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.

SoulCalibur 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. Namco sent over an interview with composer Junichi Nakatsuru.