During the company's conference call to discuss second quarter financial results, Take-Two CEO Ben Feder announced that BioShock 2 will hit Europe on October 30 and North America on November 3.

The game, which is expected to ship on PC, PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360, is still officially listed in the company's press release for second quarter earnings as coming to platforms "TBA."

UPDATE: Asked if the "TBA" is a sign that the game could become a timed exclusive, Take Two CFO Lanie Goldstein said, "In terms of BioShock, we're still working out what the right SKUs [versions] are and the right timing." Company chairman Strauss Zelnick quickly added: "No you shouldn't read anything into that."

BioShock 2 is in development by 2K Marin and is the sequel to 2007's hit BioShock from 2K Boston and 2K Australia.

There's no point in releasing a shiny new piece of Nintendo plastic if there's no games to support it, so EA is moving up the release dates for Tiger Woods 10 and Grand Slam Tennis one week in order to coincide with the release of Nintendo's Wii MotionPlus, which both games support. Makes sense, doesn't it?

"This was important for us to bring in our ship dates for Tiger Woods PGA TOUR 10 and EA SPORTS Grand Slam Tennis to hit right at the launch of the new Wii MotionPlus accessory in North America," said Todd Sitrin, Group Vice President Global Marketing, EA SPORTS. "Fans deserve great games that use the new accessory, and now they'll have two that deliver authentic sports motion as soon as the Wii MotionPlus hits stores."

Both games will now hit stores on June 8th in North America, with the Tiger title available as a bundle with the Nintendo accessory for $59.99.

In what feels like the fastest massively-multiplayer online role-playing game development turnaround in the history of the genre, Roper told Strategy Informer that the company's new take on the online superhero game would be simultaneously launching in Europe and the states on July 14th. The game was officially announced just last February, though one assumes that Cryptic's resources and assembled knowledge in creating the City of Heroes franchise for NCsoft aided greatly in the design process.

Champions Online Dated, releases 14th July 2009 in US and Europe [Strategy Informer]

North American Xbox 360 owners are definitely getting their hands on Sacred 2 come May 12th, and while the official press release doesn't list the PlayStation 3 version, cdv assures us that it will be released at the same time.

It will definitely ship the same time as the PS3. It's just a few days behind in the Sony approval/submissions process. We expect to announce Gold status next week.

So now we know the reason for the original delay back in March, and we only have less than a month to wait before the Diablo-esque action role-playing game hits store shelves.

Unless of course we live in the UK, where it ships on June 5th.

Originally scheduled for a release sometime in the month of June, developer Sucker Punch has apparently been working so hard on the game that Sony has pushed the release date up to May 26th. Not content to deliver just a little good news, Sony has also revealed the pre-order bonus items for inFamous. Dropping a deposit at select retailers will give players a chance to get a Gigawatt Blades power; a Reaper gang member costume for PlayStation Home; or early access to the inFamous demo on May 7th, two weeks before it goes live on the 21st.

Looks like Sony has a huge amount of faith in Sucker Punch's latest. Here's hoping it's well-placed.

inFamous Not Releasing This June, After All [PlayStation.Blog]

Yes, the handling of meat and icing the cake of the Majesco's Cooking Mama series gives way to an all new set of sexual euphemisms come March 31st, when Gardening Mama ships to retail outlets across the country. Mama praises your ability to cultivate fruits and vegetables and encourages you when your cucumbers aren't quite as impressive as they should be, in a new bunch of mini-games that should prove highly entertaining to people of all levels of dirty-mindedness.

Just be careful how you handle the melons. They bruise easily.

The King of Fighters series finally makes the jump to current generation hardware with The King of Fighters XII, coming this July to the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360. It's the first title in the series since 1996 to feature completely new graphics, though by way of trade off it currently only boasts 20 combatants - the lowest in the history of the franchise. It's a bit like what Capcom did with the recently-released Street Fighter IV, bringing the game back to a core set of characters, relaunching with a new look but retaining the classic feel.

The July release further clarifies the Summer 2009 target shown in the game's latest trailer.

"I couldn't think of a more appropriate way to commemorate The King of Fighter's 15-Year Anniversary than with a gorgeously animated, high-definition installment that updates the KOF legacy for a new generation." said Shane Bettenhausen, New Business Development Director of Ignition Entertainment. "While other fighting games have abandoned the time-consuming process of creating beautiful 2D art, KOFXII fully embraces the refined aesthetic beauty that only human hands can produce."

