Strategy Informer  

Bioware has confirmed via Twitter that it will be releasing free DLC ready for the launch of Mass Effect 2 on January 26.

"Addressing rumors: BioWare will not be charging extra for any new Mass Effect 2 content on launch day. More DLC details next week." said the firm on Twitter.

Mass Effect 2 will release for PC and Xbox 360 on January 26. Check back soon for our full review.

Ex-EA man Mitch Lasky has blogged a damning piece of EA's haemorrhaging of market value over these last few years, noting $11bn is gone.

Lasky says it's "amazing" the EA board continues to back "existing management", pointing the finger at reins-holder CEO John Riccitiello.

Ubisoft has picked a winner with Assassin's Creed, with fans always wanting more of its antics, especially after #2's many improvements.

Previously the studio has said they need to "find the right time period and place" for the next instalment, and even hinted at a female lead?

It's that time again when the NPD gets all number crazy, showing us what consumers blow their cash on. 2009 raked in $20.2bn in US game sales.

That plump figure though is down 8 percent from 2008's $21.4 billion. NPD says big sales "a positive move" for games to recover in 2010.

Publisher Ubisoft broke some more hearts recently, announcing that the long awaited Splinter Cell: Conviction is to be delayed yet again.

The top bosses want it polished more, as 'looking brilliant' just doesn't cut it. It was due February 26th but now lies somewhere in FY2010.

That strange game-making tool Kodu, talked about way back when, has just got its public beta for PC. We're all developers now, sort of.

Microsoft has also announced a new Lips game for Xbox 360, subtitled 'Party Classics'. It's got Avatars in it, with unlockables for them.

Janco Partners analyst Mike Hickey has said John Riccitiello's "inability to execute" well this year could spell the end of his CEO reign at EA.

It's those shares not rising enough, compared with rivals THQ and Activision. Michael Pachter notes investors "feel betrayed" by bosses.

Thanks to the online CV of BioWare's Rob Bartel, we know the developer has an action title hidden away somewhere with multiplayer infused.

Bartel is both Principal and Lead Multiplayer Designer for this secret action gem. This could be an all-new IP, or something revived perhaps?

Ubisoft announced today that registration is now open for the beta test of the upcoming PC sequel The Settlers 7: Paths to a Kingdom. The beta will start January 19th and will offer the tutorial missions of the single-player campaign as well as skirmish maps for multiplayer modes or games against the AI.

Click here to register an account for the beta. A ubi.com account is needed for registration. For more information on The Settlers 7: Paths to a Kingdom visit the official website: www.thesettlers.com.

Ubisoft has confirmed that it's working on a new game in the Tom Clancy's Ghost Recon series, along with a new Driver game.

Details are extremely slim, but it has also mentioned a new episode for Assassin's Creed, which will contain an online multiplayer mode. We don't know if this will be released as a new game or if it'll be DLC.