Developed by series mainstay Gas Powered Games, the futuristic RTS builds on the success of its predecessor with large scale battles and rich customization features. Set 25 years after the Infinite War, players find themselves thrust into an intergalactic conflict between the factions of The United Earth Federation, The Illuminate and the Cybran Nation.

“The partnership with Square Enix has been a highlight of my career,” said Chris Taylor, Founder and Creative Director of Gas Powered Games. “I couldn’t be more proud of what the team has accomplished, as the game has continually exceeded all of my expectations throughout its development.”

Square Enix Nails Down Supreme Commander 2 Release Date - [eXophase.com]

Crytek director of Global Business Development Carl Jones shares his thoughts on the initiative:

Crytek has always been a strong supporter of education – as evidenced by our commitment for many years to share CryENGINE tools with universities. We are continuing that commitment now by releasing the brand new CryENGINE 3 tools to any university in the world, for free! Here at Crytek, we work hard to enable all our licensees to achieve their vision with CryENGINE 3, so we aren’t considering this Educational SDK as a product we “fire and forget” – we will be looking for strong educational partners to work together with Crytek in the future – and we will soon be announcing exciting programmes for students working with CryENGINE 3.

Sounds like a win-win for Crytek. Coupled with the promise of delivering enough grunt for the next-generation, this should greatly aid engine adoption efforts in the long term, making CryENGINE 3 a formidable competitor to similar solutions such as Epic’s widely-used Unreal Engine.

Crytek Offers CryENGINE 3 Free To Educational Institutions - [eXophase.com]

All in all, it was a $1.07 billion month for the video game industry, a 13 percent drop from last year. Much of that decline can be attributed to the hardware sector. Expect things to perk up next month, though, evident by the blockbuster sales of Modern Warfare 2. Front-runner titles like Assassin’s Creed 2 and Left 4 Dead 2 will likely follow in its footsteps. See the full breakdown of hardware and software sales past the jump.

Hardware Units

PlayStation 2 117.8K
PlayStation 3 320.6K
PSP 174.6K
Xbox 360 249.7K
Wii 506.9K
Nintendo DS 457.6K

Top 10 VG Console/Portable SKU’s October 2009

Title Platform Publisher Release Date Units Rank

UNCHARTED 2: AMONG THIEVES PS3 SONY Oct-09 537,000 1
WII FIT PLUS* WII NINTENDO OF AMERICA Oct-09 441,000 2
BORDERLANDS 360 TAKE 2 INTERACTIVE Oct-09 418,000 3
WII SPORTS RESORT* WII NINTENDO OF AMERICA Jul-09 314,000 4
NBA 2K10* 360 TAKE 2 INTERACTIVE Oct-09 311,000 5
HALO 3: ODST 360 MICROSOFT Sep-09 271,000 6
NBA 2K10* PS3 TAKE 2 INTERACTIVE Oct-09 213,000 7
FORZA MOTORSPORT 3 360 MICROSOFT Oct-09 175,000 8
KINGDOM HEARTS 358/2 DAYS NDS SQUARE ENIX INC Sep-09 169,000 9
FIFA SOCCER 10 360 ELECTRONIC ARTS Oct-09 156,000 10

October NPD: Wii Sales Rebound, PS3 Momentum Remains Strong - [eXophase.com]

While the exact impact MW2 had on that figure is unknown, it’s safe to say it had a substantial effect. We’re just glad the servers didn’t end up buckling under all this load. It’s clear that the investments Microsoft has put into Live have paid off.

Xbox Live Breaks 2 Million Concurrent Users Mark Following MW2 Launch - [eXophase.com]

It’s a choice date, seeing as a slew of big-hitters are due out for release that day, including Assassin’s Creed 2 and Left 4 Dead 2. We somehow get the feeling that a lot of folks will be calling in sick on that day, and hey, we can’t blame you.

The next update to the Xbox Live network will be coming Tuesday [Fast Company]

Twitter, Last.FM, Facebook Integration Hits Xbox 360 November 17 - [eXophase.com]

How is the proper sequel to 2007’s Infinity Ward-developed Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare stacking up in terms of worldwide sales? While exact figures are still unknown, Broadpoint AmTech analyst Ben Schachter surmises that 7 million copies went into the hands of gamers worldwide on day one.

