Could the Playstation 3 be coming as early as September 2006? According to Next Generation Sony's next-gen console will launch barely a few days apart in Japan and North America, and, as expected, Europe will have to wait. Not only that, but Next-Gen claims that Sony will unveil its unified online multiplayer service, larely based on Xbox Live, in the next few weeks, which is currently called PlayStation HUB. The service would be subscription-based and support voice, chat, downloadable content, as well as PSP multiplayer.

On Thursday, February 16, 2006, Austrian-based independent developer Bongfish Interactive Entertainment will open the mountain for beta testers to take a freeride with their highly anticipated snowboard title, Stoked Rider featuring Tommy Brunner.

Midway today announced the release of Midway Arcade Treasures: Deluxe Edition, a compilation of 29 classic Midway arcade favorites, shipping to retailers nationwide.

DarkStar One delivers fast-paced action within a vast and authentic universe. Experience spectacular graphics, freedom of choice, a gripping story and the power to save the federal galaxy from its nemesis! Ascaron can now introduce a detailed background for the second of six races... The Mortok.

Power your way across 15 new American-themed environments from the OutRun2 SP arcade experience. Race from coast to glorious coast with a fresh new mission structure, a license mode and online play, with up to six players for a thrilling head-to-head journey. While the console editions are scheduled for March 21st, the PC version suffers a slight delay and gets pushed to April 11, 2006.

The international face of action hero Lara Croft has today been revealed as an unknown 20 year old model from Bethnal Green, London. Karima Adebibe, is set to be catapulted into the world of superstardom after being cast from thousands of hopefuls in an international search to fill the shoes of one of Hollywood's biggest stars.

Fans of Sports Interactive's legendary Football Manager series will be 'happy bunnies' this Easter as SEGA confirm the release of the platform-pioneering games Football Manager Handheld (PSP) and Football Manager 2006 (X360) ready for the holidays on 13 April 2006.

2K Sports announced today new standard-setting features for Major League Baseball 2K6. With innovative Swing Stick technology, astounding Pure Motion Physics and the distinguished vocal talents of play-by-play broadcaster Jon Miller and National Baseball Hall of Fame legend Joe Morgan, Major League Baseball 2K6 is the only baseball video game that matters on any console.

SWOP, Sex Workers Outreach Project, is an organization trying to improve lives of the men & women working in the sex industry. SWOP has issued a statement encouraging parents to not purchase Take Two/Rockstar's beleaguered GTA: San Andreas. "Since the video game Grand Theft Auto accrues points to players for the depiction of the rape and murder of prostitutes, SWOP-USA calls on all parents and all gamers to boycott Grand Theft Auto."

EA officially announced today that The Lord of the Rings: The Battle for Middle-earth II has gone gold and will be on store shelves in North America on March 2, 2006.

Dreamfall: The Longest Journey is an action-packed thriller set in a large and varied game world mixing gritty reality with imaginative fantasy. The game features three worlds, three distinctly different playable characters, and exciting action-adventure gameplay wrapped in a mature, exhilarating, and innovative storyline.

Onimusha: Dawn of Dreams is situated in 1598 and will have several new features and additions over previous titles, such as a new camera system, updated graphics and optimized gameplay mechanics.

VUGames announced today that Empire Earth II: The Art of Supremacy has shipped and is now in North American stores. EE: The Art of Supremacy will return gamers to the front lines of the greatest battles in history with new civilizations at their command, new campaigns and a host of new features that make this year's best strategy game more addicting than ever.

GTA: Liberty City Stories takes place 3 years before GTA 3 and our main character Toni Cipriani has returned from laying low for the past 4 years after taking out a rival mob boss for the Leone crime family. Having welcomed him back with open arms, the Don Salvatore Leone is putting Toni to back work under the watchful eye of Vincenzo Cilli, one of his most trusted capo’s. Take Two announced GTA:LCS will get its PS2 release on April 28, 2006.

Hearts of Iron II: Doomsday is a stand-alone expansion pack for their strategy title Hearts of Iron II. The expansion will include the original game and boasts a World War III scenario, a complete scenario editor as well as an extended time line.

GTR2 is the next big step forward for the GTR brand, and sports a host of new features and improvements. In addition to all the favourite cars and tracks returning from GTR, the player will now be able to experience the thrill of driving a whole set of new and exotic sports cars on several new tracks.

Today Ubisoft and Shaun White, snowboarding halfpipe Gold Medalist in the 2006 Winter Olympics in Turin and six time X Games Gold Medalist, announced an exclusive worldwide agreement to create video games inspired by White's world-famous snowboarding style.

BFME 2 takes part in the North where a battle is raging between Sauron's forces vs. elves and dwarves. It will be possible to create/customize your own hero, apart from known figures such as Arwin, and become more powerful as you progress in the game. While BFME was all land based, the sequel will also take the action on the sea, naval battles included.

Turbine announced today that Dungeons & Dragons Online: Stormreach has gone gold and is in final production. The world's first online roleplaying game based on the legendary pen and paper Dungeons & Dragons game is currently scheduled to ship on February 28, 2006.

Disgaea 2 incorporates some of the same features it did in the original to retain its “Do anything & try everything” heritage while making radical innovations that include suggestions from game fans. Disgaea 2 is scheduled to be released in North America August 2006.

Dead or Alive 4 will redefine 3-D high definition graphics and sound, creating the most visually beautiful and realistic looking video game to date. DOA features online capabilities via Xbox Live, new interactive stages, an all star line-up of old and new favorite characters, and the most complex countering system yet.

Day of Defeat: Source is the latest version of the WWII online action game from Valve. This weekend, everyone is invited to try DoD: Source for free. Join the ranks as Axis or Allies troops located in Western Europe during the height of the war in 1944. All you need to do is install Steam, and you're good to go...

Eidos Interactive today confirms that Commandos Strike Force, developed by Pyro Studios, will be released on April 4th, 2006 on PS2, Xbox and PC in North America.

As promised EA has released the singleplayer demo for The Battle for Middle-Earth 2 demo. The massive 1.3GB demo allows you to play as either the Goblins or Dwarves and feature a tutorial and single-player skirmish mode on two maps. Read more for download links ...

According to its sources, GameIndustry.biz reports that British developer Lionhead Studios is in acquisition talks with platform holder Microsoft and French publisher Ubisoft. Electronic Arts has ruled out the possibility of acquiring the studio behind Fable and Black & White. None of the parties were willing to comment, although Lionhead did confirm the talks, which occur frequently.