A happy Valentine's Day to all of our readers that celebrate it. To those that don't we extend a happy Anti-Valentine's Day, sticking it to the man or whatever it is that you like to do, or not do, on this day. This will be the last edition of Video Game Bits for this week.

Burnout Paradise dating ads

Today, Electronic Arts released eight Burnout Paradise advertisements on YouTube that spoof online dating commercials. The ads are really meant to get people talking about the game's online play, its open world racing and other features, but are, overall, just a well done, and hilarious, ad campaign. You can see our favourite below, or check out EA's YouTube channel at www.youtube.com/user/ea.

C&C: Red Alert is back

Electronic Arts announced the return of one of the most beloved and best-selling real time strategy franchises of all time today. Command & Conquer: Red Alert is coming back, after a seven-year hiatus, with a new game designed for Xbox 360, Playstation 3 and PC. Command & Conquer: Red Alert 3 takes a number of moments from history and rewrites them, creating a messed up alternate future.

The game's story unfolds as the desperate leadership of a doomed Soviet Union travels back in time to change history and restore the glory of Mother Russia. Unfortunately, the mission takes a turn for the worse, creating an alternate timeline where technology has taken a completely different course of evolution and the world's new superpowers are in the midst of World War III. The Empire of the Rising Sun has risen in the East, making World War III a three-way struggle between the Soviets, the Allies, and the Empire, with armies fielding weapons and technologies like Tesla coils, heavily armed War Blimps, teleportation, armored bears, intelligent dolphins, floating island fortresses, and transforming tanks.

“ It’s been too long.” said Chris Corry, Executive Producer at EA Los Angeles. “Fans have been waiting for a new Red Alert game for seven years, and we’re working hard to ensure its well worth the wait. The team is staying true to the series’ roots while adding new elements like a co-operatively played story-driven campaign, an astounding new faction that will shake-up the Red Alert universe as we know it, and units that will help make Red Alert 3 everything our fans have been waiting for. And by bringing naval combat into the heart of the game design, we’re transporting that fast, fun and fluid C&C gameplay to the high-seas in ways that you’ve never seen before.”

That's right, the game includes sea battles as well. It also includes a fully co-operative campaign, letting players go it alone, or with a friend. EA will be running a beta program for the PC version of the game later this year. For more information on the beta and other aspects of Command & Conquer: Red Alert 3 , check out www.commandandconquer.com.

Xbox Live members get a virtual seat at GDC

Starting February 20 ^th , Xbox 360 owners with Xbox Live memberships will be able to get news from GDC right in their living rooms, or wherever they have their Xbox 360s, at no charge. Microsoft will make this free, high definition content available for download via the Xbox Live Marketplace, including footage from the keynote address. Footage will also include never-before-seen gameplay, demos, screenshots, game trailers and interviews from the GDC show floor.

NCAA Football is coming to Wii

Electronic Arts announced today that NCAA Football 09 will be coming to Wii and will feature EA SPORTS Family Play. To commemorate t he first NCAA Football video game on Wii, the video game’s packaging will feature a platform exclusive NCAA college team mascot. The mascot to appear on the video game's cover will be chosen by voting, which begins today. Fans will be able to choose their favorite NCAA FBS (formally known as Division 1-A) college team mascot by visiting www.ncaafootball09.com and casting their vote. The site will accept a vote per day, so if you have a particular mascot you would like to see on the box cover, you can cast your ballot all you like until voting closes on March 6 ^th . The winning school's mascot will be announced March 14 ^th on the NCAA Football 09 website.

Playstation Store update

Rock Band

Build your Rock Band library by purchasing these song game tracks. (Arguably) Punk Pack 2 includes all three songs. For song credits, visit www.RockBand.com.

Truth Hits Everybody - The Police ($1.99 USD/$2.99 CDN)
Teenage Lobotomy - The Ramones ( $1.99 USD/ $2.99 CDN)
Complete Control – The Clash ( $1.99 USD/ $2.99 CDN)
(Arguably) Punk Pack 2 ($5.49 USD/$6.49 CDN)
File sizes: 10.9 MB - 24.3 MB (singles), 55.9 MB (Track Pack).