Other fighting games have abandoned 2D? Whoever could Shane be calling out there?

New Aion U.S. community manager Lani "Liv" Blazier answered some of the biggest questions North American and European fans had regarding the release of the fantasy role-playing game, indicating a fall 2009 release for both territories. Why is it taking so long for NCsoft West to bring the popular Korean game to the west?

The localization effort is enormous, with a vast amount of content. Aion is not simply being translated, a team of dedicated content writers are re-creating the written dialogue and content to provide AAA quality and to ensure that it is culturally relevant for our audience. We are going to do this launch "right" rather than fast.

I say hallelujah! The main problem Korean massively-mutliplayer games have when making the jump to western markets is shoddy translations making them feel rushed and sloppy. Glad to see they're taking the time to hopefully get this one right. If NCsoft West does it right, then maybe other online game operators will follow suit.

A Letter To Our Fans [Official Aion Website via Eurogamer]

Released on July 10th in Japan and yesterday in North America, the PlayStation 2 RPG has been given a release window of spring 2009, as localization teams scurry to make the game playable for the folks that can't understand anything I've written in this article.

John Yamamoto, president and chief executive officer of Square Enix Ltd. comments, "Persona 4 epitomises Square Enix's commitment to bringing the best gaming experiences to the European market. This new installment in the highly anticipated Persona series is the perfect example of an exciting new experience and how the PlayStation 2 still has a lot to offer."

Check out our review for more on how much the PlayStation 2 has left to offer.

SQUARE ENIX ANNOUNCES PERSONA 4 FOR EUROPE AND PAL TERRITORIES

London (10th December 2008) – Square Enix Ltd., the publisher of Square Enix® interactive entertainment products in Europe and other PAL territories, today announces that Atlus's Persona™ 4 will be released across PAL territories in Spring 2009, exclusively on the Sony PlayStation®2 computer entertainment system.

Persona 4 is a gripping new chapter in the ultra-cool Persona universe. Integrating dungeon crawler gameplay with an innovative social simulation element, Persona 4 delivers an all-new story set in the Japanese countryside. A sequence of mysterious deaths hits your town and only you and your team of gifted supernatural detectives can uncover the truth. Will you frustrate this hidden evil's plans before it is too late?

John Yamamoto, president and chief executive officer of Square Enix Ltd. comments, "Persona 4 epitomises Square Enix's commitment to bringing the best gaming experiences to the European market. This new instalment in the highly anticipated Persona series is the perfect example of an exciting new experience and how the PlayStation 2 still has a lot to offer."

Halo fans in North America, South America, Canada, and Mexico will finally get their taste of a more strategic Halo experience on March 3rd, a few days after the rest of the world gets theirs. Japan and the Asia Pacific regions will be getting the game on February 26th, while Europe, the Middle East, and Africa will receive it a day later on the 27th. Fans who pre-order the game will get an exclusive in-game Warthog burning with a fiery paint job.

Hit the jump for more details on the first T-rated game in the Halo series, along with details on the Limited Collector's Edition we've already told you about.

A NEW CHAPTER IN THE “HALO” FRANCHISE, “HALO WARS,” AVAILABLE AT U.S. RETAILERS ON MARCH 3

Get suited up and ready for deployment! On March 3, “Halo Wars,” the action-based strategy game set in the iconic “Halo” universe and created exclusively for Xbox 360, will be available in stores nationwide. Internationally, “Halo Wars” will be available on the following dates:

Japan and Asia Pacific: Feb. 26
EMEA: Feb. 27
Americas (US, Canada, Mexico and South America): March 3

Pre-orders for “Halo Wars” are taking place at participating retailers nationwide now. Fans who pre-order will receive an exclusive in-game Warthog with flame decals. The Limited Collector’s Edition is also available and includes a special in-game “Honor Guard” Wraith, a graphic novel, six Leader cards and a “Spirit of Fire” patch. As an additional exclusive, LCE owners will get early access to the in-game “Halo 3” Mythic Map Pack for exciting new multiplayer action.

The Limited Collector’s Edition retails for an estimated retail price of $79.99, while the standard edition is available at $59.99. A first for a “Halo” franchise game, “Halo Wars” is rated “T” for Teen.

