Video game industry veterans Nick Koziupa (Rainbow Studios), Brian Westergaard (Neversoft Entertainment, Rainbow Studios, High Voltage Software) and Dave Eberly (Gamebryo architect ) have announced the launch of Azo Studios, and plan to develop video games and middleware solutions for console, PC, and handheld devices.

Resistance: Retribution is a 3rd person adventure with an all new story, levels, weapons and enemies, as well as a proprietary targeting system and game engine that pushes the system to its limit, allowing more detailed characters, special effects, and terrain that captures the look and feel of the Resistance universe. Amazon is offering fans who pre-order before Jan. 12, 2009 will receive a download code for the demo before its Feb. 24 launch.

UCCE includes new and improved technologies from all previous Battlecruiser / Universal Combat titles as well as various other enhancements and content.

After a few weeks of deliberation and voting, our top games of 2008 are finally being unveiled! We're starting with titles that garnered honorable mentions; these nominees received a significant amount of votes but fell just short of making the cut. Come back tomorrow for the top handheld and downloadable titles, which will then be followed by the top console/PC offerings. Once that's out of the way, we'll start the countdown of the top 20 titles, including what WP considers to be the best game of 2008.

Emergent has integrated Illuminate Labs’ Beast system with its Gamebryo development platform, complementing its animation system by adding the ability to quickly create complex, highly-detailed light maps with advanced global illumination.

Resistance: Retribution is a 3rd person adventure with an all new story, levels, weapons and enemies, as well as a proprietary targeting system and game engine that pushes the system to its limit, allowing more detailed characters, special effects, and terrain that captures the look and feel of the Resistance universe.

Bionic Commando features Nathan Spencer (voiced by Faith No More's Mike Patton), a government operative who represents the ultimate fusion of man and machine. After distinguishing himself in a fierce conflict against the Imperials, Spencer is betrayed and falsely imprisoned by the very people he unquestioningly served.

Sony has rolled out new PlayStation Store content, starting with Pulse 12/23 Edition (free), Lumines Supernova ($14.99), DLCs for BUZZ! Quiz TV ($7.99), High Velocity Bowling (free), Hot Shots Golf, LittleBigPlanet Metal Gear Solid ($1.99), PAIN, Disgaea 3 Adell DLC ($1.99), The Lord of the Rings: Conquest Demo, song packs for Guitar Hero World Tour, Rock Revolution, Karaoke Revolution Presents: American Idol Encore 2, Rock Band, and the usual game/movie trailers and PS3 themes.

The Witcher Enhanced Edition, CD Projekt's action/RPG, adds changes to the game's mechanics, better graphics, shorter load times, improved stability, the recently released D'jinni mod editor, two new adventures, making of DVD, two soundtracks, etc.

Combat Mission: Shock Force is a tactical military simulation depicting a hypothetical near future conflict between NATO and Syrian forces in Syria. This v1.11 patch adds improved pathfinding, AI tweaks, smoother Internet play, and various game performance increases and much more...

'League of Legends: Clash of Fates' Champions #3 - Screens

Another day, another batch of game trailers was released. Instead of giving them all their own posts, we grouped them, and so far there are trailers for:

• X-Blades [PS3/X360/PC] - Gameplay Trailer
• Guitar Hero: Metallica [ALL] - Teaser Trailer
• Battlestations : Pacific [X360/PC] - Trailer
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  We will update this throughout the day when new trailers become available. Read more for download links ...

Another day, another batch of game trailers was released. Instead of giving them all their own posts, we grouped them, and so far there are trailers for:

• Dragon Age: Origins [PC] - Bringing the Grey Wardens to Life Trailer
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  We will update this throughout the day when new trailers become available. Read more for download links ...

Combining the most exciting aspects of action, fighting and strategy games, Dynasty Warriors 6 Empires for X360 and PS3 was originally planned to make its debut in Japan early 2009, but concerns about quality issues have caused a delay, which is expected to push back the North American and European launch as well.

Another day, another batch of game trailers was released. Instead of giving them all their own posts, we grouped them, and so far there are trailers for:

• Memento Mori [PC] - Trailer #6
• Theatre of War 2 [PC] - Faid Pass Trailer [5]
• Big Bang Mini [NDS] - Trailer #2
• The Sims 3 [PC] - Create-A-Sim Trailer #2
• Afro Samurai [PS3/X360] - Gameplay Sequence (3)
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  We will update this throughout the day when new trailers become available. Read more for download links ...

SF IV features a mix of returning favorites (Ryu, Ken, Chun-Li etc.) along with new characters created for this game, such as Crimson Viper, Abel, El Fuerte, and Rufus. Characters and environments are rendered in stylized 3D, while the game is played in the classic 2D perspective with additional 3D camera flourishes.

Taking place shortly after the events portrayed in the first Two Worlds, The Temptation takes place in Eastern Antaloor, in the regions surrounding Oswaroh and the Drak’ar Desert. Featuring more intricate missions, improved voice-overs and animations, retooled horseback riding, completely revamped combat, and a new game engine.

PDC World Championship Darts 2009 completely rebuilds it’s Wii Remote throwing method, comes with greatly improved graphics, includes new game modes, and new champions to challenge.

Earlier this month EA's financial situation indicated there would be layoffs, title cancellations, mergers and various other cutbacks, one of them being scrapping the plans for its new 20,000-square-foot facility in Vancouver, Canada. EA has now further detailed the cutbacks, revealing it will consolidate or close at least nine studios and publishing locations, and lay off 10% of its workforce. The Black Box development teams and associated game franchises will move to the nearby EA studio location.

7Million is a free to play MMO in the exciting world of spectacular heists, daring thieves and glamorous lady larcenists, featuring action filled puzzle games, cool, fully customizable characters and challenging missions – delivered in true style, of course. Wannabe mobsters who would like to take part in the closed beta test can sign up here, which has been expanded due to high interest.

Battlestations: Pacific features a massive U.S. and Japanese single player campaign that offers a unique blend of action and strategy. Players must plan their moves carefully on huge open-world arenas and fight in the air, above sea and underwater to relive some of the most hard-fought battles in WWII history.

In Banjo-Kazooie: Nuts & Bolts the Lord of the Games is tired of the petty squabbling between Banjo and the evil witch Gruntilda over the years, and has arranged a showdown to decide the rightful owner of Spiral Mountain. Rare announced a contest to recognize the top seven user generated contraptions created, with the winning creations to be added in the game.

Sony has rolled out new PlayStation Store content, starting with Crash Commando ($9.99), Penny Arcade Adventures Ep. 2 ($14.99), Castlevania Chronicles ($5.99), Rayman 2 ($5.99), DLCs for LittleBigPlanet (free/$1.99), High Velocity Bowling (free/$0.99), Hot Shots Golf: OoB ($2.99), demos for MGS 4/Sonic Unleashed, song packs for Guitar Hero World Tour, Rock Revolution, Karaoke Revolution Presents: American Idol Encore 2, Rock Band, and the usual game/movie trailers and PS3 themes.

QuakeCon 2009 will take place Aug. 13-16, 2009 in Dallas, TX at the Hilton Anatole Hotel, and as always, this event is free to all attendees thanks to the support of the QuakeCon volunteer staff, id Software, and the event sponsors and exhibitors. While you can already book your room, the event registration won't start until March 2009.

Maxis and Z Corporation announced that fans of EA's life simulation game Spore can now transplant their unique creatures into the real world as “Spore Sculptures” through Z Corporation’s 3D printing technology.