Microsoft revealed today at their E3 press conference that their dashboard will be completely redesigned in the fall, with an all new avatar system similar to that on the Wii. The fully customisable avatars, designed by Rare, can be imported into other games to be used as playable characters. New channels include the My Xbox channel, which includes games, photos and video. The friend list will now be manifested as "Community," which uses the avatars to designate whether or not a friend is signed on.

The interface looks somewhat similar to Vista Media Centre in its basic structure, but with more emphasis on visuals. Also, a new "party" mode will allow an 8 person chat to be carried out regardless of where you are within the Xbox Live community. This party can also move as a group through different games in XBLA and their new Primetime feature, which has multiplayer-oriented party games. The update is expected to come in the fall.

A video of the new Dashboard can be viewed by clicking here

 

Microsoft is giving consumers more gigabytes for their buck! Available in August, the upgraded Xbox 360 will include a 60GB hard drive for storing the growing wealth of digital entertainment available from Xbox Live Marketplace, your one-stop digital download center. Now you’ll have even more room for music, movies, television shows, demos, Arcade games, and game content.

Electronic Arts Inc. (NASDAQ:ERTS) today announced that it has signed an agreement with id Software, award-winning creators of iconic gaming brands and industry defining innovations, to publish RAGE™, the studio’s next blockbuster franchise. Built on id Software’s newest game engine, id Tech5, RAGE is an all-new take on the first person shooter being developed for release on the PLAYSTATION®3 computer entertainment system, Xbox 360™ system from Microsoft, PC and Mac.

“RAGE represents a new direction for our games,” said Todd Hollenshead, CEO of id Software. “RAGE is a shooter unlike any other, developed on our cutting edge new technology, and built to the exacting standards id is famous for. We’re excited to have the support of EA Partners to launch RAGE on the world.”

THQ Inc. (NASDAQ: THQI) and JAKKS Pacific, Inc. (NASDAQ: JAKK) today announced additional details surrounding WWE® Legends of WrestleMania®, the new World Wrestling Entertainment® videogame property currently in development for the Xbox 360® video game and entertainment system from Microsoft and the PLAYSTATION®3 computer entertainment system. Poised to deliver an impressive lineup of Legendary Superstars and Managers, a new combo fighting system and a historically accurate representation of WWE telecasts during the Eighties and Nineties, WWE Legends of WrestleMania is scheduled for release in March 2009 to coincide with WrestleMania 25 in Houston, Texas, live on pay-per-view on Sunday, April 5, 2009.

“WWE fans are extremely supportive of our leading fighting videogame franchise, WWE® SmackDown® vs. Raw®, and they have wanted a Legends-based game for quite some time,” said Tracy Williams, director, global brand management, THQ. “WWE Legends of WrestleMania has the right combination of talent, gameplay and presentation elements to extend the sports entertainment videogame experience and enable gamers to relive, rewrite or redefine classic moments etched in WWE’s history books.”

“WWE Legends of WrestleMania has a tremendous amount of potential with game enthusiasts, casual players and WWE fans of yesterday and today,” said Nelo Lucich, senior vice president of interactive, JAKKS Pacific. “The impressive talent and managerial roster, classic visual elements and key gameplay features like WrestleMania Tour Mode will encourage players to revisit classic matches, create new history and secure their rightful spots in the WWE Hall of Fame.”

WWE Legends of WrestleMania will embrace the leading sports entertainment organization’s rich history to relive, rewrite or recreate the definitive elements of WWE from the Eighties and Nineties. Players will relive the entertaining lives of more than 40 larger-than-life Legends and have control over Legendary Managers, each of whom will play crucial roles in match outcomes. The game’s new grapple-based fighting system will capture the high-energy action and drama seen in vintage WWE matches, while a historically accurate representation of past WWE telecasts will set the stage, including dynamic visual treatments, signature ring entrances, renowned commentators and notable venues. WWE Legends of WrestleMania will also include a WrestleMania Tour Mode that allows players to participate in key matches from multiple WrestleMania events, a Create-A-Legend system to develop the Legends of tomorrow, as well as online functionality for players to compete on the biggest stages in WWE history.

