Shank 2 drops players into a stunning pulp fiction world as Shank, an ex-mob hitman who is forced down the road to redemption after his village comes under brutal attack. With precise and fluid controls, tons of new weapons, stronger enemies and the most advanced combo system of any 2D brawler, Shank 2 delivers a dynamic and evolved combat experience. Players have access to a diverse arsenal of guns, knives, chainsaws, baseball bats, and more as they move through Klei’s beautifully drawn environments that earned the indie studio IGF’s Excellence in Visual Arts nomination in 2010, and the Canadian Animator of the Year award in 2011.

Shank 2’s all-new multiplayer Survival mode drops players into fast paced and action-packed interactive environments where they tactically take down hordes of goons and mini-bosses in an arcade-style fight to protect objectives and stay alive. Teams of two can play locally or online as they battle wave after wave of smarter, stronger enemies and use fallen weapons and on-the-fly purchases in gory brawls.

Sleeping Dogs catapults players into the role of undercover cop Wei Shen, tasked with taking down one of the world’s most fearsome criminal organizations from the inside – the Hong Kong Triads. As players explore the bustling and crowded Hong Kong island, through its neon-lit side streets and sprawling street markets, an incredible story unfolds of loyalty and betrayal, where Wei begins to question his own motives as he is sucked in deeper than he could ever imagine.

“From the moment you pick up the controller and experience the blend of driving, close combat and shooting you know you’re playing something fresh and a bit special,” said Lee Singleton, General Manager of Square Enix London Studios. “Sleeping Dogs has one of the best melee combat systems out there – it’s super brutal with devastating takedown moves, and when added to UFG’s proven heritage in driving games, a first class story and the vibrant backdrop of the Hong Kong underworld we get a fiery recipe with fun written all over it.”

“Working on Sleeping Dogs has been such a huge passion for the team at United Front Games and we’re really pleased to be working with Square Enix London Studios,” said Stephen Van Der Mescht, Executive Producer at United Front Games. “The extensive experience both our studios have in creating compelling openworld gameplay and rich and rewarding combat makes for a perfect partnership. Working together we can make sure that Sleeping Dogs is the most intense and immersive experience it can be.”

Offering players an island packed with action, every street corner, market stall, harbour dock or city skyscraper can become an opportunity for intense shoot-outs, adrenaline-fuelled street races and intense, brutal martial arts combat. Featuring one of the most intuitive and imaginative combat systems, Sleeping Dogs empowers players to perform an extensive set of martial arts moves, singlehandedly taking on numerous opponents. Players perform bone-crunching kicks and combos, vicious counters and a cinematic set of environmental takedowns making use of countless real-world items from circular saws to phone booths, incinerators to refrigerator doors.

Shank 2 drops players into a stunning pulp fiction world as Shank, an ex-mob hitman who is forced down the road to redemption after his village comes under brutal attack. With precise and fluid controls, tons of new weapons, stronger enemies and the most advanced combo system of any 2D brawler, Shank 2 delivers a dynamic and evolved combat experience. Players have access to a diverse arsenal of guns, knives, chainsaws, baseball bats, and more as they move through Klei’s beautifully drawn environments that earned the indie studio IGF’s Excellence in Visual Arts nomination in 2010, and the Canadian Animator of the Year award in 2011.

Shank 2’s all-new multiplayer Survival mode drops players into fast paced and action-packed interactive environments where they tactically take down hordes of goons and mini-bosses in an arcade-style fight to protect objectives and stay alive. Teams of two can play locally or online as they battle wave after wave of smarter, stronger enemies and use fallen weapons and on-the-fly purchases in gory brawls.

Also on the new web site are the winners of the #MaxPayne3 casting event. Rockstar thanks  everyone out there who participated in the casting call. The turnout for this activity surpassed their expectations with #MaxPayne3 usage spiking to the top of the worldwide Trending Topics moments after the event was first announced.

From December 16th, 2011 through January 13th, 2012 Rockstar selected ten people at random each week from those they spotted using the #MaxPayne3 hashtag on Twitter. From there, selections were contacted and asked to send in a picture for consideration. The developers then picked two people from each group, in each of the four weeks (eight people in total) to have their likeness appear as a multiplayer gang character in Max Payne 3.

Suffice it to say, it was pretty difficult settling on only 8 people… The gang looks to be a pretty rad multiplayer hit squad of internationally-assembled killers – recruited from Germany, London, NYC, Los Angeles, Brazil, Australia, Japan, with Canada being represented by Dave Wheeler, the morning drive DJ at Winnipeg’s Power 97 radio station.

The new Max Payne 3 site also features updated original artwork and a chronicle of all Max Payne 3 news, videos, downloads and information released to date. Explore it all and check back often in the weeks and months ahead for a fully-loaded barrage of new videos, screens, game details and much much more as we barrel towards Max Payne 3′s release on Xbox 360, PlayStation 3 and PC this May.

As revealed last month, players will be able to choose their side in three online competitive multiplayer modes: Biohazard, Survivor and Team Attack. In a brutal four-versus-four player team battle players choose their character with unique skills and abilities that will help make them escape the terrifying madness that’s been unleashed on the streets of Raccoon City. In an evil twist that could only be possible in the world of Resident Evil players should expect complete chaos as a third force of zombies and B.O.W.’s, adds to the mayhem.

All roads will lead to hell when Resident Evil: Operation Raccoon City launches in North America on March 20, 2012 for PS3 and Xbox 360, with the PC version to follow.

“We are absolutely thrilled with the passion and emotion the entire cast brought to their performances in Mass Effect 3,” said Casey Hudson, Executive Producer of the Mass Effect series. “In a story where Earth and the entire galaxy are at war, we needed to take the performances to a level of dramatic power and intensity that we’ve never previously attempted. This extremely talented cast delivered.”

The star-studded cast for Mass Effect 3 includes the return of Golden Globe winner Sheen (“The Departed”, “Apocalypse Now”), Seth Green (“Robot Chicken”, “Family Guy”) as Joker, Tricia Helfer (“Battlestar Galactica”) as the Normandy’s A.I., Yvonne Strahovski (“Chuck”) as Miranda, and Carrie-Anne Moss (“The Matrix”) as Aria T’Loak. Other returning fan favorites include Meer and Hale as Male and Female Shepard, Ali Hillis as Dr. Liara T’Soni, Keith David (“Platoon”) as Captain Anderson and Lance Henriksen (“Aliens”) as Admiral Steven Hackett. Prinze, Jr. (“24”) and Jessica Chobot (G4 TV), as news reporter Diana Allers, are the newcomers to the series.

“I have always loved science fiction and I have always loved games and Mass Effect is really the first time both come together successfully,” said Prinze, Jr.- “It is a completely immersive game where you really feel like you’re part of this journey inside this universe. It will make you think, you will care about the character you are playing, and you will care about the characters that you bring into battle with you.”

In Mass Effect 3, players will be thrust into an all-out galactic war to save the galaxy from an ancient alien race known only as the Reapers. Players will assume the role of Commander Shepard, a war-torn veteran who’s willing to do whatever it takes to eliminate this nearly unstoppable foe. With a team of elite, battle-hardened soldiers at your side, each player decides how they will take Earth back, from the weapons and abilities they utilize to the relationships they forge or break. Gamers can get their first taste of the galactic war when the Mass Effect 3 demo launches worldwide on February 14.

