Game reportedly shipping in March next year; no confirmation of next-generation console versions.

Update: Namco Bandai has confirmed to Eurogamer that Dark Souls II will be shipping in March 2014.

Original story: Dark Souls II, the sequel to From Software…s 2011 hit role-playing game, Dark Souls may be releasing in March next year, according to a report on Kotaku.

Is this the Dark Souls II release date? Image credit: Kotaku

A large billboard has been spotted in Los Angeles by user Norm the Alligator ahead of next week…s Electronic Entertainment Expo. The 2014 launch window has lead to speculation that the next title in the notoriously unforgiving series may also include a next-generation console release.

A Namco Bandai Australia spokesperson declined to comment on the release date, and reiterated that only Xbox 360, PlayStation 3 and PC versions of the game have been announced.

Namco recently confirmed the company will be going "guns blazing" to market with Dark Souls II.

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Crowdfunding campaign for N64 platformer-inspired game surpasses $30,000 goal within two days.

Denmark-based developer Gears for Breakfast has launched a Kickstarter campaign for its 3D platformer game A Hat in Time for the PC and Wii U.

A Hat In Time is inspired by games like Super Mario 64 and Banjo-Kazooie.

The campaign amassed $50,727 in its first two days and surpassed its pledge goal of $30,000. The game is inspired by 3D collect-a-thon platformers on the Nintendo 64 console like Super Mario 64 and Banjo-Kazooie. Players control Hat Kid who is given the task to collect time pieces from different worlds and locations to save the universe.

Stretch goals for the campaign include developer commentary and co-op mode; both goals were met at this point of writing. Others include a sixth and seventh bonus chapter and full voice acting.

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Next phase to include PS3 version testers and player-matching features.

Square Enix has announced that it will be rolling out its third beta test phase for Final Fantasy XIV: A Realm Reborn on June 14.

PS3 Final Fantasy fans can now be part of FF XIV: ARR's beta-testing.

In this build, the testing for the PS3 version of the game will start and will coincide with the testing of the PC version. Players who have accounts for the original Final Fantasy XIV title on PC will qualify as testers in this third phase. The level cap for characters will still be 35.

Player-matching features and the level sync party options will be available in this phase for players to check out. Limsa Lominsa and Ul'dah leveling paths are also added for this session. For more information, check out the beta roadmap here. Players who still wish to participate in the beta can do so here.

The game will launch on August 27 for the PS3 and PC. Check out GameSpot's preview for more information.

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By Barbara Goldberg NEW YORK (Reuters) - Actress Jean Stapleton, best known for her Emmy-winning role as the good-hearted housewife Edith Bunker in the groundbreaking 1970s television comedy "All in the Family," has died at age 90, her family said on Saturday. Stapleton died on Friday of natural causes at her home in New York City, her son, film and television director John Putch, said in a statement. "It is with great love and heavy hearts that we say farewell to our collective Mother, with a capital M," Putch and his sister, Pamela Putch, said in a joint statement. ...