Activision announced today that it has entered into an agreement to acquire Guitar Hero publisher RedOctane. This acquisition will provide Activision with an early leadership position in music-based gaming, which the company expects will be one of the fastest growing genres in the coming years.

Electronic Arts today announced that Madden NFL 07 is being custom-designed for Nintendo's next-gen console, Wii. Using the console's unique remote to pass, kick, snap, throw, catch and run, players will interact with the game in an entirely new way. Boasting massive gameplay innovations inspired by the motion sensor of the remote, Madden NFL 07 maximizes the power and unique design of the game system.

Take 2 today announced that it has opened a new development studio, 2K Shanghai. It is completing development of the Chinese-language version of Sid Meier's Civilization: IV for the PC, expected to be available later this summer. 2K Shanghai will develop new original IP and co-develop products with other 2K studios around the world.

Matrix Games and Advanced Gaming Systems are pleased to announce that Harpoon 3 Advanced Naval Warfare, the new multiplayer addition to the Harpoon modern air and naval strategy series, is scheduled for release this quarter via digital download and game on demand from the Matrix Games online store.

According to The Hollywood Reporter, Legendary Pictures has purchased the rights to create a live-action film set in the Warcraft universe. The movie would not follow the plot of a particular game but would aim to appeal to both gamers and non-gamers. In conjunction with Warner Bros. Studios, Legendary has recently co-financed films such as "Batman Begins" and "Superman Returns."

SEGA today announced its Wii exclusive Sonic Wild Fire (working title), starring the Blue dude with the ‘tude on his first solo adventure since the original Sonic The Hedgehog in 1991. This intense and exciting action game takes advantage of the innovative Wii controller as Sonic combines his trademark high-speed action with easy to play controls to offer a brand new experience!

Alone in the Dark returns with a heart-stopping survival experience realized through the use of state-of-the-art real-time physics and unprecedented environmental interaction combining to deliver an exhilarating action-orientated experience within a highly detailed, open environment.

In Magnetica, marbles roll down a twisted path toward the goal, and it's up to players to stop them by launching new marbles into the oncoming ones. The marbles disappear if players match three or more in this massive marble elimination. This title satisfies even the strongest puzzle addiction.

Capturing all of the humor from previous PS2 installments with engaging cinematics, Ratchet & Clank: Size Matters allows up to four players to compete in action-packed wireless multiplayer gaming.

Check out the following new screens from Sony's E3 2006 lineup:

• ATV Offroad Fury 4 (PS2)
• ATV Offroad Fury Pro (PSP)
• The Eye of Judgment (PS3)
• Formula One '06 (PS3)
• Gangs of London (PSP)
• Genji 2 (PS3)
• God of War II (PS2)
• Gran Turismo HD (PS3)
• Heavenly Sword (PS3)
• Killzone: Liberation (PSP)
• LocoRoco (PSP)
• Motorstorm (PS3)
• NBA '07 (PSP/PS2)
• Rachet & Clank: Size Matters (PSP)
• Resistance: Fall of Man (PS3)
• SingStar (PS3)
• SOCOM: U.S. Navy SEALs Combined Assault (PS2)
• SOCOM: U.S. Navy SEALs Fireteam Bravo 2 (PSP)
• Warhawk (PS3)
• World Tour Soccer (PSP)

Sony today announced the launch of the first "Greatest Hits" for the PSP system. The initial selection includes five first-party titles – Ape Escape: On the Loose, ATV Offroad Fury: Blazin' Trails, Hot Shots Golf: Open Tee, Twisted Metal: Head On, and WipeoutPure – that will be available for $19.99 SRP on July 25. Nearly 15 third-party games will be added to the roster in the future.

LucasArts announced an expansion pack titled Star Wars Empire at War: Forces of Corruption, allowing you, for the first time, to play not from the light or dark side, but the corrupt side.

PRISM: Guard Shield is the commercial version that sets the world and environments that inspire the Army National Guard's game PRISM: Black Shield, and will feature a more detailed story line along with a unique campaign structure, distinct missions, unique events, unique weapons, and a few more surprises.

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:

• Assassin's Creed [PS3] - E3 2006 Trailer
• Battlefield 2142 - Titan Mode Trailer
• Black Buccaneer [PS2/Xbox/PC] - E3 2006 Trailer
• Brothers in Arms: Hell's Highway [PS3/X360/PC] - E3 2006 Trailer
• Bullet Witch [X360] - E3 2006 Trailer
• Call of Duty 3 [PS2/Xbox/PS3/X360] - E3 2006 Trailer
• Dead Rising [X360] - E3 2006 Trailer
• DDR Universe [X360] - E3 2006 Trailer
• Dungeon Runners - E3 2006 Trailer
• NCAA 2K7 [PS3/X360] - E3 2006 Trailer
• The Ship - E3 2006 Trailer
• Sin Episodes: Emergence - E3 2006 Trailer
• Stranglehold [X360] - E3 2006 Trailer
• Test Drive Unlimited [X360/PC] - E3 2006 Trailer
• 
  
  We will update this throughout the day when new trailers become available. Read more for download links ...

The Sony pre-E3 briefing just concluded, and the big news out of the event is that Sony's next-gen console will launch in Japan on November 11 and in North America, Europe and Australia on November 17. Each unit will ship with a hard drive included, although there will be two versions: a PS3 with a 20gb hd will set you back $499, while the 60gb version will cost $599. Its redesigned Dual Shock controller is wireless, Bluetooth-enabled and uses motion sensors, similar to the Wii conroller.

Dead Head Fred draws players into an original alternative universe as they embark on a quest for vengeance to solve their own murder by using the decapitated heads of enemies to battle through environments designed to showcase each head’s unique abilities.

After more than a decade, legendary dog and rabbit crime-fighting Sam & Max make their return to the gaming scene! GameTap and Telltale today announced they are co-producing an all new Sam & Max episodic adventure series that will debut on the GameTap network in time for this holiday season.

PEA: Dunes of War sends your crew deep into the desert, during the shattering battles of the African campaign, it’s about victory for both sides and your first duty is to ensure the survival of your comrades with victory as the ultimate goal.

GameTap is reviving the online foray of Myst, Uru Live, which will be available to subscribers later this year as part of their monthly subscription.

Square Enix announced two new titles in the Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles series – Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles: Crystal Bearers for the Nintendo Wii, and Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles: Ring of Fates for the Nintendo DS. Both titles are being developed to utilize Wii and NDS technology to their fullest. Additional details, including ship date and pricing, will be announced at a later date.