More information on “Halo Wars” can be found online at www.Xbox.com/HaloWars or www.HaloWars.com.

Shipping to retailers on February 10th, just in time for the 2009 season, NASCAR Kart Racing lets players choose from 14 big-headed renditions of their favorite NASCAR drivers or one of 10 original animated characters, racing around treacherous tracks the likes of which we'll never see in the real sport. At first I was a bit concerned that EA felt that Wii owners couldn't handle a more realistic NASCAR experience, but then I realized that this game sounded a great deal more fun.

With 24 wacky tracks, four actual NASCAR tracks, and four-player split-screen multiplayer, NASCAR Kart Racing sounds like a lovely alternative to watching cars drive in circles for hours at a time.

EA Announces NASCAR Kart Racing – the First and Only NASCAR Title Available for the Wii
Experience the Thrill of Team Racing on and off the Track

REDWOOD CITY, Calif.—(BUSINESS WIRE)—Electronic Arts Inc. (NASDAQ:ERTS) announced today that NASCAR® Kart Racing, the first and only NASCAR racing title available for the Wii™, will ship to retailers in North America on February 10, 2009, just in time for the Daytona 500 and the official start of the 2009 NASCAR season. Designed exclusively for the Wii, NASCAR Kart Racing enables players to grab the steering wheel as a famed NASCAR Sprint Cup Series driver and speed through treacherous landscapes, wind around rocky cliffs, jump rivers and dodge falling boulders. Up to four players can go head-to-head, via split screen, in a mad dash to the checkered flag, making NASCAR Kart Racing an ideal game to play with family and friends.

Enjoy the thrill of racing as three-time consecutive Sprint Cup Series champion Jimmie Johnson or choose from 13 additional NASCAR Sprint Cup Series drivers. Players can also compete as one of 10 original animated characters. Each driver has personal attributes that will determine how the kart will perform on a course, so strategy is key when choosing a driver and a teammate. Teams that work together win championships!

Licensed NASCAR Drivers:

Jeff Burton
Kyle Busch
Dale Earnhardt, Jr.
Carl Edwards
Jeff Gordon
Denny Hamlin
Kevin Harvick
Jimmie Johnson
Kasey Kahne
Matt Kenseth
Elliot Sadler
Tony Stewart
*Two Unlockable Mystery Drivers*

The courses in NASCAR Kart Racing feature a vast range of exhilarating terrain. Experience 24 entertaining race layouts that wrap through deserts, freeways, back roads, canyons, junkyards and more. Drivers will also push the pedal to the metal in areas surrounding four popular NASCAR tracks: Daytona International Speedway, Talladega Superspeedway, Dover International Speedway and Bristol Motor Speedway. Each track in NASCAR Kart Racing can be reversed to provide two unique racing experiences.

Your journey to become a champion in NASCAR Kart Racing begins by competing in 13 series against featured drivers from different racing backgrounds. Defeat the rivals of each series to unlock new courses, drivers, game modes and the next series. Beat all of the events at a track and you will receive a track sponsorship complete with billboards featuring your driver’s face—an obvious statement to your family and friends that you are the top competitor. Race throughout the series, to earn the championship title that affords stunning trophies and the glory of being recognized as the ultimate NASCAR driver!

NASCAR Kart Racing, developed exclusively for the Wii™, will ship to retailers on February 10, 2009. The game has been rated E for Everyone by the ESRB with a descriptor for “Cartoon Mischief”. For more information, please visit www.easports.com/kartracing. For assets, please visit www.info.ea.com.

EA SPORTS™ is the leading interactive sports software brand in the world, with top-selling titles and franchises including Madden NFL Football, FIFA Soccer, NHL® hockey, NBA LIVE basketball, NCAA® Football, Tiger Woods PGA TOUR® and NASCAR® racing.

Atari confirmed the narrower release window today at the Atari Live showcase event in London, England, earlier today, with simultaneous releases planned for the PS3, PS2, Wii, DS, Xbox 360, and PC. For those of you not following the Ghostbusters game saga, the title was picked up for publishing by Atari back in October, after the Activision Blizzard dropped the title along with a whole slew of planned Sierra publications. We'll know whether or not we should be thanking Atari in about six months.

