Home of Fuster's Quake II Servers

Platinum Games' highly-praised Bayonetta was developed on Xbox 360. Even though the game was also released on PlayStation 3, that version was developed at Sega -- not internally at Platinum Games -- and suffered from notable issues, including extensive loading times. In an effort to address some of those, a patch has been issued for the PlayStation 3 version that introduces an install option.

The installation option gives players the ability to allocate hard drive space to Bayonetta. Platinum Games wrote on their blog that installing the game will "significantly decrease" load times.

It's only been a few months since Dragon Age: Origins launched, not to mention BioWare also released Mass Effect 2 this week, and the studio is already discussing what's next. BioWare VP and co-founder Greg Zeschuk told Joystiq they're already moving forward on Dragon Age 2 (no word on if it'll have a subtitle, ala Origins) and one of the chief considerations is upgrading the technology backbone.

"I think one of the key things we're working on in Dragon Age 2 is the technology," Zeschuk told the blog. "I can confirm that we're doing a lot of work on the Dragon Age engine, and doing a lot of stuff to pump it -- to make it visually super hot."

At least that's good news for Dragon Age fans -- there's plenty more Dragon Age on the way.

Dante's Inferno is all business in the latest gameplay video from the Visceral Games-developed action game. No set-up, no text, heck, not even an ending slate screen with box art and logos.

Game marketing, simplified.

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Curious about the new skating haven of Port Carverton? EA Blackbox goes into the urban Downtown District of the fictional Skate 3 city. 

As a side note, I'll be the first to admit my lack of knowledge of skater terminology, however, there's plenty of talk about "grinding and pumping trannies" near the end of the video.

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BioWare informed eagerly awaiting Dragon Age: Origins fans via the game's official forums that the Return to Ostagar downloadable content for the developer's fantasy RPG will be returning to Xbox Live today.

BioWare pulled Ostagar from Xbox Live after a Dragon Age title update brought about a number of unforeseen technical issues to pop up in the game. Thankfully, BioWare has addressed these issues in a new title update, which should hopefully put an end to all this drama.

An update for the PC version is expected to be ready by next week, with PlayStation 3 players having to wait a bit longer for the fixes. You can find a list of some of the problems addressed by the new title below.

Title update release notes:

• Some players were unable to unlock the four achievements from Warden's Keep and the Stone Prisoner during the first four days of launch. These achievements will unlock properly once you sign in to your Xbox Live and EA accounts.
• The previous Xbox 360 update introduced an issue that relocked class specializations. This title update will resolve that issue.
• After loading a previously saved game, specializations that have been unlocked through gameplay will be available again.
• All book-based specializations will now automatically unlock once the Warden reaches level 14. Books will still be available from vendors so you can unlock these specializations before level 14.
• The Hopeless Romantic, Perfectionist and Recruiter achievements were not unlocking for some players. This issue has been resolved. To update and unlock these achievements automatically, load a saved game where the Warden has completed the requirements for these achievements.
• The Recruiter achievement will still require a recruitment to occur after the save is loaded. If you have completed all the requirements for Recruiter, and the achievement is still locked, load an earlier saved game where you are still able to recruit any party member. Once you have recruited a party member, the achievement should unlock. This should work even if your current saved game still has unrecruited characters, but you have recruited all of them in previous play.

Bizarre Creations aim to create a racing game with a focus on scene-racing culture. Now, I'm not sure exactly what a racing scenester even looks like, but here's what the developers are cooking up for you to experience in the stylish racer, Blur.

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Powered by a 1GHz processor that places the CPU, graphics, and memory all on a single chip, the iPad has Bluetooth and a compass built in. It will not, however, include a camera as MacBooks and iPhones do, nor will it support Adobe Flash. Also, the iPad will use the 802.11n wireless standard and will have several models with 3G mobile-network data connectivity.

Ironically, Nintendo just released an upsized version of a previously released device in Japan: The DSi LL. Fundamentally a larger version of the camera-equipped DSi, which debuted in Japan in November 2008, the DSi LL has sold some 700,000 units in the island nation through the end of 2009. It will be released in the West as the DSi XL this spring.

