Namco today released online gameplay details for latest installment in the drift racing series Ridge Racer 6 for the X360. Featuring trademark high-speed arcade racing and breathtaking high-definition visuals, the game lets players compete head to head in online races and download new content via Xbox Live for the first time in the history of the Ridge Racer franchise.

Kuju Entertainment and its court-appointed interim receiver of Hip Interactive, today announce they are working together to find alternative publishing outlets for 'George A Romero Presents: City of the Dead,' which includes features such as console online game play, excellent arcade action and full Havoc based physics. "There have already been several interested parties in the game, the team and the technology and we are hopeful that some elements of the project will continue beyond the unfortunate demise of Hip Interactive Inc." said Jonathan Newth, Managing Director of Kuju Entertainment.

Following on from Dusk2Dawn's signing of the award winning action shooter, Invasion: Earth, the publisher is delighted to announce that it will be giving away 100% extra free mission packs with the original game.

Midway today announced results of operations for the three month period ended June 30, 2005, revealing that Rise & Fall: Civilizations at War will be released in early 2006 instead of late 2005, as previously expected. Net revenues for the 2005 second quarter were $36.9 million, compared with 2004 second quarter net revenues of $47.3 million.

Valve's SteamPowered website has been updated with details regarding the latest update for Counter-Strike Source, and the Source Engine, mainly addressing various bugs and explots. Read more for details, or just restart Steam for the effects to take place.

EA has signed the UK pop sensation Natasha Bedingfield to make a cameo appearance in From Russia With Love. Bedingfield will lend her voice and likeness to the character Elizabeth Stark, daughter of England's Prime Minister. In the game Miss Stark is kidnapped and must be rescued by James Bond.

According to TotalVideoGames, a Walmart employee leaked what is believed to be the official price for Microsoft's next gen console. The Xbox 360 will be sold for $299 and will be available in North America starting November 4th, the UK will see it on shelves later in the month. Games will carry an average pricetag of $59.99, the first few titles will include Perfect Dark Zero and Project Gotham Racing 3.

Grotesque is a new adventure/rpg from German developer Silent Dreams, and promises to be an original blend of traditional fantasy RPG (like Gothic, Fable, Baldur's Gate, Planescape Torment) and sarcastic humor with adventure elements along the lines of Monkey Island. Currently looking for a publisher, Grotesque is scheduled for Q3 2006 (thanks RPGDot).

While it was already known that GSC World's oft delayed FPS S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Shadow of Chernobyl was no longer expected in 2005, there was no specific date given for when it was rescheduled. Earlier reports indicated it could be as late as fall 2006, but during THQ's quaterly financial results conference call it became clear that we may not have to wait THAT long as, while it is not listed in its current fiscal year which ends March 2006, THQ's CEO Brian Farrell stated it would instead be released shortly thereafter and an early 2006 release was still not ruled out.

Fantasy Football from Electronic Arts today launches its exclusive EA SPORTS Edge, a personal analysis tool that gives fantasy football owners customized score predictions for every player on a team's roster.

Eidos today announces that Total Overdose: A Gunslinger's Tale in Mexico for PS2, Xbox, and PC, will be available in retail stores across North America beginning Sept. 28, 2005. Total Overdose: A Gunslinger's Tale in Mexico puts you in the rolls of Ram and Tommy Cruz, twin brothers on a mission in Mexico to avenge their father's mysterious death after the DEA claims it was an 'overdose'. Travel through the unknown, mingle with the seedy, and infiltrate the underworld- all with your wise guy attitude and your smooth skills.

The latest update to NCsoft's action-packed heroic MMO will introduce new powers including archery and sonic powers for blasters, controllers and defenders, new zone (Croatoa), new villains etc.. Read more for additional details and screens ...

Turbine announced today that its internal Alpha has gone very well, improving by leaps and bounds on an almost daily basis, and now it’s time to take the next step: giving the public the first real look at Dungeons & Dragons Online: Stormreach. Keep an eye on your inbox for your Alpha acceptance letter. If you haven’t registered, it’s not too late to sign up for future phases. Be sure to visit http://beta.turbine.com/signup to fill out your application. Don’t forget to sign up for the ddo.com forums as well to get the latest information about the game!

The Forgotten World, under development at Exozet Entertainment and Provox Multimedia, is a mix of RPG and RTS, much in the same vain as Spellforce. Situated in the Arcanamoon world, the game uses various camera angels, from typical isometric, 3rd person, to first person view.

The Dead to Rights series finally makes its move to the PSP, with an all-new storyline set before the events of the original game. Dead to Rights: Reckoning brings the fast-paced action of an intense FPS into portable form, with wireless multiplayer and a gripping single-player campaign.

Previously announced for somewhere in Q3 2005, EA has revealed that its addon The Sims 2: Nightlife now has a more specific release date, September 15. EA is offering downloads of an exclusive car for those who pre-order. With The Sims 2 Nightlife, players will be able to take their Sims out to hit all the swanky hot spots in the all new downtown location and spice up their lives with an all new dating gameplay and a new life goal focused on pleasure seeking.

Square Enix has announced the Japanese release date of Final Fantasy XII for the PlayStation 2. The long-awaited role-playing game (RPG) will ship to retailers in Japan on March 16, 2006, while the North American version is scheduled for release later in 2006.

Namco is still pluggin away at Tales of Legendia, and the first details of the next installment in the Tales of RPG series have already been revealed. An official announcement is expected next week, but Japanese magazine Shonen Jump already has some early details on the two main characters. Luke is the lone son of a noble family who lost his memories when he was a kid during an invasion by an enemy country. He grew up spoiled and naive and has learned how to use a sword as a hobby. Tia lost her parents and has been raised as a warrior and priestess of the Lorelai religion, and uses a mysterious form of ancient power called Seventh Sound.

A Texas Hold 'em game that captures the spirit of the professional poker tour, Stacked utilizes an advanced learning artificial intelligence system that adapts to each player's style of play and a detailed tutorial mode to deliver a thrilling and realistic poker experience.

The Australian ESRB counterpart announced today that officials effectively banned Rockstar's Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas and ordered it removed from stores because it contains hidden sex scenes that can be viewed with a special Internet download. It is now illegal to buy, sell, or rent GTA: SA down under...

Fresh after finishing Chaos League: Sudden Death and Pro Cycling Manager, French developer Cyanide is already working on a new project. Loki is an action/RPG set in a universe inspired by mythology and ancient races such as the Greeks, Vikings, Aztecs and Egyptians. Cyanide has barely started working on Loki, which isn't expected until somewhere in Q2 2006. Read more for the first screens ...

Sports Interactive have released the first patch for their latest hockey manager, bringing your retail game to v2.0.2 and addressing a massive amount of issues, AI tweaks, localization & engine updates. Read more for details and download links ...

Ratchet: Deadlocked, created exclusively for the PS2 by Insomniac Games, incorporates co-op gameplay in both single-player and multiplayer story modes -- as well as squad-based functionality. Read more for new screens ..

Schanz International Consultants and Danish developer Tabula Rasa Games signed up together for SIC to license exclusively, the gripping 3rd person tactical action game Hannibal:Vengeance of Carthage. Players take the role of Hannibal Barka, commander in chief of the Carthagian forces against the Roman republic... it will not be a war of conquest, it will be a war of vengeance!

Sign up to Xbox Live on or before 31st August 2005 and you will get one of three games absolutely free! Choose from Forza Motorsport, Conker: Live and Reloaded or Dead or Alive Ultimate. If you're quick about it and are one of the first 200 to sign up you'll get all three games for free!