Braid is a unique 2-D puzzle-platform experience that bends all the rules with the manipulation of time. Braid plays with the conventions of video games while posing truly challenging puzzles for the platform gamer.

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.

X-Blades, previously known as Oniblade, is a third-person, anime-style action/adventure. Your heroine wields two magical blades that can be used as swords or guns, and has magical abilities, all of which are upgradeable.

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 ....

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.

A reader sent in a tip about an unannounced forthcoming WiiWare title, currently scheduled for release in 2009. A formal announcement is due to arrive shortly after Christmas, but from watching the viral video a few times, you may notice a split second of in-game footage of what looks to be a shooter/action game reminiscent of Geometry Wars.

As was hinted at earlier this week with the sudden Spore EULA appearance, EA is bringing its titles to Steam starting with 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.

In late 2003, Ubisoft released its action/adventure Beyond Good & Evil to much critical acclaim, but unfortunately, that did not translate into sales numbers, and the franchise was abandoned. While a teaser trailer was released at UbiDays 08, there has yet to be an official announcement. However, Michel Ancel revealed at Video Games Live in Paris that the dev team has been given carte blanche by Ubisoft to make the game they want, and have been developing BG&E2 for 18 months now.

EA Sports FIFA Online 2 will deliver a seamless game experience through authentic game play, complete customization, and an all-new manager mode. The game will mirror the sophistication and finesse required of real world players on the pitch; online players will challenge their odds, perfect their skills, and bring glory to their favorite teams.

7Million is a free to play MMO in the exciting world of spectacular heists, daring thieves and glamorous lady larcenists, featuring action filled puzzle games, cool, fully customizable characters and challenging missions – delivered in true style, of course. Wannabe mobsters who would like to take part in the closed beta test can sign up here, which has been expanded due to high interest.

Guitar Hero: World Tour will feature guitar, vocals, drums, the ability to create your own songs (and upload them on GHTunes), four-player on/offline co-op, and an eight-player battle of the bands multiplayer mode (4vs4). Three tracks from The Eagles' first studio album in 28 years are now available for download.

Red Rocket Games was officially launched today as a new game developer focused on creating bite-size digital entertainment and casual games, co-founded by former GameFly VP Jung Suh, and Scott Yu, formerly a technical art director at Electronic Arts.

In Banjo-Kazooie: Nuts & Bolts the Lord of the Games is tired of the petty squabbling between Banjo and the evil witch Gruntilda over the years, and has arranged a showdown to decide the rightful owner of Spiral Mountain. Rare announced a contest to recognize the top seven user generated contraptions created, with the winning creations to be added in the game.

Maxis and Z Corporation announced that fans of EA's life simulation game Spore can now transplant their unique creatures into the real world as “Spore Sculptures” through Z Corporation’s 3D printing technology.

Lips is a music and singing game that includes 30 songs, 2 wireless interactive microphones (with motion sensors that allow you to dance, move or swing to score points), the ability to use and sing your own music or download songs from an online service.

Hearts of Iron III will follow the series' tradition of most detailed and complete strategic game on WW2 while focusing on satisfying veteran players through a multitude of new features and systems, including a huge map with more than 10,000 provinces.

Dutch developer VSTEP has begun working on Ship Simulator 2010 Extremes, the next installment in the Ship Simulator series.

Capcom's Resident Evil 5 is the forthcoming installment in the Resident Evil survival horror series, which will debut for the PS3 and X360, promising to revolutionize the series by delivering an unbelievable level of detail, realism and control.

Apart from renewing its long-term contract with Rockstar Games, Take Two also released its Q4 2008 financial details revealing that GTA IV accounted for 60% of its $1.5 billion annual revenue. Due to Atari's acquisition of Cryptic Studios, Take Two decided to drop Champions Online.

In Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince you'll engage in exciting wizard duels, mix and brew magical ingredients in Potions class, take to the air to lead the Gryffindor Quidditch team to victory, get sidetracked by Ron's romantic entanglements and journey toward discovering the identity of the Half-Blood Prince.

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.

X-Blades, previously known as Oniblade, is a third-person, anime-style action/adventure. Your heroine wields two magical blades that can be used as swords or guns, and has magical abilities, all of which are upgradeable. The “Collector's Bundles includes a soundtrack CD, a double-theme poster and a strategy guide, while the PC edition also includes a mousepad.

Nintendo has plenty in store to keep your Wii Remote and touch screen busy in the coming months. Whatever sort of games you like to play there is something for everyone. Wii owners will be able to blow off some steam with Madworld, House of the Dead, the Pikmin and Mario Power Tennis remakes, while NDS gamers can get fit with Walk with me! Do you know your walking routine?, or GTA: Chinatown Wars.

Star Ocean: The Last Hope is the latest entry in the futuristic space opera RPG series. Science fiction and fantasy meld in this long-awaited continuation of the celebrated franchise from developer tri-Ace Inc.

What if you had to live your whole life in one location … and then one day, suddenly, you could step outside and go anywhere in the whole neighborhood? The Sims 3 gives you the freedom to create unique Sims and immerse them in your own living neighborhood of endless possibility!