New details about the upcoming Assassin’s Creed game starring Ezio continue to emerge. During their recent earnings call Ubisoft not only confirmed that the title will be moving locations to Rome, but also dropped some crumbs about a multiplayer component. As for the multiplayer, Ubisoft has identified the competitive element as “assassination mode.” They didn’t go into further detail, but they did say that new releases generally include a cooperative multiplayer element. The new title won’t tie into the recent DLC, but will arrive in the fall.

Source: VG247

The 2011 listing for Dead Space 2 didn’t reference a PC version of the title, so Blue’s News contacted EA directly to find out for sure. Despite what had been previously announced, according to EA, “as of right now a PC sku is not in the plan.” That doesn’t mean a PC version of the game is never coming out, but it does look unlikely, at least for the near future.

While Telltale hasn’t yet made the formal announcement, current information points to Sam & Max: The Devil’s Playhouse as the title for season three. This news comes from a recent rating issued by the OFLC for Sam & Max: The Devil’s Playhouse – Episode 1: The Penal Zone as a multi-platform game. We’ve of course contacted our friends at Telltale for more information, but they report that “they’ve nothing official to say at this time.” We’ll keep you posted.

Someone in Australia pirated New Super Mario Bros. Wii, a week before it was even available in that country, and was summarily caught and taken to court. That court has since awarded Nintendo $1.5 million dollars in damages to compensate for loss of revenue.

What did Nintendo have to say on the matter? “Fewer sales of Nintendo’s hardware and software systems means fewer resources that Nintendo, its licensees, developers and publishers have to create and market new video game products which is ultimately to the detriment of video game enthusiasts. When there is a decrease in game development, there is also a decrease in the number of jobs in the industry. The existence of piracy jeopardizes the strength of the video game industry overall.”

Source: Destructoid

2009 was a tough year for World of Warcraft in China, and unfortunately, 2010 doesn’t appear to be faring any better.

NetEase, the company which operates the game in China, has blocked new users from registering while it applies for a license to run WoW’s expansion pack, Burning Crusade. Due to this issue, no new registrations can be completed for at least a week starting next Monday. NetEase may claim a week, but I’ve no intention of holding my breath.

Source: Kotaku

Tom Clancy’s Ghost Recon: Future Soldier is in development at Ubisoft’s Paris studio and is scheduled to be released in time for Christmas. Additionally, the title is scheduled for a Multiplayer Beta this summer. This exclusive beta invitation will be available for a limited time via Tom Clancy’s Splinter Cell Conviction for the Xbox 360, which will be released on April 13.

(click to play the video)Today, Paradox Interactive debuts interview footage with the developers of the medieval action RPG, Mount & Blade: Warband. The latest iteration of the title will incorporate a brand new multiplayer feature that enables up to 64 players to engage in grueling combat on horseback.

Join Armagan Yavuz, Lead Developer at Taleworlds Entertainment, as he takes players through the multiplayer modes of the game at the recent Paradox Interactive Convention. “This is one of the most exciting features for us and also for the fans as well,” says Armagan, as he speaks on the new multiplayer aspect. “If you like the idea of fighting on a horse and fighting with tough guys with swords…you are going to enjoy Mount & Blade: Warband.”

Mount & Blade: Warband will be available next month.

Dante’s Inferno just released a few hours ago, and while reportedly not all that long in its initial form, the plan is to incrementally expand the experience with a series of downloadable content packs. This month, they will be offering Soul Packs, Poet Costumes, and an Animated Feature Film Costume. For those that didn’t purchase the Divine Edition, March will then blow in with an additional Prequel Level, and April’s offerings include new in-game abilities and Trials of St. Lucia.

Electronic Arts revealed some noteworthy sequels with release dates today. Included in the list for the first quarter of 2011 were Dead Space 2, a Dragon Age: Origins sequel, and a new shooter from Epic Games. Additionally, EA also narrowed release windows for many of their other games: the new Medal of Honor is lined up for release between July and September; and the new NBA Jam, Crysis 2, and console releases for The Sims 3 are coming between October and December.

NewWorld (parent company of the Adrenaline Vault) has just announced the appointment of Joe Garagiola, Jr., as Chairman of the Board of Directors. Mr. Garagiola is Senior Vice President of Baseball Operations for Major League Baseball, and has been a member of NewWorld’s Board of Directors since January 2007. He also holds the distinction of assembling the fastest World Series winner in expansion baseball history, with the Arizona Diamondbacks. Mr. Garagiola, Jr., graduated from the University of Notre Dame in South Bend, IN, earning a B.A. cum laude in 1972 and earned a law degree from Georgetown University Law Center.