EA has produced a dedicated version in every World Cup year going back to 1998; Pasta Padre notes the most recent was released in late April as well. And April 27 is indeed a Tuesday. Sounds like a good bet to me.

I've emailed EA Sports but I've got a better chance of a fat elf in a red suit poking his head out of my fireplace than hearing back on Christmas Eve. And I don't have a fireplace.

2010 FIFA World Cup Release Date [Pasta Padre]

Update: But it is and it isn't. Way back in September, a longtime Shoryuken forums contributor posted the names of the new characters before Capcom announced any of them. All turned out to be right. Three that have yet to be announced will return from Street Fighter III: Ibuki, Makoto and Dudley.

That forum post was subsequently removed, but the semi-common knowledge of these three, anyway, remains. Subsequent loose chatter on Street Fighter boards said the fourth guy is Hakan, an Arab grappler.

That brings the total of new characters to 10, six announced, so one wonders what the point is of Capcom dragging this out any further.

Anyway, that image above is EventHubs' screengrab of the Famitsu demo and analysis of the character select screen. Four are left blank. The remaining new characters, bosses and others are all identified.

SSF4 Character Select Screen, More Screen Shots [EventHubs via Joystiq]

The list did mention MLB 2K10 and NBA 2K11, so we know this isn't just a sports thing. Comments from 2K Sports do little to swat away speculation that NHL 2K, which has long finished a distant second to EA Sports' NHL franchise, is done.

"We are currently in the process of evaluating our sports portfolio and have not announced any new NHL titles at this time," 2K Sports' Bryan Lam told me.

Interestingly, I see that NBA 2K11 is the only title listed as "TBA" for the platforms it will appear on. It did a full-ginsberg last year - PS3, Xbox 360, PC, PS2, PSP and, for the first time, on the Wii. The TBA might mean one version is getting axed and if so, my money's on the Wii, where sports sims haven't done well at all. Asked if that was the case, Lam told me, "We have yet to announce any information on NBA 2K11."

NHL 2K Omission May Be Sign of Cancellation [Pasta Padre]

This map appeared on the Japanese internet and is pieced together of the various sections players will apparently encounter in the game's first 5 or 6 hours. We cannot yet confirm this, however.

The first six hours of the game consists of the title's first 3 chapters — players are just starting to dip their toe in the title. They've got a long game ahead of them.

The beginning of the game is on rails, which can be explained in part because a small bit of it takes place on a bridge. But even up to the boss fight, it's straight as an arrow.

However, after that boss fight, the map starts to move and becomes slightly more dynamic. Still, the first 5 or 6 hours are not incredibly difficult to understand. That, however, could very well be point. These linear dungeons might be a design choice on Square Enix's part so that players can focus on the new combat system and the story and not have to worry about where they need to go.

FF13の序盤5〜6時間はずっと一本道MAP！？ [オレ的ゲーム速報＠刃]

A early look at the game's PS3 Trophy list looks like this:

Bronze
Assault Ruby – Master the Attacker Role
Destruction Sapphire – Master the Blaster Role
Guardian Topaz – Master the Defender Role
Hex Jade – Master the Jammer Role
Inspiration Amethyst – Master the Enhancer Role
Healing Emerald – Master the Healer Role
Silver
Limit Breaker – Deal over 100,000 damage to an enemy
Behemoth Hunter – Slay a wandering behemoth
Perfect Diamond – Learn all abilities to the fullest
Gold
Collector of All Things – Collect all weapons and accessories
The All Knowing Sage – Gain the complete knowledge of 100 different enemies

There are also 16 other Bronze Trophies which seem to be related to the story.

Final Fantasy XIII Trophy List Revealed – Fabula Nova Crystallis Final Fantasy XIII [Nova Crystallis]

We don't have permission to reprint the article in its entirety, but having seen it, I can confirm that what was posted in the EA Sports Forums is on the level. FSM also sources the September release claim back to within Electronic Arts (the article references "our moles at EA" on another detail) but can't get any more specific than that.

That's the inside-baseball portion. To recap, here's what you can expect from EA Sports MMA when it releases:

• Deals with other MMA promotions, in addition to the announced Strikeforce deal, are "highly likely, including at least one of the big Japanese groups." FSM says one unannounced top fighter "regularly competes in Sengoku [Raiden Championship, aka World Victory Road]."

• Venues including both rings and cages. FSM says EA's on the fence about whether restarts will be included for ring fights. (It "might make for jarring gameplay," the article says.)

• Pride-style rules in addition to standard Unified Rules.

• The ability to fight left- or right-handed, execute foot stomps and fight on the cage, with deeper clinchwork and countering. These mechanics go deeper than the limitations of UFC Undisputed 2009.

• As for gameplay, the right analog will be your striking control, with the left trigger as the kick modifier.

One other unrelated development: The following fighters were confirmed for the title today: Cung Le, Josh Thomson, Robbie Lawler, Scott Smith, Matt Lindland, Gilbert Melendez, and Ronaldo Souza.

