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This announcement from Sony regarding the upcoming Limited Edition Black Ops PS3 Bundle might be a little late to the party considering that it launched in November 2010, but if you are still interested in the shooter and want to play it on the PS3 and have no PS3, then you might find the following details exciting. The $299.99 160 GB bundle will feature a copy of Call of Duty: Black Ops, The First Strike Map pack, and is looking at a release date of May 31st. Um...thanks Sony? via Playstation Blog

Internet name generators never get old, especially when you combine video games with random and somewhat naughty terms. The end result is a hilarious titled video game that could easily pass as a cheesy music playing skin flick. Gamercide Honorable Mentions From Our Members: Fisher Price Driving in Middle-Earth Tiger Woods' Juggalo Wars No One Can Stop The Fun Noodle Hunt Enraged Porn vs. Street Fighter Spooky Porn in the Desert via Videogamena.com (Thanks DD)

If you happen to sign into Xbox Live at some point today you might have noticed that there are issues with Xbox Live Marketplace. Those problems are not your imagination and are widespread. Microsoft released a small statement regarding the Marketplace outage on their support page and said that Xbox Live users are experiencing issues when browsing the Games Marketplace, checking out Indie Games from a 360 or Xbox.com, and issues are being reported with the Games for Windows on a PC. Now we can all await the rumor mill to start saying that hackers have broke Xbox Live Marketplace. via Microsoft Support Update: Major Nelson tweeted this last night: At this point, it looks like everything is back up and going. Go forth and spend your Microsoft Space Bucks.

If you are finding yourself heading off to college later this year and need a computer or maybe you are already taking classes and need a new computer, now would be the time to make that purchase. Microsoft announced that beginning on May 22 until September 3 if you purchase a new Windows 7 PC that is valued at $699 or more you will receive a free 4 GB Xbox 360 S model at participating retailers. All you have to do is show your proof of college student ID or make a purchase online using your .edu email. The offer is only valid in the United States, however this deal will be coming to France and Canada soon. via Windows Team Blog

Earlier this week Alan Wake 2 rumors were stirring around the internet and Remedy has confirmed to Eurogamer that the next Alan Wake will not be a retail version of Alan Wake or DLC. "Fans of the franchise will be excited to learn that yes, more Wake is coming! But to be absolutely certain to avoid confusion, this next Wake instalment will not be Alan Wake 2. And neither will it be DLC,” - Oskari Hakkinen, Head of Franchise Development Instead Alan Wake: Night Springs is rumored to be an Xbox Live Arcade release and according to Eurogamer Remedy was hiring for motion controller experts last year making some wonder if Alan Wake: Night Springs will be Kinect enabled. via Eurogamer

It appears that Marcus Fenix will be searching for his scientist father in the highly anticipated final chapter where the Fenix story unfolds in the upcoming shooter from Epic Games, Gears of War 3. The full trailer will air on May 28 during the Champion League's Final after the final whistle. If you can't wait an extra week to see the campaign reveal trailer, then feast your eyes on a tiny bit of a teaser. http://youtu.be/1Prqt6Qv60Q via Joystiq

As a reward for reaching the 500,000 fan mark on the Silent Hill Facebook page and Silent Hill: Downpour's producer Devin Shatsky is giving fans of the series a sneak peek look at what they will showing at E3. http://youtu.be/xwqMaTxgoCY via

The intro for EA's and Spicy Horses's highly anticipated sequel, Alice: Madness Returns has been released for your viewing pleasure. The intro has Alice remembering a memory that makes her "sick". Just what is reality in that memory dear Alice? Fans will have to wait until June 14 to find out. http://youtu.be/RwyoaSA-0wg via

Starbreeze CEO, Mikael Nermark made that statement to CVG as the studio who developed the first game of Jackie Estacado's adventure in The Darkness, opened up about not making the sequel, The Darkness II. 2K Games instead chose Digital Extremes who has worked on BioShock, BioShock 2, and various Unreal Tournament games. The Darkness II is set for release on October 4, 2011 and the story will pick up two years after the events in first game and finds that Jackie used his powers to become the head of the Franchetti crime family. via CVG

