BitSnark

Indeed the Soul still burns.

That bastard isn’t ever going to flicker out is it? Especially now that at their Dubai event, Namco Bandai have confirmed that a fifth entry in their famed weapon-based fighter series, Soul Calibur, is in the works.

Details are predictably sparse and the inevitably the company hype machine is operating in maximum vagueness mode, promising “Various elements of the battle system have been improved and new elements added to make the game more exciting, alongside online and character creation features being expanded.”

What we do know for sure, is that the game is supposedly a direct continuation from Soul Calibur IV which is set some seventeen years later. A number of fighters from the series past will return, alongside the expected flood of new warriors including the main character, Patroklos, son of Sophitia Alexandra, upon whom the story will be primarily based.

The PR blurb reads:

“Soul Calibur V is set to advance the series’ legacy of white-knuckled weapon-based combat, beautiful graphics and groundbreaking features, entrancing newcomers and long-time fans alike,”.

“The tale of Patroklos, son of Sophitia Alexandra, unfolds as his family’s destiny intertwines with the Soul swords. With the series revolutionary 8-way run, allowing for true 3D movement during matches, a refined battle system, and stunning graphics, Soul Calibur V will be the top game of 2012 for anyone looking for a knock-down, drag-out fight.”

More details, including what I would hope is some actual gameplay, will be shown at E3. In the meantime be satisfied with this teaser trailer that pretty much tells you bugger all about the game:

In what seems like an absolute fucking age, mega-publisher Square-Enix has finally announced the fifth title in the Hitman franchise, Hitman: Absolution.

Apparently now done dicking around with making sub-standard, cliched and visual gimmickery laden third person shooters, those talented bods at IO Interactive are back to doing what they do best; making Hitman games and making them good.

Not much is known other than the name, year of release and destination platforms but Square-Enix have at least released this teaser trailer to get us all amped up about their latest thinking man’s murder simulator.

Hitman: Absolution will release in 2012 on PC, 360 and PS3 platforms. The last Hitman title, Hitman: Blood Money was released back in 2006.

Teaser trailer goodness can be seen below:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ShOudDoIt-U

Roll on E3 where hopefully we’ll hear more details regarding the game.

Yeah, didn’t quite make sense to me either; especially the price that was paid: A cool $8.5 billion.

Still though, MS are promisng that Skype users can speak to Xbox Live users and vice-versa, although the company was coy on how it would integrate with Kinect.

“Skype is a phenomenal service that is loved by millions of people around the world. Together we will create the future of real-time communications so people can easily stay connected to family, friends, clients and colleagues anywhere in the world.”

So says Microsoft’s Steve Ballmer.

More soon.

And so the world cried. Indeed it is true. At their annual earnings conference call today, publishing powerhouse Electronic Arts confirmed that the highly anticipated final chapter in the (current?) Mass Effect trilogy has been delayed until the first three months of 2012 on all formats.

No specific date has been given for the title.

Chris Priestly posted the following message in the Bioware official forums:

“Today we have confirmed that Mass Effect 3 will be released in the first three months of 2012. The development team is laser focused on making sure Mass Effect 3 is the biggest, boldest and best game in the series, ensuring that it exceeds everyone’s expectations.”

Ah fuck.