Parents and teachers might have to rethink their long-held belief that the more a child reads, the better. Ironically, in the just-released Book of Games Volume 2, the authors cite research indicating that video games actually can be better than books, both for your mind and body.

Bionic Commando features Nathan Spencer (voiced by Faith No More's Mike Patton), a government operative who represents the ultimate fusion of man and machine. After distinguishing himself in a fierce conflict against the Imperials, Spencer is betrayed and falsely imprisoned by the very people he unquestioningly served.

Ubisoft announced Heroes of Might and Magic Kingdoms, a new Web-based game in the Heroes of Might and Magic strategy game series, in which thousands of players will be able to rule their virtual kingdoms, lead gigantic armies against each other, master the trades or create legendary heroes.

Data Design Interactive announced the 13th title in its Popcorn Arcade label lineup. The evil sinister Rebus has trapped the Myth Makers in the Orbs of Doom; you must complete his mind boggling challenges in order to save them.

SEGA's Universe at War: Earth Assault is a combat-intensive RTS game enlisting players in an epic struggle to prevent total alien domination of planet Earth. The game has just released, but Petroglyph has already released the first patch to add extra balancing and make various gameplay fixes/tweaks.

The war on terror is raging. Violence is escalating. Time and again, civilians are being kidnapped for ransom. Despite earlier assertions, the government takes up negotiations to free the hostages. At the same time, they also send a special unit of the US Navy Seals just in case the negotiations take a little too long....

Warhammer Online: Age of Reckoning will bring Games Workshop's fantasy world to life in a way that will allow players to create characters destined for great deeds and glory on the field of battle. EA Mythic's Warhammer Online has surpassed 500k closed beta registrants in North America and Europe.

The directors of Auran Developments, the company that employs all of the Auran staff, have called in a Voluntary Administrator, which is like filing Chapter 11 in the U.S. All staff were dismissed today, and despite earlier reports, staff will be paid for all work to date, including annual leave entitlements, redundancy payments and long-term service leave.

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:

• Kingdom Under Fire: Circle of Doom [X360] - Trailer
• Penumbra: Black Plague - Trailer #2
• Limbo of the Lost - Trailer
• Burnout Paradise [PS3/X360] - London Gamefest Trailer
• Culdcept Saga [X360] - Trailer
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  We will update this throughout the day when new trailers become available. Read more for download links ...

A year after its initial release Microsoft has launched XNA Game Studio 2.0, which adds more than 15 new features, not in the least the ability to create online, cross-platform multiplayer games for Xbox 360 and Windows using Xbox LIVE and Games for Windows Live.

The Secret Files: Tunguska is a point-and-click adventure game based on the mysterious Tunguska phenomenon that occurred in July 1908, in which the Siberian region of Tunguska was engulfed in an inferno of flames that turned everything into debris and ashes.

Harmonix created a software patch for the PS3 version of Rock Band to allow guitar compatibility for third-party peripherals, including Activision's Guitar Hero III controller. The compatibility patch was approved by Sony and had been scheduled for release on Dec. 4, but due to Activision's continued objection, the patch will not be released.

COH: Opposing Fronts allows players to fight as the tenacious British 2nd Army during the heroic WWII liberation of Caen, France, and command the German Panzer Elite as they struggle to repel the largest airborne invasion in history. THQ has released patches for the original COH & expansion, bringing your retail game to v2.201 fixing a slew of bugs, adding tweaks, map changes, etc ...

A surprise trip to the tropics turns into a working vacation when Sam & Max sign up to stop a massive volcano eruption. Will their special blend of bewildering wit and renegade justice be enough to win over the gods?

As reward for his contribution to advancement within the industry while demonstrating proven success and leadership, the Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences (AIAS) is inducting Blizzard co-founder Mike Morhaime into its Hall of Fame.

Baroque is a hardcore dungeon-crawling action RPG loaded with items to find and customize, packed with tons of twisted monsters to vanquish, boasting a powerful musical score, and featuring an innovative story progression system in which death is not the end, but rather, the means by which to move the story forward.

GSC Gameworld's S.T.A.L.K.E.R. is story-driven sci-fi team-based action game with dynamic gameplay of fast and tough combats, set in a detailed and interactive game world. In an interview with German Oblivion Lost fansite, GSC revealed that while it is working on the S.T.A.L.K.E.R. Clear Sky expansion, they are seriously contemplating bringing the franchise into the MMO market.

Mercury Games' Matchstick Puzzle by DS is a classic puzzle game which requires lateral thinking and includes lots of brain teasing conundrums. The aim of the game is to answer the questions by moving or rotating matchs

More than half of Codemasters' 2008 U.S. line-up will be created by in-house teams or development studios based in the U.S., including Spark Unlimited, inXile Entertainment and Liquid Entertainment. The line-up features games that span hard-core, casual and online content across next-gen platforms, PCs and handhelds.

ET: QW pits the armies of Earth against the invading alien Strogg in this team-based online strategic shooter. Splash Damage and id Software are working on a new v1.4 patch (v1.3 was skipped due to a small update for the Korean edition of the game) improving the UI, tweaking gameplay, fixing network issues and various bugs.

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:

• Voltage [PS3/X360/PC] - Trailer
• Viking: Battle For Asgard [PS3/X360] - Trailer #2
• Destroy All Humans! Big Willy Unleashed [PSP/PS2/Wii] - Cinematic Intro
• Burnout Paradise [PS3/X360] - Demo Trailer
• 
  
  We will update this throughout the day when new trailers become available. Read more for download links ...

C&C has been an RTS powerhouse for over a decade, but in 2002 EA tried to bring the series into the FPS genre with C&C: Renegade with little success. Now five years later EA is making another attempt with Tiberium according to GameInformer's Jan. 2008 issue. Set 11 years after the 3rd Tiberium war, the new game is a squad-based action FPS, where you control various units, such as missile infantry and Orcas. Tiberium will be a mix of Ghost Recon, Battlefield and Rainbow Six, set in the C&C Universe.

Kohnke Communications, the public relations firm that handled Perpetual Entertainment's Gods and Heroes campaign, is suing the developer over breach of contract, fraudulent transfer of assets and other violations for $80,000 to $290,000 in damages. According to court documents revealed by Ten Ton Hammer, Kohnke alleges that Perpetual transferred the Star Trek Online license to a newly created company and canceled Gods and Heroes as a way of evading creditors.

Street Fighter IV is the first new entry in Capcom's fighting game series in nearly eight years, following Street Fighter III Third Strike. Street Fighter IV promises to deliver an extraordinary experience that will re-introduce the world to the time-honored art of virtual martial arts.

Lost Odyssey is the story of Kaim, an immortal character who has lived more than 1,000 years, doesn't remember his past and doesn't know where his future lies. Kaim's journey will lead players through a dramatic story of massive scale. Pre-order Lost Odyssey, and get a download code for an additional mission and unlockable weapon.