Blizzard Entertainment uncovers the female version of the Monk character class in its upcoming hack'n'slash RPG, Diablo III.

Details, screenshots, concept art and more await you on Blizzard's official Diablo III web site.

To sum up, it's a monk. She's a female. It's Diablo III.

There.

We accompany Dante as he descends through the Nice Circles of Hell. You slice and dice hellish minions and tormented souls, punish or absolve them - it's basically a Vicar's wet-dream. Here's a bit from the article:

This game also hurls a huge chunk of blood and all sorts of "naughty-naughty" content, including bouncing boobies and tiny weird-looking babies emerging from enormous tits on a huge chick-boss (I'm not making it up).

Is there more to it?

Find out in our review of Dante's Inferno.

Okay, so now we know what Ubisoft's "big announcement" is. The publisher just officially confirmed the development of Tom Clancy’s Ghost Recon: Future Soldier. Ubisoft’s Paris studio is working on this one and we were told it's going to be released worldwide Holiday 2010.

People behind Tom Clancy’s Ghost Recon Advanced Warfighter and Tom Clancy’s Ghost Recon Advanced Warfighter 2 are involved with the project. First info indicates that the game will feature "cutting-edge technology, prototype high-tech weaponry, and state-of-the-art single-player and multiplayer modes."

"Tom Clancy’s Ghost Recon: Future Soldier will go beyond the core Ghost Recon franchise and deliver a fresh gameplay experience, with an unparalleled level of quality that will excite long-time fans and newcomers alike," says Ubi.

Ubisoft also promised a Tom Clancy’s Ghost Recon: Future Soldier’s Multiplayer Beta this summer 2010. Beta invitations are going to be on offer for a limited time to customers who purchase Splinter Cell Conviction for the Xbox 360, which launches on April 16.

Get ready to be cheesed off. We've already mentioned EA's financial results in our previous news about DA 2. Well, the publisher doesn't have Dead Space 2, Visceral Games' action horror sequel, in its Fiscal Q4 2011. Entries for consoles and handhelds were noted, but no word on a PC version at all.

Having the PC edition at a later date seemed like a logical idea; that is until EA public relations revealed: "As of right now a PC sku is not in the plan" (thanks, Blue).

No explanations were offered for the time being. We were recently informed that Dead Space 2 will focus more on action and less on horror elements.

Oh and in case you're interested there's a Dead Space 2 teaser image released right this way.

BioWare announced that Dragon Age: Origins sold-in over 3.2 million units worldwide, according to internal EA data Since the game's launch back in Fall 2009. While the game already received two DLC packs (Warden’s Keep and Return to Ostagar), the developers are also planning to release a full expansion pack, Dragon Age: Origins – Awakening, currently set to hit the market on March 16, 2010.

“This is a tremendous start for the Dragon Age franchise and we are extremely pleased with the great reception the game has already received from critics and fans worldwide,” said Dr. Ray Muzyka, co-founder, BioWare and Group General Manager of the RPG/MMO Group of EA. “Our team is dedicated to crafting high quality, engaging new adventures and stories in the world of Ferelden for our fans!”

In related news, we can expect a new Dragon Age game between January and March 2011. That's according to EA's recently issued release schedule and Q3 financials, which confirm a "Dragon Age Title" for console, handheld and PC. The game has a huge "TBA" slapped on, so it's early to say anything about it.

Still, if there's one thing we've learned about Dragon Age 2 is that BioWare means to deliver an improved visual experience. "I can confirm that we're doing a lot of work on the Dragon Age engine, and doing a lot of stuff to pump it -- to make it visually super hot," BioWare's Dr. Greg Zeschuk commented about a week ago.

Any of you guys seen Sherlock Holmes yet? Been hearing some good things about it, so I thought I'd ask you lot for an opinion on it - I'll probably regret asking later on, but what the heck.

Anyhow, please share your thoughts if you've seen the flick.

Must say, I like how this one's shaping up:

click to view full gallery

click to view full gallery

Rockstar's Red Dead Redemption will be out on Xbox 360 and PS3 consoles on April 27 this year.

PC and PS3 versions of the recently released playable multiplayer demo for Aliens vs. Predator were both crammed with bugs. Meanwhile, the Xbox 360 demo is soaring, registering 14,000 downloads on Xbox Live over the weekend.

