Nintendo has revealed that a new Nintendo Direct will be airing tonight, focusing "on the Wii U software coming this spring and summer." The stream will be airing tonight at 12am AEST and will also be featuring a look at some 3DS software coming to Australia in the near future.

The new Nintendo Direct is in preparation for the company's new take on E3 2013, where they have opted out of a full stage presentation in favour of smaller hands-on booths and streams. Currently it is unclear what exactly we can expect at E3 this year from Nintendo but hopefully we'll hear more tonight.

Sony has published a new promo video for the PlayStation 4 in thier "conversations with creators" series, this time featuring some of the Blizzard Entertainment crew discussing their upcoming console-tailored version of the formerly PC-only action RPG Diablo 3:

In this video, you'll hear from three of the developers behind Blizzard Entertainment's action role-playing epic: Production Director John Hight, Lead Designer Joshua Mosqueira, and Senior Designer Jason Bender. Together, they'll explain how bringing the game to the PlayStation 3 and 4 has empowered them to viscerally transport players into the foreboding, demon-besieged world of Sanctuary by putting the action in the palms of their hands.

The clip contains quite a bit of groan-worthy hyperbole, but for those keen for a couch-friendly version of D3, it offers a pretty comprehensive overview of everything they're doing controls wise to make the game a better fit.

Diablo 3 is in the works for both the PlayStation 3, and PlayStation 4, but an official release date is still yet to be announced.

It seems Electronic Arts are looking to jump into the ever-growing multiplayer online battle arena genre or MOBA for short, according to a recent website showing off the currently unannounced Dawngate title.

According to the page - discovered by Internet sleuth Superannuation - the MOBA title will be the first title from developer Waypoint Games, a collection of "sincere students of games".

Dawngate is a new MOBA, built from the ground up to look and feel familiar while offering a whole new way to experience MOBA gameplay. Dawngate empowers you to forge the champions you love for the roles you want in a competitive arena, shaped by ever-evolving, community-driven content and story.

The website also offers potential players the chance to signup for beta access, however asks for Origin details. Currently the game only offers a single image, comprised of what looks to be six champions ranging from assassin like characters to human magic wielders and even a giant golem in the background.

It is unclear when exactly Dawngate will be officially revealed or whether it will be competing in the free-to-play market that titles like Valve's DOTA 2 and Riot's League of Legends have wrapped up. We'll have more as it comes to hand.

Developer and publisher City Interactive has officially unveiled Lords of the Fallen, a challenging third-person fantasy action-RPG for next-gen consoles and PC coming 2014.

Lords of the Fallen is a hardcore action-RPG featuring an advanced combat systems and robust class skill trees. Set in a richly created fantasy world where the Gods have failed mankind, players will take on the role of a human named Harkyn who sets out on a quest to stand against an apparently unstoppable supernatural force. Players travel across a world that is deeply dived by those that follow and others that resist, the Fallen God. Along their journey they will be faced with a series of decisions that will alter both the world and their character thus dramatically impacting the storyline.

Development of the game is being led by Tomasz Gop, former senior producer of the award-winning The Witcher 2: Assassin of Kings at CD Projekt Red. Gop unofficially announced the game earlier last year through his LinkedIn profile, however last month took to EuroGamer to outline that the title would share "challenging combat akin to Dark Souls and skill trees that resemble Borderlands."

“Our team is building Lords of the Fallen specifically for players who enjoy taking on huge challenges, where the odds are stacked against them,” said Tomasz Gop, executive producer, CI Games. “From the very beginning, Lords of the Fallen will intrigue and satisfy players’ hunger to explore each corner of a brand new world, freely customize and build their own character and take down some of the most epic enemies ever seen.”

City Interactive also revealed that a playable demo will be debuting at E3 2013, so stay tuned for more.

Rockstar Games continues the media trickle for their much anticipated sandbox action title Grand Theft Auto V today, with a handful of new images from the game, showing a bit of the titular act of grand theft auto in action, and some vehicular law evasion.

Hit the thumbs below for a closer look.

Grand Theft Auto V is due on PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 on September 17th 2013.

Ahead of a full trailer promised for May 21, Warner Bros Interactive has released a teaser clip for the upcoming Batman: Arkham Origins, showing the caped crusader in a few flashes of fisticuffs with DC super villain Deathstroke.

