pyro related for this coming Monday, June 25.

Today's blog post, though brief, features the Pyro's unique muffled manner of speech, which the community has already managed to decipher using Morse code.

Nintendo announces $199 3DS XL with 4.88-inch top screen, available August 19th

Folks holding their breath for a "3DS Lite" might want to exhale -- Nintendo has decided to go a different route. Company head honcho Satoru Iwata revealed the 3DS LL these evening on Nintendo Direct, featuring a 4.88-inch and 4.18-inch top and bottom screens, respectively. The new hardware adds over an inch to the current 3DS' display, and ships with a 4GB SD card, to boot. The oversized handheld doesn't adopt the Circle Pad Pro's second analog input, however, retaining just a single thumbpad on the console's port side. Japanese gamers will be able to pick up a 3DS LL in white, as well as in two-tone red / black or silver / white on July 28th for ¥18,900 (about $235). In the US, of course, the handheld will be rebranded as the 3DS XL, just like its predecessor's supersized variant, hitting Yankee shores (in red and blue, no less) on August 19th for $200.

What is this sorcery?!

Someone must have done something here because i don't remember having this much traffic a few weeks ago, I celebrated a 5000 milestone and now its 40000?!

I'm going to find out what the hell is going on here...

Transformers: Fall of Cybertron brings back original Optimus, Grimlock actors

High Moon Studios has announced some of the Transformers: Fall of Cybertron voice cast, and it includes the legendary Peter Cullen, the fellow who molded our childhoods as Optimus Prime.

Skyrim: Dawnguard beta invites sent out

Share on reddit

Share on emailMore Sharing Services

Beta invites for The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim has been sent out to successful applications, Bethesda has confirmed.

However, only half of one percent of the applicants was successful in receiving invites due to the sheer amount of applications for the beta.

With an overwhelming number of applicants, half of one percent received invites. We look forward to feedback in our private forum.

Around 75% of the invites have already been sent, with the remaining to be sent today.

Skyrim: Dawnguard, the action RPG's first expansion, is due for a release on the Xbox 360 as a timed exclusive come June 26 for 1,600 Microsoft Points.

Wii U launch price will "pleasant surprise" consumers, assures Nintendo

Nintendo of America president Reggie Fils-Aime believes the Wii U's launch price will "pleasantly" surprise consumers.

I changed up the blog again (also suggestions)

I have made the following changes to the blog:

• Changed the layout so the right sidebar wouldn't get crowded
• Added a Google translate widget for any foreign visiters
• Added a popular posts widget
• Added a search widget for easy searching
• Planning a new wallpaper in the future

I WILL ALSO TAKE SUGGESTIONS, feel free to leave them in the comments section!

Xbox 360 has more than two years left, says Microsoft

Xbox 360 successor may not be arriving as soon as expected

Share on reddit

Share on emailMore Sharing Service

Microsoft has stressed that the Xbox 360 has more than two years left in its life cycle.

During their E3 press conference, they revealed that the Xbox 360 is the current best-selling console globally. It's due to the ongoing positive commercial performance of the platform that the company foresees the console has "a lot more than two years" left before next-gen arrives. Head of Microsoft Studios, Phil Spencer, stated:

What the crap?!

Is E3 really this big of a deal to everyone? I just had my 5000 view milestone a few days ago! How the hell did it DOUBLE?!

Anyway.........here's to the weird 10,000 view milestone.....

Nintendo's 3DS Software Showcase summary and discussion

Reggie Fils-Aime and Scott Moffitt took the stage for, yes, another Nintendo press conference here at E3 2012, this time to showcase a number of upcoming 3DS titles. Not just any titles, either, these are the games Nintendo is betting the bank on in the foreseeable future.

Nintendo's promise of, "The best portable content is found on Nintendo gaming systems," has been frozen in stasis since the system's launch. Fans continue to ask for more, though despite the addition of a peripheral that added a second analog stick, substance has been lacking. Can Nintendo rekindle the energy around the 3DS?

Here's the lineup Nintendo showed during its conference, and we think you might be pleasantly surprised:

Nintendo finally confirms Fire Emblem 3DS for North America

Fans of Nintendo's Fire Emblem strategy RPG series had almost given up any hope of a localization announcement for Fire Emblem: Awakening (translated title) on the 3DS when any mention of the game was missing from both Nintendo's official E3 press kit as well as the hour-long 3DS software showcase held earlier this evening.

