It would seem that Left 4 Dead 2 (Xbox 360, PC) just keeps surprising Valve. "I thought Left 4 Dead 2 would get the same treatment as Left 4 Dead 1 (Xbox 360 and PC)," said Gabe Newell. "So I was a little surprised [by the decision]." He would be referring to the recent refusal of Australia's OFLC to classify the zombie sequel. No matter, though, they're out to get that approval, and yes, they have officially appealed the decision.

Here's a bit of semi-good news for Australian gamers. Even with Left 4 Dead 2 (Xbox 360, PC) effectively banned in Australia, Valve is not giving up. They're still in the process of making sure that gamers in the region will get something come the game's supposed launch date.

Valve's Left 4 Dead 2 (Xbox 360, PC) is just the latest casualty of the Australian Office of Film and Literature Classification's stringent -- and, for most Australian gamers, draconic -- adherence to their ratings guidelines. Publisher EA Australia said last week that they're "still working through the submission process with OFLC." It seems they've since become much more candid about the issue, however, as they've finally issued a comment.

That image you see above is Australia's OFLC's webpage for Left 4 Dead 2 (Xbox 360, PC). That "RC" Classification you see right there stands for "Refused Classification." That's right, the Left 4 Dead 2 zombies aren't making their way to Australia.

Did IGN just stealthily peg the European Final Fantasy XIII (Xbox 360, PlayStation 3) launch at a specific June 2010 date? Keen-eyed tipster zman7861 pointed us to his observation that the site has now indeed put up an exact date for the game's region release.

Ubisoft's Assassin's Creed 2 (PS3, Xbox 360, PC) is going black. EB Games Australia is reportedly offering at their online store the Assassin'sc Creed 2 Exclusive Black Collector's Edition, and is pegging it for a November 2009 ship-out.

Australia's getting a mighty fine bundle from Epic Games in the form of a Gears of War bundle. This was announced by Microsoft Australia, even giving out a June 4th release date for participating retail stores.

Two years ago, Atari Europe was fortunately in the safe zone, despite the mother company's grim and disheartening financial report of Q2 2007. Back then, the problem was isolated only to the US offices, and the Atari branch was said to be unharmed by the restructuring overseas. Today, however, Atari Europe is no more, now having been officially acquired by Namco Bandai.

Come April 30th, Xbox Live subscribers and PC owners of Battlestations: Pacific will be getting the demo for the said game. Wanna get a close-up feel of the famed Kamikaze attacks during WWII? Then this is your chance.

Looks like Take-Two Interactive is moving some chess pieces for a formal announcement of something big soon. Big in the sense of moving corporate squares, perhaps. A recent trademark filing from T2 was recently spotted - one for an "Irrational Boston". You don't have to look far to assume what it could possibly be. I'm sure some of you guys remember Irrational Games, yes?