Batman: Arkham Origins is due on October 25th 2013, on PC, Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, and Wii U.

Zenimax Online has revealed a new gameplay footage of their upcoming MMO The Elder Scrolls Online, featuring a look at the gathering and exploring parts of the world.

The trailer covers a variety of in-game exploits including the chance to loot everything you can put your hands on, allowing for a much more open-ended world instead of one locked away by the inability to interact with the environment. The trailer also features a look at various actions players can do to pass the time, be it cooking up a storm in the kitchen or just relaxing in the sun with a fishing rod.

Check out all the details below in the trailer but also make sure to swing by their official page for those who have yet to signup for the beta.

Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment and Traveller's Tales have announced their latest LEGO title, LEGO Friends which will be making its debut on Nintendo 3DS and DS handhelds. The new LEGO title will offer creative gameplay based on the new LEGO Friends collection of building sets that initially launched in 2012.

LEGO Friends welcomes players to Heartlake City, where summer fun awaits! Players have complete freedom to express their unique style, explore areas and activities that interest them most, such as perfecting a dance routine in the studio, taking a few shots on goal at soccer practice, or visiting the store to get cool items to customize their character, as they build friendships with their five new friends.

Building friendships is the heart of the game. As players meet new friends and join them on special adventures, such as helping Emma take pictures for her next newspaper article or reviewing song choices for Andrea's next performance, they grow their friendship levels with each character. Once players reach "true friend" status with all of the characters, they are able to build a Heartlake Celebration for them.

The LEGO title will also be introducing the ability to take care of a variety of pets by training and grooming them, but also offering the chance to enter their pets into competitions. Pets will also have a special skill that players can use to help them in their adventures, and the ability to switch places to play the game from their perspective.

LEGO Friends will be available on Nintendo 3DS and DS later this year.

To celebrate their one year anniversary for action RPG Diablo 3, Blizzard has revealed a new in-game buff for those logging in between May 15 and May 21 to help defend Sanctuary. Those who log in will receive a 25% increase to both their Magic Find and Experience stats, all for free.

One year ago today, the gates of the Burning Hells opened and Diablo III was unleashed onto the world. Since then, millions of heroes have been created, billions of hours have been spent in games, and trillions of demons have been slaughtered without mercy. We've grown and improved a lot since release, both as a game team and as a community, and thanks to your feedback, passion, and unquenchable bloodlust, we expect the next year to be even more epic.

With less cake and more demon slaying, the buffs will only be available when logged in to the game, but it will apply to all characters as well as stack with other similar bonuses.

GamesBeat are reporting that publishing giant Electronic Arts is removing the Online Pass program that was featured in various titles for console platforms, a decision that was partially based on player responses. Speaking to Gamesbeat in an e-mail, senior director of corporate communications John Reseburg confirmed that "none of our new EA titles will include that feature."

Modern shooter Battlefield 3 and EA Sports titles like Madden NFL utilise the Online Pass system, preventing players from gaining multiplayer benefits when borrowing games or selling them second hand. Those who wanted to go online after the initial use of the code had to buy an online pass to do so, however it was never fully embraced by players.

Reseburg revealed that the program "initially launched as an effort to package a full menu of online content and services, many players didn’t respond to the format," with the decision to move away from the system for future titles.

Currently the system is used primarily towards preventing second-hand sales, with other publishers like Activision and Ubisoft also utilising the system. It is unclear whether anyone else will be dropping it.

We've heard this one too many times in the past, but a new report on tech blog The Verge claims word from "sources familiar with Microsoft's Xbox plans" that the publisher and platform holder is planning to retire Microsoft Points, replacing the virtual currency with a more conventional gift card system, unified across its various digital retail platforms:

The new gift cards will be offered in a similar way to Apple's iTunes vouchers, allowing Xbox owners to purchase true currency to be used to download content. We're told that normal cash transactions, using credit and debit cards, will also be supported. Microsoft currently offers gift cards in its retail stores, but these can only be used for purchases in brick and mortar stores. The new system will work across Microsoft's various marketplaces, including the Windows Store, Windows Phone Store, and Xbox

The change is said to coincide with the launch of the next-generation Xbox console.

This time for sure?

