Blue Sky Interactive has released the first patch (SP1) for its train recently released train simulation game ProTrain Perfect, bringing your German retail game to v2970, and fixes compatibility and crash issues with the content manager plus (thanks 3DGamers). Read more for download links ...

Back in May Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich introduced a bill to ban violent video games, which was then later approved and had to go in effect January 1st. On July 25, 2005, a lawsuit was filed challenging the law, claiming it violated the First Amendment guarantee of freedom of speech. Today, Federal District Judge Matthew F. Kennelly in Chicago, IL agreed with the plaintiffs and ruled that the video game restriction law is unconstitutional, and issued an order permanently enjoining the law's enforcement. You can read the full, 53 page, ruling right here...

Virtual Jam owner Pernell Harris has sued Electronic Arts over features included in EA's Madden NFL 06. Pernell claims he met with EA in 2003 to discuss a game he was developing, Heart of a Champion, in which players guide an athlete from high school to professional football, not unlike the NFL Superstar mode in Madden NFL 06. The lawsuit filed November 28 with the California Superior Court in San Mateo County, accuses EA of breaching an "implied in fact contract" by using those features without compensation and violation of a confidentiality agreement. EA's responsde " "We have read the complaint and the allegations are completely without merit."

Valve's SteamPowered website has been updated with details regarding the latest update for its online delivery system Steam. This release updates the DoD:Source with the previously announced new map dod_argentan, and Rag Doll Kung Fu gets fixed up so you can now play past the second level transition. Just restart Steam for the effects to take place.

Half Life 2: Aftermath will pick up where the original left off and, as has been rumored for a while, will feature an all-new story line with the focus on Alyx, although not necessarily alongside Gordon Freeman. While no release date has been set, strong indications are that it may only be available through Valve's online delivery system, Steam.

In March 2006 Japanese players will be able to sit down and play Valve's FPS Half-Life 2 in the arcades as Taito is currently working on an adaptation titles Half-Life 2: Survivor. Read more for details and screens ...

Valve's SteamPowered website has been updated with details regarding the latest update for its online delivery system Steam. This release updates the DoD:Source gameinfo.txt to support the Source SDK, and applies a few fixes to the Half-Life 1 engine, and a few tweaks to the H-L1 dedicated server. Just restart Steam for the effects to take place.

Konami America today shipped Crime Life: Gang Wars for the Xbox, while the PC edition is scheduled for next week. This free-roaming, beat-em-up action brawler features a story line that delves into urban Hip Hop culture and puts gamers in the shoes of a small-time gang member as he fights his way up a criminal ladder for control of the city.

Don't just represent online, represent in person! Get in the action, enter the 25 To Life Sweepstakes from Now through December 15th to win a REAL Poker Table, fresh urban clothing from www.DrJays.com and more gear from www.PitchforkNY.com. That's right, 25 to Life wants to hook you up with a fresh look, and if you're lucky, a style'n pimped-out poker table for you and your boys to throw down on! Show the world what you are made of. Read more for details ...

Set in the year 2020 — years before the original hit game — Perfect Dark Zero reveals the origins of Joanna Dark, one of the most lethal special agents. Players must guide Joanna Dark on her journey to become the Perfect Agent, plunging players into a world of corporate espionage and conspiracy.

It seems not only the North American and European Xbox 360 launch lineup suffers from delays, but now also Japanese gamers looking forward to Microsoft's next gen console launch will be missing a few anticipated titles. From Software's RPG -eNCHANT arM- has been pushed back from Dec. 10 to January 12, 2006, while Q Entertainment's action adventure title Ninety-Nine Nights is now scheduled for spring 2006.

Nintendo of Europe signed a publoishing agreement with Atlus for its medical drama simulator, Trauma Center: Under the Knife. Trauma Center: Under the Knife puts life and death decisions in the palm of your hand as you play doctor, using a scalpel and forceps, applying an antibiotic gel, lasering complicated tumours, and much more!

Perfect Dark: Zero is the prequel to the hugely popular and critically acclaimed Perfect Dark. Set in the year 2020 — years before the original hit game — Perfect Dark: Zero reveals the origins of Joanna Dark, one of the most lethal special agents.

Culpa Innata is a story-driven, third-person game uses a proprietary 3D engine with dynamic cameras and other technologies developed by Momentum AS. Using the classic mouse in a point and click interface, the game features a wide variety of organic obstacles ranging from logic puzzles to hi-tech gadget manipulation to dialogue and inventory challenges.

Earlier this month LucasArts & SOE announced new game enhancements for Star Wars Galaxies hoping to significantly improve the gameplay experience. However, if your Star Wars Galaxies account was in good standing as of November 3, 2005, you purchased the latest expansion pack, Trials of Obi- Wan prior to that date, and you find that these new enhancements are not to your liking, you may request a refund of the purchase price of the Trials of Obi-Wan expansion pack.

Pit the most legendary Marvel characters against The Imperfects, a group of super heroes created collaboratively by Marvel, EA, and top comic book industry talent, in all-out duels to determine who among them is the most powerful of all.

Half-Life 2: Aftermath, the eagerly anticipated expansion pack for Valve's Half-Life 2, has been delayed (thanks HalfLife2.net). Originally scheduled for November it has now been pushed back to Feb/March 2006. Reason for postponing according to Doug Lombardi : "We're working very hard to finish this new episode for HL2, however, its going to take us a bit more time to get it into top shape. As such, the target release for this one is now Feb/March of next year.:

The 20th annual Game Developers Conference (GDC) is returning to the place where it developed into the annual networking and educational must-attend experience that it is today, San Jose Convention Center, on March 20-24, 2006. This year's theme will focus on “What's Next” and will seek to answer questions surrounding next-generation development, complex production and budgeting issues, strategic targeting of mass markets, and collaborations with the film industry.

KOCH Media announced today that it has signed a agreement with French publisher Monte Cristo to bring its city building simulation City Life to Germany and the UK.

Infected, under development at Planet Moon Studios, is a thrilling new run-and-gun zombie shooter that allows players' avatars to invade opponents' PSP systems via multiplayer victories. Majesco announced today that Infected is scheduled in November, right on time for the holiday cheer!

Create exactly the city you want: build uniquely-designed structures, from residences to corporate skyscrapers. Improve the quality of life by providing recreational and entertainment opportunities-without letting taxes spiral out of control. Solve traffic and pollution problems and sustain the city resources needed to keep the peace. Spend wisely to keep your town prosperous, wealthy, contented and healthy.

Crime Life: Gang Wars is a free roaming crime based beat em up. Mixing action and strategy elements within a gritty, detailed storyline to explore modern-day urban gang culture, the player is cast as a small-time homie who must work their way through the ranks to become a gang leader.

Back in September Eidos announced that its third-person urban action game 25 to Life would miss the original October 2005 release date, and delayed it to "sometime in 2006." Today Eidos confirmed that 25 to Life will be available in stores beginning January 18, 2006.

Pit the most legendary Marvel characters against The Imperfects, a group of super heroes created collaboratively by Marvel, EA, and top comic book industry talent, in all-out duels to determine who among them is the most powerful of all.

Valve announced that Half-Life 2: Lost Coast, a single-player level custom-created to showcase High-Dynamic Range lighting (HDR) in the Source engine, is available now to all owners of HL2. As a technology showcase, Half-Life 2: Lost Coast's system requirements are very high. During installation, Steam will prompt you if your system does not meet the recommended configuration.