It’s a lofty prediction, but very possible, taking the buzz surrounding this launch into consideration. If true, it’d mean that MW2 nearly doubled the units GTA IV sold on its first day. Quite an impressive feat.

Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 Sold an Estimated 7 Million Copies Day One, says Analyst [GameDaily]

Analyst: Modern Warfare 2 Sold 7 Million On Day One - [eXophase.com]

As expected, the price is set at $99.99. Pretty hefty we’d say, but then again, that’s what the G rated model of old used to cost before retailers cut it down to $79.99. Wireless on Xbox 360 comes at a significant premium, practically negating the cost-benefit on picking up a 360 over a PS3.

Newegg Lists Xbox 360 Wireless N Adapter - [eXophase.com]

First revealed at TGS, this director’s cut version of the game features support for Sony’s upcoming wand motion-sensing controller as well as an extra segment of playable content starring Jill Valentine.

The content will be made available on PSN and Xbox Live Marketplace in Spring 2010. No word on price yet, but we’ll find out once the release date approaches. Additionally, Capcom has yet to detail its distribution plan for PC owners of the game.

Capcom Opts To Release Resident Evil 5 Alternate Edition Content As DLC In U.S., Europe - [eXophase.com]

We’re really excited to roll out this Collectors’ Edition featuring so many unique items, including special Collectors’ Edition armor and weapons and content that will surprise Mass Effect fans.

In development for Xbox 360 and PC, Mass Effect 2 is slated for a January 26 release in North America, with a European debut scheduled to follow on January 29.

Mass Effect 2 Collector’s Edition Revealed - [eXophase.com]

While here’s no breakdown on which divisions have been affected, we’ve heard that a percentage of these cuts have impacted the Xbox side of business.

There’s no concrete word on if this is the last round of cuts. While Microsoft has met its reduction target, a statement from a company spokesperson does not rule out the possibility of even more job losses, noting that “continuing to manage our businesses closely, as we always do, can mean additional headcount adjustments.”

Good luck to those affected, as always.

Microsoft confirms 800 job cuts [Techflash]

Microsoft Wraps Up Planned Workforce Reduction, Cuts 800 Jobs - [eXophase.com]

Apparently, Walmart has decided to take a different approach to its Black Friday initiative this year, scattering out deals rather then droping them all at once on the big day. That said, expect to see more price reductions and promotions cropping up as we approach the end of November. It’s a smart move to keep customers coming back for more. Here’s hoping more gaming oriented deals are in the pipeline.

Walmart Throws In A $100 Gift Card With Xbox 360 Arcade Purchase - [eXophase.com]

The reduced price is valid for this week only. To coincide with the sale, Acti is hosting a Double XP weekend from November 6-8 on PSN and XBL.

Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare Variety Map Pack Now $5 On PSN, XBLM This Week Only - [eXophase.com]

As usual, the bans are hitting in droves and do not appear to be linked to any particular drive firmware. Additionally, we’ve caught wind of reports indicating that modified boxes — even those that have never accessed Live before — are still at risk. If your unit remains unaffected, consider this a terse warning, as the banhammer is unpredictable and from what we’ve seen, can strike at any moment.

The official statement, per a Microsoft spokesperson, is as follows:

We have taken action against a small percentage of consoles that have been modified to play pirated game discs. In line with our commitment to combat piracy and support safer and more secure gameplay for the more than 20 million members of our Xbox LIVE community, we are suspending these modded consoles from Xbox LIVE.

Microsoft Performs Mass Xbox Console Banning [IGN]

Microsoft Unleashes Banhammer On Xbox 360 Modders - [eXophase.com]

A court ruling that wrapped up last Tuesday concluded that the man was not guilty but did suffer from psychosis, which led to the subconscious belief that he was solving a puzzle from the game. As a consequence, he will now undergo psychiatric treatment in order to combat this condition. Luckily patients in the hospital remained unharmed throughout this whole ordeal, which resulted in a 45-minute blackout.

Insane. That’s all we can say.

Man found not guilty after blacking out hospital [24 oranges]

Man Blames Silent Hill for Cutting Hospital Power - [eXophase.com]

Further, Sarwar elaborated on why including the DLC with the retail product was not possible:

“I think if we had it would have been impossible to focus on each separate aspect of gameplay properly, the stories and the gameplay are inextricably linked.

The last episode for GTA IV went live on Xbox 360 this week, The Ballad of Gay Tony.

