THQ Inc. (NASDAQ: THQI) and Machinima today announced the immediate launch of Nexuiz PC for $9.99 on Steam and other digital download sites. Nexuiz is the CryENGINE® 3 powered Arena FPS from Illfonic.

“Nexuiz is the competitive shooter,” said Kedhrin Gonzalez, creative director at Illfonic. “We’ve done a lot of community outreach, listened to our fans and included their ideas in Nexuiz. It is faster, more intense and more fun than ever. PC gamers, especially competitive gamers, want speed, high-quality graphics and non-stop action.”

The PC version of Nexuiz will include a number of enhancements and changes over the console version including:

Dedicated Server Support and Server Browser

Enhanced, CryENGINE 3 powered graphics with DX11 support

Advanced custom controls, new HUD and a 20% increase to player speed for ultimate twitch-shooter experience

More details can be found on the Nexuiz community forums at Forums.Nexuiz.com.

Nexuiz for PC is now available from Steam at Store.Steampowered.com/app/96800.

With an extensive character customization and progression system, as well as in-depth pet capture and training, Spirit Tales offers unlimited possibilities for players to interact with the world. Its unique horizon view adds a refreshing perspective on the vast and whimsical environment, drawing extra attention to characters channeling their Spirit Form ability.

“We want players to be immersed in the world of Spirit Tales,” says Yann Wang, General Manager. “To that end, we integrated a wide range of customization options so that players can feel like their characters are truly one of a kind.”

In Spirit Tales, players will embark upon a journey across a colorful fantasy world, battling fierce creatures and capturing magical pets to call their own. Unlock a character’s Spirit Form to unleash devastating attacks on monsters or opponents during exciting PvP (Player vs. Player) battles. With six unique character classes to choose from and over 40 million customization combinations, Spirit Tales is designed to offer players a high degree of in-game freedom and an “Epically Cute, Massively Fun” online gaming experience.

REGISTER NOW for Spirit Tales Closed Beta by visiting: Spirit Tales Closed Beta Registration

For updates and contest giveaways visit Spirit Tales on Facebook: Spirit Tales Facebook Page

Nexuiz will also appear on PlayStation®3 and PC later this spring.

Developed by Denver-based IllFonic and powered by CryENGINE®3, Nexuiz re-invents classic, fast-paced arena first-person shooter gameplay for the modern console audience with the addition of Dynamic Mutators – game-changing power ups that can turn the tide of battle in an instant.

For more information on Nexuiz, visit the official website at http://www.nexuiz.com/.

The Academy Award winning actor is a fan of the franchise, so much so that… well… watch the commercial for the beautiful twist at the end:

Appropriate for a game coming out on Father’s Day, no?

Bethesda has confirmed that a hacker group has “attempted and unlawful intrusion” of their website in an effort to “gain access to data.”

“While no personal financial information or credit card data was obtained,” they said on their official blog, “the hackers may have gained access to some user names, email addresses, and/or passwords.” They continue by recommending all members of the community forums and the statistic site for Brink users change their passwords immediately. Bethesda has also asked that fans keep an “eye out for suspicious emails and account activity.”

According to Gamastura, the hacker collective Lulzsec seems to be to blame. Sunday night the group tweeted: “We were going to keep this little treasure chest to ourselves, but it appears the hand has been bitten. Say your prayers, Brink users. >:]” Monday morning, they added: “We did it because they couldn’t stop us – and did it we did, as you’ll see. We always deliver.”

While their motives aren’t clear, this attack is just the latest in a series of hacks that leaves user data vulnerable. The attack against Sony’s Playstation Network was the first, followed recently by Eidos, Codemasters, and Nintendo.

You can read the official statement by Bethesda here: “Please Read: Hack attempts against our websites and forums”

Update: Lulz Twitter feed updated with this statement: “Presenting our Bethesda & Senate.gov double surprise release. May the lulz flow through you!” The file the Twitter statement links to explains that they were able to infiltrate the Brink servers several weeks ago and grabbed “all their source code and database passwords” then. The file is available to the public and includes everything the hacker collective obtained–personal data from over 200,000 users is not listed.

Their reason? They want Bethesda to “speed up the production of Skyrim” adding “Please keep making awesome games, guys, and you should totally ad an official LulzSec top hat to new releases.”

Laughing yet?

