Best of luck to you all and farewell people

Activision CEO Bobby Kotick has said Call of Duty: Black Ops will be getting “the biggest investment” the company has ever made for a title launch.

The Treyarch shooter has already surpassed Modern Warfare 2 in terms of pre-orders, despite Acti saying earlier in the year it has “not planned on repeating the same level of success as we enjoyed in 2009″ with Modern Warfare 2.

“This across the board, the biggest investment that we’ve ever made in a launch of a title,” said Kotick during the company’s Q1 financial conference call last night.

“And I think when audiences see the product, they’ll see why we’re doing it this way. But the market opportunity is bigger than it’s ever been. The installed base of hardware is bigger than it’s ever been.”

Even Blizzard boss Mike Morhaime jumped on the gravy train.

“I think one of the things I’d add also that’s important, we have gotten an incredible amount of benefit from this very, very large installed base of players and the way people are reacting to the downloadable content,” he said.

“And a lot of that learning has now been incorporated into what you’ll see in a lot of the functionality of Black Ops.

“And partly why we’re so enthusiastic about our prospects for the back half of this year, but Black Ops is turning out to be one of the best products that we’ve ever created.”

Call of Duty: Black Ops releases on November 9 for PS3, 360, Wii, PC and DS.

Thought a StarCraft or Diablo MMO was coming? Consider that thought killed.

Activision boss Bobby Kotick said during the company’s Q1 financial conference call last night that Blizzard’s next MMO will be a new IP.

The project is one of two which will receive an “enormous investment” from the company: the other being Bungie’s next “universe”.

“I think what we’ve been able to do is elevate the level of innovation in products beyond what we’ve been ever able to do before. We’ve talked a lot about the seven different pillars of success that we expect over the course of the next few years,” said Kotick.

“And remember, we have two enormous investments: one in Bungie and the other in another project at Blizzard that we haven’t given a lot of visibility to. Those are going to be entirely new intellectual properties.”

He added: “But with the recognition that the way to build them is take long amounts of time, lots of capable talent, an enormous amount of capital and you have to have a real road-map for innovation and creativity.

“And I think that those are going to be two very good examples from the ground up original ideas.”

Very little is known on the MMO, but Kotick said back in September of last year it would have “a little more broad appeal”, while WoW lead designer Tom Chilton told VG247 back in June it would have to be “easy to learn, hard to master” for the player.

EA’s released the first video of FIFA 11 and its cover boy, Real Madrid midfielder Kaka.

Not much is shown in it, though: you just see him walking out of a tunnel, then changing between his Brazil and Real Madrid kits.

Expect the proper blowout to come in Cologne in a week-and-a-half.

FIFA 11 releases on September 28 in the US and October 1 in the UK.

Konami has released new in-game screenshots and some gameplay footage of Pro Evolution Soccer 2011.

The game is slated for release on PC, PS2, PS3, Wii, and Xbox 360 this fall and includes “total freedom of passing,” and a new power gauge system that allows players to measure every shot.

Neato! Enjoy the shots and trailer.

Interplanetary Ninja Assassin Claptrap.

Their words – not mine. Now then, since we know you’re already barreling past the break as fast as your clicking finger will carry you, we’re just gonna…

…move down here. First up, an overview of the DLC as discovered by Borderlands forum user “Legendrew” after digging through some recent patch files for the game:

“Basically the ninja claptrap was created by Hyperion to stop the vault hunters from taking all the guns and treasure etc, but was too clever, he saw other claptraps being ‘enslaved’ and ‘killed’ – he wanted it to stop so he started a claptrap revoloution. Now Hyperion have asked the vault hunters to help them stop the claptrap uprising and return things back to normal but the claptraps have gone about re-animating dead people and adding claptrap robot parts to them to fight in their army. Some of the people re-animated include Dr Ned. Commandant Steele and General Knoxx.”

In addition to new locations and quests, a whole host of robo-enemies are coming along for the ‘Trapocalypse – including old favorites like Skags, Rakks, and of course, midgets.

Gearbox: Yeah, so what?

The second “top secret” info leaks, most companies seal their lips so tight that their faces can legally be declared seaworthy, but not Gearbox.

“There are a few things there,” Gearbox president Randy Pitchford told IGN. “But I think it’s like reading a draft of a script for a movie that hasn’t even been announced yet, let alone launched – yeah you might learn something, but it’s not the real thing and it could just drive you crazy thinking about it.”

“Seeing that this happened does make me want to hide some super juicy secrets in the DLC, though. If we do, we’ll be sure to hide them really good, though, so it takes more than a day to find them,” he added, jokingly. “I wonder who will find them first?”

