Just when you thought things couldn't get any weirder at Activision. Bungie has just announced that it has entered into a ten-year publishing agreement with Activision, which will receive exclusive, worldwide rights to publish all games based on Bungie's "next big action game universe." The deal also notes that Activision will have the rights to publish said games on "multiple platforms and devices," meaning Bungie's longstanding Xbox exclusivity may come to an end.

Furthermore, the agreement specifies that Bungie will remain an independent company and will retain all rights to its intellectual property. Bungie president Harold Ryan notes that the two companies have been working on the deal "over the past nine months."

The specificity of the agreement is noteworthy, especially that Activision only has rights to publish games based on Bungie's new intellectual property -- its "next big action game universe," whatever that may be. The fact that Bungie will retain ownership of its IP is particularly interesting, especially in light of the widening rift between Activision and Infinity Ward.

When Bungie famously split with Microsoft in 2007, it was assumed Microsoft would retain first right of refusal on any future Bungie projects. It's unclear why (or if) Microsoft refused Bungie's latest project, though the company's apparent multiplatform ambitions would provide a likely explanation -- that is, assuming Bungie doesn't have more than one project in the pipeline.

Update: Added commentary from Activision's Thomas Tippl and Bungie's Harold Ryan after the break.

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Good news, Android users, GameFly's GameCenter app is no longer just for your jerk iPhone-owning friends. That's right, GameFly has released an Android version of the app, putting the rental service at your mobile fingertips.

The app allows users to manage their rental queues, check out trailers and browse game news. Finally, you can watch GameFly inexplicably ship the game at the bottom of your list on the go! GameCenter is available now on the Android Market.

Listen up, folks, because this week's Swag Saturday is serious. Serious Sam that is. We've got ten (count 'em, ten) redemption codes for Serious Sam HD: The Second Enounter through Steam. The codes grant you the game itself and, as an added bonus, they will also net you the playable Ugh-Zan pre-order bonus, if you redeem before the game's official launch on Wednesday, April 28. Like we said: Serious.

• Leave a comment telling us how serious you are about winning
• You must be 18 years or older and a resident of the US or Canada (excluding Quebec -- you know why).
• Limit 1 entry per person per day.
• This entry period ends at 3:00PM ET on Sunday, April 25.
• At that time, we'll randomly select ten winners, who will each receive one redemption code through Steam for Serious Sam HD: The Second Encounter (ARV: $19.99).
• For a list of complete rules, click here.

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What is Joyswag? Since we don't keep the games and merchandise we receive for review or promotional purposes, it becomes "Joyswag," which is passed along to our readers. Please note that Joyswag may be in "used" condition.

For more info on our policy, click here.

It's okay, you don't have to read this. You saw that there was a new Backbreaker video and you came to watch some dudes get tackled. That's fine, and we understand. So, really, you don't have to read this just to make us feel like we're earning our keep. Besides, we've already seen the video, and you should totally watch it. Like, seriously, so many dudes get tackled.

Actually, there is one thing you should read: The Backbreaker release date has been pushed back a week to June 1. Okay, now you can watch.

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The saga of a new GoldenEye game -- or the possible re-release of the original -- has acquired yet another new wrinkle. Said wrinkle comes in the form of a new internet domain registered by Activision. The domain in question, uncovered by superannuation, is goldeneyegame.com, which certainly points to some sort of revival for the storied title. While the prospects of an actual re-release of Rare's N64 classic have been all but crushed, an artist's resume discovered in October 2009 did mention work on a GoldenEye 2010 for Activision.

Assuming the resume was accurate, Activision could be securing the domain in advance of an announcement. It's also unclear if any of this ties into James Bond: Bloodstone, the alleged title of the Bond game in development at Bizarre. We know Activision has Bond plans for 2010, but could the company be preparing us for a double-0 dose of espionage, perhaps rolling out a new version of GoldenEye to drum up interest for Bloodstone? Or maybe the company is simply getting its ducks in a row in case it does decide to revive GoldenEye.

Whatever it is, something is definitely stirring shaking at Activision.

The surprising news that Warner Bros. has acquired Turbine just might have a price tag now, if rumors are correct. While financial details of the deal were not disclosed when the news broke earlier this week, Boston.com notes that "a source close to the negotiations" values the deal at up to $160 million. Reportedly, that amount also includes "sums to be paid to Turbine shareholders in future years if the company meets certain financial targets."

It's unknown what those targets are, but it's worth noting that Dungeons & Dragons Online received a sizable shot in the arm when it went free-to-play last year. In fact, Turbine's Jim Crowley noted that the game now hosts over 1 million players, though he didn't elaborate on how many are paying customers.

The article also notes that the acquisition gives Warner Bros. the complete rights to the Lord of the Rings universe, as Turbine owns the rights for online games, while WB already had the offline rights. However, Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment president Martin Tremblay expects more than Lord of the Rings games from Turbine in the future. According to Tremblay, WBIE hopes to open its online games platform to "much more new product" in the future.

[Via Big Download]

After it was first announced in July of 2009, the free release of MechWarrior 4 has finally been cleared by Microsoft. The announcement comes weeks after MekTek, the studio behind the free release, revealed that the project was being held up by Microsoft's legal department. The delay resulted in financial trouble for the studio, which was actually paying out-of-pocket to maintain its servers.

