Thanks to some slick detective work by Joystiq, namely checking every online retailer known to man, they were able to lock down a solid release date for the upcoming four player co-op Ghost Recon: Future Soldier on the 360, PS3 and PC.  I know what you are saying, internet retailer release dates aren't anything concrete - even if they are all lining up together.  It's ok, I agree - but in this case Joystiq went a step further and confirmed directly with Ubisoft the date in question.

As we previously reported, Namco Bandai decided to switch the mini-guide in Dark Souls’ Limited Edition package from physical to digital a few months prior to release. While that change was disappointing for some, many gamers like me continued to look forward to the Limited Edition regardless. It seems that lots of those people will be disappointed today, as reports indicate that one or more retailers who offered the Dark Souls Limited Edition for preorder only received the standard edition to offer to customers.

I’m one of those people that consider id Software to be the father of the modern day shooter. Wolfenstein, Doom, and Quake all raised the bar for the genre with their respective releases. Each game had a new 3D engine created by John Carmack that pushed the bounds of technology. After more than six years, we’re finally seeing a brand new game and a brand new engine from the studio. But is RAGE the game and engine to move the genre forward once again like it’s older brothers before him?

Dark Souls will be hitting store shelves this week.  Think you're ready for the challenge?  We have four new videos for your viewing pleasure.  We've got a little character creation, some early boss and mini-boss battles, as well as a plethora of punishing death scenes.  Some are a little spoiler-tastic, so you may want to avert your eyes.  While these videos may not show any co-op, you will get a definitive sense of the game. 

Shotty shot! Stabby stab! GameSpot has been quietly trickling videos of Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 Spec Ops gameplay from the Call of Duty XP gathering in Los Angeles earlier this month.

Payday: The Heist is showcasing another one of it's... um, heists, in this latest video.  We've seen the crew pull of jobs in a bank, a drug den and a sky rise.  Now they're on a bridge.  Looks like those wacky criminals are trying to Batman a convict out of custody.  What will they think of next? 

October is here, as are a ton of new games.  This week we've got a wrestling title for the Kinect, an FPS set in a gorgeous wasteland, and the second entry in one of this generation's most punishing (and rewarding) franchises.    

Shank was one of those games you really really wanted to like...and you did, but certain aspects of it just kept frustrating you.  Our own review points to that numerous times - the biggest culprit being - some control issues.  Well, the game is getting a sequel called Shank 2, and like any good sequel it's getting a bunch of tweaks thanks to fan feedback.

The last month has been pretty slow for updates on MMOs, but we still have a couple things to report. Let's talk about the SW: The Old Republic release date and City of Heroes going Free-to-Play, shall we?

Keeping a job in the current economic climate is not always the easiest thing, but those looking for an opportunity in co-op games development may find IO Interactive's new job posting of interest.  Are they looking for staff to help develop Kane and Lynch 3?

It appears the world isn't quite ready for Serious Sam 3.  The game's publisher today announced the title would be delayed a month to further polish and tweak the PC shooter.  

It's a very special Co-Op Classics Video Edition this time around, pizza fans.  Two fantastic examples of the late 80s and early 90s multiplayer brawlers are available in convenient video form.