The Last Of Us gets a new trailer, as Joel and a slightly redesigned Ellie, take to the road only to be stopped in their tracks.

Naughty Dog's post-apocalyptic PS3 survive-'em-up still looks the business - expect more at E3.

Lionhead is making a single and four-player co-op MMO-style game for "next generation consoles," according to a agency recruitment post on LinkedIn (via Superannuation).

Described as an "opportunity to work on [an] MMO like title for next generation consoles. AAA game and budget" the post refers to a "a major developer in the South East UK," which is looking to "add a number of key team members to a very large scale game development group in this studio."

The studio is developing a "major brand new IP that is being targeted for the future generation of platforms and will be an RPG based game with a radical new take on how co-operative and multiplayer gameplay feeds into the experience, while blending online and single player into one complete experience," according to the recruiter.

Other things mentioned about the game include:

- a complex progression system
- multiple routes through the campaign
- an MMO like multiplayer experience that will affect the outcome of the player experience
- many other attributes surrounding their profile (such as the environment and the outcome of certain actions).
- 4 player co-op
- A development team with over 150 members

Lionhead didn't deny the report, saying in a statement that it is "in the business of making great games," and regularly looks "to hire great individuals to help in this cause."

Lionhead were previously rumoured to be developing an MMO back in December.

More Lionhead on NowGamer:

• Fable Studio Lionhead Developing MMO?
• Fable Creator Peter Molyneux Quits Lionhead, Microsoft - Forms 22 Cans
• Fable Heroes Review
  

Need For Speed: Hot Pursuit and Burnout developer Criterion is looking for a Software Engineer to help port content to PlayStation Vita, judging by a new job listing.

Criterion is rumoured to be workng on Need For Speed: Most Wanted 2 after the game was listd on a retailer alongside the similarly-unannounced Dead Space 3.

The successful candidate will be "interfacing the game engine with several parts of the VITA OS," "optimizing and tuning the game resource system for the PS Vita," and "implementing interoperation between PS3 and the Vita."

Is Need For Speed: Most Wanted 2 headed for the PS Vita? With cross-play? Could be. EA may decide to reveal all at E3 next month.

More Need For Speed on NowGamer:

• EA Confirms Profit, New Dead Space, Need For Speed Games By 2013
• Need For Speed: Most Wanted 2, Dead Space 3 Pre-Orders Hit Retailer
  

Halo 4 studio 343 Indsutries has unveiled the very first details for the Halo 4 Limited Edition, which along with the standard edition of the game will be the only version available - so no Legendary Edition.

"We decided to focus our efforts on a single special edition instead of numerous ones so you wouldn’t have to pick and choose between what ancillary items you want," reads Halo Waypoint. "Now your primary choice is whether or not you just want the game, or the game along with all the goodies."

Halo 4 Limited Edition will be available when the game launches on 6 November with an RRP of $99.99.

Meanwhile expect more info about Halo 4's specializations at E3, along with reveals of "new weapons, enemies, game types, and more."

Check out the limited edition run-down below, direct from 343:

Halo 4 Limited Edition details:

• War Games Map Pack Access

The competitive multiplayer modes of Halo 4 are known as War Games. The Limited Edition includes access to nine maps - three future competitive multiplayer map packs, each including three locations, available for download post-launch on Xbox LIVE. Yes, you read that correctly; you get nine maps in the form of future DLC with the purchase of the Halo 4 Limited Edition. Score!|

• Specializations

Everyone will have access to select Specializations, but those that purchase the Halo 4 Limited Edition will receive the ability to unlock six Specializations early, available at launch on Xbox LIVE. You can use them, one at a time, to achieve higher ranks in your Spartan career. In addition to gaining access to new ranks, Specializations unlock new customization options. We’ll be releasing more information about Specializations at E3, so expect additional details about this particular feature then.

• UNSC Infinity Briefing Packet

The UNSC Infinity Briefing Packet includes a Spartan armor customization schematic, information about UNSC weapons, an introduction to the massive ship UNSC Infinity, and insight into what it means to be one of humanity’s finest warriors: The Spartan-IVs. Story lovers will especially enjoy this in-fiction offering that provides a glimpse into the indoctrination of Spartans aboard the Infinity.

