Microsoft Game Studios and Bungie Studios announced two new ways for gamers to receive an invitation to participate in the Halo 3 multiplayer beta program coming this spring through Xbox Live Marketplace.

The first Massive Multiplayer Online World Championships (MMOWC) concluded on December 15th in Miami Beach, Florida with former Swedish Counter Strike Champion Skalman beating U.S. Gamer Neomaven in a 90 minute head-to-head hunting event.

Crackdown pushes the action-driving hybrid genre into the next generation with the introduction of the first-ever truly 3-dimensional persistent playground, highly innovative co-op gameplay and an extensive prop interaction system all while taking place in a massive and highly-stylized urban center. Scanned pages from the latest GamePRO magazine reveal that Crackdown will, for a limited time only, include a Halo 3 mulipayer beta when it's released this February.

Activision announced that it will release two waves of Call of Duty 3 multiplayer maps after the holidays: a free infantry-based combat bonus map called Champs and a Valor Map Pack (800 Microsoft points) containing five new close-quarters action multiplayer maps playable online, split-screen or via system link.

Certain Affinity is a new development studio based in Austin, TX founded by Max Hoberman, former multiplayer team lead for Halo 2 and Halo 3 over at Bungie. Certain Affinity's first project is developing multiplayer maps for Halo 2, while currently also creating a new X360 title to be announced at a later date.

RoboBlitz is a fast-paced action game featuring puzzle-solving and unique physics-based weapons. Players blast through 15+ levels of high-intensity action as Blitz, a multi-talented robot on a mission to save its factory from a band of invading mechanical brains. in an interview with MajorNelson Naked Sky revealed multiplayer capability will be coming in a free addon, including additional content.

Call of Juarez is situated in 19th-century Wild West America and requires a combination of both intelligent stealth and pure shooting. Techland has released the first multiplayer map pack, adding 8 new maps to the game, ranging in size, player # and game mode.

The Halo 3 website has gone live, providing the first way for North American and European gamers to gain access to the Halo 3 public multiplayer beta on Xbox 360. This is not the only way Xbox 360 gamers will have access to the beta, and beta registration is not limited to a first-come-first-served basis, additional ways to gain access wioll be announced in the coming weeks.

On Monday December 4, 2006 Microsoft and Bungie launch the Halo 3 offensive with the unveiling of the official Halo 3 website, openinig sign-ups for the Halo 3 multiplayer beta, and simultaniously launching a new pre-rendered CGI TV ad which will air on ESPN's Monday Night Football between 8:50 pm and 9:20 pm EST, which will then be downloadable at Xbox.com.

War Front: Turning Point is a 3D WWII RTS set in an alternate reality where you take command of experimental weapons, prototype vehicles and units rarely seen in strategy games in an attempt to alter or secure the historical outcome of the war. This multiplayer demo features a tutorial, 2 playable sides, 2 maps (1vs1, 3vs3), and skirmish mode (vs AI)

Lost Planet is a sci-fi action shooter set within the merciless frozen tundra of a hostile planet, humans struggle for survival as conflicts arise between man, the surrounding indigenous creatures and the monstrous beings that have invaded. Capcom has released a 220mb multiplayer demo, allowing you to try out 1 map (unless you pre-order, then you get an unlock code for a 2nd map)

PRISM: Guard Shield is the commercial version that sets the world and environments that inspire the Army National Guard's game PRISM: Black Shield. This free full game includes 2 single player missions and 3 multiplayer levels, playable in co-operative, Death Match, and Team Death Match modes.

In Rainbow Six Vegas Rainbow operatives take to the chaotic streets of Las Vegas as an escalating terrorist siege in "Sin City" threatens to take world terrorism to new, uncontrollable heights. Ubisoft has released a 985MB MP demo, featuring Attack and Defend and Terro Hunt modes. Available only for Gold members, until 24th November.

Microsoft Game Studios and Bungie Studios today celebrated 5th Xbox Anniversary by announcing an Halo 3 Xbox Live multiplayer public beta, scheduled for spring 2007. Also On Dec. 4, a new Halo 3 trailer will be released, while next spring all-new Halo 2 multiplayer maps will be released.

Capcom announced that the Lost Planet: Extreme Condition multiplayer demo is scheduled for release on November 23.

Splinter Cell Double Agent will reinvent the spy action genre by introducing a double agent concept and a new breed of game play that adds an exciting new dimension to the gaming experience. Ubisoft has released a pair of demos, a single and multiplayer demo, allowing you to check out their recently released stealth action game.

Lost Planet is a sci-fi action shooter set within the merciless frozen tundra of a hostile planet, humans struggle for survival as conflicts arise between man, the surrounding indigenous creatures and the monstrous beings that have invaded. A flyer in the Gears of War retail box indicates that Capcom will release a multiplayer demo on Xbox Live, although no details as to when are mentioned...

The Perfect Dark Zero Platinum Hits Edition will feature six additional multiplayer maps, including four that are currently available only on Xbox Live Marketplace, and two brand new ones, Facility and Ruin map remakes from the original Perfect Dark, in one convenient package.

SpirOps announced that Ubisoft uses its Drive Oriented AI in the multiplayer version of Splinter Cell Double Agent, allowing virtual characters to learn independently how to live better and longer in their virtual world; adapting with evolutions in their virtual world and with the players’ actions.

Splinter Cell Double Agent will completely revolutionize and reinvent the spy action genre by introducing an unprecedented double agent concept and an entirely new breed of game play that adds an exciting new dimension to the gaming experience. Ubisoft has released a 700mb multiplayer demo, one map in versus mode, now available on Xbox Live Marketplace.

Europa Universalis III delves deeply into the areas of exploration, trade, warfare and diplomacy and is an epic strategy game where players take control of a nation and guide it through the ages to become a great global empire.

Originally to be announced through the GPG newsletter, a change of plans has moved up the multiplayer beta signups. Sign up at the Garage if you are interested in participating and submit the following information to be eligible. The beta test will start in a few weeks and instead of a first come, first serve basis, beta testers will be picked at random from the pool of entries.

PEA: Dunes of War is set during the battles of the African WW2 campaign, it’s about victory for both sides and your first duty is to ensure the survival of your comrades with victory as the ultimate goal. Jowood has released a patch for the Zootfly's Panzer Elite Action: Dunes of War multiplayer demo removing the time date limit on the demo, so now you can play forever - if you want to.

Quazal announced today that it has joined Epic Games’ Integrated Partners Program for Unreal Engine 3. Rendez-Vous and Spark! have been fully integrated into Unreal Engine 3 and is now available for licensing directly from Quazal.

JoWooD Productions and the ESL are inviting the toughest of you into the heat of the desert. Join your brothers in arms and compete in the huge Panzer Elite Action: Dunes of War Multiplayer-Demo Championship.