Activision has announced that Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 Elite DLC will be arriving on the PS3 on February 28th, which is a month after players on the Xbox 360.

As you may already know, Microsoft has exclusive rights to Modern Warfare 3 DLC  and their agreement with Activision lasts through 2012.

Some Premium members of Call of Duty Elite for the PS3 thought that new content would arrive at the same time as on the Xbox 360, but Dan Amrich of Activision shed more light on their exclusive deal with Microsoft on his One of Swords blog.

The first round of DLC is two multiplayer maps; Liberation and Piazza.

There is also a content calendar on the Call of Duty website which details their “Season of content.”

Source: Attack of the Fanboy

Microsoft will be providing Halo support from now on through their Halo Waypoint site.

Halo 4 will be the start of a new trilogy for the franchise, and of course a new developing studio.

Here is Bungie’s message to the fans straight from their site:

Last summer, Bungie and 343 Industries began a transition process for Halo data. On March 31st, 2012 that transition process will be complete, all live Halo data will be managed by 343 Industries, and Bungie will no longer be able to update game stats and player service records, to host new user generated content, or to operate the Bungie Pro service. All currently supported, Bungie-developed Halo titles will be impacted by this change.

Any replacement functionality, and all future Halo support, will be provided by Microsoft and 343 Industries via Halo Waypoint at http://halo.xbox.com.

Bungie will preserve all existing historical Halo data on Bungie.net for as long as the Internet and Bungie’s data storage systems remain functional.

Thanks for making the Halo-era version of Bungie.net more successful than we could have possibly imagined. You complete us.

See you starside.

Source: Bungie.net

The official Max Payne 3 website has gone live with a ton of never-seen-before content including a new trailer and screens for the high-powered 608 Bull Revolver.

Knowing your enemy is just as important as fire-power and the site has details on the Comando Sombra, a ruthless and influential cartel in São Paulo, and their leader Serrano.

Rockstar Games also reminds fans to check back for new content and news until Max Payne 3 releases for the Xbox 360, Playstation 3, and PC this May.

Source: Rockstar Games

Sony is not asking you to change your account username or password, and new TOS and Privacy Policy agreements will be updated which will have to be agreed upon when you first sign into your new Sony Entertainment Network account.

The transition is part of Sony’s master plan to “enhance its unique digital entertainment offering.” Consolidating services under one banner is never a bad thing in my opinion.

Here are some more changes to the agreements:

• New terms for parents of minor, subaccount holders regarding the limitations of chat parental controls. Your reacceptance of the Terms of Service and User Agreement and Privacy Policy affirms your consent to the sharing of your child’s data that may occur if your child utilizes certain communication functionalities on PlayStation devices such as PlayStation 3 and PlayStation Vita systems.
• New terms that explain the location-based services offered through the PlayStation Vita system. For parents of minor, subaccount holders your reacceptance of the Terms of Service and User Agreement and Privacy Policy affirms your consent to your subaccount holder’s user of these services on the PlayStation Vita system.
• A description of our “What’s New” section, which provides topical information about our services and advertisements.
• Information about pre-ordering content.
• The name of your “PlayStation Network account” is changing to a “Sony Entertainment Network account.”

The new online platform is designed to compete with Xbox Live and the Playstation Network, and give Nintendo fans a connected experience.

The Nintendo Network service is our network platform which will cover the Nintendo 3DS and the Wii U.

Unlike Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection, which has been focused upon specific functionalities and concepts, we are aiming to establish a platform where various services available through the network for our consumers shall be connected via Nintendo Network service so that the company can make comprehensive proposals to consumers.

Nintendo will be adding downloadable content to future titles, and working to make sure that older software will work with the new Nintendo Network. The company will also be keeping a close eye on developers and publishers who want to surprise you with micro-transactions and added content will be treated as “an additional structure in which those who love the game will be able to enjoy it in a deeper way for a prolonged play time.”

A new personal account system will be introduced on the Wii U; a feature that should make Nintendo core gamers very happy.

Also for the Wii U, we are planning to introduce a personal account system compatible with Nintendo Network. With this, for example, the ease of using a video game system when the hardware is shared by multiple family members, which has been a challenge we needed to tackle, shall be improved, and we will also be able to construct and offer the system by combining a variety of different services and content.

