Bayonetta Sells Itself In 36 Seconds

Sometimes a rumor is a rumor only because the press release hasn't hit yet, as is the case with Sega's newly announced partnership with PlatinumGames, the studio formed after Capcom decided to dissolve Okami developer Clover. The only difference between the rumor and the official announcement is that instead of three games we're getting four, and PlatinumGames doesn't have a space in it. Along with the previously revealed MADWORLD (Wii), Infinite Line (DS), and Bayonetta *Xbox 360 and PS3), a fourth game is in the works directed by Shinji Mikami, the creator of Resident Evil.

"The creative forces at PlatinumGames bring a new level of imagination into the SEGA family at a pivotal time in the video game industry when the demand for quality, originality and fun has never been greater," said Tatsuya Minami, President and CEO, PlatinumGames. "These new titles will contribute meaningfully to SEGA's brand, while adding a new level of depth to the strategic portfolio of games in our library."

Japanese RPG fans, rejoice. Japan-based publisher Marvelous Entertainment announced a co-publishing partnership with L.A.-based XSeed, who's best known for Shadow Hearts: From The New World and Wild Arms 4 and 5. Through the deal, Marvelous, who among other titles publishes Natsume's Harvest Moon series, gains more North American presence, while XSeed gets to publish some of Marvelous' upcoming games here in the U.S.

Slated for a Fall 2008 launch, the first title they'll co-publish is Valhalla Knights 2 for PSP, a sequel to the April 2007 RPG that the two companies also co-published.

Full release follows the jump.