The NYT reports that Iwata also dismissed the prospect of 3D functionality in games. Referencing James Cameron's $1 billion blockbuster Avatar and its underperforming game tie-in from Ubisoft, Iwata said that he doesn't expect 3D gaming to be particularly influential. ''I have doubts whether people will be wearing glasses to play games at home. How is that going to look to other people?" Iwata said.

Beyond Ubisoft's venture into 3D gaming, Nintendo rival Sony has made a significant push into depth-of-field gaming. In November, Sony announced plans to integrate stereoscopic 3D technology into all PlayStation 3s via firmware update beginning this year.

Echoing sentiments expressed by Nintendo of America president Reggie Fils-Aime earlier this month, Iwata also dismissed speculation that Nintendo is prepping an upgraded Wii with high-definition graphical capabilities. The company president was equally mum on the prospect of a motion-sensing upgrade to the DS, which has now sold more than 125 million units through the end of 2009.

While Iwata's comments seem definitive, the excutive has a history of dimissing a particular technology at the same time Nintendo is actively developing it. In 2004, Iwata defended the GameCube's anemic online support by declaring "customers do not want online games." Less than a year later, Nintendo announced that the Wii--then called the Revolution--and the DS would both feature built-in online connectivity.

Heavy Rain follows the pursuit of a mysterious serial murderer called the Origami Killer. Players will be able to assume the role of several characters--a drug-addled FBI agent, a private investigator, and a victim's father--who must collect clues in a film-noir-style setting to crack the case. The demo will give players a close look at a pair of those characters--the Fed and the gumshoe--through two of the game's chapters.

The PS3-exclusive title was developed by Quantic Dream, the Paris-based shop behind 2005's Indigo Prophecy (aka Fahrenheit) for the PC, PlayStation 2, and Xbox. Like that critically acclaimed title, Heavy Rain eschews normal game conventions for a more cinematic approach, focusing on complex storytelling and emotion via realistic graphics.

It’s probably fair to say that fans of multiplayer first-person shooters aren’t nearly as jazzed up about BioShock 2 as they were/are about Infinity Ward’s Modern Warfare 2. Still, there’s a good chance that the revelation that 2K Marin’s continuation of the BioShock saga will not include LAN support or dedicated servers for multiplayer might cause at least some frustration to surface among multiplayer devotees.

During a Q&A session hosted by the game’s official blog, The Cult of Rapture, the developers explained the reason behind the omissions, saying:

"There is always a finite amount of time for the development of a game…Either you try to do everything and so nothing feels finished or you focus your efforts to do a smaller number of things really well like an accessible online experience. We chose to spend the time we had creating a solid game foundation and unfortunately that did not include LAN play or dedicated servers.”

Another notable bit of multiplayer info revealed in the Q&A is that there are no non-ranked matches. Of course, as Brian Leahy pointed out, it’s hard to imagine gamers who will want to play BioShock 2’s multiplayer really caring that much about protecting their rank. If you feel like "practicing" though, you'll still be able to create private matches with up 10 other players, but that will still affect your overall ranking.

Back in 2006, then Xbox marketing chief Peter Moore surprised the gaming world by brandishing a mock tattoo of the Grand Theft Auto IV logo and announcing that not only would the open-world sequel launch on the 360 at the same time as the PlayStation 3, but that Xbox owners would be getting exclusive downloadable content. That content ended up being two lengthy episodes that debuted on Xbox Live--The Lost and Damned and The Ballad of Gay Tony--before being later bundled onto one retail disc dubbed Episodes From Liberty City.

Just as with the 360 version, PS3 and PC owners will have the option of buying both episodes on one retail disc, or buy them separately through either the PlayStation Network or Games for Windows Live. In a press statement, Rockstar president and co-founder Sam Houser said: "We appreciate the patience of our PlayStation 3 and PC fans worldwide, and we look forward to putting the games in your hands this March."

