Source: See below.

What we heard: Yesterday evening, TechCrunch reported that casual game publisher PopCap Games was the subject of a $1 billion buyout. The AOL-owned technology blog listed three potential suitors: an unnamed Asian game company, Facebook game titan Zynga, or traditional megapublisher Electronic Arts.

Early this morning, TechCrunch narrowed the list of suspects to one--EA. Citing two unnamed sources close to the deal, the blog says that the Redwood City, CA-based company is in "late stage acquisition discussions" to buy the Bejeweled and Peggle creator, which is based in Seattle, WA.

EA is reportedly the suitor willing to pay over $1 billion for PopCap.

PopCap's purchase price reportedly remains "a sum of over $1 billion"--some 13 percent of EA's entire market capitalization. TechCrunch's sources say the high price stems from EA's eagerness to expand its presence in the casual gaming space, with the move being described as a "Hail Mary pass." Investors are already wary of the deal, with EA's share price slipping nearly 4 percent as of press time.

If it comes to pass, EA's PopCap buyout would mark the latest casual game acquisition by the publisher. In November 2009, the company scooped up Facebook game publisher Playfish in a deal worth up to $400 million. Then, in October 2010, it netted Angry Birds publisher Chillingo--but not its developer, Rovio--for $20 million.

The official story: As of press time, EA had not responded to GameSpot's requests for comment on the report.

Bogus or not bogus?: Looking increasingly not bogus.

Source: An official job listing at the Turbine jobs page, as well as shop employee Josh Phelan's resume (as spotted by Internet sleuth Superannuation).

What we heard: Boston-area developer Turbine is no stranger to crafting online-enabled games. The shop's biggest massively multiplayer games are Dungeons & Dragons Online and Lord of the Rings Online, both of which are exclusive to the PC. Now, it appears the developer is jumping to console development with a new online game.

Is Turbine developing a console MMO game?

A new Turbine job listing (from parent company Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment) calls for a software engineer for console gameplay for work on an "unannounced online console project." It appears the game will land on the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3, as the listing further asks for someone with "experience with existing modern game engines supported by the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3."

As for what the game might be called, according to Turbine employee Josh Phelan's resume, the title is currently going by the code name "Project Hendrix." Further, Phelan's resume also states that the game is in development for the PC in addition to consoles.

Few details are offered about Project Hendrix in Phelan's resume, but the information does indicate that the title will offer player vs. player combat in some fashion, a staple of massively multiplayer online gameplay.

Turbine developing a console MMO game comes as little surprise. Studio vice president of product development Craig Alexander said in 2009 that consoles have finally achieved the basic requirements to support MMO games, from storage space to online communities. Alexander further noted that Turbine believes MMOGs are soon going to revolutionize the console space, just like they did with the PC.

Additionally, Phelan's resume indicates that Turbine was working on a console-exclusive MMO game from July 2009 to August 2010, at which time it was canceled.

The official story: As of press time, Turbine has not responded to GameSpot's request for comment or clarification on the matter.

Bogus or not bogus?: Looking not bogus, given that Turbine is officially hiring for a new online console game.

Source: UK gaming news site VideoGamer.com.

What we heard: Nintendo discharged the opening salvo in the next-generation console wars last week, taking the lid off of the Wii U and its tablet controller. As eyes now turn to see how Microsoft and Sony will respond, recent rumors suggest a reveal for the next Xbox will come within the next year.

VideoGamer.com is reporting today that Microsoft will "likely" announce the Xbox 360's successor at the 2012 Electronic Entertainment Expo, which is scheduled to return to LA from June 5-7. The information reportedly comes by way of a high-ranking industry source at Crytek, who also said that the new Xbox will feature DirectX 11 integration. Core components of this technology include tessellation, multithreaded rendering, and compute shaders.

The TimeSplitters franchise has a thing for monkeys.

The development source is reportedly well abreast of Microsoft's development plans due to Crytek's intention to ship TimeSplitters 4 for the new console. The Crytek developer said that the game will have a heavy emphasis on "the series' branching paths and exploratory nature," and it will also feature sandbox-style gameplay. TimeSplitters 4 is already up and running using the studio's proprietary CryEngine 3, the source noted.

The TimeSplitters IP has been at Crytek since 2009, when the German developer purchased franchise creator Free Radical and all its assets after that studio folded. Free Radical--now known as Crytek UK--had been at work on TimeSplitters 4 since 2007, when it announced the game for the Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, and Wii.

The official story: Microsoft had not responded to GameSpot's request for comment as of press time. Crytek declined to comment on the matter.

Bogus or not bogus: Not enough to say. The days of the five-year console cycle are clearly over, and Microsoft has momentum with the Xbox 360 into its sixth year of availability. As such, the publisher probably isn't keen on instigating a new generation of hardware.

It's also worth noting that these types of rumors are anything but reliable. After all, just last month, Develop's "senior, trusted, well-placed source" said that the Xbox 360 successor would "likely" be on hand at E3 2011.

Last week, THQ announced Darksiders II over a year after initially revealing it was in the works. Officially, the game is coming out for the Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, and PC sometime in 2012. Unofficially, sources close to THQ tell GameSpot that the game is also being prepped as a launch title for the successor for the Wii, which will be unveiled at Nintendo's press event in less than an hour.

Other than the launch window, no other specific information about the Wii 2 version of Darksiders II was currently available. As of press time, THQ reps had not responded to requests for comment.

Darksiders II will focus on a different apocalyptic equestrian.

That said, the publisher did include a few details about Darksiders II in an earlier announcement. The company said the game would follow the horseman Death instead of the original title's protagonist, War, in a parallel story to the original. In the game, Death will attempt to clear War's "good" name (he's accused of starting the end of times ahead of time) and save humankind in the process.

As for gameplay specifics, THQ has said that Darksiders II will feature "a dramatically larger world." Along with the larger world, the publisher is planning to give players upgradable equipment, new enemies, and bigger dungeons.

[UPDATE] At its E3 2011 press conference this morning, Nintendo confirmed that Darksiders is part of the first wave of third-party titles for the new console, called the Wii U. VP of core games Danny Bilson also confirmed it would be a launch title for the system.

For more on the original, check out GameSpot's review of Darksiders.

Source: A supposed Electronic Arts Store box art shot, captured by NeoGAF user Lakitu.

What we heard: The Mass Effect series is riddled with emotion and heavy decisions. And in the lauded original Mass Effect and its equally acclaimed sequel, gamers made these choices by clicking buttons. However, in the franchise's newest entry--the recently delayed Mass Effect 3--those decisions might be made with the wave of a hand or facial gestures, if a purported retail box art image proves correct.

Will Mass Effect 3 be "Better with Kinect"?

The supposed retail listing (pictured at right) for Mass Effect 3 clearly shows the "Better with Kinect" marketing slogan, indicating it will support but not require the peripheral. Additionally, the listing has been pulled from the EA Store.

The official story: As of press time, Microsoft has not responded to GameSpot's request for comment or clarification on the matter.

Bogus or not bogus?: Rumors are already swirling that Microsoft will unveil a Kinect-enabled Gears of War: Exile at next week's Electronic Entertainment Expo. Thus, it wouldn't be unrealistic for Microsoft or EA to use the show to also announce its intention to add motion control to the greatly hyped Mass Effect 3. If Microsoft or EA does indeed use the annual trade show as a forum to make the announcement, gamers will have their answers in under a week.

Source: See below.

What we heard: The Electronic Entertainment Expo descends upon the Los Angeles Convention Center next week for its 2011 showing. While it has been confirmed that Nintendo will unveil its Wii successor at the show, few other high-profile announcements have been made known. However, according to a purported image of the cover of Xbox 360 World magazine on the Epic Games forums, Microsoft is going to announce Gears of War: Exile and one "Halo HD" at its media event.

Microsoft's two hottest properties are coming to E3, according to a reputed scan of Xbox 360 World's cover.

In January, Epic Games trademarked Gears of War: Exile, but neither its developer nor Microsoft has uttered a word about the project in the months that have passed. The title is rumored to be an on-rails shooter that uses the Kinect motion-sensing system, but no official word has been offered.

As for the Halo HD mention, an unconfirmed report in February suggests that Microsoft is planning a high-definition remake of Halo: Combat Evolved for this holiday season. In fact, the report states the game will debut on November 15, 2011, which is exactly 10 years after Halo: Combat Evolved shipped for the original Xbox.

The official story: "We do not comment on rumors or speculation."-- Microsoft spokesperson.

Bogus or not bogus?: Given its E3 track record, it's a near certainty that Microsoft will make some announcement concerning either the Gears of War or Halo franchise at its E3 2011 press event at 9 a.m. on Monday, June 6. With just over a week to go before the show, gamers will soon have the answers they seek.

Source: The Twitter feed of enduring Internet sleuth Superannuation.

What we heard: Sega hasn't done much with its Shinobi ninja franchise since 2002, when it rebooted the series as a 3D action title for the PlayStation 2. That revival proved to be short lived, as the franchise returned to the shadows after Shinobi's 2004 follow-up, Nightshade. However, after more than seven years undercover, it appears as if Sega is preparing its lethal ninja for a new mission.

In a Twitter post today, Superannuation relayed the online resume of an environment artist at Foundation 9's Griptonite Games who claims to be working on a new installment in the Shinobi franchise for the 3DS. Though the resume has since been pulled, the environment artist indicated on it that he had produced "hand painted and photo referenced textures" for the game.

No really. The Shinobi ninja's name is Joe.

Griptonite Games is no stranger to the industry, with its first released game dating back to 2000. Notably, the Washington-based studio has established its reputation as a studio commissioned to create portable installments of console titles. As one recent example, Griptonite is handling the 3DS and DS versions of Warner Bros.' upcoming Green Lantern: Rise of the Manhunters. That game's console installments are in development at Double Helix, a fellow Foundation 9 studio.

The official story: A Sega representative told GameSpot that the publisher "is not commenting on this at the moment."

