Source: A leaked ad for the limited edition of Battlefield 3, as seen on Battlefield fansite EnterBF3.

What we heard: Last week Battlefield series developer DICE officially lifted the veil on the latest entry in the series, Battlefield 3. The Swedish studio said the title would arrive this fall in standard and limited-edition iterations. Now, some new intel on the LE has crept out.

Battlefield fans can relive history with the limited edition, according to the ad.

According to a leaked ad for Battlefield 3 (pictured at right), the limited edition of the new shooter will come bundled with the Back to Karkand expansion, which will contain a heap of Battlefield 2 content, including weapons, vehicles, and four multiplayer environments.

The ad did not reveal which four maps will be included with the pack; however, Strike at Karkand was a popular multiplayer environment in Battlefield 2 and would seem a likely fit for the Back to Karkand expansion.

The ad shows only the PC version of the title, but according to additional wording, it looks like the limited edition is coming to consoles. The ad says the limited edition will include additional trophies and achievements for players to unlock, which is a likely indicator that the edition will land on the PlayStation 3 and the Xbox 360.

Additionally, those who do not purchase a limited-edition copy of Battlefield 3 can purchase and download the Back to Karkand expansion content about a month after the title is released, according to the leaked advertisement. Neither a price nor a more exact release date has been affixed to the content thus far.

The official story: As of press time DICE has not responded to GameSpot's request for comment or clarification on the matter.

Bogus or not bogus?: Looking very much not bogus that EA is planning a multiplatform limited edition for Battlefield 3. But whatever the case, answers will arrive soon, as DICE has said it will unveil the limited edition properly at this year's Game Developers Conference, which is set for the end of the month.

Source: A post on French fighting game site Bas Gros Poing reports that SNK Playmore management wants to retreat from game development and instead focus on its pachislot and licensing out its brands and characters for others to use.

What we heard: The Bas Gros Poing article paints a dim picture of SNK Playmore at the moment, but it may not be entirely accurate. According to the site, after a September change in the publisher's executive ranks, the newly appointed president and CEO wants to take the company in a new direction. As part of that direction, the company would essentially close its gaming division except for ports of existing games and would instead focus on pachislot machines, collectible figurines, and the like.

There's still some fight left in this old dog.

While the company has been leaning on ports of its NeoGeo catalog of late (like the NeoGeo Station offerings on the PlayStation Network), it still has new projects in the pipeline, most notably King of Fighters XIII, the follow-up to the 2009 franchise refresh. However, to the chagrin of many SNK fans, Bas Gros Poing also reported that King of Fighters series producer Masaaki Kukino has left the company, casting some uncertainty on the franchise's future.

Despite the news, the report of SNK Playmore abandoning game development leaves room for error. The Bas Gros Poing article only states that as a direction that a single person within the company wants to go, not as a company initiative already under way. Additionally, the phrasing of the report seems to indicate that the site's two sources for the news are not actually SNK Playmore employees, but rather people who have their own contacts at the company. If that is the case, such a secondhand report increases the chances of a misunderstanding or miscommunication somewhere along the line.

Fans of the fighting game factory would do well to remember it has faced bleak situations before. For example, SNK Corporation actually shut down entirely in 2001, only to be resurrected in 2003 after company heads went on to find success in the pachislot industry as Playmore. Although the reinvigorated publisher never returned to the hardware market with its iconic NeoGeo system, it did bring back some of its most famous franchises, producing new entries in the King of Fighters and Metal Slug series.

The official story: "In response to Internet rumors from earlier this week, SNK is planning to release a full slate of games in 2011 and expects to continue publishing games worldwide for many years to come."--An SNK Playmore representative.

Bogus or not bogus?: Changes may be afoot at SNK Playmore, but they hopefully aren't as drastic as the rumors make them out to be. Bogus.

Source: British trade site MCV.

What we heard: Yesterday, dual reports out of the UK indicated that Sony may use a January 27 media briefing in Tokyo to unveil the PSP2. Today, the source of one of those reports expounded on the announcement with more reported details about the device--and how Sony is marketing it to developers.

The PSP2 will reportedly have a form factor similar to the PSP-3000.

According to MCV, Sony is touting the PSP2 as being "as powerful as the PlayStation 3" to British developers. The company is reportedly trying to position the handheld as a higher-end alternative to Nintendo's upcoming 3DS, complete with an HD screen and dual thumbsticks.

