You silly Playstation 3 gamers.  Just because you buy a Call of Duty Elite subscription does not mean that you get the DLC first, those only who have the Xbox 360 get if first.  Confused? Activision’s Dan Amrich took to his blog to explain why this is going on after PS3 gamers started complaining that they are receiving the DLC last.

“Back in 2010, Activision and Microsoft entered a business deal to release DLC on Xbox 360 earlier than other platforms; this contract is valid through the year 2012. This business deal was very widely reported by the games media when the announcement was made at E3 in 2010, and the DLC releases for both Modern Warfare 2 and Call of Duty: Black Ops was released in accordance with that contract. All DLC for MW3 will follow the terms of that deal as well, because it’s still 2012.

<snip>

I wondered where people would have gotten that idea — had someone actually promised that, or said something at XP 2011 that I missed? — so I researched it. What I found was that you can’t prove the non-existence of something. I can find no evidence of “buy Elite, get PS3 DLC same time as 360″ ever being so much as suggested by any official source. It was never one of the things listed in the official benefits chart; it was never promised by any representative of Activision, Call of Duty, Elite, or its developers. Honestly? I think gamers just convinced themselves that it would happen because they wanted it to happen. That makes sense, but it doesn’t make it true.

<snip>

So…that’s where we are. The deal from 2010 is why DLC comes out on Xbox 360 first. I’m seeing people scream “rip-off” and stuff like that, but nobody’s going to get ripped off; every gamer will get everything they were promised and everything they paid for. It’s unfortunate that people assumed things about Elite that turned out to not be based in fact, but I hope the truth is clear now. Unpopular, I’m guessing, but clear.”

There’s more to that blog post then just my little snippets, but let’s be honest here.  All that this comes down to is a bunch of whiny PS3 gamers who are complaining about spending extra money for a subscription to a game where the multiplayer is technically free?  Did I sum that up right Mr. Amrich, because I think that’s what you really wanted to say.

via Dam Amrich Blog

Here is a gimpse at the classes and races that you can choose from the Special Forces multiplayer mode in Bioware’s upcoming and final chapter in Commander Shepard’s storyline, Mass Effect 3.  What will you be?

via Bioware Youtube

Falling into the ugly, “game gets DLC before releases” category, Namco has announced that next week’s release Soulcalibur V, will be getting custom character creation packs to the tune of €1.99 or 160 Microsoft points each.

The first pack will release on Soulcalibur‘s release day February 3rd, and include 9 customization options like bikinis, wings, and face paint and also original music from the very first Soulcalibur.  On Valentine’s Day, February 14th, Namco will be releasing 9 “fearsome” custom options that include a breast plate, kimono, and animal heads along with music from Soulcalibur II and Soulcalibur III.  On February 28th, the last day of DLC releases you can get your hands on 9 more customization items that include masks, facepaint, and camo and music from Soulcalibur IV and Soulcalibur: Broken Destiny.

No American release date has been announced, so if you live in Europe have fun spending the extra dough and if you live here in the states, lucky us.

via Joystiq

Comic book and video game nerds unite!  DC Direct announced a new lineup of action figures based on 2009′s hit Batman Arkham Asylum and 2011′s followup, Batman Arkham City.

These highly detailed and gorgeous action figures include Titan Joker who is due out in November and Killer Croc and Mr. Freeze who are both hitting retail shelves in June.  Also announced were The Penguin, Batman, Clown Thug, Ra’s al Ghul, and Azrael which are all releasing in September.

via Game Informer

You now have until April 2nd to pre order the $100 special edition version of Max Payne 3.  Rockstar made the announcement shortly after the delay of the release of the game was announced.

The fancy pants special edition of Max Payne 3 comes with a collectable statue of Max, copper and brass bullet shaped keychain with a screw off back, original still life art prints, classic multiplayer character pack with characters from previous Max Payne games, mulitplayer weapon pack, the soundtrack to the game, and of course one copy of Max Payne 3.  The multiplayer classic character and weapon packs you will not be able to get anywhere else other than the special edition.

Max Payne 3 is set to release on May 15, 2012 here in the US and on May 18, 2012 in Europe.

via CVG

EA has once again proven that being the bigger man is not in their vocabulary when it comes to dealing with their Origin’s competition, Steam.

On a post in the Bioware forums for the upcoming Mass Effect 3, Bioware states that the RPG will only be available on Origin “initially” and not Steam.  Why do you ask?  According to Bioware’s Chris Priestly it’s because of Steam’s “restrictive terms of service”.

“During initial release Mass Effect 3 will be available on Origin and a number of other 3rd party digital retailers, but not on Steam at this time. Steam has adopted a set of restrictive terms of service which limit how developers interact with customers to deliver patches and other downloadable content.  We are intent on providing Mass Effect to players with the best possible experience no matter where they purchase or play their game, and are happy to partner with any download service that does not restrict our ability to connect directly with our consumers.”

Apparently limiting your consumer base is a great way to ensure sales of your game!  Go EA!

via Bioware

Max Payne 3 may have been delayed until May disappointing fans of the series, but Rockstar has released a new video to keep you all satisfied for the time being.  The latest released video showcases the weapons and targeting system along with the series staple, Bullet Time.

via Eurogamer and Rockstar

Those of you that are eagerly waiting to get your hands on Platinum Game’s Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance will be getting an early surprise.

Kojima and Platinum Game’s CEO Tatsuya Minami and Producer Atsushi Inaba, who incase you missed the memo, are now working on Revengeance have all confirmed to Famitsu Magazine that the Raiden only action game will be playable at this year’s E3 in June.

The now action only spin off featuring the white haired, somewhat disliked, and newly metal bodied Raiden has no set release date other than sometime in 2012.

via Andriasang

A viral video of a woman crying for help and saying that she would be safe indoors, photos of random towns across the world with “No Hope Left” spray painted everywhere, and biohazard symbols popping up along with a date of 19.01.12 which could be translated to January 19th, 2012 have all surfaced on NoHopeLeft.com leading many to believe that a Resident Evil 6 announcement could be coming soon.

Of course all of this could mean any number of things, but the users at NeoGaf did a bit of undercover work and discovered that the No Hope Left website is registered to the same name that had ties to the upcoming new take on the horror series, Resident Evil: Operation Raccoon City.  As one user also points out there is an upcoming event in Japan for the 15th anniversary of the Resident Evil series that is happening on January 20th.  Interestingly enough, the Resident Evil  seriesis called Biohazard over in Japan which the mysterious website is big on plastering in photos.

Without Capcom confirming anything this is all just speculation.  This viral website could even be to promote the upcoming release of Resident Evil Revelations which is releasing for the DS on February 7th or maybe the zombie apocalpyse is actually happening and we all just need to stay inside.  If you have a minute check out the website and let us know what you think.

via IGN

Oh Mr. Payne, it appears that you are really turning out to be a pain.  Take-Two has announced that Max Payne 3 has been delayed until May 2012.

Reasons behind the delay were not revealed in the press release, however Take-Two stated Rockstar would give details later today.

Take-Two also announced a net loss for the fiscal year.  They were expecting to make around 1 billion in revenue from their products and instead are reducing that number to somewhere in between $120 million and $239 million.

via Take-Two