Nov. 15, 2002 was the official launch date of Xbox Live in North America, and next week is the service's fifth anniversary. Instead of throwing a party that only a few hundred people can attend, Microsoft decided to do all its celebrating on Xbox LIVE itself with a handful events and tons of prizes.

IDDK and G5 Software announce a new tank simulation to be set during the Second World War. WWII Battle Tanks: T-34 vs. Tiger tells the story of the great triumph of the Soviet Army during the summer campaign of 1944.

Valve has released an updated Source SDK through Steam with content and tools to create custom games for Half-Life 2: Ep. Two, Portal, and Team Fortress 2, as well as continued use for other Source engine-based games, such as Half-Life 2: Ep. One and Counter-Strike: Source.

Gran Turismo 5 Prologue, a prequel to the full GT 5 release, will be available for download, and on Blu-ray. GT 5 Prologue will sport improved AI, and for the first time include multiplayer up to 16 cars, with integrated with online features, such as a profile editor and an online event calendar.

As the Nov. 20 launch date for Bioware's sci-fi action-RPG Mass Effect draws nigh, Microsoft teams up with Sci-Fi TV channel for a 30-minute 'Sci vs. Fi: Mass Effect' special, sweepstakes, as well as premiering the two-hour extended episode of Battlestar Galactica: Razor in select movie theaters. A new micro-site was launched, and a soundtrack is now available for pre-order.

Beowulf is a combat-driven action adventure game set in the realms of Nordic mythology. It tells the story of a daring hero, Beowulf, and his adventures in the times of the early Viking age. Ahead of its launch next week, Ubisoft has already released the first patch, fixing shaders load time, and a Windows Vista display bug.

Space Empires V completely updates the user interface, and takes the player into a real-time rendered 3D universe. Watch space battles play out in glorious detail with realistic effects. This v1.58 patch version is for the European version of Space Empires V.

Huxley is an MMOFPS utilizing the Unreal Engine 3 that takes place in a post-apocalyptic world. Human beings have mutated and are divided into two opposing races, Sapiens and Alternative, who are forced to battle against one another to gain control of the world and its resources. The second stage of testing will take place from Dec. 13-17, 2007, in Korea.

Initially, Take Two pinned the GTA IV release to Oct. 2007, assuring there would be no delay, while delaying it shortly thereafter to the more ambiguous Q1 2008. At the BMO Capital Markets Interactive Entertainment Conference, CEO Strauss Zelnick went even further and took the "When It's Done" attitude, saying, "we weren't able to stick to our firm date the last time. We're going to give a firm date when we are utterly convinced that we have it and that isn't right now."

Revealed a few days ago, Microsoft unveiled new parental tools as part of the second year of the "Safety is no game. Is your family set?" campaign. The Family Timer will enable parents to set the appropriate amount of gaming and entertainment time on the X360 for their kids, on a daily or weekly basis.

NinjaBee announced the release of Band of Bugs, for PC gamers. The turn-based strategy title, originally released and made popular on Xbox LIVE Arcade, will be available Dec. 3 for download and play on PC.

While continuing in the popular vein the original Sudden Strike is so famous for, 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.

Sony Europe announced the availability of the latest version of the PS3 system software. Version 2.00 features the ability to turn a PS3 system on and off remotely, using a PSP system via the Remote Play1 function, allowing for a truly mobile partnership between the two systems.

Another day, another batch of games shipped to stores. Instead of giving them all their own posts, we grouped them, and so far there are announcements for:

• Bladestorm: The Hundred Years' War (PS3/X360)
• Scene It? Lights, Camera, Action (X360)
• Guitar Hero / Guitar Hero II Bundle (PS2)
• Panzer Tactics DS (NDS)
• 
  We will update this throughout the day when new announcements become available. Read more for details ...

Kane & Lynch: Dead Men is a violent and chaotic journey of two men — a flawed mercenary and a medicated psychopath — and their brutal attitude towards right and wrong. This volatile partnership combined with innovative technologies allow for an unparalleled gaming experience.

SouthPeak Games announced a studio license agreement with Epic Games for use of the Unreal Engine 3 in the development of its upcoming video game titles worldwide, across all major platforms including downloadable content.

The Secret Files 2 is a point-and-click adventure game based on the mysterious phenomenon around thw world. Sequel to Secret Files: Tunguska, the sequel takes on a different mystery, in a totally different location...

Through a new in-school program Nintendo of America has teamed up with The National Institute of Aerospace and Nortel LearniT to use basic characters and themes from Pokemon Diamond / Pearl to teach elementary and middle school students about science.

Atari has finally submitted its delayed quarterly financial report for the first quarter ended June 30, 2007, and it's not looking good. Net revenue is down from last year's $19.5 million to $10.4M, while net loss was $11.9M compared to $7.3M during the same period last year. Atari stated that it has "substantial doubt about ability to continue as a going concern."

ET: QW pits the armies of Earth against the invading alien Strogg in this online strategic shooter. Featuring team play, persistent character promotions, day and nighttime missions, and the universe's most powerful weapons and vehicles.

Become Mario as he traverses a galaxy of gravities, traveling in and out of gravitational fields by blasting from planet to planet. Players experience dizzying perspective shifts as they run upside down through wild alien worlds that need to be seen to be believed.

Currently still working on Universe at War for SEGA, Petroglyph Studios, also known for Star Wars Empire, might be jumping on the MMO bandwagon, as its jobs recruitment page has a current listing for an "MMO Game Designer" who is "responsible for understanding, refining, maintaining, and disseminating the game design vision, game design, mission building, gameplay balancing, and game proposal development of a Massive Multiplayer Online Game." (Thanks VE3D)

World in Conflict is an RTS that delivers action and coordinated team play amidst a showdown between the Soviet Union and the US, with completely destructible 3D battlefields, aggressive team-based multiplayer. Massive is already working on a new v1.003 patch, adding new functionality, unit balancing and various bug/crash fixes.

Feel the unmatched speed and intensity of the real-life sport with an authentic physics engine and intuitive gameplay that mimics the exhilarating experience found in international competition.

The New International Track & Field features over 20 different athletic events, with several unlockable characters from other Konami franchises, such as Pyramid Head from Silent Hill 2 and Sparkster from Rocket Knight Adventures.