EA Sports, yesterday, no commented when we asked if that September 2010 claim is any good. That does not mean it is, of course. But it sounds like they're trying to pack a lot into this title, so keep that in mind.

So, given the audit trail for that rumor, let's take it with a block of salt. And I've gone ahead and emailed EA Sports MMA's publicity contact to let them know their name's in someone else's mouth. But if that's a fact, wow. UFC 2010 Undisputed, which just got a glowing debut at Saturday's Spike Video Game Awards, is said to be on track for May 25 thanks to the latest GameStop circular. I would half expect EA Sports MMA would have to release much closer to that date than four months, if not before it.

Pasta Padre wisely points out that such a release would put it smack dab in the middle of EA Sports' high season for releases: Madden in August, NHL 11 in September, NBA Live and FIFA in October. It runs the risk of being well overshadowed by the established franchises.

The source on the rumor is the UK-based Fighting Spirit Magazine, the only European publication invited to a recent EA Sports MMA press conference, so it has a track record of covering the game. The magazine went on to describe several features about the gameplay, including Unified Rules, Pride Style Rules, foot stomps, fighting on the cage, and other details. So check out the post if you're interested in that.

Should EA Sports take a swing at this, I'll update it here. I've also emailed Fighting Spirit Magazine to double check their side of this.

Update: An EA Sports spokeswoman has told Kotaku "We have no comment on speculation or rumor at this point."

Must Read! New Info on EA MMA [EA Sports forums via Pasta Padre]

The listing (above) comes from Thursday's Child's Play Charity Auction Dinner in Seattle. Bungie donated not only a crate full of games and studio swag, but also a visit to the studio's "top secret lair" and "access to the Halo: Reach multiplayer beta before it goes live to the public." Winning bidder, and up to seven friends, supply their own travel, Bungie provides the network and food and, of course, the game.

"Valid only between 4/8/2010 and 4/28/2010 - any day within that range is acceptable," says the listing.

April 29, 2010 is a Thursday. Perhaps it could begin then. Most likely, "Spring 2010" now means "May 2010."

You know the drill. I've emailed Bungie. They say anything, it goes here.

Update: A Microsoft spokesperson has replied:

We're excited that there is so much interest and enthusiasm for the "Halo: Reach" multiplayer beta coming this spring. We're not able to confirm any details about the exact timing or content of the beta at this time but we look forward to revealing more details in the future.

Reach MP Beta - Date Narrowed Down? [halo.bungie.org, thanks Kaelen H.]

However, the fan site Battlefront3.net noticed, got in touch with Marazzo, and lo and behold, the guy replied. And confirmed to them that the game is in in development. Here's his quote to BF3.Net:

Thanks for getting in touch. The Original Title was Battlefront 3 but it evolved into Star Wars Empire at War: Forces of Corruption. However Battlefront 3 is also in development. It was by far the most fun and coolest casting I ever worked on.

What's more, the site member who contacted Marazzo said "he may be able to dig me up some Battlefront 3 storyboards, by the end of the week!"

Very interesting indeed. I've emailed a contact with LucasArts to apprise them of this rumor and ask if they want to comment. Anything they say that's updateable will go back here.

Battlefront 3 is in Development says Battlefront 3 Actor [Battlefront3.net via VG247]

According to a report on Big Download, "over 50 percent" of Aspyr's workforce have recently been shown the door, with those remaining left to shamble around the company's now-spacious offices.

As an owner of an Apple computer (albeit my laptop, not my main desktop), it's be a shame if this turns out to be the case. It's not like there are many Mac publishers lining up to take Aspyr's place.

Large layoffs reported at Aspyr Media [Big Download]

It seems to be suggesting that a new game mode is on the way for Team Fortress 2, one that sees players from opposing teams joining forces, much to the displeasure of the announcer.

So, what, you start a normal game then the teams are randomised? Reds and Blues vs Blues and Reds? That's one of my two impressions, and it's an intriguing one.

My other impression is that this is Valve, and this is Team Fortress 2, and both of them take great delight in fucking with us, so who knows, it could be the reddest of red herrings.

[thanks Sylon!]

CVG cites an unnamed source in its report, pegging an external UMD reader that will let PSPgo owners play their hard copies and "make the PSP a little bulky." Bulkier than the PSPgo camera adapter?

Take the possibility of a UMD add-on as rumor for now, but someone would be wise to make the PSPgo more attractive to owners of the PSP-3000 and its ancestors.

PSPgo to get UMD drive add-on? [CVG]

Despite looking pretty in screen shots, improving dramatically since it was first announced, work on Edge of Twilight is said to have ceased months ago by a former Fuzzyeyes developer. The Australian developer responsible is also said to have been effectively shut down.

We've reached out to publisher Southpeak Interactive and Fuzzyeyes Studios to verify this information and will update with any new details.

Update: A second source, also formerly of Fuzzyeyes Studios, offers similar information about the fate of Edge of Twilight and the game's developer.

The split between Murray and Kim Sears was confirmed Sunday when Sears didn't show up to watch Murray play in the ATP Tour Finals. The unverifiable information that video games — particularly an unnamed tennis game and Modern Warfare 2 — were to blame comes from Murray's former coach, Brad Gilbert, and "sources close to Sears."