Mass Effect 3 arrives on the Xbox 360®, PlayStation®3 and PC in North America on March 6, 2012 and in Europe on March 9, 2012 and is available for pre-order now at participating retailers. Fans who pre-order (usual EA conditions apply) have the opportunity to arm themselves with cutting-edge in-game weapons and armor to prepare for the all-out galactic war.

This weekly scheduled content will include in-game Events, Challenges, Avatar Items, Dynamic Themes and Behind-the-Scenes videos, as well as bonus Mutations for PROTOTYPE2′s main campaign.  Fans who participate in all of RADNET’s weekly challenges and events will unlock the ultimate shape-shifting reward…to be revealed in March 2012.  PROTOTYPE 2′s RADNET Edition content will only be available for free while supplies last.

“Radical Entertainment has always focused on bringing long lasting fun to its fans, and PROTOTYPE 2′s RADNET content is our way of rewarding the game’s most loyal supporters — the early adopters, the one’s who will replay it over and over again,” said Ken Rosman, Studio Head, Radical Entertainment.  “We think this is great because we’re giving our fans hours of additional gameplay outside PROTOTYPE 2′s main narrative, and cool rewards — all delivered weekly following the game’s launch!”

A disclaimer from Activision in the press release material states that “Activision makes no guarantees regarding the availability of online play or features, including access to or support for RADNET provided by the applicable console manufacturer, and may modify or discontinue online service in its discretion without notice, including for example, ceasing online service for economic reasons due to a limited number of players continuing to make use of the service over time.”  However, the FAQ about RADNET on Radical’s site states that once unlocked with the code, the RADNET content is permanently available:

Q:  What happens if I don’t start playing with RADNET content until a few days or weeks after April 24^th?  Do I miss out on the previous week(s) Challenges/Rewards?

Answer:  Once you have entered the RADNET access code from the back of your game manual, RADNET content will remain permanently available to you.

 Q:  Does RADNET content become unavailable after the seven weeks ending June 7^th?

Answer:  Once unlocked, all RADNET content will be available for you to play.

I hope EB Games is aware of this code, because I was probably the first person in the country to put a pre-order on this game back in July 2010. Looks like another phone call to the store’s manager to ensure that this is added to my list of pre-order bonuses.

Q:  How do you guarantee yourself access to PROTOTYPE 2’s RADNET content? 

Answer:  RADNET access is guaranteed for any customer who pre-orders their copy of PROTOTYPE 2 prior to April 24^th 2012 at participating retailers.  Pre-ordering will guarantee you a copy of the limited launch quantity of the “RADNET Edition Content” for PROTOTYPE 2.

Q:  How do you guarantee yourself access to PROTOTYPE 2’s RADNET content? 

Answer:  RADNET access is guaranteed for any customer who pre-orders their copy of PROTOTYPE 2 prior to April 24^th 2012 at participating retailers.  Pre-ordering will guarantee you a copy of the limited launch quantity of the “RADNET Edition Content” for PROTOTYPE 2.

“PROTOTYPE 2′s Hardened Steel Vehicle Armor allows Sgt. James Heller to jump into any military vehicle and shrug off even the most devastating attacks,” said Ken Rosman, Studio Head, Radical Entertainment.  “Whether fighting off individual soldiers, helicopters, tanks, and APCs or all the above at once, this upgrade provides Heller a defensive advantage as he goes head-to-head against everything the enemy Blackwatch forces throw at him.”

The sequel to Radical Entertainment’s best-selling open-world action game of 2009, PROTOTYPE 2 takes the unsurpassed carnage of the original PROTOTYPE and continues the experience of becoming the ultimate shape-shifting weapon.  As the game’s all-new infected protagonist, Sgt. James Heller, players will cut a bloody swathe through the wastelands of post-viral New York Zero with unparalleled locomotion, building up a vast genetic arsenal of deadly, biological weapons and abilities as they hunt, kill and consume their way toward the ultimate goal — to kill…Alex…Mercer!

The Hardened Steel Upgrade is unlockable for Xbox360® and Playstation®3 systems only and will be  available for a limited time exclusively through Best Buy while supplies last. Code received at time of purchase. Exclusive until June 12, 2012.

PROTOTYPE 2 is currently in development for Xbox^® 360, PlayStation^®3 and Windows PC at Vancouver’s Radical Entertainment.  The game is rated Mature — Blood and Gore, Drug Reference, Intense Violence, Sexual Themes, Strong Language.  Content suitable for persons ages 17 and older – by the ESRB.

Sign up on the Shank game web site if you want to receive updates on all things Shank.

• All-new multiplayer maps to maneuver through: Jerusalem, Constantinople and Dyers
• Fan-favorite Italian Renaissance maps from Assassin’s Creed® Brotherhood to revisit: Firenze (Florence), San Donato and Siena
• All-new Trophies and Achievements to earn

The addition of six multiplayer maps introduces new gameplay opportunities through each map’s varied terrain, perches and hideouts. The new collection of Trophies and Achievements will allow players to try their hand at kills and escapes that are as impressive as they are effective.

The Mediterranean Traveler Map Pack is available for download at a price of 800 Microsoft Points on Xbox LIVE® Marketplace for Xbox 360 and $9.99 on PlayStation®Network and Windows PC.

To preview the Mediterranean Traveler Map Pack, players can download a free trial from Xbox LIVE Marketplace for Xbox 360 and PlayStation®Store. The trial will expire three days after playing the new DLC for the first time.

Set in a pulp fiction world, Shank 2 puts players back in control of their favorite ex-mobster hitman, Shank. Klei has evolved the combat experience with precise controls, new weapons, smarter enemies, and more advanced combo techniques, all set to the backdrop of beautiful 2D art and animation. Players can put Shank’s trusty arsenal of handguns, chainsaws, grenades, plus all-new weapons to use in order to protect those close to him.

Introducing an all-new Survival Mode, gamers can team up with a friend online or locally, working together to take down hordes of goons in an action-packed, arcade-style brawl. Featuring stunning visuals from Klei’s veteran cartoon director, Jeff Agala, Shank 2 raises the bar even higher for 2D brawlers with art and animation that won Klei multiple awards and nominations, including IGF’s Excellence in Visual Arts nomination, and the Canadian Animator of the Year award for Klei’s lead animator, Aaron Bouthillier.

Shank 2 is rated M for Mature by the ESRB.

Players will go deeper into the campaign and also get a taste of the franchise’s new co-operative multiplayer mode as they preview the epic story, adrenaline-pumping action and deep customization options that lie ahead when Mass Effect 3 launches on March 6, 2012. The Mass Effect 3 demo will be available for the Xbox 360®, PlayStation®3 and PC. Mass Effect 3 will also be one of the first pre-launch demos to support full voice recognition functionality on Kinect™ for Xbox 360.

