One a the more substantial pieces a news from Microsoft's X10 megaton clusterbomb: A release date for Remedy's psychological thriller Alan Wake has been announced. The game's seemingly endless development cycle will finally terminate on May 18, when the game lands in US retail outlets. Our mateys overseas won't have t' wait much longer than that t' pillage their Wake on -- it be being released in Europe on May 21.

In addition, X10 brought word a the game's attractive pre-order bonuses, which include "exclusive content such as avatar gear, an Xbox LIVE theme, 'n a 'making a' video." we be not sure we want t' deck out our Xbox 360's background with shadowy monsters. we be big fans a our current, non-terrifying theme.