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Pardon the ignorance.....

by-HEDGEHOG

big BIG week in the RPG rumor front gamers. While CES has been a relatively uninspiring snoozefest for gamers there's plenty of rumors that could shakeup the industry. Including news from Square-Enix, Capcom, Lucasarts, Konami, Microsoft, and THQ! Sure you can handle? You may want to keep a Phoenix Down handy!

*Hot Man on Man Action, Minus the Folding Chairs
Intel out of the UFC has let slip that THQ is publishing another UFC game for multiple consoles. Exactly whose developing the game and details on the title itself are still closely guarded secret.

[Depth]

Here are the rest for those interested....

*Some Franchises Keep on Rolling
Konami continues to look like Sony's only real true friend as busines proves that loyalty really is a bottomline commodity. Still rumors that a new 'Suikoden' game's unveiling seems to be close at hand. Hopefully the next generation power of the PS3 will offer this franchise a chance to regain it's 32-bit glory!

The Hedgehog's Take- A makeup present for MGS4 going 360 perhaps??

*An RPG Garage Sale of the Highest Order!
Rumors are spreading like wildfire after several European websites reported that RPG giant Square-Enix is trying to raise some capital by selling several of its most famous franchises. Among the rumored deals, Chrono Trigger is being bought by Mistwalker, The Secrets of Mana series has been picked up by Beuna Vista, and perhaps most shockingly Kingdom Hearts is being sold entirely off to Disney! SHOCKING? Unthinkable?? Certainely seems that way at first glance. However, the Chrono series hasn't been used in years, Squeenix's attempt at a Mana revival has been disastrous, and as for Kingdom Hearts. Well the bickering and tug of war that went on between Disney and Squeenix over this franchise is legendary. Is Squeenix sick of the feuding or does Disney want total control?

The Hedgehog's Take- Enough to warrant a closet cleanup?? Only time will tell.


*Sly Get's Suckerpunched!
While critically acclaimed, Sly Cooper and his crew were always third in sales ranking when it came to Sony's Platforming trio. So it shouldn't come as too big a shock to learn that the developers first PS3 game is in fact a brand new IP having nothing to do with a cartoon raccoon.

The Hedgehog's Take- Hopefully they'll be a little more creative than Insomniac's blend of WWII and vicious aliens.

*Zombies Stay on the Greener Side of the Pasture
Even though it seems to contradict Capcom's edict of moving towards multi-platform development. EGM is reporting that Microsoft has gone to considerable lengths to secure Dead Rising as an exclusive 360 franchise for the emmediate future. So PS3 owners hoping to get their Mall Rats' on with 'Dead Rising 2' may be better off waiting for Resident Evil 5.

The Hedgehog's Take- Assuming not all Capcom's zombie games are flying Sony's coup.

*Back in The Jedi Saddle
We've known for sometime that Obsidian has been working on a new RPG, but we've been able to find no news of KOTOR 3 within that company. Maybe that's because Obsidian isn't developing KOTOR 3 afterall! In what will surely make some Network readers run for their clean underwear drawer a new rumor has it that RPG god Bioware is returning to craft the next 'Knights of the Old Republic' game. We know Bioware still has an as yet unamed title in development up their in Canada. Is it possible that Lucasarts has come crawling back to the Nanuck's of the North with light sabers in hand?? One can only hope!

The Hedgehog's Take- A KOTOR game running with Mass Effects' engine?? Excuse me wears me fresh Hanes??