Demos

MLB 08 The Show Demo
There is a reason why ESPN Magazine claims MLB 08 The Show is “the most realistic baseball game ever created” - because it is. But don’t take our word for it - get your own hands-on experience with the MLB 08 The Show . Nothing Gets You Closer.
File size: 1.01 GB
ESRB Rated E

Game Videos

MLB 08 Road To The Show Tutorial
There’s a reason many gaming editors are saying “(The Show) is the best baseball franchise ever created”. But take a look for yourself with a first look as the team heads into spring training for the 2008 season. MLB 08 The Show : Nothing Gets You Closer.
File size: 56 MB (HD)

LittleBigPlanet Create-A-Level
PLAY, CREATE, and SHARE with LittleBigPlanet ! Imagine a world with no limits – a world that’s yours to shape, build and explore. Imagine the possibilities, then jump head first into the reality. LittleBigPlanet puts the power of absolute creation into your own hands. If you can see it, you can enhance it. If you can’t see it, you can invent it.
File size: 79 MB (HD)

Tony Hawk’s Proving Ground - Launch Trailer (free)
File size: 46 MB (HD)

Conflict: Denied Ops Diary 2 (free)
In this developer diary Dave Cullinane, Environment Art Manager at Pivotal Games, gives some insight into the design process behind creating some of the locations featured in the new co-op FPS, Conflict: Denied Ops .
File size: 539 MB (HD)

Conflict: Denied Ops Diary 3 (free)
In this developer diary hear from James Nicholls, Senior Designer at Pivotal Games, as he discusses the artificial intelligence, co-op gameplay design and multiplayer modes used in Conflict: Denied Ops .
File size: 626 MB (HD)

Burnout Accolades Trailer (free)
Burnout Paradise is the first hit of 2008 and the press just can’t get enough of it! Check out some new gameplay footage and see what the critics have to say about Burnout Paradise in the newest trailer!
File size: 82 MB (HD)

Turok “Weapons” Trailer (free)
From Quiet Kill stealth to all guns blazing, Turok offers over 13 different weapons for you to choose how to fight. Each weapon also has a secondary feature that gives you critical options in the heat of combat. Gameplay Vignette #4 showcases these weapons in all of their glory.
File size: 12 MB (SD), 41 MB (HD), 44 MB (1080)

You can also see it right here.

Turok “Creatures” Trailer (free)

Turok gameplay vignette #3 features the most lifelike dinosaurs available on next-gen. Experience the clenching of raptor jaws, the enormity of a T-rex battle, and the excitement of going head-to-head with a variety of creature enemies. Your mission? Survive at all costs.
File size: 12 MB (SD), 43 MB (HD), 56 MB (1080)

Movie and Blu-ray Disc Trailers

The Ruins Trailer (free)
Based on the terrifying best-seller by Scott Smith, The Ruins follows a group of friends who become entangled in a brutal struggle for survival after visiting a remote archaeological dig in the Mexican jungle – where they discover something deadly living among the ruins.
File size: 15 MB (SD), 54 MB (HD), 71 MB (1080)

PS3 Themes

Super Stardust HD Theme (free)
Customize your PS3 system with a cool Super Stardust HD theme. This theme allows you to change up the look of your background and XMB icons.
File size: 3.77 MB

Here is this week’s content release for the PLAYSTATION Store for PC. To download these games to your PSP, navigate to http://store.playstation.com. There, you’ll find descriptions of the content and directions on how to get started. For more on the PLAYSTATION Store for PC, please click here.

Downloadable Games

* Twisted Metal: Head On ($14.99 USD/$15.99 CDN)

Demos (free)

* Patapon Demo
* MLB 08 The Show Demo

Game Videos (free)

* Twisted Metal: Head On Behind The Scenes 3
* Twisted Metal: Head On Behind The Scenes 4

PSP Wallpaper (free)

* Twisted Metal HO Wallpaper #2