Microsoft announced today that it will offer a fully featured Texas Hold 'em on Xbox Live Arcade, for free, for the first 48 hours after launch on Wednesday, August 23 at 0800 GMT (1AM PST) through Friday, August 25, after which it will be available for 800 Microsoft Points.

German publisher Frogster revealed today that it has not yet received a rating from the USK (German ESRB) due to high levels of violence. Developer Plastic Reality is forced to make changes to its 3rd person stealth/action game in accordance with the guidelines. This however means El Matador will not be able to release it as scheduled later this month, but has worldwide been pushed back to September.

StateShift is an arcade racing game set in the not so distant future. Where civilisation is crumbling under the stress of the depletion of natural resources, a group of free spirits from around the world race in illegal races at the most spectacular locations. And there are no rules.

Bethesday, currenrly working on various Star Trek titles, is looking for new recruits and has updated its job listings to include openings for a Sales Director, Project Manager, Associate Producer, and PR & Marketing Manager. In addition, it is also still hiring artists, programmers, and designers.

WildTangent today announces a new strategic investment from communications services group WPP, recognizing the development of online video games as an increasingly important communications platform for marketers.

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:

• Dark Messiah of Might & Magic - Kill Kevin Trailer #1
• GuildWars: Nightfall - Cinematic Trailer
• ArchLord - Trailer (3)
• Broken Sword: The Angel of Death - Characters Trailer
• Disgaea 2 [PS2] - Battle System Trailer
• 
  
  We will update this throughout the day when new trailers become available. Read more for download links ...

The Consumer Electronics Association released some projections for consumer electronic sales in 2006. CEA expects factory-to-dealer sales to increase by 8% to $140 billion, with display technologies as the front runner with $22 billion. Games are expected to reach $12.5 billion in 2006, and fueled by the next-gen consoles, should amass $15 billion by 2007.

Bully follows teenager Jimmy Hopkins as he tries to survive his crooked classmates and superiors, and navigate the tricky social hierarchy at the fictitious reform school, Bullworth Academy.

In Company of Heroes you will experience the journey of the brave men of Able Company that begins with the invasion of Normandy through their fight across Europe, all set against the most dynamic, and completely destructible, battlefield ever seen in a game. Relics 3D RTS has officially gone gold, confirmed by THQ's Sean Dunn (thanks ve3d).