The Line Drive 12/5

The Line Drive is a weekly collection of news, links, and updates that didn’t necessarily warrant their own postings.

• It appears the MLB games will be releasing on Tuesday March 8th with MLB 2K11 being the first to announce the date. Typically the MLB games release on the first Tuesday in March so it is interesting that they have shifted back a week.

• EA thinks skateboarding has “run its course” as a top video game. I’d say the yearly release schedules have killed it more than anything. Skate is a great example of a hit game that didn’t need two sequels over the following two years.

• A free version of NBA Elite 11 for the iPhone and iPod touch is available and includes a single quarter of an exhibition game. Check out the review of the full app if you missed it last month.

• EA Sports MMA is on sale today for the iPhone and iPod touch for just 99 cents. Check out the review of the app if you missed it last month.

• The latest survey for UFC Undisputed focuses on career mode.

• This week I’ll be starting the year-in-review articles and top 10 games of the year countdown.

News and content that may have been missed from the last week around the site.

• Second Villain for Spider-Man Revealed. Looks to be Proto-Goblin.

• Uncharted Movie Sounds Nothing Like the Game. David O. Russell lays out his idea.

• Channing Tatum Cast in 21 Jump Street. Will star alongside Jonah Hill.

• Trailer for The Beaver. Jodie Foster directed and co-stars with Mel Gibson.

• New Trailer for The Fighter. The movie is set to open wide on December 17th.

• Sam Mendes Still Directing Bond 23. Production to start in late 2011.

• The Walking Dead Hits Ratings High. Season finale is tonight!

• No Joker in The Dark Knight Rises. Christopher Nolan shoots down rumors.

• Academy Awards Hosts Announced. Anne Hathaway and James Franco.