• Halo 4: Forward Unto Dawn Special Edition

The Special Edition of Halo 4: Forward Unto Dawn is a 90-minute extended version of the live-action digital series which will take fans back to the terrifying beginning of the Human/Covenant war, when the Master Chief inspired a young cadet who would eventually become a leader aboard the UNSC’s greatest vessel ever: the UNSC Infinity.

Digital content also includes in-fiction bonus content that expands the characters and stories of Halo 4: Forward Unto Dawn, special featurette Bringing Gaming into Reality, and a behind the scenes look at the making of Halo 4: Forward Unto Dawn.

• Bonus digital content through Xbox LIVE

The Limited Edition includes the following bonus digital content through Xbox LIVE: unique in-game Spartan-IV armor skin, unique in-game weapon skin for the Assault Rifle, an exclusive in-game emblem, Xbox LIVE Avatar prop, and Xbox LIVE Avatar Spartan IV armor set.

More Halo 4 on NowGamer: 

• Halo 4: Master Chief Stars In Epic Cover Art, New Enemies Teased
• Spartan Ops 'Is Halo 4's True Innovation' Content Season Adds Five New Missions A Week
• Halo 4: 343 Devs Drop New Weapon, Multiplayer, Campaign Details
• Halo 4: Multiplayer Details Explain Infinity, Perks, Spartan Points, Spartan Ops
• Halo 4's Release Date Jumps Into Early-November Call of Duty Slot
  

Crysis 3 could end up being the most colourful, visually impressive game in the series to date, judging by the latest concept images to hit the internet (via AGB).

The overgrown New York setting will give rise to weird and wonderful environments, while Prophet's futuristic bow will feature different arrow types and an auto-reloader.

An actual render reveals the sort of visual-effects polish that Crytek is aiming for, with a Ceph enemy pouring fire all over the environment, as Prophet emerges from what used to be a chinese food store.

Check out our gallery for more.

Crysis 3 is scheduled to launch on PS3, PC and Xbox 360 early in 2013.

PixelJunk 4AM (£6.49) and Sonic 4: Episode 2 (£9.99) are the new games to hit PSN today, with Saints Row: The Third (£29.99) also now available digitally.

PS2 classic Deus Ex can be had for £7.99, while new DLC is served up for Final Fantasy XIII-2, LittleBigPlanet 2, Max Payne 3 and more.

Check out the full list of content here.

The Apocalyptic sale meanwhile offers a 30 per cent discount on individual Fallout3 and Fallout: New Vegas DLC packs or a 50 per cent discount on a bundle. Games including Bioshock 2 and Borderlands will start from £9.69/€11.99 with additional DLC discounts.

Also expect Resident Evil 4, Code Veronica: X, Amy, Burn Zombies Burn and All Zombies Must Die to receive discounts too.

Diablo 3 has had it's share of launch troubles, with a host of error messages testing gamers wits as Blizzard attempts to iron out the problems associated with overwhelming server traffic.

Now, Diablo 3 players can make a quick visit to Blizzard's server status page, which will give you a good idea whether or not the game server, or auction house servers are up and running without a hitch.

Hit the Diablo 3 server status page now for more.

More Diablo 3 on NowGamer:

• Diablo 3: Fixes May Cause More Errors In North America - Blizzard
• Diablo 3 Launch Crashes Servers, Error 37 Delays Widespread
• Diablo 3 Launches: Play From Midnight, Review Incoming
• Diablo 3: Blizzard Details Download, Installation, Day-One Patch, Launch Delays
• Diablo 3: Blizzard Details Real-Money Auction House Transactions, Fees
  

Secret cow levels and gothic art: Dave Brevik talks about creating the original Diablo.

The Making Of Diablo

Dragon Age 3's developers at BioWare will benefit from on-going, monthly discussions with fans over what they love about the franchise and what Dragon Age means to them.

