Steam is having a power sale this weekend for EA’s Dead Space series with both games selling for $5 each.

If there was ever a good time for you to try out one of the scariest new franchises this side of Resident Evil, now is the perfect time. Don’t forget: play in the dark, sound turned all the way up. And have an extra pair of underwear on standby.

Following all of the developments since the October 25th launch of Battlefield 3, EA has confirmed it will give PS3 Battlefield 3 customers the promised copy of Battlefield 1943 after all and has conveyed their thoughts over the “misunderstandings around Battlefield 1943 and Battlefield 3” on a webpage that explains how to get your free copy of the game.

Over on the webpage, a timeline has been given for when the content is going live. Be sure to follow the instructions!

Things just got a little more interesting in the Battlefield 1943 debacle surrounding the PS3 version of Battlefield 3.

Going back to this summer’s Sony Press Conference at E3, it was announced by SCEA President Jack Tretton that through partnership with EA, Battlefield 3 would include exclusive content only available for the PlayStation 3 version — a free copy of Battlefield 1943. Battlefield 3 was one of 3 different EA titles that was announced to be coming with exclusive content only for PS3. The announcement was well received and was probably the greatest catalyst for purchases of DICE’s hit title on the PS3. Tretton stated that through the use of the extra storage space on Blu-ray discs, one of the most popular PSN games would be bundled with BF3. Sadly, when October 25th came, there was no free game included.

Edelson McGuire, LLC (a legal firm focusing on consumer class actions, political and legal consulting, and entertainment law) has filed a class-action lawsuit against EA on behalf of the consumers who purchased the PS3 for the free copy of Battlefield 1943 because, let’s just face it, it was a real incentive to purchase the PS3 version of Battlefield 3.

The lawsuit states the chief complaint is not about the renege on the offer for the free game to PS3 owners, but ultimately that the offer had been reneged after consumers already made purchases of BF3 with the expectation of receiving BF1943. While customers were scratching their heads and trying to get answers about the missing content from their purchases, EA announced the change to the deal on Twitter instead of a formal venue — a move that resulted in a large group of consumers not even aware an announcement was made.

The suit also explains that the replacement deal of handing out BF3 expansions “early to PS3 customers” as pacifier does not compensate with the loss of a full video game. Furthermore, the suit practically spells out that the BF1943 offer enticed thousands of consumers to purchase the PS3 version over a PC or 360 copy and EA “misled and profited from thousands of their customers by making a promise that they could not, and never intended, to keep.”

Kotaku spoke with lawyers of the firm that reports that those they represent are only after “compensatory relief”. Translation: they only want their copy of Battlefield 1943 as was originally intended.

We’ll keep you posted as more developments take place.

The move is expected to put 21 people out of jobs and apparently stems from the cancellation of an IP that the branch had been working on for 3 years but was cancelled. The VP of EA Games Patrick Soderland said the game wouldn’t be a financial success and production of the title halted. EA hasn’t confirmed closure yet but the Melbourne branch of the International Game Developers’ Association has tweeted confirmation: “Confirmation of EA closing Visceral has been received… Our best wishes to the 21 devs now out of a job #EAVisceral.”

It’s that time of year again where a new Madden game brings us a new bundle for the Sony PSP. On August 30th, the Madden 12 & Need For Speed: SHIFT PSP Entertainment Pack will be in stores for the price of $159.99. The pack will feature a black PSP-3000, 2GB Memory Stick PRO Duo, and both Madden NFL 12 and Need for Speed: SHIFT on UMD.

Sports fans be ready, the latest Madden game continues the rich tradition of the storied Madden franchise featuring all 32 teams, stadiums, and players. The top features of the game include Superstar and Franchise modes and the opportunity to create your own plays in game. Need for Speed: SHIFT simulates the feeling of driving high-end performance cars and combines a fast-paced racing experience, competitive racing AI, and dynamic crashes across a wide range of technically challenging race tracks

Former Ubisoft Creative Director, Patrice Desilets will join THQ next summer to form the new studio. There he worked on Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time and the Assassin’s Creed franchise in the role of Creative Director.

This studio will be tasked with creating and developing new IP for THQ. It’ll be interesting to see how this works out in the next couple years.

