First Time Laptop Buyer - Gaming Laptop

Good afternoon community! I've been relying on Toms Hardware's articles and charts for my desktop upgrade needs, but have largely ignored laptops until... well... today. I found a little form in this forum's FAQ, so here goes:

1. What is your budget?
I couldn't imagine spending more than $1,500 for a laptop that I'd need to replace in 3 years. I would prefer financing options, but I suppose that's up to where I buy from.

2. What is the size of the notebook that you are considering?
The larger the better, I'm not concerned with weight.

3. What screen resolution do you want?
Same as 2.

4. Do you need a portable or desktop replacement laptop?
Desktop replacement laptop

5. How much battery life do you need?
Shouldn't matter. Only times I'd use it are at home or in a coffee shop, either way I'm next to power.

6. Do you want to play games with your laptop? If so then please list the games that you want to with the settings that you want for these games. (Low,Medium or High)?
Yes, this would be a gaming laptop to replace my current gaming desktop. I'm currently playing Witcher 2 and Civilization 5, and I anticipate playing Battlefield 3. I would, of course, prefer to play on High settings.

7. What other tasks do you want to do with your laptop? (Photo/Video editing, Etc.)
I'm a software engineer, but the laptop would only be used when I'm not able to make it into the office.

8. How much storage (Hard Drive capacity) do you need?
250GB or so. I've not filled my 500GB desktop after 2 1/2 years, I don't rip movies.

9. If you are considering specific sites to buy from, please post their links.
Matters not to me, just would prefer to finance it.

10. How long do you want to keep your laptop?
3 years I think is the golden rule for computers.

11. What kind of Optical drive do you need? DVD ROM/Writer,Bluray ROM/Writer,Etc ?
I don't burn anything, but bluray would be nice, but not necessary.

12. Please tell us about the brands that you prefer to buy from them and the brands that you don't like and explain the reasons.
I couldn't say. I stay away from pre-built desktops but laptops are a whole 'nother animal.

13. What country do you live in?
US

14. Please tell us any additional information if needed.
The primary use of this laptop would be for gaming. I can check email/facebook/google+ from my phone.

Thank you VERY much for your time. As someone who simply knows little to nothing about laptops, I will take any assistance offered. Have a good day!