D3Publisher today announced a North American co-publishing agreement with TOMY Corporation for video games based on VIZ Media's hit anime series - Shonen Jump's Naruto. The agreement calls for the release of four games: one title each for the GameCube and GBA in early 2006, and in the second half of 2006.

X³: Reunion utilises a new generation game engine, developed to immerse the player into the most realistic, living universe, ever experienced. The economy model in X³: Reunion is more complex than any previous X game. Coupled with the massively enhanced A.L. (Artificial Life) system, X³: Reunion will present players with an ever changing, evolving universe; where a player’s actions really can shape the future of the universe.

According to Vivendi's FEAR community manager, people who are having performance issues with the retail version of FEAR, are all pirates! In this community thread Greg raised quite a ruckus when people who pre-ordered Monolith's FPS F.E.A.R. (First Encounter Assault Recon) complained of stuttering and performance issues, by calling them pirates. While apparently FEAR apparently has been warezed, people claim certain online outlets have shipped the game ahead of tomorrow's official release date. While pirates usually only remove protections, it is very questionable how such impacts performance at all.

UPDATE: Vivendi's FEAR community manager has issued an apology stating that he did not mean to generalize the issue.

Midway today announced that it has shipped the first-ever story driven football videogame, Blitz: The League, for the PS2 and Xbox.

The Star and the Crescent, the latest modern warfare simulation title from ProSIM is now shipping worldwide! Originally slated to ship near the end of September, the production unfortunately hit a few snags that delayed the release until today. Gamers who have pre-ordered this title should expect to be the first ones to receive it, which will of course depend on where you live.

Meridian4 is thrilled to announce that it has signed a deal with Atari to exclusively distribute their games in North America throughout all retail channels, starting with the Sci-Fi Action/RPG, Space Hack.

EA announced today that NFL Head Coach is in development in Orlando, Fla. by EA Tiburon, makers of other NFL properties including Madden NFL Football and NFL STREET. The new exclusive deal with the NFL has allowed EA to build this franchise and work with all coaches in the NFL Coaches Club.

The series famous for relentless intensity is returning bigger, better looking and more frantic than ever before. Sam Stone is back to rescue the universe one bullet at a time against overwhelming hordes of time traveling enemies in Serious Sam 2.

True Crime: New York City will follow another policeman through the meticulously re-created streets of a real-life metropolitan area. However, instead of the wisecracking LAPD detective Nick Kang, gamers will now play as Marcus Reed, a former gang member turned NYPD officer.

FireFly Studios has signed two more SDK deals with Lifemode Interactive, to use their facial animation tool: LifeStudio:HEAD in 2 new games, the titles yet to be announced.

EgoSfot has announced that its space strategy game X³: Reunion has gone gold and is scheduled in the US on Oct. 21, and a week later in the UK. X³: Reunion utilises a new generation game engine, developed to immerse the player into the most realistic, living universe, ever experienced. Coupled with the massively enhanced A.L. (Artificial Life) system, X³: Reunion will present players with an ever changing, evolving universe.

After a life of small-time jobs and petty thefts you've been accepted into America's most famous criminal organization, the Corleone family. Now it's up to you to carry out orders, earn respect, rise through the ranks, and make New York City your own. Play your cards right and you could even be running everything as the next, and most powerful, Don.

Dragon Ball Z: Budokai Tenkaichi, also known as DBZ: Sparking!, is the only game to combine fighting and flying in wide open, destructible 3D environments. In the air, on the ground or under water, DBZ Budokai Tenkaichi gives players the ability to battle with unprecedented power and freedom.

Sumthing Else Music Works, through its licensing relationship with Microsoft Game Studios, proudly presents Perfect Dark Zero Original Soundtrack. The soundtrack album will be released on November 8th to US retail outlets through Nile Rodgers' Sumthing Else Music Works label.

The latest issue of PCGamer has the first details on the yet un-announced Empire Earth II: The Art of Supremecy addon. Mad Doc Software's first addon for its 3D RTS is scheduled for release in spring 2006 and will feature 15 new civilizations, 15 missions spread over 3 campaigns, the ability to make your own civilization with the new civilization editor, and plenty of other new additions. Now that the cat is out of the bag, we can expect an official announcement soon.

FATE is an RPG in which the quests are fast and fun with richly detailed artwork, 3D graphics and interactive content delivered exclusively via download. Earlier this week FATE developer Travis Baldree announced that he left WildTangent Friday the 7th, on totally amicable terms, for a job that allows him a unique opportunity to spend more time with my family. His new position at Flagship Studios is presumably to work on HellGate London (thanks RPGDot).

World Poker Tour will bring gamers the most exciting poker experience anywhere. Featuring the colorful commentary of Mike Sexton and Vince Van Patten, the World Poker Tour video game also features the most elite poker professionals including Antonio "The Magician” Esfandiari, Erick Lundgren, Evenlyn Ng, Lyle Berman, Michael "the Grinder" Mizrachi, and Phil "Unabomber" Laak.

Slalom, Giant Slalom, Super-G and Downhill - you've got to master all disciplines to win the great crystal trophy at the end of the season. It's your turn to earn the world's attention! The mountains are waiting for you, the speed is amazing - and the race feeling incredible!

Commandos Strike Force takes you right into the heart of the action from a first person perspective. Take control of the three members of the 'Strike Force' unit, each with their own play style. However, it is up to you how you execute plans of attack by combining the Commandos' unique skills.

Strike Force Red Cell will be a single player and multiplayer game where new campaigns will be based on prior victory conditions and objectives met through previous maps. Strike Force Red Cell is currently being developed by Vision Studios, powered by the Reality Engine, and is scheduled for release in 2007!