If you participated in the Gears of War 3 beta the following set of stats might be of interest to you considering that you along with 1.29 million players clocked in about 249 years worth of matches. That's correct, 249 years. 1.29 million people participated in the beta 145 different countries participated in the beta 249 years worth of matches played More than 11 million matches completed More than 927 million kills recorded More than 131 million executions performed More than 23 million deaths by chainsaw Nearly 23 BILLION bullets fired 4.9 billion ribbons and 291 million medals earned 435,000 people earned the beta-exclusive Thrashball Cole skin to use in the retail game when it launches in September 234,000 people earned the beta-exclusive Gold Retro Lancer to use in the retail game when it launches in September Microsoft and Epic Games released those impressive stats in a press release along with another little nugget of information. Gears of War 3 is the new record holder for having the fastest number of Xbox pre-orders in the history of the Xbox's release. via Joystiq

Microsoft released a statement earlier about how they plan on making sure that Xbox 360 users who have been affected by the new dashboard update still get to play the games that they love and it involves a new console. The new mandatory update has not been compatible with some older models of the Xbox 360 when it comes to the new disc format and Microsoft has announced that they will be replacing those consoles for free with a new Xbox 360 Model S and a 250 GB hard drive. If you are finding yourself having an issue with reading retail copies of your games after applying the update, Microsoft has said to get in contact with support immediately. If you are planning on scheming Microsoft and just trying to get a new console, do not bother. Microsoft will be verifying your console to ensure that is one of the models that has been affected. Microsoft has also said that they "we are also able to detect this issue over Xbox Live and are proactively reaching out to customers that may be impacted to replace their console." via Eurogamer

The actors that led their talents and likeliness to the recent Call of Duty: Black Ops Escalation zombies mode map Call of the Dead, speak out about their experience with Call of Duty and some look down right awkward doing it. http://youtu.be/EasuwXCp-aQ via Joystiq and

If the recent filings of an FCC document are correct than it appears that Fox Entertainment will be heading to video game consoles. According to the Gamasutra who posted a link to the FCC document, this service will be a pay to watch television service and is rumored to be either "a cable, FIOS, or satellite company in the US." Hulu and Netflix are already offered on the current generation of consoles leading many to wonder how this rumor would impact the use of those services as well as what consoles would get this rumored pay to watch television service. via Gamasutra

Honest Hearts, the first of three DLC packs that were announced for the somewhat buggy RPG from Bethesda, Fallout: New Vegas has been released today for the Xbox 360. The Playstation 3 release is being halted until the Playstation Network gets back up and running. In Honest Hearts, you will find yourself going on an adventure that will ultimately lead you to Zion and the "Burned Man". New missions have been added, along with new perks, characters, and achievements that will boost your gamerscore up by 140 points. Honest Hearts will cost you 800 Microsoft Points. via Fallout: New Vegas wikia and Xbox Live Marketplace

Apparently the upcoming release of Infamous 2 in Europe is deserving of not one, two, or even three, but four different bundles and of course the purchase of the game seperately, when the game releases in Europe on June 8th and June 10th of this year. The Lenticular Special Edition - "with a powershot of extra digital content including the Electrocution Grenade power, Golden Amp and an exclusive Cole MacGrath skin from inFamous 1" The Luxury Hero Edition - "complete with Lightning Hook downloadable power, Kessler skin, a Cole MacGrath figurine and inFamous comic from graphic novel legends DC Comics, a replica Cole MacGrath messenger bag and the inFamous 2 digital soundtrack" The "Good" DUALSHOCK 3 Bundle - "your copy of the game will come with a limited edition ‘cosmic blue’ wireless controller. And for the more morally ambiguous out there, take home the ‘evil’ bundle which comes with an exclusive ‘crimson red’ wireless controller" The Infamous 2 PS3 Bundle - "comes with a copy of the game, 320GB PS3 console and standard black DUALSHOCK 3 Wireless Controller" The Playstation Blog also announced that these bundles will only be available in certain regions. via Playstation Blog