“We are excited to be able to give gamers an expansive demo that will put them right on the front lines of this all-out galactic war,” said Casey Hudson, Executive Producer of the Mass Effect series. “The entire scale of the game is bigger than anything we’ve ever done. With its intense action, deep customization and raw emotional power, Mass Effect 3 will deliver a spectacular action RPG experience to fans of the series and newcomers alike.”

In Mass Effect 3, players will be thrust into an all-out galactic war to take Earth back and save the entire galaxy, assuming the role of Commander Shepard, a war-torn veteran who’s willing to do whatever it takes to eliminate this nearly unstoppable foe. With a team of elite, battle-hardened soldiers at your side, each player decides how they will take Earth back, from the weapons and abilities they utilize to the relationships they forge or break.

Mass Effect 3 also features a new co-operative gameplay mode that allows fans to experience the war from a different perspective. Players who want to try this new mode will be able to do so on February 17, or by qualifying for early access to the co-op portion of the demo which begins February 14. Gamers qualify for early access if they have activated their Battlefield 3™ online pass (Conditions and restrictions apply. Early access requirement and availability may differ by platform and/or region) or though other opportunities that will be announced in the near future.

Mass Effect 3 is available for pre-order now at participating retailers. Fans who pre-order have the opportunity to arm themselves with cutting-edge in-game weapons and armor to prepare for the all-out galactic war (Conditions and restrictions apply). Mass Effect 3 arrives on the Xbox 360, PlayStation 3 and PC in North America on March 6, 2012 and in Europe on March 9, 2012.

Based on incredibly precise and fluid gunplay and maintaining the series’ famed dark and cinematic approach, Max Payne 3 follows the famed former New York detective onto the streets of São Paulo, Brazil. Max Payne now works in executive protection for the wealthy Rodrigo Branco in the hopes of escaping the memories of his troubled past. When a street gang kidnaps Rodrigo’s wife, Max is pulled into a conspiracy of shadowy, warring factions threading every aspect of São Paulo society in a deadly web that threatens to engulf everyone and everything around him.

In another first for the series, Max Payne 3’s multiplayer offering brings the game’s cinematic feel, fluid gunplay and kinetic sense of movement into the realm of online multiplayer. Building on the fiction and signature gameplay elements of the Max Payne universe, Max Payne 3 features a wide range of new and traditional multiplayer modes that play on the themes of paranoia, betrayal and heroism, all delivered with the same epic visual style of the single-player game.

Inspired by the supernatural horror comic book series created by Top Cow Productions, Inc., and developed by Digital Extremes, The Darkness II tells the next chapter in the story of Jackie Estacado, head of a New York crime family and wielder of the ancient force of chaos known as the Darkness. The demo of The Darkness II places gamers into the role of Jackie as he battles his way through hordes of enemies hell-bent on claiming the power of the Darkness for themselves. With this demo, gamers will get a taste of the violent power of the demonic abilities at Jackie’s disposal as he faces off against the ancient Brotherhood in the single-player campaign.

The Darkness II is the sequel to the hit 2007 title, The Darkness, and brings a unique new combat mechanic through Quad-Wielding™, which allows players to slash, grab and throw objects and enemies with two Demon Arms while simultaneously firing two weapons. The game is layered with thematic elements of dark versus light, steeped in deep and twisted storytelling, and drenched in stylistic violence which is brought to life through the hand-painted graphic noir art style, true to its comic book origins.

The Darkness II will be available in North America for the Xbox 360®, PS3™ and Games for Windows® on February 7, 2012, and internationally on February 10, 2012.

The Darkness II is rated M for Mature by the ESRB. An Xbox LIVE, PlayStation Networkor Steam account and Internet connection are required to access demo.

The all-new digital comic series will be broken into three original stories that bridge the gap between the original blockbuster game and the highly anticipated sequel, PROTOTYPE 2.  The first entry, “The Anchor,” illustrated by Paco Diaz, continues the story of Alex Mercer, the protagonist from the first game, while the second story, “The Survivors,” illustrated by Chris Staggs, follows a small group of residents of New York trying to escape the city after it has been transformed into NYZ with the outbreak of the Blacklight virus.  The third and final story, illustrated by Victor Drujiniu, is “The Labyrinth” and provides fans a deeper look into the backstory of PROTOTYPE 2′s new protagonist, Sgt. James Heller.  Each comic in the series will be available at Digital.Darkhorse.com every other week beginning February 15, 2012.

“We’re always looking for meaningful ways to expand the PROTOTYPE universe, and Dark Horse Comics is an industry-leading creative powerhouse delivering best-in-class graphic storytelling that integrates deeply to the core of our IP,” said Ken Rosman, Studio Head, Radical Entertainment.  “With this partnership, our fans will finally be given answers to some dramatic loose ends from the first PROTOTYPE game, as well as the truth behind Alex Mercer’s descent and evolution into a twisted shadow of his former self for PROTOTYPE 2.”

“Sgt. James Heller’s heart wrenching backstory meshed with the sheer amount of over-the-top shape-shifting action in PROTOTYPE 2 lend themselves perfectly to a comic book series,” said Dave Marshall, Editor, Dark Horse Comics.  ”We worked extremely close with Radical Entertainment’s story team for PROTOTYPE 2, and can’t wait to visually walk fans through the many dark secrets strewn throughout the tattered world of New York Zero!”

The sequel to Radical Entertainment’s best-selling open-world action game of 2009, PROTOTYPE 2 takes the unsurpassed carnage of the original PROTOTYPE and continues the experience of becoming the ultimate shape-shifting weapon.  As the game’s all-new infected protagonist, Sgt. James Heller, players will cut a bloody swathe through the wastelands of post-viral New York Zero with unparalleled locomotion, building up a vast genetic arsenal of deadly, biological weapons and abilities as they hunt, kill and consume their way toward the ultimate goal — to kill… Alex… Mercer!

In Team Deathmatch, battle for the most kills in brutal triple threat chaos that leaves players never knowing what’s behind them, an element that could only exist in the twisted Resident Evil universe. Ensure that samples of the G-virus are returned safely to their base in Biohazard mode while fighting off all the competing forces at play in Raccoon City. Try to survive the horror just a little bit longer while waiting for rescue in Survivors mode. There’s limited space on board a helicopter so fight off the opposition and survive the hordes of hungry zombies, risking infection if they get too close. Try to make it out of Raccoon City alive!

Of course there’s also the previously announced Heroes Mode which allows fans to play as one of their favorite Resident Evil characters, including Leon S. Kennedy, Hunk or Jill Valentine. Resident Evil: Operation Raccoon City will be available for PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 on March 20 in North America.

Available on January 17, 2012, for the Xbox 360®, PlayStation®3 and PC, the Kingdoms of Amalur: Reckoning demo will give players a taste of the rich, diverse, action-packed world of Amalur, and will also unlock special items in the final game. There was no date given in the news release for the Mass Effect 3 demo availability.

“We are thrilled to have the opportunity to deliver this massive one-two punch with Kingdoms of Amalur: Reckoning and Mass Effect 3. We wanted to provide fans of the Mass Effect franchise with a unique set of rewards for diving into the expansive universe of Reckoning,” said Curt Schilling, Chairman and Founder of 38 Studios.