To reflect the PSP2's upscale status, Sony is also apparently requesting that developers create games as in-depth as PS3 titles so they can be differentiated from more casual offerings on the iPhone and Android systems. The company hopes that months of hype about handheld HD gaming--supplemented by E3 and GDC appearances--will entice developers to support the device prior to a Q4 launch.

MCV also reported that the handheld will also have a "brick" form factor similar to the PSP-3000, not the PSP Go-like sliding chassis spotted in reportedly leaked photos of the dev kit. The handheld will also have a physical media component so retailers can participate in its business, although it was unclear if it will be the UMD format used by current PSPs.

The official story: Sony had not returned requests for comment as of press time.

Bogus or not bogus?: Likely not bogus that Sony is touting the handheld as a portable PS3. The company took a similar tack when promoting the original PSP as a portable PlayStation 2, talking about how much of the handheld's innards were miniaturized versions of the then-new slimline PS2. As for the other details…well, January 27 isn't that far off now, is it?

Last May, THQ announced that UFC Undisputed 2010 would be its first title to make use of an online pass, which would charge secondhand game buyers to access the game's online modes. By August, the functionality was also confirmed for WWE Smackdown vs. Raw 2011. Now, the publisher has indicated that it won't just be its sports titles that will be subject to the secondhand surcharge.

Players content with stopping at level 5 of Homefront multiplayer are unaffected.

As first reported by Shacknews, GameSpot has confirmed with THQ that new copies of its near-future first-person shooter Homefront will come packed in with a single-use code to access the game's multiplayer component. However, those who do not purchase the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 versions of the game new--acquiring it through rental or the secondhand market--will be required to pay $10 to unlock the game's full online component. Unfettered access to online modes will be available to all PC purchasers.

Gamers without a new copy of the game will still be able to access a portion of Homefront's online component. Specifically, secondhand users will have access to every map and can spend as much time as they wish in Homefront's multiplayer modes. However, they won't be able to advance their characters any further than level 5--out of a possible 75--unless they purchase the online pass.

Due out on March 8, Homefront is a story-driven shooter that is set after a North Korean occupation of the continental United States. The single-player component sees the player as a member of the American resistance fighting the Korean People's Army in an attempt to regain control of the ruined nation, while the multiplayer is set earlier, letting players engage in military scenarios from the invasion itself. Manhattan-based Kaos Studios is handling development on the console iterations of the title, while Ontario-located Digital Extremes is in charge of the PC version.

For more on the shooter, check out GameSpot's most recent hands-on preview.

Source: Gaming blog Kotaku.

What we heard: Last month, rumors of a new SSX game sprouted up following the registration of the Web domains SSXFirstDescent.com and SSXDeadlyDescent.com. Now, Kotaku is claiming to have inside knowledge of the title, which is apparently in the works for the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 at EA Canada.

According to Kotaku's anonymous source, development of the new game is being handled by the team behind the popular Skate games. As such, the title will apparently have a similar control scheme, with the right analog stick being used to perform tricks as players hurtle down snowy slopes.

Could this be the first glimpse of the new SSX?
image credit: Kotaku.

More intriguing is the report's reference to surveys sent out this summer, which indicate the game may have content beyond normal snowboarding outings. The survey, which was apparently targeted at SSX fans, reportedly described "avoiding, out-running and even riding on top of massive avalanches; battling hurricane winds; white-outs; bitter cold; falling rocks; and gaping crevasses that open up at a moment's notice." The game was also rumored to have not only heliboarding, but also other extreme sports such as base jumping, skyboarding, ice climbing, and wingsuit flying.

The game itself was described as "an intense, moment-to-moment battle against the forces created from riding your snowboard over the most spectacular and remote mountains on Earth." This led Kotaku to wonder if the game is the same as one being teased for a reveal at the VGAs this Saturday. Brief footage of that game asks players if they are ready to "Take on the planet" and shows a series of snow-capped peaks and a helicopter flying over a mountain summit with a flare atop it. Kotaku reports a similar-looking piece of art (pictured) was sent out alongside the snowboard game survey taken earlier this year.

A direct connection between the "Take on the Planet" game and SSX publisher Electronic Arts was made yesterday, when EA Sports president Peter Moore directly promoted the reveal via a blog post.