Can't wait to get your hands on those big, huge, muscular, biceps of Duke Nukem? If you happen to have purchased Borderlands Game of the Year Edition you are in luck, because 2K Games and Gearbox recently announced that the members of "Duke Nukem Forever First Access Club" will be receiving the demo on June 3. The only way to become a member is by purchasing Borderlands GOTY or pre-ordering a copy of Duke Nukem Forever from a local game store. Gearbox President Randy Pitchford made the announcement in a "Special Message from Gearbox" video. http://youtu.be/wsoNz-7xtg0 via VG247

Confirmed today via Mass Effect 3's Executive Producer Casey Hudson's Twitter is the same-sex friendly option meaning that Commander Shepard can engage in relationship acts with anybody regardless of sex. Mass Effect 3 is slated for a quarter one 2012 launch and EA will have the game at this year's E3. via Twitter

Assassin Creed: Revelations Creative Director, Alexandre Amancio, sat down recently with Game Informer to talk about Ubisoft's upcoming Assassin Creed game, Revelations. The taped interviews which you can find on Game Informer, shows Amancio talking about the gameplay, historical elements, how Revelations will relate to Assassin's Creed III, and why Revelations didn't get a number. "We are setting all of the records straight. We are sort of closing all of the loops that have been started that have been left in suspense, and we're going to reveal not only alot of stuff about the first civilization plot line, but we are actually going to conclude the Ezio/Altair storylines and we are going to sort of explain why first of all Ezio is such an important character for the franchise, what his actual role is in all of that plot line, what role Altair plays in that destiny, and ultimately what role Desmond plays..." - Alexandre Amancio, Creative Director Assassin's Creed: Revelations It was recently revealed through a unique advertising campaign on Facebook that involved fans who "liked" the page, that "master assassin Ezio Auditore walks in the footsteps of his legendary mentor, Altaïr, on a journey of discovery and revelation. It is a perilous path – one that will take Ezio to Constantinople, the heart of the Ottoman Empire, where a growing army of Templars threatens to destabilize the region." via Game Informer

Fans and newbies of Sid Meier's long running RTS series, Civilization will be able to get their hands on the Facebook version of the game sometime this summer. In an interview with CNN regarding Civ World, Meier opened about what the social version of the game can do that playing over the PC cannot. We will have to wait and see whether or not long time fans of the popular PC series will support the social, Facebook version of Civilization. via CNN

Everybody's favorite bald headed, bar code branded hired hand is back and both Square Enix and IO have released new details regarding the long awaited and much anticipated entry into the Hitman series, Hitman: Absolution. "Betrayed by those he trusted and hunted by the police, he finds himself at the centre of a dark conspiracy and must embark on a personal journey through a corrupt and twisted world, in his search for the truth." - Tore Blystad, Director, Hitman: Absolution According to Square Enix and IO, a more darker and serious side of Agent 47 will be unleashed in the new game that begins with 47 being chased down by the police and both the movie that has a budget of $100 million and the new game will hopefully in some way tie in together. The movie will feature original story, characters, and will be along the lines of Hitman video games. "The hope is that the movie will be going in a similar direction, and then when they both come out they will speak the same language. They won't follow the old Hitman games, but rather go with this newer direction." - Tore Blystad, Director, Hitman: Absolution Also announced is that brother to the late Kung Fu actor David Carradine will be in Hitman: Absolution. Keith Carradine known for his roles in Dexter, Kung Fu, and appeared in numerous other television shows and movie will voice the villian that Agent 47 must rise up against. Agent 47's go to girl will not be voiced by Vivienne McKee this time, but instead actress of White Collar fame, Marsha Thomason will be doing the voice over work and says that 47 and Diana have a "very close relationship". "Diana is 47's only true human contact. They've known each other an extremely long time, and in the Hitman world, she is what Q is to James Bond. So she sets the assignments, tells him where to go and who to kill." - Marsha Thomason, actress playing Diana Burnwood Hitman: Absolution is being developed from the ground up and Square and IO are using a dozen Hollywood actors in the game. Hitman: Absolution is due out sometime next year. via RockPaperShotgun and Eurogamer