At the 2008 E3 Media and Business Summit, Capcom®, a leading worldwide developer and publisher of video games, announced Mega Man 9™ for Xbox LIVE® Arcade for the Xbox 360® video game and entertainment system from Microsoft, Nintendo WiiWare™, and PLAYSTATION® Network. The original 2D classic Mega Man returns, bringing the series back to its core with retro-action platform gameplay and NES-inspired old school graphics. Relive the Mega Man experience with maniacally themed environments, a host of power-ups, and classically inspired bosses, each with their own unique weapons and weaknesses. Mega Man is currently scheduled for a simultaneous launch on all three platforms this Fall.

Capcom® Entertainment, a leading worldwide developer and publisher of video games, today announced Flock! (working title) for PLAYSTATION®Network, Xbox LIVE® Arcade for the Xbox 360® video game and entertainment system from Microsoft, and Windows® PC. Developed by Proper Games™, whose talented team members are known for their previous work on Lemmings, Crackdown, and Battlefield 2: Modern Combat, Flock! is currently scheduled for a downloadable release this Holiday season.

Easily the biggest announcement of the Microsoft Press Conference at E3 2008 was that the most loved RPG franchise of all time would be coming to the Xbox 360; that's right Final Fantasy XIII (13) will be shipping to gamers everywhere. The trailer that they showed was simply breathtaking so stay tuned for more information on this amazing title as E3 moves forward this week.

 Atari (OTC Pink Sheets: ATAR) is revving it up with the announcement of the ultra realistic racing video game RACE Pro, scheduled to speed into stores this fall 2008 exclusively for the Xbox 360® video game and entertainment system from Microsoft. Developed by renowned award-winning game developer SimBin, a leading creator of PC racing simulators, RACE Pro brings SimBin's formidable skill and know-how to Xbox 360 for the very first time this fall.

 

RACE Pro recreates a breathtaking reality giving gamers the ultimate racing simulation experience, all powered by Lizard, SimBin's own physics engine. With precision physics and handling, racers will feel every bend and burst of acceleration along with every emotion from pre-race tension in the pit lanes to the exhilaration of capturing the checker flag. RACE Pro provides unrivalled realism and deep immersion into the racing world through ultra realistic car models and official FIA championships and tracks. Putting players in the driving seats of their simulated racing careers, racers will have the opportunity to work their way up the leader boards through intense training and winning key races. RACE Pro has something for everyone, allowing players of all levels to pick up and play, while offering challenging tracks and advanced modes for the more experienced players.

RACE Pro offers a wealth of cars ranging from 200 to over 1000 horse power, as well as a host of championships including WTCC (World Touring Car Championship), Formula 3000 and Formula BMW. GT cars from manufacturers including Aston Martin and Saleen take their place on the grid as well as production cars such as the Audi R8 and Dodge Viper SRT10. In addition, RACE Pro is exclusively bringing all the WTCC cars from manufacturers Alfa Romeo, BMW, Chevrolet and Seat to Xbox 360 for the very first time. For a blast of accessible fun, the Mini Cooper Challenge invites players of all abilities to take the wheel.

Gamers and racing fans alike will experience the thrill of racing these powerful cars on 13 real life tracks covering all continents, of which Macau, Porto and Pau are exclusive to RACE Pro, and US tracks Laguna Seca and Road America are brand new to SimBin fans.

Nothing gets closer than RACE Pro, the ultra real racing simulation game exclusive to Xbox 360, scheduled for release this fall 2008.

Global video game developer and publisher Deep Silver today released early details of its very first US bound title 'Ride to Hell' produced by their internal development studio. The game is set in the last years of the roaring 1960's, a time of Sex, Drugs and Rock 'N Roll. The biker movement, rock music and the hippie counterculture all add to the fascinating atmosphere to be experienced in 'Ride to Hell'.

