Well, well, well...what have we here?

Not too long ago, I've been given a really good opportunity that I've only shared with a very select few of people. Maybe, like, two. It's an opportunity I consider as good as gold, but it also requires a good sense of memorization.

Or a way of recording. Either one.

I don't want to talk about this too much, mainly because A) I don't think I'm allowed to talk about it, B) It's not a guarantee by any means, and I wouldn't be down if it didn't happen, and C) I don't want to put up too much hype for a possible let-down.

If, on the chance the opportunity arises however, I certainly wouldn't take it for granted. But that's neither here nor there, so let's get right to it, shall we? I had to delay this week's post for a couple of reasons, but better late than never, right?

This past week was a bit of a drag-along as far as news goes, but there were a few diamonds in the rough. Even though the first story is either going to make you keep reading or immediately leave a rage comment and report me (Pro-tip: That won't do anything.), there's some beef I do have with the topic at-hand. I encourage you, whether you hate it, love it, or don't care, to try and trudge through it anyway. Ready? Hit reset.

Hasbro orders cease-and-desist to ManeSix on copyright infringement

HOLD ON! HOLD ON! HOLD OOOOON!

The developers of the anticipated fan project My Little Pony: Fighting is Magic posted some devastating news to their fans on the ManeSix official blog, saying they've received a cease-and-desist order from Hasbro and their legal team.

The C&D order is injuncted upon the development team due to a copyright infringement on Hasbro's property My Little Pony, more specifically the "Friendship is Magic" series of the franchise. On their blog, a representative of the team said the following:

"We have attempted negotiating with Hasbro for the continued use of the [MLP] property in our non-profit, voluntary project, but so far we haven't received an answer. As such, we're complying with the contents of the C&D letter until we receive answer from their [Public Relations] and/or Legal departments."

To me, this is no shocker in terms of Hasbro ordering a C&D to the fan studio. What I am shocked with, however, is with how long they dragged the process on until they decided to issue the order.

This team of hard-working developers were working on, from what I've seen and played, what was to be a pretty cool fan-made game. All those hours, months, and the total year-and-a-half equals to an inevitable demise that was put upon them for far too long.

In other words, it amounts to nothing. Their past year or so has just been taken away from them. This was not even a little-known project either. This game was probably one of the bigger things about the MLP fandom that I don't buy a case for Hasbro saying, "Oh, well, we just found out about it."

How? How can you possibly just find out about a blatant copyright infringement that's been out there for more than a year? I have told, and heard, worse lies than that. Lance Armstrong, anyone? I can't see them licensing the game, as that would contrast the show's message, obviously.

All may not be lost, though, as Lauren Faust, the creator of the "Friendship is Magic" series, offered to make "something completely new" for the development team after hearing the news about the project on her Twitter account (@fyre_flye).

Again, it was unfortunately inevitable, but shame on Hasbro for dragging the C&D order process after ManeSix gave over a year on this hard-worked project to have it all basically taken away. Pitiful.

BioWare Montreal director teases new Mass Effect, future

And now for something slightly different...

In a NeoGAF post, comments by BioWare Montreal director Yannick Roy has stated that Mass Effect does have a future in the plans at BioWare, but it won't include either "Commander Shepard" or the number "4."

The game they're working on is said to be a new title, but it will not be an MMO. Roy said:

"Because we are switching to a new engine and need to rebuild a bunch of game systems, we have an opportunity to rethink how we want these systems to be going forward instead of just inheriting them from the previous games. Story-wise, the arc of the first trilogy has also been concluded, and what we will do is tell a new story set in the Mass Effect universe."

Roy also mentioned the choices in the Mass Effect trilogy with Commander Shepard can possibly be carried over into the new direction of the franchise. Not much else is known about the next game in the series, other than it could be a prequel leading up to the Shepard trilogy.

While the details are still mostly unknown for the new iteration, I'm a big enough Mass Effect fan to try and line up and get a pre-order. I've liked all three of the main games in the Shepard trilogy, and I do have a favorite over another like anyone else.

That doesn't exactly mean I won't mindlessly wander into the void and unknown like I have in the past with games. I'd like to know what Roy, Casey Hudson, and everyone at BioWare have cooking up in the kitchen.

Er...studio. Yes, studio.

Regardless, this is certainly news I'm more than interested in and will no doubt keep my eye on as more information flows in.

Double Fine Kickstarter game coming to Ouya

And suddenly, the Ouya became a major player instantly.

Game Informer reports that Double Fine's Kickstarter, code named "Reds," has been announced for the Ouya.

During a DICE presentation, Ouya CEO Julia Urhman brought some new life into attention for the console by saying the game by Double Fine, as well as The Cave, will be released for the Ouya, which will be released later in summer.

Also available for the Ouya will be a game by Robert Bowling and a port of Final Fantasy III.

I've always been a fan of the Kickstarted Ouya, and it's not a surprise to me the Ouya would feature another Kickstarted project. It just so happens that this project is by Tim Schafer's Double Fine.

I think Schafer is one of the few names in the industry that everyone will pay attention to, as far as developers go. His legacy and work mostly speaks for itself, but he's also got a lot of fans who are more than willing to do it for him, too.

Not much is known about the Kickstarter known only as "Reds," but I'm sure more information will be known by late April or early May. Until then, I'm ready to once again say, "Ouya? Oh yeah!"

Ratner to co-produce FarmVille cartoon

Lord have mercy, hear our prayer. No, please. Amen.

According to Deadline.com, Brett Ratner, alongside with Six Eleven Media, are producing a FarmVille cartoon.

The series will be, obviously, produced for a half-hour show on the popular Zynga game on Facebook. It is unknown on which channel this will be on. FarmVille 2 was released last fall.

Get all that? Good. Let's hope it dies quickly and move on.

Sega website to reveal new project today

Mmmmkay...

On a website by Sega, a project is to be announced on February 12 (today). Not much is known about it other than a rainforest-like, majestic background with the date of reveal shown.

I'm hoping it'll be something that will be available outside of the Japan market. I'm sure it'll be a JRPG. Other than that, it's very mysterious, and possibly big. Sure, the odds say no, but it's really hard to ignore a site like this.

Once the announcement has been...well, announced, I'll update this area of the post.

Until then, my eyes might be glued to the screen to see what all the fuss is about.