The announcement of Modern Warfare 3 made many Call of Duty fans rejoice, but that happiness went away when it was followed by the little fact that Modern Warfare 3 is being handled by two different developers instead of being directly developed by Infinity Ward. Infinity Ward is providing assistance on some level and now rumors are flying that there is a big reveal on the way. No exact details have been released regarding the big reveal rumor other than a huge number 3 in green appearing on the Playstation UK Magazine that says, "The biggest game in the world returns". Rumors are also on the rise that Infinity Ward will be making a Call of Duty game in the future and it will most likely be a prequel starring Ghost, the masked operative from Modern Warfare 2 once the legal battle ends between Activision and former Infinity Ward employees. Modern Warfare 3 has no confirmed release date, however the wiki for the game states that Activision is trying to make a fall 2011 release. Raven Software who made Singularity, X-Men Origins: Wolverine, and Soldier Fortune will work on the multiplayer of Modern Warfare 3, while Sledgehammer Studios will be heading up the single player campaign. via Modern Warfare 3 wiki and Game Rant

We interrupt our regularly scheduled news posting to bring the earth shattering news of the day. The social app makers behind Farmville, Petville, and anything else ending in "ville" and "wars" has announced that they will be partnering with the "Born This Way" singer Lady Gaga for a new game that will be a relative to Zynga's successful Facebook game, Farmville. "Gagaville" will debut on May 17th and Zynga announced via their the Gagaville Facebook page that the game will have sheeps on motorcycles, unicorns, and all other things that are in Lady Gaga's world including songs from her new album, "Born This Way". "In a new deal with Zynga — the biggest name in casual games — the edgy pop starlet will appear in ...her very own hamlet within the Zynga universe. On May 17, you can virtually visit GagaVille, a digital farm that's decked out in Gaga's trademark outlandish vibe, which naturally means it will include "crystals, unicorns and sheep on motorcycles. The partnership is a Facebook-centric promotional tie-in for her upcoming album, Born This Way" - Zynga via Gagaville Facebook Now that the life changing announcement has been made, we will resume regular posting in 3, 2, 1. via Gagaville Facebook

Ever imagine what it would be like to be like trapped in a real life version of Treyarch's "Nazi Zombies" mode in Call of Duty? Studio FX Films did and produced an incredible live action short film showcasing their interpretation of everybody's favorite zombie shooting mode. http://youtu.be/N3MUAJ_Xv2A via Joystiq

During Namco Bandai's "Level up Dubai 2011" press conference, Namco announced that Soul Calibur V will be releasing in 2012 for the Xbox 360 and Playstation 3. The new story will take place 17 years after the events in Soul Calibur IV and the main character will be Patroclus who happens to be Sophitia's son. http://youtu.be/kHmLtgY3S6c via VG247

One of the industries leading titans in technology has bought the innovative internet chat company that allows friends and family to stay in touch over the internet, Skype for a lump sum of $8.5 billion. This transaction beats out Microsoft's previous purchase of aQuantive for $6 billion as the largest purchase that the company has made to date. After Microsoft made the announcement, many were left wondering why Microsoft would take a gamble on Skype who has a long term debt of $686 million and the company suffered a loss last year of around $7 million according to Wired. Microsoft would also be paying an average $1,000 per customer and only receiving $30 back in profit which is another reason many are left scratching their heads at this decision. Microsoft has not offered any concrete details as to why they made the purchase, however one has to wonder if Microsoft plans on bringing Skype to the Xbox 360 via Kinect or even merging Windows Live Messenger with the Skype capabilities. There are many possibilites, but until Microsoft announces their exact plans for their purchase of Skype, we will just have to keep guessing. via Wired