The first chapter of Fable II: Game Episodes is now available for download on Xbox Live for free. That's right Xbox gamers, Lionhead and Microsoft has decided to release the first episode of  the blockbuster title, free of charge to introduce the players to the vibrant world of Albion where every choice has a consequence, and are able to experience childhood and the trials of being a young adult.

2010 seems to be a new slate for most video game companies, as upcoming blockbuster games such as Bioshock 2, Heavy Rain and Bayonetta won't make it out this year as planned. Now you can add one more title to the list, the heavily anticipated Crysis 2 (PS3, Xbox 360, PC).

Information's starting to trickle out for Electronic Arts and DICE's sequel to the blockbuster FPS hit in the Battlefield: Bad Company franchise. According to an EA Forums post, it's been revealed in the OXM UK issue #56 that 40 players have been confirmed for online play in Battlefield: Bad Company 2 (PS3, Xbox 360, PC). Take out those beer kegs, this is sure to be a party.

Potential blockbuster? Or another candidate for the Uwe Boll awards? (Ok, there's no Uwe Boll awards... but there should be.) Len Wiseman, the director of the Gears of War movie, says he's hoping to make a trilogy, and that he wants them to be a "harder edged Lord of the Rings." More after the link.

Speaking on the impending release of Gears of War 2 in just a few days, Microsoft's Phil Spencer claims that the Xbox 360 has "led the industry with the best lineup of blockbuster video games" in each holiday season.

Suddenly, the sound of angry sackboys can be heard growling in the distance.

Someone finally got on the line with Microsoft about that reported Blu-ray add-on that X-bit Labs reported on yesterday. Not surprisingly, they denied the report, saying that they (still) have no plans on introducing a Blu-ray player.

Good thing or bad thing?

 Michael Pachter is at it again, analyzing and giving his thoughts on matters concerning the game industry. This time, he laments how much money could have been made if a timely game tie-in to the blockbuster The Dark Knight was released. He says Warner Bros. and EA may have missed out on US$ 100 million. More after the jump.

Things are certainly looking up for EA's Battlefield: Bad Company (Xbox 360, PlayStation 3). It's about to hit retail stores in a few hours, and so far, it looks like the reception of the people are good. This is if you look at the number of downloads the demo has gotten since its release. Read up after the jump.

It looks like everyone's dishing out there own version of "Gamer's Day." Sega's own rendition, however, may be the one to stand out from the rest, since its multi-genre, multi-platform, and multi-franchise collection is studded with highly-anticipated hopefuls. So aside from Iron Man and upcoming game adaptation of The Incredible Hulk, Sega laid out teasers for fans of Aliens, Total War and the stealthy action title, Alpha Protocol.

Remember the rumor about the Xbox 360 Blu-ray console that's set to ship this year? If you do, don't  buy into it anymore. Recently, Microsoft has spoken words that have dispelled this particular hearsay circulating. Find out what the company said in the full article.