Both The Ballad of Gay Tony and The Lost and Damned were critically acclaimed when they were released in October and February 2009, respectively. Episodes From Liberty City for the PS3 and the PC will hit North American stores on March 30, 2010, while The Lost and Damned and The Ballad of Gay Tony will be available on the same day on the PSN and Games for Windows Live.

Remember that DLC tease that was coming from Gearbox about Borderlands? The one that's supposedly the largest yet and ups the level cap beyond 50? Yes, that one has finally been formally announced for the PlayStation 3, Xbox 360 and PC and it's titled: The Secret Armory of General Knoxx.   No timing mentioned around the DLC yet, with the announcement instead focusing on even more teases around what players can experience.

While there are a lot of details still unknown, the DLC would introduce new enemies (like this giant mechsuit guy above and some giant spiderthing if you click inside the article), weapons and items as well as a "huge new environment complete with tons of brand new missions."  Make sure your characters are experienced, as the DLC is tuned for level 34 to level 50 characters.

Now, it appears the doubters had good reason to be worried. CVG is reporting that Codemasters has informed it that Hei$t has been canceled outright.

"After a much extended development period, Hei$t has been terminated as a project and removed from our release schedule," a Codemasters rep informed CVG. "Codemasters is focusing its future portfolio on high-quality titles that will, in the majority, be developed and produced by our internal studios."

Love creeping around while watching from the shadows as you stalk your prey in the night? Well stop, that's weird. If however you're a fan of the sci-fi Aliens vs. Predator franchise, then check out the latest clip from Sega offering a close-up look at iconic Predator gameplay.

Predator vs. Space Marines. Spoiler:  Space Marines don't fare well.

The game will be available in both a standard edition and a God of War III Ultimate Edition. In addition to the game and decorative Pandora's box packaging, players of the Ultimate Edition will receive an art book as well as access to downloadable content and in-game bonuses. Gamers will also get a feature-length retrospective on the franchise, the trilogy soundtrack, and a selection of heavy metal tracks inspired by God of War.

Lastly, Sony also announced through the PlayStation Blog today that it would be cutting the price of the God of War Collection to $29.99. The collection includes the first two highly acclaimed God of War titles for the PlayStation 2, with remastered 720p high-definition graphics and added trophy support. The package also includes a playable demo for God of War III.

Older game cats like Yours Truly nearly universally remember the Ultima series as the platinum standard for role-playing games. So when I heard this morning that a new Ultima game was coming, I nearly spit out my coffee. I was like, "WHY WASN'T I INFORMED PREVIOUSLY? This will be the greatest thing ever!"

But then I dug a little deeper, and it turns out Lord of Ultima is a free-to-play, online browser-based RTS game. Here's a description from the official site.

"Lord of Ultima is an online strategy game where you build your own unique city and play with thousands of other players. Join now and rule a mighty empire which you can access from wherever and whenever you want."

It's in Beta right now.

Strap in soldiers. DICE launches the Battlefield: Bad Company 2 demo today on Xbox Live and PC Pre-order Beta, with a follow-up PSN demo launch scheduled for February 11 (North America). To celebrate, EA has dropped another one of those "bouncy-lots-of-radio-chatter-with-explosions" gameplay videos, this time of the map, "Port Valdez".

Bad Company 2 arrives March 2.

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Rockstar offers a historical look at weapon technology progression in the Wild West-era and the technology behind realistic death animations in Red Dead Redemption.

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According to Bioware's Ray Muzyka, the company had such a good experience making Dragon Age: Origins for the PlayStation 3 that they have more in store for the system.

"We've got a few titles in development for PS3 right now," Muzyka said in an interview with Eurogamers, "As well as a few for 360, across the studios I manage."

I'm sure you're wondering what he's talking about... could this be a PlayStation 3 version of Mass Effect or Mass Effect 2?  Or are we talking about something completely new and awesome? It is too early to tell at this time.

"I won't say what they are, since not all of them have been announced yet," Muzyka said.

