It came as no great surprise, but today during its pre-E3 press conference Microsoft announced that Gears of War is to be released as a Games for Windows title later this year.

Epic Games’ Cliff Blezinsky took to the stage to demo a short section from the new PC version of Gears, showcasing a new battle in which players take on the massive Brumak. The demo also showed the game’s integration of Games for Windows LIVE with Cliiffy inviting a friend to join him in co-op.

Read more

Despite critical acclaim, Viva Piñata for Xbox 360 didn’t set cash registers on fire, but this hasn’t stopped Microsoft from porting the game to the PC platform.

Today, during its E3 press briefing, Microsoft announced that Viva Piñata is to be released as a Games for Windows title. No version-specific details have been revealed at this time.

Read more

Despite the phenomenal success of Gears of War on Xbox 360, Epic Games’ Unreal Tournament III has been confirmed as a timed exclusive for PS3 and PC this November. The Xbox 360 version will hit stores early in 2008.

Rein told GameSpot that the PC and PS3 versions are coming first because the "PS3 and PC version of the games are compatible, because Sony has an open-source platform", and laughed off suggestions that Sony had bought the timed exclusive.

Read more

At 4:30 am Microsoft’s Peter Moore took to the stage to present the first of this year’s pre-E3 media briefings. 90 minutes later it’s plainly obvious that Microsoft has an extremely impressive Holiday 2007 line-up, but what lies ahead isn’t so clear. The platform holder decided to focus entirely on games due this year, meaning there were no real surprises, but a lot of excellent games.

The show opened with a group of Libertyville teenagers playing the Halo theme live on stage, before Moore took over and proceeded to take part in a Rock Band live demo. Never one to hide, Moore took a Guitar and played through, despite a rather off-pitch performance by the woman on vocals.

Read more

Following an extremely impressive on stage demo of Call of Duty 4 for Xbox 360, Infinity Ward announced that something special is heading exclusively to Xbox 360.

Although Call of Duty 4 is coming to PS3, PC and Xbox 360, the Xbox 360 is getting an exclusive multiplayer beta. Further info regarding the beta should be released soon, with Infinity Ward informing the excited audience that charlieoscardelta.com is the place for the most up to date news.

Read more

First released back in March 2006 for PC and Xbox 360, The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion has gone on to win critical and commercial success. Earlier this year a PlayStation 3 version was also released, in addition to the game’s first fully-fledged expansion: Shivering Isles.

Bethesda has now announced that Oblivion: Game of the Year Edition will be released in September and will include the original version of Oblivion plus Shivering Isles and Knights of the Nine.

Read more

Spark Unlimited has announced that Gamecock Media Group will publish their new PC and next-gen console FPS, Legendary: The Box.

Legendary: The Box tells the story of Charles Deckard, an art thief who is conned into stealing Pandora’s Box. Upon opening the box, Deckard releases hordes of beasts such as werewolves and gryphons into an unprepared world. This begins a full scale war between man and beast, with further complications thanks to the actions of powerful secret societies.

Read more

Ronaldo is regarded as one of the most exciting talents in the modern game and has earned awards including PFA 2007 Player and Young Player of the Year. The deal with Konami will see Ronaldo appearing on the packing and point of sale materials for PAL versions of PES 2008 alongside specially selected local talent.

PES 2008 will be released in the autumn for PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, PlayStation 2, PSP, PC and Nintendo DS.

Pro Evolution Soccer 2008 Game Information

• Platforms: PS3, Xbox 360, PS2, PC, PSP, DS
• Publisher: Konami
• Release Date: October 2007
• Rating: TBA

Read more

Leisure software charts compiled by Chart Track, (C)2001 ELSPA Ltd
Entertainment Software (All Prices) Week 27, 2007

1: HARRY POTTER & THE ORDER OF THE PHOENIX
2: MORE BRAIN TRAINING FROM DR KAWASHIMA
3: SHREK THE THIRD
4: THE DARKNESS
5: RESIDENT EVIL 4
6: WII PLAY
7: TOM CLANCY’S RAINBOW SIX: VEGAS
8: FORZA MOTORSPORT 2
9: PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN: AT WORLD’S END
10: DR KAWASHIMA’S BRAIN TRAINING
11: COOKING MAMA
12: SPIDER-MAN 3
13: PRO EVOLUTION SOCCER 6
14: TIGER WOODS PGA TOUR 07
15: VIRTUA TENNIS 3
16: FANTASTIC 4: RISE OF THE SILVER SURFER
17: OVERLORD
18: TOMB RAIDER: ANNIVERSARY
19: NINJA GAIDEN: SIGMA
20: COLIN MCRAE: DIRT

Read more

At a Sensible World of Soccer tournament staged in London yesterday, Codemasters revealed to Pro-G that there’s still several months to wait before fans can get their hands on Sensi for Xbox LIVE Arcade.

Sensible World of Soccer 96-97 is scheduled for release on August 29, just weeks after the FA Premiership 2007-2008 season kicks off. Codemasters also revealed that the game will be priced 800 Microsoft Points.

Read more

A few days ago EA announced that Michael Giacchino had composed the soundtrack for its upcoming WWII FPS Medal of Honor: Airborne. Amongst the usual press padding at the end of the document was information detailing the game’s release date, listing the PC and Xbox 360 versions for European release on August 28.

The bad news for PlayStation 3 gamers is that EA also announced that the PS3 version will now ship in November, some 2-3 months later than the PC and Xbox 360 versions.

Read more

Ghost Recon Advanced Warfighter 2 has been impressing Xbox 360 gamers for several months, but Ubisoft has now given PC gamers their first chance to see what all the fuss is about.

Although sharing the same name, GRAW 2 for PC is almost an entirely different game to its console counterpart. The game has been developed by Ubisoft and Grin Software separately to the console game and features a much heavier focus on tactics, punishing those that attempt an all-out action approach.

Read more

Sierra Entertainment has announced that its highly anticipated action-packed real-time strategy title, World in Conflict, will be released for PC on September 21, 2007.

Players find themselves at the heart of the most brutal conflict in human history as the superpowers of the Soviet Union and the United States of America clash in a war of epic proportions.

Read more

LucasArts has announced the development of Thrillville: Off the Rails, an all-new Thrillville title featuring some of the most outlandish roller-coaster concepts ever imagined.

Off the Rails will include 20 death-defying rides, coasters so amazing that every visitor who sees them will shout out "WHOA!". Players can build these "WHOA! Coasters" with leaps from one track to another, to launch through the air and to blast through burning rings of fire.

Read more

Bizarre Creations says that its third-person action title, The Club, is turning into a really good looking game. According to an update posted on the developers official website, the game (PS3 and Xbox 360 versions) has passed Beta, meaning most of the game content is complete and it’s now pretty much a case of polishing and balancing.

Although the visuals are taking shape, Bizarre says The Club is really about great gameplay. The team is currently putting together a new build which they hope to show off to the press in the near future - E3 would seem a good time.

Read more