Moore described the game as "an obscure new title that's been teased alongside new trailers and announcements for Gears of War 3, Resistance 3, and the new game from our partners at BioWare. Set on what appears to be one of the most treacherous mountain ranges on the planet, this is one we're watching with a lot of anticipation. Hope you are too…."

The official story: EA had not responded to requests for comment as of press time.

Bogus or not bogus?: Looking not bogus. The fact that the head of EA Sports--which includes a studio at EA Canada--is promoting an "obscure" title set on snowy mountaintops is a hint less subtle than a black-diamond wipeout.

Source: Gaming blog Kotaku.

What we heard: It would come as no surprise for Uncharted developer Naughty Dog to be deep in development of a third Nathan Drake adventure. Both the original and its sequel won rave reviews when they were released in 2007 and 2009 respectively. Further, Uncharted: Among Thieves has sold more than 3 million units.

What's more, the intellectual property is a hot one. A movie based on the series, directed by David O. Russell and starring Mark Wahlberg as Nathan Drake, is set to begin filming this summer.

Is Nathan Drake taking the fight to the desert?

Neither Sony nor Naughty Dog has said a word about Uncharted 3 to date. That said, Amazon's French arm listed the product just hours before Sony's Electronic Entertainment Expo briefing in June. Sony did not comment on the matter at the time.

Now, according to a source speaking with Kotaku, it appears the game not only exists, but will be set in the desert, possibly in Africa. The first Uncharted title was set primarily in a jungle setting, and its sequel, Among Thieves, ranged in locale, from jungles and urban areas to the peaks and caves of the snowy Himalayas. The same source also told Kotaku that Sony is planning an Uncharted 3 reveal on or around the 2010 Video Game Awards show, which airs on Saturday, December 11. Sony has also teased a game unveiling for Sunday, December 12, at a private event in Los Angeles--for which Uncharted 3 now appears to be a top contender.

The official story: Sony had not responded to GameSpot's request for comment or clarification on the matter as of press time.

Bogus or not bogus?: Likely not bogus that Sony has something to share during the 2010 Video Game Awards, and certainly not bogus that a third Uncharted game exists. Similarly, it's not unlikely that the title will be set in a locale new to the series. Whatever the case may be, if the source proves accurate, answers will arrive very soon.

Source: Gaming blog Kotaku.

What we heard: Yesterday, BioWare began teasing a new mystery game via a series of cryptic clues. Besides a screenshot of a man in futuristic armor leaning out a window, the Canadian developer released two barcodes. The first converted into a binary code, which added up to the atomic weight of iron, sparking speculation of a Shattered Steel remake. The second translated into the coldest temperature on earth, which was recorded in the Antarctic settlement of Vostok--a name shared by a star system in the original Mass Effect.

Will players be exchanging headshots in the Mass Effect universe?

Now it appears the latter clue may be the most telling. According to a development source that contacted Kotaku, the game being teased is not Mass Effect 3, but a new multiplayer-focused spin-off of the series. Reportedly in the works at BioWare's Montreal studio--which was hiring multiplayer developers in June--the game is apparently targeted at the online shooter market dominated by Call of Duty.

Whether the game will be a first-person shooter like the Call of Duty games is unclear. However, like Activision's shooter series, the rumored Mass Effect is said to have a single-player campaign but will retain an emphasis on competitive multiplayer.

The official story: "We don't comment on rumors or speculation. Stay tuned on December 11." -- BioWare rep, referring to the game's unveiling at the Video Game Awards next month.

Bogus or not bogus?: Too little to make a determination. That said, the premise sounds plausible. Mass Effect 2 was a solid hit, selling over 1.6 million units as of May. Throw in the sequel's Gears of War-like emphasis on running and gunning from cover, and the jump to straight action doesn't sound so implausible.

Source: See below.

What we heard: Leading off the month, reports emerged that Microsoft was on the lookout for a new studio to take up the reins of its Project Gotham Racing franchise. The Xbox 360-exclusive series has lain dormant since 2007, when its developer, Bizarre Creations, was acquired by Activision. Now, it appears as if one possible option for Microsoft would be to simply set up a new studio and stock it with what may be more than 200 soon-to-be-unemployed Bizarre Creations employees.

The first rumblings of upheaval at Bizarre Creations occurred last night, when a NeoGAF message board user posted word that Activision had decided to close Bizarre Creations. According to the user, all 200 employees at the British studio had been put on 90-day notice. Shortly thereafter, UK gaming site Develop stated that it had confirmed with sources at the studio the same information found in the NeoGAF report.