Action loaded from the very start with free roaming environments, players can immerse themselves in the liberty and freedom of riding full throttle with their gang on a multitude of different vehicles through the dusty flats of Western America. Protecting their turf, their brothers and their machines from rival gangs is just a taste of what this epic game will involve.

Ride to Hell – This brand new multi-platform game has been in development for over a year and is due for a worldwide release simultaneously on next gen consoles and PC in the 2nd Quarter of 2009.

Roarios and Tigermisus and Fizzlybears, OH MY! Microsoft today announced that “Viva Piñata: Trouble in Paradise” will be released and on store shelves by 5th September. With more than 30 additional new piñata species, expanded co-op options and multiple gameplay modes, “Viva Piñata: Trouble in Paradise” offers limitless fun for every animal-lover in the family.

Piñata Island has gotten bigger too! Now players can explore wild areas outside of the garden where they will need to bait and retrieve exotic piñata species who won’t venture into the garden on their own.

Put on your mittens and snow shoes as you brave the cold of the Pinartic where you’ll find piñatas that prefer cooler temperatures and the occasional blizzard, like Pengums and Polollybears. Or you can shed the layers and head to the sands of the Dessert Desert, where Camellos and Jameleons bask in the arid sun.

All of these new exotic piñatas will not venture into your garden willingly, so you’ll need to bait and retrieve them yourself. But you can make them feel at home right away by adding patches of snow or sand to your garden, similar to how you add grass and water.

Available exclusively on Xbox 360, “Viva Piñata: Trouble in Paradise” reinvigorates a colourful and engaging gaming experience. Now with full cooperative gameplay modes and various approachable difficulty settings, the “Viva Piñata” franchise opens its doors even wider with a new game that provides hours of fun for gamers of all ages, fans of the animated series and animal lovers alike.

SouthPeak Games today announced that it will distribute Raven Squad: Operation Hidden Dagger for the Xbox 360® video game and entertainment system from Microsoft and Windows PC this Autumn. Published by Evolved Games, Raven Squad is set in the near future. The game is a unique blending of real-time strategy and first-person shooter genres. Developed by Atomic Motion, Raven Squad puts players in control of two groups of mercenary squads who crash land behind enemy lines in the Amazonian jungles. It will require tactical planning and a liberal amount of brute force to escape to safety. Each of the eight squad members possesses distinctive skills and weaponry that the player will have to use wisely to progress through the game's story driven objectives. Raven Squad sets itself apart by allowing players to switch freely between real-time strategy and first-person shooter gameplay. Only by mastering both of these modes of play, and becoming adept at switching between the two, will players make it out of the jungle alive.

"Raven Squad combines two extremely popular genres into a single robust experience where either gameplay mode could stand on its own merits," said Melanie Mroz, CEO of SouthPeak Games. "Atomic Motion is creating something that's visually compelling and building new boundaries in what a military title can accomplish. Fans of both RTS and FPS games are going to love it, as will anyone who enjoys intense, action titles."

Visit www.southpeakgames.eu to find out more.

Rockstar Games, a publishing label of Take-Two Interactive Software, Inc. today announced a new release date for the fourth installment of its critically-acclaimed and genre-defining Midnight Club franchise, Midnight Club: Los Angeles. Set for release on October 7th in North America and October 10th in Europe and developed by series creator Rockstar San Diego, Midnight Club: Los Angeles will give gamers the unprecedented freedom to race through a hyper-realistic LA. Rockstar San Diego has created a beautiful rendition of Los Angeles to race through at break neck speeds and explore at your own pace. With no tracks and no load times, Midnight Club: Los Angeles offers the ultimate freedom to play however you choose.