Rockstar: GTA episodes were “plan from the beginning” [CVG]

GTA IV Episodes Not An Afterthought, Planned From The Beginning - [eXophase.com]

A mandatory update, it does not include Last.FM, Twitter, or Facebook integration. Currently under beta testing, those features will be coming next month, as planned.

Xbox 360 System Update Adds WPA2 Support - [eXophase.com]

“The Left 4 Dead 2 Xbox 360 Demo is now available for those who pre-ordered and obtained early access to the demo. The PC Demo is currently targeted for release on Wednesday, October 28,” noted the company in a statement.

While no reason for the abrupt delay was given, we’d assume that some unforeseen last-minute issues prompted the setback. For what its worth, the dedicated server files are now available, which gives us a little assurance that things are on the move.

Left 4 Dead 2 PC Demo Delayed, Now Scheduled To Hit Steam Tomorrow - [eXophase.com]

It’s safe to say we’ll be seeing multiple map packs for Modern Warfare 2.

Analysis: How Call Of Duty DLC Boosts Revenue, Publicity [Gamasutra]

Call of Duty: World At War DLC Generates $70 Million In Sales - [eXophase.com]

Of course, what matters most is gameplay and the fact that TV show adaption generally have a poor track record on the video game front makes us cautiously optimistic. It’d be nice to see Prison Break break the mold, though. We’re just hoping a bulk of the game focuses on season 1, before it delved into the outlandish government conspiracy plot line. When taking the game’s title into account, however, that doesn’t seem likely.

Prison Break: The Conspiracy is due out on Xbox 360, PC, and PS3. A release date has yet to announced.

Prison Break: The Conspiracy Screenshots

New Prison Break: The Conspiracy Screenshots Surface - [eXophase.com]

See it all after the break.

Hardware Units

PlayStation 2 146.0K
PlayStation 3 491.8K
PSP 190.4K
Xbox 360 352.6K
Wii 462.8K
Nintendo DS 524.2K

Top 10 VG Console/Portable SKU’s September 2009
Title Platform Publisher Release Date Units Rank
HALO 3:ODST 360 MICROSOFT (CORP) Sep-09 1.52M 1
WII SPORTS RESORT W/ WII MOTION PLUS WII NINTENDO OF AMERICA Jul-09 442.9K 2
MADDEN NFL 10 360 ELECTRONIC ARTS Aug-09 289.6K 3
MARIO & LUIGI:BOWSER’S INSIDE STORY NDS NINTENDO OF AMERICA Sep-09 258.1K 4
THE BEATLES:ROCK BAND* 360 MTV GAMES/ELECTRONIC ARTS Sep-09 254.0K 5
MADDEN NFL 10 PS3 ELECTRONIC ARTS Aug-09 246.5K 6
MARVEL:ULTIMATE ALLIANCE 2 360 ACTIVISION BLIZZARD (CORP) Sep-09 236.0K 7
BATMAN:ARKHAM ASYLUM* PS3 SQUARE ENIX INC (CORP) Aug-09 212.5K 8
GUITAR HERO 5* 360 ACTIVISION BLIZZARD (CORP) Sep-09 210.8K 9
THE BEATLES:ROCK BAND* WII MTV GAMES/ELECTRONIC ARTS Sep-09 208.6K 10

September NPD: PS3 Leads Console Hardware Sales - [eXophase.com]

Am I an “idle man”, I wonder? (^^;
Well, I am just trying to pastime…
I am working hard on a new project.
Now we are being rushed into the “finishing” stage.
No matter what, I will make it really good….

Considering Mistwalker has made a name for itself that is synonymous with the JRPG genre, we’re placing our bets on another RPG.

mistwalker [Mistwalker]

Mistwalker Boss Cryptically Hints At New Project - [eXophase.com]

The demo itself is set in New Orleans, specifically taking place during the “Parish” campaign. In addition to featuring campaign mode play for up to four players, all new boss infected types and melee weapons will be present in the demo. Those itching to try out the new gameplay modes must patiently wait until the title’s launch on November 17.

Left 4 Dead 2 Demo Details Arrive - [eXophase.com]

Speaking to VG247, Infinity Ward community manager Rob Bowling explains:

We did it early on; that’s what Spec Ops started out as, as co-op through story.

But it really broke the cinematic experience, took the immersion out of it, out of the story and the pacing and everything we’d spent so long crafting. It just ruined the experience we were aiming for, so we took it out, kept the single-player for that one player intact and polished it.