With their Kickstarter campaign reaching their goal of $200,000, developer Krillbite Studio has unveiled a new alpha demo for their upcoming horror title Among the Sleep. With the chance to play as an infant hiding away from the terrors of the night, the alpha gives you a slice of what to expect from this spooky title, one that is sure to send chills down your spine.

What happens when you mix a child's perspective and imagination, with the surreal nature of dreams? Quite a lot, I guess, but we think one of those things is an interesting premise for a horror adventure.

The game is heavily based on atmosphere and exploration, and using the two year old child’s perspective. For example you’ll be able to see your own body at all times, and you will have to interact with the environment to find places to hide from dangers.

Head over to their Kickstarter page to find the download links for Windows, Mac or Linux. Those wanting to guarantee themselves a copy early can still pledge in their Kickstarter, with $20 getting you a digital copy.

Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment has today announced Scribblenauts Unmasked: A DC Comics Adventure, the newest title in the Scribblenauts franchise that melds the creativity of past titles with DC Comics characters and objects across DC Comics worlds.

Scribblenauts Unmasked features a story where players embark as protagonist Maxwell on an imaginative and comical quest, taking them through GOTHAM CITY, METROPOLIS, ATLANTIS and other iconic locales from the DC Comics universe. In the game, Maxwell comes to the aid of BATMAN, SUPERMAN and the rest of THE JUSTICE LEAGUE as they face the mightiest DC Comics Super Villains, such as THE JOKER, LEX LUTHOR and SINESTRO. Fuelled by the player’s imagination, Maxwell must use his magic notebook to put a stop to the villains' evil schemes and save the day!

The new title will also be featuring for the first time dynamically created puzzles called Heroic Feats that increase the game’s replayability by continuously generating original scenarios requiring different solutions with each visit. A new Super Hero Creator tool will also be available on the Wii U and PC version, offering players the chance to produce their own Super Hero or Super Villain using any item from the DC Comics universe and then setting properties for how it behaves, changing its appearance and powers.

Scribblenauts Unmasked: A DC Comics Adventure will be available on Wii U, 3DS and PC in Australia this spring.

Ubisoft has released yet another trailer for the upcoming Assassin's Creed 4: Black Flag, this time with in-game footage of protagonist Captain Edward Kenway mixing up the yo-ho-ho lifestyle with some parkour action on the rooftops of the Carribean.

Watch the video below.

Assassin's Creed IV: Black Flag is due on October 31st 2013 for PC, Xbox 360, PlayStation 3 and Wii U, with a PlayStation 4 version also in production.

After recently signing off on a new multi-year licensing deal with Disney to develop and publish Star Wars-themed video games, Electronic Arts is investing in a new Los Angeles studio for its Stockholm-based DICE game developer with the goal of focusing on the Star Wars titles according to The Wall Street Journal.

Speaking with the publication, General Manager Karl-Magnus Troedsson revealed that the company is currently in the process of opening a Los Angeles office this month to help with recruiting talent, stating that "there is an extreme talent pool over there that we want a part of." Troedsson also noted that "it's no secret that our main competitor is there," referring to publisher Activision and their studios like Treyarch or Infinity Ward who work on the Call of Duty titles.

The new studio investment comes on the back of recent actions taken to slim down the wider EA operation, with 900 employees recently cut to achieve a 20% operating margin.

DICE are expecting to utilise the opportunity to work on the Star Wars franchise by tempting talent from rival firms. Troedsson revealed that the studio is hoping to either create an entirely new franchise in the cult hit or piggyback on a previous Star Wars game series.

At a special event at the iconic Silverstone Circuit racetrack, Sony officially revealed Gran Turismo 6, the next addition to their flagship simulation racing series, once again in the works at Polyphony Digital under the direction of Kazunori Yamauchi.

GT6 for PlayStation 3 will bring new levels of authenticity to ‘the Real Driving Simulator’ as well as introducing stunning new tracks and cars and a revised user interface. A new compact game engine will improve operation and increase the flexibility to expand it with downloadable content. Meanwhile, the game is also set for expanded connectivity with other devices such as smart phones and tablets and increased social and community functions.

