Game On! Popular Post-Holiday Video Game Releases

Whether it's due to development delays, licensing issues, or just plain marketing strategies, often the video games we hope to hold in our hands during the holidays keep us waiting.

Here's a quick glimpse at a few of 2011's anticipated titles that gamers hoped to have had in 2010.

Batman: Arkham Asylum2

Although there was no official scheduled 2010 release date for the Dark Night to return in a follow up title to the successful Batman: Arkham Asylum, gamers were hopeful that this one would arrive sooner than later. Who will the caped crusader be up against when the title arrives? Early reports leaked across the Internet pointed at the inclusion of Mr. Freeze, and Talia al Ghul, the daughter of Ra al Ghul (who was played by Liam Neeson in "Batman Begins"). In the meantime, Batman Arkham Asylum GOTY Edition is available as a hold-over.

DC Universe Online

Just in time for gamers to use all those holiday gift cards comes a highly anticipated title for PS3 and PC. With collaboration from comic industry veterans comes DC Universe Online, an MMO straight from Sony's new Austin studio. With a scheduled release date during the first half of January 2011, gamers will be able to experience action packed 3D combat in a world filled with an array of favorite heroes and villains.

Explodemon

"Detonation" for Explodemon was (momentarily) delayed via a developer issued press release in early December. The upcoming PSN action platformer was to hit shelves in time for the holidays, however, Curve Studios pushed the date in order to "release the most awesome game possible." During the wait, Curve's fan pleasing plans include releasing hype generating goodies including wallpapers and avatars. The 2.5D platform scroller that features an exploding hero will appear in stores by the end of January 2011.

L.A Noire

Developed by Team Bondi and published by Rockstar Games comes an intriguing murder mystery set in the historic 1940s. Featuring plot and visual elements that pull from film noir, the title offers gamers the role of L.A. detective faced with open ended challenges in order to solve a string of murders. A game trailer released in late 2010 confirmed a 2011 release date. Scheduled for a late Q1/early Q2 arrival, the title will be available on PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360.

SOCOM 4

SOCOM 4, the latest in the line of tactical shoting, is developed by Zipper Interactive and published by Sony Computer Entertainment . Exclusively for the PlayStation 3, the game features third person action with squad play. An original scheduled release date of fall 2010 was announced through various outlets in Spring, however, an official release date of Q1 2011 has gamers anticipating play that supports the new PlayStation Move technology.

Sources/Resources:

2 New Batman Arkham Asylum 2 Voice Actors Leaked

IGN: DC Universe Online

Joystiq: Explodemon delayed until January

L.A. Noire on Wikipedia

The Official PlayStation Blog