Speaking to Fast Company, Xbox Live general manager Marc Whitten revealed the launch date for the eagerly anticipated dashboard update, which brings console-tailored versions of Facebook, Twitter, and Last.FM to Xbox 360 users. With the release day announcement, Whitten stresses that these aren't merely PC ports of the popular social networking sites, but entirely new entertainment experiences.

"We look at things like Facebook and Twitter as amazing social experiences, but also entertainment. We didn't want to copy and paste from the PC."

So who's excited? I'm actually looking forward to seeing how many of my Facebook friends get converted into Xbox Live contacts. I'll probably fiddle around with Facebook for a bit, and then turn on Last.FM and leave it running until the end of time.

Facebook and Twitter Come to Xbox Live This Tuesday [Fast Company]

The statement, from Chris Olivera, vice president for corporate communications at GameStop's Grapevine, Texas headquarters:

This past weekend, GameStop made the decision to break street date and sell reserved copies of Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 in select markets where other retailers had broken street date. Our decision followed many conversations with Activision and was an effort to protect our customer base.

Earlier, Activision told Kotaku that it did not give GameStop its permission to break the street date. "Activision has not given any retailer permission to sell Modern Warfare 2 prior to the Nov. 10 street date. The company fully supports the Nov. 10 street date."

Olivera did not specify exactly how many of its stores GameStop authorized to sell Modern Warfare 2, nor in all of the markets it did so. From reader tips and follow-up phone calls, Kotaku knows that stores in Bowie, Md., Bowling Green, Ohio, Reading, Pa., and New York City were involved.

I've asked if this is unprecedented or if GameStop had ever done this with another game before. Should Olivera follow back up with me, I'll update all he has to say in this story.

Here in Atlanta we still have to wait until Monday's midnight launch to pick up Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2, but lucky folks in several Northeastern states are getting their copies earlier. According to a GameStop employee I spoke to in Bowling Green, Ohio, Activision granted certain area stores special permission to sell the game early, in order to stem the tide of lost customers picking their copies up early from local mom and pop stores.

Update: Activision says this was not the case. Activision contacted Kotaku today with an official statement regarding the situation in Bowling Green and surrounding areas: "Activision has not given any retailer permission to sell Modern Warfare 2 prior to the Nov. 10 street date. The company fully supports the Nov.10 street date."

Second Update: GameStop corporate responded to Kotaku late Sunday afternoon, confirming that the decision to break the street date was made corporately.

The original story continues:

The employee actually greeted me with "Thank you for calling GameStop, where you can pick up Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2." Calls to my local GameStop stores were greeted with claims of jealousy and invitations to come by Monday night to pick up my copy. Dammit.

Thanks to C & C Games for sending us a copy of their receipt, and everyone in New York and Pennsylvania who sent in tips. Lucky bastards.

The comment section would be an excellent place for you to bitch about the general unfairness of all of this.

This just in - you will be surprised to hear that the MMO/FPS game has had its Western PC release pushed back until "the first half of 2009". The promised Xbox 360 version is even deeper in the mire - no release date has yet been suggested.

The massively multiplayer shooter is loosely (extremely, I would have though) based on the visionary SciFi novel "Brave New World" by Aldous Huxley. The challenge now for Webzen is to ensure a release date before the novel's fictional timeline begins in 2540 AD. Not long now, chaps!

No Huxley US launch in 2008 [Big Download]

Until November 21st, the self-explanatory Games.co.uk is hosting an 'official minigame' demo with a selection of levels for you to ooze and flop around.

All the usual LocoRoco oddness is present and correct - if you are not humming the 'You've got some musical notes' theme after five minutes you have a stronger will than I.

LocoRoco 2 flash mini-game[Eurogamer via Wired]

So, that PS3 Exclusive DLC? Well, we have no idea - maybe DICE have cooked up an exclusive pair or downloadable trousers or something - but the main DLC? A DICE spokesperson told GameCyte, “It’s downloadable content for both platforms.”

The DLC will join the PC port, previously rumoured to have been delayed until 2009, has been confirmed for release in January of next year.

