By this time, you probably already know that Vivendi and Activision have left the Entertainment Software Association (ESA). That being the case, the companies' names aren't on the ESA's official website. Then again, LucasArts isn't on the site either. Could this mean that it has left the ESA as well? More on this in the full article after the jump.

Sources close to THQ indicate that the company has laid off a number of employees from two of its subsidiary game development studios.

The studios reportedly being affected are Rainbow Studios, which was responsible for racing titles like the MX vs. ATV series, and SandBlast Games, currently developing Destroy All Humans! Path of the Furon (PlayStation 3, Xbox 360). Further details are available in the full article.

The question running in many hardcore RPG fans' heads right now are somewhere along the lines of: "When the heck are gamers outside of Japan going to get the new Star Ocean remakes for the PlayStation Portable?" Well, the wait may not be that long as some new updates have recently been spotted hinting of the possible release date of Star Ocean: The First Departure and Star Ocean: The Second Evolution in North America. You can check out the details of this juicy tidbit in our full article.

The gaming world was recently greeted by the news of Eidos signing a beneficial deal with Time Warner, but it looks like there were some dire consequences: according to some insider sources, Eidos has laid off its PR, marketing and sales departments in what seems to be in exchange to Time Warner's financial assistance. Read more about it in the full article.

If you guys were alarmed with the news that Sega closed down their UK Racing Studio, here's a tidbit of information that might be of help. There's a rumor circulating the Codemasters might save the studio from its demise. Read more on this after the jump!

Here's something that would perk up people hungry for gaming news: according to a Xtreme PS3 source, Sony Computer Entertainment of Europe (SCEE) is planning to hold a Sony Gamers Day in London on May 6. But before you get all excited, you should know that the event is supposed to be an invite-only affair. More details in the full article.

It's been quite while since we've heard any news about LocoRoco 2. Aside from the announcement that the game is already in the works, there's been hardly a peep on what's been happening with the game. Now, PlayFrance reveals new details on the game, including a release date. These details haven't been confirmed by Sony, but at least we have something to chew on for now. Details in the full article.

Thanks to Herald for the tip!

Today appears to be Rumor Day. On one hand, we've been told that the next installment of Midway's Mortal Kombat series is a crossover entitled Mortal Kombat vs DC Universe. And now, it seems that this same game will reportedly have little-to-no blood and no fatalities. More rumor mongering ensues in the full article after the jump.

Crossovers - it's the stuff of fanfiction and occasional mainstream work like Alan Moore's "League of Extraordinary Gentlemen." Midway,  however, seems to be hinting at something similar for the next installment in the Mortal Kombat series. More universes collide in the full article, right after the jump.

Sackboy (and sackgirl) fans should steel themselves for the latest tidbit that may be hitting Media Molecule's LittleBigPlanet some time in the future. In a rumored post from CVG's sources, it was recently reported that the developers are currently working on a PlayStation Portable version of the game. For more details regarding this juicy rumor, check out our full article.