Xbox LIVE Arcade has another blockbuster-packed lineup of games coming out in 2009 – so look out for titles including Lode Runner, The Dishwasher: Dead Samurai, South Park, Puzzle Quest: Galactrix, and R-Type Dimensions to ring in the new year.

Combat Mission: Shock Force is a tactical military simulation depicting a hypothetical near future conflict between NATO and Syrian forces in Syria. This v1.11 patch adds improved pathfinding, AI tweaks, smoother Internet play, and various game performance increases and much more...

Blizzard announced that its MMORPG World of Warcraft is now played by more than 11.5 million subscribers worldwide following the Nov. 13 release of the game’s second expansion, Wrath of the Lich King.

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:

• X-Blades [PS3/X360/PC] - Gameplay Trailer
• Guitar Hero: Metallica [ALL] - Teaser Trailer
• Battlestations : Pacific [X360/PC] - Trailer
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  We will update this throughout the day when new trailers become available. Read more for download links ...

Eidos and Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment on behalf of DC Comics announce Batman: Arkham Asylum, a 3rd-person action game powered by the Unreal Engine 3, with a dark and gritty setting reminiscent of Bioshock.

Heatwave Interactive was founded by former EA/Codemasters exec Anthony Castoro and entrepreneur Donn Clendenon in early 2007. While the first projects have yet to be announced, it has fully staffed its Austin-based Central Studio with the likes of former Spark Unlimited co-founder Dave Prout, Lucas Arts and Midway alum Craig Rundels, former DC Comics/ Dark Horse Comics' Bart Sears and several others ....

OutRun Online Arcade delivers online multiplayer racing for up to 6 players, with fast paced OutRun, Heart Attack and Time Attack modes, the draw to the open road has never been so appealing.

Nintendo added a classic and two WiiWare title to the Wii's Shop Channel. Wii owners with online access can redeem Wii Points to download: Strong Bad Episode 5: Tiki Towers (Wiiware), Big Fun! Fun! Minigolf (Wiiware), and Phantasy Star IV (VC).

The action-packed game, a hi–definition re-imagined version of 2004's The Chronicles of Riddick: Escape from Butcher Bay, The Chronicles of Riddick: Assault on Dark Athena features an entirely new chapter in the Riddick Saga and for the first time, intense online multiplayer combat.

Last week, EA brought its titles to the North American users of Steam, and now Europeans also have access to the same titles, such as Spore, Spore Creepy & Cute Parts Pack, Warhammer Online: Age of Reckoning, Mass Effect, Need for Speed Undercover and FIFA Manager 2009, with Red Alert 3, Mirror's Edge and Dead Space to follow shortly.