Square-Enix posted a message/anagram on their North America website earlier today:

A puzzle for FINAL FANTASY XIII fans!

Solve this anagram to find out what lies ahead: A Henchmen Inventor Tent Unto. Check back Monday for the answer!

Well, there’s no need to wait until Monday, as hintonmj and Squirrel Emperor, two finalfantasy-xiii.net forum users, figured it out in just under an hour. The hidden message unscrambles to read “Announcement Nov Thirteenth”.

Could this be the North America release date we’ve all been waiting for? My cardboard Buster Sword sure hopes so. Stay tuned.

Spring of 2010. That is the only release information that developer Square-Enix has shared to this point regarding their highly anticipated RPG Final Fantasy XIII release. But that doesn’t stop the analyzers from analyzing every piece of information they come into contact with in the hopes of unearthing specifics.

An ad placed by Los Angeles based ad agency, Liz Paulson Casting, is our latest “exhibit A” if you will. The placement seeks voice talent to read the script below: Read more…

The PlayStation Blog have announced that the full HD re-releases of God of War and God of War II on a single Blu-ray disc will be coming out on November 17. They’ve also released a list of Trophies, which can be seen after the jump.

I think they’re a bit rubbish, to be brutally honest. I think Trophies and Achievements are better when they’re used to point out silly things you can do in the games, or used to reward those who have completely mastered the game. There’s a little of this in these ones but not nearly enough; most of them look like they’re just for stuff you’re highly likely to do when just playing through the games.

Still, I’m looking forward to the release, since I haven’t played the games yet and I’m told they are great. Read more…

Yes, you may be one of the few people posting pictures and video of yourself holding a PC version of Borderlands on the web, but the laugh’s on you if you actually try to play it. It seems that a few retailers out there jumped the gun and “accidentally” sold the title to PC hungry gamers (and maybe a few unsuspecting parents with good intentions) before its scheduled October 26th North America and October 30th International release dates.

In response to this news, 2K Community Manager Elizabeth Tobey, wrote the following on the company’s official forum: Read more…

2K Games have today announced that the hotly anticipated Bioshock 2 will be releasing on the 9th of February 2010. The release date will be the same for all platforms: PC, PS3, and Xbox 360.

I’ll quickly take this opportunity to remind our PC gaming fans that Direct2Drive are offering the original Bioshock for just $5/£5 for the next few days. Get it if you haven’t played it, and finish it. Then maybe you’ll be as excited as the rest of us that it’s only six months until the sequel arrives. Actually, when I put it like that, six months sounds like ages.

Destructoid reports that via a holiday release list, Nintendo have announced the release date for the upcoming DS title The Legend of Zelda: Spirit Tracks will be December 7 in the US. There is no official word on the EU/Australian release dates yet, but rest assured that it will probably come out there at some point, maybe.

The is good news for Zelda fans globally of course, because of the lack of region protection on the DS. If you fancy playing Spirit Tracks and you live in the EU, simply import an American copy. It’s not like you won’t be able to understand the story, unless it relies heavily on the use of the words “faucet” and “diaper”.

Take-Two have announced that Bioshock 2 will be released on November the third for Northern Americans, and on October the thirtieth for Europeans, on Xbox 360, PS3, and PC. This of course means that the spoilers will hit the web a good four days before people from the US will be able to play the game. I suggest you stay away from the internet during those four days, especially if you don’t want to know that Atlas is f- actually, you can come to Ripten. We won’t spoil it. We promise.

Sure, the announcement said that Brütal Legend will release in Rocktober, but I just went one better. Besides, RAWKtober just sounds like Jack Black, you know? Anyway, the game will release on (R)October 13 in North America, and (R)October 16 in Europe, for 360 and PS3. The game looks like it’ll be on par with Psychonauts, a brilliant game that nobody bought. This has Jack Black and metal ümlaüts, though, so let’s hope it does a little better.

GameZine reports that the early demo, released with Final Fantasy VII: Advent Children on Blu-Ray, has a special message at the end: “Coming Winter 2009″. The game will release at some point in 2010 for Western fans, but in the meantime it might comfort some to know that the Japanese version will be ready for release this year, at least on the PS3. Final Fantasy fans who can read Japanese will be interested in this as well, no doubt.

Sega have announced that Bayonetta will be releasing simultaneously worldwide in Autumn 2009. It’s shaping up nicely from what we’ve seen so far, and the fact that the renowned Platinum Games is the developer is certainly encouraging. Fans of clothes made of hair will love it, too.