“We are excited to be collaborating with 38 Studios to bring pieces inspired by the Mass Effect universe into the world of Reckoning and to have items designed by Todd McFarlane in Mass Effect 3,” said Dr. Ray Muzyka, General Manager of EA’s BioWare Label and Co-Founder of BioWare. “This is an awesome way to reward our fans with unique content that not only looks cool, but also delivers some great in-game benefits.”

By playing the Kingdoms of Amalur: Reckoning demo, gamers will receive two unlocks for Mass Effect 3 when the highly anticipated game releases on March 6, 2012, both designed by the renowned creator of Spawn, Todd McFarlane:

• Reckoner Knight Armor: This armor will maximize damage done in close-quarters combat while a beefed–up power cell feeds energy into weapon systems to increase projectile velocity.
• The Chakram Launcher: This weapon uses a fabricator to manufacture lightweight, explosive ammunition discs. This weapon is earned after completing the Reckoning demo and watching the trailer at the end.

By playing the upcoming Mass Effect 3 demo, fans will unlock the following items for Reckoning when the game launches on February 7, inspired by Mass Effect:

• N7 Armor: Players can unlock special armor inspired by Commander Shepard’s iconic N7 battle armor including Helm, Cuirass, Gauntlets, Chausses and Greaves.
• Onmiblade Daggers: A holographic blade stemming from Commander Shepard’s Omni-Tool, the Omni-blade allows players to stab enemies in close combat. Once players install and play the Mass Effect 3 demo, they will unlock the daggers.

The Kingdoms of Amalur: Reckoning demo features the introduction to the game, allowing players to experience the game’s Tutorial Mode and a portion of its large, open world. Players will create and customize their hero and drop right into the action. Once players master the basics, they will have 45 minutes to explore the vast world of Amalur and begin to embark upon a quest that could redefine their character’s destiny forever.

In addition to the Mass Effect items above, players who play the Reckoning demo will also unlock:

• Twist of Fate Card: This card boosts the player’s ice resistance and is immediately unlocked when he or she activates the Reckoning demo using his or her Origin account.
• Twinned Souls Chakram: A unique weapon that damages enemies while boosting player health and mana in Reckoning.
• The Infernal Helm: Unlocked after completing the Reckoning Tutorial Mode, this protective helmet increases players’ fire damage throughout Amalur.

Set in an entirely new universe crafted by New York Times best-selling author R. A. Salvatore, Kingdoms of Amalur: Reckoning is brought to life visually through the trademark visceral style of renowned artist and Spawn creator Todd McFarlane. With a sprawling explorable world and deep RPG gameplay at its core, Kingdoms of Amalur: Reckoning adds a new level of intense action combat to the genre and a one-of-a-kind advancement system as players unfold and evolve their destiny through constant character customization. Kingdoms of Amalur: Reckoning is being developed under the creative leadership of Ken Rolston, lead designer of the critically acclaimed open-world RPGs Elder Scrolls III: Morrowind and Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion.

Through these six exclusive images, follow the two playable characters in their quests leading them to the heart of mythical locations from Westeros. The fate of Mors, sworn brother of the Night’s Watch, will lead him from the Wall to King’s Landing, through the hostile lands of the Gift. Alester, the red priest, will face troubles during his journey from Riverspring in Lannister territory, to Red Keep in the capital. Their epic quest will be guided by revenge, loyalty, honor, and family, along a twisting plot filled with betrayal and violence.

Like the novels, the stories of our two heroes are told in alternation, each character getting the main role in his chapter to deliver an exciting and original story…until their paths first cross at the corner of a common quest.

The Mediterranean Traveler Map Pack will be available for download on January 24th for 800 Microsoft Points on Xbox LIVE^® or $9.99 on PlayStation^®Network and Windows PC.

Which secret society do you belong with? Find out by taking the initiation test! For the developer Q&A that will be held on Facebook on January 15^th, gamers everywhere can already start submitting their questions today via the ‘Questions & Answers’ app on the page.

The Illuminati are invisible puppet-masters and corporate manipulators, and they crave power and wealth by any means necessary. They may have ancient roots, but they remain forever young and hungry. The Illuminati’s golden agents enjoy power, money and glamour – but the real power they offer you goes beyond that: Information worked from every civilian, government and clandestine organization in the world.

“Butt Kicker is a fun twist on Heller’s already over-the-top new Bio-Bomb ability,” said Ken Rosman, Studio Head, Radical Entertainment.  “Rather than just throwing enemies once Heller has infected them with the Blacklight virus; Butt Kicker allows Heller to drop-kick punt them across the map, turning enemies into projectiles that rain down devastation from above.”

The Bio-Bomb Butt Kicker is unlockable for Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 systems only and is  available exclusively through Gamestop – exclusive until June 12, 2012.  Code received at time of purchase while supplies last, for a limited time only. I’ve had this game on pre-order since July 7th 2011, guess I had better make a trek into Langley and make sure that there’s a big note on the board so that I get my pre-order code when they arrive at the store.

The sequel to Radical Entertainment’s best-selling open-world action game of 2009, PROTOTYPE 2 takes the unsurpassed carnage of the original PROTOTYPE and continues the experience of becoming the ultimate shape-shifting weapon.  As the game’s all-new infected protagonist, Sgt. James Heller, players will cut a bloody swathe through the wastelands of post-viral New York Zero with unparalleled locomotion, building up a vast genetic arsenal of deadly, biological weapons and abilities as they hunt, kill and consume their way toward the ultimate goal — to kill…Alex…Mercer!

The new web site will guide visitors through the key locations featured in the upcoming RPG.  Guests can explore and discover key characters and events that will shape their journey, as well as learn about unique game features and more.  Visitors can also choose to take on mini-quests to receive web-exclusive content.  The website is a must-visit for series fans and gamers eager to experience the upcoming RPG, and will reward repeat visitors as it opens new location-based sections over time.

• Clint Mansell, Golden Globe nominatedHollywood composer recognized for scoring celebrated films including Black Swan, The Wrestler and Requiem for a Dream.
• Christopher Lennertz, Emmy nominated Hollywood composer known for his work on the recent movie Horrible Bosses, also composed Mass Effect 2: Overlord, Mass Effect 2: Lair of the Shadow Broker, and won the Interactive Academy Award for Medal of Honor.
• Cris Velasco, known for composing the God of War series’ score, has also worked on downloadable content Mass Effect 2: Kasumi and Mass Effect 2: Arrival.
• Sam Hulick, veteran to the Mass Effect series having composed the score for Mass Effect, Mass Effect: Bring Down the Sky and Mass Effect 2.
• Sascha Dikiciyan, video game industry veteran, known for composing the score for TRON: Evolution and the scores of Mass Effect 2: Kasumi and Mass Effect 2: Arrival.

“The magic of BioWare games has always been the emotional power of the story, so music is extremely important to the experience,” said Casey Hudson, Executive Producer of the Mass Effect series. “With Mass Effect 3, we’re taking players on a more personal journey, even though the scope is bigger than ever – an all-out galactic war!  Each composer has played an intricate role in delivering the combination of epic scope and delicate emotion that will make Mass Effect 3 the best game in the series.”