All of the cars and tracks from Gran Turismo 5, which has sold over 10m copies since launching in 2010, will be retained in GT6. But notable new additions to the already impressive line-up of historic cars, road cars and the latest race cars, brings the total car list to 1200 at launch, with new cars set to be continually added online. Several thousand aerodynamic parts and custom wheels will be available for almost all cars, and players can personalize their own custom cars in game to the greatest ever level possible.

The UK’s famous Silverstone Circuit will be just one of seven new locations in GT 6, taking the total to 33, with 71 different layouts available, 19 of them brand new. There will also be regular additions of new tracks set to be made available online. The improved course maker function will provide gorgeous scenery spanning several tens of square kilometers including the magnificent backdrop of Andalucía

A fat wad of screenshots will all the car porn you would expect from a new Gran Turismo game can be found here in our game page gallery, and the debut trailer was also released.

Gran Turismo 6 is coming to PlayStation 3 in the 2013 holiday season. No mention was made of potential PlayStation 4 or Vita offerings.

Valve has today announced a new service for their digital distribution service, rewarding those playing games on Steam the chance to collect various trading cards.

Currently in beta phase, the new system will allow players to "earn Steam rewards for playing the games they love." Those who are selected into the beta will be given the chance to collect these trading cards through both playing games and trading, allowing players to earn rewards such as game badges, profile backgrounds, emoticons, coupons, and more.

Only a handful of games are participating in the beta at this moment, which includes Don't Starve, Dota 2, Counter-Strike: Global Offensive, Team Fortress 2, Portal 2 and Half-Life 2, however the service will expand over the coming months. You can read more on the new feature over at the official website or signup for the chance to be picked for beta over here.

Metro: Last Light developer 4A Games has taken to their official Steam community page (via VG247) to outline that the lack of a FOV slider would actually be detrimental to the game, warning that "changing the FOV would break all the cut-scenes and animations."

In a lengthy note on the page, the 4A team revealed that the reason Metro: Last Light relies on a fixed field of view is due to "3D elements like the watch and weapon ammo that need to remain visible." According to the post if a FOV slider was introduced - which apparently they tried doing in development - you would be able to "see inside Artyom's arms, or they would appear to float in the air in front of you."

Due to the nature of how the game was developed, with the heavy reliance on the fixed FOV setting during first-person cut scenes and cinematics, 4A have not yet found a permanent solution for issue. The team has however admitted that due to the large community outcry for a FOV setting, the next update for the PC version will include the ability to directly change the FOV through the .cfg files.

The note does conclude that while this option may satisfy those in need of FOV changes, it "may well trigger a number of issues listed above - you have been warned!"

Free-to-play strategy title Anno Online has entered into open beta according to a new press release from Ubisoft today, offering open arms to those wishing to test their simulation skills.

Anno Online draws its mechanism from Anno 1404, the main goal for players is to bring life to their islands, thanks to 1000 buildings and many decorative items helping players to create the nicest islands ever imagined in a browser game. All graphical elements stay true to the franchise quality. Trade by ships remains essential for the game, it will offer various multiplayer possibilities which are going to enhance the deep economic system of the Anno IP.

Players interested in signing up for the open beta can do so at the official website. For closed beta testers, Ubisoft has revealed that accounts will not be wiped and that "active users will automatically receive a decorative statue gift to thank them for their involvement." A premium ship is also on offer for those playing within the first week of open beta, which gives "access to some great features such as the ability to carry more freight and increased speed."

Ubisoft are also planning on adding a new Guild System for the title, allowing players to form and join groups of up to 25 players.

A new website has been launched to promote the Frosbite Engine, the DICE-developed games tech that publisher EA has leveraged as the backbone tech for much of their upcoming line-up.

It's not a terribly interesting portal, but one point of note was discovered by the ever-resourceful NeoGAF crowd (via Game Informer): confirmation of Frostbite Go to bring the tech to mobile platforms

One of our most exciting current projects is called Frostbite Go, a mobile division empowering EA game developers with Frostbite’s proven excellent workflows and features to bring true Frostbite experiences to all major mobile platforms.

Another reference gives specific mention to iOS, and Android.

The Frosbite lineage kicked off with Battlefield: Bad Company, evolved to 2.0 with Battlefield 3, and Battlefield 4 is expected to be the debut of the third iteration this holiday season, with Command & Conquer, Dragon Age III: Inquisition, and a new Mass Effect among EA's other upcoming titles to use the tech.