Huh? What’s the rumbling sound? Oh no, Randy, you didn’t…! You just challenged the Internet!

The PC Gaming Alliance has released its Horizons Hardware research report, and it found the annual shipment volumes PC gaming hardware market in 2009 were two times larger than shipments of PS2, PS3, Wii and Xbox 360 combined for the same period.

The report states revenues from consumer gaming capable PCs with a discrete GPU (excludes Netbooks and integrated graphics-based PCs) totaled approximately $54.6 billion in 2009 and are forecasted to grow to $61.3 billion by 2014.

The figures are based on an estimated 61.5 million PCs (Desktop and Laptops) shipped in 2009.

“This trend for the PC Gaming hardware market to outpace all console shipments combined is expected to continue through the forecasted period of the research,” read the report. ”

It also estimates worldwide consumers gaming with discrete graphics on their PCs to be 212.6 million for 2009 and expects this to grow to about 322 million by 2014.

“One of the biggest trends I’m seeing in the 2009 Horizon’s hardware report indicates a strong demand for more capable mobile based systems by PC Gamers,” said Matt Ployhar PCGA research committee chairman. “PC Gamers are playing a central role in fueling healthier margins, and driving innovation in this space worldwide.”

“PC gaming is the highest profile and most mature example of a new era of computing systems based on usage,” added  Richard Shim, research manager at IDC. “These new usage-based systems are hardware configurations optimized for an improved user experience. Consumers are often willing to pay more for such an experience. In the case of gaming PCs, up to 25 percent more as compared to a mainstream system.”

According to the report, the Asia Pacific region is still the world’s largest hardware gaming market with approximately 33 percent of the market share. Western Europe and the United States are at 24 percent and 22 percent, respectively, while the rest of the world follows with 21.5 percent.

According to the preview, it will fit in well with expectations of a “modern first-person shooter”, as US forces and the People’s Liberation Army of China fight over Tajikistan in Central Asia.

The game’s campaign has 200km of terrain, and compared to Dragon Rising it has more “believably delivered” marine chatter, tattered military equipment, a more realistic human environment, and smarter AI.

Gun handling has been improved, there’s still an option to “fight without a safety net”,  long range has a sticky aim slowing reticules , mid-range has a “snap-to-aim” CoD players should be familiar with,  and then the z-lock helping those in strafe.

Players can now choose between a rifleman, grenadier, scout and auto rifleman, each with their own M4A1 along with special weapons and attributes.

There’s no competitive multiplayer, as the focus is on co-op, and the radial menu has been reworked to make giving out orders easier.

You can check out the full preview through here which also includes shots of the game.

The game launches in 2011 for PS3, 360 and PC, and promises it “will set a new standard for authentic and intense combat” in tactical shooters.

Red River will see the Chinese PLA remain as big a threat as previously, as players take on the role of a Marine Corp infantryman in Tajikistan along the Vakhsh River over “three distinct acts”.

RR also features drop-in, drop-out online campaign co-op for up to four players, although there will also be “additional co-operative game modes”.

“Operation Flashpoint: Red River is being built around four player co-op online play, complete with a strong narrative, new enemies and combat scenarios to deliver gameplay that immerses players in the reality of war like never before,” said the game’s creative director, Sion Lenton.

“Whether playing solo or co-operatively, players will experience the tense and exhilarating tactical gameplay the series is famed for, expressed through a range of gameplay enhancements and an exciting new setting and narrative,” said Adam Parsons, executive producer.

Get the press release and some art below.

OPERATION FLASHPOINT®: RED RIVERTM SET TO BRING THE AUTHENTIC INFANTRY CO-OP EXPERIENCE TO AN ALL-NEW THEATRE OF WAR IN 2011
A new battlefield and a new flashpoint – prepare to “get some” with the USMC as the tactical shooter series moves to Tajikistan

Friday 6th August/… Operation Flashpoint®: Red RiverTM, an all-new chapter in the tactical shooter series is now in development and will debut in 2011, Codemasters® announced today. Set to deliver an authentic and intensely personal US Marine Corps infantryman experience, Red River’s epic campaign will be played out on a deadly new battlefield set in the remote yet beautiful country of Tajikistan along the Vakhsh River.

Taking a small step into the future, Red River depicts a fictional conflict with contemporary geopolitical themes, which will unfold over three distinct acts in both single player and drop-in-drop-out co-operative play for up to four players online. Faced with new counter-insurgency combat and the returning threat of the Chinese PLA, players will feel the tension, brutality and carnage of modern conflict from the perspective of a marine fireteam on deployment in a hostile country, thousands of miles from home.

