CI Games, a studio out of Poland led by Tomasz Gop, today sent over details of their upcoming title, Lords of the Fallen, coming to PC and next gen consoles next year. Lords of the Fallen will be a hardcore action RPG with a complex combat system. Sounding familiar? It should do, Gop was a senior producer on The Witcher 2. Here’s the blurb…

Lords of the Fallen is a hardcore action-RPG featuring an advanced combat systems and robust class skill trees. Set in a richly created fantasy world where the Gods have failed mankind, players will take on the role of a human named Harkyn who sets out on a quest to stand against an apparently unstoppable supernatural force. Players travel across a world that is deeply dived by those that follow and others that resist, the Fallen God. Along their journey they will be faced with a series of decisions that will alter both the world and their character thus dramatically impacting the storyline.

CI Games have also confirmed that Lords of the Fallen will be playable at E3 next month.

So, Valve rolled out a new addition to Steam yesterday, one designed to draw us even deeper into the depths of their wonderful online store. Steam Trading Cards are virtual trading cards you earn by playing games on Steam. It all sound so simple you wonder why it’s taken this long to arrive. Complete a set of cards and you’ll unlock a badge. Badges bring extra perks too, everything from special emoticons to vouchers for use on the Steam Store. Even better, collect the badge again and again, and you’ll level it up, RPG style, unlocking further rewards! Badges are linked to your Steam level via an XP system, which when you level up will earn you non-tradable improvements like extra friend list slots.

There are only a handful of games involved in this so far, but you have to imagine that the list will expand greatly over the coming weeks and months, and at sale time the opportunities to earn cards and badges will increase greatly. The games listed as participating so far are:

• Counter-Strike: Global Offensive
• Don’t Starve
• Dota 2
• Half Life 2
• Portal 2
• Team Fortress 2

Hardly surprising to see that Valve titles dominate, although the inclusion of Don’t Starve is hopefully great news for our pals at Klei, if it brings the game to the attention of even more people that’s a great thing.

You can join the BETA for the Trading Card system by joining the queue here. Or, if you are impatient, you can buy an invite via the Steam Marketplace here, although be warned that the price has been steadily creeping up since yesterday.

Yes, you read that headline right. Oh how I have waited to bring you good news from EA. I feel bad for them, they do some fantastic work but they get such a hard time from everyone. However, late last night a press release landed in my inbox that was nothing but good news and cheers. EA tell us their decision to universally scrap their online pass system for all future titles is , in part, based on player feedback. Some are, of course, skeptical of what this means, some even smell a trap, but I want to simply soak in the news and celebrate EA a little.

Click here to view the embedded video.

Warner Bros. Interactive have unveiled a new Scribblenauts title, coming later this year to WiiU, 3DS and PC. Scribblenauts Unmasked: A DC Comics Adventure combines the creative gameplay of Scribblenauts with the roster of characters and objects from the DC Comics line. Everything from Superman and Batman to Metropolis and Gotham City will feature as players take control of Maxwell and help him aid The Justice League in their fight against a collection of the greatest super villains of all time.

Click here to view the embedded video.

Yeah, it’s been a while, hasn’t it? My personal/family issues are ongoing, and those of you who know me personally know it’s not yet over. I’m not going to wax lyrical here about it all, suffice to say that it’s an ongoing matter but it’s being dealt with in the best possible way. Now, how about we catch up with what we missed over the last week or so while I’ve been busy…

Disney sent over some details, including a trailer for the Pirates of the Caribbean play set that is part of their upcoming Skylanders-esque effort, Disney Infinity.  Check it out…

Click here to view the embedded video.

Activision have released another character short for TMNT: Out of the Shadows, this time showcasing “Raph”. Seriously, am I the only one who remembers the turtles as Leonardo, Donatello, Michelangelo and Raphael?

Click here to view the embedded video.

How about a new gameplay trailer for The Bureay: XCOM Declassified? Ok then…

Click here to view the embedded video.

How about a collection of videos for Assassin’s Creed IV: Black Flag, exploring everything from how it’s shaping up on PS4 to the golden age of piracy.

Click here to view the embedded video.

Click here to view the embedded video.

Click here to view the embedded video.

