THQ has announced a multi-title deal with SimBin that will see the GTR franchise racing to the Xbox 360 soon. Directed by professional racing driver and former FIA GT Team Owner, Henrik Roos, GTR is expected to ship for the next-gen console in Spring 2007.

No details were revealed, but both the studio and THQ had big things to say about the upcoming game.

The development of Cryostasis: Sleep of Reason was announced by Action Forms, disclosing details of the first-person horror/action game.

The game follows the story of Alexander Nesterov, a meteorologist who is occasionally caught inside an old nuclear ice-breaker in the Arctic Circle in 1968. The player’s goal is to prevent the ship’s and captain’s death using “Mental Echo” by correcting other characters’ mistakes that have been made in the past.

Cryostasis is powered by the AtmosFear 2.0 engine, which features such jargons as Unified Dynamic Shadowing system, Parallax mapping, advanced physics and other such stuff. The game will feature ten levels, more than 15 enemies, 7 NPCs and 8 historically authentic weapons.

No release date was mentioned, but will be shown at E3 (#6059, Kentia Hall).

An announcement on Steam lets us know that Half-Life 2: Episode One has begun preloading via the broadband content delivery service. It also reminds one that the first SiN episode has gone gold and that the Red Orchestra SDK has been released.

Episode One will be playable starting June 1. Until then it’s going to sit locked on your hard drive if you wish it to.

These titles have shipped:

• Barrow Hill
  
• Black & White 2: Battle of the Gods
  
• Deer Drive
  
• Desperdos 2 (Europe)
  
• FIFA 2006
  
• Guilty Gear (DS)
  
• Guild Wars: Factions
  
• Paradise
  
• Shadowgrounds
  
• Wild Earth
  
• Winback 2

• Rise of Nations: Rise of Legends
  
• Strategic Command 2 Blitzkrieg
  
• SiN Episodes: Emergence
  
• Wings Over Europe

First, the patches:

• F.E.A.R. v1.04 on 3D Downloads, 3D Gamers, Gameguru Mania, VGPRO and Worthplaying
  
• Galactic Civilizations II v1.1 on the Official Website
  
• The Lord of the Rings: The Battle for Middle-earth II v1.03 on EA’s FTP server, 3D Downloads, 3D Gamers, Strategy Informer, VGPRO and Worthplaying
  
• Neverwinter Nights v1.67 on the Official Website
  
• Serious Sam 2 v2.070 on 3D Gamers, Gamer’s Hell and Strategy Informer
  
• Sims 2: Family Fun Stuff on the Official Website
  
• X3: Reunion v1.4.03 on the Official Website

• Ghost Recon: Advanced Warfighter on 3D Downloads, 3D Gamers, Boomtown, Computer Games, eXp Download, FileNuts, Gameguru Mania, Gamer’s Hell, GameSpot, Gameswelt, VGPRO, Strategy Informer and Worthplaying
  
• Heroes of Annihilated Empires on the Official Website, 3D Gamers, Gamer’s Hell, Strategy Informer and Worthplaying
  
• Rise of Nations: Rise of Legends on Microsoft, 3D Gamers and Worthplaying

HumanLimit, an online, free-to-play, endurance driving game has been announced by First Person Plural. Set in the present world, the game will have players going through a prize system before “culminating in the final ‘drive until you drop’ endurance competition and a substantial grand prize.”

Set for release in Q3 2007, interested players can join in on the beta.

In its fourth pre-E3 announcement, Sega has announced Sega Rally for the PS3, PC and Xbox 360. Latest in the classic series, the game is set for release sometime next year and will feature “next generation” graphics, intuitive controls, competitive bumper-to-bumper racing and fully interactive environments.

Sega Rally will let players go at it with head-to-head racing in a wide selection of 4WD, 2WD and Classic vehicles that will react differently depending on the racing surface. Environments and surfaces will be fully deformable, with the player having to watch out for the racing AI that will adapt to the surface. Multiplayer will be present in the form of split-screen, as well as online multiplayer.

Europe will see the game next year.