That was until Nintendo of America president Reggie Fils-Aime himself "accidentally" revealed his company's intention to bring the 3DS title to North America to reporters after the show.  With the word loose, Nintendo sees no reason to keep anything secret anymore regarding Fire Emblem for the 3DS.  Here's their Twitter announcement:

We are excited to confirm a NEW game announcement coming to the US: the new 3DS Fire Emblem! More info to come.

Stay tuned for the official details then.

SOURCE: Neoseeker

Do not be alarmed

You may be wondering why the blog went full Chinese for 4 minutes, well I was screwing around with the language settings and stuff.

Anyway, everything is fine

Become a devil rabbit and take on Hell in Sega's Hell Yeah!

Sega is hoping to make 2012 suck less (perhaps moreso for the publisher itself, given its recent woes) by announcing Hell Yeah!, a bombastic 2D action-adventure platformer by Arkedo.

In Hell Yeah!, you play Ash, a devil rabbit who one day finds that your secret intimate photos have been posted all over the hell-ternet.  Fortunately you also happen to be the prince of Hell, so you're gonna kick all of Hell's ass in your quest to find the perpetrator of this heinous crime against yourself.

 

E3 2012: Six Totally Awesome Changes to Halo 4 Multiplayer

IGN dedicated an evening to playing Halo 4’s Spartan Ops and Wargames multiplayer at E3 this week, and it absolutely has the potential to exceed Halo: Reach’s exceptional online package. We only played a couple game modes on a few different maps, but the nature of Halo’s competitive game has changed ever so slightly thanks to a handful of awesome new multiplayer additions.

This is what you can expect to make you think differently about how you play Halo.

DmC: Devil May Cry to launch January 15th, 2013

Capcom's E3 demo trailer for DmC: Devil May Cry reveals a January 15th, 2013, release date for Ninja Theory's take on the popular stylin' demon huntin' franchise, at least on console.  No further details regarding the PC version (which is still a go) have been released.  The Capcom Unity stream with DmC's developers this morning did confirm that while the title remains WIP, the story and missions are largely complete, so it's a matter of polishing the title.

E3 2012: Sony Talks Next Gen - "It's About Being The Best"

The priority for Sony when it comes to the PlayStation 4 is to have the best console on the market, not the first nor the cheapest.

Speaking to Gametrailers, U.S. boss of Sony Computer Entertainment Jack Tretton outlined the company's philosophy regarding the next generation of home consoles.

"We've never been first. We've never been cheapest, " Tretton said. "It's about being the best. If you can build a better machine, and it's going to come out a little bit later, that's better than rushing something to market that's going to run out of gas for the long term.

"Ideally, in a perfect world, you want the best machine that ships first, that's cheapest. But the number one goal is to be the best machine, and that's what we're always focused on."

Tretton's remarks indirectly acknowledge the fact that PlayStation 3 was slow off the mark, being released almost a full year after Microsoft's Xbox 360 with a comparatively high price point.

Over the last few months information has begun to surface on Sony's next generation home console, rumoured to be codenamed PlayStation Orbis. It's been speculated that major publishers have already begun development for the system, with the console slated for a 2013 release.

SOURCE: IGN

E3 2012: Skyrim for Vampires

Containing roughly 15 hours of content, Bethesda Games Studios’ Dawnguard for The Elder Scrolls V will give you an all-new way to play. The main conflict involves vampires, as they attempt to put an end to the “tyranny of the sun.” You’ll have a choice to join up with the anti-vampire Dawnguard faction, or side with the bloodsuckers to gain the ability to freely transform back and forth between your human form and that of a Vampire Lord.

Blog tweaks

I touched up the blog a bit here are the following changes:

• Changed width
• changed the font in certain  areas

5000 View milestone!

 At the rate this is going, I need to do these milestone updates every 2000 views lol. Anyway thanks for all your support!

My personal opinion on Nintendo's E3 conference

• Pros
• Had games
• neat Wii U features
• My body is ready, part 2
• ZombieU
• Pikmin 3, Paper Mario, and Luigi's Mansion 2
• Cons
• Wii Fit U
• Sing
• lack of 3DS (there will be a software showcase so I don't count this one as strongly)

Internet Explorer Coming to Xbox 360

It wasn't headline news, but buried in the middle of Microsoft's Xbox SmartGlass reveal was the long-awaited news that,finally, an internet browser would be appearing on the Xbox 360.

The Wii and PS3 have had the feature for years, but for the longest time Microsoft seemed unwilling to cross that line. Well, they have now, because an optimised version of Internet Explorer that can run via Kinect voice commands and whose layout is more in line with the console's dashboard than the desktop version.

You can read more about SmartGlass here.