"Consider this a conversation between fans, the community team, and the developers," reads the BioWare blog. "Everyone at BioWare is incredibly excited about the future of the franchise but we’re interested in what you have to say.

"Every month, we will discuss a topic or question about Dragon Age and game development. You will have one week to post your thoughts, desires, and hopes before we close the thread for review. Moderators and developers will pop into the thread to chat every now and again, so keep an eye out."

The process is designed to talk about 'ideas' rather than specific features or game mechanics.

"These questions and discussions are not only for future games, but other potential products like novels, animated features, pen and paper RPGs, and comics – all of which offer us opportunities to expand on parts of the world," the blog adds.

"However, it’s worth reminding that we’re not making promises, we’re talking about ideas. We won’t guarantee that things we discuss will materialize and we’re not showing anything until we’re ready."

BioWare doesn't want to crowdsource or solicit fans game dev concepts; "This should remain a discussion between BioWare and fans about what you loved about Dragon Age Origins and Dragon Age 2—what this franchise means to you."

If you have opinions about the Dragon Age franchise - hit the Dragon Age discovery and learning forum thread.

More Dragon Age 3 on NowGamer:

• Dragon Age 3: BioWare Teases Orlais Destination For Next Game
• BioWare Wants Fan Feedback For Dragon Age 3
• Dragon Age 3: New Details Dropped By BioWare
• Dragon Age 3 Will 'Combine Best Of Origins, DA2' - Muzyka

Battlefield: Bad Company 3 and Mirror’s Edge 2 have been mentioned in a number of LinkedIn pages, suggesting the DICE games could be further into development than previously thought.

One user claims to have provided focus-group feedback on unannounced titles such as Battlefield: Bad Company 3, Dead Space 2, Devil May Cry 5 and others, while a former EA Software Engineer claims to have worked on Mirror’s Edge 2 from July 2009, mentioning a "wandering of crowd system within Unreal3 engine".

A third profile reveals a former EA developer who designed "new gadgets and interactive features" for Mirror’s Edge 2, as well as "leaderboards" and a "mini-game embedded into mirror’s edge game story".

A Mirror's Edge sequel has been the source of speculation for some time, and could be powered by DICE's Frostbite 2.0, although the Unreal Engine reference suggests otherwise.

More Mirror's Edge 2 on NowGamer:

• DICE Talks Mirror's Edge Sequel
• EA: Mirror's Edge Deserves Sequel
• Battlefield 3 Studio DICE Developing New IP
• EA 'Won't Give Up On Mirror's Edge'

Saints Row 4 is in development for current-gen platforms at THQ studio Volition according to the LinkedIn page of prop and weapon artist David Payne.

Internet sleuth Superannuation happened upon Payne's page as well as that of audio director Ariel Gross, who claims that Volition is also starting work on projects for next-generation hardware too.

THQ has shipped well over 4 million copies of Saints Row: The Third according to its recent financial results, making a sequel all but set in stone.

Saints Row: The Third players will also be able to download the substantial-sounding 'Enter The Dominatrix' DLC this Autumn, for $30 (around £18) which will introduce super-powers to the game.

More Saints Row:

• Saints Row 3: Zany 'Gangstas In Space' DLC Incoming This Week
• UFC, WWE, Saints Row Publisher THQ Debunks Sale Rumours
• 'Secret Project Y' Reappears On Saints Row Dev Volition's Website
  

Call of Duty: Black Ops 2 got a rather ace trailer this month, showing off a new breed of insane future combat. But it was also rammed full of sly nods to sci-fi culture. Join us as we geek out on the sci-fi movie references.

Blade Runner

At the start of the trailer, you can see a futuristic aircraft docking at what appears to be a UN building – hence all of the flags outside – and over the top you can hear a synth soundtrack that smacks of Blade Runner.

It’s a cool little synth riff, but as Black Ops 2 is set just over ten years from now, the tune and scene in the trailer are perhaps a bit too sci-fi. After all, we’re still miles off from Ridley Scott’s grim depiction of Los Angeles – and that film was set in 2019 too.