Here's what the Telegraph has to say:

Brad Gilbert, Murray's former coach, has said in the past that Murray spends "seven hours a day" playing video games.

The source told The Sun: "He would spend all his time glued to them. In the end she just got fed up with it. She wanted more out of the relationship."

Strangely, the story seems to have vanished from The Sun's website.

Either way, if that's the real reason they split — move over, girl. I'm sure there are plenty of PS3-owning ladies in the UK ready to take your place.

Andy Murray and Kim Sears split over 'seven-hour-a-day PlayStation 3 addiction' [Telegraph via BigPond GameArena]

Yamaoka's trademark music and sounds are very much part of the Silent Hill experience. He has been producer of the series since Silent Hill 3. If this is in fact true, no word why Yamaoka has left the company, but Kotaku is following up with Konami.

Akira Yamaoka Leaves Konami After 16 Years [Aeropause Games via GoNintendo] [Pic]

It says it'll be out in March 2010, will cost €63 (USD$94) and...says nothing else.

So far, so good! Remember, though, this is still a retail listing, Amazon Germany or not, and retail listings can often be things of pure fantasy. EB Games in Australia, for example once had Halo on PS2 available for pre-order. For years.

Another couple of things counting against it: Sega are listed as publishers, when we'd heard someone else would be distributing the game in Europe, and the game apparently earned an 18 rating from the USK, even though the USK's records say nothing of the sort.

Ah well. Like we said: dare to dream!

Via sister site Gawker.com, comes this BuzzFoto blind item:

This married/aging actress has put up with a lot throughout her celebrity marriage. She's practically raised the kids on her own, dealt with scandals and cheating and still managed to put on a happy face on the red carpet. Within this next year, she plans to finally leave her husband and make the divorce public. The current final straw? Not other women or drugs, but an addiction to World of Warcraft. We kid you not.

Not Catherine Zeta Jones.

Celebrity marriage, aging actress, husband is hardcore WoW. But, who?!

BuzzFoto Blind Item #228 [BuzzFoto via Gawker]

The rumor sprang from an article on German website Heise Online, which posted a story about an interview with IBM's vice president of deep computing, David Turek, in which he indicated that the development of the next version of the Cell processor with dual PowerPC processors and 32 SPEs (Synergistic Processing Elements) had been halted. This led to many articles declaring the Cell processor dead.

Our immediate concern upon reading this, was the fate of the Sony PlayStation 3, so we dropped a line to IBM. Spokesperson Ron Favali returned our call and immediately assured us the PlayStation 3 was safe.

"As long as we have a contract with Sony we will continue to manufacture Cell processors for use in the Sony PlayStation."

Update: We also inquired at Sony, and received this response from Julia Han of SCEA corporate communications: "The IBM reports do not have anything to do with the cell chip used in the PS3. There will be no impact to the PS3 business."

So don't worry about Sony running out of chips anytime soon. IBM has them covered. As for the fate of the Cell processor technology? Well that will live on as well says Turek, as "the core technology of the Cell processor will continue to proliferate throughout the IBM product line."

Turek wouldn't comment on upcoming product announcements regarding the future of the Cell.

SC09: IBM lässt Cell-Prozessor auslaufen [Heise-Online via Fudzilla, Gizmodo]

According to movie site Latino Review, Ward has been pulled off the flick. Sony and producer Avi Arad did not want to wait for Ward to contractually deliver drafts for other projects (like Hitman 2).

Instead, writing team Thomas Dean Donnelly and Joshua Oppenheimer, who penned the CONAN movie reboot, are being eyed as writers for the Uncharted flick. "At press time, negotiations are underway and it looks like a deal is imminent," writes Latino Review. "Expect to hear it officially in the trades."

News: Exclusive: Conan Writing Duo Chart Course For Drake's Fortune! [Latino Review]

Tom Burt, who owns #203 of the all-electric sports car made by the Silicon Valley company, wrote on Tesla's "Customer Blog":

A team of sound engineers from Microsoft Game Studios (some working on Forza, some on Project Gotham Racing) asked if I was willing to take my Roadster to a track so they could record a variety of sounds. Some time ago they had the opportunity to record Tesla motor noises when a prototype was being run on a dyno at Tesla. But the teams were excited about the prospect of recording other sounds, particularly tire skid and squeal noises, without the interference of loud engine and exhaust noise. Of course I said "yes."

Burt provided pics of his miked-up ride, which you can see above. (There are more at the link).

Burt is listed on Microsoft's official site as a corporate vice president and deputy general counsel for litigation. The Tesla Roadster did appear in PGR 4 (released 2007). Of course, why would they re-record the engine note if it wasn't needed for a new game? It could also be that Burt misspoke or misunderstood who was asking for the audio.

We've reported on rumors of PGR 5 in development in the past, so this is not exactly surprising. Still, I've emailed Microsoft to notify them of Burt's comments and ask them for one.

Microsoft Executive Confirms PGR5 in the Works [Kokugamer via GameStooge]