Update: Mirror’s Edge PC Dated, Multiplatform DLC Confirmed [GameCyte]

Still no word on the PlayStation 3, PS2, and Wii versions, but considering they only saw release across the pond last month, I suppose they can wait a little bit longer. They've barely even had time for their instruments to break.

MTV GAMES, HARMONIX AND EA ANNOUNCE ROCK BAND®2 FOR XBOX 360® COMING TO EUROPE

Award-Winning Rock Band 2 Shipping in November to the UK and Europe

Guildford, UK – October 29, 2008 – Harmonix, the world’s premier music video game development company, and MTV Games, a part of Viacom’s MTV Networks (NYSE: VIA, VIA.B), along with distribution partner Electronic Arts Inc. (NASDAQ: ERTS), today announced that its critically acclaimed music videogame Rock Band® 2 will begin shipping in Europe for the Xbox 360® video game entertainment system from Microsoft beginning this November 14th. With an exclusive launch window in Europe, the award-winning Rock Band 2 software will make its debut on Xbox 360® in the UK on November 21st. Pricing for Rock Band software for Xbox 360 in continental Europe is €69.99 and £49.99 for UK. In addition, Rock Band 2 standalone hardware will be available at retail beginning in December.

Rock Band 2 revolutionizes music gaming with the ability to export most of the songs from the original Rock Band disc , Online World Tour, daily Battle-Of-The Band Tournaments, Auto-Calibration to eliminate TV lag, wireless drums, quieter, velocity sensitive drum heads, support for up to three drum cymbals (sold separately), No Fail Mode, and a real Drum Trainer. Rock Band 2’s massive list of innovations also includes the ability to export your in-game band avatar to the internet and order custom Rock Band merchandise including apparel and figures.

Rock Band 2 features the largest music catalogue of any music-based videogame to date including over 100 songs on the Rock Band 2 soundtrack with an unrivaled blend of classic and new artists including AC/DC, Guns ‘N Roses, Bob Dylan, Pearl Jam, Motorhead and more! With the addition of complete and immediate backwards compatibility for songs purchased from Rock Band’s ever-expanding online music store and the ability to export most songs from the original Rock Band disc, the Rock Band music library will feature more than 500 songs by year’s end.

The Rock Band online music store has surpassed 25 million paid downloads since the game’s launch in late November 2007. With more than 400 tracks available to date via disc and download purchase (complete list of tracks at www.rockband.com/music), the massive Rock Band Music Store allows players to preview and purchase downloadable individual music tracks, packs and albums from the vast selection of offerings available as they build their own custom Rock Band library.

Rock Band 2 is rated 12+ by PEGI.

For more information on Rock Band 2 and Harmonix Music Systems please visit www.rockband2.com and www.harmonixmusic.com.

Developed by Harmonix, MTV Games is the publisher of Rock Band. EA is the exclusive distribution partner for Rock Band.

Look, just forget about the cherries! Soon, you will be able to play Street Fighter IV in the comfort of your own home and employ the soft fruit similes of your choice.

Street Fighter IV producer Yoshi Ono has revealed in an X-Play interview that not only is the the console and PC version of the game coming very soon, it will also save money on your household energy bills.

"We don't want to start rumors that it's this year, but definitely this winter. At some point you'll be sitting in you winter coat looking at snow out the window…and right then we'll kind of heat you up a little with some hot street fighter action so look forward to that"

So, no firm date as yet but plenty of reason to start saving your pennies.

'Street Fighter IV' US Console Release "This Winter"

I know you enjoyed the TGS teaser and I bet you'd even buy both the gory and non-gory versions of it, wouldn't you?

WELL YOU CAN'T. Not until the year after next.

Marvellous wont be releasing the game until January 2010 in North America and February/March for the split-personality Euro releases.

No More No More Heroes Until 2010 [Siliconera]

On the off chance you are unaware of what to expect, MK vs DC pits the goody-two-shoes DC heroes (Superman, Batman, et al - plus a couple of villains) against the altogether more violent Mortal Kombatants in a slightly less bloody than usual Kombat tournament.