Ghost in the Shell

CLAW mechs. They seem a tad slow, but come armed with a shed load of guns. Count them – Rail gun, minigun, grenade launchers and what looks like a scoped anti-aircraft rifle. Overkill much?

The CLAW isn’t too far removed from the Taichkoma tanks as seen in Ghost in the Shell. To be fair though, the Taichkomas are much, much cooler than the CLAW, which looks slow and clumsy by comparison. Plus, the Ghost in the Shell tanks could use stealth cloaks, and jump around like a spider, making them much more mobile. The CLAW looks like a broken shopping trolley by comparison. 

Minority Report

In the space of a few seconds we see the wrist computer of Black Ops 2 protagonist David Mason, and a projected image of downtown Los Angeles, full of HUD markers and other data. This is the kind of projected user interface that sci-fi fans love to trace back to Minority Report, but without the Kinect motion control options.

Total Recall

This one is blatant, as we see a man clutching a concealed gun walking behind a x-ray-ish surveillance screen. The screen highlights his gun in red, alerting security to the potential threat.

There’s no denying that this tech has been ripped right out of Total Recall, and the scene where Quaid walks past an x-ray scanner, only to have his concealed gun flash up red on the display.

Terminator: Salvation

The trailer starts talking about robots and unmanned armies, cut to imagery that smacks of Terminator: Salvation, which is also set in – you guessed it – Los Angeles.

In Terminator: Salvation, Los Angeles is a smouldering wreck of a city, and many scenes in the Black Ops 2 trailer show the downtown area in ruins, with tons of robots and drones running amok. It’s a similar premise, and set the same location.

Battle: Los Angeles

In this part of the Black Ops 2 trailer, you can see downtown Los Angeles getting absolutely battered by rockets, drones and other robotic enemies, which is quite a lot like Battle: Los Angeles.

You can even take a still of the Black Ops trailer and Battle: Los Angeles, put them side by side and play spot the difference. 

While the film dealt with an alien invasion, Black Ops 2 is about the hijacking of an unmanned drone army, so they are different, but either way, LA gets absolutely humped. Three cheers for mindless destruction.

Aliens

This sort of makes sense when you see the special operations unit rushing around the Los Angeles streets in the Black Ops 2 trailer. These guys are armed to the teeth, sporting badass tattoos, hulking rifles and lethal levels of testosterone. But they’re also fighting a hive mind enemy without emotion, fear and in massive, swarming numbers.

This is sort of the basis of Aliens, in which a crew of brash, over-confident colonial marines descend to a planet in search of missing colonists who have fallen silent. They are arrogant and believe they are going to pull off their mission with ease. Then the aliens show up and kill most of them. It’s like Vietnam but in the future.

The Terminator

OK, so this is a daft one to close on, but that cop’s roll is pure T-1000 from Terminator 2, and there’s no way that the film was an influence on Black Ops. We doubt he’s getting back up from that one though.

Mass Effect 3's next DLC is called Rebellion and will add new maps, weapons and character classes to the game's multiplayer mode, according to Sony's Hong Kong website.

The Mass Effect 3 Resurgence Pack hit last month, but BioWare has yet to announce the Rebellion DLC.

Players can expect two new maps, three new weapons and six new classes - expect the Vorcha to be playable as well as map Firebase Jade (set in a jungle resevoir) and Firebase Goddess (based on Thessia, the Asari homeworld).

The page has now been taken down - look out for more details should BioWare confirm the Rebellion DLC pack.

More Mass Effect 3:

• Mass Effect 3: Operation Exorcist Hitting PC, Xbox 360, But Not PS3
• Mass Effect 3 Ending 'Not Being Changed Or Re-Imagined' - BioWare
• Mass Effect 3 Patch Causing Crashes On Xbox 360, PS3

Diablo 3's troubled launch is still yet to be resolved for thousands of gamers, with Blizzard working around the clock to fix the various issues and error messages facing players attempting to connect with and authenticate the game.

"We're currently performing urgent maintenance in North America to resolve a variety of issues affecting the game," Blizzard confirmed last night.

