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Former Master Chief studio officially leaving sci-fi shooter series in publisher’s hands early next month; “O Brave New Worlds” video documentary arriving on that day.

When Bungie and Activision signed their 10-year exclusive publishing deal in April 2010, Halo fans knew Bungie involvement in the sci-fi shooter franchise was coming to an end. Now, the developer has set a date–August 2–for when it will officially hand the series off to Microsoft.

Bungie is finished building Halo games, but there series will live on.

In an update on its website titled “See You Starside,” Bungie spoke about leaving the series it birthed and had been involved with for some 20 years.

“Some might consider the upcoming transition a bittersweet occasion punctuated by a sense of loss and sadness. We feel otherwise. Halo is in great hands…yours.

Bungie said it will soon be undergoing a “metamorphosis,” with Bungie.net changing, punctuated by the announcement of the studio’s new game at an “unknown time in the future.” Bungie said Halo playlist management will officially shift to Microsoft on August 2. On this day, the studio will also release a new video documentary titled “O Brave New Worlds.”

Bungie did not say what it plans to show or reveal in the new documentary. However, its name suggests that the video may possibly talk about the new game. Additionally, Bungie said following the release of the video documentary and the handover to Microsoft, it will be “going dark” on all things related to its new, unannounced game with Activision.

The Halo: Legends anime series is just one way Microsoft is keeping Halo alive.

Microsoft purchased Bungie in June 2000, and the studio provided the publisher the well-reviewed Halo: Combat Evolved, one of the original Xbox’s launch titles. The developer created sequels Halo 2 and Halo 3 for Microsoft before splitting with the publisher in October 2007. Bungie then built Halo 3: ODST and Halo: Reach under the publishing banner of Microsoft, which owns a minority stake in the company.

As for the Halo franchise, Microsoft is continuing the sci-fi shooter franchise in many ways via its new Halo team, 343 Industries. Due out on November 15 is Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary, a $40 Kinect-compatible high-definition remake of the original Halo entry. Also, at E3 2011, Microsoft announced Halo 4, the first game in a new trilogy.

Outside of video games, there is Halo: Legends, the anime series based on the Halo universe, as well as the Marvel-handled Halo comic book series. For more on the forthcoming Halo remake, check out GameSpot’s latest preview of Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary.

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Sony Online bringing first add-on to superhero-themed MMORPG this summer for $10.

DC Universe Online is back up and running after hackers proved to be its personal kryptonite. And with its service restoration complete, Sony Online Entertainment can commence rolling out new content for the superhero-themed massively multiplayer online role-playing game.

Power rings for all!

Today, SOE said that DCUO’s first batch of paid downloadable content will be available for both the PC and PlayStation 3 versions of the game this summer. The Green Lantern has been chosen as the subject of this first wave of DLC.

Titled Fight for the Light, the add-on pack lets players create heroes that make use of Green Lantern-like light-based powers. It also includes three new gameplay scenarios. The STAR Labs mission sees players battling it out against Brainiac, while Coast City sees players battling against the Red Lantern Corps in Hal Jordan’s hometown.

Lastly, Sciencells Prison sees heroes join Guy Gardner stop a prison break from being incited by Sinestro. Villains will join Sinestro, as they seek to retrieve Lyssa Drak from her prison cell on the planet.

The Fight for the Light DLC will cost $10. For more information, check out GameSpot’s previous coverage of DC Universe Online.

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Publishers of game and comics say they’ll have new information on top-rated fighter at San Diego event next week.

Thus far, Capcom has added just two characters to Marvel vs. Capcom 3’s original 36-fighter roster, in addition to a handful of new costumes. However, it appears as if the game maker still has some future plans for its critical and commercial success.

HULK WANT SOMEONE NEW TO SMASH.

As part of a recently posted schedule for Comic-Con 2011, show organizers have revealed that both Capcom and Marvel will host panels discussing what’s next for the cross-over fighter. Capcom’s panel is scheduled for 11 a.m. on Saturday, July 23, and Marvel’s talk will follow shortly thereafter at 12:30 p.m.