A new trailer for Rayman Legends, titled 20,000 Lums Under The Sea, as Rayman and co battle their enemies in the depths of the ocean in their attempts to save the Glade of Dreams.

Click here to view the embedded video.

EA have confirmed that DICE, the Swedish based developer, will open a new office in Los Angeles to work specifically on new Star Wars titles. Not to be picky guys, but couldn’t you have waited more than a week after announcing a sweeping 10% reduction in your workforce? Smacks a little of insensitivity.

Finally, a plethora of new information for Dirt 2 landed. First we got confirmation of drift events alongside Asian teams and tracks in the game, including the as-of-yet unseen Hong Kong via the video below. Then we also had the complete  tracklist pop into our inbox, so we’ve included that below too. Yes, it’s alot of tracks.

Click here to view the embedded video.

• Tenshi Way, Okutama [Day & Night]
• Collins Park Ring, Miami [Day & Night]
• Indy Circuit Reversed, Brands Hatch [Day]
• GP Circuit Reversed, Red Bull Ring [Day]
• Arc De Triomphe, Paris [Day & Night]
• Le Trocadero, Paris [Sunset]
• National Circuit, Algarve [Day]
• Infield Circuit, Indianapolis [Day]
• Columbus Pass, Barcelona [Day & Night]
• South Circuit Reversed, Red Bull Ring [Day]
• Memorial Gate, Barcelona [Day & Night]
• Redwood Approach, California [Day & Night]
• Tatsu Valley, Okutama [Day & Night]
• Downtown Speedway, Miami [Day & Night]
• Pacific Way, California [Sunset]
• Big Sur, California [Day & Night]
• GP Circuit, Algarve [Day]
• Fountain Loop, Barcelona [Sunset]
• Championship Circuit, Yas Marina [Day (Pre-order) & Night]
• Shinto Shrine, Okutama [Day & Night]
• Sport Circuit , Indianapolis [Day]
• Saint-Laurent, Cote d’Azur [Day & Night]
• LiveRoutes, Dubai [Day]
• Al Sufouh Strip, Dubai [Day & Night]
• International Circuit, Yas Marina [Day (Pre-order) & Night]
• Ap Lei Chau, Hong Kong [Sunset]
• Riverside, Chicago [Sunset]
• Kowloon Climb, Hong Kong [Day & Night]
• Marine Gate, Barcelona [Day & Night]
• Paddock Circuit, Yas Marina [Day (Pre-order) & Night]
• Pont De L’alma, Paris [Day & Night]
• Nakheel Vista, Dubai [Day & Night]
• Hattan Way, Dubai [Sunset]
• North Circuit, Red Bull Ring [Day]
• Circuit De La Seine, Paris [Day & Night]
• Wan Chai Gap, Hong Kong [Day & Night]
• Causeway Approach, Miami [Day & Night]
• Ocean Drive, Miami [Sunset]
• Torii Rush, Okutama [Sunset]
• GP Circuit Reversed (Pre-order) , Brands Hatch [Day]
• The Loop, Chicago [Day & Night]
• Leopolda, Cote d’Azur [Day & Night]
• Cabrillo Highway, Cote d’Azur [Sunset]
• Mizu Mountain, Okutama [Day & Night]
• Gulf Approach, Dubai [Day & Night]
• Wabash Run, Chicago [Day & Night]
• LiveRoutes, Chicago [Day]
• Route d’Azur, Cote d’Azur [Day & Night]
• GP Circuit (Pre-order), Brands Hatch [Day]
• La Turbie, Cote d’Azur [Day & Night]
• Peak Road Descent, Hong Kong [Day & Night]
• Champs Elysees, Paris [Sunset]
• South Circuit, Red Bull Ring [Day]
• Sakura Pass, Okutama [Sunset]
• LiveRoutes, Miami [Day]
• GP Circuit, Yas Marina [Day (Pre-order) & Night]
• Pebble Beach Drive, California [Day & Night]
• Route De Corniche, Cote d’Azur [Sunset]
• North Circuit, Indianapolis [Pre-Order Bonus] [Day]
• Sport Circuit, Algarve [Day]
• Indy Circuit, Brands Hatch [Day]
• Magazine Gap, Hong Kong [Day & Night]
• Avenue De New-York, Paris [Day & Night]
•  Underpass Ring, Chicago [Day & Night]
• Orra Quay Loop, Dubai [Sunset]
• Pok Fu Lam, Hong Kong [Sunset]
• High Street, Barcelona [Day & Night]
• Club Circuit, Algarve [Day]
• Lake Shore Point, Chicago [Day & Night]
• Bixby Pass, California [Day & Night]
• GP Circuit, Indianapolis [Day]
• Oval Circuit, Indianapolis [Pre-Order Bonus] [Day]
• Columbus Bay, Barcelona [Sunset]
• LiveRoutes, Paris [Day]
• LiveRoutes, Barcelona [Day]
• South Point Bay, Miami [Day / Night]
• Art Deco Loop, Miami [Sunset]
• GP Circuit, Red Bull Ring [Day]
• South Circuit, Yas Marina [Day (Pre-order) & Night]
• Marina City, Chicago [Sunset]
• Jumeirah Beach, Dubai [Day & Night]
• North Circuit Reversed, Red Bull Ring [Day]