Following the revelation of Nibris’ black & white game for the Wii, many sites misinformed their readers with wrong facts and details. A clarification from the studio was in order, and here it is:

• Sadness is not working title of our game, it is the final title
  
• The story takes place before World War I that is before 1914 and not as many claim in the thirties of XX century
  
• The style of the game do not correspond to Sin City movie; it will also not have the style of a comic. It is rather a tribute to pre-World War I cinema and it will have similar atmosphere
  
• The plot will take place in one of the Slavic countries; we will tell which one soon
  
• RotR is not being developed right now. Our priority of Wii console is Sadness, and only after it is finished RotR will be developed. RotR DS is being refined by separate team within Nibris
  
• Concerning the rumours about the possibility to choose the colour version of the game - the making of the concept in the greyscale is completely different. The choice of colour is not because of marketing reasons but the element of making the atmosphere of the game
  
• Concerning the rumours about the Hollywood film studio offering us a large sum of money for filming rights - the truth is that we were contacted but there have been no agreements. We cannot disclose the topic of our talks however. Still we can assure players that Sadness will not be filmed earlier than 2 years after it is introduced to the market (if it will be filmed)

Yes, that’s the new name of Nintendo’s Revolution console. Let them do the talking:

As in “we.”

While the code-name “Revolution” expressed our direction, Wii represents the answer.

Wii will break down that wall that separates video game players from everybody else.

Wii will put people more in touch with their games … and each other. But you’re probably asking: What does the name mean?

Wii sounds like “we,” which emphasizes this console is for everyone.

Wii can easily be remembered by people around the world, no matter what language they speak. No confusion. No need to abbreviate. Just Wii.

Wii has a distinctive “ii” spelling that symbolizes both the unique controllers and the image of people gathering to play.

And Wii, as a name and a console, brings something revolutionary to the world of video games that sets it apart from the crowd.

So that’s Wii. But now Nintendo needs you.

Because, it’s really not about you or me.

It’s about Wii.

And together, Wii will change everything.

The reaction has been largely negative. CNN’s Chris Morris spoke with Nintendo marketing VP on the name change; he also spoke with IGN, while the company’s PR Manager spoke with Game Informer. On Gamespot are reactions from various industry analysts.

Making fun of Wii is just too damn easy. I think I’ll pass.

The very first online screenshot for Irrational’s BioShock has been released. Enjoy.

Raven is at it again: the studio is working on the Activision-announced Marvel: Ultimate Alliance game, an all-new action/RPG that will feature the largest roster of comic book characters ever in a game. Over 20 Marvel Super Heroes including Spider-Man, Wolverine and Captain America will be available for the players, along with over 140 Marvel characters in the game.

Marvel: Ultimate Alliance features a deep, rich gameplay experience by offering total team customization, where players create their own team name, icon and vehicle, as well as establish their team reputation as they play throughout the story. Gamers also have the option to level up each character individually to their liking, or all team members at the same time to keep their heroes balanced. With the game’s new combat system, players battle against the world’s most notorious Marvel Super Villains in the air, underwater, and on the ground, using grappling, blocking and dodging moves, by charging up their Super Hero powers before unleashing them, and using environmental objects as one and two-handed weapons.

Marvel: Ultimate Alliance features a unique storyline where the missions players accept, the objectives they complete, and their interactions with other characters throughout the game directly impact how the story plays out. The game also features a robust multiplayer component where fans can band together with friends as their favorite Marvel Super Heroes, and fight evil in both on and offline cooperative story modes. There’s also a Competitive Mode where the game tracks various in-game stats so players can see how well they stack up against one another - affecting the amount of experience points earned and how equipment is distributed.

The game is in development for all next-gen systems and will also be available on current-gen platforms, handhelds and PC. It is planned for release this Fall.

Below are two screenshots from the game, with the first from next-gen platforms, while the second is current-gen.

With the upcoming Indy movie in the works, LucasArts has officially confirmed a next-gen Indiana Jones game, along with word that it will make use of the “revolutionary” euphoria behavioral-simulation engine from NaturalMotion. What does it do? Read for yourself.

