The first chapter of Fable II: Game Episodes is now available for download on Xbox Live for free. That's right Xbox gamers, Lionhead and Microsoft has decided to release the first episode of  the blockbuster title, free of charge to introduce the players to the vibrant world of Albion where every choice has a consequence, and are able to experience childhood and the trials of being a young adult.

2010 seems to be a new slate for most video game companies, as upcoming blockbuster games such as Bioshock 2, Heavy Rain and Bayonetta won't make it out this year as planned. Now you can add one more title to the list, the heavily anticipated Crysis 2 (PS3, Xbox 360, PC).

Information's starting to trickle out for Electronic Arts and DICE's sequel to the blockbuster FPS hit in the Battlefield: Bad Company franchise. According to an EA Forums post, it's been revealed in the OXM UK issue #56 that 40 players have been confirmed for online play in Battlefield: Bad Company 2 (PS3, Xbox 360, PC). Take out those beer kegs, this is sure to be a party.

Here's something in case you wanted to dash your hopes of a PS3 price cut. Wanting to get at the bottom of the current rumors floating around of a price cut, VGChartz contacted SCEA for comment, and got this reply: "SCEA has no immediate plans to drop the price of the PS3 system." Though of course, next week could also be interpreted as the not-immediate future.

Potential blockbuster? Or another candidate for the Uwe Boll awards? (Ok, there's no Uwe Boll awards... but there should be.) Len Wiseman, the director of the Gears of War movie, says he's hoping to make a trilogy, and that he wants them to be a "harder edged Lord of the Rings." More after the link.

Speaking on the impending release of Gears of War 2 in just a few days, Microsoft's Phil Spencer claims that the Xbox 360 has "led the industry with the best lineup of blockbuster video games" in each holiday season.

Suddenly, the sound of angry sackboys can be heard growling in the distance.

Someone finally got on the line with Microsoft about that reported Blu-ray add-on that X-bit Labs reported on yesterday. Not surprisingly, they denied the report, saying that they (still) have no plans on introducing a Blu-ray player.

Good thing or bad thing?

Well looks like Sony finally caved in and introduced a price drop. Don't get all excited though, the price drop is only for the discontinued 40 GB model. A leaked Blockbusters' memo shows that Sony is permanently dropping its price tag down US$ 40 to US$ 360. More details after the read more link.

UPDATE: SCEA reports that the price cut wasn't mandated by them. Looks like the price cut is just from Blockbuster.

Well, finally. SCEA will further expand the availability of its PlayStation Network cards, which will soon be available at Walmart, Best Buy, and select Sam's Club outlets by October. It will also be available at Barnes & Noble College Bookstores starting November.

It's been a long time coming, and now we can breathe a sigh of relief. The PSN has landed at your nearest Blockbuster stores, and this time, it's for real. Video proof after the jump.