The Mass Effect franchise is set in a science fiction universe blending world-class shooter combat with interactive and cinematic storytelling and space exploration. It is one of the most highly decorated series in the history of games, having earned over 200 international awards including the 2011 AIAS Interactive Achievement Award for Game of the Year for Mass Effect 2. Mass Effect 3 enhances all elements of gameplay from its critically acclaimed predecessors and tells the epic story of Commander Shepard and his journey to unite the galaxy against an unstoppable force destroying life as we know it.

Interwoven into key points of Jackie’s single-player narrative, Vendettas expands the universe of  The Darkness II by branching off into unique, parallel missions, while connecting thematically to the core single-player story arc. Four players can collectively immerse themselves in the lore of  The Darkness II, and explore a variety of environments not found in the main story. Adding to the destruction and mayhem, Vendettas will also feature a new Hit List mode, which allows players to repeat their favorite campaign moments or wreak havoc in brand new scenarios.

Vendettas will also offer varied, intuitive combat with multidimensional scenarios for the four characters. Each individual possesses unique combat styles that will help shoot, smash and disembowel enemies in the most brutal and diverse ways. Designed to pick-up-and-play, gamers have their choice among the following wielders of dark power:

• Inugami: Wielding the mythical Kusanagi samurai sword rumored to have killed ten thousand innocents, Inugami is a dark and mentally unstable character with revenge-driven motives against The Brotherhood and their allies for the slaughter of his entire family. He can also use a swarm of miniature demons to attack and immobilize his enemies.
• Shoshanna: Shoshanna is an ultra-efficient agent for Mossad, the Israeli Intelligence Agency, who was sent to New York to combat a spike in Brotherhood activity. Her obedience and devotion to her superiors makes her a perfect operative, and she harbors a passion for hunting and destroying evil in the world as part of her legacy. Shoshanna wields the Arm of the Night, a powerful weapon fueled with Dark essence and the power to fire multiple rounds of gunfire at one time.
• Jimmy Wilson: A product of inner-city Glasgow, Scotland, and a notorious alcoholic, Jimmy believes The Brotherhood is simply another form of the Hated English that persecuted his family in the past, and he travels to New York to torment them to the fullest extent. He wields the Dark Axe, and has the ability to summon Darklings that he commonly refers to as “Little Jimmys”.
• J.P. DuMond: A former doctor from New Orleans, DuMond is burdened with guilt for using a form of Louisiana Voodoo to heal his patients. The use of dark magic drew the attention of The Brotherhood, an organization which J.P. is now forced to combat in order to halt their pursuit of evil relics. J.P. wields the Midnight Stick and can pull enemies into an anatomy-crushing vortex when he tosses his Box of Tricks – a black metal box filled with dark power – into an open area.

The Darkness II  is the sequel to the million unit-selling 2007 title,  The Darkness, and brings a unique new combat mechanic through Quad-Wielding^TM, which will allow players to slash, grab, and throw objects and enemies with two Demon Arms while simultaneously firing two weapons. The game is layered with thematic elements of dark versus light, steeped in deep and twisted storytelling, and maintains the stylistic violence visualized through a hand-painted graphic noir technique, true to its comic book origins.

The Darkness II  will be available for the Xbox 360^®, PlayStation^®3 and Windows PC on February 7, 2012 in North America and February 10, 2012 internationally. The Darkness II  is rated M for Mature by the ESRB.

“The Satyr is a perfect showcase for Mission Against Terror,” said Sam Ho, Director, Wicked Interactive. “Unlike many other custom rigs, the Satyr delivers a superior functionality at an unbeatable price. We know that everyone in the M.A.T. community is going to love playing the game on such cutting-edge hardware.”

“Wicked makes fantastic games,” said Attila Soos, Co-Founder, Primordial Computers. “M.A.T. in particular is a great meat-and-potatoes MMO shooter that is near and dear to our heart. We know that our fans are going to get the ultimate M.A.T. experience on the special limited-edition Satyr. The exclusive content that Wicked has made available is also great stuff.”

How to Get Involved:

* To check out the limited-edition M.A.T. Satyr computer, go to: Primordial Computers and enter the special promotional code PC2011 for 10% off through January 15, 2012.

*  To enter into a drawing to receive exclusive M.A.T content, “like” M.A.T. or Primordial Computers on Facebook.

Heller uncovers who these targets are by accessing Black.Net – Blackwatch/Gentek’s top-secret encrypted data network used to share information in the field – via disguising himself as a Blackwatch soldier or Gentek scientist and hacking into their mobile satellite trucks stationed throughout New York Zero (NYZ).

As Heller searches through Black.Net, he uncovers case files regarding specific operations that Blackwatch/Gentek are working on throughout the city.  Once Heller hunts down and consumes all the targets in a specific case file, he destroys and shuts down that particular operation.

Players are rewarded for shutting down these Blackwatch/Gentek operations with something else new to PROTOYTPE 2 called Mutations – specific upgrades allowing them to customise Heller’s powers and abilities to their liking.

Heller ‘hunts’ down his targets by sending a pulse out into the game’s New York Zero open-world setting – think of this like a submarine sonar pulse.  The pulse goes out into the environment, and once the pulse hits the target, it bounces back allowing Heller to hone in on the subject – typically leading to a gruesome ending for the target that PROTOTYPE fans are sure to enjoy.

In Heroes Mode players will be able to compete in four vs. four multiplayer with classic Resident Evil characters including Leon. S Kennedy, Jill Valentine, Hunk and Ada Wong. Players will assume the role of either the good or bad guys and compete against each other in a battle for survival. But it’s not that simple. Adding a twist to the traditional TPS gameplay, players will not only need to defeat the opposing team but also zombies and B.O.W’s delivering a compelling triple threat battle.

Key Game Features

• Team based shooter set in the dark and sinister Resident Evil universe
• Triple threat battle as zombies and B.O.W’s add to the action
  • Return of favorite RE enemies, including Hunters, Tyrants and the Nemesis
  • Risk infection from the hordes of zombies, zombie dogs and lickers. Fight to survive with anti-viral sprays, your character’s special skills or help from field scientist Bertha before your character’s condition worsens, turning you into a violent zombie who will attack your own team members
• Compete with up to three friends as an Umbrella Security Service squad member in Campaign mode

• Choose from six U.S.S characters, each with their own unique skill set and roles.
• Features iconic landmarks and RE classic characters, such as Leon S. Kennedy and Hunk.
• Rewrite the history of the Raccoon City outbreak. Destroy all evidence of Umbrella’s involvement at the City Hall and discover UBCS operative Nicholai Ginovaef’s true intentions
• Explore Raccoon City, collecting evidence and intel to report back to Umbrella command

The Ancestors Character pack extends the Assassin’s Creed Revelations experience with features that include:

• New multiplayer characters – the swashbuckling Privateer, the devious siren Corsair, the battle-tested Brigand and the bloodthirsty Gladiator
• Personalized taunts, weapons and stylized assassination moves
• New achievements and trophies to earn
• Multiplayer customization items

…and those of us who prefer the storyline single player mode of the game must wait for future DLC announcements.