“Come to this panel to hear the fantastic news about this legendary fighting game franchise straight from producer Ryota Niitsuma,” reads the description for Capcom’s panel. “Get an exclusive behind-the-scenes peek as well as a chance to come onstage to showcase your fighting skills against each other for fantastic prizes.”

Meanwhile, Marvel promises to have “some exciting new details about the future of Marvel vs. Capcom 3 and other Marvel games via exclusive trailers, surprise reveals, and Q&A with the game creators from some of the industry’s top publishers.”

Comic-Con 2011 will set up shop in San Diego from July 21-24. GameSpot will be on-hand to provide coverage from the event as it happens.

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Publishers of game and comics say they’ll have new information on top-rated fighter at San Diego event next week.

Thus far, Capcom has added just two characters to Marvel vs. Capcom 3’s original 36-fighter roster, in addition to a handful of new costumes. However, it appears as if the gamemaker still has some future plans for its critical and commercial success.

HULK WANT SOMEONE NEW TO SMASH.

As part of a recently posted schedule for Comic-Con 2011, show organizers have revealed that both Capcom and Marvel will host panels discussing what’s next for the crossover fighter. Capcom’s panel is scheduled for 11 a.m. on Saturday, July 23, and Marvel’s talk will follow shortly thereafter at 12:30 p.m.

“Come to this panel to hear the fantastic news about this legendary fighting game franchise straight from producer Ryota Niitsuma,” reads the description for Capcom’s panel. “Get an exclusive behind-the-scenes peek, as well as a chance to come onstage to showcase your fighting skills against each other for fantastic prizes.”

Meanwhile, Marvel promises to have “some exciting new details about the future of Marvel vs. Capcom 3 and other Marvel games via exclusive trailers, surprise reveals, and Q&A with the game creators from some of the industry’s top publishers.”

Comic-Con 2011 will set up shop in San Diego from July 21-24. GameSpot will be on hand to provide coverage from the event as it happens.

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Wedbush Securities’ Michael Pachter says latest Call of Duty may eclipse sales of Black Ops; thinks Elite will cause some to “defect” to Battlefield 3.

On November 8, Activision will ship its latest Call of Duty entry, the Infinity Ward-Sledgehammer Games’-developed Modern Warfare 3. That game has large shoes to fill, as its predecessor–Call of Duty: Black Ops–is the best-selling game of all-time not only in the United States but also in the United Kingdom.

Modern Warfare 3 is going to be a big hit, says Pachter.

However, Black Ops is not untouchable, according to Wedbush Securities’ Michael Pachter. He believes Modern Warfare 3 could surpass sales of 20 million units, a figure he predicted Black Ops has sold to-date in May. Officially, Black Ops has sold 13.7 million units in the United States. However, the shooter has likely sold many more copies than that, as it has graced the NPD’s top 10 software list often since its arrival.

Pachter justified his belief that Modern Warfare 3 will break Black Ops’ record “due primarily to the network effect created by the game’s remarkable 17 million weekly active unique online players.”

Pachter believes that Activision’s introduction of Call of Duty: Elite–a stat-tracking and social application–could cause some Call of Duty fans to “defect” to Electronic Arts’ Battlefield 3, which ships before Modern Warfare 3 on October 25. The beta for Call of Duty: Elite launches on Thursday.

Modern Warfare 3 outselling Black Ops is not a completely wild prediction. GameStop reported in June that preorder figures for Modern Warfare 3 are tracking ahead of Black Ops’. Additionally, Activision CEO Bobby Kotick has previously stated his belief that each entry in the series will outpace the last.

For more on Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3, check out GameSpot’s latest preview of the game.

Read and Post Comments | Get the full article at GameSpot

Wedbush Securities’ Michael Pachter says latest Call of Duty may eclipse sales of Black Ops; thinks Elite will cause some to “defect” to Battlefield 3.

