Microsoft announced at the 2008 International CES the addition of new titles to the Games for Windows portfolio. Games for Windows drove the PC gaming category in 2007 with some of the most popular Windows-based games available, and will continue the momentum for Windows-based gaming in 2008.

Microsoft's Xbox Live General Manager Marc Whitten made an official statement regarding the Xbox Live hiccups over the holidays, when users reported connectivity issues. The system had trouble coping with the influx of new user sign-ups, and to compensate, Microsoft will be offering all Xbox Live members around the world access to a free download of an Xbox Live Arcade game. Specifics to be announced later.

Team Fortress 2 is a class-based, multiplayer team warfare game, delivering new game types, a signature art style powered by Valve’s next-gen animation technology, persistent player statistics, etc... Valve revealed it would be adding new achievement packs to TF 2, starting with a batch of 36 achievements for all the hard-working medics out there. Read more for details ...

Team Fortress 2 is a class-based, multiplayer team warfare game, delivering new game types, a signature art style powered by Valve’s next-gen animation technology, persistent player statistics, etc... All gamers in Germany may experience the Team Fortress 2 Free Weekend via Steam January 4th through 6th.

In search of the centuries old fabled treasure of El Dorado, Nathan Drake becomes stranded on the island and hunted by mercenaries. Outnumbered and outgunned, Drake and his companions must fight to survive as they begin to unravel the terrible secrets hidden on the Island. In an interview with French LCI, Naughty Dog VP Christophe Balestra confirmed a sequel is planned, and development will commence soon.

Former Hitman programmers launch their first casual game from their new game studio, The Game Equation. Deep Blue Sea is an engaging and challenging match-3 puzzle gameplay, unique features and power-ups, and a 100% original soundtrack.

Rock Band allows you to perform famous rock music with your friends as a virtual band using drum, bass/lead guitar and vocals, as well as online. Harmonix has released three new songs for Rock Band, downloadable through Xbox Live (next week on PlayStation Network). Lynyrd Skynyrd's Three Steps, a cover of Black Crowes' Hard to Handle and Rush's Limelight, also covered, for 160 Microsoft Points each.

Pursuit Force brings Hollywood-style movie action to life by delivering high-speed vehicle chases, thrilling shootouts and new multiplayer capabilities, all in the quest for justice. In Take the role of a young rookie police officer, responsible for tracking down and thwarting five criminal gangs in and around Capital City.

Deforestation, pollution, global warming and industrialization are just some of the many important themes in Majesco's new NDS exclusive real-time strategy Eco Creatures: Save the Forest.

Sudden Strike 3: Arms For Victory will push the boundaries of the RTS genre with some notable interface innovations, huge troop numbers and enormous map designs that will demonstrate that size does matter. This v1.2 patch contains numerous improvements and bug fixes, as well as two multiplayer maps (all control points can be captured only one time) and a single-player mission.

Rock Band allows you to perform famous rock music with your friends as a virtual band using drum, bass/lead guitar and vocals, as well as online. Tomorrow Harmonix will released five new songs for Rock Band, downloadable through Xbox Live (next week on PlayStation Network). Two tracks from 30 Seconds To Mars (Attack, The Kill), two tunes from All-American Rejects (Dirty Little Secret, Move Along) and one song from The Sounds (Song With A Mission), each for 80 Microsoft Points.

With LFS S2 important features have been added, dynamic camber (improved simulation of suspension and different suspension types), highly detailed tire physics and a damage model have been introduced. A new update/demo for the LFS S2 alpha has been released, making various changes, improving AI and physics, 2 updated tracks, and the Formula BMW FB02 car.

Pursuit Force brings Hollywood-style movie action to life by delivering high-speed vehicle chases, thrilling shootouts and new multiplayer capabilities, all in the quest for justice. In Take the role of a young rookie police officer, responsible for tracking down and thwarting five criminal gangs in and around Capital City.

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 issued a statement saying that The Force Unleashed is NOT coming to the PC after HMV recently started taking pre-orders in the UK.

Combat Mission: Shock Force is a tactical military simulation depicting a hypothetical near future conflict between NATO and Syrian forces in Syria. Paradox has released a new patch, bringing their download/retail version (not the Battlefront edition) to v1.05 which includes over 65 new game features, fixes, improvements and all new modding tools!

SS3: Arms For Victory is the 3rd installment in the RTS franchise, adding interface innovations, huge troop numbers and enormous map designs demonstrating that size does matter. Fireglow is working on an add-on focussed on the Ardennes Offensive with two campaigns playable for Germans and Allies, and another campaign playable for the German and Soviet sides. Multiplayer maps and new features will also be included. A free addon with two multiplayer maps and a single mission is also in the works.

This is not an early/misplaced April Fool's joke; 3D Realms' George Broussard revealed that tomorrow, it will release the first Duke Nukem Forever footage since 2001. At the company Christmas party, some 3D Realms employees surprised attendees with a teaser trailer. The decision was then made to share it with the public, and while it's just a teaser, rest assured that more is coming. Come back tomorrow around noon (CST), 10am (PST), or 7pm Euro time...

EA is introducing a new Need for Speed version that drives the racing/tuner series in a new direction, where you’re thrust to compete head to head against the best street racers in a multitude of racing showdowns. This v1.1 brings your retail game to v1.1, adding LAN multiplayer capabilities.

38 Studios, founded by Boston Red Sox pitcher Curt Schilling, announced that Michael Kosenski has been appointed Vice President of Product Development. Kosenski will oversee all aspects of the game development process, working closely with President and CEO Brett Close, Vice President of Creative Development Scott Cuthbertson, and CTO Jon Laff.

Soldier of Fortune Payback continues with the organization know as The Shop where players take on the role of a hired mercenary, blasting their way through high-intensity combat situations in the world's most dangerous hot spots in the Middle East, Africa, Asia and Eastern Europe.

Combat Mission: Shock Force is a tactical military simulation depicting a hypothetical near future conflict between NATO and Syrian forces in Syria. Battlefront has released a new patch, bringing their download/retail version (not the Paradox edition) to v1.05 which includes over 65 new game features, fixes, improvements and all new modding tools!

Consumer analysts at Turner Investment Partners concluded that casual games are catching the eyes (and fingers) of women, baby boomers and even seniors, giving video games the potential to be "one of the few retailing success stories in what may be a lackluster holiday shopping season." The company fails to mention the real casual games from companies like PopCap and Bigfish Games, and instead touts several high-profile companies of which it just happens to own shares.

Earlier this week, Harmonix accused Activision of blocking its software patch to make the PS3 version of Rock Band compatible with the GH3 peripherals. Today, Activision responded by issuing a statement blaming Harmonix for not accepting an "agreement" that would have allowed the use of Guitar Hero guitar controllers with Rock Band.

Soldier of Fortune Payback continues with the organization know as The Shop where you take on the role of a hired mercenary, blasting their way through high intensity combat situations in the world's most dangerous hot spots. Activision has teamed up with the GGL for the Ultimate Mercenary Tournament, with $15,000 in cash and prizes and an all-expense paid trip to New York City.

Need for Speed ProStreet boasts impeccable precision and impressively detailed photorealistic graphics, effectively transporting you to the center of the action. It pushes the "Autosculpt" technology to a new level, allowing you to directly impact your car's performance for the first time as well as personalize its appearance.