While you might have already seen our initial post on Side Mission about the all-new Contracts mode that will be featured in the upcoming Hitman: Absolution, I've returned from the reveal event itself here in Cologne, Germany with additional details and the very first screens of the mode in action.

At a special reveal event last night in Cologne, Germany during Gamescom 2012, publisher Activision and developer Treyarch blew the lid off of Call of Duty: Black Ops II's multiplayer component by introducing a slew of new features and outlining exactly what fans of the franchise can expect.

Good news Awesomenauts fans, today a new update to the console version of the game allows two new characters to enter the fray. Best of all, the update is free and simply requires you to log on to enjoy all the gameplay buffs. Apart from the two brand new Awesomenauts, the update also contains numerous balance tweaks and some connectivity fixes that developer Ronimo says players have longed for, as well as additional prestige levels for you to acquire.

Darksiders II is nearly upon us and fans seeking to be immersed in the game's gritty world will also soon have the option to pick up a two-dsic set of the game's original soundtrack. Sumthing Else Music Works sent word today that composer Jesper Kyd's highly anticipated original music score from Vigil's upcoming action/adventure game is scheduled for release on August 14th to retail outlets worldwide through Sumthing Else Music Works and for digital download at www.sumthingdigital.com, Amazon MP3, iTunes and other digital music sites. If you know you're gonna pick it up, you can pre-order beginning today over on Amazon.

A post today over on the Official US PlayStation Blog brings word that all of your PS-related fighting fantasies will come true on October 23, 2012 when PlayStation All-Stars Battle Royale hits the PS3 and PS Vita.

ATTN Halo fans, the latest edition of The Halo Bulletin has delivered a new Halo 4 video on Halo Waypoint that offers a fresh look at new multiplayer footage along with insight from the development team on the game’s new MP features, including new weapons, War Games maps and competitive modes, and Spartan Ops.

Good news retro fighting fans, Capcom has today announced Marvel Vs. Capcom Origins, a compilation of two of the most popular arcade games of the 90’s; Marvel Super Heroes and Marvel vs. Capcom: Clash of Super Heroes. Origins is slated to be released in September 2012 via XBLA and PSN.

It looks like Transformers fans will get the gaming gift of the rarest variety – an early release date – as High Moon Studios has sent word that the highly-anticipated Fall of Cybertron will now release on August 21, 2012 for Xbox 360, PS3, and PC. The game was previously slated for a release one week later on August 28.

Activision Blizzard and Tencent Holdings today announced a strategic relationship to bring Call of Duty Online to Chinese game players. In development for approximately two years, Call of Duty Online is free-to-play and monetized through the sales of in-game items. Check out the official description of the title below:

Here's a friendly reminder that the Resident Evil 6 demo is available for download from Xbox LIVE today, exclusively for owners of the Xbox 360 version of Dragon’s Dogma. PS3 owners of Dragon's Dogma will have to wait until September 4 to get their hands on the satisfying sliver of zombie-fied action. As for the demo itself, here's what you can expect: