The concluding chapter of  both Ezio and Altair’s adventures is released on November 15th.  Fans of Assassin’s Creed need not worry as there are still plenty of memories left in Desmond – you know, the guy currently in the Animus.

Set in Constantinople, Ubisoft’s development team “[...]not only did historical and on-location research, but pulled iconic constructs from throughout the Byzantine and Ottoman empires to make sure each district had a unique feel and design. Concept art was drafted to make sure each region would have its own style, which was then the basis for actual computer-based modeling.

The decision to create four separate districts rose from the team’s desire to make sure the city didn’t have a uniform feel. The actual topography of Istanbul was used as a model for the city, which was then populated with building designs based on historical reference material. [...]

Take a peek at the official launch trailer in readiness for the 15th November.

Meh! Never have I been so disappointed by a title’s release than Battlefield 3.  Its launch was eagerly awaited – especially as the videos depicting actual game play appeared to be visually stunning – but this was PC footage in the main.  On a console, however, its overall appearance was something that would be expected from three to four years ago.  I completed the game on its hardest setting to give it a chance but it was blocky, dull and uninspiring.

Could this be a result of developers needing a next-generation console perhaps?  I don’t think this is the case as other recent games have visually improved despite hardware limitations – such as Forza Motorsport 4 for example.  Another game to maximise the 360′s current hardware is Gears of War 3.  Gears’ Lead Designer Cliff B Bleszinski - the legendary Cliffy B, I hasten to add – has said that “You’d be surprised at what tricks coders can pull. It’s a matter of squeezing ever more water from that stone. We’ll see how much longer the console generation lasts.”

Basically, I feel that I am a victim of both clever marketing and lazy coders.  You can pick up my copy from the second-hand shelf at GAME.

With only five days left for launch, take a look at a behind the scenes video of weapon proficiency or customising your favourite weapon.  Perhaps your favourite weapon is not fully suited to all the available maps? Weapon Proficiencies allow you to specialize your weapons with helpful attributes, such as Kick for reduced recoil and Impact for deeper penetration through hard surfaces.  Whatever class you play as – whether that be Assault, Specialist or Support – some of these proficiencies are unique to that particular class.

There has been a lot of kerfuffle with the advent of four-player co-op in Mass Effect 3.  There are those that say it will interfere with the single player (Campaign) mode and those that say it will not detract from the campaign whatsoever.  If you view the video below, skip to  2:17 were Casey Hudson states “[...]The better you do, the more you control, the better your single player ending will be [...]”

So much for those who state it will not detract from the SP mode then.  Nevertheless, I am still looking forward to March 2012.

Call of Duty Elite is both a free and subscription service for the CoD franchise.  For the differences between the two, view the official pages where it is also explained what it is, how it helps and what’s included.  If you purchased the Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 Hardened Edition – as I have done – you get a year’s subscription, founder status and a whole heap of other goodies for your shekels.

Although I appreciate the sentiments of the service, will it prevent those annoyingly high-pitched juvenile idiots – complete with the usual gay, faggot, nigger and Jew insults – from infecting the game?  No, it arguably will not prevent that but I’m hoping it will improve the community  as a whole.

Enjoy the video.

  Woo-Hoo! Even more videos in this autumn’s  gamefest extravaganza!  This latest video describes Modern Warfare 3′s Strike Packages – offering more variety and deeper customization – which have been designed to reward different play styles and skill levels.   The three classes are those of Assault, Support and Specialist.

Although a bit of a lone wolf, my style of play will probably mean choosing the Support Package – as kills are not the only way to move your point streaks forwards.  This is because you can increase your  point streaks through capturing domination points, UAV or assists.  A further bonus is that your streaks do not reset when you are killed.

I’m looking forward to November 8th.

Epic Games

Making a return from the original Gears of War in the next DLC – available from December 13th –  for Gears 3 is General RAAM.  I should really enjoy unleashing RAAM upon the COG forces as I found him to be the meanest mutha to ever have to beat.

RAAM’s Shadow “will deliver more than three hours of gameplay set in a storyline that precedes the events of the first “Gears of War,” as well as six new multiplayer characters, the Chocolate Weapon Set and an additional 250 Gamerscore.”  Zeta Squad is enlisted to evacuate Ilima City and protect the citizens against a Locust Kryll storm. Taking on the infamous Locust leader from “Gears 1,” General RAAM, Zeta is led by Michael Barrick (from “Gears of War” comics fame) and comprised of familiar faces such as Lt. Minh Young Kim (“Gears 1”) and Tai Kaliso (“Gears 2”), and also includes a new female comrade, Alicia Valera.” according to Epic Games Community.

This has nothing to do with a week in my pitiful life but the time before launch of Battlefield 3.  Xbox 360 owners can have the choice to install  an additional DVD containing a texture pack for optional installation to the 360′s Hard Disk Drive (HDD).   These high definition textures will be streamed from the HDD during the game.

Whet your appetite view the multiplayer footage below – although there are rumours of a new trailer to be released sometime today.