Randy Peretzman, Nintendo's vice president of sales, will retire at the end of this year. After 20 years of dedicated service, Peretzman has decided to step down due to health reasons. His first project was the launch of the NES at a time when retailers had little interest in video games.

Take 2 today announced financial results for its Q3 and nine months ended July 31, 2005. Net sales and losses were up 6% and 100%, respectively, from last year. So far, net sales have increased 30%, and net income is $18.3M. Bully (PS2/Xbox) has been delayed to provide additional development time, while Civilization IV is ahead of schedule and has been scooted up into fiscal 2005. An all new IP for the X360 is mentioned, as well as extensions of the Grand Theft Auto franchise.

Namco announced today that Rebelstar: Tactical Command has begun shipping to retail outlets throughout North America. Developed by Codo Technologies, known for the X-Com and Laser Squad series, the game features strategic turn-based skirmishes, destructible environments and an engrossing science fiction storyline of mankind’s final redemption against hostile alien invaders.

Battlefield 2: Special Forces brings the intensity and excitement of its predecessors into the realm of covert ops with the latest, most technologically advanced vehicles and weapons systems available to man.

THQ today announced the release of MotoGP 3: Ultimate Racing Technology for the Xbox and PC. The groundbreaking release doubles the size of any motorcycle racer to date, allowing fans to race through 16 street and city-based tracks in all-new Extreme Mode or experience adrenaline-packed Moto Grand Prix racing first-hand while navigating virtual replications of 17 real-life circuits.

Electronic Arts and Nintendo announced today a partnership that brings the Nintendo All-Stars -- Mario, Luigi and Princess Peach -- to the Nintendo GameCube version of SSX On Tour, scheduled to launch this fall under the EA SPORTS BIG brand. The game is being produced by Electronic Arts Canada in Vancouver, BC.

This Friday night ArenaNet is rolling out a comprehensive set of new skill balance changes for the Guild Wars PvP play environment. Based on intensive in-house testing and founded on player feedback and suggestions, ArenaNet believes they will add even more fun to Guild Wars PvP gameplay. Read more for details ...

Namco today announced that Namco Museum Battle Collection has shipped to North American retail outlets exclusively for the PSP. Namco Museum Battle Collection features updated 3D versions of Namco's greatest and most beloved arcade hits, as well as all-new wireless multiplayer capabilities for competitive or cooperative fun.

Koch Media and Monte Cristo announced their partnership to release World Forces: War on Terror on PC under the Deep Silver brand. World Forces: War on Terror is a tactical, arcade style RTS, which is set in the very near future, utilizing the modern weaponry of tomorrow.

Today at the German Games Convention, Microsoft revealed that consumers can get their hands on the Xbox 360 for as little as $299.99 starting this holiday season. The $299 version will come with a wired controller but will not have the 20-gigabyte hard-disc drive, wireless controller, headset, Ethernet cable and wireless television remote control included in the $399 version.

Konami America today shipped Death Jr. for the PSP. Death Jr. is an action platforming game that seamlessly blends elements from a first-person shooter with the exploration of a third-person platformer and serves up a large dose of intense gameplay and weapon heavy combat. The game employs a unique particle-effect system and a sophisticated 3D engine.

Nintendo announced today that The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess will not get released later this year as planned but instead the development team decided to take extra time to add some incredible new elements to The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess. As a result, the game will now launch in 2006 globally. Nintendo believes this additional time will result in a much more enjoyable gaming experience.

Powered by the Battlefield 2 game engine, Battlefield 2: Special Forces brings the intensity and excitement of its predecessors into the realm of covert ops with the latest, most technologically advanced vehicles and weapons systems available to man.

Link, a young man raised as a wrangler in a small, rural village, is ordered by the mayor to attend the Hyrule Summit. He sets off, oblivious to the dark fate that has descended upon the kingdom. When he enters the Twilight Realm that has covered Hyrule, he transforms into a wolf and is captured. A mysterious figure named Midna helps him break free, and with the aid of her magic, they set off to free the land from the shadows.

New results from Phoenix Marketing International indicate that recent news stories about video games are having some impact with regards to consumers' purchase choice of video game software. PhoenixMI conducted a qualitative and quantitative study to gauge consumer reaction about the slew of news events concerning video game violence and pornography.

EA and DICE today announced that development is underway on the expansion pack for Battlefield 2 PC game. Powered by the Battlefield 2 game engine, Battlefield 2: Special Forces brings the intensity and excitement of its predecessors into the realm of covert ops with the latest, most technologically advanced vehicles and weapons systems available to man.

Not a big surprise considering its retail success, through an interview with IGN, EA revealed that its DICE development studio is working on an expansion pack for its recently released multiplayer FPS sequel Battlefield 2. While the original game is being fought out between regular grunts, BF2: Special Forces will beef up all the classes to Special Forces and add 7-8 new night/day maps (smaller troop oriented, urban environment, airport map, missile launch facility etc.), gadgets (night vision and grappler/zipline, flashbang, tear gas), six new armies (Navy Seals, British SAS, Russian Spetznaz, MEC Special Forces and two insurgent groups), ten new vehicles, and twelve new base weapons. Battlefield 2: Special Forces is expected Fall of 2005.

Magic Hat Software announced today that the second Beta test for its MMORPG Irth Online begins today and is expected to run through August 12, 2005. Gamers are encouraged to apply for Beta 2 on the Irth Online website.

Majesco today announced it is revising its figures for the fiscal year ending October 31, 2005 to reflect reduced net revenues and operating results. Additionally, current Board member Jim Halpin has been elected Chairman of the Board, and Chairman and CEO Carl Yankowski has resigned.

A spokesman for the European Union executive said that European offices of US Chipmaker Intel Corp., computer makers and distributors were raided by European Commission and local authorities on Tuesday as part of an investigation into possible antitrust violations, filed by AMD a few weeks ago.

IBM will receive $775 million in cash and $75 million in credit for software from Microsoft Corp. to settle claims that resulted from the federal government's antitrust case against Microsoft in the 1990s. U.S. District Judge Thomas Penfield Jackson ruled in 2000 that Microsoft engaged in anticompetitive practice, and the judge's ruling cited IBM as a company that Microsoft had forced to "desist from certain technological innovations and business initiatives." Read the full article here ...

Fans of the Left Behind Series books will soon be able to join the Tribulation Forces and participate actively in the battle of good versus evil with the launch of the real-time-strategy (RTS) title, Left Behind: Eternal Forces, the first PC game based on the blockbuster apocalyptic series by Tim LaHaye and Jerry B. Jenkins.

Blizzard announced today the very first Blizzard Convention, to take place on October 28 & 29 in Orange County, California. BlizzCon is a celebration of our Warcraft, StarCraft, and Diablo franchises and the players who have helped make them so popular around the world. Read more for details ...

As part of an ongoing effort to deliver the industry's highest-performing PC technology, AMD today announced the immediate availability of the AMD Athlon 64 FX-57 processor, the world's ultimate PC processor for enthusiasts and hard-core gamers. Providing unparalleled PC performance on 3D games and intense applications, the new AMD Athlon 64 FX-57 processor allows power-hungry users to experience the next generation of single-threaded games with intense and realistic graphic resolutions.

Buena Vista Games announced today its action-packed racing game, "Disney's Herbie: Fully Loaded," is now available at retail for GBA. Inspired by the upcoming feature film "Herbie: Fully Loaded" starring Lindsay Lohan, "Disney's Herbie: Fully Loaded" gives players the ride of a lifetime in Herbie, one of the world's most beloved cars.