"Just looking at how the demo's been rated on Xbox Live tells its own story - 14,000 downloads in a few days and an approval rating of 4.5/5, we're absolutely delighted with the response," Senior Producer Dave Brickley said.

"Someone described it as being an Avatar day - people's perceptions were turned upside down but having had time to get to grips with the combat system and the three species the comments are almost humbling, they see what we've done is deliver something genuinely new and fresh, a real reason to stop playing what they are currently, and we just can't have asked for more than that - and they've only seen one mode," he added.

Read more here.

LucasArts just announced LEGO Star Wars III: The Clone Wars. The game is going to include all characters from both seasons of the animated TV series, Star Wars: The Clone Wars, as well as some "fan-favorite characters" from the Star Wars flicks. Brand new battle modes were promised that treat players to "unique, head-to-head combat and an upgraded level builder, allowing the creation of customized bases and in-game battlefields."

“LucasArts continues to set the bar for next-generation family entertainment,” said Darrell Rodriguez, president of LucasArts. “The LEGO Star Wars franchise is a massive hit with fans, bringing in sales of over 20 million units worldwide. We’re thrilled to extend this experience to LEGO Star Wars III: The Clone Wars, delivering the humour and fun players expect from this award winning franchise.”

“LucasArts is an amazing partner, and working with them on the next iteration of the LEGO Star Wars series continues to be a great experience,” said Tom Stone, director at TT Games. “The team at TT is working hard at making this simply the best LEGO game ever with all new gameplay and features never before seen in a LEGO game.”

We're given a chance to peek at the melee combat tutorial in the upcoming shooter Aliens vs. Predator (PC/360/PS3):

He's at it again. Lionhead Studio boss Peter Molyneux confirmed that the development studio has big plans for their upcoming action RPG Fable III. Word has it that there's going to be a big Fable III reveal at Microsoft's X10 event.

"We're making some announcements about Fable III and there's some very, very big things happening in Fable. Bigger than you think. And it's going to really upset people," he told Gamereactor.

"I'm really scared when I go out and tell people what it is they're going to get super pissed off, they really are."

Oh Pete, you and your pre-release insanity... Well, at least he's not using terms like "revolutionary gameplay" and "ground-breaking stuff."

Anyway, my guess is that this announcement has something to do with Project Natal.

Source.

BioWare is eager to keep their successful Mass Effect franchise going and they're already talking about the third installment in the series. In a recent interview, BioWare's Ray Muzyka spoke a bit about the future of the ME license (and BioWare games in general).

Here's a snip from the interview:

IGN: What's your standpoint on morality systems in games, and what do you think the next evolution of morality will be? Dragon Age's lack of, or Mass Effect's defined numbers?

Ray Muzyka: Dragon Age's system was more on an individual companion basis, where they all judged you on their own moral spectrum. We're all different from one another, so some would like you and some others wouldn't depending on what you did. You remember, if you had different characters with you, someone would comment on your decisions and their 'like/dislike' meter would go up or down accordingly. Just like real life – if you do something that I dislike, my mental view of you will change depending on what I see you do.

Read on.

By the look of it, publisher Ubisoft is preparing a major announcement this week. Ubi's community dudes Aymeric Evennou and Kimi Matsuzaki both Tweeted on this (news via EG).

"I'd only say: 'Big announcement coming up next week,' and I mean BIG," said Evennou on Friday. "TGIF all! Looking forward to a Big announcement coming up next week," revealed Matsuzaki.

Hm, this could be one or two things. New Ghost Recon game? Tidbits on Beyond Good & Evil 2 perhaps?

Dunno, really. Let's just wait and see.

Yeah, so, CBS made some "crucial" changes to the slogan in the Dante's Inferno Superbowl commercial. With a few nice touches, it sounds better than ever before.

AT COMIC: Go to Hell And Be Nice About It

Man, the gaming season hasn't stopped. Apart from a brief pause in December when I had very little to play (well, mostly King's Bounty: Armored Princes and Divinity 2), there's quite a lot to dip into right now.

What can I say, keep saving them Canadian loonies... you're gonna need 'em.