Let's gather round and all be friends

We're sad to report that Ubisoft's Ghost Recon: Future Soldier has been officially delayed. It was originally slotted for 2010's holiday season, but is now pushed back to "March quarter" 2011. Ubisoft CEO Yves Guillemot cited the competitive environment of the original release date as the major factor for the delay (Halo: Reach and Call of Duty: Black Ops are due out around then). Some extra development time could also be a boon, he admitted. As far as we know, the multi-player beta is still on for this summer.

This weeks On The Download explores the realm of cheating in games. What is cheating exactly, and when can it be considered okay? Take a walk with us now while we explore online hint guides and gaming together for benefit.

Well, pardners, I reckon the time's finally here.  Red Dead Redemption, Rockstar's latest open-world game that's set in the wild, wild, west and features a few co-op opportunities, hits the stores today and we've got a special treat for all you lil' doggies.  When we were checking out the game at PAX East, we got out hands on some sweet Red Dead Redemption swag and, in honor of the game's release, we're going to be giving it away to one lucky cowgirl or cowboy.  Want to know what we're offering and how to win?  Keep readin', pilgrim.

We've been aware for - some time now - that the development of a no-brainer sequel to the super fun PlayStation Network title PixelJunk Shooter is already under way. Today Sony offered up a bubbly new logo, two screenshots, and a hint at more forthcoming details.

Nick and Mike apologize for the latest episode, but it appears fatherhood has taken its toll on both of our hosts. Both exhausted and beaten down, they weather the storm and bring you the latest in co-op news and information.

As we correctly guessed, Metal Slug XX will be released this week on Xbox Live Arcade.  The 1200  title features two player local and online co-op play with six different characters to choose from.  The same game has been available on the Nintendo DS as Metal Slug 7, which didn't include co-op play.  A PSP version was released last year as Metal Slug XX and added that feature in, but now we're getting the complete package with offline and online co-op.

Ubisoft has announced the first pack of premium DLC for Splinter Cell Conviction.  The pack is called Insurgency, and will be available on the Xbox 360 and PC on May 27th.  With the pack you'll have access to brand new missions in the Deniable Ops mode on four new maps.  The locales range from the docks of San Francisco to a New Orleans cemetery, a prison in Portland to a hidden research complex in Salt Lake City.  These missions are all playable in two player co-op.

Earlier this month, Zeno Clash: Ultimate Edition was released on Xbox Live Arcade.  A very rare first person brawler, we found the game to be pretty good, though the lack of campaign co-op was troubling.  The trippy game world and inclusion of dual wielded fish pistols were highlights.  If only you could carry a couple real life fish pistols while on the treadmill, or in the car, wouldn't that be great?  Well, your neighbors would likely look at you funny if you did.  So, you'll just have to content yourself with downloading the complete soundtrack to the game for all your excercising and driving needs.  Best of all, you can get it free, until May 31st.

About a month ago we took a look at a game called Monaco: What's Yours Is Mine, a top-down stealth game with the ultimate goal to steal, hijack, or otherwise obtain others goods. With the co-op, you have one of 4 main characters of different classes with different abilities to help the mission. Co-op in this has caught our attention, and Indiegames.com decided to ask the creator of Pocketwatch Games, developer of Monaco, a few important questions about the co-op and general process of creating a game like this.

The first trailer showcasing cooperative gameplay from Lara Croft and the Guardian of Light has exploded onto the scene.  Show casing plenty of gigantic creatures, environmental puzzles, co-op play, and explosions - the trailer sets the stage for the upcoming $15 downloadable title.  While the Tomb Raider games have always had a bit of a sci-fi or fantasy edge to them, this one really looks to up the ante with crazy creature likes giant spiders, trolls, and some sort of dragon or dinosaur.  Perhaps they were trying to recapture the T-Rex moment from the first game?

If you've been following Fable 3 news, and I know you are, you may have noticed that the word PC has been thrown around here and there.  On more than one occasion we've seen it mentioned in interviews, hinting at a possible port or simultaneous development, but a PC version has never officially been confirmed.