Following previous denials from Sega that the newly revealed Crucible title had no relation to their own similarly titled game, the recently leaked game may actually be the latest brain child of Oblivion designer Ken Rolston and developer Big Huge Games. You can check out our full article for more details on this interesting tidbit.

The new lineup for the board of directors of the International Game Developers Association (IGDA) was recently revealed. Joining the 10-man team will be designer and professor Brenda Brathwaite, consultant Mark DeLoura, and THQ/Big Huge Games studio manager Tim Train. Other details regarding the new board of directors can be read in our full article.

Microsoft's sending word that new registrants to their Xbox Live service will be entitled to a free copy of Live Arcade's Catan title. Wondering if you're eligible for this freebie? Promo details are available in the full article.

It looks like THQ and Big Huge Games will have more in common aside from their mystery RPG project. THQ has just sent out word about their intent to acquire BHG. Details on this transaction are available in the full article.

The eve before THQ was set to announce its newest project that will launch the company into the world of RPGs, IGN managed to have a little enlightening chat with Executive Vice-President Kelly Flock. And as if THQ's lucky stars were indeed smiling brightly upon it, the company even had Big Huge Games' President, Tim Train, to join in on the interview.

First of all, it is certainly without a doubt that this yet-unnamed RPG project from THQ and BHG has piqued the interest of the gaming community. But as THQ has been strict about keeping mum about it, we can only hope that this duo will be more forthcoming.

And relatively accommodating, they were. For one, they had no qualms discussing the extent of renowned designer, Ken Rolston's participation in the project. Ken Rolston had supposedly retired after the completion of The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion. And yet we see him back in action for this THQ-BHG title. Says Tim Train,

Ken is the Lead Designer and resident Mad Genius, and he sets the tone for the game and the project team across the board. It's hard to overstate how well Ken fits in to Big Huge's collaborative approach to game design. In particular, he is exceptionally skilled at world creation and at helping us solve issues that we've all found annoying in RPGs for years. I think he's most energized by the opportunity to work on a completely new IP, unfettered by the constraints of working in a world on its third or fourth incarnation.

But while they were open about talking about Rolston's participation, both Flock and Train were keeping good at keeping quiet about their game. Quips Flock, "You can expect more info from us later this year."

Okay, one last push. To which platforms will we be seeing this game? Flock replies,

From a console perspective, the horsepower behind the PS3 and Xbox 360 help us create a huge world with that sweeping scope we're aiming for. Happily, the PC has kept pace with the times, and we're excited to be developing the game for simultaneous release across all three systems.

Great, it's a multi-platformer, then. Now we'll just have to be patient and wait for THQ's official announcement about its RPG multi-platformer. We'll be sure to keep you updated as soon we get wind of it. We expect news to come around in just a few hours. So keep it locked here for more.

If you've been waiting for a new board game to hit Xbox Live Arcade, the wait may finally be winding down as the XBLA reproduction of the "Settlers of Catan" board game will be coming in May. That much is said in an update to the website for Catan, which also provides the following Achievements to hungry, hungry settlers:

• Settler of Catan: Build a settlement in any game of Catan. (10)
• Scholar of Catan: Win a Single-Player game against Moderate AI’s. (10)
• Professor of Catan: Win the Single-Player game against Hard AI’s. (20)
• Builder of Catan: End any game of Catan in possession of the Longest Road card 10 times. (20)
• Knight of Catan: End any game of Catan in possession of the Largest Army card 10 times. (20)
• Merchant of Catan: Acquire 100 resource cards in trade in any game of Catan. (20)
• Villager of Catan: Collect 25 Victory Points. (10)
• Citizen of Catan: Collect 100 Victory Points. (20)
• Elder of Catan: Collect 250 Victory Points. (20)
• Statesman of Catan: Collect 500 Victory Points in ranked match play. (20)
• Chancellor of Catan: Collect 1000 Victory Points in ranked match play. (20)
• Ambassador of Catan: Invite a friend to play Settlers of Catan. (10)

Ken Rolston was the lead producer of such titles like Morrowind and Oblivion. With 25 years of experience under his belt, you can understand the excitement when Big Huge Games snapped him up to develop a new RPG for them. This action actually took Mr. Rolston out of retirement which he announced last May 2006.

Mr. Tim Train, the president of Big Huge Games, is very pleased with the company's newest member. While he has assured us that they would still produce quality RTS games such as Rise of Nations and Rise of Legends, he admits that they have been "looking" into the RPG scene. He believes that Mr. Rolston is a perfect fit for their plans, adding that his experience and leadership will help their new venture succeed.

While details regarding the RPG have yet to be announced, it has been said that the game will be on a console. This is definitely something to look out for.