EA has released the first patch for the Xbox 360 version of Battle For Middle-Earth 2. The v1.01 patch is available through Xbox Live, and addresses a few technical issues, the most notable being the multiplayer issue regarding users disconnecting during multiplayer matches and not receiving a loss for foul play.

Microsoft announced that on Tuesday September 19th from 0200-0500 PST Xbox Live will be offline for maintenance. As a result, the ‘My Xbox’ section of Xbox.com will be unavailable, and you'll be able to read but not post in the Xbox.com forums. This is just routine maintenance, no new features are going to be implemented.

SEGA announced today that it has signed a development agreement with Vancouver based Deep Fried Entertainment for multiple PSP titles. An independent studio since 2005, Deep Fried Entertainment consists of 5 industry veterans responsible for titles such as Need for Speed: Underground 1 & 2, NFL Gameday, and Baldur's Gate.

Scanner Technologies today announced it has filed a lawsuit in the United States District Court, Eastern District of Texas against nVidia claiming willful and deliberate infringement of U.S. Patents which disclose methods of three-dimensional inspection that allow ball grid array ("BGA") devices to be manufactured more precisely and efficiently.

Sierra and NovaLogic today announced that they have entered a co-publishing agreement for the PS2 exclusive first-person shooter Delta Force Black Hawk Down: Team Sabre.

Nintendo just announced at its conference in London that the Wii will launch in Europe on December 8, for 249 Euro. Europe will get the same bundle, console, one Wii remote, one Nunchuck, 5 Wii Sports titles as North America. At launch there will be approximately 15 - 20 titles such as Red Steel, Rayman, Need for Speed Carbon, Tony Hawk, Super Monkey Ball, with a price range from 49 - 59 Euros.

Nintendo Wii will arrive in Australia on December 7th, and will retail for $399.95. The price includes one wireless Wii Remote controller, one Nunchuk controller and five different Wii Sports games on one disc, which anyone can play using simple movements, experienced or not.

Joint Task Force is a story of modern war where players match superior tactics and military technology against dangerous unconventional forces around the globe. Sierra has released the first patch, bringing your retail gamr to v1.1 and adds 2 new multiplayer maps, and fixes to random errors, improved mission load times, driver updates, and other updates.

The US Army has released a new updated version for America's Army: Special Forces (Overmatch). This upgrade brings their team-based multiplayer game to v2.7 and includes new mp/co-op maps, vehicles, weapons, and the usual tweaks, bug and game crash fixes. Read more for details and download links ...

An article from the Seattle Post-Intelligencer referring to tomorrow's NY Times reveals Nintendo will announce that the Wii will be available Nov. 19 for $250 and will include Wii Sports titles (tennis, golf, baseball and bowling) bundled with the console. On top of that, it also reveals that there will be 25 to 30 Wii games available this year, including Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess, and they will be priced at $50. Wii will be able to browse the web, and classic downloadable games will cost $5-10.

Apple's latest version of its online music and video store, iTunes 7 offers more TV series, music and now also movies for download, but our main point of interest is the fact that it now also allows you to download casual games to play on your 5th generation iPods, including EAs Tetris, Mahjong and Mini Golf, Pac-Man from Namco and PopCap Games' Bejeweled, Zuma, for $4.99 each.

As an aspiring Underworld figure, spread corruption throughout the galaxy using new strategic gameplay elements to influence other factions, steal their funds, slow their production, spy on them and more, all en route to becoming the most notorious criminal leader since Jabba the Hutt.

SCEA today announced that, starting Sept. 13, the PSP Entertainment Pack, will include a PSP system along with off-road racing game ATV Offroad Fury: Blazin' Trails, the "Lords of Dogtown" UMD movie, and a Sony 1GB Memory Stick Pro Duo, all for $249.99.

Nival Interactive today announced that 20 year industry veteran Joss Ellis has joined the company as Nival’s Head of Studios. Ellis will shepherd the growth of Nival’s highly regarded product development and asset outsourcing studios.

SpaceForce 2, developed by Provoxgames, is a space simulation game with a heavy focus on ship development, an immersive Universe and freedom of choice.

Commandos Strike Force takes you right into the heart of the action from a first person perspective. Take control of the three members of the 'Strike Force' unit, each with their own play style. However, it is up to you how you execute plans of attack by combining the Commandos' unique skills.

Groove Games today announced Bedlam, a new flagship studio dedicated to the development of triple-A games based on original intellectual property. Bedlam's mission is to create innovative gameplay experiences born of exceptional design and realized by a world-class team in an unparalleled work environment.

Need for Speed Carbon delivers the next generation of adrenaline-filled street racing and will challenge players to face the ultimate test of driving skill on treacherous canyon roads. EA released a partial list of cars that will be available in NFS Carbon.

Stardock Entertainment announced today that Wargaming's futuristic global-domination strategy game, Massive Assault, will be distributed digitally via its digital-distribution service TotalGaming.net

Microsoft is feeling extra sociable this month and offering European gamers a chance to experience Xbox Live for over a week, absolutely free, from 20th to 29th September, 2006.

Need for Speed Carbon delivers the next generation of adrenaline-filled street racing and will challenge players to face the ultimate test of driving skill on treacherous canyon roads.

For Liberty! is a turn based computer strategy game for the PC, covering two wars of independence - the American Revolution (1775-1783) and the Rakoczi War of Independence in Europe 1703-1711. This v1.60 patch fixes all known and reported game issues as well as adding a ton of new game features, gameplay additions and improvements to the A.I.

A message in the community chat forum reveals that a BFME v1.05 patch has been submitted for final testing and is expected in the next 2 weeks. The new patch adds massive balance changes, and EA has revealed partial details on fixes for the, so far, underwhelming Mordor side. Read more for partial fix list ...

Pompolic: Call for Heroes, developed by Quotix Software, is a third-person action game with RPG elements placed in a fantasy world.

Fasten your seatbelt and be prepared for the race of your life as Formula One 06 brings players a brand new gaming experience, allowing you to get closer to the sport than ever before, and take part in the 2006 FIA Formula One World Championship and truly interact with the sport.