Square Enix has sent word that the investigation into bugs that slightly delayed the launch of the Final Fantasy XIV Beta has solved the problems.

So the beta will begin tomorrow - 2nd September.

We would like to take this opportunity to provide an update regarding FINAL FANTASY XIV Open Beta Test, which was announced to be postponed on Aug. 31, 2010.

Along with the completion on investigation and correction of the critical issue, we have decided to begin FINAL FANTASY XIV Open Beta Test on Sep. 2, 2010 at 02:00 (GMT).

Starting on Sep. 2, 2010 at 02:00 (GMT), acquisition of registration code required for FINAL FANTASY XIV Open Beta Test will become available on "FINAL FANTASY XIV Open Beta Test Application Site." For more details, please refer to "FINAL FANTASY XIV Open Beta Test Application Site."

We are looking forward to your participation in FINAL FANTASY XIV Open Beta Test!

And here's the link for you to apply to join the beta - entry.ffxiv.com

Who says PC gaming is dead? Blizzard has today announced that it has sold over three million copies of StarCraft II in the first month on sale.

Day one says accounted for one million, making it instantly the best selling PC game of 2010. Another half million sales followed in the next 24 hours.

"We appreciate all the enthusiasm that players around the world have shown for StarCraft II," said Mike Morhaime, CEO and cofounder of Blizzard Entertainment. "It was important to us to deliver an overall gameplay experience that was accessible, balanced, and fun, and it’s been gratifying to see how strongly the global community has already embraced the game."

Microsoft has announced that the Kinect Xbox 360 motion control system will be release in Australia on November 18th for AUS$199.

A 4GB Xbox 360 Slim bundle will also be available complete with Kinect system for AUS$449.

Kinect is set for release in Europe on November 10th and in the US on November 8th.

Blizzard has announced that a forthcoming update for World of Warcraft - which paves the way for the Cataclysm expansion - will mean PPC Mac hardware will be no longer supported.

The following was posted in the game's Mac support forum:

A little forewarning to those of you that play World of Warcraft on these systems. Shortly before the release of Cataclysm, a patch will be released in which PowerPC processor based Macs will no longer be supported. This update indicates the removal of PowerPC support from World of Warcraft. Attempting to run the game after the update will bring up a message stating the hardware is no longer supported, and the game will not run.

You Mac loving Warcrafters are going to have to get yourself an Intel-based Mac or even a proper computer<sup>1

_1Joke</sup>

You can now download a playable demo for Sega's Vanquish from the Xbox Live Marketplace and PSN.

LONDON (September 1st, 2010) – SEGA® Europe Ltd. can confirm that the VANQUISHTM Official Demo: Velocity Attack, is available exclusively for download from Xbox LIVE® Marketplace for the Xbox 360® video game and entertainment system from Microsoft®, and PlayStation® Store for the PlayStation®3 computer entertainment system in Europe today.

VANQUISHTM is the hottest title Shinji Mikami has worked on in over 4 years, achieving high tension throughout the game and delivering a new sense of game merged shooting and action in a finely balanced manner. The game is set for release across North America on 19th October, Australia on 21st of October and across Europe on October 22nd 2010 for the Xbox 360® video game and entertainment system from Microsoft and PLAYSTATION®3 computer entertainment system.

Activision has today revealed plenty of the details of some of the "warriors" featued within Guitar Hero: Warriors of Rock.

Join us after the jump for information and art for characters such as Axel Steel, Casey Lynch and Judy Nails.

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Microsoft has announced a new version of the Xbox 360 controller with a configurable d-pad which switches between a cross and a disk.

The controller also features grey face buttons on concave sticks.

The new controller will hit the US market first - November 9th for $64.99. Europe will have to wait until the new year.

After the jump we've more details and images:

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Mafia II is this week's best selling game in the UK. Last week's chart topper - Kane & Lynch 2 has been pushed down to second place.

In fact it's the fastest selling here since the release of Red Dead Redemption.

Full rundown after the jump:

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There's nothing like a public holiday for burying bad news. And Microsoft seems to be attempting that here in the UK with the news that it's making a mean spirited price hike to the Xbox Live service.

The price hike affects the US, UK, Mexico and Canada and is detailed below:

You've got to wonder if someone at Microsoft has been drinking too much bong-water, the current Xbox Live prices were at the top of the scale of what seemed reasonable already.