The Dragon Age: Origins DLC pack, “Witch Hunt” ($6.99 on PlayStation® Network, 560 Microsoft points on the Xbox 360® video game and entertainment system, 560 BioWare Points on PC) features a story that reconnects players with one of the series’ original larger-than-life heroes, Morrigan. The Mass Effect 2 DLC pack, “Lair of the Shadow Broker” (800 Microsoft Points on Xbox 360, 800 BioWare Points on PC), centers around Liara, a popular character and squadmate from the original Mass Effect.

Dragon Age: Origins “Witch Hunt” picks up Morrigan’s story after the defeat of the Archdemon and her disappearance into the shadows. Nearly a year has passed since the Archdemon’s death, and word has reached the Wardens that Morrigan has returned to Ferelden. Seeking to confirm her presence and confront her about her mysterious disappearance, players will head into the forest to tie up this last loose end once and for all.

In Mass Effect 2 “Lair of the Shadow Broker”, Liara T’Soni is tracking down the mysterious Shadow Broker with the hopes of recovering a kidnap victim. Liara enlists the help of Commander Shepard and his crew, chasing clues from the luxurious heights of Illium to the depths of the Shadow Broker’s own secret lair. The new DLC pack adds the Shadow Broker intel center, new research, as well as the chance to continue a relationship with Liara from the original Mass Effect.

Dead Space 2 starts off with Isaac Clarke — still alive after the first game’s thrilling end — surrounded by necromorphs and no true idea how he wound up in this situation. Hours before Isaac’s next nightmare begins on board “The Sprawl”, a necromorph outbreak erupted throughout the space station and a new hell begins that could have devastating consequences for humanity. Steve Papoutsis (Dead Space franchise Executive Producer) revealed Ignition will be “the first of many exciting game extensions planned for the launch of Dead Space 2.

The storyline is being penned by Antony Johnson (author of the 2008 Dead Space animated comic) and is staying true to form on the suspense and terror that has made Dead Space such a phenomenal franchise. Dead Space Ignition appears to be a comic-stylized “Choose Your Own Adventure” story featuring “three unique hacking mini games.” All the major developments leading up to the start of Dead Space 2 will be fleshed out and also give new players to the series all the knowledge needed to learn about the dismemberment strategy of the previous games. There’s four endings to the game (depending on which adventure is chosen) giving the masses some decent replayability. The endings will earn players in-game rewards for Dead Space 2 “including an exclusive suit.”

Co-developed by Visceral Games and Sumo Digital, Dead Space Ignition will stick true to Visceral Games’ plan for blitzing content for their highly successful franchise to the masses. There hasn’t been a mention of how much the DLC will cost for Xbox Live Arcade and the PlayStation Network so the waiting game begins as Fall 2010 approaches.

Titled Dragon Age: Origins – Awakening, the game will task players with rebuilding the ranks of the Grey Wardens as well as investigating how Dark Spawn are able to still terrorize the land without having an Archdemon to guide them.

Dragon Age: Origins – Awakening, BioWare’s next thread in the Dragon Age: Origins tapestry, occurs following the events of Dragon Age: Origins and puts players into the role of a Grey Warden Commander entrusted with rebuilding the order of Grey Wardens. In addition to rebuilding the ranks of the Grey Wardens, you will be tasked with uncovering the mystery of how the darkspawn survive after the slaying of the Archdemon. How players choose to rebuild their order, resolve the conflict with the mysterious “Architect,” and determine the fate of the darkspawn are just some of the many intriguing moral choices that will shape each player’s heroic journey. Players will be able to import their character from Dragon Age: Origins or start out as a new Grey Warden from the neighboring land of Orlais.

Dragon Age: Origins – Awakening will be available on March 16, 2010 for $39.99 on PC, Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 consoles in North America and will require Dragon Age: Origins to play.

Yesterday we told you some of the names that will be voicing Mass Effect 2. Now you can listen to it for yourself.

Martin Sheen (“The West Wing”, “Apocalypse Now”) will voice the commander of the Cerberus, Illusive Man. Yvonne Strahovski (“Chuck”) plays as a genetically engineered Cerberus operative, Miranda Lawson. Also making appearances in the cast areTricia Helfer (“Battlestar Galactica”) as EDI, the voice of the new Normandy; Carrie-Anne Moss (“The Matrix”) as Aria T’Loak, the crime lord who rules the planet Omega; Shohreh Aghdashloo (“House of Saddam”) as Admiral Shala’Raan vas Tonbay; Michael Hogan (“Battlestar Galactica”) as Captain Bailey; Adam Baldwin (“Chuck”) as Kal ‘Reegar; and Michael Dorn (“Star Trek: Deep Space Nine”) as Gatatog Uvenk.