While information is still forthcoming about the third installment of this series, it was announced that Uncharted 3: Drake’s Deception will indeed feature a multiplayer mode. The beta launches June 20th. Those lucky gamers who got a copy of inFAMOUS 2 today also received an early access voucher to the beta.

inFAMOUS 2 not your cup of tea? Don’t worry. Naughty Dog also announced that they’ve reached an agreement with the popular food chain Subway that will allow players to gain early access to the full multiplayer before June 20th. The exact details are unknown, but hopefully will be out soon!

Check out the latest Uncharted 3: Drake’s Deception trailer as shown during the Sony Press Conference:

Stay with Level Up News for more information on Uncharted 3: Drake’s Deception and the multiplayer beta as it becomes available!

For those fans who held off on pre-ordering Mass Effect 3 in hopes of picking up a collector’s edition, your wait has paid off!

Announced today, BioWare confirmed the Mass Effect 3 N7 Collector’s Edition. For $79.99, gamers get bonus content and unlockable items that include a Dark Horse Comic Book, a hardcover art book, in-game appearance packs, a soundtrack, lithograph, and a N7 patch. They’ll also gain access to the exclusive four-weapon N7 Arsenal Pack.

Mass Effect 3 hits shelves March 6, 2012, and will be available for Xbox 360, PS3, and PC.

Update: Even more stuff has been added to this!

In addition to what’s listed above, BioWare added this today:

• Premium metal case featuring commemorative artwork of Commander Shepard.
• Robotic Dog – A faithful sidekick to keep you company on board the Normandy.
• Squadmate Alternate Outfit Pack – New appearances for your favorite squad members.
• N7 Hoodie – For Commander Shepard’s casual days on board the Normandy.
• Xbox LIVE Normandy prop for your Avatar. (Available on Xbox 360 version only.)

The whole run-down, including the Collector’s Edition cover art, can be found on BioWare’s official site.

And be sure to check out our summary of all the Mass Effect 3 news here!

Just announced moments ago on the E3 stage, Nintendo revealed the successor to the Wii: Wii U.

Here’s all that’s known so far:

• Wii U will support HD graphics. (10 adp graphics, HDMI)
• The controller itself has a 6.2 inch touch screen that acts as a second display sometimes showing the same image displayed on the television. Other times it will show additional game information, like an inventory or a dungeon map. No HD on the touch screen, though.
• It will run older Nintendo games
• It has a motion-sensor and can be used along with Wii controllers.
• Wii U will come out sometime in 2012.

More information to come as Nintendo reveals it!

Since the end of Mass Effect 2, we’ve been waiting. Waiting for a taste, a trailer, even just a release date for Mass Effect 3. Yesterday at EA’s hour-long spot on an E3 stage, we received that and so much more.

“The first two games foreshadowed a showdown with an ancient mechanical race known as the Reapers,” said Casey Hudson, Executive Producer of the Mass Effect series, at the beginning of the EA press conference. “On March 6, 2012, that war will begin.”

And the war will take place at least in part on Earth. For a game that reinvented definition of ‘game universe scope,’ there is something distinctly thrilling about the idea that Commander Shepard will finally be coming home.

Hudson also stated that BioWare is giving long-time fans the opportunity to see how all of their decisions dating back to the first game effect the final outcome of the series. Nothing further was explained about the story’s impact based on the decisions made in the previous two games–except to say that newcomers will also have the chance to catch up on what they missed. The rest of the demo was devoted to showing off the improvements made in Mass Effect 3’s combat and gameplay.

The live demo showed during the EA press conference covered one of the game’s action sequences in which Shepard attempts to destroy a Reaper base. As Cerberus troops close in, Shepard calls for reinforcements. This time, it’s not teammates that answers: it’s the Normandy, dropping down from the sky, that blow up a portion of the base. Shepard (along with Garrus and Liara) fight their way through the troops, thinking the hard part is done. But a sudden rumble tells a different story. It’s not simply a Reaper base; they’re battling a live Reaper.

The cinematics during the demo blended beautifully with the gameplay to the point it was difficult to determine which was which. There was one, very quick fade to black transition, but other than that the switch between cinematics and gameplay in the demo was seamless.

Something that was also seamless was the flow of combat. BioWare’s been talking about the improvements to melee combat in Mass Effect 3 and the snippets aired both during and after the EA press conference really showed off just what Shepard can do. Players could always take cover, but now Shepard can perform tuck and rolls while running, combat rolls to get in and out of cover faster, and stealth kills like Nathan Drake, Sam Fisher, insert your favorite badass here.