Source: Major Nelson

Why unfortunate? Because Firaxis has announced that the demo of the long-awaited Civilization V won't actually be released until the day the full game hits store shelves.

"The Civilization V playable demo release date is September 21st; the same day as the North American release date of the full game.

"The question many of you are probably asking now is “didn’t you say it would be available before the release date?” The answer to that question is yes, I did. At the time of that announcement, we expected to be able to get the demo out before the 21st, but unfortunately we weren’t able to finalize it in the timeframe we had initially planned, and for that we’re very sorry.

"However, we have managed to get it out the same day as the North American release. So for those of you who have been waiting to try out the demo before buying the game, you can still do that with enough time left to run out to the store (or purchase on Steam) and have the full game on the same day as everyone else."

Source: Firaxis

Ubisoft has confirmed that Ubisoft Red Storm has made 38 employess redundant - hower the company says these members of staff were given a choice of positions at other Ubisoft-owned studios.

"Red Storm remains an integral part of Ubisoft's worldwide production team and will continue to work on the multiplayer component of Tom Clancy's Ghost Recon: Future Soldier," said the publisher.

Ghost Recon: Future Soldier is due for release in early 2011.

Source: Shacknews

As the name suggests, the hardcore armour effects really are something you'll see hardcore Halo: Reach players being able to earn.

After all - you have to be pretty hardcore to sit through hundreds of hours of ignorant racist smack talk by pre-pubescent mid-westerners.

There will be four hardcore armour effects at the game's launch, with more to follow later.

Check out the details from Bungie after the jump:

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Blizzard has announced details of the forthcoming 1.1 update for epic strategy game Starcraft II: Wings of Liberty.

Many of the changes are the typical balance tweaks we see after the release of a multiplayer strategy game.

You can read more details after the jump:

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It looks like we've seen the last of Acclaim. The original Acclaim Entertainment bade us farewell in 2004 only to return in the form of Acclaim Games.

Now it looks like Acclaim didn't make the transfer when owner Playdom became part of Disney.

We regret to inform you that all Acclaim games will no longer be in service effective August 26, 2010

- says a notice on the company's website.

Rockstar Games has just sent word that a new DLC package is to be released for Red Dead Redemption.

The new pack combines an expansion of the free roam multiplayer experience with a new competitive mode and a devastating new weapon – The Explosive Rifle.

The Liars And Cheats Pack will be available from 21st September on PSN (£7.99) and Xbox Live (800 Microsoft points).

Check out the full announcement after the jump;

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You can now download a playable demo of R.U.S.E, the interesting new realtime strategy game from Ubisoft.

January 1944. The Allied offensive in Italy aimed at stopping the Germans from withdrawing by attacking them from behind. However, the Germans - aided by the remaining loyal Italian units - were much stronger than Allies had been led to believe until then... Play through a full mission designed exclusively for the R.U.S.E. demo.

The demo is currently only available for PC via Steam, grab it here.

What's new in your local games store today? Well not a whole lot - but there is Mafia II. The game has received some mixed reviews buy the word on the street is that many of these reviews have been too harsh - just as they were with the first game.

XBOX 360
Mafia II

PLAYSTATION 3
Mafia II

WII
10 Minute Solution
Gormiti
Gunblade NY and LA Machineguns Arcade
Rayman Rabbids Party Collection

PC
Mafia II
S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Radioactive Edition

DS
Gormiti

Namco Bandai has a tasty Collector's Edition of Enslaved: Odyssey to the West lined up.

The package includes a hard-backed artbook and original soundtrack on CD. The game is set for release in Europe on October 8th.

Meanwhile there's been no announcement of a Collector's Edition yet for the North American launch on October 5th.

Check out the full press release after the jump:

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Bohemia Interactive says it has updated Arma 2: Operation Arrowhead to version 1.54.

Along with many fixes (lord knows the game needs them) there's a chance to sample some of the content from the forthcoming Arma 2: British Armed Forces expansion.

Two of the most interesting new features are the new Artillery Computer and the revamped and much more powerful Engineers.

Read all about these after the jump:

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Activision has released the full track list for the upcoming DJ Hero 2 and boy is it a list.

A whopping 105 tracks is set to release with the game on October 22nd for 360, PS3 and Wii, including everything from 50 Cent to Daft Punk to the Pussycat Dolls, and a whole load more.

Full list after the break.

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