By the looks of things, the Alex Ross illustrated Kollectors Edition will be out at the same time as the vanilla flavor, which will hopefully reduce the amount of time I will be required to spell C-words with a K - at least until the next installment.

Midway press release after the jump

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
MIDWAY ANNOUNCES MORTAL KOMBAT® vs. DC UNIVERSE SCHEDULED TO HIT U.S. STORE SHELVES NOV. 16th

Kollector's Edition Revealed Including Packaging Art Hand Painted by Alex Ross, In-Pack Comic Book With Art By MK Co-Creator John Tobias

CHICAGO - October 14, 2008 – Midway Games Inc. (NYSE: MWY) is expecting Mortal Kombat® vs. DC Universe to be on store shelves and available for purchase throughout North America on November 16th, 2008, and Europe on November 21st, 2008. On those days, gamers and comic book fans can enter their favorite retail outlet and purchase the highly-anticipated pairing of some of the iconic characters from the DC Universe, like Batman, Superman, Wonder Woman and The Joker, battling against video game icons Scorpion, Sub-Zero, Liu Kang, Sonya and more.

Last week Midway released the final box art along with details of the North American Kollector's Edition, which will come in special packaging and feature an exclusive removable print designed by Alex Ross, one of the world's most pre-eminent and respected comic book artists, as well as bonus video content. In addition, John Tobias, co-creator of the Mortal Kombat franchise, returns to sketch a 16-page comic book to be published by DC Comics that chronicles the shocking, universe-shattering events that lead up to the in-game story mode.

Mortal Kombat vs. DC Universe is licensed by Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment, and will be available for the PLAYSTATION®3 computer entertainment system and Xbox 360® video game and entertainment system from Microsoft. For more information please visit www.worldscollide.com.

Replay has pushed back the game's European release to early 2009.

This is ostensibly to bring the launch in line with the US release but will of course have the handy side-effect of extending the development time by a couple of months and avoiding the Christmas rush.

Velvet Assassin slips into early 2009 [Eurogamer]

Can't wait for September 7? Creature-only Spore to launch sooner [Joystiq]

Even if you aren't the crazy, self-sacrificing DIY programmer type, any ETQW fan can appreciate that a full SDK means new, full maps and mods are on their way. Now if only those crazy, self-sacrificing DIY programmer types would get off their asses and do some coding...

Final ETQW Software Development Kit Released [etqw]

Savage 2: A Tortured Soul [S2 Games]

No More Heroes Ships Early [IGN]

Guess who's sick to death of the Wii? Motherfuckin' Florian, that's who. "Do you want to post this Australia Wii launch news, Flor?" Ashcraft asks me on IM. "NO." "LOL!" he replies. He is used to my ill-humor, but I have made it clear to him: the only thing I'm writing about the Wii today is the Euro date and price.

So here's your precious news. Nintendo UK just released the release and price details of the European Wii. They are:

Date: December 8th, 2006

Price: €249, or 179 GBP

Great. I'll buy one when it comes out. Until then, I'm sick to death of the Wii. Talk about overexposure over the last few days: there's a kid being pushed around by his father on a tricycle outside my house, giggling and excitedly squealing "Whee!" I'm tempted to walk outside, slap him and call him 'Ashcraft'. To which I hope he'd reply "LOL!" so I'd have an excuse to violently strike him again. Florian Eckhardt

Oh, for fuck's sakes...

According to the Argos website — probably best described as a sort of UK and Irish Wal-Mart where you order everything by catalogue and then sit on your ass for half an hour, waiting for it to emerge from the warehouse — the Wii release date is going to be March, 2007.

Just a few days ago, though, the banner apparently read 'Winter, 2006'.

Before panic commences for us Euro-types, this is really the equivalent of any retailer's random prediction for console or game release dates: highly suspect.

What makes Argos' speculation so troubling is it comes a mere 16 hours before the UK Nintendo presser, when the Wii's Europe launch date and price will be announced. Worse yet, it essentially mirrors the disappointment gamers got earlier this month when it was announced that the PS3 would be delayed in Europe for an additional 4 months.

