Turner Broadcasting System today announced the launch of its broadband entertainment network GameTap, opening its massive vault of great video game content and original programming to gamers across the United States.

Midway today announced that it has shipped the first-ever story driven football videogame, Blitz: The League, for the PS2 and Xbox.

Meridian4 is thrilled to announce that it has signed a deal with Atari to exclusively distribute their games in North America throughout all retail channels, starting with the Sci-Fi Action/RPG, Space Hack.

EA announced today that NFL Head Coach is in development in Orlando, Fla. by EA Tiburon, makers of other NFL properties including Madden NFL Football and NFL STREET. The new exclusive deal with the NFL has allowed EA to build this franchise and work with all coaches in the NFL Coaches Club.

The latest issue of PCGamer has the first details on the yet un-announced Empire Earth II: The Art of Supremecy addon. Mad Doc Software's first addon for its 3D RTS is scheduled for release in spring 2006 and will feature 15 new civilizations, 15 missions spread over 3 campaigns, the ability to make your own civilization with the new civilization editor, and plenty of other new additions. Now that the cat is out of the bag, we can expect an official announcement soon.

FATE is an RPG in which the quests are fast and fun with richly detailed artwork, 3D graphics and interactive content delivered exclusively via download. Earlier this week FATE developer Travis Baldree announced that he left WildTangent Friday the 7th, on totally amicable terms, for a job that allows him a unique opportunity to spend more time with my family. His new position at Flagship Studios is presumably to work on HellGate London (thanks RPGDot).

Land of the Dead: Road to Fiddler's Green is a full-featured, first-person shooter video game setting players in the midst of a gruesome adventure in which they battle to save themselves – and a quickly-diminishing living population - from an army of the dead bent on spreading a zombie plague. Groove Games has released a demo, feauturing a cinematic intro and one mission.

Dreamlords is an MMORTS game currently in development over at Lockpick Entertainment. Scheduled for 2006, Dreamlords is a persistent world in which victories and hard work will not pass unnoticed. Everything gained will make the player stronger for the next encounter.

Midway today announced that Mortal Kombat: Deception has shipped as a Greatest Hits title for the PS2 and as a Platinum Hits title for the Xbox, and will be re-distributed with new packaging at a suggested retail price of $19.99.

Microsoft today announced at the DigitalLife conference in New York City the availability of a new software update for its WinXP Media Center Edition 2005 that enables you to stream digital music, videos, photos, and standard and high-definition television and movies from Media Center PCs to any television in their home via the Xbox 360.

At the Digital Life consumer technology showcase in New York, Microsoft will reveal the launch window portfolio for Xbox Live Arcade and supporting publishers for Xbox 360. Read more for details ...

Sony has released yet another new update for its PSP firmware, bringing it to v2.50. Currently only valid for Japanese PSP's, Sony did release the previous v2.01 for its North American version. Unlike the previous update, the v2.50 does address more than just security flaws, and allows you to watch TV and movies remotely over the net through their LocationFree Base Station, view DRM protected files saved on Memory Stick Duos, save text from the Internet browser, and also set the date and time via the net.

In another example of the videogame industry teaming with Hollywood talent, Steven Spielberg has signed an agreement with Electronic Arts to create three original videogame franchises. Initial work has already begun on the first title, but EA is keeping it tightly under wraps, though speculation is that it will be in the sci-fi or action/adventure genre.

Real Time Worlds, formed by the original GTA & Lemmings creator, and Epic Games today announced that Real Time Worlds has obtained a studio-wide license for Unreal Engine 3 for the creation of next-generation PC and console game titles, starting with All Points Bulletin.

EA today revealed an in-game soundtrack that will get gamers' hearts thumping as they race their way to the top of the Blacklist to become the most notorious street racer in Need for Speed Most Wanted. In addition to hot tracks from T.I. Presents The P$C, Jamiroquai, and Disturbed, composer Paul Linford will bring a Hollywood-caliber score to the game.

Announced a few weeks ago, Empire Interactive and Bugbear Entertainment today revealed that FlatOut 2 will be released for the PS2, Xbox and PC in the 1st half of 2006.

Get ready for some Chinese take-out! KOEI today announced that Dynasty Warriors 5 Xtreme Legends will ship to North American retailers on November 15, 2005 with an MSRP of only $29.99.

Interactive Entertainment Merchant's Association (IEMA)'s president Hal Halpin reacted today to the recent signing by govenor Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger of the A.B. 1179 bill making it illegal to sell Mature rated games to minor.

From the very shores of molten lava where he defeated Anakin Skywalker, Obi-Wan guides players on quests that span the planet Mustafar – some of which might even convert devotees of the dark side over to a more virtuous path.

Curse of Darkness introduces players to an entirely new storyline and main character – Hector, one of two Devil Forgemasters, who had once refined his skills under Dracula. Konami announces the official U.S. ship date of Castlevania: CoD for the PS2 and Xbox as Tuesday, November 1, 2005.

Microsoft and RealNetworks today announced three agreements valued at $761 million to RealNetworks to settle their antitrust case and create a new partnership to innovate and promote consumer choices in digital music and games, including offering RealNetworks' digital games through Xbox 360's Xbox Live Arcade.

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.

Nintendo announced today that its Mario Party 7 bundle includes a GameCube, two controllers and Mario Party 7, as well as the GameCube Mic, which accepts voice commands to control the action in some of Mario Party 7's 80 new mini-games.

Creators of The Moment of Silence and Mysteries of the Druids, House of Tales Entertainment, will use the Emotion FX real-time character animation technology to power the characters in their next title Overclocked.

SCEA announced today the launch of its PS2 exclusive SOCOM 3: U.S. Navy SEALs. Developed by Zipper Interactive, Inc. and produced by SCEA's Foster City Studio in association with the U.S. Naval Special Warfare Command, SOCOM 3: U.S. Navy SEALs offers the most realistic SEAL gameplay and mission designs of any military shooter.