Sidhe’s Rugby Challenge will now be released “no later than the 30th of September”, writes Tru Blu Entertainment’s Sebastian Giompalolo on the game’s official Facebook page.

Rugby Challenge had initially be touted for release prior to the Rugby World Cup, kicking off on the 9th of September.

Giompalolo states that the cause for the delay was the unrealistic release date, initially given in order to be competitive with HB and 505 studio’s Official Rugby World Cup 2011 title.

 

Coinciding with the twelfth anniversary of Counter-Strike Beta 1's release in 1999, Valve has announced it is working on a new title in the franchise, titled Counter-Strike: Global Offensive, or CS: GO.

Expanding upon the original's wildly successful team-based action gameplay, CS: GO will be a downloadable title targeted for release in early 2012 on Steam for PC and Mac, on Xbox Live Arcade and on PlayStation Network. It is being developed by Valve in cooperation with Seattle-based Hidden Path Entertainment.

CS: GO will introduce new gameplay modes, matchmaking, leader boards, "and more". Classic maps such as "de_dust" will return.

 

Microsoft has announced a limited edition Rugby World Cup 2011 console bundle.

The bundle comes with a 4 GB Xbox 360 Slim and Rugby World Cup 2011. The bundle does not include the Kinect motion-sensing controller.

As a result, the Rugby World Cup 2011 Xbox 360 bundle comes at a recommended retail price of $399, meaning as long as you can take-or-leave Kinect, this is the cheapest 4 GB Xbox 360 available.

 

Trion Worlds has announced that its upcoming MMORTS End of Nations is to be free-to-play.

“There’s no time limit on access, and all players can play the game end to end for free,” writes Trion. Instead, the company will offer a limited collector’s edition at retail and a digital collector’s edition.

As to how the game will be monetised, Trion says that players can also choose to pay an optional monthly subscription fee to receive “extra value and convenience”, but has not yet outlined what these services will be.

 

Dishonored’s QuakeCon preview was led by co-creative directors Raphael Colantonio – lead designer on Arx Fatalis – and Harvey Smith, lead designer on Deus Ex.

The pair were accompanied by Victor Antonov, art director on Half-Life 2, who reprises this crucial role for Dishonored. The heavyweight trio represent Arkane Studios; yet another collection of talent absorbed into the ever-increasing waistline of Bethesda's parent company ZeniMax Media.

Dishonored puts the player in the shoes of Corvo, a warrior charged with guarding the Empress of an industrial world occupying four islands in a vast ocean. In a coup, the Empress is murdered and Corvo is framed for her death. Imprisoned, and a victim of political machinations, Corvo plots his escape and eventual revenge.

 

EA Sports has announced Grand Slam Tennis 2, marking the series’ first appearance on HD consoles.

Grand Slam Tennis 2 will feature four championships and is the only game to feature Wimbledon, writes EA.

“Players can experience the thrill of serving up aces on Wimbledon’s prestigious Centre Court, hitting cross-court winners on the clay courts of the French Open, play under the bright lights at the U.S. Open or work on your serve and volley game at the Australian Open,” writes the official announcement.

 

The Creative Assembly has announced a new downloadable content pack for Shogun 2, called Rise of the Samurai.

The campaign is set 400 years before the events of Shogun 2’s main campaign and describes the Gempei War and the ascendancy of the Samurai as Japan’s ruling caste.

Rise of the Samurai will introduce 16 new unit types, 10 new naval units, 10 new mons, 10 new retainers, four new heroes and four new agents. New units include Foot Samurai and Sword Attendants. New heroes include the female Onna Bushi and the Testubo warrior monks.

 

id Software’s Tim Willits has added his voice to the ongoing debate over requiring PC gamers to be constantly connected to the Internet when playing games as a measure against piracy.

Speaking with Eurogamer, Willits said, “it would be better for everybody”. Willits’ comments were prompted by the recent announcement that Diablo III would not be playable offline. He sees Blizzard’s title as having enough momentum to change the perception of consumers.

“Diablo III will make everyone else accept the fact you have to be connected," he said. “If you have a juggernaut, you can make change. I'm all for that. If we could force people to always be connected when you play the game, and then have that be acceptable, awesome.”