While it’s not quite a firm release date, mega-publisher Activision confirmed a Q2 2012 window for the highly anticipated Diablo III in their most recent earnings call. This narrows the release date down to sometime between April and June of this year.

The game has already undergone changes, including some based on player feedback from the latest beta, but knowing Blizzard’s track record, it’s probably the safe bet the game’s going to be a hit. Diablo III takes place twenty years after the events of Diablo II. Though some familiar faces like Deckard Cain will make an appearance, the game features an all new set of heroes.

[Source: CVG]

As part of yesterday’s PSN (excuse me, Sony Entertainment Network) update, the Jak and Daxter Collection is now available for purchase. It’s been over a decade since the original Jak and Daxter was released on the PS2, so now is a perfect time to revisit the series or experience it for the first time.

I never got to play the original trilogy on PS2 so personally I can’t wait to get this. The collection is also available in stores for those of you who don’t like digital downloads. Jak and Daxter Collection sports HD graphics, 3D support, and trophies for you to collect.

[Source: Playstation.Blog]

Mechs are awesome. That’s one of the indisputable facts of the universe. And now the universe will get a little more awesome on December 12, 2012 when Adhesive Games’ Hawken blasts into action.

Read on for more info about this indie game you won’t want to miss. Read more… »

SoulCalibur has always been a flashy franchise — in more ways than one. When the original came out on the Sega Dreamcast, I was completely awestruck, and wasted hundreds of hours clanging swords and flinging people out of the ring.

By the time SoulCalibur III rolled out, I was a bit disenfranchised, and became more a casual fan — that is, until I came back full circle for SoulCalibur V. Read more… »

[Achievements that require no explanation will be branded as such]

A lot of people out there have been having issues obtaining a number of SoulCalibur V’s cryptic achievements, so I decided to share some tips.

There are a number of unlocks that can be obtained simply through completing the game’s single player modes and ranking up online, but a number of them are unlocked through in-game options and through your combat prowess — as well as your general knowledge of SoulCalibur V’s new mechanics.

Hit the jump to figure out how to get every achievement or trophy — if you’re new to the game, you might learn a few things too. Read more… »

Slim pickins’. That’s all I got to say about this week’s new offerings from Nintendo. But you know what they say, “One man’s slim pickins’ is another man’s DLC GOTY.” Yeah, I’m pretty sure that’s how the saying goes.

Hit the jump for this week’s full list. Read more… »

As part of THQ’s restructuring and layoffs, the company also reported that they’re no longer producing uDraw hardware. The bad news just continues to pile up for THQ.

Read on for more details about THQ’s financial woes. Read more… »

While everyone assumed it was inevitable, it was just confirmed by Infinity Ward Creative Strategist, Robert Bowling, that Modern Warfare 3 players on PS3 will receive the new Liberation and Piazza maps on February 28th.

Hit the jump for more info about some of the strings that come with the new maps. Read more… »

Fast-action multiplayer shooter Tribes: Ascend by Hi-Rez Studios is currently in closed beta, but a big update is coming. According to Hi-Rez’s Todd Harris these changes are “among those most requested by our Beta group.” For those of you in the closed beta, here’s some details about the changes coming your way.

The next update is set to include a more polished UI and more class customization. While the number of playable classes will be reduced from twelve to nine, each class is getting more weapon unlocks for more variety. Three of them–Light, Medium, and Heavy–will be available to new players right off the bat. No surprises there.

Read more… »

According to an SEC filing from February 1st, THQ’s CEO and President Brian Farrell will take a 50% cut in base salary, and the company will lay off up to “240 selling, general and administrative personnel worldwide.” This announcement came after previous ones that THQ was undergoing a restructuring and getting out of the licensed kids’ games market.

The filing also says that the restructuring will start being implemented in March, 2012 with the “remainder completed by September 30, 2012.” However according to Joystiq, “most of the affected employees have already been notified.” This restructuring plan is also expected to cost THQ up to $11 million in special charges. Read more… »

Revelations has a lot to live up to. It’s the first full Resident Evil game for a Nintendo handheld (barring remakes and mini-games) since Resident Evil Gaiden on the Gameboy Color.

It’s also the most impressive looking bit of software to date, and the first title to utilize the new Circle Pad Pro addition, launching the same day as the game itself. So is Revelations a system seller?

Read on to find out.

Read more… »

Geralt is finally headed to the 360 – after years of talk about The Witcher coming to consoles in some way shape or form, a date has finally materialized for the series’ second entry: April 17th, 2012.

While I thorougly enjoyed Witcher 1′s unique take on ambiguous morality, I haven’t had a chance to play Witcher 2 yet; but that may change this Spring. No word on whether or not the console version will fill you in on the first game’s events, given how it’s still a PC exclusive. Also, there’s no information on how smooth the porting process is going: given how buggy the second game as at launch, you can probably expect a ton of bugs.