Ghostbusters coming summer 2009 [CVG]

Speaking to Eurogamer, a THQ spokesperson said that the latest DAH game would only be an Xbox exclusive in North America - due to the company being unable to finish the PS3 version by the games early release date in that territory.

"Destroy all Humans: Path of the Furon will be released on both the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 formats on February 13th 2009 across Europe," said the THQ person.

Odd.

Destroy All Humans PS3 coming to Europe

The Meme expansion of course adds three new maps to Metal Gear Online, along with two new characters; Revolver Ocelot and the lovely Mei Ling, who has the means to transfix enemies by strutting her stuff. Hit the jump for new screens from the expansion.

Metal Gear Online gets MEME EXPANSION

Konami Digital Entertainment GmbH reveals new MEME EXPANSION for Metal Gear Online

Konami Digital Entertainment GmbH has announced that the latest downloadable content for its Metal Gear Online title for PLAYSTATION®3 will be released on November 25th. Entitled MEME EXPANSION, the download adds new characters and gameplay elements to Hideo Kojima’s hugely popular online epic.

The MEME EXPANSION unveils two new special characters, which are playable for the first time. Liquid Ocelot enters the fray with the ability to manipulate the Sons of the Patriots’ lock system using his Guns of the Patriots skills, and can also deactivate the weaponry of a targeted for within Metal Gear Online’s multi-player modes. Similarly, Mei Ling comes into play with three unique attributes, including the Trench Mortar weapon, Soliton Sonar capabilities, and the means to transfix enemies.

Three new maps have also been created, with the rough, uneven industrial elements of Silo Sunset, the dense foliage of Forest Firefight and a snow-blown deserted factory called Winter Warehouse available for the first time. The download also implements a number of new rules, which are also now available without the MEME EXPANSION update. A new ‘No Headshot’ setting allows players to attribute the same level of damage when shot in the head to that of a regular body shot. ‘Stealth Death Match’ allows users to compete with the stealth elements switched on automatically; while the ‘Interval’ setting allows used to practice and chat with each other within the battlefield, without their ranking or records being adversely affected.

An official Tournament lobby has also been created to pit players in battle situations where points are up for grabs and can be spent on the customisation of a character or on new gear. Likewise, a series of familiar humorous elements can also be used within the customise field, including the Crocodile Cap made famous in Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater, the Ghillie Suite camo from the same game, and an afro hair style.

Metal Gear Online fans will be able to pre-purchase the MEME EXPANSION elements for 7,99 Euro from November 18th, with a bundle containing both the new elements and the previous GENE EXPANSION update also available at the same date for 12,99 Euro. Users can access the new additions of the MEME EXPANSION after the official start on November 25th.

Looks like there have been some changes made as well, judging from the screens currently found on the game's website compared to what we have in that old gallery. Why does it always have to be dreadlocks?

Hydrophobia gushes to March 2009 [Eurogamer]

But today, thanks to an otherwise unrelated post about Street Fighter IV, Capcom seem to have not only confirmed a PC port but to have dated its release.

Look there - at the bottom of MCV's SFIV UK Release coverage are the words 'Resident Evil 5 – PS3, 360, PC – March 13th', just nestling there like a diamond in the rough. Oh Capcom, you shouldn't have.

Street Fighter IV dated [MCV]

The specific day on which EA "drops the deuce" with Skate 2 is still to be determined, but at least you know when to start trading all those unwanted games from your holiday haul.

Skate 2 Coming in January [IGN]

THQ will be keeping the PC version of Saints Row 2 under wraps a while longer to fix some outstanding control issues and give the whole thing a bit more spit 'n' polish, according to a post on the Saints Row forums.

According to forum moderator V-Singular, one reason for the delay is porting the control system to mouse/keyboard and allowing a suitable level of customization to the controls. The game will be released on January 6th 2009

Saints Row 2 PC Delayed to 2009 [IGN]

Demos for all three versions will be available on the day of release. I'd throw in some pirate jargon here, but I need to rest up a month or two after Talk Like A Pirate Day. Wait, think I got something - Avast. There, happy?

Get Ready to Answer the Call of Booty [Capcom Unity]

Great! Now when are we getting it in the states? I'm not flying to Germany again until I finish digesting all the sausage I ate last time, and that was a total sausagefest that will rest heavily on my stomach for quite some time.

The Chronicles of Spellborn [Official Site]