The best addition to melee combat is Shepard’s omniblade, and it’s heavily featured in the demo, new trailer, and the game’s coverart. Apparently, all one needs to do it activate the omnitool and out of it appears a golden orange holographic blade that stabs enemies dead. (How a hologram can do this is not answered. It’s just a game. Move along, move along…) After the press conference, Hudson explained that enemies in Mass Effect 3 will have more “complex behaviors,” making flanking the bad guys “more interesting” as you’re forced to heavily rely on team tactics.

Mass Effect 3’s Kinect support had also been teased prior to E3. I wasn’t sure how Kinect was going to work with the space opera game, and now that I’ve seen it, I’m still skeptical.

The Kinect support seems to rely solely on the voice recognition feature. Gamers will be able to to verbally state choices in the dialogue wheel by reciting word-for-word which option they want Shepard to answer with. There’s also the ability to verbally issue commands to your squad. “Garrus, move up. Liara, Singularity.” It seems to give players the feel of really being Commander Shepard in the field. (It’ll be even more awesome if I have the ability to issue the other commands I normally shouted at my television: “Garrus, stop hoping over random crates! Liara, stop shooting the wall!”) Overall, I’m not crazy for the Kinect support for Mass Effect 3. It seems superfluous; Mass Effect for lazy people who don’t want to hit buttons.

Kinect worries aside, I’m still excited for the game. Hudson certainly talked this fangirl into a frenzy.

“Mass Effect 3 isn’t just about these huge moments,” Hudson said. “It’s intense action combat, it’s decisions with huge consequences and sacrifice, and it’s all wrapped up in a story of tremendous emotional impact.”

Everyone says Mass Effect 3 will be the best in the franchise. Here’s hoping so, and hoping it won’t be the last.

If you want to check out the Kinect support demo for Mass Effect 3, check out the video below!

And also here’s the latest Mass Effect 3 trailer, Fall of Earth:

• Mass Effect 3 – The press conference started out with a live demo and an awesome trailer. And finally we have a release date: March 6, 2012. (Check out more information here!) Oddly enough, Kinect support wasn’t mentioned during this press conference.
• Need for Speed: The Run – Another racing game. This one will track all races with Autolog, and introduces foot races, as well. It sounds like Autolog is a free service and more incentive for gamers to buy a new copy of the game instead of used.
• Star Wars: The Old Republic – All we really got from this was a shiny new, six-minute trailer. Release date? DENIED!
• SSX - Shiny trailer. January-ish release date. That’s about it.
• FIFA 2012 – I didn’t realize just how many incarnations of FIFA there was. Oops? Other than adding the new roster to the franchise for fans, they’re introducing EA Football Club. It’s the same as Autolog for Need for Speed: The Run; a free service that allows friends to compete against each other online.
• Madden 12 – They mentioned Kinect support, but didn’t explain nor show how it’ll work. Plus, random football players came on stage: Ray Lewis of the Baltimore Ravens, Payton Hillis (the cover of Madden 2012) of the Cleveland Browns, and Clay Matthews of the Green Bay Packers. This was right after EA announced they don’t have celebrities join them on stage. Guess professional athletes don’t count.
• Sims Social – Sims for Facebook! Just a flashgame of The Sims that allows you to play on Facebook, interact with your friends, and waste more time at work. Nothing more needs to be said, other than there’s no release date.
• Kingdoms of Amalur: Reckoning - The game I’ll be calling “Not Dragon Age“, Kingdoms of Amalur: Reckoning was designed by Baltimore’s own Big Huge Games–so I’m a bit partial to this title. Written by R.A. Salvatore, brought to life by Todd McFarlane, and designed by Ken Rolston of Elder Scrolls fame, this high fantasy, open-world role-playing game has a lot of name power behind it. It looks beautiful, and I can’t wait to play this! Check out the trailer and see for yourself!
• Overstrike – This one gets my vote for Most Fun Trailer of E3. Overstrike is the first game in a new franchise by Insomniac. The awesome trailer, featuring a ragtag team of elite special agents that seem to specialize in sarcasm, was hilarious. I really want this game!
• Battlefield 3 – They talked about the Frostbite 2 engine and how it’s designed to give a better battlefield realistic experience. Then they demoed the multiplayer, and it went on forever. Good news, though: the open beta for Battlefield 3 will be available in September, and the full game on October 25.

Not mentioned in the press conference: Wii or handheld games. EA strictly stuck with the heavy hitters, and even then, not a lot of information was revealed… or a lot of gameplay footage other than Battlefield 3.

And that’s what you missed! I’ll be posting an article just about Mass Effect 3 soon! Check back later!