"As a result of this maintenance, though, we anticipate that players will experience some interruption in communication, ability to log in, use of in-game features (like creating or joining games), and disconnections. This error may be a direct symptom of the ongoing maintenance."

So, as Blizzard seeks to fix the on-going problems, players may experience problems as a result. Makes sense, but we doubt it'll comfort the frustrated gamers that need to take the game online just to play Diablo 3 as a single-player experience.

Have you managed to play Diablo 3 yet? What territory are you in? Drop us a line below.

More Diablo 3 on NowGamer:

• Diablo 3 Launch Crashes Servers, Error 37 Delays Widespread
• Diablo 3 Launches: Play From Midnight, Review Incoming
• Diablo 3: Blizzard Details Download, Installation, Day-One Patch, Launch Delays
• Diablo 3: Blizzard Details Real-Money Auction House Transactions, Fees
• Diablo 3: In The Works For Six Years, 'Probably Could Have Shipped Earlier' - Blizzard

GTA 5's vehicles may have been outed via Max Payne 3, according to users on the GTA Forums.

The code, said to come from a .ide file found on the Max Payne 3 disc, features a number of vehicles, each with model names, vehicle handling values, camera angles and other stats.

The vehicle names are listed below, and include 48 cars, five bikes, ten helicopters, on plane, 25 boats and nine types of train.

GTA fans will recognise a number of the models from the Grand Theft Auto universe, such as the Bobcat, Patriot, Cognoscenti and more.

This is far from confirmation of the vehicles set for GTA 5, put could be provide some indication, given that the list includes a mix of old and new vehicle names - definitely treat the list below as rumour for now.

We've contacted Rockstar for further comment.

Cars
apc
bobsleigh
benson
biff
bobcat
boxville
buccaneer
burrito
brzbus
casco
cadge
car_brzhatchplc
car_brzsedanplc
car_brzhatchjnk
car_brzsedanjnk
carga
cavalcade
cognoscenti
cs2000
chavos
dukes
dune
feroci
forklift
futo
furzen
fxt
gant
hauler
minivan
infernus
patriot
phantom
prairie
police
rancher
rhino
schafter
seinove
skimobile
taxi
vanpony
willard
winky
trash
railmu
flatty
snowplough

Bikes
enduro
jz125
z75
faggio2
spike

Helicopters
autogiro
bchopper
annihilator
bentham
maverick
hind
napalm
scamp
heli_vcpf
heli_tfe

Planes
cuban800

Boats
squalo
bassboy
chika
fisher
fishboat_a
fishboat_b
fishboat_c
fishboat_d,
marquis
reefer
tropic
gunboat
sabs_boat
small_gb2
dinghy
p_mi_botfsh
whaler
woody
woody2
sporto
tinny
tug
contbo
smug
edsboat

Trains
cablecar
chairlift
subway_lo
subway_hi
train_carg
trainf_carg
trainr_carg
train_int
lighty

More GTA 5 on NowGamer:

• GTA 5: Amazon Predicts December 2012 Release Date
• GTA 5 October Release Date 'Preferred' By Rockstar, Will Hit Sales Of 18m - Report
• Rockstar Social Club Gears Up For Max Payne 3, GTA 5 Crews
• BioShock Infinite Delayed To 2013 To Make It 'Even More Extraordinary'
  

We've got 500 keys up for grabs!

The Secret World Beta Key Giveaway

We wondered how long it would take the whole Diablo 3 Error 37 thing to become a meme. Not long, it seems.

Do you want in on The Secret World? Want to give this intriguing and innovative MMO a try first hand? Grab a beta key here and you can.

Funcom and EA are running a beta weekend from Friday 18 May at 5PM to Monday 21 May at 8AM. Plenty of time to get in and have a look around.

The beta will cover early content for the MMO, enabling you to create either a member of the Illuminati or the Templars, as well as play their starting locations of New York and London.

From there your quest will head out into Kingsmouth to try your hand at The Secret World proper.

And all you need to do to gain access is like NowGamer over on our The Secret World Facebook beta access page to get hold of a code.