SOURCE: Kotaku

My personal opinion on Sony's E3 conference

• Pros
• The last of us
• Assassins Creed 3 and AS3 liberation
• Vita cross play
• God of War: Ascension 
• Cons
• Smash Bros ripoff
• Not letting the PS move die
• Whatever the hell that AR book was
• pushing PS plus

Debut Halo 4 campaign gameplay footage arrives

In it, segments of CG is shown off to which it then divulges into the first-ever campaign footage of Halo 4. Protagonist Master Chief takes the battle into one of the game's levels that is set within a jungle. It was also shown that players will see a video display of Cortana, who appears in your visor.

Halo 4 is currently scheduled for a worldwide release on November 6.

Wii U pre-E3 preview focuses on connectivity through hardware, but light on games

Nintendo fires an opening salvo ahead of E3 tomorrow with a pre-E3 conference of its on Nintendo Direct, focused on the Wii U.  Before you get too excited, Nintendo has confirmed it won't actually be showcasing any library of Wii U games today.  Instead, the console giant's live stream, hosted by president Satoru Iwata, will once again promote the concept of the new hardware.

Details on Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance

This year marks the twenty-fifth anniversary of the Metal Gear Solid franchise.  Amid the upgrades of series classics, accolades, and showcases at prestigious museums, there is no better way to get fans excited for such an anniversary than by creating an original game for the franchise.  For Metal Gear, that game will Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance. Developed by Platinum Games, whose repertoire consists of action games like Mad World andBayonetta, the latest Metal Gear will toss players into the role of Raiden, a cybernetic ninja.  The story takes place after Metal Gear Solid 4 and will deal with Raiden’s efforts in the reconstruction of an unspecified country.

Tales of Xillia 2 Headed To PlayStation 3 This Winter

Namco Bandai have announced Tales of Xillia 2, in development for the PlayStation 3 and scheduled for release this winter. Xillia 2 will take place one year after the events of the original Tales of Xillia, and stars Ludgar as its protagonist, along with his cat, Lulu.

The animation for Tales of Xillia 2 will once again be provided by anime studio, Ufotable. Ayumi Hamasaki will be providing the game’s theme song. The game will use a “Cross Double-Raid Linear Motion Battle System”.

While Namco are only saying “Winter 2012” for now, a more specific release date forTales of Xillia 2 will be announced later this month on June 27th.

SOURCE: Siliconera

New Details on 3DS Castlevania Emerge

Well, that didn’t take long. E3 hasn’t even arrived yet and new details have already been revealed about The Mirror of Fate, the new Castlevania game coming to the 3DS.

Gameplay trailer for Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim 'Dawnguard' DLC is grim

Side with the Dawnguard or the growing darkness in Skyrim's first content add-on

Bethesda has set loose a shivers-inducing trailer for Dawnguard, The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim's first content add-on, along with some initial details on the add-on's release. Dawnguard is planned for summer 2012 for the Xbox 360, and will cost 1600 MSP ($20 unless you can find a sale) -- release details for other platforms have yet to be revealed. Beyond that, no other details were confirmed via Bethesda, but there's much to be taken from what's shown in the trailer below.

E3 2012 list of confirmed games already looks impressive

E3 is less than a week away, and if you're still not sure what to expect at this year's con, check our comprehensive list of confirmed titles. These range from the big guys like EA and Activision to smaller companies as well.

Keep in mind these are just the games we already know about. We're aware that the announcements are ongoing, so the list will be updated accordingly as they roll in. Other seemingly obvious titles have been exclude because they're just rumors at this point, but don't worry, because we'll have a list just for those later.

Jet Set Radio coming to Vita

Sega isn't just bringing back its classic rollerblading graffiti game Jet Set Radio to PC and consoles soon, but also Sony's handheld.

Come summertime, you'll be able to play the title on Vita, complete with HD upgrades, touch and camera support, and at least some of the original soundtrack.

“The fan reaction to our recent reveal of Jet Set Radio has been incredible!” said Haruki Satomi, Senior Vice President of Digital Business at SEGA. “As Jet Set Radio is focused on creativity, the touch capabilities of the PlayStation VITA are proving to be a perfect fit.”

SOURCE:Neoseeker

Minecraft' bumps 'Black Ops' down the Xbox LIVE chart

A refreshing change swept through Xbox LIVE's most-played list today when Minecraftclaimed second place, bumping Call of Duty: Black Ops down to third place for the first time since the game's release.

