Bioware is Hesitant to Unmask Tali for Mass Effect 3

In an interview with CVG, Mass Effect 3 executive producer Casey Hudson said that the design of Tali’s true face has been a subject of serious stress for Bioware. As fans of the series know, Tali has been perpetually masked since the original Mass Effect, and what’s underneath the mask is one of the series’ great mysteries. Apparently it’s a mystery to Bioware as well: Hudson says that the Mass Effect team hasn’t even decided if they’ll show Tali without her mask, forget about what she’ll look like.

Gears of War 3 Build Leaks Through Torrents, Youtube

According to Neogaf, a developer build of Gears of War 3 has been leaked onto torrent sites. The leaked version allegedly includes both the full single-player campaign and multiplayer modes.

Gears of War 3 Chainsaws your Face on September 20th

After a long period in limbo, Gears of War 3 finally has a hard release date again.  Epic Games announced today that Fenix and Co. will be back in action on September 20th.  Epic had been saying that the game would be released this Fall since they retracted their original projected release date, April 5th.

If September feels like an unbearably long time to wait, then go pick up Epic’s newly-released shooter Bulletstorm.  It’s supposed to be a great game, (I’ve only played the demo, which I really liked) AND buying the game on Xbox 360 gets you access to the GoW 3 multiplayer beta.

Via Joystiq

Youtube Looks to Produce Video Platform for Consoles

Google has put up a want ad for programmers and designers from the gaming industry to create a “next generation game-console-based TV experience with YouTube video content.”  There is already a YouTube portal available on Wii and PS3, YouTube XL, but it’s somewhat unwieldy and works through the consoles’ respective internet browsers.  Presumably this new program would be similar to console “apps” like Netflix, Hulu Plus and ESPN.  Qualified candidates should have “deep technical knowledge of Microsoft Xbox 360, Sony PlayStation 3 and/or Nintendo Wii.”

A proper YouTube portal is long overdue, especially considering how many gamers put up speed runs and random clips from games.  Finally, no more cameras pointed at the TV!

Via Joystiq

Sesame Street Kinect Game Coming From Double Fine

Worried that Double Fine productions would never make a disc-sized console game ever again?  It’s been two years since Brutal Legend and studio head Tim Schaffer has said that enjoys working on DLC titles because there’s less pressure to be a major success and more room to take risks.  Double Fine’s last two games, Costume Quest and Stacking, were both considered great successes in DLC landscape.  What reason could they possibly have to make Psychonauts 2?

Two Words:  Cookie Monster.

Dance Central Survey Points to Potential New Features

A recent survey from Microsoft shows some of the types of features the studio is looking into for the sequel.  Dance Central 2 has supposedly been in pre-production since before the original was even released.

Some of potential features look to expand the game’s functionality; the ability to choreograph custom dances will appeal to core fans, while the addition of back-up dancers will add some Rock-Bandesque co-op gameplay.  Apparently there may also be a “fitness mode”, pushing the game even further into the casual zone.   There are also some technical improvements listed; the ability to replay specific portions of a dance and more helpful advice on how to improve.

Huh? Halo Remake Coming This Year!?

I think somebody hates me.  Last week G4T reported that, based on an interview from 343 Industries development director Frank O’Connor, it seemed unlikely that there would be a new entry to the Halo franchise in 2011, and that 343 industries’ next project would not be a remake of Halo: Combat Evolved.  Shortly after that report, Joystiq claimed to have confirmed that 343 is in fact working on a remake of Halo:CE, which will be released in time for the game’s tenth anniversary this November.

If the Joystiq report is accurate, then the remake is being developed by Saber Interactive (Timeshift, Inversion) and produced by 343 Industries.  The graphics for the remake will be done from scratch, as opposed to HD updates like the God of War and Sly Collections:  The remake will support 1080p and 3D graphics.  Also, the Halo remake will likely feature online co-op, a staple for more recent entries in the series.  Joystiq believes that the game will be released on November 15th, the tenth anniversary of the Halo franchise.

As of today, this is all simply conjecture:  Neither Microsoft, 343 Industries or Saber Interactive have confirmed that the Halo remake is actually in the works.  We’ll keep you up to speed as more information comes to light.

343 Industries says no new Halo in 2011

343 Industries development director Frank O’Connor spoke to some of the many rumors regarding the future of Halo franchise.  Speaking with Official Xbox Magazine UK, O’Connor said that the studio “has nothing to announce right now,” but he did leave behind some clues, mostly to deny many popular rumors about their first Halo project.

Rumor: Microsoft Will Announce Hulu Service for Xbox 360 at E3

According to tech news site Gear Live, (Via Kotaku) Microsoft will announce at E3 that Xbox Live users will be able to stream television and movies from Hulu with a paid subscription.  The announcement wouldn’t be much of a surprise; rumors of a similar subscription-based Hulu service for the iPad, as well as a premium version of the video streaming site for PCs have been around for a LONG time now.

In addition to making Hulu Xbox Live-ready, the consensus is that the premium service would allegedly give members access to an expanded library of content:  For example, while current and future non-paying Hulu users are only able to watch the five most recently aired episodes of a TV show like “Glee”, premium members would be able to watch the entire season.  Another rumor alleges that premium subscribers would also see fewer ads while they watched.

The biggest mystery that remains is how much the premium and/or Xbox Live Hulu service will cost.  Also, based on what that price, will Xbox Live members be able to pay a smaller fee for access to content that would be free on a browser.  On that note, rumormongers have connected the Hulu-Xbox Live service to longstanding murmuring about a new “Platinum” level Xbox Live service.

Thats a lot of rumors.  Rumors contingent on other rumors.  Overall, however, there is a single consistent message that is clear and more than likely will occur – Hulu will be available on Xbox Live, and you will have to pay extra for it.  Knowing that, who you pay isn’t that important.

The Games of June, 2010

Because the month of June will revolves almost entirely around  E3 for the gaming industry, you would expect there to a drought of exciting new games coming out next month, right?  Surprisingly, there will be a bevy of intriguing new games to keep all you shut-ins from going outside and enjoying the warm weather.  While many gamers are going to hung up on this month’s most anticipated titles, “Metal Gear Solid: Peace Walker” and “Green Day Rock Band”, there are a good number great-looking games flying somewhat under the radar.