Monolithic publisher EA has today announced an agreement with Elevation Partners to purchase VG Holding Corp -- a move which sees EA becoming the owner of both BioWare Corp. and Pandemic Studios. A shocking move to be certain, but one that should make complete sense to a publisher looking to strengthen its lineup of role-playing games and action titles. BioWare, currently finishing development on November's Microsoft-published Mass Effect, has proven itself to be one of the leading developers in the genre, and Pandemic Studios' Mercenaries franchise has shown an alarming propensity for blowing things up.

The purchase will cost EA up to $620 million in cash payment to the stockholders of VG Holding Corp., with another $155 million in equity going to "certain employees" of VG Holding Corp., "subject to time-based or performance-based vesting criteria." Ray Muzyka, Co-founder and CEO of BioWare Corp, thinks it's money well spent. "This vision is consistent with BioWare's focus on crafting the highest quality story-driven games in the world," he says. "It will enable us to further the careers of the passionate, creative and hard working teams at BioWare Edmonton and BioWare Austin."

EA will hold a conference call later today to discuss the acquisition. Oh, and here are all the exclamation marks we wanted to put in the headline: !!!!!!!!!!

George did it. And so did Beth. Now, as forecast, it's Perrin's turn. Nintendo Vice President of Marketing Perrin Kaplan has announced her retirement from the company after 15 years of service.

Kaplan did not give an explicit reason for her departure, saying only, "I finally will be leaving Nintendo at the end of the year. Until then, I am focused on getting a great transition team in place and handling all of my normal responsibilities as well." It had been speculated that the marketing exec trio -- now all officially on course to retire -- would leave Nintendo after plans to relocate the company's PR headquarters from Washington to San Francisco and New York were revealed in May. But this theory remains pure speculation. Think about it: there are plenty of other circumstances that could have prompted Kaplan's resignation ... well, actually, we can only think of one.

Lending some convincing creed-ence (OOF!) to those nearly forgotten rumors, the DS version of Assassin's Creed has appeared on Nintendo's "holidays and beyond" release list. Those hoping to abandon their Pokémans in favor of, uh, poking a man in the back with a dagger should note that the game falls into the "beyond" part of Nintendo's schedule. Ubisoft's pint-sized bump-off sim is currently set for release in February 2008.

Aside from a release window, not much is known about the game. Will it play anything like November's console versions? Will the stylus be used to simulate violent and inevitably controversial slashing motions? We've already sent the appropriate demand to Ubisoft: Your assassinz, let you show me them.

Did someone say something about a lack of third-party support? Nintendo is eager to dispell that notion – or perhaps they simply feel bad about delaying Smash Bros. Brawl – but, regardless, they've released an enormous list of games coming to the Wii and DS platforms. Nintendo's George Harrison (is he still working there?) crowed, "Because of Wii and Nintendo DS momentum, third-party publishers are supporting our systems like never before." We don't know how much we'd brag about a history of poor third-party support but the list – conveniently contained after the break – shows off many of the releases planned through early 2008.

Notable inclusions: The long-rumored Assassin's Creed for Nintendo DS, the Japanese imports Flash Focus: Vision Training in Minutes a Day and Master of Illusion, and the soon-to-be-blockbuster Elf Bowling (Collector's Edition no less). Alright, so this is a really big list, so let's use the power of numbers to defeat it! Anything really important we're missing?

At a media summit this morning in San Francisco, Nintendo of America's George Harrison (via MTV Multiplayer) has confirmed that the US version of Smash Bros. Brawl will follow in its Japanese brethren's footsteps and be delayed until February 10, 2008.

The loss of this future bestseller during the holiday season will definitely sadden some fans (and Nintendo's profit margin), but then again Mario Galaxy is also coming in November (so far as we know) and it was always uncharacteristic of Nintendo to space AAA-title releases so close together.

No word yet on a delay for PAL territories, though we suspect a similar fate.

Nintendo has announced at their fall press conference (via IGN) that Sonic the Hedgehog, having already put aside 16-bit differences to challenge Mario in the Olympics, has joined the lineup for Smash Bros. Brawl. A new trailer was shown at the event that shows him transforming into Super Sonic. Anyone want to take bets on what his down+B special move is going to be?

Also announced was the inclusion of online cooperative play. While North American Smash Bros. fans might be finding it hard to wait until December 3 to pick up the game, Japanese gamers have it even harder - Nintendo also announced that Brawl isn't hitting Japan until January 24, 2008.

