To make pre-ordering Neverwinter Nights 2 sweet, Atari has announced that those who pre-order the title at GameStop and Best Buy will be entitled to exclusive access to the game’s toolset one month before it’s released. Additionally, the offer also includes The Merchant’s Friend, a special feature enabling players to obtain powerful items crafted especially for the game’s 12 classes.

Set for release this October, a more robust toolset will be included with the final release of Neverwinter Nights 2.

Following word that Sony intends on making 400,000 PS3 units at its North American launch this November, Next-gen reports that the company plans on shipping another 800,000 units to the region by the end of the year. This will bring the total number of PS3 units to 1.2 million in North America; the company initially planned on offering 4 million units.

The article also mentions that Sony plans on splitting the premium and standard versions of its console by 80/20 in the US.

EA has announced Cricket 07, the latest in its popular sports franchise. Out this November for the PS2 and PC, the game will make use of the “groundbreaking” Century Stick control system and will feature a more natural camera perspective.

“This is the cricket game for both hardcore and casual cricket gamers alike. It is accessible for the new user and full of the subtleties and nuances that make the great sport of cricket so unique,” said Justin Forrest, producer, EA Canada. “Our new, innovative ‘Century Stick’ control system will change the way all fans approach gameplay as you’ll now have full control over foot choice, shot selection, shot power, and shot direction - it’s never felt this close to actually wielding a bat before. You won’t experience cricket this authentic without putting on your whites and walking down the pavilion steps yourself.”

Cricket 07 also features a new Quickplay cricket setting that lets players crank up the game speed, ease back the difficulty setting and join the excitement of Limited Overs or fully-licensed Twenty20 extravaganzas by playing a fast-blast match of hard-hitting sixes - or slow the pace down, slide the difficulty up and steel yourself for a five day Test. For a sustained challenge, gamers can choose from a complete schedule of Australian State and English County tournaments or lead the charge in this year’s eagerly anticipated Ashes campaign in the 3-mobile Series Down Under.

Surprisingly, the game is in development at EA Canada in Vancouver, British Columbia. Look out for the game this November.