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.

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.

Fire Emblem: Awakening demo available January 17, plus plans for downloadable maps

In addition to StreetPass, SpotPass and all the jazz

Hooray! Instead of having to wait the the entire remaining three and a half weeks until Fire Emblem: Awakening's release date, Nintendo and Intelligent Systems have put together a demo for us that will be available January 17. Only one week away! In addition, Nintendo has gone over plans to release a variety of content though assort means, such as standard in-game DLC, StreetPass and SpotPass. Considering how long it usually takes to get new Fire Emblem games, DLC will be welcome.

Fire Emblem: Awakening will periodically release maps for purchase and download, the first of which will be available at launch. The first of which will be free for a limited time, likely to persuade fans to buy the game early without the negative connotation of preorder DLC. These maps will have varying price points depending on size and scale.

SpotPass and StreetPass will both have implementation, as well. Nintendo will release free maps through SpotPassfrom time to time, with new stories, characters and items available. StreetPass will allow players to swap 10-man team information, and friends' teams will appear randomly in maps to battle against or make purchases from.

Expect Fire Emblem: Awakening's 3DS debut on February 4, or check out the demo on January 17 (next week). I ... think it looks good. It's hard to tell from a 10 second trailer.

Pokemon X and Pokemon Y are the next evolution of the Pokemon world, coming to 3DS October 2013

Introducing Chespin, Fennekin and Froakie

Good morning, everyone! I hope the wait wasn't too excruciating. I'm excited to reveal the announcement o fPokemon X and Pokemon Y, two new evolutions in the Pokemon franchise coming to the 3DS worldwide in October 2013. Yes, worldwide! Pokemon's first global release. "Your new 3D Pokemon adventure is about to begin."

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.