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.

Source: A since-deleted previsualization artist's LinkedIn profile, captured by Xboxygen.

What we heard: Remedy Entertainment spent some five years crafting psychological thriller Alan Wake for the Xbox 360. And while that extended development period was evident in Alan Wake's strong critical response, the game hasn't proven to be a sales blockbuster. Still, speculation has been rife that Alan Wake will see a sequel, especially considering Remedy has begun work on a new AAA Xbox 360 game.

Now, new evidence for a return of Alan Wake has emerged, courtesy of an artist's LinkedIn resume. Captured by Xboxygen prior to being pulled, the LinkedIn resume showed that during a month spent at Halon Entertainment, the artist contributed to in-game cinematics for Alan Wake 2.

Alan Wake may have more stories to tell.

The artist's resume offered no additional details on the project. However, it is worth noting that game companies often offload time-intensive cinematic work to for-hire agencies to speed up the completion of their wares--potentially a particularly sensitive point considering the original Alan Wake's protracted development cycle. Halon Entertainment advertises on its website that it specializes in previsualization cinematics, with credits including the Xbox 360-exclusive Halo: Reach.

Remedy wrapped development on Alan Wake with the release of its last piece of downloadable content, The Writer, in October. The game was the first from the Finnish studio since 2003's May Payne 2, and it follows writer Alan Wake as he retreats to the sleepy Northwestern town of Bright Falls. The psychological thriller pits Wake against a mysterious darkness afflicting the townsfolk, turning them into nightmarish specters.

The official story: Microsoft had not responded to a request for comment as of press time.

Bogus or not bogus: Remedy has expressed interest in continuing the Alan Wake franchise with a full-blown sequel. Coupled with Halon's experience working on an Xbox 360 exclusive and the fact that Alan Wake 2 would be an odd choice to simply pull out of a hat, this one is looking not bogus.

Source: British game-industry site and magazine Develop.

What we heard: On April 25, Nintendo confirmed speculation that it would release a new hardware platform in 2012. This week, another report surfaced about the successor to another console--the Xbox 360.

Develop cites "a senior, trusted, well-placed source" as saying that a software development kit (SDK) for the new Xbox arrived at an unidentified Electronic Arts studio last month. As is the case with many early SDKs, the unit is housed inside a PC chassis.

Is the next Xbox already out in the wild?

The same source said that Microsoft's new device would launch by the end of 2012 and would likely be revealed at next month's Electronic Entertainment Expo. Nintendo has already confirmed that its next home console will not only be unveiled at E3, but will also be playable at the event, which runs from June 7-9.

"Why let Nintendo steal the thunder in June [at E3]?" the source told Develop. "It doesn't want to lose momentum. That's why I think Microsoft is rushing to make an announcement at E3."

The official story: Though Microsoft had not commented as of press time, EA vice president of corporate communications Jeff Brown had a few choice words about the report. "This story is a total fabrication--[it's] 100 percent not true," he told GameSpot.

Bogus or not bogus?: Bogus, according to EA. However, in March, job listings surfaced that leave little doubt that Microsoft has begun work on its next-generation console.

Source: Gaming blog Kotaku.

What we heard: Ever since its existence was first rumored back in mid-April, the Wii's successor has been a lightning rod of speculation. Over the span of 11 days, the console was rumored to have a tablet controller with a 6.2-inch touch screen and day-one support from the developers of Grand Theft Auto IV and Donkey Kong Country Returns. The console was also, according to unconfirmed reports, supposed to sport HD graphics and use Blu-ray discs as its format of choice.

The Wii's successor will also reportedly not have a hard drive.

Finally, on April 25, Nintendo confirmed that the Wii 2--reportedly named Project Cafe--would ship in 2012 and would also be playable at the upcoming 2011 Electronic Entertainment Expo. However, the dearth of information accompanying the announcement has led to a vacuum into which even more rumors have rushed.

Enter the latest scuttlebutt, in which Kotaku reports that the Wii 2 will not have a hard drive. Instead, the console will come with 8GB of flash memory and, like its forebear, the ability to store game data on SD memory cards. The 8GB of flash memory is the equivalent of the hard drive in the original Xbox, which was released in 2001 with both 8GB and 10GB hard drives, depending on the parts manufacturer. It's also less than half of the first Xbox 360 HDD and the lower-end launch PlayStation 3 HDD, both of which were 20GB. (The higher-end launch PS3 had a 60GB HDD.) Current-model PS3 hard drives range from 160GB to 320GB, with the higher-end slimline Xbox 360 sporting a 250GB HDD and the lower-end Xbox 360 slim having 4GB of flash memory and no hard drive.

Kotaku's sources also report that the Wii's follow-up will also have a proprietary format capable of storing up to 25GB per disc, rather than using the Blu-ray format. The high storage capacity will be for the console's graphics, which will reportedly either be 1080p or 1080i. According to various reports, the console will--at the very least--match the 360 and PS3 in power, making porting games over to the console easier than it currently is on the lower-resolution Wii.

