Last week we reported Disney Interactive Studio's confirmation that it plans to close Pure and Split/Second developer Black Rock Studios. Two anonymous members of the studio tell Develop that it was all planned out and they never had a chance.

In the time since it first acquired Black Rock, Disney has changed direction to focus on social gaming. A potential sequel to Split/Second was the first casualty of the new priorities, getting cancelled in December. But Disney reportedly invited Black Rock to prepare a pitch for a project more in keeping with the new thinking. Read more »

When Split/Second developer Black Rock Studio was stripped down to only forty people with massive layoffs in May, its future looked anything but bright bright. Today, owner Disney Interactive Studios confirmed the inevitable--it plans to shut the English developer down entirely.

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An undisclosed number of staff have been made redundant at Split/Second and Pure developer Black Rock Studio, owner Disney Interactive has confirmed. Rumours whispered to Eurogamer say as many as 100 staff may have been let go.

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It's that time once again for the PlayStation Store Update, which this week means a few new games with a noticeable old-school slant.

The side-scrolling action game Moon Diver ($14.99) is available if you're in the mood for a Strider-like slasher. If guns are more your retro speed, Rush'N Attack Ex-Patriot ($9.99) is up too. Chime Super Deluxe ($9.99) scratches the puzzle itch, and FreeRealms marks the first free-to-play MMO on PlayStation 3. You can also grab the full game Split/Second ($29.99). Read more »

Sony has outlined the goodies and discounts coming to PlayStation Plus users in the next few weeks. As previously announced, the SOCOM 4 multiplayer beta will come to Plus users a week earlier than standard account-holders, on March 22.

Other additions that week include a PlayStation Move Heroes full game trial to coincide with its release, and a launch day discount on Swarm. It will cost $11.99, instead of $14.99, for Plus users. Read more »

Microsoft has once again outlined the next two weeks of Xbox Live Marketplace Arcade games, discounts, Games on Demand, and other assorted goodies.

Halo: Reach delivered digitally through Games on Demand will be $49.99 for one week only, starting today, no doubt to promote the launch of the Defiant Map Pack. And if you love Batman but don't yet own Arkham Asylum, you don't exist -- but the game is getting a price drop to $29.99 starting today anyway. Read more »

The latest from Attack of the Movies 3-D, Go Play Lumberjacks and We Wish You a Merry Christmas developer Panic Button has been unveiled in the form of Swords.

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