Bowling further mentioned that some of the experiences in Spec Ops mode have been taken straight out of single player, but polished for co-op play. Sounds like we’ll be getting the best of both worlds.

Modern Warfare 2 is scheduled to hit November 10.

No Campaign Co-Op In MW2, Infinity Ward Explains Why - [eXophase.com]

As usual, only a selected number of individuals are being chosen for the beta test, but with Major Nelson noting that Microsoft is looking for “multiple thousands of participants,” it sounds like your chances of scoring an invite are high. Additionally, while any 360 owner can register, priority is being given to Gold members.

Further details on how to apply for consideration can be found over at Microsoft’s official Xbox site. Make it quick, as acceptance emails will show up in the inboxes of those chosen within a week.

Xbox 360 Dashboard Preview Sign Ups Are A Go - [eXophase.com]

Not only is CryEngine 3 being offered as a middleware solution for the current crop of consoles, but Crytek says scalable computation logic has been built in so as to gradually scale in visual quality to upcoming platforms. Providing a “What you see is what you play” toolkit, Crytek is aiming to forever change multiplatform development, truly streamlining it for the first time.

Most interesting is the Live Create feature of the engine, which allows for developers to work with a single editor and see the results in real-time on PC, PS3 and Xbox 360 as modifications are made on the code level.

“With CryENGINE 3 we are releasing the best development solution available today and tomorrow. With its scalable graphics and computation it is next-gen ready and with new features like CryENGINE 3 Live Create the best choice for game developers and companies developing serious games applications alike. It is the only game engine solution that enables real-time development and can ensure teams are able to maximise their own creativity, save budget and create greater gaming experiences.” said Cevat Yerli, CEO & President of Crytek.

From the sound of it, this is a massive step forward in game development. While the licensing costs are unknown, it’ll be interesting to see if studios start making the switch from Epic’s widely-used Unreal Engine 3. Crysis 2, one of the first CryEngine 3 powered titles, will hit PC, Xbox 360 and PS3 in 2010.

CryEngine 3 Now Available To Licensees, Streamlines Multiplatform Development - [eXophase.com]

Splatterhouse is slated for a Q3 2010 debut on PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360.

Splatterhouse Screenshots

Gory New Splatterhouse Screens Impress - [eXophase.com]

Now considering this comparison video is based on a demo of Bayonetta, there is hope that the level of visual acquity will be equal on both platforms by early next year, when the title is scheduled to hit retailers. That’s assuming development hasn’t already wrapped up, of course.

See the clip after the break.

Bayonetta PS3 Versus 360 Comparsion Reveals Visual Difference - [eXophase.com]

First up is “Savenge,” which pits players in divided teams of 4. In a race against time, Survivors must fend off Infected whilst collecting gas cans to refuel a generator located in each map. Each time the generator is filled with gas, time is added to the clock.

Another mode not detailed by Valve but spotted by 1UP is the aptly dubbed “Realism.” If you were one of the few that trekked through Expert on the original without breaking a sweat, this mode is for you. Valve’s Chet Faliszek says it is specifically tailored for the super hardcore, which likely equates to throwing your controller at the wall type frustration for us normal folk. Nice to have the option, though.

Left 4 Dead 2 is due out November 17 on PC and Xbox 360.

Left 4 Dead 2 Features Two Additional Gameplay Modes, Savenge And Realism - [eXophase.com]

For being as hyped as it was, Web of Shadows was far from what we’d call a quality product. Still, it’s always tough hearing of people losing their jobs. To those affected, good luck.

Report: Activision Shutters Shaba Games - [eXophase.com]

No official word yet, but considering the obvious similarity between the names, this assumption certainly sounds plausible enough to us.

New Prince of Persia Title ‘The Forgotten Sands’ Trademarked - [eXophase.com]

Straying away from multi-million big-budget efforts, the studio will primarily focus on “high-quality downloadable games,” bringing years of experience with high quality AAA experiences to the table. Managing director Michel Bastien previous served as project lead of Halo 2 and Halo 3 while Director of Technology Damián Isla headed up AI and gameplay engineering duties back at Bungie. Rounding out the team is Rob Stokes, who led mission design duties on the Halo franchise.

Taking the studio’s prestigious origins into account, we’re anxiously looking forward to see what materializes from Moonshot.