Setting the stage for the newest edition in the popular franchise, the trailer exemplifies the terrorist threat that not only poses a danger to Team Rainbow, but also to the nation. Tom Clancy’s Rainbow 6 Patriots is due for release on the Xbox 360®, PlayStation®3 and Windows PC in 2013.

Terrorism has evolved and America is under attack. Capitalizing on the sense of frustration in a nation seemingly corrupted by greedy politicians and corporate special interests, a group of US citizens-turned-radicals, the “True Patriots,” will stop at nothing to overthrow the government and financial institutions. As a leader of the elite Rainbow counter-terrorism unit, players will be the last line of defense tasked with saving the nation no matter the cost.

Tom Clancy’s Rainbow 6 Patriots revolves around an unprecedented narrative that captures the reality of modern-day terrorism and allows players to experience it from multiple perspectives. In addition to the immersive single-player storyline, the game will introduce a huge variety of new innovative co-op and multiplayer experiences that add a new dimension to squad tactics. Players will be rewarded for working as a team and mastering the game’s new features that enhance communication and strategic execution between teammates.

The Scorched Desert is truly a hellish furnace filled with death and darkness. The hidden valley holds only a small piece of the puzzle that is ‘The Secret World’, but one that is crucial for the picture as a whole. The steps must be taken, the trails walked, the enemies defeated and the mysteries uncovered, or else the truth will remain hidden.

The Secret World is published by Electronic Arts Inc. and will ship in April 2012.

Further release details for this downloadable content will be announced at a later date.

In the meantime, Assassin’s Creed fans can look forward to these upcoming DLC offerings from Ubisoft for Revelations:

The Ancestors Character Pack, which will be available on December 13th will include four new multiplayer characters – the Privateer, Corsair, Brigand and Gladiator. Each is personalized with unique taunts, stylized assassination moves and new weapons. This pack will is priced at 320 Microsoft Points on Xbox 360, or $3.99 on PlayStation 3.

Following the Ancestors Character pack will be the Mediterranean Traveler Map Pack, which has been announced for January 24, 2012.

• A copy of Max Payne 3
• 10″ tall Collectible Max Payne Statue created in a collaboration between TriForce and Rockstar Games
• Series of game-inspired Original Still Life Art Prints that depict some of Max Payne’s inner demons and vices
• Copper and brass-plated iron, bullet-shaped Bullet Keychain featuring a screw-off back
• Classic Multiplayer Character Pack of eight playable multiplayer characters for Max Payne 3 Multiplayer, including fan favorites from the original Max Payne and Max Payne 2 like Max Payne from Max Payne 2, Mona Sax and Vladimir Lem
• Disorderly Conduct Multiplayer Weapons Pack for Max Payne 3 Multiplayer that includes the Hammerhead Auto Shotgun, G9 Grenade Launcher and Molotov cocktail
• Max Payne 3 Official Soundtrack featuring the game’s instrumental score

Max Payne 3 is scheduled for release in January 2012, with an expected ESRB rating of M for Mature.

Max Payne 3 – the new dark, gritty action experience that continues the tale of former New York City detective Max Payne and is sure to satisfy both newcomers and veterans to the historic franchise alike – is expected to launch on the Xbox 360, PlayStation 3 and PC in March 2012 in North America and Europe.

Still haunted by the memories of his traumatic past, Max begins a new life working private security protecting a wealthy industrialist and his family in Sao Paulo, Brazil. When gangs target the family under his protection, Max is forced to fight to save his clients and clear his name, in a bid to, once and for all, rid himself of the demons that have tortured him for far too long.

A true cross-studio collaboration between Rockstar Games’ global development teams, including Vancouver, the game picks up from where series creator Remedy Entertainment’s Max Payne 2 left off, Max Payne 3 utilizes cutting edge technology for a seamless, cinematic action experience, incorporating the latest advances in Natural Motion physics as well as a brand new iteration of the Rockstar Advanced Game Engine, resulting in highly-refined gameplay with an extensive range of realistic weaponry, an intelligent cover system and sophisticated Bullet-Time mechanics.

In addition to an expansive single-player campaign, Max Payne 3 will also be the first entry in the series to introduce a thorough and engrossing multiplayer experience. In a unique twist, Max Payne 3 multiplayer delivers a compelling experience that dynamically alters maps and mode progression for all players in a match. Along with traditional multiplayer modes, Max Payne 3 will also include a deep reward and leveling system, persistent clans and multiple strategic load-out options.

Set in Camp Bloodshed USA, where every teenager is a target and every dark corridor hides terrible danger, Slash! is an exciting and scary board game for up to six players. Like its predecessor Con Sonar, Slash! features bgX technology. Using the optional bgX app turns this traditional tabletop game into a frenzied real time horror fest where a serial killer can jump out of the shadows at any time and threaten one of the game’s hapless teenagers.

From three to six players will take part in this hour-long bloodfest. To win, players have to guess which characters will die and when. They must then use their action cards to make it happen, tempting some with sinful activities, while protecting others with virtuous deeds. Meanwhile, lurking in the darkness, Slash! awaits, and every time his card is drawn, one hapless teenager dies. Who will live through the night at Camp Bloodshed?

Check out Slash! on The Game Crafter ($24.99) and then grab the Slash! bgX from the Android Market for $0.99 to extend your Slash fun even more.

The Secret World’s Lead Content Designer Joel Bylos and Writer Ben Schroder are answering live questions on The Secret World Facebook page right now – like the game’s page to participate.

To conclude this event, Funcom will be holding a questions and answers session on The Secret World’s official Facebook page, on Friday November 18^th at 4pm CET / 10am EST / 7am PST with Lead Content Designer Joel Bylos and Writer Ben Schroder answering the questions.

Gamers everywhere are invited to come and ask their Templars related questions. All they have to do is head over to the Facebook page and click the ‘Questions & Answers’ tab and submit their questions. The gates are open, and while questions will not be answered before the time and date specified above, everyone are free to submit their questions in advance. Please keep in mind the developers will not be able to answer all questions coming in.

“We are thrilled to see ‘The Secret World’ on the cover of what is undoubtedly the world’s most prestigious PC gaming magazine,” said Funcom CEO Trond Arne Aas. “This is a solid indication of the quality of ‘The Secret World’ as well as the expectations for the title among gamers and the press.”

‘The Secret World’ is consistently mentioned as one of the most anticipated MMOs in development, breaking new grounds and genre conventions by introducing a modern-day setting, a story-focused MMO experience, and a freeform progression system using no classes and no levels. Recently Funcom announced that over 500,000 gamers are now registered for the ongoing beta testing. ‘The Secret World’ is published by Electronic Arts Inc.  and will ship in April 2012. Those looking to join the beta test can sign up via the official Secret World web site.

Cosplay Warrior costume pack includes:

• Cardboard Helmet
• Monster Facepaint
• Cardboard Armor
• Cardboard Boots

Skill Pack Bonuses:

• Increases PP generation by 25%
• Every attack gives extra PP
• Special “warrior” style attacks using the practice sword and shield

The Dead Rising 2 Off The Record Cosplay Warrior costume pack is available now for PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, and PC for $1.99 or 160MP.  Dead Rising 2 Off The Record is rated M for Mature by the ESRB.

