Nielsen Research data released this week shows that gamers are playing more this summer than last. June 2009's total video game console usage minutes went up 21% from the previous June with the average gamer logging 768 minutes, led by Microsoft's X360.

TF2 is a class-based, multiplayer team warfare game, delivering new game types, a signature art style powered by Valve’s next-gen animation technology, persistent player statistics, etc. Valve is prepping a Classless Update adding 18 new hats for the various classes as well as a new community map.

The MotorStorm festival has ripped-up the Monument Valley desert, it’s obliterated everything that stood in its path on The Island, and now it’s set for a whole new challenge. MotorStorm Arctic Edge sees the music, the festival and the brutal off-road racing arrive in the breathtaking yet lethal and unpredictable setting of Alaska.

Dragon Age: Origins represents BioWare’s return to its roots, delivering a fusion of elements from existing fantasy works with emotionally-driven narrative, heart-pounding combat, powerful magic abilities and credible digital actors.

Another day, another batch of game trailers was released. Instead of giving them all their own posts, we grouped them, and so far there are trailers for:

• Section 8 [PS3/X360/PC] - Dev Diary Trailer #2
• Sacred 2: Ice & Blood [PC] - Trailer
• Tony Hawk: Ride [Wii/PS3/X360] - First Ride Trailer
• Reel Fishing: Angler's Dream [Wii] - Trailer
• 
  We will update this throughout the day when new trailers become available. Read more for download links ...

Digital distribution outlet GamersGate announced that this week is the Meridian 4 5th anniversary week, so you get 50% off on all their titles, or get the entire Meridian 4 catalog for $79.95/€79.95/£69.95 and save $500 (86% discount). This coming weekend (Aug. 13-16) GSC World's S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Clear Sky is 50% off, and next week will see the launch of new titles such as All Aspect Warfare, Angel of Attack, and Return to Mysterious Island 2.

NBA 2K10: Draft Combine will allow fans to create their own custom player with the utmost detail and, for the first time in the NBA 2K series, begin their career by experiencing the on-court life of an NBA hopeful going through the NBA Draft Combine at the world-renowned ATTACK Athletics gym in Chicago.

Forza Motorsport 3 unites the racing game genre, making it possible for everyone to experience the thrill of the world’s most exotic and exquisite cars. Live the most realistic racing experience ever as you take the wheel of more than 400 of the most-beloved cars on over 100 renowned real-world tracks and exotic road courses from around the globe.

Inon Zur's orchestral music from Ubisoft's Prince of Persia games will be performed in front of a live audience for the first time as part of the "A Night in Fantasia 2009" at the Sydney Entertainment Centre, Australia, on Saturday, Sept. 26, 2009.

Mini Fighter is a frenetic, side-scrolling fighting game that features massively multiplayer online battles of up to 210 combatants. Players can level-up their fighters and compete in a wide variety of modes, from Survival and Tag Team matches to Boss fights and daily Siege Warfare.

For the first time ever, you can customize the makeup of your band with any combination of instruments in-game: two guitars and two drums, or three guitars and a microphone, etc. while also adding new gameplay modes. With every purchase of specially marked copies of GH5 during the month of September, fans will be able to rock out with an advance copy of the unreleased Guitar Hero Van Halen long before it takes the stage in stores.

The Lord of the Rings: Aragorn's Quest is a new 3rd person action adventure where players assume the role of Aragorn and embark on his greatest quests from The Lord of the Rings trilogy as they wield his sword, bow or spear on foot and on horseback through an action-packed gameplay experience. Originally slated for fall 2009, WBIE has delayed the game until Spring 2010.

While the game shares its twisting plot with the original PlayStation game, Silent Hill: Shattered Memories takes a different path in many, many ways. Characters can be approached but will offer different responses and be found in different places, while new clues and gameplay paths can be followed.

In a vast open world environment, Assassin's Creed II invites players to incarnate Ezio, a privileged young noble in Renaissance Italy who's been betrayed by the rival ruling families of Italy, and seeking vengeance.

Offering a fun and unique new baseball experience, Baseball Blast! gives fans the opportunity to test their abilities in a variety of unique game modes, including skill challenges, puzzles, and trivia matches, as well as entertaining play-by-play commentary by popular baseball personalities.

StarCraft II will feature the return of the Protoss, Terran, and Zerg races, overhauled and re-imagined with Blizzard's approach to game balance, designed to be the ultimate competitive RTS game.

Introducing new class-based gameplay, mobile bases and persistent player progression throughout all game modes, Command & Conquer 4 offers players new, innovative and compelling strategic depth.

Phantom EFX's Darkest of Days, using 8Monkey Labs' proprietary Marmoset game engine, is a story-rich, first-person shooter presenting an intriguing story of time-travel to some of the darkest periods in the history of mankind.

Two Worlds II presents a totally new experience, one in which 2 years of intensive development has enabled quantum leaps in all spheres: completely overhauled AI and balancing standards, experienced authors, the active combat system and the brand-new engine all combine to provide an experience where excitement, sheer enjoyment and graphics rule.

Ready to set the standard for fighting games with stunning realism and uncompromising quality, Tekken 6 promises to deliver a pulse-pounding edge-of-your-seat experience with bone-jarring punches and gut-wrenching grapples.