Chatting to GI.biz, game designer Michael de Plater admits that the festive season is a 'brutal' time to release a new game - and that many good games could fall by the wayside as a result.

"It's a bit tough to launch a new IP exactly at when you're head-to-head with blockbuster sequels. It's interesting to see a number of big titles, like Heavy Rain, being targeted at 2010 to avoid the Christmas rush," he explained.

"And Ubisoft's got Ruse coming out in 2010. Even 3's in 2010, that's how brutal it is. I mean, you've got Assassins Creed 2, 2, 2...

"To me, it's been a period of enormous change, and the last four years I would say has been the time when games have actually surpassed as the premium blockbuster entertainment."

More soon.

By Luke Guttridge