The state of California today reimbursed the ESA $282,794 for attorney’s fees after the state attempted to defend an unconstitutional law restricting the constitutional rights of video game publishers, developers and consumers.

Six Degrees Games has secured $7 Million in financing, funds that will support the product development, launch and distribution of an original sports-themed virtual world designed for six to 14 year-olds, but open to all ages, currently in closed beta.

Strong Bad's Cool Game for Attractive People is a story-driven series with a comic spin based on Matt and Mike Chapman's online animated series. The player uncovers each episode's comedic plot through character interaction, dialogue-based puzzles, and the use/abuse of inventory items.

A 400-year-old clue in the coffin of Sir Francis Drake sets modern-day fortune hunter Nathan Drake on an exploration for the fabled treasure of El Dorado, leading to the discovery of a forgotten island in the middle of the Pacific Ocean. As we mentioned last week, Naughty Dog has released a 13mb patch (v1.01) for Uncharted adding 48 trophies. Unfortunately these are not retroactive, so you'll need to replay the game.

A Kingdom for Keflings is a city-building title that puts players in the shoes of a giant who has the ability to design and construct an intricate city for the local Keflings. Each giant starts out with a small handful of helpful Keflings who help build the kingdom from the ground up.

Originally scheduled in 2000 as a DreamCast title, Thunder Force VI is a side scrolling shooter game in development for the PS2, directed by SEGA's Tetsu Okano, known for Segagaga, Astro Boy: Omega Factor and Gunstar Super Heroes.

A stand-alone downloadable PSN adventure for both fans and newcomers to the franchise, Ratchet & Clank Future: Quest for Booty offers up to four hours of gameplay. With all new wrench mechanics and light and dark illumination puzzles, Ratchet must manipulate objects and use his wits in order to succeed in his quest.

Mega Man Star Force 2 blends a unique formula of RPG exploration elements with fast-paced action, as players travel and battle between the coexisting physical and virtual Wave World. While seeking to unravel the mystery around the appearance of new troublemakers, players will encounter enemies in the virtual Wave World and battle them on three-by-five battle grids with their Battle Card deck.

Savage 2: A Tortured Soul is an FPS/RPG featuring expansive environments, an entirely enhanced combat system, and gameplay elements that will catapult it beyond its prequel. From August 1st-3rd, Savage 2 is being sold on Steam for the record low price of $9.99, a $20 discount from its original price. Savage 2 is also scheduled to receive a visual upgrade early next week, with bloom and refraction support being added to the engine.

During the Activision Blizzard conference call, Blizzard CEO and co-founder Mike Morhaime revealed that while Age of Conan had some initial success, 40% of the people who left for Funcom's MMO have already returned to World of Warcraft. In a more interested tidbit, Morhaime revealed that Blizzard is currently hiring for a new MMO in development, but for "competitive reasons," no details were given. In the Q&A afterwards, Morhaime stated there are no plans to bring WoW to consoles. He revealed that testing on the Wrath of the Lich King expansion was proceeding well, and although he didn't confirm the previous "before end of the year" date, he did say it will NOT be during the July-September quarter.

TrackMania Nations Forever is a new version of the Stadium environment, a solo mode and 65 new, progressively difficult tracks, uniting an even larger number of players thanks to its multiplayer modes, online functions and interactivity between players.

Signature Devices' open source development platform, the Elemental Engine II, is now available for download. Initially unveiled at this year's GDC, Signature Devices will be showcasing the Elemental Engine II on the its social networking site.

Ubisoft announced it will publish From Software's 13th installment in its mech-based combat franchise, Armored Core for Answer.

A 400-year-old clue in the coffin of Sir Francis Drake sets modern-day fortune hunter Nathan Drake on an exploration for the fabled treasure of El Dorado, leading to the discovery of a forgotten island in the middle of the Pacific Ocean. Naughty Dog revealed to IGN that you will be able to get 47 Trophies by finding treasure, doing hand-to-hand or gun combat, and one Platinum Trophy for getting all the other Trophies. Unfortunately these are not retroactive, so you'll need to replay the game.

Shortly after its announcement of making Games for Windows Live free for all users, Microsoft revealed that Xbox Live Silver members will also get a temporary reprieve from being charged but only until the new X360 system update, which is currently scheduled to roll out this autumn. Microsoft is offering free online multiplayer on Xbox 360/Games for Windows titles that offer Live cross-platform play, such as Universe at War, Shadowrun, and Lost Planet: Colonies Edition.

Originally scheduled in 2000 as a DreamCast title, Thunder Force VI is a side scrolling shooter game in development for the PS2, directed by SEGA's Tetsu Okano, known for Segagaga, Astro Boy: Omega Factor and Gunstar Super Heroes.

Set between the largely unexplored era between Ep III and Ep IV, Star Wars: The Force Unleashed casts players as Darth Vader's "Secret Apprentice" and promises to unveil new revelations about the Star Wars galaxy. LucasArts' Matt Shell confirmed on G4 that a demo will be released on XBL/PSN somewhere in August featuring a special version of the Tie Fighter Construction Facility level, special powers and an ending not included in the retail game.

Spring 1940. German forces occupy Europe and prepare to invade England. Britain’s survival depends on the courage of a handful of men: the pilots of the RAF. Join the squadron and scramble your Spitfire on missions to shift the balance of power in WWII.

TrackMania Nations Forever is a new version of the Stadium environment, a solo mode and 65 new, progressively difficult tracks, uniting an even larger number of players thanks to its multiplayer modes, online functions and interactivity between players.

BioShock will forever change the expectations for the FPS going beyond run and gun corridors, monster-closet AIs and static worlds, creating a living, unique and unpredictable FPS experience. In case you have not caught up with one of the best games of 2007, now is your chance to do it on the cheap, until July 27 Valve's giving it away for $14.99 on Steam.

Transformers Animated delivers an exciting action-adventure experience. Blast through Decepticon-controlled hoverbots, as you attempt to solve challenging teamwork-based puzzles and race through the motorways of a futuristic Detroit, dodging on-coming traffic while seamlessly changing between robot and vehicle-form.

Obsidian Entertainment, known for Neverwinter Nights 2/Knights of the Old Republic II and currently working on Alpha Protocol/Alien for SEGA, is apparently straying away from its RPG roots as a job recruitment page reveals the former Black Isle Studios people are working on a yet unannounced multiplatform (PS3, X360, PC) RTS title.

TrackMania Nations Forever is a new version of the Stadium environment, a solo mode and 65 new, progressively difficult tracks, uniting an even larger number of players thanks to its multiplayer modes, online functions and interactivity between players.

Guitar Hero fans will channel their inner rock god, experience new features and content including a new multiplayer action-inspired battle mode, grueling boss battles, unlockable content and authentic rock venues. In case today's Virtuoso Track Pack doesn't make your fingers bleed yet, DragonForce's record label Roadrunner revealed that three more tracks (Heroes of Our Time, Operation Ground and Pound, Revolution Deathsquad) are coming on Aug. 21, 2008.

Red Orchestra developers Tripwire Interactive are looking for highly talented and dedicated programmers. TWI’s online FPS Red Orchestra: Ostfront 41-45 quickly became one of the most played PC multiplayer games, and poised to surpass that success for their next generation PC/Console project TWI is recruiting, so if you think you got what it takes, apply now.