As soon as we hear one way or another on this rumor, we'll let you know. If true, though, man... Microsoft's just going to own Europe this Sinterklaas. Florian Eckhardt

Okay, it's not all bad. Yes, those 400,000 initial PS3s will be spready pretty thin on November 12th. And the vast majority of the world is getting a double deuce from Sony. But heck, there's still a good chance you yanks will get a PS3 for Christmas, even as a Dutch child weeps over his Sinter Klaastian clog because he didn't get one.

After its initial launch of 400K units into the U.S. market, SCEA plans to ship another 800K units via air-freight through the end of the year, making 1.2 million units total.

Speaking to analysts late last week, the firm added some flesh to the bones of its recent announcements. The split between premium (60GB) and core (20GB) units at U.S. retail stores should be roughly 80/20. Sony believes it can ramp monthly PS3 production to 1.2 million units by January due to anticipated improvements in blu-ray laser supplies.

So that's good news, unless you want one of the cheaper ones, in which case — with an 80-20 split between premium and core models — you're pretty much boned. Florian Eckhardt

More on PS3 Shipment Plans [Next Generation]

Final Fantasy III for the DS will be hitting North American store on Nov. 14, Square Enix says.

The game will include a dynamic job-changing system, a new 3D graphics look and DS wifi support. The game, which will sell for $40, also lets you use the touch screen to explore, fight and cast spells, according to the press release. Brian Crecente

*** MEDIA ADVISORY ***

SQUARE ENIX TO SHIP FINAL FANTASY III ON NOVEMBER 14, 2006


Square Enix, Inc., the publisher of Square Enix™ interactive entertainment products in North America, announced today that FINAL FANTASY® III for the Nintendo DS™ hand-held system will ship to retailers on November 14, 2006. The only FINAL FANTASY to never reach North American shores has been reborn, incorporating the latest in portable gaming technology. Featuring graphics that have been reworked and remodeled in full 3D, FINAL FANTASY III provides a brand new experience while maintaining the mythical FINAL FANTASY look and feel.

STORY
Protected by the crystals of light, the once peaceful land has forever been changed by the great tremor. Without warning, the earthquake pulled the crystals into the earth, upsetting the world's fragile balance. It seems as if all hope is lost—but as the Gulgan prophecy foretold, four souls blessed with the light shall once again restore balance to the world...

Near the small village of Ur, fate guides Luneth to a sentient crystal that changes his life forever. As the light of the crystal fades, Luneth embarks on a journey to seek three others who share his destiny to search for the remaining crystals, and fight the battle of light and darkness...

FEATURES
Ÿ The missing link in the evolution of FINAL FANTASY is unveiled—North American gamers experience a legend reborn
Ÿ A dynamic job-changing system brings a nearly infinite number of party variations
Ÿ The touch screen interface takes full advantage of the DS capabilities—explore dungeons, dispatch foes and cast spells by using the stylus
Ÿ A complete visual overhaul breathes new life into a classic—colorful 3D graphics bring FINAL FANTASY III into the new millennium
Ÿ Take advantage of the DS Wi-Fi feature to access the Mognet and communicate with other players as well as NPCs, and uncover hidden dungeons, quests and items

FINAL FANTASY III is rated E 10+ (Everyone 10+). Please visit the Entertainment Software Rating Board (ESRB) website at www.esrb.com for more information about ratings. FINAL FANTASY III will be available at North American retailers for the suggested retail price of $39.99(USD). Additional information on FINAL FANTASY III can be found at http://na.square-enix.com/ff3.

The source tells us that Alpha, Beta and Final times for the game just got vastly reduced and the common belief among the team is that the Wii will in fact be hitting this October.

This latest tidbit lands as Nintendo starts making the rounds in Europe and here in North America meeting with mass readership magazines to give them first-hand experience with the Wii and it's tiny wii-mote.

Here in the U.S., the company is meeting with folks in New York City, Washington, D.C., and Los Angeles, all to give them a chance to play on the new console.

An October release of the Nintendo console would make all kinds of sense. If they can swing beating Sony out the doors, why would they wait? Nintendo has said repeatedly that the console would be hitting in October, November or December. My money is on the first of those. Brian Crecente