In Assassin’s Creed Revelations, master assassin Ezio Auditore walks in the footsteps of the legendary assassin Altaïr on a journey of 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.

In addition to Ezio’s award-winning story, the acclaimed online multiplayer experience returns, refined and expanded, with more modes, more maps and more characters that allow players to test their assassin skills against others from around the world.

Also releasing today, Assassin’s Creed Embers, a new computer generated animated short movie, will expand on the final chapter of the life of master assassin Ezio Auditore and a journey that has spanned more than four decades.

The animated short, developed by UbiWorkshop, will be available with the Assassin’s Creed Revelations Animus Edition, with the Collector’s Edition and for digital download on Xbox LIVE® Marketplace for the Xbox 360® and PlayStation Network. The PC version of Assassin’s Creed Revelations will be released on December 2^nd, 2011. Assassin’s Creed Revelations is rated M for Mature by the ESRB.

The Templars is the most uncompromising and traditional of the three in-game secret societies.  Based in London, the focus of the Templars is their crusade against darkness. Throughout the week Funcom will reveal something new about the Templars secret society, ranging from articles, artwork, screenshots, video and an exclusive Q&A session hosted on the official ‘The Secret World’ Facebook page. These exclusive items will be available on select media sites, as well as on ‘The Secret World’ official website.

“Going behind the scenes of the Templars secret society is both exciting and revealing, because remarkably little is known about the inner workings of this organization despite its well known public image,” said Ragnar Tørnquist, Senior Producer and Director for ‘The Secret World’. “Uncompromising and fiercely brutal, the Templars is an organization with a single goal – to eradicate evil no matter how long it takes them. This is a great opportunity to shed some light on this secret society.”

Which secret society are you? Sign up for the beta and join a secret society by taking the initiation test on The Secret World!

First off, it’s your chance to become a true hero of Fortune City with the Fire Fighter skills pack. Save survivors faster than before, kick doors down, walk through fire and wield the fire axe with an overall upgrade in manliness! (moustache included)

The Firefighter Skills Pack gives you:

• Immunity to fire damage
• Increased speed when carrying or assisting survivors
• The ability to kick doors open
• New attack and increased durability with the fire axe

The Fire Fighter Skills pack is available for 160MP or $1.99.

Ever wanted to create indestructible combo weapons, have access to infinite ammo, and manipulate the in game clock? Well these are just a few of the things you will be able to do thanks to the Gamebreaker pack, available for 400MPs or $4.99.

Other features include:

• Instant PP
• God Mode
• Super damage
• Super speed
• Big head mode
• Body builder mode
• Dumb zombies
• Flat Frank
• Giant hands
• Cinema filters

If you think you’ve seen everything Dead Rising 2 Off The Record has to offer, think again. The Gamebreaker pack takes zombie killing action to a whole new level.

[See post to watch Flash video]

What would have been the fallout if a nuclear exchange had occurred between the United States and the USSR? Perhaps it would have given China a chance to emerge from the Shadow of the Bear. Start the game as China just before a nuclear exchange between the US and USSR. Use the opportunity of the Super Powers weakening each other to move against one of them and claim China’s place as a new Supreme Ruler.

Major features of the patch 7.2.1 include:

- New Scenario : Shadow of the Bear
- More than 80 new Cold War events
- 65 actual leader pictures
- Many new units, unit meshes, technology updates
- Significant game speed and AI improvements
- New game features, interface improvements, and general fixes

Tom Clancy’s Rainbow 6 franchise has sold more than 25 million copies worldwide and has been hailed as one of the best first-person shooter series of all time. The games are known for depicting high-tech counter-terrorist operations set within the Tom Clancy’s game world. With Tom Clancy’s Rainbow 6 Patriots, Ubisoft is building upon the success of the franchise while also taking it in a bold new direction.

“Terrorism has evolved, and so has Rainbow 6. In Tom Clancy’s Rainbow 6 Patriots, all the team play, tactics, and realism that fans of the series love have been coupled with an exciting new narrative direction,” said David Sears, creative director at Ubisoft. “This adds an unprecedented level of humanity that will make Tom Clancy’s Rainbow 6 Patriots an extremely tense and immersive experience.”

In Tom Clancy’s Rainbow 6 Patriots, Team Rainbow faces a new and very real threat called the “True Patriots,” a highly-trained, well-organized revolutionary group that claim the American government is irrevocably corrupted by greedy politicians and corporate special interests. The True Patriots will do whatever it takes to reclaim their country. Playing as Team Rainbow, players will face critical scenarios that will require them to make tough ethical decisions in order to stop this new breed of terrorists.

In addition to the immersive single-player storyline, Tom Clancy’s Rainbow 6 Patriots will introduce a huge variety of new innovative co-op and multi-player experiences. Players will be rewarded for working as a team and mastering the game’s new features that enhance communication and tactical execution between teammates. Success will come from a mix of split-second decision making and working to coordinate attacks against the enemy.

Additional details on Tom Clancy’s Rainbow 6 Patriots can be found in an exclusive cover story in the December 2011 issue of Game Informer Magazine, available this month.

The BBQ Chef skill pack is available beginning today from PSN and Xbox Live for $1.99 or 160MPs and consists of:

• BBQ Chef Hat
• BBQ Chef Face
• BBQ Chef Apron
• BBQ Chef Sandals

And will deliver the following bonuses:

• Gain more health from grilled foods like BBQ chicken, ribs and hamburgers!
• New attacks with the chef knife and meat cleaver!
• Explosions are bigger!
• Deadly attacks with ketchup, mayonnaise and mustard!

[See post to watch Flash video]

Hearing of the outbreak, the USS team is given fresh orders to destroy all evidence of Umbrella’s involvement and silence anyone that might discover the truth. The Umbrella Biohazard Countermeasure Service (U.B.C.S.) are also deployed to help contain the situation. Meanwhile the US Government has quarantined the city and dispatched its own team of special operatives to determine the source of the mysterious outbreak. Caught up in the chaos are rookie police officer Leon S. Kennedy and Claire Redfield.

Players take on the role of an Umbrella Security Soldier (U.S.S) and battle against all the competing forces at play in Raccoon City. Choose from six characters, each one equipped with a unique skill set, including the female field scientist Four-Eyes who can manipulate the T-virus and take control of the B.O.W’s raiding the streets of Raccoon City or the weapons expert and U.S.S team captain Lupo.

Key features

• Team based shooter set in the dark and sinister Resident Evil universe
• Triple threat battle as zombies and B.O.W’s add to the action
  • Return of favorite RE enemies, including Hunters, Tyrants and the Nemesis
  • Risk infection from the hordes of zombies, zombie dogs and lickers. Fight to survive with anti-viral sprays, your character’s special skills or help from field scientist Bertha before your character’s condition worsens, turning you into a violent zombie who will attack your own team members
• Compete with up to three friends as an Umbrella Security Service squad member in Campaign mode
• Choose from six U.S.S characters, each with their own unique skill set and roles.
• Features iconic landmarks and RE classic characters, such as Leon S. Kennedy and Hunk.
• Rewrite the history of the Raccoon City outbreak. Destroy all evidence of Umbrella’s involvement at the City Hall and discover UBCS operative Nicholai Ginovaef’s true intentions
• Explore Raccoon City, collecting evidence and intel to report back to Umbrella command

Resident Evil: Operation Raccoon City is rated M for Mature by the ESRB and will be available for play on the Xbox 360, PlayStation3 and PC.

