Crispy Gamer has received word from THQ that the publisher is putting Big Huge Games, responsible for the Rise of Nations series, up for the sale, and that the studio will be closed if a buyer is not found.

Also, two other studios, Heavy Iron Studios and Incinerator, will become independent companies as a result of THQ's latest moves to cut workforce and reduce financial losses.

THQ, who acquired Big Huge last year, released this statement:

“As part of THQ’s previously announced business realignment and related headcount reduction plans that targeted cost reductions of $220 million, including a reduction in workforce of 600 people worldwide, THQ today notified the staff at two of its development studios that they will be spun out as independent companies: Heavy Iron in Los Angeles, CA, and Incinerator in Carlsbad, CA. In addition, THQ informed the staff at its Big Huge Games studio in Timonium, MD, that it plans to close the studio if a sale is not completed in the near future. These actions were unfortunate but were necessitated by the difficult economic environment.”

Big Huge, who also developed the popular XBLA title Catan as well as an expansion for Age of Empires III, has two unnamed titles, one for the Wii and another for the 360, PS3, and PC, in development. They have a good track record with their RTS games, so hopefully THQ won't have much trouble finding someone to sell them to.

Rumors that LittleBigPlanet is getting a PSP iteration have been around since April and were recently strengthened by a rumor found within the pages of the latest Electronic Gaming Monthly (EGM), so MTV's Multiplayer Blog asked Sony's John Koller about the rumors during a phone interview yesterday.

Koller's comments from the story:

"'LittleBigPlanet’ is so expansionary. I think the developer’s really concentrating on right now making sure that the launched product is everything it could be and can be. We’re watching the UGC [user generated content] and seeing how that’s playing out. But for the future, I think certainly, we’d look at a wide variety of opportunities. Whether that’s the PSP or not, I can’t really say. We certainly look at ‘LittleBigPlanet’ franchise as a going forward franchise for us, and that speaks to the PlayStation brand overall.”

Multiplayer also asked Koller about the possibility of Rock Band or Guitar Hero hitting the PSP, as well:

“It’s of huge interest to us. That’s something you’d really have to talk to the developers on that side [if] it’s going to happen or not. For us, we look at the music area as being critical for PSP and the social area of interest as well. PSP is a lot different than your traditional handheld product and music is the number two use on the PSP, behind gaming. So, the marrying of those two concepts is of huge interest to us, and if there’s that opportunity to launch a title like that or even a new title that utilizes music in some way, then obviously we’re very interested.”

Sounds like there may be something to these rumors. Stay tuned, we'll let you know if anything is announced.

For those of you wondering why your precious LBP level was deleted without cause or notice, Sony has provided a formal explanation on the Three Speech blog in the form of guidelines:

• Ensure that the content you share with other users is suitable for all ages - everyone has access to your level if you publish it
• Please respect other people's intellectual property rights. For example, don't use images, brands or logos that you're not entitled to use.
• If you come across any content that you feel the need to report, then please do it responsibly. Hoax reports will be considerable inappropriate behavior.

There you have it folks! Don't be afraid to create a living canvas or to build something truly unique - as long as they adhere to these guidelines.

• Best Buy: Nariko (Heavenly Sword)
• EBGames/Gamestop: Kratos, Medusa, Minotaur (God of War pack)
• Amazon: Downloadable level design guide, sometimes a free $10 gift card as well
  
• GameCrazy: Adorable knitted zipper pouch
• Circuit City: Free $10 gift card
• ALL: Space Suit Sackboy Costume (free from MM/PSN)

• Big Bang Mini
  
• Brave: A Warrior's Tale
• Brave: Shaman's Challenge
• Igor The Game
• Monster Madness: Grave Danger
• Ninjatown
• Raven Squad
• X-Blades

Sony Computer Entertainment has published new screenshots of LittleBigPlanet for the Playstation 3. The game is currently scheduled for a September 2008 release.

Hit the jump or visit the link to view more images.

Following the release of several trailers, various reports indicate that LittleBigPlanet is scheduled for September release. The game still remains a highly anticipated title as earlier news of the demo being delayed disappointed many eager fans.

Let's hope that LittleBigPlanet suffers no further delays for this upcoming year.

Following the news awhile back from Sony that a LittleBigPlanet demo would be playable near the end of 2007, Stephen Totilo from MTV Multiplayer has stated that, in fact, it will not be coming this year after speaking with Sony Computer Entertainment America.

Quoted directly from the news story, the comment is as follows:

"I can officially confirm that there won't be a demo this year," Ron Eagle, senior manager of PR for Sony Computer Entertainment America told me. But he did say he's played 30 of the games 50 planned developer-made levels and that it's a lot of fun. He seemed genuinely pleased about his time with the game, but his company won't be showing more "LBP" at least until next month. Eagle could only add that the full game is set for a 2008 release.

Those that wish to visit the site can do so here.

The titles are based around the idea to keep your brain active and have had a lot of success in Japan by selling over 1 million units each.

Nintendo Executive Vice President of Sales, Reggie Fils-Aime said, "Our brain-training series, led by Brain Age, builds on the popularity of word and number puzzles and acts as a treadmill for the mind."

Brain Age: Train Your Brain is scheduled to release on April 17th, while Brain Age: Big Brain Academy will hit retailers on May 30th.

"Stuart Little is a classic character whose adventures have been entertaining children for more than 60 years," said Rick Naylor, director of marketing, SEGA of America. "Video games are a perfect fit for Stuart; it's fun to explore a big family house from the vantage point of a mouse."

Stuart Little 3: Big Photo Adventure is rated "E" for ‘Everyone' by the ESRB, and is available at retailers nationwide for an MSRP of $29.95

With the success of the first-person shooter Call of Duty it's not surprising Activision is planning another one for consoles this time entitled Call of Duty: Big Red One. The game focuses on the squad from the first infantry who was the first on the ground in World War II. The game puts you in locations like North Africa, Italy and Europe as you battle Germans, Italians and even the French who we surprisingly fought for a bit.

No official word has been given on how many missions are included in the final version, but Activision maintains that it'll be extensive. The game features online play for both the PlayStation 2 and Xbox, and is scheduled to release for the Gamecube too. Instead of doing various missions, this time the developers want you to emotionally connect with your team and understand the feeling of losing one of your men as you move up in rank. The game includes a somewhat free-form style in which you'll have new weaspons, sprinting and even the ability to cook off some of a grenade to better time them because if you throw it too soon the Germans will it them back. The developers are also planning to have sniper and stealth-styled missions for variety.

Graphically the game looks really impressive; there are dozens of troops going into battle and the action literally surrounds you. If you look forward you'll see at least 30 or 40 men running into battle and you can turn around and see the same amount or more following you too. All the scenes were done with motion capture to give it an even more realistic feeling. Beyond this, the action is very realistic as you'll see explosions and bullets flying everywhere. Planes even dive through and drop bombs and despite not seeing buildings take complete damage, Activision maintains it's being worked on. One thing I noticed in the demo was that if you turned after a tank was destroyed it disappeared instead of becoming a part of the landscape; hopefully they'll work to make this sort of stuff more realistic. The player movements at least at E3 seemed a little choppy, but the players moved and covered realistically.

Call of Duty: Big Red One is shaping up to be significantly better than the original console release by giving you the true First Infantry experience. The game looks to add varying mission types and a more open-ended experience, along with better graphics, more characters on screen and more of everything than the first. Truly Big Red One gives players the World War II experience they crave.

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