If you’re looking to get your swing on, Capcom’s announced today that Bionic Commando will be releasing on the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 on May 19, 2009 in North America and on May 22, 2009 in Europe.

You’ll play as Nathan Spencer, a government operative who is betrayed and imprisoned by the group he once served. Nathan comes back into action after bio-terrorists detonate an experimental device over Ascension City following its occupation.

The release date for the PC version was not given. However, Capcom stated that it’s “due to ship shortly after the console release.”

If you are a fan of things that are awesome, this is a pretty good time to be a gamer. Gears 2, Left 4 Dead, and now Prince of Persia. Stock pile food and drink, bar the door shut, and dim the lights … Ubisoft’s Prince of Persia deserves your full attention. Hit the jump for the full release announcement. Read more…

Seven classic Nirvana songs are set to release as downloadable content for Rock Band and Rock Band 2. Costing the usual 160 Microsoft Points (or $1.99) per song, the DLC will be available starting October 21 for Xbox 360 and October 23 for PS3. Another option would be to pick up the Nirvana Track Pack for a modest discount, getting all seven songs for 880 Microsoft Points (or $10.99). So, what’s on the playlist? Why, these effing songs right here:

• Breed
• Lounge Act
• On a Plain
• Polly
• Something in the Way
• Stay Away
• Territorial Pissings

When the hell are we gonna get some Teen Spirit?

After lauding Fable II’s cooperative gameplay as the best thing since whatever was previously the best thing (witty, right?), developer Lionhead went and pissed everyone off when they announced that it would not be available when the game released.  Instead, people were expected to wait another week and download a patch that would implement the online co-op mode.

Earlier today, however, Lionhead announced on their community blog that co-op would be available on day one, but it will still be in patch form.  Huh?  Isn’t there enough room on the disc for that extra 983KB of code?  Anyway, this is good news for me since I’m planning on killing my brother’s family ASAP– err, I mean I’m looking forward to conquering evil with him.

A new Fable II TV commercial is also available, so you can click through if you’re interested in watching it. Kinda neat. Read more…

Major Nelson, who is currently chilling out and live-blogging in Japan at the Tokyo Game Show, just confirmed that the New Xbox Experience will officially launch on November 19th.  Additionally, he went over some of the new features, such as taking a picture of your Mii Avatar to use as your GamerPic, as well as the ability to surf the Marketplace on the web and buy stuff to be downloaded to your 360 later.

If it weren’t for the stupid new interface, I would be much more excited about this update.  Lots of good features but at the cost of looking totally “casual”.  The gods shall damn thee, Microsoft…

Source: Major Nelson

Spoiler Alert: Your plane crashes.

After only having to wait a year and some change, PlayStation 3 owners will soon be able to experience the Rapture that is BioShock (see what I did there?).  Featuring all-new content and all of the DLC from the Xbox 360 version, BioShock is set to sweep PS3 owners up in its cheery narrative about the joys of life in only a few short weeks. Read more…

But only on Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3. DICE announced today that Mirror’s Edge will ship for consoles on November 11, with the PC version to appear later this winter. Read more…

While you’ll still have to wait til the end of October to play Dead Space in your Halloween costume, you’ll be able to purchase the game one week earlier than expected, as EA announced today that the game will be shipping on October 14th, 2008.

That still gives you plenty of time to practice your evil laugh. Hit the jump for the full press release. Read more…

On October 30, 2008, the land of the rising sun will be treated to a fictional Bosnian with a blazing gun. In other words, the localized version of Rockstar’s GTA 4 will be released in Japan just before Halloween, or as the Japanese call it, “Bad American Cosplay Day”.

Full press release after the jump. Read more…

One of the most popular games from E3, and one of the most anticipated titles for the PS3, Media Molecule’s LittleBigPlanet, has finally received a release date — in Japan.

According to the Sony Computer Entertainment Japan website (via MCV), the fully customizable, side-scrolling adventure is set for a release date of October 30th. For eager PS3 gamers in the West, the release date is still unknown.

LBP is just one of the few first-party titles coming to the PS3 this holiday season, which also includes Resistance 2 and Motorstorm: Pacific Rift.

I’m expecting a North American and European release date for LBP soon, and hopefully, it’ll be released before Christmas.

Source: mcvuk.com