A Special Edition of Resident Evil: Operation Raccoon City will also be available featuring a copy of the Resident Evil: Operation Raccoon City game, a Steelbook with exclusive art, stylized foil sleeve, Umbrella Security Service embroidered patch, Spec Ops Field Unit embroidered patch, and all 8 bonus weapons.  Note: as of this posting, the online stores are not yet showing listings for a Resident Evil: Operation Raccoon City Collector’s Edition – they will probably be added next week.

Developed by Vancouver’s Slant Six Games for Capcom, fans can expect a third person shooter team-based experience set in the dark and sinister Resident Evil universe, Resident Evil: Operation Raccoon City where players take on the role of an Umbrella Security Service soldier (U.S.S.) in a thrilling triple-threat battle as zombies and favorite B.O.W. (bio-organic weapon) enemies from the Resident Evil series add to the challenge.

Game Backgrounder:

Resident Evil: Operation Raccoon City delivers a true third person team based shooter experience set within the dark and sinister Resident Evil® universe. Not only does this setting provide a rich backdrop to the action but it fosters a unique and thrilling triple-threat battle scenario for the game modes. Zombies and Bio-Organic Weapons (B.O.W’s) add to the mix as players compete against their team’s opposing squad but also tackle this third unpredictable element that could only exist in the twisted Resident Evil universe. The result is a brand new style of gameplay that breaks the conventions of traditional third person shooters.

It is September 1998 and the action focuses on the ill-fated Raccoon City and the horrific consequences of the deadly T-virus outbreak. With a cover up required, Umbrella orders an elite team into Raccoon City to destroy all evidence of its involvement. Meanwhile the US Government has quarantined the city and dispatched its own team of elite soldiers to determine the source of the mysterious outbreak. Caught up in the action are rookie police officer Leon S. Kennedy and Claire Redfield. Players take on the role of an Umbrella Security Service (U.S.S) Soldier and battle against all the competing forces at play in Raccoon City.

Choose from six characters, each one equipped with a unique skill set, including the female field scientist Four-Eyes who can manipulate the T-virus and take control of the B.O.W’s raiding the streets of Raccoon City or the weapons expert and U.S.S team captain Lupo.

Features

• Team based shooter set in the dark and sinister Resident Evil universe.
• Triple threat battle as zombies and B.O.W’s add an unpredictable twist to the action.
• Control the truth solo or with up to three friends as an Umbrella Security Service squad member in a story driven Campaign mode.
• Choose from six U.S.S. characters, each with their own unique skill set and roles.
• Return of favorite Resident Evil enemies, iconic landmarks and characters, such as Leon S. Kennedy.
• Rewrite the history of the Raccoon City outbreak. Relive the iconic crash scene from Resident Evil® 2 as Leon S. Kennedy desperately tries to escape from the clutches of the Umbrella Security Services.
• For the first time ever in Resident Evil history, your character risks infection from the hordes of zombies making their way through the city.
• Competitive online multiplayer modes provide a unique gaming experience thanks to the triple threat battle between the Umbrella Security Service, US Special Ops and threat of zombies and B.O.W’s.

Hosting a big party? The bold, beautiful Cocktails HD is your ticket. Taking full advantage of the iPad’s giant display area, Cocktails HD delivers with mouth watering drink images and recipes along with everything needed to make your soiree a night to remember. Cocktails HD also includes a full bartending guide detailing how to prepare and garnish the libations. The latest update has 20 new high def Halloween recipes including the Bayou Slime, Draculade and if you dare, the Bloody-Tini ($2.99, iTunes)

Developer Dee Jones photographed nearly two dozen drinks in a makeshift cocktail kitchen in her downtown Toronto condo. Taking nearly a full week in the process, the new drinks are now available in the updated apps.

Jones is a developer at Pocket Cocktails Inc, an app development and PR firm with total downloads approaching 4 million units. These titles join an eclectic app collection including Knitting & Crocheting HD, Algebra, Dog Training, Yoga, and the workout app, SixPack App.

Cocktails HD has been recently featured in MacWorld and Entertainment Weekly magazines as a top iPad app. “The Full Screen original photography is the difference”, according to Jones. “There are a lot of apps out there with recipes, but not many that combine full screen photography of the finished drink the way we do”

Cocktails HD contains a cornucopia of cocktail content, including over 300 pages of bartending and cocktail information, and over 600 recipes including world-famous cocktails, wines of the world and over 40 easy-to-prepare food recipes, all with beautiful, original, full screen photography. Cocktails HD is available for $2.99 exclusively at Apple’s iTunes store.

“We are thrilled to see the amount of interest ‘The Secret World’ is generating among gamers and the press, and exceeding half a million beta registrations six months before release is definitely something we are proud of,” says Funcom CEO Trond Arne Aas. “The gamer interest in ‘The Secret World’ and the community size for the game is even greater than we experienced with ‘Age of Conan’ at the same stage of development.  We expect the community size to keep on expanding at an ever faster pace in the coming months as we approach Open Beta and launch.”

‘Age of Conan: Hyborian Adventures’ proved to be a major sales success for Funcom, with over one million copies sold in the first twelve months after release in May, 2008. This made ‘Age of Conan’ one of the best-selling PC games of 2008, and the game has now sold over 1.4 million copies worldwide.

Crowned the ‘Most Anticipated MMO’ at PAX 2011 by genre-leading website MMORPG.com, ‘The Secret World’ is scheduled to launch for the PC in April 2012 and is currently undergoing thorough beta testing in parallel with development. Funcom continues to invite more testers over time, and will be initiating several different phases of beta leading up to release in order to secure the smoothest possible launch. Beta testers are actively contributing to the development of the game by providing input on game design, mechanics, balance and more.

‘The Secret World’ invites players into a modern-day, real-world setting where secret societies pull the strings of kings and presidents, and where the player will break free from the confinements of classes and levels using a freeform progression system. The game is being brought to life by the experienced MMO developers at Funcom, led by the award-winning game designer Ragnar Tørnquist. Tørnquist has previously led the development of other Funcom titles such as ‘The Longest Journey’ and ‘Dreamfall’, both of which have won several key industry awards.

To conclude this event, Funcom will be holding a questions and answers session on The Secret World’s official Facebook page, on Sunday October 23^rd, at 2pm EST / 11am PST / 8pm CET.

Gamers everywhere are invited to come and ask their Dragon related questions. All they have to do is head over to the Facebook page and click the ‘Questions & Answers’ tab and submit their questions. ‘Questions & Answers’ is a new feature added to the game’s Facebook page, and will be used for future questions and answers sessions as well.

The gates are open, and while questions will not be answered before the time and date specified above, everyone are free to submit their questions in advance. Please keep in mind the developers will not be able to answer all questions coming in due to time constraints.