Bogus or not bogus?: Looking not bogus. The Shinobi franchise has deep roots at Sega, having briefly served as company mascot in the 1980s. The real question now is whether Shinobi will appear solely on the 3DS or if an as-yet-undetected console installment is also in development.

Source: Several customer support pages of L.A. Noire developer Rockstar.

What we heard: A posting in the support section of Rockstar’s website said the L.A. Noire developer had "received some reports of PS3s overheating while playing L.A. Noire or beeping three times before shutting down/turning themselves off, mostly on older 60GB and 80GB fat models." The posting from Rockstar Support, since removed from the website, attributed the issue to the recent 3.61 PlayStation 3 firmware update, saying, "There have been various reports of this on a few games now, all reporting their PS3s turning off or 'Red Lighting' after having installed 3.61."

L.A. Noire and 3.61 update were released two days apart.

Speaking to games industry site next-gen.biz, Sony denied the 3.61 update was causing the problem, saying there is "currently no evidence to indicate firmware 3.61 is causing any issues with PS3s." Moreover, Sony pointed the finger back at Rockstar, citing a work-around recently posted on the developer’s site as evidence that L.A. Noire is to blame rather than the firmware update.

The work-around, according to Sony, reveals that the issue is also happening on Xbox 360s, for which L.A. Noire is also available. "Rockstar have now updated their FAQ on the matter, have admitted it's a fault with its latest title L.A. Noire and have offered a work-around," said the platform holder to next-gen.biz. "It should also be noted that the issue with this title is not PS3 specific and is also affecting other consoles."

The work-around, notes Rockstar, has "received a few tickets about some isolated crashes/freezes" and is investigating the cause. It suggests users delete L.A. Noire game data (not save data) on the PS3 or clear the cache on the Xbox 360.

Bogus or not bogus?: At the time of writing, we are waiting for comment from Rockstar and Microsoft. Sony comments: "We have received a very small number of customer support questions about PS3s overheating or shutting down while playing L.A. Noire. At this time, Rockstar Games and Sony can confirm that neither L.A. Noire or firmware update 3.61 are causing the PS3 hardware to overheat. We are both committed to working hard to find solutions to this and any issues that may arise."

Sony also directs anyone experiencing issues with LA Noire or their PS3 hardware to Rockstar's support pages, Rockstar Support on Twitter, and official PlayStation support.

It remains to be seen how serious or widespread the issue is, or what the precise cause is; Sony's comment suggests the issue, if any, isn't caused by LA Noire or the 3.61 update. The near-simultaneous launch of L.A. Noire and the 3.61 firmware update may be an unlucky coincidence, though Rockstar's general advice on dealing with L.A. Noire freezes on both consoles falls short of proof that both machines are suffering the exact same issue.

Source: See below.

What we heard: Just five days after the PlayStation Network started coming back online, reports are surfacing of a new security flaw with the online systems. Based on an initial article on gaming blog Nyleveia.com that was reportedly confirmed by NeoGAF users and Eurogamer, hackers have discovered a new, simple exploit to change the PSN users' passwords.

The PSN's Web-based password reset service appears to have been compromised.

The exploit is reportedly done via the Web pages Sony set up to facilitate the mandatory password changes required in the wake of the three-week PSN outage. All that is reportedly needed to perform the exploit is a PSN user's e-mail account and date of birth, which is among the data that was reportedly stolen from all 77 million PSN and Qriocity users last month. The exploit reportedly does not affect those trying to change their passwords on the PlayStation 3 or PSP, both of which can still access the PSN.

The official story: Though Sony Computer Entertainment America reps had not commented as of press time, a moderator on the European PlayStation.com forums offered the following information:

"Hey Guys,

Please note that PSN sign in is currently unavailable for the following services:

PlayStation.com
PlayStation forums
PlayStation Blog
Qriocity.com
Music Unlimited via the web client
All PlayStation game title websites

Unfortunately, this also means that those who are still trying to change their password via Playstation.com or Qriocity.com will be unable to do so for the time being. This is due to essential maintenance, and at present, it is unclear how long this will take.

In the meantime, you will still be able to sign into PSN via your PlayStation 3 and PSP devices to connect to game services and view Trophy/Friends information."

Bogus or not bogus?: Not bogus that the PSN password reset page that PlayStation.com directs users to is "currently down for maintenance."

Meanwhile, Nyleveia.com has reportedly performed the exploit multiple times with multiple volunteers' PSN accounts. Several websites have also posted detailed instructions on how to perform the exploit, so this also looks not bogus.

[UPDATE] Later this morning, Sony Computer Entertainment America's senior director of corporate communications and social media Patrick Seybold confirmed the exploit--and that Sony was quickly working to fix it.

"We temporarily took down the PSN and Qriocity password reset page," said Seybold on the PlayStation Blog. "Contrary to some reports, there was no hack involved. In the process of resetting of passwords, there was a URL exploit that we have subsequently fixed."

He continued, "Consumers who haven't reset their passwords for PSN are still encouraged to do so directly on their PS3. Otherwise, they can continue to do so via the website as soon as we bring that site back up." Sony offered no timeline as to when the sites will return.