2K Games announced their partnering with Firaxis Games, the creators behind the Sid Meier’s Civilization franchise, for a new XCOM release,  XCOM: Enemy Unknown. The action strategy game is planned for release in fall 2012.

In the new XCOM, gamers will defend against a terrifying global alien invasion by managing resources, advancing technologies, and overseeing combat strategies and individual unit tactics. With gameplay’s focus on deep strategy and tactical combat, XCOM: Enemy Unknown will place players in control of a secret paramilitary organization called XCOM.

The original X-COM earned a reputation as one of the best games ever made with it’s original release in 1993 and now is being re-imagined by the strategy experts at Firaxis Games. XCOM: Enemy Unknown promises to expand on the original’s rich history with a new invasion story, enemies and technologies.

Play the original X-COM titles now on Steam.

PAYDAY: The Heist launches on 10/18 on PSN and PC. In anticipation of the launch, SOE has released the Slaughter House (no not the Shady 2.o guys) trailer. According to SOE SH is one of the most difficult of the six heists included in the FPS. The 4-player co-op play could make this title a fun one, especially for $19.99.

MMO’s don’t get much coverage around these parts but when SOE announces free gameplay for one of their hottest titles then we have to show some love. Beginning late October, players will be able to download and access DCUO for free on PS3 and PC. With the new business model comes three new access levels to the game: Free, Premium and Legendary. All three levels will provide access to open world gameplay and missions, general game updates and fixes to the game, with each level offering different game options and benefits.

Information on each level

With the free level, new players will now have access to the current gameplay in DC Universe Online (including Gotham City, Metropolis, and all current raids and alerts), with the ability to create two characters, join a league and many other benefits. Free level players will be able to purchase DLC as well.

Premium level is open to any player who has spent $5 or more. Premium level players will get everything from the free level plus additional character slots, additional inventory slots, and higher cash limits. Downloadable adventure packs, additional character slots, and more can be purchased in-game.

The Legendary level is $14.99 per month and includes all of the above plus free DLC, over 80 inventory and 15 character slots and unrestricted leagues plus more. : Maximum features and benefits are included at this level.

Are you willing to spend more to get more or will you stick with the free service?

Today, Rockstar released the first trailer for the upcoming Max Payne game. We already know the story line, which takes place in Brazil, but now we get to see Max in action.

The game will hit shelves in March, 2012 for PS3, Xbox 360 and PC.

Today Konami announced that Neymar da Silva Santos Júnior, Santos’ main striker player, is joining Kobe’s favorite futbol player Cristiano Ronaldo as featured cover athlete for Pro Evolution Soccer 2012. The cover will only be sold in North and Latin America.

For those who don’t follow soccer, Neymar is a beast and he’s only 19-years-old.

Pro Evolution Soccer 2012 is slated for release on September 27 in the United States for PlayStation 3, Xbox 360 and Windows PC.

Rockstar is not letting much info leak about MP3 but from the screenshots that were released today we can see that he’s on some dapper s#@t. It will be interesting to see where they go with the storyline considering that fans of the title have grown to love the degenerate Max.

Gamers will not get to take control of Jackie Estacado until next year according to 2K Games. The highly anticipated Darkness Sequel will not hit stores for consoles and PC until February 7, 2012 according to today’s announcement.

Fans attending San Diego Comic-Con this week will get a chance to check out playable demos of The Darkness II in Top Cow’s booth.

Hit the jump for news on The Darkness II panel taking place on Thursday at Comic-Con.

The Darkness II panel, entitled “Spreading The Darkness: From Comic Book to Video Games and Entertainment,” features top talent from Top Cow Productions, including CEO and co-creator of The Darkness, Marc Silvestri, and President and COO of Top Cow, Matt Hawkins; developers from Digital Extremes; and in-game voice of the Darkness, Mike Patton (Faith No More, Mr. Bungle and Peeping Tom).

The console release of L.A. Noire has been praised by gamers and critics. PC gamers will soon experience what all the hype is about. Today, Rockstar Games announced the release of the 1940’s crime drama for PC.

According to the press release it will run on a wide range of PCs and feature customization, including keyboard remapping and gamepad functionality to both optimize and customize the performance and user experience. Along with increased fidelity and improved graphical enhancements, the PC version will feature 3D support for an even greater sense of interaction and immersion.

We’re a couple weeks away from E3 and the news keeps on pouring in. Metro: Last Night is one of the latest (and coolest) titles to be pre-announced. The “first person survival shooter” (aren’t they all?) won’t surface until 2012 but this trailer has us a bit amped for more info/footage. The sequel to Metro 2033 takes place in a post apocalyptic Moscow circa 2034. You will battle humans and mutants throughout the Moscow subway system using makeshift weapons, all while trying to breath and bust your guns. Thankfully there will also be multiplayer. Check out the trailer below.

Today 2K Games announced the release date of upcoming horror sequel Darkness II. The game will hit shelves October 4, 2011 in North America (10/7 internationally) for PC, Xbox 360 and PS3. Set two years after the original, Jackie Estacado is back and after an attempt on his life he can no longer control the power of the Darkness. If you played the award winning original then you know that this is not your average FPS. Check out the trailer below to get a glimpse of what DII has in store.

Check out new screens