Bethesda this afternoon announced that MachineGames are developing a new Wolfenstein game for them, subtitled The New Order. Made up of key members of the Starbreeze team that developed both the Riddick and Darkness franchises, MachineGames will now turn their attention to one of the most iconic action shooters ever to have existed in Wolfenstein, aiming to deliver this latest instalment in the series by Q4 2013. Bethesda were reluctant to divulge any other information, instead mentioning a series of reveals that’ll run exclusively on Gamespot starting tomorrow (boo!), although they did confirm that this new Wolfenstein title will be coming to both current and next gen consoles as well as PC.

Yesterday was a busy day for EA it seems, with the publisher making three large announcements. So, to business?

1) The Sims 4 was announced for PC and Mac, with a tentative release date of “2014″. Given the recent SimCity debacle, both EA and their developer Maxis are keen to stress that The Sims 4 will contain a full single player offline experience. Credit where it’s due, at least they are learning!

2) Popcap Games finally announced a solid release date for Plants vs Zombies 2, and it’s real soon. Coming in July, Plants vs Zombies 2: It’s About Time (yes that’s the real subtitle) has no further details. It does have a teaser though!

Click here to view the embedded video.

3) We saved the best for last though. EA and Disney announced that the publisher has secured a multi-year exclusive Star Wars license. Bioware will continue to work on Star Wars titles, and will be joined by both Dice and Visceral. The games will focus on titles outside of the movies franchise, but no firm details of games have yet been announced. Also not mentioned, whether 1313 or Battlefront will be revived. We can hope though.

Dark, the vampiric stealth title coming this summer from Kalypso Media to PC and Xbox 360, now has a list of system requirements you’ll need to meet in order to run the game. Happily, it’s not a resource hungry beast so most will be able to take on the role of Eric Bane in the graphic novel inspired title.

System Requirements:

OS: Windows XP SP2
Processor: 2.0 GHz Dual Core
Memory: 2 GB System RAM
Hard Disk Space: 5 GB free HDD
Sound: DirectX compatible sound card
Video: NVIDIA GeForce 9600 GT / ATI Radeon HD 4670 / Intel HD Graphics 4000, 512 MB RAM

In one of the most shockingly unsurprising story of the last….. forever, Activision have announced there is a new Call of Duty game coming. Actually, that’s a little unfair, Activision have unveiled some genuinely interesting tidbits. It’s an all new Call of Duty, with a new engine built for the next generation of hardware. Infinity Ward are back on developmental duties and have been tasked with establishing a new world and characters in an all new story. We won’t have to wait long for even more details either, with Activision promising a full reveal during Microsoft’s Xbox reveal event on May 21st.

Click here to view the embedded video.

As per my early morning tweet, a word of warning for you all. It seems that clever (too clever?) hackers have delved into the God of War: Ascension files and have managed to extract the titles for all the cutscenes that will feature in The Last Of Us. The real problem lies in the fact that these titles reportedly reveal almost the entire plot of the single player campaign. As is the nature of the internet, a desperate few want to spoil the game for us all, and huge spoilers have already cropped up in a few places, including 4chan. As knowledge of the plot grows, the potential for these spoilers to crop up in Youtube comments and the like grows, so be warned.