A few days ago, Kotaku reported that Circuit City will be receiving a new PlayStation 3 SKU with a different model number from their 40GB unit bundled with Spider-Man 3. Now, Kaizer_911, a GameStop manager who gave us the heads-up on a number of developments before, informs us that his store will also be storing units with a different model number, making more room for the possibility that the white PS3 model is indeed coming. More info in the full article.

TheEBGames/Gamestop manager who gave us a heads-up on the discontinuation of the 20GB Sony PS3 is back and this time, he's bringing similar news about the 80GB PS3. Will his store follow Best Buy in dropping the higher-end SKU off the shelves? Find out in the full article.

For those who have been waiting for the release date announcement of BlackSite: Area 51, we have reports of a possible ETA. Our internet hamsters have found three sites with the same placeholder date for the upcoming video game from Midway Studios Austin.

GameStop and EBGames (naturally) agrees on one placeholder date for BlackSite: Area 51 for the PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, and PC; Wikipedia also shows that same date. They all show a September release, September 3 to be exact. Hmm... We couldn't find an announcement for the original release date, though ThreeSpeech has also taken a swing for the Europe release: September 14.

We'll keep an eye out for that official announcement, until we find one, we'll pigeonhole this article in the Rumor bin. Stay tuned.

Online retailer EBGames has just released information on their pre-release of Warhawk's Blu-Ray version. And much like what SCEA's Peter Dille said some months back, the package contains the (multiplayer-only) game, as well as HD videos of the Warhawk trailers, behind-the-scenes videos, and trailers for other upcoming products. Topping the pack is a Jabra BT125 Bluetooth headset bundle.

The WarHawk Blu-Ray bundle is expected to cost buyers a total of US$ 59.99, with pre-release shipping expected to kick in this August 28. We'll let know if we get more info on the Blu-Ray bundle downloadable counterpart being readied on PSN, given that both packs are expected to launch simultaneously.

Details are still pretty sketchy, but it looks like Activision's Value division is making plans to release a new Soldier of Fortune FPS game for the PC, PlayStation 3, and Xbox 360. Different this time around will be the choice of studio - Activision has chosen Cauldron (History Channel: Civil War) to be the game's developer in place of Raven Software, the devs who were behind Pay Back's predecessor, Soldier of Fortune II: Double Helix.

That much on game details we know, aside from a posting over at EBGames and GameStop which dates SoF: Pay Back's multi-platform release for November.

SoF: Double Helix, for the guys new to the franchise, is a tactical FPS originally released for Windows PCs and the Xbox console back in 2002. The game was based on other popular FPS' of the time such as Counter-Strike and Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six, and ran under a Quake III engine. Stay tuned in case we receive word on updates for this new title under works.

There's been a lot of speculation among Sony PlayStation 3 fans that Konami's highly-anticipated title Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots will be delayed contrary to the trailer's claim that it'll ship in September of 2007. Retailer EBGames has sent out an email to its subscribers announcing that the game launches on March 1, 2008.

The Konami team developing the MGS series led by the legendary Hideo Kojima has developed a reputation based on a perfectionist rhetoric through the years, and fans have learned to respect the style. This is a studio that's not afraid to sacrifice time for the sake of quality and you can't argue with the results as the franchise is among the very best in the business.

If you haven't heard yet, MGS4 stars Solid Snake again in his advanced age. The story follows a saga that sees our hero embark on a quest to rid the world of dangerous Metal Gear weapons, pitting him against Liquid Ocelot and his new-found war machine. The game also looks to shed more light on the mysterious Patriot organization that has been controlling America from the shadows. Thanks to Ssnake for the tip.

It seems that Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six: Vegas by Ubisoft will be out for the PlayStation 3 this May 22. EBgames and Gamestop have already posted the shipping date for the pre-release copies of the game.

The game is set in Las Vegas, where terrorist activities have recently been occurring with greater frequency. You will have to lead your men in missions which will occur in and around Las Vegas' most popular locations such as Fremont Street and the Strip. The game boasts of better A.I. than any of the previous Rainbow Six games. In addition to this, you can expect real-time tactical advice from your team members and commander as the mission goes on.

You can check out some of the previously covered gameplay vids we have on the site to see if the game appeals to you.

Thanks to Mirub13 for the heads-up on this one.

The Time Crisis series by Namco Bandai has become an arcade staple since its first release last 1995. Now, the latest version of the game, Time Crisis 4 is said to be heading to Sony's PlayStation 3. Like a previous rumor regarding Time Crisis on the Wii, this has yet to be confirmed.

It seems that Gamestop and EBgames have been running a pre-release sale of Time Crisis 4 with Guncon for the PS3. Both sites are selling it a US$ 89.99 with a pre-release shipping date of November 11, 2007. Namco Bandai America has not confirmed this game, although certain sites have said that there is an upcoming shooter from Namco Bandai.

If anyone has any information regarding the matter, feel free to post it and help the entire PS3 community learn the truth about this rumor.

Will you agree with us if we say that in the future, there will no longer be any exclusive titles for any console? Owners of Wii, PS3, and Xbox 360 will get the same games. Will that stop players from bashing each other or will it fan the flames even further? We guess we'll save that discussion for later but for now, let us talk about Saints Row.

THQ confirmed today in a press release that its sandbox game is indeed headed to the PlayStation 3. EBGames was right after all. Maybe EBGames removed the link from its online store at THQ's word. A pre-mature announcement always leaves a bad taste in the mouths of publishers.

Speaking of which, here is what Kelly Flock, THQ Executive VP of Worldwide Publishing, has to say about their company's decision:

Saints Row has established itself as one of the most successful original properties in next generation gaming, and we're excited to bring the groundbreaking experience to PlayStation 3 system fans worldwide. Bringing the open-world genre to the PlayStation 3 system for the first time will help grow the Saints Row fan base and expand the open-world online community.

Lastly, THQ added that Saints Row for PS3 will be available in retail stores this coming spring. Maybe the next good question to ask is how will this game fare against main competitor Grand Theft Auto IV.

Here's another foiled PS3-robbery story, this time involving an EBGames outlet. Antuan Blackman, the culprit, reportedly tried to steal cash and a PS3 unit from a Chicago EBGames branch, but was instead caught hiding in the store's heating ducts by the cops.

According to NBC 5, Blackman forced his way into the store, brandishing a handgun on Saturday night. He first demanded money from the staff before asking where the PS3 stocks were kept. All these were recorded by the store's security camera. Blackman was able to get US$ 600, which were found in his pants, along with some US$ 54 worth of coins stashed in his sweat shirt.

US$ 600, eh? Now, think like a criminal for a minute here: wouldn't it probably have been smarter if he just went for the money and bought a new PS3 with it? Then, he wouldn't have had to hide in the heating ducts as he'd have more time for his escape...