EA has revealed that it will be expanding it's multiplayer content for the upcoming release of Battlefield: Bad Company 2. There will be two maps which will be unlocked once you start up the game on day one (March 2nd). This map pack features Laguna Alta which will be playable in Conquest mode and Nelson Bay which will be playable in Rush mode. The total number of map packs in the game brings this number up to 10.

Also later in the month, DICE will release another map pack for free, giving gamers a chance to experience Arica Harbor in Conquest mode and Laguna Presa in Rush mode, and you can unlock this map pack by inputting a VIP code which will be included in all copies of the game.

"Battlefield: Bad Company 2 will redefine online modern warfare on March 2. We are deeply committed to the FPS community and Battlefield fans worldwide," said Patrick Bach, Senior Producer for Battlefield: Bad Company 2. "These first two map packs are just the beginning. We're planning ongoing support for the community by always keeping the experience fresh and ensuring the best possible gameplay experience."

Day one begins on March 2nd and you can check out the game for the Xbox 360, Playstation 3 and PC.

Releasing for the Xbox 360, Playstation 3 and PC....Alpha Protocol is finally getting a solid and concrete release date of June 1st. The game is an overly original take on the RPG genre so, be prepared for something completely different.

With a plot torn from today’s headlines and more twists than a season of “24”, Alpha Protocol brings a new level of modern day realism to the world of RPGs. Tasked with uncovering the perpetrators behind a tragic missile attack on a passenger jetliner, players dive into a story rich with characters and locations to discover an international arms-dealing conspiracy. Through their actions and choices, players direct the outcome of the game as they ultimately decide who to befriend, trust or kill. 

In Alpha Protocol, players assume the role of rookie spy Michael Thorton and are given unprecedented control over the development of his abilities and interactions with other characters. Customizable character skill-sets, attributes and weapons all play an important role in allowing gamers to tailor Thorton to their play-style.

 Check out more screenshots below...

Looking to have some more fun with your Xbox 360 this Spring? Look no further when you delve into the Xbox Live Block Party. Here are some of the official bonus details before we get you to the games...

• Thank You Gift: Xbox LIVE would like to say thank you for coming to our party! Buy all three House Party titles and download the free “Game Room” app and receive 400 Microsoft Points back to your account**! And for Xbox LIVE Gold members, the deal gets even sweeter, by purchasing all three House Party titles and downloading the “Game Room” app for free, you will not only be credited with 400 Microsoft Points, but you’ll also get an extra month of Gold membership absolutely free**!
• Extra Tickets: We don’t want anyone to miss out on the great multiplayer action House Party will bring you and your friends! From 1700 GMT March 26 – 1700 GMT March 29, House Party is making it easy for you to play together with a special Xbox LIVE House Party Multiplayer Unlock weekend! For this weekend only, we’re unlocking the online multiplayer features of all House Party titles for Xbox LIVE Silver Members to play for free.
• Attire for your Avatar: Starting on March 3rd, stop by Xbox LIVE Avatar Marketplace to ensure your avatar is decked out in the best House Party attire! From cola hat dispensers and plaid shorts, to plastic jelly shoes, your Avatar will party in style this March. You can even pick-up a BBQ grill so your Avatar won’t go hungry over the course of the month-long party.
• Guests of Honour: Most parties only have one star of the show, but Xbox LIVE Arcade House Party has four blockbuster guests we’re celebrating them in style!

Now that we're all comfortable with that, let's take a look at some of the games releasing alongside it which include Toy Soldiers, Scrap Metal, Perfect Dark (Remake), and the free to download Game Room. More details on that below.

Capcom is no stranger to fans of their series of games. To thank their fans of the Lost Planet franchise, Capcom is issuing DLC to Lost Planet 2 preorders.

More screenshots below...

There are plenty of other details to tell you about with Nintendo's big drop of info on their upcoming games. Here is a complete roundup of upcoming releases for Nintendo's Spring and Summer schedule.