I have added newly released Halo Wars screenshots. Enjoy

Electronic Arts Inc. today revealed it has created platform specific experiences for its best-selling* FIFA Soccer 09 franchise from EA SPORTS. FIFA Soccer 09 has been designed and customized to deliver a unique gameplay experience that takes advantage of the hardware specifications of each available platform, the PLAYSTATION3 computer entertainment system, Xbox 360 video game and entertainment system, Wii home video game system, PC, PlayStation2 computer entertainment system, Nintendo DS, PSP (PlayStationPortable) system and mobile -- when it is released worldwide this autumn.

With over 250 additions and enhancements to core gameplay, FIFA Soccer 09 on the PLAYSTATION 3 system and Xbox 360 deliver an authentic soccer simulation that enables you to customize the game to suit your style and ability. New animation technology creates more responsive first-time shooting and passing, faster and more controlled dribbling, and improved trapping. New player momentum physics, which exploits the power of these platform engines, delivers realistic player collisions, authentic jostling for the ball, and more variation in tackling.

For the first time, go inside the game engine to customize the strategy and positioning of your teammates to decide exactly how your team will play in any situation. With new Custom Team Tactics you have all the tools to become a first-team coach. Adjust and customize tactical settings so CPU players and your team perform just like the real-world team plays and make strategic decisions to exploit your opponent's weaknesses, all on-the-fly. The popular feature innovation Be A Pro has expanded to a career mode called Be A Pro: Seasons where you can choose or create a professional player and then develop his skills at a single outfield position over four years with the ultimate goal of becoming a national legend. The matchday experience is now true-to-life with a referee and linesmen on the pitch. Plus, crowds, stadium atmosphere and commentary have all been regionalized in exact detail.

Additional major feature innovations for PLAYSTATION 3, Xbox 360 and PC will be revealed later this month and announced at the Leipzig Games Convention in August. Screenshots and product fact sheets can be downloaded at http://info.ea.com.

To learn more about specific features on each platform visit www.FIFA.ea.com.

FIFA Soccer 09, scheduled for worldwide release this autumn.

Harmonix, the world’s premier music video game company in the world, and MTV Games, a part of Viacom’s MTV Networks (NYSE: VIA, VIA.B), along with marketing and distribution partner Electronic Arts Inc. (NASDAQ: ERTS), are taking the groundbreaking music platform that forever changed the face of music video games to the next level this September with the release of Rock Band 2. With the original providing millions of players a new way to interact with the music and artists they love, Rock Band 2 is the next evolution of the franchise that redefined the standard for music games.

Rock Band is the groundbreaking platform that allows music fans and gamers to interact with music like never before - challenging players to put together a band and tour for fame and fortune while learning to master lead/bass guitar, drums and vocals.

Rock Band 2 builds upon its foundation as the first music game to introduce co-operative band gameplay, multiple instruments, a robust online multiplayer experience, an unrivaled offering of downloadable content and raises the bar by delivering an entirely new level of depth, connectivity, authenticity and features including:

• Backwards compatibility with Rock Band downloadable music content. All previously purchased tracks will immediately load into your Rock Band 2 song list. No need to re-purchase or re-download.
• The biggest and most diverse soundtrack ever featuring some of rock’s most prolific acts, comprised entirely of master recordings.
• Major new and dynamic online modes that will connect the entire Rock Band community in more ways than ever before both locally and globally.
• More variety of instrument choices than ever before with new and improved drum and guitar peripherals, enhanced functionality and innovative new designs - all fully compatible with the original Rock Band instruments. And much more.

Ubisoft, one of the world’s largest video game publishers, today announced the full list for the upcoming release of “Fan Pack” – an all-new downloadable content (DLC) package for Tom Clancy’s Rainbow Six® Vegas 2 for the Xbox 360® video game and entertainment system from Microsoft, Windows PC and the PLAYSTATION®3 computer entertainment system. Scheduled for release in July via Xbox LIVE® Marketplace for the Xbox 360®, PLAYSTATION®Network and ubi.com, this content package will enrich and extend the original game by offering three new multiplayer maps. Also included is a new High Stakes setting that allows players to play their favorite online modes in an exciting new way, along with the ability to attain new ranks and A.C.E.S. Ubisoft has decided to offer this additional content for free to all Rainbow Six fans. Until then, take a look below for all the details of the updated content.

