Yesterday it came to light that Activision Blizzard would not be attending the E3 Media & Business Summit 2008 (as well as not renewing its ESA membership altogether) and while the exhibitors list seemed to be incomplete, NCSoft and Foundation 9 confirmed they are not attending either. While id Software themselves seem to be uncertain (first confirmed, then retracted it) Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment issued a statement making clear that in spite of not being on the list, it will be attending E3.

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:

• The Bourne Conspiracy [PS3/X360] - Falling Music Video
• Metal Gear Solid 4 [PS3] - Playable Flashback Trailer
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  We will update this throughout the day when new trailers become available. Read more for download links ...

The ESA has sent out the invites for the E3 Media & Business Summit will be held July 15-17, 2008, but has once again moved from last year's Santa Monica location to good old Los Angeles Convention Center (LACC). While certain companies could still be in negotiations, the exhibitors list is blatantly missing various high-profile companies, such as Activision/Blizzard, Bethesda and Warner Bros. NCSoft had already announced last year they would not be present.

Sony has rolled out new PlayStation Store content, starting with the release of its PS3/PSP puzzle game echochrome ($9.99), Smashing Pumpkins and The Mother Hips tracks for Rock Band ($1.99/each), and more Karaoke Revolution Presents: American Idol Encore downloadable songs ($1.99/each). Also available are a new demo for Digital Extremes' Dark Sector, the usual slew of new game/movie trailers, and wallpaper/themes.

Mario and all his much loved pals are planning to make a return in this definitive version of Mario Kart, where you will have to master a host of 16 new tracks in addition to 16 classic tracks from previous Mario Kart games. Every few weeks, a new tournament will appear on the Mario Kart Channel, each time a different challenge with different rules.

Rockstar's open-ended crime series has arrived on the next-gen consoles with Grand Theft Auto IV, returning the franchise to New York situated around the mysterious protagonist Nikolai. As predicted GTA IV has eclipsed the previous record set by GTA: San Andreas in 2004 (501k units). On launch day, Tuesday April 29, GTA IV sold 609k units in the UK, lead by the X360 version with 335K copies and the PS3 edition with 274K units.

Final Fantasy XI takes you into the world of Vana'diel during the aftermath of a great war, as you answer a desperate call to defend your people. The 2008 Edition of the first cross-platform MMO game contains all four expansion packs, Rise of the Zilart, Chains of Promathia, Treasures of Aht Urghan and the latest expansion pack Wings of the Goddess.

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:

• Trainz: The Complete Collection - Trailer
• Goin´ Downtown - Trailer
• Sacred 2: Fallen Angel [X360/PC] - Blind Guardian Trailer
• LEGO Indiana Jones: The Original Adventures [ALL] - Trailer #3
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  We will update this throughout the day when new trailers become available. Read more for download links ...

Aggression: Reign over Europe spans 4 decades, from 1910 until 1950, and offers players the chance to change the outcome of both World Wars, start the Cold War and decide which country will come out on top to dominate Europe.

War Leaders: Clash of Nations places gamers in the roles of the major leaders of WWII, including Roosevelt, Churchill and Stalin. Political, diplomatic and economic decision making will be key to success, while sound tactical strategies will ensure victory on the battlefield. This v1.2 patch improves stability, performance, AI, path finding, and various other fixes & tweaks.

Fatal Inertia mixes street racing, demolition derbies and rallying with a futuristic setting where machines no longer need wheels and the laws of physics govern all. Last year's X360 version launched with underwhelming success, so KOEI has further optimized the game, added new features, and plans to release it on as a download on Playstation Network late May for $29.99.

World War II General Commander - Operation: Watch on the Rhine is a real time operational strategy game that breaks with the conventional way of playing and puts the player in an authentic WWII tactical and strategical decision making simulation.

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:

• WALL-E [ALL] - Trailer
• Etrian Odyssey II: Heroes of Lagaard [NDS] - Trailer #2
• Race Driver GRID [ALL] - Le Mans Trailer
• City Life 2008 - Trailer
• Assault Heroes 2 [X360] - Trailer (3)
• Rayman Raving Rabbids 3 [Wii] - Wii Board Trailer
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  We will update this throughout the day when new trailers become available. Read more for download links ...

Cryptic Studios' Champions Online, their first ever self-developed and self-published MMORPG, is based on the popular pen-and-paper Champions RPG, giving players the power of total customization of their hero experience while they explore a vast universe of richly detailed 3D environments.

Ubisoft announced that Kiev, Ukraine, has been chosen as the location of its latest internal development studio, representing Ubisoft’s 3rd studio in Eastern Europe, and the 5th new studio in the last few months.

The world's only exhibition that brings together experts from the fine art establishment and the interactive entertainment industry to explore the art of the video game, Into the Pixel today announced that it is accepting submissions for the 2008 collection

In addition to a new campaign that ties up the Dread Lords saga, GalCiv II: Twilight of the Arnor adds civilization-specific technology trees and planetary improvements that add even more flavor to each alien race, while greatly expanding the strategic depth of the game.

Robert Ludlum's The Bourne Conspiracy is a 3rd person espionage action game where players move from fistfights to firefights to experience sequences that seamlessly blend Bourne's signature hand-to-hand combat with intense shooting and the ability to escape and evade deadly situations. Many wonder why Matt Damon is not part of the project, and according to High Moon's Meelad Sadat, the actor thinks the game is too violent and thus declined.

Dungeon Explorer: Warriors of Ancient Arts will feature a unique story with epic battles, an all new assortment of weapons and many unique fighting styles. Like the classic game, the new versions will feature deep and customizable multiplayer adventuring.

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:

• Iron Man [ALL] - Behind The Scenes Trailer #4
• The Bourne Conspiracy [PS3/X360] - Attract Trailer
• Doodle Hex [NDS/Wii] - Runes Tutorial
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  We will update this throughout the day when new trailers become available. Read more for download links ...

Gumpanela Entertainment's Refusion fully combines FPS and RTS, running on a unique and completely new engine. Bringing top FPS graphics and physics quality allows Refusion players to engage hundreds of diverse units in extensive, borderless battlefields.

SOCOM Confrontation focuses on online play and the global community and clans that support it, with support for Tournaments, Clan Ladders, and Leader Boards. Additionally, players will be able to modify their appearance through facial and physical customization.

JoWooD announced it is soliciting proposals from independent developers who wish to create a new Action RPG game for Xbox 360, PS3 and PC, based on one of JoWooD’s established brands, known for its epic background story as well as exceptional graphics and polish. Deadline for the submission is May, 16th 2008.

Samurai Warriors 2 is a beat-'em-up features 20 characters to select from, each offering different ways of fighting, no load times when the action changes from interior to exterior battles, and new combo configurations and better special attacks. KOEI continues its recent trend of bringing its lineup to PC.

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:

• Windchaser - Trailer [German]
• World in Conflict: Soviet Assault [PS3/X360/PC] - Trailer #2
• Battlefield Heroes - Trailer #2
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  We will update this throughout the day when new trailers become available. Read more for download links ...