Wii

• Max & the Magic Marker (WiiWare) - March 8
• Cave Story (WiiWare) - March 22
• WarioWare DIY Showcase (WiiWare) - March 29
• Monster Hunter Tri - April 20
• Sin & Punishment: Star Successor (formerly Sin & Punishment 2) - June 7
• And Yet It Moves (WiiWare) - Spring
• Art Style: light trax (WiiWare) - Spring
• Art Style: Rotozoa (WiiWare) - Spring
• Rage of the Gladiator - Spring
• Super Meat Boy (WiiWare) - Summer
• FlingSmash (MotionPlus) - TBD
• Game & Watch Collection 2 (Club Nintendo prize; WiiWare) - TBD

Check out the rest of the list below for DSi Ware and other Wii releases....

An abundance of Nintendo Wii news is coming out of the barrels of California today, and we're here to bring it all to you. Another confirmed relase date is that of the sequel to the smash hit; Mario Galaxy, Super Mario Galaxy 2.

The game includes the amazing gravity-defying, physics-based exploration from the first game, but is loaded with entirely new galaxies and features to challenge and delight players. On some stages, Mario™ can pair up with his dinosaur buddy Yoshi™ and use his tongue to grab items and spit them back at enemies. Players can also have fun with new items such as a drill that lets our hero tunnel through solid rock.

Check out a trailer below.....

In the lovely city of San Francisco, Metroid: Other M has been confirmed for a June 27th release date. The game is developed by the team over at Team Ninja.

The game looks at the classic franchise from a new perspective: While much of the game is reminiscent of 2-D side-scrollers, players can switch the perspective into 3-D at any time as they explore the twisting passages of a derelict space station and delve deep into a cinematic, never-before-told story of bounty hunter Samus Aran’s past. This new approach uses a new control scheme in which players use the Wii Remote™ controller held sideways to battle enemies and navigate the expansive, gorgeous environments in classic Metroid fashion, then aim at the screen with the Wii Remote pointer to blast foes in first-person and hunt the world for clues and hidden passages.

All this week, Nintendo has been holding its yearly media summits to give the media and gamers alike news on its upcoming titles including release dates and new announcements. Today, Nintendo of Australia has revealed some interesting information.

Both Super Mario Galaxy 2 and Metroid: Other M will be released between June and August of this year and Nintendo Australia's Greg Arthurton reaffirmed the notion that these games will not see a Holiday release schedule.

Nintendo of America will be holding its own Media Summit tomorrow; so expect to see more confirmed details then on both titles as well as probably new trailers and all.

Via IGN

Valve Software has today announced that users of their online game distribution system, Steam, will be able to opt-in to the beta test of their new user interface. The opt-in is available immediately to all steam users and can be enabled by going to File, Settings and clicking on "UI Update" under Beta Participation.

"We made hundreds of changes to the Steam client as a result of customer feedback on the interface, performance, and functionality," said John Cook, Director of Steam Development at Valve. "For example, we swapped out the Internet Explorer rendering engine with WebKit, which gives us a bunch of size, stability and performance benefits. This release of Steam leaves us well prepared for another year of strong growth."

More information after the jump or at www.steamgames.com.

Announced by Warner Bros. today, Batman: The Brave and the Bold will be heaading exclusively to the Nintendo Wii and DS. Based on the popular animated series youll be playing as all of Batman's allies in the DC Universe as well as the many villains they must overcome.

“Batman: The Brave and the Bold the Videogame further illustrates the diverse appeal of the Batman brand and the gameplay is a fun, vibrant extension of the animated series,” said Samantha Ryan, Senior Vice President of Development and Production, Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment. “The game’s co-op play offers kids, families and Batman fans an interactive way of experiencing the cartoon’s iconic characters.”

You'll be able invited to play as characters like the Green Lantern, Blue Beetle, and even drop-in heroes like Aquaman. If you own both the DS and Wii versions you'll be able to connect the two to unlock BAT-MITE as a playable character and you can play with him in both the DS and Wii versions. For more info on the game; make sure you check out: http://www.braveandtheboldvideogame.com/

In Batman: The Brave and the Bold the Videogame, players embark on an exciting journey through crime-filled alleys, alien planets, abandoned underground cities and mysterious laboratories. Further lending to the authentic cartoon feel of the game is the inclusion of Batman’s iconic gadgets such as Batarangs and his Grapnel Gun.

No screenshots were revealed yet.