A rumor making the rounds today is Microsoft will phase out its Microsoft Points currency by year's end, in favor of real currency. According to InsideMobileApps, the change will affect Windows Phone, the Zune Marketplace and Xbox Live.

The site claims "a source" provided the information and notes that mobile developers with Microsoft publishing agreements are being told to plan their upcoming downloadable content and in-app purchases in accordance with the change. Finally, customers with Microsoft Point balances at the time of conversion will have it switched to the their local currency.

Two developers we spoke to who are working on Windows Phone 7 and Xbox Live content told us they hadn't heard anything about such a conversion. However, both noted that sometimes Microsoft doesn't tell them about major changes until it becomes need to know. They also hadn't heard whispers about the conversion until we contacted them.

Checking in with Microsoft, a company spokesperson told us: "We do not comment on rumor or speculation."

Update: Microsoft Switzerland has reportedly told Gbase.de that the rumor is not true. The Google translation is a bit confusing, but it roughly translates: "We can not confirm these rumors – we are currently satisfied with the current Xbox Live Business model."

It's not really a followup to the Neo Geo Pocket, but it is a portable device with a bunch of Neo Geo games on it. Currently known only as "Neo Geo Portable Device" (not the product's final name), the handheld is a bit bigger than an iPhone and comes packing two gigs of storage, plenty of buttons, a 4.3 inch screen, SD card slot, headphone jack and an A/V out jack, according to Japanese site Famicom Plaza.

And, thanks to official SNK licensing, it comes pre-loaded with 20 Neo Geo titles — North American versions, no less — including classics like Metal Slug, Fatal Fury Special, Sengoku, King of the Monsters, Magician Lord and more. Famicom Plaza provided no details as to when or where the device will be released.

That's assuming the product is real at all, of course. The select button above is labeled "menu" in a different picture, for example, which seems a bit odd. We've contacted SNK to confirm the device's existence.

Sources confirm fall 2013 release, detail graphics processing power.

The next Xbox will ship to retailers in late October or early November of next year with six times the processing power of the Xbox 360, sources close to the project have told IGN.

Following initial reports from tech blogs Fudzilla and SemiAccurate, our sources have confirmed that mass production of the system's GPU will indeed begin by the end of 2012 but will not, however, be based on AMD's 7000 series Southern Islands GPU. Instead, the processor will be derived from the 6000 series, which was introduced last year. More specifically, it will be akin to the Radeon HD 6670, which offers support for DirectX11, multidisplay output, 3D and 1080p HD output. The chip currently has a market price of upwards of $79.99.

In real terms, the Xbox 720's raw graphics processing power is expected to be six times that of the Xbox 360 and will yield 20-percent greater performance than Nintendo's forthcoming console, the Wii U.

Developers are likely to receive development kits based on the system's final configuration in August. Projected pricing for the console was not provided.

AGOURA HILLS, Calif. Jan 18, 2012 – THQ Inc. today announced the second downloadable content pack for Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine is scheduled to release for the Xbox 360 video game and entertainment system from Microsoft, Playstation®3 computer entertainment system, and Windows PC on 24th January (US) / 25th January (EU).

The premium add-on pack called The Dreadnought, adds a new multiplayer mode called Dreadnought Assault where both teams battle to capture a central location on the map and the winners spawn a player controlled Dreadnought. The Dreadnought is armed with an Assault Cannon / Auto Cannon, a Meltagun and a Power Fist / Power Claw and must capture points across the map to score points for their team. Once the Dreadnought is destroyed a new spawn point will appear.

The Dreadnought DLC also includes three new multiplayer maps Desolation, Dome Mechanicus and Chem Refinery, as well as new achievements / trophies and has a suggested cost of 800 Microsoft Points / US$9.99.

In addition to the premium add-on content all players of Space Marine will receive a new multiplayer Capture and Control Mode for free. Playable on all the game’s multiplayer maps, this team based mode challenges players to capture and defend locations around the map to score points.

Jim Huntley, Vice President of Global Brand Management commented, “Fans of Space Marine have been asking for vehicles for a while so we are delighted to be bringing the iconic Dreadnought and Chaos Dreadnought to consoles for the first time in this DLC content.”

Alongside this add-on content THQ will be releasing two new player skins for sale on the Xbox LIVE® online entertainment network, Playstation® Network and STEAM. Players will be able to purchase unique Iron Hands and Death Guard skin packs for a suggested price of 240 Microsoft Points / US$2.99 each.

The Space Marine DLC content is scheduled to be available to purchase on Xbox 360, Playstation®3 and Windows PC on 25th January(US) / 25th January (EU).

Blizzard have announced that their massive annual convention won’t be happening this year. Instead, they’ll be devoting more time to finishing their many projects. “In light of our jam-packed schedule, we’ve decided to hold the next BlizzCon in 2013,” Blizzard say in a statement on Battle.net, mentioning that they’re currently “heavily focused on getting Diablo III, Mists of Pandaria, and Heart of the Swarm into players’ hands as soon as possible.”

It’s sad news for fans. Blizzcon is a mad, noisy celebration of some of PC gaming’s biggest series. Blizzcon 2011 brought MMO and esports fans together, and hosted the announcement of World of Warcraft’s next expansion, Mists of Pandaria. Having said that, it was obvious from the many developer panels and Q&As, that a lot of time had gone into getting demos and CG trailers ready for the show, time that could have been spent getting games finished.

In the light of the success of the massive Starcraft 2 pro finals at Blizzcon 2011, Blizzard announce that they will be staging the 2012 Battle.net World Championship, described as “a major global eSports event featuring some of the best pro-gaming competition in the world.” It’ll host StarCraft 2 and WoW Arena World Championship tournaments in Asia later this year.

Blizzard haven’t announced any release dates for Mists of Pandaria and StarCraft 2: Heart of the Swarm, and a post last week revealed major changes to Diablo 3 that will surely push it further back. Behind the scenes, work will continue on Blizzard’s next big MMO, Project Titan. Are you disappointed by Blizzard’s decision to delay Blizzcon 2012?