Because your trusty 486, TURBO MODE and all, simply isn't good enough to cope with the lush forests and cybernetic shenanigans of Crysis. Publisher EA has today chosen to end the tech spec-ulation in order to paint a clear, anti-aliased picture of the system you'll need for optimal first-person shooting. Still, if you think your filthy hobo of a mobo deserves to dine in Crytek's five star restaurant, you'd best try out the demo on October 26th.

Minimum System Requirements

• OS: Windows XP or Windows Vista
• Processor: 2.8 GHz or faster (XP) or 3.2 GHz or faster (Vista)
• Memory: 1.0 GB RAM (XP) or 1.5 GB RAM (Vista)
• Video Card: 256 MB
• Hard Drive: 12GB
• Sound Card: DirectX 9.0c compatible

Real Recommended System Requirements

• OS: Windows XP / Vista
• Processor: Intel Core 2 DUO @ 2.2GHz or AMD Athlon 64 X2 4400+
• Memory: 2.0 GB RAM
• GPU: NVIDIA GeForce 8800 GTS/640 or similar
  

Supported Processors: Intel Pentium 4 2.8 GHz (3.2 GHz for Vista) or faster, Intel Core 2.0 GHz (2.2 GHz for Vista) or faster, AMD Athlon 2800+ (3200+ for Vista) or faster.

Supported chipsets: NVIDIA GeForce 6800 GT or greater; ATI Radeon 9800 Pro (Radeon X800 Pro for Vista) or greater. Laptop versions of these chipsets may work but are not supported. Integrated chipsets are not supported. Updates to your video and sound card drivers may be required.



[Via EA press release]

The 40GB PlayStation 3 models, devoid of any PS2-related semiconductors, will likely not have any options for backwards compatibility in the future. Speaking to Joystiq, SCEE Director of Corporate Communications Nick Sharples said that there are no plans to offer emulation software as downloadable content at a later date.

"We have no plans to do so at the moment. The sheer numbers of PS2 titles available, together with the increased complexity of using a software only solution for each and every title means that to ensure accurate software emulation for the majority would be technically challenging, time consuming and costly," he said.

"As we have mentioned on several occasions, our engineering resources are now focused on developing new and innovative features and services for the PS3 and, as a result the 40GB model does not have backwards compatibility with PS2 titles," he said.

When asked about the fate of future emulation updates for 80GB and PAL-territory 60GB models that are running software-supported backwards compatibility, Sharples told us, "the current PS3 system software and future updates will continue to support backwards compatibility for the current 60GB and 80GB models." He later added, "The current solution offers around 90% backwards compatibility with PS2 titles and we are able to help publishers to make sure any new PS2 titles are backwards compatible with the 60GB and 80GB models."

Sharples had no information on today's rumor concerning the 40GB model coming to North America. Included after the break is Sony's statement confirming the loss of PS2 semiconductors in the latest model.

Sony has announced that the 40GB version of the PS3 will enter the European market on Oct. 10th, for a price of €399 ($565). The unit sports only two USB ports (instead of four) and does not include the multi-memory ports. And, in a move we absolutely cannot understand, the new model is not backwards compatible with PS2 discs. Seriously.

Since BC is handled by software emulation (in the 80GB model), why is it gone from the 40-gigger? It's not that DVD support has been removed from the Blu-ray drive, as Sony continues to hype DVD movie upscaling. But the official line is, "the new model is no longer backwards compatible with PlayStation 2 titles, reflecting both the reduced emphasis placed on this feature amongst later purchasers of PS3, as well as the availability of a more extensive line-up of PS3 specific titles." Extensive? Don't even get us started...

If BC's on your checklist, you best scoop up a Starter Pack (now €499) "while stocks last."

[Via PS3 Fanboy]

Just goes to show you, never say never.

Bungie has just announced that they've "reached an unprecedented and exciting agreement" that they'll "branch off" from the Microsoft Game Studios mothership and become Bungie, LLC, an independent company, starting ... today (well, technically October 1, but effective immediately)! Worried about Halo going to another, less competent developer? No need, the studio will retain a long-term publishing agreement with Microsoft Game Studios for Halo titles. Other titles? All they're saying is that they "will continue to develop with [their] primary focus on Microsoft's platforms." With Microsoft holding a minority equity interest in the company, that's not surprising.

Unsurprisingly, Microsoft is also retaining ownership of the Halo property (MGS chief Shane Kim calls it "our Halo entertainment property") as well as reserving first crack at publishing any Bungie-developed IP. We're left wondering if Marathon counts as a Halo property or a Bungie property ...

What are the immediate repercussions of this division? According to Bungie, "Practically speaking, nothing has changed and you guys won't see much, if any difference, for a while ...." We hope it means that somehow they'll be able to bring the same level of skill to a project besides Halo.

Read - Bungie Studios Becomes Privately Held Independent Company (Bungie press release)
Read - Microsoft and Bungie Studios to Evolve Relationship (MS press release)

[Update: GameDaily spoke with Bungie's Frank O'Connor about the "evolution" which, he says, has been in the planning stages for "about a year." He confirms they're not through with Halo yet; they're still working on the Peter Jackson project and DLC for Halo 3. As for Marathon, despite its close ties to the Halo universe, Bungie retains the rights to that property, while MS owns Halo and Take-Two owns Myth and Oni.]

The PC version of Gears of War -- that would be the personal computer version mind you, not the parentally correct one which replaces all the chainsaws with comically large walkie-talkies -- has been scheduled for release on November 6th. Shacknews reports that the testosterone explosion epic will be bolstered by loads of new content, including 5 single-player chapters, three multiplayer maps, a game editor and a showdown with the Brumak. (In case you're not familiar with Gears of War's monster lexicon, the Brumak is a very large monster that you'll want to shoot as much possible.)

While you're waiting for the wildly popular franchise to arrive on your overclocked and garishly lit machine, read our hands-on impressions and carefully ponder which charismatic thespian would best fit into Marcus' curb-stompers.

One of the most interesting, and certainly most unique video games coming to the PlayStation 3 this year is Sony and SCE Studios Japan's Eye of Judgment, which combines elements of a physical collectible card game with that of a traditional video game for an experience that is, if anything, wholly its own.

While the influence of card games like Magic: The Gathering and Pokemon has long been felt in video games, Eye of Judgment represents the first time to our recollection that the marriage of the two mediums has evolved beyond gameplay to take on a more literal meaning. With real cards you hold in your hand, and a playing mat unfolded on the table, it's entirely possible to play Eye of Judgment with no PS3 involvement whatsoever, and even have a good deal of fun doing so. However, as the game comes bundled with the PS3's new PlayStation Eye camera, it seems a shame to leave such shiny new hardware ignored, so when the game showed up at Joystiq proper, we were inclined to put the new device through the wringer.

There are some caveats to consider, but first place is first place. Media Create's Japanese software sales chart (as detailed by Gamasutra) shows Microsoft's absurdly popular sci-fi shooter in first place having sold 59,000 copies in the last week. It's a relatively modest debut in a sluggish sales period, but Halo 3 is one of a scant few titles to ascend the chart and indeed, the wall of apathy Japanese gamers have constructed around all things Xbox.

Master Chief even managed to best Nintendo's Pokémon franchise, if only because of Nintendo's habit of splitting each installment into two similar but separate versions. With 55,000 units sold, Pókemon Mystery Dungeon 2 nips at Halo 3's heels in second place -- had its sales been combined with its counterpart, Master Chief would be finishing the foreign fight sans legs. Of course, that's nothing $300 million can't replace.

And now, a scene from Microsoft HQ:

Bill Gates: Listen, those Bungie guys are OK, and it's great having them on the softball team and all. But I think it's time we set them free.

Shane Kim: Yes, of course sir.

Bill: Let's let them get out there in the world, you know? Make that Pimps at Sea game they're always talking about. After all, Halo 3 only brought us in $170 million, that's like 10,000 Segways, that's nothing.

Shane: Actually sir, our most recent report is that the game made $300 million in its first week.

Bill: ... How late is Shackles, Chains and Beyond open?

Despite confirming an October 19th release date early last month, NCSoft has announced their years-in-the-making MMO Tabula Rasa will see a minor delay, bumped two weeks back to November 2. A message from the game's producer, Starr Long (now that's a stellar name!), on the official site explains, "This short but critical amount of time will give us time to address several issues including stability and balance as well as allowing our players to test the continent of Ligo (L38+) and our major changes to crafting for a few weeks rather than a few days."

Don't get all worried pre-orderers, your Halloween plans aren't ruined after all; you'll still get the game three days early on Oct. 30. Everyone else, what can we say besides we're sorry?

[Via Gamespot]