The Monday Roundup (Balls of Steel Edition 14/02/11)

Crisis 2 Leaked, Killzone 3 Rumored to be Leaked
Hackers, burglars or a rogue employee

A developer build of Crysis 2 has been leaked onto torrent sites. The file reportedly containing the single player, multiplayer and master key needed for online authentication is now 'out there'. Unfortunately the source of the leak has yet to be identified - it could be theft, an insider's unfortunate mistake or hackers. EA played down the leak in a post on the Crysis 2 forum, calling it an early version; "Crytek has been alerted that an early incomplete, unfinished build of Crysis 2 has appeared on Torrent sites. Crytek and EA are deeply disappointed by the news. We encourage fans to support the game and the development team by waiting and purchasing the final, polished game on March 22. Crysis 2 is still in development and promises to be the ultimate action blockbuster as the series’ signature Nanosuit lets you be the weapon as you defend NYC from an alien invasion. Piracy continues to damage the PC packaged goods market and the PC development community."

A 40GB file, purportedly an image of Killzone 3, is also making it's way around the internet, as pirates continue to attack the viability of our favorite industry. It could well be a fake, designed to obliterate the internet caps and bandwidth of those that would steal Sony's latest baby, in a Guerilla campaign - who knows but the pun works so anything's possible.

- CVG


Duke Nukem Forever LE Announced
Gearbox would like you to have Balls of Steel

Gearbox has revealed via their First Access Club the Balls of Steel edition of Duke Nukem Forever. The pack includes tradition limited edition items, such as a soundtrack, alongside Duke Nukem-centric items like the bust and poker chips. This is a limited edition, Duke Nukem style. Retailers are yet to post regarding the availability of the bundle in NZ, however a press release received this morning directly from 2K would tend to suggest that kiwi gamers who are looking to get their hands on Duke's Balls will have just that chance soon enough.

- Duke Nukem Forever: First Access Club


Activision Looking to Purchase Take-Two?
So MCV UK says.

Activision is rumoured to be looking at purchasing Take-Two, owners of such IPs as Grand Theft Auto, Red Dead, and the infamous (banned almost everywhere) Manhunt series. "There are very strong rumours amongst people at a very senior level within the global business," a senior executive (no company mentioned) told MCV. "But there're not much more than that at the moment – they are just rumours. And, of course, given Activision's news this week, everyone is now looking to see what their next move is. But you can definitely put two and two together and make four-ish." The source added that Bobby Kotick is still looking to put the publisher in the top spot in the market. Owning Take-Two's range of popular IP would certainly do that.

- MCV UK