A state in Japan has decided to ban a U.S. video game from being sold or rented to minors, after officials deemed it harmful and capable of inciting violence.

Soul Calibur III offers the series' hallmarks of exhilarating sword-fighting action and profound martial arts while also delivering highly improved graphics and sound effects to create a unique gaming experience. It also features a Character Creation Mode, which allows players to create original warriors.

Lawmakers voted Saturday to ban the sale of violent or sexually explicit video games to minors in Illinois, a move other states and cities have tried but federal courts have repeatedly struck down.

Students from eight universities in four countries are working together to design settings for Descent to the Underworld, which re-imagines the Orpheus myth.

Further establishing the Getting Up brand as a true representation of authentic graffiti culture, Atari and Marc Ecko today announced the involvement of over 65 well-known graffiti writers in the highly anticipated video game, Marc Ecko's Getting Up: Contents Under Pressure.

Check out the following new screens from Crave Entertainment's 2005 E3 lineup:

• 'SnoCross 2' (PS2/Xbox) - Screens
• 'World Championship Poker 2' (PS2/Xbox) - Screens

Check out the following new screens from SNK's 2005 E3 lineup:

• 'King of Fighters '94 Re-bout' (Xbox) - Screens
• 'King of Fighters 2002/2003' (Xbox) - Screens & Trailer
• 'King of Fighters: Maximum Impact - Maniax' (Xbox) - Screens
• 'King of Fighters Neowave' (Xbox) - Screens
• 'Metal Slug 4/5' (PS2/Xbox) - Screens & Trailer
• 'Samurai Shodown V' (Xbox) - Screens & Trailer

Logitech today announced plans to manufacture officially licensed peripherals for the Xbox 360. Logitech currently makes a family of award-winning controllers for Xbox, featuring gamepads, a steering wheel and a headset.

Autodesk today announced 3ds Max software support for Sony's tools & middleware program for the PlayStation 3, allowing game developers to realize their next-generation game ideas in High Definition (HD).

Check out the following new screens from SEGA's 2005 E3 lineup:

• 'Condemned: Criminal Origins' (X360) - Screens
• 'Full Auto' (X360) - Screens
• 'Gunstar Super Heroes' (GBA) - Screens
• 'NHL: Eastside Hockey Manager 2005' - Screens
• 'Phantasy Star Universe' (PS2) - Screens
• 'Shadow the Hedgehog' (NGC/PS2/Xbox) - Screens
• 'Shining Force Neo' (PS2) - Screens
• 'Sonic Gems Collection' (NGC) - Screens
• 'Sonic Rush' (NDS) - Screens
• 'Spartan: Total Warrior' (NGC/PS2/Xbox) - Screens
• 'Virtua Tennis World Tour' (PSP) - Screens