Huh? Since when was Spore set to launch on Sept 11? At least, that's what the Spore Launch Centre over at AU IGN is reporting. True, it's not that far ahead of the Sept 4 date given not so long ago, but it's still a surprise.

Retailers GAME and EB Games still have September 4 entered into their databases, so consider it a rumour for now. EA was contacted earlier for comment, but has yet to reply.

Update: Seems someone at IGN has their wires crossed! EA has confirmed the Sept 4 date is still on for Oz. I've also included a press release with the Sept 4th release date after the jump.

Spore Launch Centre [AU IGN, thanks Matt30822]

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Gamerchip is reporting that Fallout 3 has been edited and is on-track for a local release. Excellent. Awesome. Fantastic. Well, it would be all three of these if I was to believe the story.

The piece mentions that the game is due out later this year, with all drug references removed. Apparently this info came from "EB and Game representatives". That's great, EB Games and GAME can say whatever they want, but until I hear word from the OFLC, Red Ant or Bethesda, Fallout 3 is still refused classification.

There's also mention that the two retailers are taking preorders, yet, as far as I can tell, the title remains in exile from EB's Oz site. Even if they are, why wouldn't they? That's what retailers do - they take your money. If they have to refund it later, they'll cross that bridge when the come to it.

Saying the game is "confirmed" is wishy-washy anyway. It's unlikely Bethesda won't create an edited version of Fallout 3 for our market, and perhaps others like Germany. It's not a matter of if, but when, and the degree of content that's altered. Only when I have this information in hand will I be confident enough to throw around words like "it's confirmed" and "import it anyway".

Fallout 3 Confirmed For Australian Release [Gamerchip, thanks Nick]

There's no word yet on Fallout 3 and its future in Australia, so if you've decided to place your order for the Collector's Edition in a country that doesn't have draconian classification laws, I can't blame you.

Importing concerns aside, it's somewhat crucial the product in question can leave its country of origin. Unfortunately for reader Con, his order for the game was cancelled by GAME in the UK. Here's the reason why:

Sadly we will not ship this item over seas due to the weight of the item. If any orders exceed the 1kg weight limit, we will not dispatch this item and will cancel the order.

Looks like you lucked out with GAME UK Con. Can anyone recommend a substitute?

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It looks like most, if not all, traces of the game have been removed from the retailer's website. Typing "fallout 3" into the provided search box returns no results, and trawling through its online catalogue turns up nada also. Direct links to the product go straight to the home page, though the banner advertising the limited edition exclusive can still be found.

It's not entirely unexpected, considering Fallout 3 was refused classification earlier this month because of its portrayal of real-world drugs. My guess is EB doesn't want to take any more orders until it's sure the game will actually be sold here.

Bethesda and Red Ant continue to remain silent on the issue, as well as their next course of action, but I'm confident they'll find a way to get the game into the country, be it by appeal, editing or that intercontinental cannon from Secret of Mana.

FYI, GAME still has the title and the preorder bundle up on its site.

After disappearing last week under mysterious circumstances, the limited edition of Metal Gear Solid 4 has returned to GAME's website, under a new product code. For those in doubt, proof can be found in the screenshot above.

As you can see, it's still going for the ball-busting price of $169.95, and what GAME defines as "Limited Edition" is up for interpretation. So, if you're keen, be sure to call ahead to check contents and availability.

Metal Gear Solid 4 Limited Edition [GAME]

If you missed out on the limited edition of Metal Gear Solid 4 thanks to EB Games' silly exclusive, GAME appears to have packs for sale. Well, that's what its website says in any case.

Too good to be true? It's not, as long as you're comfortable unloading $169.95 from your purse/wallet/man servant. I can't imagine this will stay available for long, so if you're super-keen, you better be super-quick.

Update: Well, that went faster than I expected; the product has disappeared from GAME's website!

Metal Gear Solid 4 Limited Edition [GAME]

UK retailer GAME told MCV that while it might not be planning a huge pipeline of holiday titles, it plans to selectively use its distribution channels to publish undiscovered titles under its own brand name.

GAME was quick to reiterate it planned no threat to game publishers at all, and would instead seek out smaller-scale opportunities that were good fits:

"If it works commercially for GAME and helps a smaller publisher get off the ground by GAME sharing some of the risk, then we would look at it - we have a distribution channel and we can offer a service.

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For those of you out there that still doubt EB Games Australia has the exclusive on the Fallout 3 Collector's Edition, look no further than EB's own website. See that new banner, you know, the one that says "exclusive"? Yeah, that one.

Now, other retailers (such as GAME) have a similar bundle (the notable difference being a Brotherhood of Steel figurine instead of the PVC Vault Boy bobblehead), and some might believe it's the Collector's Edition. Sadly, I'm pretty sure you'll find it's the preorder bundle.

Big thanks to reader Brendan, who decided to check out what the deal was with GAME and the LE of Metal Gear Solid 4. We posted a story yesterday with news that the retailer had a "limited" number of copies to sell, despite EBGames having the exclusive.

Brendan was able to confirm that indeed, GAME has the Limited Edition - 20,000 copies apparently (UPDATE: More likely the worldwide number). That's the only bit of good news though. He says the store is asking $159 for the honour.

Do you reckon it's worth it? I know I'd be hard-pressed.

EBGames may have the scoop on Limited Editions of Metal Gear Solid 4 but that hasn't stop GAME from sneaking copies in under the radar. Or above the radar. Well, we didn't know about it until now anyway.

Tipster Clancy recently sent us this tidbit:

Just got a call today from GAME offering to upgrade my Metal Gear Solid pre order to a Limited Edition. Apparently they managed to source some. They hadn't run out when I went past at about 5pm, but they said it was apparently "really limited". So heads up I guess if you missed out on getting one from EB.

I'd love to call GAME to confirm, but a recent trip to the dentist has left me, well, unable to speak good. So if you hear anything else, let us know!