If an organization named Cerberus sounds familiar, you’ll remember bumping into them in one way or another a few times in the previous Mass Effect. As a secretive paramilitary organization dedicated to protecting human interests in the galaxy, they’ll be playing a larger role this time around.

The Mass Effect trilogy is an emotionally charged science fiction adventure set in a vast universe filled with dangerous alien life and mysterious, uncharted planets. In Mass Effect 2, players will once again step into the role of the heroic Commander Shepard, commanding their crew of some of the most dangerous operatives from across the galaxy on a mission so challenging that it’s potentially suicidal. Featuring intense shooter action, a rich futuristic storyline, space exploration and emotionally engaging character interaction, the game delivers an unparalleled cinematic experience.

Mass Effect 2 ships for Xbox 360 and PC on January 26, 2010.

While PS3 owners will be able to download and play the demo today, Xbox Live won’t recieve it until Christmas Eve.

Perhaps even bigger news is the Dante’s Inferno ‘Divine Edition’. All gamers who purchase Datne’s Inferno on PS3 will recieve this special edition for the standard $59.99. It includes developer commentaries, a digital art book, the soundtrack and a digital version of Longfellow’s translation of Dante Alighieri’s Inferno. Not bad, not bad at all.

In the Dante’s Inferno “Gates of Hell” demo, gamers will experience Dante Alighieri’s re-imagined past, as a crusader who returns home to Florence to discover his true love, Beatrice, murdered. Sworn to her rescue, Dante must journey to the Gates of Hell and beyond to battle undead monstrosities, unholy boss demons, and Death himself. Offering a glimpse into the vast world of Dante’s Inferno, the demo serves as a prelude to the player’s perilous journey through the nine circles of hell.

Mass Effect 2 is an emotionally charged shooter/RPG set in a vast science-fiction universe filled with dangerous alien life and mysterious, uncharted planets. In Mass Effect 2, players will once again step into the role of the heroic Commander Shepard, commanding a crew of some of the most dangerous operatives from across the galaxy on a challenging and potentially suicidal mission. Featuring intense action, a rich futuristic storyline, space exploration and emotionally engaging character interaction, Mass Effect 2 delivers an unparalleled cinematic experience for games. Mass Effect 2 will be available on the Xbox 360 and PC on January 26th.

“We’re thrilled to jump back into the series, making the next chapter in Isaac’s journey. The infection continues to spread throughout space and our hero Isaac Clarke is the only person able to contain it. There are still loads of necromorphs that need killing!” said Steve Papoutsis, Executive Producer of Dead Space 2. “In Dead Space 2, not everything is exactly as it seems. Expect plot twists that will surprise you and a huge cast of twisted, disgusting monsters that are sure to scare the daylights out of you.”

Dead Space 2 will see release on PS3, Xbox 360 and PC. The release is still unknown.

Taking place in Afghanistan, Medal of Honor is being developed by EA LA. The multiplayer, however, is being handled by EA DICE. The game will introduce the Tier 1 Operator: a relatively unknown entity directly under the National Command Authority who takes on missions no one else can handle.

“When we first set out to reinvent Medal of Honor, we wanted to stay true to its roots of authenticity and respect for the soldier but bring it into today’s war. The Tier 1 Operator is the most disciplined, deliberate and prepared warrior on the battlefield. He is a living, breathing, precision instrument of war.” said Greg Goodrich, Executive Producer, Medal of Honor. “We are honored to have the rare opportunity to work closely with these men to create a game that shares their experience.”

Medal of Honor is scheduled for a 2010 release. No platforms have been announced, but the preliminary boxart is that of a PS3 SKU.

Mass Effect 2 will be available on the Xbox 360 and PC on January 26th.

Electronic Arts is clearly not on the same page. I might have paid $10- $15 (and maybe even $20.00) and thought nothing of it. Forty bucks just seems cruel. Waitaminute, NO online multiplayer? ZERO? The WALMART board game is $15 bucks, folks. FAIL.