Building extensively on the successes of Operation Flashpoint: Dragon Rising, Red River brings wide-ranging advancements including a deeper narrative-led campaign, streamlined inventory and control system, a refined enemy and squad AI system, player class roles including customisable XP upgrades and loadout choice, close-quarters combat, new air support options and comprehensive tutorials.

“Operation Flashpoint: Red River is being built around four player co-op online play, complete with a strong narrative, new enemies and combat scenarios to deliver gameplay that immerses players in the reality of war like never before. The new setting of Tajikistan is a diverse and exciting backdrop for the wide range of military challenges the US Marines face around the world in real life. We’re excited to push the series in new directions while staying true to the core tactical combat that is the hallmark of Operation Flashpoint,” said Sion Lenton, Creative Director.

“In creating Operation Flashpoint: Red River, we’re building on our strengths whilst taking on board feedback from the community and focussing on key areas and enhancements to further refine the Flashpoint experience,” said Adam Parsons, Executive Producer. “Whether playing solo or co-operatively, players will experience the tense and exhilarating tactical gameplay the series is famed for, expressed through a range of gameplay enhancements and an exciting new setting and narrative.”

Refining the Operation Flashpoint co-op infantry experience further, players will be able to team up with their friends to play through additional co-operative game modes. Whether escorting a convoy to safety under heavy fire, or falling back from the enemy against almost insurmountable odds, each unique mode will test players’ tactics and teamwork in distinct ways. New player class roles mean that gamers can play the way they want, honing skills in their chosen fields as they rank up through the new XP reward system and customise their equipment with numerous upgrades.

Taking the tactical infantry shooter to a deadly new battlefield where one bullet can kill, Operation Flashpoint: Red River will set a new standard for authentic and intense tactical combat when it arrives in 2011 for the Xbox 360® video game and entertainment system from Microsoft®, PLAYSTATION®3 computer entertainment system and PC. Sign up to ‘get some’ USMC style with the latest briefings direct from the Operation Flashpoint studio at www.facebook.com/flashpointredriver

ENDS #

Warner’s just announced Rocksteady’s Batman: Arkham Asylum sequel, known as Arkham City.

The game releases next fall for PS3, 360 and Games for Windows

The sequel to Arkham Aslyum was announced last December at the VGAs, where a teaser trailer showed that Arkham Asyum itself was moved into Gotham City.

It also showed the Joker and Harley Quinn for the game, confirming their appearances in the game.

Also mentioned for the Rocksteady sequel was baddies Talia al Ghul, Mr. Freeze and Two Face.

The UK dev was bought earlier this year by Warner, who will be publishing the game this time instead of Arkham Asylum publisher Square Enix.

I can only think of one word right now: it begins with P and ends with umped.

Press release is below.

BURBANK, Calif. – (Business Wire) Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment and DC Entertainment today announced /*Batman: Arkham City™*/ as the title for its follow-up to the award-winning, critically acclaimed hit videogame /Batman: Arkham Asylum™/. /*Batman: Arkham City*/ will be available for the Xbox 360® video game and entertainment system from Microsoft, Games for Windows PC and the PlayStation®3 computer entertainment system in Fall 2011.

Developed by Rocksteady Studios, /*Batman: Arkham City*/ builds upon the intense, atmospheric foundation of /Batman: Arkham Asylum,/ sending players soaring into Arkham City, the new maximum security “home” for all of Gotham City’s thugs, gangsters and insane criminal masterminds. Set inside the heavily fortified walls of a sprawling district in the heart of Gotham City, this highly anticipated sequel introduces a brand-new story that draws together a new all-star cast of classic characters and murderous villains from the Batman universe, as well as a vast range of new and enhanced gameplay features to deliver the ultimate experience as the Dark Knight.

/*Batman: Arkham City*/ is based on DC Comics’ core Batman license. Fans can/* */visit www.batmanarkhamcity.com to sign up to receive updates regarding the game.

Did anyone think Lynch would ever be sane? Of course not.

Square’s released a new clip of the game in the run-in to its release in two weeks.

Give it a watch below.

It shows off your typical Kane and Lynch moments: shooting, swearing, death threats.

You know, the usual and god does this look awesome, I’ve played the demo and I loved it! The details of the camera, the blood in circles and another things just make this wonderful, I have the first but it doesn’t even get close to how awesome this is!

Kane and Lynch 2: Dog Days releases on August 20 in the UK for PS3, 360 and PC.