Imagine a swaying rope bridge. With euphoria in action, characters visibly attempt to balance themselves, their feet stumbling, their arms flailing, and their hands reaching for security as the unpredictable movements of the bridge threaten to send them plummeting to their doom. Perhaps they all survive. Perhaps they all fall. The use of euphoria means the action isn’t scripted - it’s simulated - so you’ll never be able to predict exactly what will happen, no matter how many times you’ve experienced a certain scenario.

Basically, it’s the next-generation of animation and artificial intelligence. Your foes will no longer be limited by traditional animation or scripted logic - they’ll react like humans do depending on the situation. LucasArts promises that gamers who play the game will never experience the same thing twice.

Indiana Jones will debut on the PS3 and Xbox 360 sometime next year. The game will be presented at E3 within a few days.

Konami sent word that the “eagerly-awaited” Pro Evolution Soccer 6 will make its appearance at E3 this year. To be showcased at the Konami stand (#800, South Hall), the game’s producer and creator Shingo “Seabass” Takatsuka will be on hand to celebrate the unveiling.

Not much is known about the title at the moment, but the announcement noted the “impressive roster of new moves, licensed clubs, and gameplay modes” among other new features.

To further promote Human Head’s upcoming shooter Prey, 2K Games has announced a Limited Collector’s Edition of the game for the PC and Xbox 360, as well as a pre-order program.

The Limited Collector’s Edition will include an original copy of Prey and include a special metal packaging, two die-cast pewter figurines (pictured) including the lead character Tommy and the alien Hunter, a free download to a Prey soundtrack, and a copy of “The Art of Prey” book featuring collected conceptual and development images from artists behind the game. The Limited Edition of the game will be available on DVD-ROM only.

Gamers who pre-order either the standard or Limited edition of the game will receive a die-cast pewter figurine of Mutate. The Mutate is a melding of the DNA of human and alien victims; it possesses a massive claw in the game that can impale its enemies.

Prey is due for release this July.

With all publishers sending out their E3 2006 lineups, CDV (#7007, Kentia Hall) announced theirs, revealing a Panzer DS game, among others. Below is the full lineup:

War Front: Turning Point: A gripping alternate history WWII RTS focusing on new battles and a variety of secret and experimental weapons. Genre-defying graphics and a refreshing plot will keep gamers pinned to their PCs as they attempt to alter or ensure the outcome of vastly different World War II.

War Leaders: Clash of Nations: In War Leaders, gamers will assume the role of historical commanders as they attempt to lead their nations to victory in World War II through economic, diplomatic and military means. The game will balance strategic and global decision making with action-oriented, tactical combat. Players must lead their nations both on and off the battlefield, negotiating with allies while crushing those who dare oppose them.

Panzer Tactics DS: CDV’s first handheld title, Panzer Tactics DS, will also be the first World War II turn-based strategy title developed for the Nintendo DS handheld system. Combining intuitive gaming with historically-inspired battles, would-be commanders will lead their forces to victory or defeat in three exciting single-player campaigns, or compete in multiplayer games via Nintendo-WiFi Connection or wireless multiplayer. Multiplayer games will also offer a competitive ladder system to rank the best online commanders.

Heroes of Annihilated Empires: A unique combination of RTS and RPG gameplay in which players build massive armies and develop a heroic character in a rich fantasy world filled with magic, myth and monsters. Four distinct races will battle for domination using both swords and sorcery. Heroes’ new 3D engine shows the astonishing beauty of the created world, reflecting the peculiarities of various races’ territories.

DarkStar One: A space-faring action adventure title from Ascaron Entertainment where players will take on the role of a young hotshot space pilot determined to solve the mystery of his father’s untimely death. The fast paced, open ended action takes place in a dangerous universe of some 400 distinct planets, unique alien races and a fully customizable starship, the DarkStar One.

Pacific Storm: Part turn-based strategy, part RTS and part arcade-action game, Pacific Storm offers gamers a refreshing new approach to World War II action in the Pacific Theater. Players will take on the role of a senior commander as they manage resources and troop movements, and then switch to arcade mode to battle in the skies and on the seas in individual combat against an unrelenting enemy.