The official story: "Nintendo does not comment on rumors or speculation."--Nintendo rep.

Bogus or not bogus?: While the report certainly adds some spice to the rumor stew that continues to simmer, it's not enough to go on definitively. However, such low-capacity storage would severely limit the console's downloadable content capability out of the box and would make future-proofing the console a major concern. That said, with Electronic Entertainment Expo now just over a month away, people shouldn't have to wait long to get firm answers to their questions about the Wii 2.

Source: The Twitter feed of Internet sleuth Superannuation.

What we heard: Firaxis' Civilization franchise is one of the most enduring and lucrative in the industry. Still, it appears as if not every installment makes it to the finish line.

Yesterday, Superannuation claimed to have unearthed the online resume of a character artist who currently works at Firaxis and who indicated that Civilization Revolution 2 was in development for the Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, and PC until 2008. As of press time, the resume has been removed from the artist's website.

It appears as if the world stopped turning on Civilization Revolution 2.

If true, the game would have been a sequel to Firaxis' first attempt at bringing the Civilization franchise to consoles in nearly 10 years. That game launched to a strong critical reception in 2008, and Take-Two subsequently indicated that it was a commercial success as part of the game's most relevant quarterly earnings report.

Unfortunately, the developer offered no indication as to the fate of Civilization Revolution 2.

That's not the only mystery brewing at Firaxis, as it turns out. Superannuation also uncovered the studio's plans to create "an unannounced AAA strategy title for PC, XBox 360, and PS3 using Unreal Engine 3." The news comes by way of the online resume of a former Firaxis employee, a Google cache version of which is still viewable.

As for the nature of that big-budget strategy title, Superannuation took an uncharacteristic step by wading into the rumor-mill pool without supporting evidence. In a subsequent Twitter update, Superannuation said, "Rumor time: Apparently this Firaxis game is a new IP--not Pirates 2--slated for release next year," later suggesting that a new Pirates game had been canceled.

The official story: "2K does not comment on rumors or speculation."--A 2K Games representative.

Bogus or not bogus: Not bogus that Firaxis is working on a new AAA strategy game for PC and consoles. Given Superannuation's track record of reliable finds, it also seems likely that development on Civ Revolution 2 has been halted. However, it's unclear where Superannuation's information regarding a new property from Firaxis and a canceled Pirates game came from, and the information should be regarded with a suitable amount of skepticism.

Source: Tech blog Ubergizmo.

What we heard: Anyone walking into a retailer today can find three non-3D types of Nintendo's DS handheld on the shelves: The DS Lite, the DSi, and the DSi XL. However, if the Ubergizmo report is to be believed, that number will soon be down to two. The tech blog has apparently acquired an internal memo from game specialty retailer GameStop, which says that the most venerable variant of the handheld on the market will soon be off the market.

Time to say adios to the DS Lite?

"New DS Lite systems have been discontinued and stores will no longer be replenished on this product," reads the memo. "Once your store sells through its current stock of these units, please remove any corresponding DS Lite (Crimson, Black, and Metallic Rose) display boxes from the sales floor and discard."

The official story: "Nintendo doesn't comment on rumor and speculation." -- Nintendo of America rep.

Bogus or not bogus?: Likely not bogus. The original DS, first introduced in 2004, spent less than three years on the market before being discontinued. The DS Lite first arrived in North America in June of 2006, meaning it has been available at retailers for nearly five years. And with the introduction of the 3DS, the camera-less DS Lite is showing its age more than ever.

Source: Gaming blog Kotaku.

What we heard: If the rumor mill is to be believed, Nintendo will hold a dominant presence at this year's Electronic Entertainment Expo in June with the announcement of a successor to the 85 million-unit-selling Wii. Should that speculation prove accurate, Nintendo may be pleased to know that the rumor mill does not expect the publisher to be in competition with rivals Microsoft and Sony.

Kotaku reports today that it has heard from a variety of sources that neither Sony nor Microsoft plan to release a new console until 2014. "Both [Microsoft] and Sony are telegraphing to each other that they're delaying, to milk the current [generation] and fill in previous craters better," a source told the website.

The Xbox 360 and PS3 may be Microsoft and Sony's flagships for three more years.

A source also indicated to Kotaku that while 2014 is the target date for both companies, either could push the launch date forward to 2013 if they feel "pushed."

Of Microsoft's plans, the website claims that the publisher has yet to even decide the exact nature of its next console. According to Kotaku's source, Microsoft is still "wrestling with whether to be profitable on day one" for the next Xbox, similar to how Nintendo was said to have made money off of every Wii sold. Conversely, the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 were reportedly initially sold at a loss by Microsoft and Sony.

The official story: Neither Microsoft nor Sony had responded to requests for comment as of press time.

Bogus or not bogus: Considering the dearth of leaks concerning Microsoft and Sony's next consoles, it seems highly unlikely that either will pull a surprise announcement at this year's E3. Additionally, by Kotaku's sources' own admission, much remains in flux surrounding the companies' new consoles, so 2014 seems at this point to be not much more than a target.