On November 8, Activision will ship its latest Call of Duty entry, the Infinity Ward-Sledgehammer Games-developed Modern Warfare 3. That game has large shoes to fill, as its predecessor–Call of Duty: Black Ops–is the best-selling game of all time not only in the United States but also in the United Kingdom.

Modern Warfare 3 is going to be a big hit, says Pachter.

However, Black Ops is not untouchable, according to Wedbush Securities’ Michael Pachter. He believes Modern Warfare 3 could surpass sales of 20 million units, a figure he predicted Black Ops has sold to date in May. Officially, Black Ops has sold 13.7 million units in the United States. However, the shooter has likely sold many more copies than that, as it has graced the NPD’s top 10 software list often since its arrival.

Pachter justified his belief that Modern Warfare 3 will break Black Ops’ record “due primarily to the network effect created by the game’s remarkable 17 million weekly active unique online players.”

Pachter believes that Activision’s introduction of Call of Duty: Elite–a stat-tracking and social application–could cause some Call of Duty fans to “defect” to Electronic Arts’ Battlefield 3, which ships before Modern Warfare 3 on October 25. The beta for Call of Duty: Elite launches on Thursday.

Modern Warfare 3 outselling Black Ops is not a completely wild prediction. GameStop reported in June that preorder figures for Modern Warfare 3 are tracking ahead of Black Ops’. Additionally, Activision CEO Bobby Kotick has previously stated his belief that each entry in the series will outpace the last.

For more on Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3, check out GameSpot’s latest preview of the game.

Read and Post Comments | Get the full article at GameSpot

On July 26th, 2011, Catherine finally makes its way to North America. Developed and published by Atlus, Catherine tells a unique story, one that touches on themes not often found in the realm of gaming. But centrally, Catherine is all about the repercussions of infidelity and an overwhelming fear of commitment…

$100 collector’s edition spotted for Xbox 360 and PS3 on Best Buy’s online store; premium bonuses unknown.

The Caped Crusader is an elusive figure, fighting crime and slipping away just as mysteriously as he arrived. Sticking to that approach, the collector’s edition for Batman: Arkham City is similarly mystifying.

It appears Arkham City is getting a collector’s edition. Someone should ask Commissioner Gordon.

A listing for Batman: Arkham City Collector’s Edition has popped up on national retailer Best Buy. The listing states that the premium iteration of the game will sell for $100 and will be available for the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3.

Unfortunately, the contents of the collector’s edition are unknown, as the game’s product description is empty. As of press time, Warner Bros. had not responded to GameSpot’s request for comment or clarification on the matter.

For more on the upcoming Dark Knight game–due out October 18–check out GameSpot’s latest preview of Batman: Arkham City.

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Atlus bringing latest installment in SNK fighting franchise to North American PS3s and Xbox 360s this October.

The King of Fighters series will soon hold court once again. Atlus today announced that the latest installment in the arcade fighting franchise will find its way to North American Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 systems this October.

Mai Shiranui is just one of the returning King of Fighters cast members.

The first installment in the series since King of Fighters XII rebuilt it from the ground up in 2009, King of Fighters XIII will expand the roster from 22 characters to more than 30. Among the additions will be fan-favorite Mai, as well as King, Vice, K’, Yuri, Maxima, and Billy Kane.

In addition to faster fights and new “Neomax” super moves, Atlus is “completely revamping” the game’s online mode, a significant point of criticism with the previous entry in the series. King of Fighters XIII will also feature new modes and stages not seen in the arcade release, though the publisher has not yet detailed those.

This will be the first time that Atlus handles publishing duties for the series. King of Fighters XII was published by Ignition, while previous installments were released by SNK Playmore itself.

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Volition’s action game getting top-tier bundle with soundtrack and headphones; Professor Genki Hyper-Ordinary in-game item compilation for those who reserve.

Get the full article at GameSpot