MekTek believes that the revelation of the legal hold up -- and the subsequent news coverage and forum traffic -- played a role in expediting the release. The company has also thanked its partners Smith & Tinker, Virtual World Entertainment and Catalyst Game Labs for "pressing Microsoft to allow for the release."

MekTek advises fans to "stay tuned" for the impending free launch of MechWarrior 4.

The pair of Halo: Reach special edition packages we shared with you yesterday have been verified by Microsoft. In addition to a standard edition (which includes the best part: the game), a $79.99 Limited Edition will be sold in special ONI "black box" packaging, along with an exclusive in-game Elite armor set for multiplayer and an "artifact bag" containing "Dr. Halsey's personal journal and other classified documents and effects that unravel long held secrets from the Halo universe."

Meanwhile, the $149.99 Legendary Edition will come in UNSC packaging and contain everything found in the Limited Edition, plus a hand-painted, numbered statue of Noble Team (crafted by McFarlane Toys) and an "exclusive multiplayer Spartan armor effect." That effect, incidentally: flaming helmet. You can peruse the contents of each edition -- including screens of the Elite armor and flaming helmet -- in the gallery below.

If you've yet to snag an invitation to the StarCraft 2 beta, then this news post is for you! A tipster has alerted us to the StarCraft 2 product page on GameStop, which notes that pre-ordering the game will net players their own invitations to join the Zerg-stomping fun. The offer applies to both the $60 regular edition and the $100 collector's edition and can be redeemed either in-store or online. One quick note to the sneaky types out there: The product page states that orders cannot be canceled once your beta code has been received.

But hey, you were going to buy it anyway, and It's not like anyone would game the system just for a free beta ticket, right? Of course not.

Update: According to tipster Aaron and one of our commenters, Amazon pre-orders are now receiving StarCraft 2 beta invitations as well. We've contacted Amazon to confirm but, in the meantime, have any other Amazon customers out there received their beta key already?

Update 2: Amazon has confirmed that its StarCraft 2 pre-orders do come with beta access. The first wave of invitations was sent out today. Future pre-orders should receive their beta invitation "within a few days."

[Thanks, Chris]

Deus Ex: Human Revolution may be a long ways off, but that doesn't mean you can't enjoy the first two games in the series right now. In fact, if you've never dabbled in the series before, now is the perfect time, as Steam has both Deus Ex: Game of the Year Edition and its sequel Deus Ex: Invisible War on sale. Normally $9.99 each, both games have been lowered to a ridiculously low $2.50. According to Joystiq sister site Big Download, the sale is on until Thursday, so get your cheap cyber-action while it's hot.

You'd think one April Xbox Live schedule would be enough, but apparently not for Microsoft. The company just issued another release schedule packed with Xbox Live Arcade, DLC, Games on Demand, Avatar goodies and Deals of the Qeek. Leading the pack is the long-awaited release of Tecmo Bowl Throwback. Xbox owners can also expect new Game Room titles, Left 4 Dead 2 and BioShock 2 DLC and a half-priced The Dishwasher: Dead Samurai. Check out a full list of the impending releases after the break.

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Update 2: Now with a trailer!

That's right, everyone's favorite retro football experience Tecmo Bowl Throwback, finally has a solid release date. According to Microsoft's most recent Xbox Live schedule, Tecmo's revamped classic will tackle Xbox Live Arcade on April 28 for 800 ($10). We've contacted Tecmo to find out if the PSN version will be released during the same week as well.

Update: Tecmo has informed Joystiq (and Twitter) that the release date for the PSN version has not been set.

Download in HD from Big DownloadRumored over the weekend to have been revealed at Captivate 2010, Bionic Commando Rearmed 2 is now official. The game is slated to once again hit Xbox Live Arcade and PlayStation Network in Q1 2011 -- no PC version has been announced. While fans might have hoped development would be helmed by Might & Delight, the studio formed by the ex-Grin staffers responsible for the original Rearmed, the task's been handed to Fatshark, the studio behind Lead & Gold.

The sequel sees Nathan Spencer return, this time fighting the presumably evil General Sabio, "a new technologically sophisticated foe," who is "on the brink of launching a deadly missile attack." Rearmed 2 also promises new weapons, two-player co-op (no word if it's online this time) and new tunes from the same composers who created the brilliant soundtrack for the original Rearmed.

Of course, none of that is important because, as the debut trailer makes quite clear, Nathan has learned how to jump.

Some people would have you believe that the printed word is on the way out, but it turns out the medium is undead after all. No, you're not i-Majini-ng things, there really is a Resident Evil 5 art book, and it's shambling to shelves this July. Entitled The Art of Resident Evil 5, the book is being released by Udon and contains loads of content from the game, including "3D models, character designs, environments, storyboards, and promotional art." It also includes "never before seen concept art and unused designs," creator commentary and interviews with the development staff.

You can pre-order the 204 page book from Amazon, where it's currently selling for $26.39 (34 percent off the usual $39.99 price tag).

[Via Capcom-Unity]