According to the ESA, computer and video games prove to be effective tools for simulating and training emergency responders for real-life disaster situations, but as the technology advances and the number of players expand, games may eventually play an even larger role in emergency response and preparedness.

BlazBlue: Calamity Trigger is a 2D fighter featuring twelve, extraordinarily detailed, hand-drawn characters in true HD glory, each with unique “Drive” attacks that can turn the tide of battle instantly.

Sony has rolled out new PlayStation Store content, starting with Puzzlegeddon, Final Fantasy VIII, demos for Gran Turismo 5 Time Trial Challenge, Army of TWO: The 40th, TV Show King, Guitar Hero Van Halen, Diner Dash, Puzzledeggon, DLCs for PAIN, SOCOM: U.S. Navy SEALs Confrontation, Brutal Legend, NBA 10, song packs for Guitar Hero 5, The Beatles, Rock Band 2; and the usual game/movie trailers, PS3 themes, downloadable PSP games (BUZZ! Quiz World, Sega Rally Revo, Metal Gear Solid: Portable Ops Plus, F1 2009, Ridge Racer).

Are you still looking for a last-minute holiday gift? Do you want a little treat for yourself? Add some fun to your holidays without breaking your budget... with the PopCap 50% off Holiday Sale! That's right, every download game is on sale — including some of its biggest hits: Plants vs. Zombies, Bookworm Adventures Volume 2, Zuma's Revenge!, and dozens of others.

GameShastra revealed its forthcoming line-up for PSP Go, WiiWare, and PC. Over the next few months, 12 new titles will be released across the various formats  - to complement the two already published - as the company completes its move from independent developer to publisher.

Microsoft is celebrating the launch of its new Games on Demand service by offering the games below for 50% off! These prices will last until January 4, 2010, so jump on the chance to pick up some great games at a great price!

Now through Dec. 26, Target is offering $10 off on 20 top video game titles, including Uncharted 2 (PS3), Madden 2010 (Xbox 360 and PS3), WWE 2010 Smackdown V. Raw (Xbox 360 and PS3) and many more.

Let Xbox Live Marketplace fill your December with holiday surprises, as starting Dec. 18 through Dec. 31 you can enjoy limited time, one-day discounts on select Xbox Live  Marketplace content every day XBLA titles, Games on Demand, movies, add-ons, holiday themes, you name it!

Many museums have explored art inspired by video games, but The Art of Video Games will be the first to examine comprehensively the evolution of video games themselves as an artistic medium.

Good Game Productions, a new gaming development and production company founded byK2 Network's Grantley Day, will specialize in bringing existing free-to-play PC MMO's to the rapidly emerging social platform mediums such as iPhone and Facebook.

Xbox announces the return of Xtival - the ultimate online party weekender. FREE to all, from 27th to 29th November via Xbox  LIVE, Xtival will feature a live gig from the ongoing US Tour by Tiësto, as well as delivering a raft of exciting entertainment to Xbox users from the comfort of their sofas.

A 16-week comprehensive research study conducted by Academic researchers at the University of North Carolina Wilmington (UNCW) concluded that educational video games positively influence student achievement and significantly affect student attitudes and self-efficacy toward the study of mathematics.

In a vast open world environment, Assassin's Creed II invites players to incarnate Ezio, a privileged young noble in Renaissance Italy who's been betrayed by the rival ruling families of Italy, and seeking vengeance.

With three overall medals, TEAM USA placed eighth at the World Cyber Games 2009 Grand Final in Chengdu, China. As over 82,000 spectators from around the globe cheered and watched the excitement, TEAM USA took silver and bronze medals in Guitar Hero: World Tour while taking the bronze in Red Stone.

Activision announced the appointments of former Visceral Games execs Glen A. Schofield as VP/GM and Michael Condrey as VP/COO of its newest internal studio Sledgehammer Games, currently developing a new, unannounced title.

Following the phenomenal worldwide popularity of Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Games, which has sold over 10 million copies worldwide, this fresh gaming experience will feature completely new Olympic Winter Games events from the official competition schedule including Alpine Skiing and Speed Skating with more events announced throughout the year.

Following the phenomenal worldwide popularity of Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Games, which has sold over 10 million copies worldwide, this fresh gaming experience will feature completely new Olympic Winter Games events from the official competition schedule including Alpine Skiing and Speed Skating with more events announced throughout the year.

Crave Entertainment has entered into an agreement with Discovery Communications to develop and produce video games based on Man vs. Wild and Deadliest Catch. The games let players experience the excitement of surviving in the world's toughest jungles and deserts as seen in the Man vs. Wild series, and battle the pounding storms of the Bering Sea as crab fishermen in Deadliest Catch.

Players can take their Sims on new journeys to famous real-world inspired destinations around the globe for the first time ever and seek out new adventures. While exploring the landmarks of an exotic city, there is no telling what the Sims will find.

China's video game industry regulator the General Administration of Press and Publication (GAPP) and copyright watchdog issued a circular on Saturday prohibiting foreign investment in domestic online gaming operations through joint ventures, wholly owned enterprises and cooperatives, while also disallowing foreign firms from indirectly influencing gaming firms through agreements or technology support.

By saying on a video game site that Digital Rights Management (DRM) sucks, I'm preaching to the choir. We've all heard the stories about and, in some cases, experienced StarForce, SecuROM and other schemes of various effectiveness to prevent the piracy of video games.

Formed by Bungie alumni Michel Bastien, Damián Isla, and Rob Stokes, Moonshot is dedicated to exploring the uncharted spaces of high-quality downloadable games, bringing to those worlds our years of experience with AAA productions.

Medieval Games is a collection of mini games set in a storybook medieval world, offering players a unique game play experience with a timeless theme. Battle dragons, storm the castle, or joust your way through the tournament championship as you compete in a variety of game modes.

Colin McRae: DiRT 2 benefits from tuned-up car-handling physics system, a new damage engine effects, a new level of visual fidelity, with cars and tracks twice as detailed as those seen in the original, as well as a roster of off-road events, taking players to the most diverse and challenging real-world environments.

Matrix Games and cdv Software Entertainment USA have signed a publishing agreement to bring multiple acclaimed cdv Software Entertainment titles to the Matrix Games community.