Once you have your code, head over to Funcom's The Secret World website to sign up for a Funcom account (or log in to an existing one), then attribute the code to your account.

Then it's just a case of downloading and installing the client. Enjoy! But remember to head over to the official The Secret World forums for any feedback or assistance you might have.

• Like us on Facebook to get your beta key.

The Secret World, Funcom's ambitious, upcoming MMO, is currently in beta testing - if you'd like to get hands-on with the game this weekend, NowGamer has 500 beta codes to giveaway courtesy of EA.

To obtain a code simply visit NowGamer's Facebook page, hit the 'Like' button, then enter your details.

The beta weekend begins in the evening of Friday, 18 May, so get in there quick to guarantee your participation.

You'll get a code which can be redeemed as per the steps below:

1. Visit http://register.thesecretworld.com and either sign up for a new Funcom account using the key or apply it to an existing account.

2. After registering you will find a link to download The Secret World Beta Weekend client on your account page. We suggest you install the client well before the Beta Weekend starts to make sure it is all patched up and ready to go.

3. Enjoy! Note that you can visit the official forums on http://forums.thesecretworld.com to discuss with other participants.

Minecraft Xbox 360 Edition will be updated sometime over the summer, according to Mojang's Minecraft developer Jeb Bergensten.

"A lot of people are asking about the next Minecraft Xbox update. All I can say is it's planned to be released "this summer"," the developer tweeted.

Minecraft on Xbox 360 is expected to be updated on an on-going basis - the current console version of the game is based on the PC beta version 1.6.6 , while the PC game is release version 1.2.5.

Minecraft Xbox 360 Edition has been an unmitigated success, selling more than a million copies in a week, and becoming profitable an hour after going on sale.

More Minecraft Xbox 360:

• Minecraft Xbox 360 Sells Over A Million Copies In Launch Week - Microsoft
• Minecraft Xbox 360: How To Survive Your First 5 Days
  
• Minecraft Xbox 360 Became Profitable After An Hour On Sale - Notch
  

Ghost Recon Future Soldier will have flying drones almost identical to those in Treyarch's Black Ops 2 when it launches on PS3 and Xbox 360 next week, judging by the shooter's launch trailer.

Ghost Recon Future Soldier features a near-future setting, as well as all the high-tech weaponry and equipment to go with it - something Treyarch willalso attempt with Black Ops 2 whenit hits on 13 November.

Check out the Ghost Recon Future Soldier launch trailer above.

How great sci-fi movies have influenced the latest Call Of Duty.

Black Ops 2 Vs Sci-Fi

[Update]
As spotted by readers, Vaneras qualified the comment below by adding in a later post: "I was purely talking about content patches in my previous post. If we ever release expansion packs for Diablo III, they will of course feature new content."

[Original story]                               
Diablo 3's randomised dungeons mean that Blizzard isn't planning any major content patches, according to community manager Vaneras.

"It’s important to understand that Diablo is not World of Warcraft, meaning that there will be no major content patches with new dungeons, or bosses, or enemies," he wrote on the Diablo 3 forum. "We have plans on patching in PvP of course, but in general the only ‘content’ we would patch in would most likely just be new items."

Players shoulden't expect major new content, Vaneras added.

"Diablo 3 will see patches to adjust things like game balance and potential system improvements, but any actual content additions is not something you should expect to see.

"The purpose of the randomized dungeons and items in any Diablo game is to provide an endless amount out of content right out of the box."

Blizzard created an expansion for Diablo 2 back in 2001 - Diablo II: Lord of Destruction.

Diablo 3's launch has been plagued by technical issues as thousands of players flooded Blizzard's servers concurrently.

More Diablo 3 on NowGamer:

• Diablo 3 Launch Crashes Servers, Error 37 Delays Widespread
• Diablo 3 Launches: Play From Midnight, Review Incoming
• Diablo 3: Blizzard Details Download, Installation, Day-One Patch, Launch Delays
• Diablo 3: Blizzard Details Real-Money Auction House Transactions, Fees
• Diablo 3: In The Works For Six Years, 'Probably Could Have Shipped Earlier' - Blizzard