EA's perpetual joke -- on you -- comes to an ironic end on April Fools' Day with the release of de-authorization tools for each of its 19 PC games with SecuROM copy protection (full list and download links after the break). If you've been working on that class action lawsuit against EA for bundling SecuROM with The Sims 2: IKEA Home Stuff, you can drop it now -- your flat-pack furniture can finally be moved to a new machine.

In the spirit of generosity, EA's giving you two options for managing your authorizations:

• Option 1: Download and install yet another "tool" in order to scan your computer for EA's SecuROM games and find out how many computer authorizations you have (or don't have) left for each title.
• Option 2: Cut to the chase and download the game-specific de-authorization tool you need.

Update: Winners have been contacted, folks. Congratulations, winners! Good luck next time, non-winners!

Is that ... Ric Flair? Why yes, yes it is! And he's signed five glamour shots for five lucky winners who'll also receive the Red Alert 3 Premium Edition for PC, a code to download the recently released Uprising expansion and a sweet Red Alert 3 t-shirt to cap it all off.

Here's the stipulation: We need your best faux-facts (a la Chuck Norris) about everybody's favorite wrestler turned FMV actor, Ric "The Nature Boy" Flair. For example, Ric Flair doesn't land, he descends, but, ya know, different than that. After 72-hours have passed, we'll pick five winners at random from the comments section. Here are all the specifics and contest rules, just in case we haven't spelled it out enough for you already:

• Leave us a comment with your best Ric "The Nature Boy" faux-fact
  
• You must be 18 years or older and a resident of the US or Canada (excluding Quebec)
• You may enter once per calendar day
  
• This entry period ends at 3:00PM ET on Friday, April 3. We'll randomly select five (5) winners at that time to receive: one Red Alert 3 Premium Edition for PC (ARV: $29.99), one Red Alert 3: Uprising download code (ARV: $19.99), one Ric Flair signed headshot (ARV: $10), and one Red Alert 3 t-shirt . Please check your e-mail!
• For a list of complete rules, click here

Feel free to check out the gallery of gameplay screens below in all their glory to drum up some ideas for the contest! And good luck to everyone!

The previous news about Command & Conquer: Red Alert 3's demo appearing in a "few weeks" might have startled some. The game will arrive in stores next Tuesday on March 24, leaving most people wondering whether or not they'll be able to test drive the demo before the game's release. Well, better tell those people not to fret any longer, because EA has confirmed via its official website that RA3's PSN demo will be available this Thursday.

The demo is a single-player campaign containing the game's cinematic opening, two missions (one from both the Soviet and Allied sides) and an interactive tutorial. So prep up the war room and get ready for some RTS battles.

[Via VG247]

EA's David Seeholzer, Senior Development Director of Command & Conquer: Red Alert 3: Ultimate Edition, has revealed the upcoming real-time strategy title will receive a demo on the PSN within "a couple of weeks" The news comes from the PlayStation Blog, where Seeholzer showcased some of the exclusive content found in the PS3 version of the game in a new video featurette, found after the break.

Along with additional behind-the-scenes footage crammed on the Blu-ray disc, the PS3 version of Red Alert 3 will receive five new skirmish maps and the game's soundtrack. And yes, gentlemen, the PS3 version will also include The Women of Red Alert 3 featurette when the game ships on March 23. Ladies, you get more Ric Flair. We're so terribly sorry.

EA's totally-enhanced version of Red Alert 3 features tons of PS3 exclusive features and adds ... you guessed it, Trophies. There are 51 in all to collect.

How much more Ultimate can EA's upcoming PS3 version of Red Alert 3 get? Although the Blu-ray disc will be bursting with extras, EA is planning on offering even more through DLC. Multiple map packs will be released through the PlayStation Store. But guess what? The first map pack will be absolutely free and will be available "right about the time the game comes out in March."

We thoroughly approve of EA's handling of the late release of Red Alert 3. Unlike other late ports (BioShock comes to mind), EA has made a clear effort to make the PS3 version stand out from the crowd. The addition of free DLC also gets a thumbs up.

The latest trailer for Red Alert 3: Uprising has a little bit of everything. Manic combat? Got it. Creepy girl? Yeah, it's in there too. Cheese? Only if you consider the acting, which, like Kraft, is the cheesiest. Watch the chaos -- and camp -- unfold as we wait for The Nature Boy to teach us all about defeat. Wooo!

The video offers an early look at the download-only expansion's collection of new units and cast members, as well as a campaign centered around Empire faction head case, Yuriko Omega. Uprising is currently gathering resources, and is expected to deploy to PCs sometime in March.

One of the things we've always loved about the Red Alert series is its campy FMV sequences. The other thing we love is tesla coils. Man, those things really mess dudes up.