Moonshot Games Has Liftoff, Comprised Of Ex-Bungie Staff - [eXophase.com]

Said beta is scheduled to go live late October, which would give Microsoft ample time to patch up any issues that are found just before this year’s holiday season. If previous dashboard beta tests are any indication, these will likely go out by invitation only – meaning some sort of sign-up process will be involved.

Xbox 360 Dashboard Update Public Beta (With Facebook) Coming This Month [MTV]

Social Networking Focused Xbox 360 Dashboard Beta Test Starting Soon - [eXophase.com]

In what we can only call shocking, Infinity Ward head Vince Zampella revealed to the Official PlayStation Magazine that publisher Activision was originally opposed to the idea of moving the Call of Duty outside World War II. For its part, the mighty Acti thought such a move was a huge risk at the time, going by internal marketing research, and instead wanted to play it safe by taking the rehash route and churn out more of the same.

Wow. It goes without saying, sometimes risks pay off big, and this is undeniable proof. Good thing Infinity Ward stuck to its guns.

Activision “didn’t want Modern Warfare” [CVG]

Activision Was Opposed To Taking Call of Duty Outside World War II - [eXophase.com]

Based on the strength of pre-orders, Left 4 Dead 2 will be the fastest-selling product in Valve’s history,” said Gabe Newell, president of Valve. “Left 4 Dead 2 has consistently run at 300% of Left 4 Dead’s numbers.”

To build upon the already existing hype, Valve is backing Left 4 Dead 2 with an advertising campaign valued at $25 million dollars, over two times the budget of the previous one.

Left 4 Dead 2 hits Xbox 360 and PC on November 17.

Left 4 Dead 2 Poised To Become Fastest Selling Valve Title, Pre-Order Numbers Off The Chart - [eXophase.com]

Featuring an revamped AI director capable of procedurally altering environments to allow for a deeper co-op gameplay experience, Left 4 Dead 2 is due out November 17 on PC and Xbox 360. The early access pre-order demo is currently targeted for October 27.

Pre Order Left 4 Dead 2, Get 10 Percent Off - [eXophase.com]

Slated for a March 2010 debut on Xbox Live Arcade under the revised title of “Zeno Clash: Ultimate Edition,” this premium edition of the game will feature a yet-to-be-detailed cooperative gameplay mode along with new content. Additionally, several community-suggested “tweaks and improvements” are due for inclusion.

Details beyond that are scant, but look for more on this one to be announced in the near future.

Zeno Clash Making The Jump To 360 - [eXophase.com]

While not yet officially announced, this premium offering is said to include voucher codes good for unlocking exclusive in-game content and redeeming a digital copy of Splinter Cell: Chaos Theory from Xbox Live Arcade, a 32-page comic book spanning the story events between Double Agent and Conviction, a making of DVD, and a Sam Fisher figurine. The listed price is $119.00 AUD ($100), which sounds fair considering the exhaustive amount of goodies contained within.

Taking into account the marketing pull Ubisoft is putting behind this one, it certainly sounds convincing enough to us. Here’s hoping official word on availability specifics and pricing isn’t too far off.

Splinter Cell Conviction Collector’s Edition Spotted - [eXophase.com]

Tekken 6 launches on Xbox 360 and PS3 this October.

Tekken 6 Viral Video Asks What Will You Fight For? - [eXophase.com]

Set to show up on shelves in October, a month before the actual game hits, the cans will offer a chance to win the Hardened Edition of MW2, a future map pack slated for release in Spring 2010, exclusive MW2-branded PS3 and Xbox 360 dashboards themes, or more Monster Energy drinks. Look for official details regarding this promotion to go live on the official site later this week.

Modern Warfare 2 drinks confirm map pack for Spring 2010 [Destructoid]

Monster Teams With Activision To Deploy MW2 Branded Energy Drinks This October, DLC Confirmed - [eXophase.com]

While interesting, it’s not exactly a fair comparison, considering the Final Fantasy series has a substantial following in all regions, while the core of the Dragon Quest fanbase is centered in Japan.

Exclusive to PS3, Final Fantasy XIII hits Japanese store shelves on December 17. A North American and European is scheduled to follow early next year on Xbox 360 and PS3.

Square Enix: Final Fantasy XIII To Topple Dragon Quest IX In Unit Sales - [eXophase.com]