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.

God of War: Ascension single-player demo arrives February 26, and here's how to get early access

So play another game to get early access to THIS game

Looks like the God of War: Ascension single-player demo has been dated. Expect this early look at the upcomingGod of War on February 26, but hey, if that's too long for you, there's a way to try the game even earlier. A week earlier, even.

If you'd rather play the game on February 20 than February 26, just participate in Sony's little God of War social experience, titled Rise of the Warrior. It's a bit like an interactive graphic novel you can take part in, along with others, and learn the story that leads up to Ascension. It's probably a lot easier said than done though, since playing the thing only gives you a chance to net an early access code. Here're a few points Sony laid out:

• The official global-wide release date of our Ascension Single-Player demo has not been officially announced yet. You will know the date soon.
• The Early Demo Access date will be THIS MONTH and a "worthwhile" time prior to the wide release - you deserve it
• Everyone who earns Early Demo Access from Rise of the Warrior will receive their promo codes on the same exact dayEarly Demo Access codes will be distributed via your Rise of the Warrior account right here at GodofWar.com. You will get your code here, not through email.

Now in addition to that chance at gaining early access to the demo, the social game also allows players to unlock a number of items for Ascension's multiplayer, which you can check out below. Going by Sony's description on the website, it sounds like the more you do in Rise of the Warrior, the more bonus rewards you'll unlike, such as that early access code.

Steam for Linux officially available, celebrates with a sale of 50 games

Save 50-75% for one week

Good news for the Linux faithful, as Steam is now officially available on the open source OS. The Linux client had been in a closed beta and then an open one over the past few months, but now everyone running Ubuntu 12.04 and higher. Steam can be downloaded from the Ubuntu Software Center. To celebrate the official launch, Valve is discounting more than 50 Linux games between 50 and 75% until Thursday, February 21, at 10AM PST.

Games such as FTL: Faster Than Light, Bastion, World of Goo, Crusader Kings II, Amnesia: The Dark Descent, and, of course, Half-Life 1 are among some of the 50 titles discounted. Serious Sam 3: BFE, Penumbra: Black Plague, and Penumbra: Overture are even 80% off, so there's really no reason to pass up any of these games. Any Linux user who hops into the free-to-play Team Fortress 2 can even gain an exclusive in-game version of Tux, the famous penguin mascot. He's only available for a limited time, so be sure to get him fast.

Canonical's Director of Consumer Applications, David Pitkin, had the following to say on Steam for Linux:

The introduction of Steam to Ubuntu demonstrates growing demand for open systems from gamers and game developers. We expect a growing number of game developers to include Ubuntu among their target platforms. We’re looking forward to seeing AAA games developed with Ubuntu in mind as part of a multi-platform day and date release on Steam.

In addition to bringing Steam over, Valve has also included Big Picture mode with the Linux client. This is perfect for anyone with an Ubuntu-powered HTPC in their living room, as it immediately grants access to Steam in a format designed for big screen TVs and game controllers.