Back to our original point: EA is once again pulling out all the stops for the expansion to Red Alert 3. Returning cast members include sex bombs Gemma Atkinson and Ivana Milicevic, who will reprise their Red Alert 3 roles. Among the new faces making an appearance in Uprising are Jamie Chung (from the upcoming train wreck Dragonball: Evolution), Malcolm McDowell (from Heroes and many, many other things), Jodi Lyn O'Keefe (from the TV series Prison Break), Holly Valance (from one of the best worst movies ever, DOA), and Ric Flair (retired professional wrestler). Yes, the Nature Boy himself will be making an appearance in the game. If he doesn't give someone his patented backhand chop, we're going to be severely disappointed.

Just a week ago we learned that a PS3 version of Command & Conquer: Red Alert 3 was ready for pre-order, but now we know a bit more about when to expect the RTS mainstay to appear on our console. That date is "late March," and though we're a bit disappointed to be given a relatively vague date, it's comforting to know that RA3 is only two months away -- and pimping quite a hefty amount of exclusive goodies.

It also looks like PS3 gamers will also experience a unique way to play RA3 as the latest press release from EA points to the inclusion of a "Command Stick 2.0 interface." Whatever could that mean? Perhaps a quick look at this PS3-focused trailer located above would give us a clue.

Electronic Arts has officially announced Command & Conquer Red Alert 3: Ultimate Edition for PlayStation 3. The additional features setting this one -- due to arrive in March -- apart from the Xbox 360 and PC versions were revealed last week, when the title was listed for pre-order on the EA Store.

The only thing that we're a little curious about is this tidbit: "PlayStation 3 gamers will navigate ... via the Command Stick 2.0 interface." This is allegedly an "intuitive control system" designed for players of various skills. We've contacted EA to find out more and will update if we hear anything. Sounds like a fancy term for, "This RTS is playable on your controller, we promise!"

Update: EA answers our query after the break.

The EA Store now has a listing for Command & Conquer Red Alert 3: Ultimate Edition for PS3. The publisher had previously announced that the PS3 version would utilize the "high-defness of Blu-ray" and now, comrades, we have a better idea of what that means.

The Ultimate Edition, which currently doesn't have a release date, features bloopers, new battleground maps, developer strategy videos and behind-the-scenes footage. The game's soundtrack will also be available, along with a "Unit Profiles video encyclopedia." The most titillating item on the disc is the "Girls of RA3" presented in full "HD Blu-ray with enhanced visuals." That's, like, twice the Blu-rays. Sadly, if the controls are anything like the Xbox 360 version, no amount of special videos will prevent you from begging for a keyboard and mouse.

[Via PS3 Fanboy]

A few months ago, developers of the latest Command & Conquer game, revealed that the delayed PS3 version of the game would feature "really cool things" that take advantage of the "high-defness of Blu-Ray." Well, a listing on the EA Store reveals what those things will be.

Now dubbed the Ultimate Edition, the PS3 version will include a ton of new videos on the disc not found in previous versions. Find bloopers, behind the scenes, and developer strategy videos. There will also be brand new battleground maps. You'll be able to access the soundtrack from the game, and study with a built-in Unit Profiles video encyclopedia. To top it all, there's an exclusive HD version of a video feature, "Girls of RA3," which focuses on the women featured in the game.

With all this added content, the PS3 version of Red Alert indeed looks to be the ultimate version of the game. When this much content and effort is put into a port, we don't mind it coming a little later than on other platforms.

[Thanks, Andrew L.!]

The Writers Guild of America has announced five nominees for best video game writing in 2008. This will be the Guild's second year giving out the award, with last year's nod going to Dead Head Fred. Hmm, well, this year's nominees are certainly an interesting group and are sure to generate some conversation about what constitutes good writing in a game ... provided said game was written by an eligible WGA member, that is.

• Fallout 3
• Star Wars: The Force Unleashed
• Tomb Raider: Underworld
• Command and Conquer: Red Alert 3
• Dangerous High School Girls in Trouble!

Although most of those titles are instantly recognizable, Dangerous High School Girls is an indie title that's (clearly) gaining some recognition. Are you betting on the dark horse? The winner will be announced Feb. 7.

[Via Big Download]

Dead or Alive actress Holly Valance is trading in her sword (and vial of box office poison) for a pen and paper as journalist Brenda Snow in the recently announced Red Alert 3: Uprising. Valance will lend her live action camp to the upcoming expansion, which is earmarked for a digital-only release this March.

The Australian-born starlet describes her role in the game as "a camp, over-dramatised character," telling Eurogamer that "it was fun to go a little bit over the top." We're sure that's quite a change from DoA's Christie Allen. The four people who saw that movie tell us that she was the very picture of Hollywood grace.