One game that Muzyka did mention by name: Mass Effect 3.

"We haven't formally announced Mass Effect 3 yet (though I can say that the team is working on the next installment in the trilogy now)."

THQ announced today that its post-apocalyptic, Moscow subway system-based shooter Metro 2033 now has an official release date: March 16.

The game, which is based on Russian author Dmitry Glukhovsky’s novel of the same name, sounds quite Fallout 3-ish (nuclear wastelands, humanity driven underground, deadly mutants, etc.), but I’m looking forward to getting lost in its world all the same.

In case you haven’t seen anything about the game, or you just need a refresher, here’s a quick story trailer to bring you up to speed:

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David Crane is a legend. Not only did he co-founded a little mom-and-pop operation named Activision, he also designed Pitfall!, A Boy and His Blob, Decathlon, and countless other acclaimed titles during his more than 30 years in the industry.

It’s no surprise then that the Academy of Interactive Arts and Sciences has decided to bestow upon Crane its first ever Pioneer Award, which, as AIAS president Joseph Olin explained in an stament, "recognises contributions made by the original men and women whose efforts helped to create the interactive entertainment industry that we know today.”

Crane will receive the award during the 13th Annual Interactive Achievement Awards during DICE Summit 2010 on February 18. That same night, fellow industry giant Mark Cerny will be inducted into the AIAS Hall of Fame. Now that's a show.

Dementium II picks up immediately after the events of the original game, which saw an amnesic William Redmoor awake in a zombie-infested hospital. In the sequel, Redmoor again finds himself missing his memories, fighting abominations first within a prison and then a horror-filled alternate dimension.

As the name implies, Darwinia+ is not a straightforward port of the award-winning sci-fi real-time strategy title. Introversion instead is banking on the notion of hybrid vigor, as Darwinia+ includes both the original Darwinia as well as the 2008 multiplayer-focused follow-up Multiwinia.

Darwinia is set in the virtual world of a computer network as it comes under attack from a virus. Players attempt to band together the digital denizens known as Darwinians and eradicate all traces of the infection in order to preserve their silicon-bound species. In addition to saving pixelated people from extinction in Darwinia, players can go on the offensive in Multiwinia, pitting their tribes against those of other players in a variety of multiplayer game modes.

Darwinia+ will sell for 1,200 Microsoft points at launch.

The online play experience has also been a focus for the game's developers, who hope to make the online tournaments match up players exclusively against human opponents. Considering there are 199 nations represented in FIFA (and in the game), EA will also encourage people to use more than just the handful of most powerful squads in the game. Players who go with underdogs like Tahiti or Andorra will earn proportionately more leaderboard points than those leaning on Brazil or Spain.

The latest installment in EA Sports' quadrennial soccer franchise will be arriving on the PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, Wii, PSP, and mobile platforms.

Marcus and Dom in Capcom's Lost Planet 2 isn't the only Epic Games-realted news on the horizon, with Gears of War designer Cliff Bleszinski telling his Twitter followers to watch out.

"Keep your eyes open for 'megaton face melting news,'" said Bleszinski.

Microsoft will be holding X10 in San Francisco next month, where the company is expected to showcase much of its first-half 2010 lineup and make announcements for the rest of the year.

Could Halo: Reach and Gears of War 3 be a back-to-back combo later this year?

As for the perks, the Online Services Platform means that gamers will not need the game's CD or DVD to play after installation. Gamers will also be able to resume their game session from any PC, due to the fact that saved games are stored on Ubisoft's online servers. The publisher notes that if it stops supporting its Online Services Platform, a patch will be released so that "the core game play will not be affected."

Ubisoft also said that the online authentication server will not limit the number of installs for any given game, a common complaint lodged at other digital rights management services. However, only one play session per Ubi.com account can be active at a time.

A Ubisoft representative confirmed that "the majority of Ubisoft's PC games will use this platform." More information on Ubisoft's new Online Services Platform can be found on the publisher's Web site.