Three new MP maps are included for a brand-new Vegas 2 multiplayer experience, including two re-lit maps and the fan favorite from Rainbow Six Vegas:

• Calypso Casino: The fan favorite from Rainbow Six Vegas is back by popular demand. All Rainbow Six Vegas 2 game modes are supported, including co-op terrorist hunt.
• Murdertown – Dark: Experience this map's intense, close-quarter action underneath the cover of darkness.
• CQB Training – Dark: This map is set at nighttime, so expect more tactical assaults as players must use their night vision to spot enemies.

New Ranks. Unlock new ranks beyond the rank of Elite. XP players have already accumulated as Elite will be applied toward the new ranks.

More A.C.E.S. While Adding New Ranks. The A.C.E.S. will be extended to 100 for each of these three categories: Marksman, CQB and Assault. Each A.C.E.S. level earned contains a substantial XP reward. Points that players have already accumulated in each of the categories will be applied toward the new A.C.E.S. levels.

Grenade Indicator. While inside the damage radius of a frag or incendiary grenade, a grenade indicator icon is displayed on the screen. Brand new High Stakes setting will make the game even more difficult then before, featuring a limited HUD and more.

Some called Saint's Row the "best GTA clone ever made", if that is anywhere near true then the second game in the franchise should be better. The newest trailer, which includes a bunch of story-line elements and gameplay video, is here. I'm sure we will see more information on Saint's Row 2 next month when E3 rolls around. Click here to view the trailer

 

THQ Inc. (NASDAQ: THQI) today announced Frontlines™: Fuel of War™ has released a title update enabling all multiplayer maps to support up to 50-player online battles on Xbox Live®, the highest player count to date for online console game-play. The epic 50-player warfare features an extensive variety of map sizes, intense ground combat, land vehicles and high powered helicopters and jets, revolutionizing what’s possible for large-scale online console game-play. Along with the increased player count for all available maps, the title update includes several new features based on fan requests that Kaos studios fulfilled. These include a new spawn protection system, as well as expanded voice-over-IP communications, which includes squad to squad chat, proximity, and inter-vehicle communication, for all 50 players.

In addition to the 50-player title update, THQ unveiled plans to release a new multiplayer Conquer Mode, as well as several all-new maps throughout 2008, providing compelling content for the growing online community. The first of these maps, Boneyard, is set to be released on Xbox Live Marketplace early summer 2008. Additional content will focus on new near future weapons, vehicles, and advancing the game’s near-future story premise; pitting the Red Star Alliance and Western Coalition against each other over the world’s dwindling oil supply.

In an exclusive interview with Gamepro, the one and only Cliff Bleszinski confirmed that for Gears of War 2 they've fixed one of our (and most everyone's) major gripes with the original Gears' multiplayer. The way too annoying and totally unfair shotgun host advantage. When asked about multiplayer feedback Epic received from Gears of War, Cliff responded by saying that "people loved it [multiplayer] but they didn't like the host advantage. They got tired of the shotgun inconsistencies. We're fixing all of that. They didn't like the randomness of the chainsaw, so we put the chainsaw duel in -- may the best man win!" Indeed, may the best man win and may we be the first to say yippy-skippy perfect day! Thank you Epic. That's the news we wanted to hear.

 

PES 2009 is the latest installment of the award-winning Pro Evolution Soccer Series, which is known by millions of fans for its superior gameplay and incredible realism. For PES 2009, Konami is already planning a raft of extensive new additions that will further bridge the gap between PES and the real thing. The new game has undergone a stunning graphical update to ensure its players look and move even more like their real-life counterparts. Similarly, all-new options allow users to tailor the game to their own tastes, while new moves, innovative new control elements and key online elements will further the realism of the new game.