Video Game Quick Hits 10/26/12

Certainly not as big of an update as Tuesday’s early edition, but still some fun news. Let’s get right to it:

Kind of a quiet announcement, which is unusual, but Family Guy: Back to the Multiverse has a release date. Activision plans to release it November 20, 2012. The odd part is there was no trailer, gameplay footage, artwork, etc. released with the announcement. There’s nothing wrong with that, it’s just weird in today’s market.

While Activision has announced a nearly immediate release, TT Games and Warner Bros. Interactive quietly announced a delay. Actually, they didn’t even say that LEGO Lord of the Rings was delayed. They simply announced a November 13th release, despite earlier information indicating October 30th. At least they announced a pre-order incentive. Ordering at GameStop will get you a “special LOTR Middle-earth Weapons & Magical Items Pack” as well as an Elrond mini-figure. That’s an actual mini-fig, not an in-game one.

GameStop also has a special pre-order bonus for God of War: Ascension. “Donning King Leonidas’s red cape, iconic helmet, and armor you will stand apart as one of the ultimate warriors of Sparta. King Leonidas also comes with his iconic spear, which has its own set of unique combat moves.” The Leonidas skin and a double-sided poster will come with both the standard and limited editions March 12, 2013.

Capcom has confirmed several rumors about an update to Resident Evil 6. The update is apparently scheduled for mid-December. The addition of the No Hope difficulty setting, and opening Ada Wong’s campaign without unlocking it will be the most obvious changes. Other, more subtle changes will include a slightly more pulled out camera for increased visibility, and new options that allow for the audio to be a different language than the subtitles.

343 Industries and Microsoft have confirmed Halo 4 will be using the season pass trend. Their “War Games” pass will save you about 15% on the three planned DLC expansions: Crimson (December), Majestic (February), and Castle (April). Each pack will have three new maps. You’ll also get two in-game helmets and a unique emblem. If you’re planning on purchasing the Limited Edition, your pass will be included. In case you hadn’t heard, the game releases November 6th.

That’s it for this week. Next week sees the Fall gaming season begin in earnest with two Assassin’s Creed titles and Halo 4 follows up one week later. Since you’re probably going to be busy with that one on November 6th, get out and vote early. In Utah, the polls opened on Tuesday and will be open daily through November 2nd. I don’t know the schedule for other states, but I saw President Obama voting early in his hometown of Chicago yesterday. And that’s enough political talk for my humble gaming roundup.

Also, don’t forget to join the Geek Show Podcast crew and some of our Big Shiny Robots at Brewvies this Sunday for the Halloween costume contest edition of Geek Show Movie Night.