When we first received word at Co-Optimus HQ that the next Mass Effect game would have co-op, we were thirlled. After all, it's a feature we'd been teased with for the second game, and its cancellation/denial left us... well, let's just say yening for such a possibility to become true. Since the confirmation that Mass Effect 3 would, in fact, support co-op play in a separate adventure where each player could choose, and customize, his or her own character, we've been getting some details here and there about what it will and won't do. However, we have yet to see a lot of it in action... Until now...

"Oh dear Lord Jesus, this ain't happening, man... This can't be happening, man! This isn't happening!"

Ubisoft has announced a PC version of Rayman Origins with a release date of March 29th, 2012.  Rayman Origins is an excellent co-op game that we gave a 4.5 out of 5  thanks to a great platforming experience shared by all.  The PC version will retain the four player local co-op support, but that's not the best news.

Another quirky platforming game with great artwork has made its way onto the download market, but this time it has co-op throughout. ScaryGirl could be a very pleasant co-op experience, but are its flaws far scarier than first meets the eye?

Earlier today, SEGA uploaded a special cutscene from their newest Third-Person Shooter title, Binary Domain, showcasing an extended dialogue and a few, gruesome twists.

We've got another guest submission from Peter and Ruth for Co-Op Couples this month. There are plenty of great co-op games out there, but sometimes, the well goes dry, and you run out of money for all the latest, shiniest titles. What's a co-op loving couple to do? Get creative and share the experience any way they can, of course!

A new release of screen shots from Konami's NeverDead makes us want to try ripping off our body parts off in pure happiness.

The reveal of the new Twisted Metal's online pass may have inspired some negativity among used game afficianados, but Sony seems intent on squaring that away with free goodies. Now that the game has gone gold (it comes out on Valentine's Day after all), the publisher has announced a new bonus: all new copies of Twisted Metal will include a Sweet Tooth multiplayer skin for Starhawk, the upcoming space-faring sequel to Warhawk. Gamers won't get to use the skin (pictured) until Starhawk launches on May 8, but it's definitely a cool incentive to pick up both tiles.

In the latest episode of the Co-Opticast, the Co-Opticrew talked about all the co-op games coming out in 2012 and those about which we're most excited. Being the resident "indie guy," there were three games that I've been told would be seeing releases this year, but indie games do have a way of suddenly slipping into new release dates. Fortunately, one of the games to which I'm looking forward, ibb and obb - a co-op platformer with a new twist on gravity puzzles - will definitely be seeing a release on the PSN (and possibly the PC) this year according to the game's developer.

Want to know when you can get your hands on some brand new Spec-Ops missions for Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 and its two player co-op mode?    Activision has released a schedule for those of you that are Call of Duty: Elite subscribers showcasing all the available DLC and it looks like a steady stream of Spec-Ops content is inbound.

Rumors are flying around the interweb this January, like bullets in a gritty YouTube style computer game. If the concept of a Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle or Thief co-op game was not enough, the mill-that-is-rumor has just ground out a new tip in the form of SquareEnix trademarking the term 'Sleeping Dogs'. Is this their attempt at rivalling Nintendogs? Possibly, but more likely a follow up to Kane and Lynch: Dog Days. Finally an answer to the question; who let the dogs out? It was SquareEnix and IO Interactive.

Board games have made quite the resurgence in the last decade since the importing of Settler's of Catan to everyone in North America.  We here at Co-Optimus love tabletop gaming as much as video games and ePawn is bringing a product that will bridge the gap between board game and digital entertainment.