PAX 2009 will play host to demonstrations of quite a few big-name titles coming out. Among them is Ubisoft's Assassin's Creed II (PS3, Xbox 360, and PC), the follow-up to last year's Jade Raymond-advertised original. This time, Altair's out of the picture and stepping out of the shadows is another of Desmond Miles' uniquely skilled ancestors, Ezio.
On the scene at PAX 09 were the merry band of men called Left4Friends, and they've let us in on the goings-on that happened in the Assassin's Creed II live demo. Read on for their thoughts on it.

Assassin's Creed producer and Ubisoft's very own cutie Jade Raymond has just moved up the ranks now that she's been promoted to head of the new Ubisoft Toronto studio.

Ubisoft has revealed their plans for the E3 Expo. Sure, they'll have their own booth on the show floor, but their press conference will be held on June 1 in an invitation-only set up at the Los Angeles Theater. They'll be bringing Assassin's Creed 2, Red Steel 2, Rabbids Go Home, a couple new games, and special guests during the event "to thrill attendees and web viewers."

Umm, Jade Raymond, anyone?

Thanks to GamesTM's latest issue, we've finally got our hands on new pertinent details on Ubisoft's latest post-catastrophic Chicago title, I Am Alive. Unfortunately for you admirers, though, the rumored bit that Jade Raymond will be working on it isn't true. But if you're interested in the game itself and not the rumored producer, you can stay and find out about the game in the full article.

Although Ubisoft has been acquiring companies left and right, that is not to say that they are not concerned about their financial performance, particularly with that of their new games Prince of Persia (PS3, Xbox 360) and Far Cry 2 (PS3, Xbox 360, PC). He also talked about their acquisitions, and why ratings need not necessarily define a game.

A sequel for Assassin's Creed was always expected, and hints have popped up here and there. Now, we have confirmation that it really is in the works. Not exactly formal as far as confirmation from studios go, but you take what you can get. Details after the link.

The MTV Game Awards 2008 has wrapped up and you wouldn't guess which one got the Game of the Year award. Come on, guess. Grand Theft Auto 4? Natch. This year they also gave their first ever Lifetime Achievement Game Award to Hideo Kojima. Well and truly deserved.

Vid of Jade Raymond handing the award to Kojima after the link.

You've got Nicole Kidman endorsing Brain Age, the two American Idol Davids dancing in their underwear for Guitar Hero TV spots, and then there's... well, Jade Raymond promoting Assassin's Creed. OK, the last one technically doesn't fit in the category of celebrities endorsing video games, but now, here comes Natasha Bedingfield to lend her diva power to Boogie SuperStar. Plus, EA's also revealed the full tracklist for the game. (which, unfortunately for some people, includes the Jonas Brothers... o_0)

Ryan Payton has just revealed that he's leaving Kojima Productions. After working on MGS Portable Ops and Metal Gear Solid 4, this guy has clearly made a lasting footprint in the history of video game development. Leaving is always a heartbreaking thing, and though he would have been a shoe-in for development on the so-called MGS5 (which he seems to have already confirmed, to a degree), Payton will be taking it easy for now. Learn more in the full article.

So, it turns out that the rumor which suggested Ubisoft will be debuting an IP in E3 2008 is true. I Am Alive has indeed surfaced with a nice trailer and a bleak setting. The only question left now is whether or not Jade Raymond will be working on it. Keep your fingers crossed, fellas. The video comes after the jump.