One of Bizarre Creations more bizarre creations was Geometry Wars.

Word of the closure has also begun to spread overseas. Reporting on its own source, Giant Bomb said that the studio has begun a "90-day consultation period" and "statutory redundancy." The source also told Giant Bomb that Activision plans to issue a press release regarding the studio closure soon.

Having made its name on the PGR series, Bizarre failed to find success with its first racing game for Activision, Blur. Though Activision has not announced official sales figures for the title, Wedbush analyst Michael Pachter said the game "had a very weak launch" in May, despite achieving solid review scores.

The timing on the reported closure also makes sense, considering Bizarre just shipped its latest title, James Bond 007: Blood Stone. Released on November 2, the shooter scored a positive critical reception, though it has yet to be seen how the game performed at retail.

The official story: "No comment yet."--A UK Activision rep.

Bogus or not bogus?: Looking not bogus.

[UPDATE]: Activision has since provided a statement on the news.

"Over the past three years since our purchase of Bizarre Creations, the fundamentals of the racing genre have changed significantly," the company statement reads. "Although we made a substantial investment in creating a new IP, Blur, it did not find a commercial audience. Bizarre is a very talented team of developers, however, because of the broader economic factors impacting the market, we are exploring our options regarding the future of the studio, including a potential sale of the business."

Source: In testing the Kinect, two dark-skinned GameSpot employees had problems getting the system's facial recognition features to work.

What we heard: Part of Microsoft's $500 million marketing push for Kinect includes positioning it as an accessible entertainment device for all audiences. However, it may be more accessible to some than others.

While testing out the Kinect, two dark-skinned GameSpot employees experienced problems with the system's facial recognition abilities. The system recognized one employee inconsistently, while it was never able to properly identify the other despite repeated calibration attempts. However, Kinect had no problems identifying a third dark-skinned GameSpot employee, recognizing his face after a single calibration. Lighter-skinned employees were also consistently picked up on the first try.

Not all games make much use of Kinect's facial recognition features.

It's important to note that the problems were only experienced with the system's facial recognition feature and don't prevent users from playing Kinect games. Skeletal tracking, a primary means of controlling games with Kinect, appeared to work the same for all GameSpot employees.

The system's inability to recognize a user only means that he or she would need to sign in manually and some games' features may not work properly as a result. For example, when a second player joins in to Kinect Adventures during the title's drop-in, drop-out multiplayer, the system can't bring up that player's proper in-game avatar automatically if it can't identify the new user first.

If Kinect does have some technical issues related to users' pigmentation, it wouldn't be a first for recognition technology. Last holiday season, users of Hewlett-Packard computers with built-in webcams reported problems with a face-tracking feature.

HP blamed the problem on the webcam's technology, "standard algorithms that measure the difference in intensity of contrast between the eyes and the upper cheek and nose." It said the system could have problems "seeing" that contrast if there is insufficient foreground lighting.

[UPDATE 11/4] GameSpot continued its testing of Kinect today with more users in different rooms and different clothing. At first, the two employees who originally would not be recognized by the camera were correctly identified on the first try. However, when one changed from a light blue shirt to a black shirt (but stayed in the same room with the same lighting), the camera again failed to recognize him after multiple calibration tests. It also failed to recognize another darker-skinned GameSpot employee after four calibration attempts.

Somehow, those issues may not completely undermine the camera's ability to use facial recognition features. Despite the Xbox 360's insistence that it could not recognize some of the GameSpot employees immediately after calibration, the system was able to recognize them and sign them in properly when they waved at the camera, regardless of their clothing.

The official story: "The goal of Kinect is to break down the barriers for everyone to play, and it will work with people of all shapes and ethnicities at launch."--A Microsoft representative, who added that Kinect owners having calibration or recognition problems can call 1-800-4-MY-XBOX.

[UPDATE 2]: After the additional testing, Microsoft provided further comment, saying, "Kinect works with people of all skin tones. And just like a camera, optimal lighting is best. Anyone experiencing issues with facial recognition should adjust their lighting settings, as instructed in the Kinect Tuner."

Bogus or not bogus: Not bogus that Kinect has problems identifying some users. Abstain on how widespread those problems are, or whether they're due to skin color at all. With the system launching tonight and Microsoft expecting to sell 5 million by year's end, it shouldn't be long before the scope and cause of such problems are identified.