I honestly believe this will work out very well for Nintendo, and could bring the iconic gaming company out of hard times.

Follow the link for a more detailed description of the Nintendo Network

The Darkness II takes place a couple of years after the original, and Jackie is still mourning the death of his girlfriend Jenny. He has managed to hold the Darkness within him at bay and is the don of the Franchetti crime family. He is trying to enjoy himself in a restaurant until he is attacked by a group trying to take the Darkness for themselves.

The demo starts off with Jackie being crucified and taunted by their leader, a limp and scarred old man who wants to persuade Jackie to give up the Darkness since the host has to do it willingly. Let’s just say instead of asking Jackie nicely, torture will do the talking.

One of the major aspects about the gameplay of The Darkness II is you can really mix it up how you deal out punishment. Quad Wielding allows you to use two guns and both demon arms at the same time. The Demon Arm on the left is reserved for grabbing items, weapons, and enemies. Jackie can even use it to throw objects when ammo is low, and car doors as a shield and projectile weapon.

The Demon Arm on the right is the mean one, and it is used to slash the environment and unlucky bad guys in half.

The gore comes in buckets when you use your arms to perform execution attacks. A couple that comes to mind are the “Wishbone” attack that rips your enemy in half by the legs and the “Anaconda” which will simply impale them through the heart.

The gunplay is pretty basic for a FPS, but I am not holding it against Darkness II because you have plenty of other ways to defend yourself. When combat becomes chaotic, that is when you will find that the Quad Wielding mechanic works extremely well in this game.

Dark Essence is collected from your victims and can be used to unlock powers. The demo introduces you to your first power, the ability to eat hearts. Feasting on hearts regains health, but stay out of the light because it impedes your ability to regenerate health.

The Darkness is usually accompanied by a group of small creatures called Darklings. They are deadly, mischievous, and were very helpful in the first game. This time around the focus is on one Darkling in particular who wears a Union Jack shirt and speaks with a British accent. The Darkling will help Jackie solve puzzles, interact with the environment, and attack enemies in some pretty funny ways. This simple change makes the game more story driven and now Jackie can share his dark journey with a companion.

Even Jackie’s dead girlfriend Jenny appears as an apparition in the game. I am not sure what role she will play this time around, but maybe Jackie will have a second chance in saving her?

This game has so much going for it, especially in the story department. The demo ends with a cliff-hanger as the Darkness lends a helping hand to Jackie as he escapes torture.

Starbreeze Studios originally developed The Darkness in 2007, but Digital Extremes has done a great job being handed The Darkness franchise. The demo has made me very interested in this adult story crafted by comic book legend Paul Jenkins, and the cell-shaded graphics are a perfect choice for a comic book game.

Simply put, Darkness II is a gory, bloody, action-packed good time with an engaging story.

I think you better sleep with the lights on tonight…

The Darkness II  arrives on February 7th for PC, Xbox 360 and PS3.

• The Galaxy Note combines the best features of a smartphone with the larger viewing screen of a tablet and advanced technology in the S Pen™ — delivering an all-in-one device that allows users to work more efficiently and maintain productivity, while communicating in a unique, personal way.
• The Galaxy Note boasts the world’s first 5.3-inch HD Super AMOLED™ screen (1280×800), one of the largest screens on a smartphone, for sharp, clear colors and readability – both indoors and out.  With the expansive high-resolution screen that provides an immersive viewing experience, customers can take full advantage of the large display, to create and consume more.
• The Galaxy Note includes a highly advanced tool called the S Pen, which delivers fast, responsive and precise control to create fine lines and detail on the device display, much like an ink pen and pad of paper.  With the S Pen, users can easily sketch drawings, jot down notes, or write emails and texts quickly and easily in free-form handwriting.

Mass Effect 3 releases for the PC, PS3 and Xbox 360 on March 6th in North American and March 9th in Europe

Valve is now putting Steam in your pocket, or purse, with a new app for iOS and Android mobile devices.

The app is free and now in closed beta, and all you have to do to join is download the Steam app and login to your account.

If only life was that easy.

Source: Press Release

The company has gone through some rough times lately and the Wii U’s release date came after an earnings report in which Nintendo adjusted sales and earnings forecasts, and reduced shipments of the Wii and 3DS.

The final specs for the Wii U are still a mystery, but current rumors have it being twice as powerful as an Xbox 360.