Call of Duty: Black Ops held the No. 1 spot on the charts from the moment of its release in 2010 and was only bumped down to No. 2 when Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 came out. While the rest of the chart has fluctuated from week to week, those two games have held onto the top spots the entire time.

The most-played list is determined by the number of unique users, worldwide, who are playing the game while connected to Xbox LIVE.

Minecraft also came in first in the most-played Xbox LIVE Arcade titles, beating Trials Evolution and The Walking Dead.

SOURCE: the verge

Street Fighter 25th Anniversary Collector's Set coming fall, priced at $150

If you're a massive (figuratively or literally) Street Fighter fan and feel you simply haven't poured enough money into the franchise yet, Capcom's got you covered with the Street Fighter 25th Anniversary Collector's Set.

In all fairness, the Collector's Set does include a ton of Street Fighter stuff, though we'd expect no less for $150. So what exactly does that triple-digit price fetch in SF goods? Four games -- including the new Street Fighter X Tekken-- with DLC, the anime feature films, an 8" Ryu statue, multi-disc soundtrack, a modest artbook, and more.

Leaked redesigned Wii U controller image shows analog sticks

A QA tester at Traveller's Tales Games has leaked an image depicting a redesigned Wii U controller.

Posting the picture on his Twitter account, which has since been deleted, the revised controller of Nintendo's forthcoming console features several minor changes, in addition to the implementation of analog sticks, which replaces the nubs.

New Dragon Ball Z Game For PS3 And Xbox 360 Is The Final "Budokai" Title

Dragon Ball Z for Kinect isn’t the only Dragon Ballfighting game Namco Bandai is working on. V-Jump announced a new entry in the Dragon Ball Sparking!series – better known as the Dragon Ball Z: Budokai Tenkaichi line in the West.

Dragon Ball Sparking! Omega is a sequel to Dragon Ball Z: Budokai Tenkaichi 3 (aka Dragon Ball Z Sparking! Meteor in Japan) and will be the final "Sparking" game series.

The magazine says Dragon Ball Sparking! Omega will have the most characters in the series. Dragon Ball Sparking! Omega is slated for release this winter on PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360.

SOURCE: Siliconera

Blog Masters note: I am hyped for this, I used to play Tenkaichi 3 all the time!, leave your opinions in the comments below

Rayman Origins demo now available on 3DS

One of the best games from 2011 is now coming to the 3DS. Ubisoft announced today that a demo for Rayman Origins is now available via the Nintendo eShop, just for the 3DS. The full game will release on June 5, 2012 and retail for $29.99.

The demo will include three full levels from the full Rayman Origins title, with no time limit or extraneous limitations. The three levels available will be Swinging Caves, Playing on the Shade, and Shooting me Softly. Each of the levels shows a different type of playstyle found in Rayman Origins, standard platforming, a treasure chest chase, and a side-scrolling flying level.

If you haven't checked Rayman Origins out yet, and are looking for a great looking game for your 3DS, this may be your game. Give a look to this trailer Ubisoft sent along with the demo announcement, and try the demo out for yourself today.

SOURCE: Neoseeker (trailer in link)

4000 view milestone!

I'm about 60 views late, but we have finally reached our 4000 view milestone!

Halo 4 box art revealed

Developer 343 Industries has revealed the final box art for Halo 4.

The studio sent 32 miniature images to Xbox Live members via emails entitled "Your piece of the Halo 4puzzle". Naturally, this was inevitably going to form something, hence the "puzzle", and as a resultHalo fans have pieced together the box art for Halo 4.

In the cover art, series' protagonist Master Chief is seen near the collapse of the UNSC Forward Unto Dawn. Since the conclusion of Halo 3, both Chief and Cortana have been on the ship within space until they discover an unknown planet.

Halo 4, the first major installment in the series that isn't being developed by series creator Bungie, is due for a worldwide release on November 6, 2012.

SOURCE: Neoseeker

Diablo III Starter Edition ready at launch, invite only for 30 days

Blizzard will be continuing its "Starter Edition" trend with Diablo III, beginning with the game's launch tomorrow. To try it out the first 30 days after launch, though, you'll need an invite/Guest Pass from a friend who has bought the game -- time to start sucking up.

If you've played the beta, this demo won't offer you much you haven't already seen: you play the first act up to the Skeleton King, and your level cap is 13. Also, there's no Real Money Auction House, and matchmaking is limited to other demo players.

Back in April, Battle.net users found the Starter Edition had mysteriously unlocked for everyone.  Turned out the unlock was a bug, however, and anyone who attempted to access it were sent straight back to closed beta.

SOURCE: Neoseeker