Giant Bomb Video Game News

Is Saints Row coming to PSP? It most certainly is, if you believe the official site for Swedish metal band Opeth. Here's the update from the band's official site:

We may not like playing video games all that much but we do like it when our music is featured on them! Makes us a bit proud even when it's a game as big as Saints Row for the PSP and even prouder when the nice developer people show excellent taste by picking "The Lotus Eater" for it. So if you love playing video games: the game is expected to hit the streets around March 2010.

Hardly an officially official confirmation, obviously, but it's close enough for me. Actually, it's way more specific than the typical "band or voice actor says something about an announced game" scenario plays out. Normally you'd just get something like "we're in Saints Row" with no platform or anything. And hey, nothing says "keeping it gangsta in the streets of Stilwater" like Swedish metal?

Do you ever get the feeling that this holiday season is going to be a real bummer? Here's another delay for you.

Sega has officially pushed the release of Bayonetta to January 2010 this morning. That date applies to both North America and Europe. Japan will still get the game this year... October 29, to be exact. Interestingly, the reason given by Sega has nothing to do with needing more time to develop the game. Here's part of the statement that Destructoid ran:

“Bayonetta is an extremely important new IP for SEGA and adds a new level of depth to our growing portfolio. As a result of market analysis we have taken a Publishing decision that January 2010 is the optimum release time in the Western Markets to maximize this exciting new title's potential,” said Mike Hayes, President and COO for SEGA West.

Certainly not the first time that a game's been pushed out of the holidays to give it a better chance of success, but normally publishers don't specifically cite that as a reason.

In other news involving dates, the Wipeout HD expansion pack, called Wipeout HD Fury, will be out on July 23 for $9.99. Three race types, 13 new ships, 12 tracks, new trophies, and even additional music will be included. Sounds like a monster upgrade to an already great game. And if you're into expanding PlayStation 3 games, July 23 is also the day for the third Killzone 2 pack, Napalm & Cordite. This adds two maps which will contain two new (well, new to multiplayer, anyway) weapons: the flamethrower and the boltgun.

Yesterday was the day for NPD to release its sales figures and the 360 version of Prototype took the top spot, followed by the 360 version of UFC 2009 Undisputed. As Variety's Chris Morris noted, this is also the first time in 29 months that Wii Play hasn't appeared in the top ten.

And closing out today's wrap-up is word that Midway has give a 60-day notice to all 60 of the people at its corporate office in Chicago. This is everyone at the executive level, including the company's CEO, Matt Booty. The 100 people on the studio side of Midway's Chicago operation--which includes the Mortal Kombat team--have all been given offers to continue their job for the new owners, Warner Bros.. Looks like the company is still looking for a buyer for the Midway San Diego operation, where TNA Impact! 2 is/was in development.

Oh, one more thing! If you're looking to catch some fighting action this weekend, Evo 2009 is going down this weekend. Check the tournament's live page for a streaming schedule.