Some new Call of Duty 4 screenshots, showing off some multiplayer action. In full 1080p glory.

The third episode in Lionhead Studio’s video diary is now available for download from here (direct), the official website and from Xbox Live Marketplace. Unfortunately, I don’t have a streaming version of it here.

The video takes a look at the studio’s 10th anniversary bash and the technology team behind Fable 2, who explain what it is to be a “geek”. They also show off the tools and technology behind the coming game.

Microsoft sends word that Games for Windows Live will receive a v1.2 update that will add various new features to the service, including support for offline Achievements, ability to see whether friends are “joinable” in games, and so on. It will be rolled out starting next month.

No, they did not forget about Gran Turismo PSP, according to an interview with Kazunori Yamauchi, producer of the racing simulator series. He said that the PSP incarnation is still on the cards, though it has taken a back seat to the upcoming PS3 installment.

Gran Turismo 5 is expected to arrive sometime next year on the PS3; it will be preceded by a demo that will highlight the major features of the coming game.

To counter Microsoft’s move in the in-game ads market, Sony Computer Entertainment has also created its own in-game advertising business unit, one that is being headed by Darlene Kindler, who was most recently VP of publishing for Adscape Media, another in-game advertising company that was acquired by Google earlier this year.

Kindler will be responsible for the company’s in-game advertising strategy across all PlayStation platforms, including PS3 games and the PlayStation Network, and possibly the PSP. The new division will be deeply involved with Home, a virtual world for PS3 owners, one that will “present opportunities for SCEA to deliver dynamic, relevant advertisements in-game.” The company mentioned that it is also exploring ways to incorporate dynamic ads into other online environments.

Surfer Girl carries “exclusive” information on L.A. Noire, an upcoming open-ended action gaeme from Team Bondi. According to the blog, the game will feature a historically-accurate recreation of the titular city from 1947; side missions will be based on actual cases pulled straight from newspapers in the era; and that the game is not coming to the Xbox 360, mostly due to the fact that it is too big to fit on a DVD.

The author also has a few more tidbits on the game, so hit the blog for more.

Industry print publication Game Developer has released its list of Top 20 video game publishers in 2007, and for the first time in the history of its annual feature, the top spot was lost by EA to a first-party publisher - Nintendo! This is the latest in a string of good news for the Japan-based company, which recently saw its stocks hit an all-time high.

EA moved down to the second spot, followed by Activision and Ubisoft at three and four, respectively; THQ came in at five. Other first-party publishers Sony Computer Entertainment and Microsoft Game Studios came in at 8 and 9, respectively. Below is the full list:

1. Nintendo
   
2. Electronic Arts
   
3. Activision
   
4. Ubisoft
   
5. THQ
   
6. Take-Two Interactive
   
7. Sega of America
   
8. Sony Computer Entertainment
   
9. Microsoft Game Studios
   
10. SCi/Eidos Interactive
    
11. Square Enix
    
12. Namco Bandai
    
13. Vivendi Games
    
14. Capcom
    
15. Konami
    
16. NCSoft
    
17. Disney Interactive
    
18. Atlus USA
    
19. LucasArts
    
20. Midway

A second London Tube Tour video from Hellgate: London is now available. This one shows off the Charing Cross Station section from the game.

Hoping to capitalize on the coming Holiday season, Microsoft has announced that those who purchase the Xbox 360 will receive two free games. Valid from the end of this month, the new bundles offer Forza Motorsport 2 and Marvel Ultimate Alliance with the Xbox 360 Premium and Elite models, which sell for $350 and $450, respectively. These bundles will be available at all game retailers.

The company also reminded gamers that they have a “blockbuster” lineup of games this coming season. Some names were dropped including Halo 3, Call of Duty 4, Guitar Hero 3, Mass Effect and Project Gotham Racing 4.

Variety reports that an EverQuest movie is in the works and that Sony has already hired “300″ scribe Michael Gordon to pen the live-action adaptation. They also report that former Marvel Studios executive Avi Arad will produce the picture for Columbia Pictures.

Apparently, the project has been in development for quite a few years, but Gordon is the first to take a stab at the material. It is too early to say how long it will take for the movie to come out, but if everything goes as well as planned, fanboys can look forward to dressing up as EverQuest characters sometime in 2009.

The BBFC issued a statement announcing that they have rejected a revised version of Manhunt 2 that was submitted for approval from the ratings board. This follows the rejection of the original version which was last submitted in June.

Apparently, the changes weren’t enough. Says David Cooke, director of the BBFC: “We recognise that the distributor has made changes to the game, but we do not consider that these go far enough to address our concerns about the original version. The impact of the revisions on the bleakness and callousness of tone, or the essential nature of the gameplay, is clearly insufficient. There has been a reduction in the visual detail in some of the ‘execution kills’, but in others they retain their original visceral and casually sadistic nature.”

He also states that further changes were suggested to Rockstar for getting approval. As it stands, they have refused to change any more of the game, resulting in the rejection of the game from the board.

New additions to this week’s Wii Shop Channel update sees three NEOGEO fighting games available to the gaming public. Here’s the deal:

FATAL FURY (NEOGEO, 1-2 players, rated T for Teen - Violence, 900 Wii Points): Released in 1991 and one of the longest-running series in the fighting-game genre, this title introduced players to Terry Bogard, Andy Bogard and Joe Higashi. Select one of the three and visit many locations as your chosen fighter engages in numerous street fights around the fictional city of South Town. If you’re good enough, you’ll eventually take on Billy Kane and then his boss, the notorious crime lord Geese Howard. Use each fighter’s own finishing maneuver and battle in two different planes on the screen, one in the foreground and the other farther away in the background. The game also features a two-player mode that is well known for its unique setup, which allows fighters to both fight and help each other. Do you have what it takes to win the King of Fighters tournament?

WORLD HEROES (NEOGEO, 1-2 players, rated T for Teen - Animated Blood, Violence, 900 Wii Points): A fighting game released in 1992 featuring eight characters, including Hanzo, Janne and Rasputin, modeled on historical figures from throughout the ages. The fighters compete against each other to become the world’s toughest combatant, with players using a setup consisting of only three buttons (one each for punching, kicking and throwing). Adding to this unique system is the fact that the strength of your offensive blow depends on how long the button is pressed and held. Along with regular match styles, Death Match mode is also available and features mines, electrified ropes and other dangerous objects in the battle arena that can change conditions during the fight or damage players. Enjoy the wide range of combat forms as you take on history’s best!

ART OF FIGHTING (NEOGEO, 1-2 players, rated T for Teen - Animated Blood, Violence, 900 Wii Points): This fighting game, released in 1992, began the story of the Sakazaki family and Robert Garcia, further developed in two later sequels. Yuri Sakazaki has been abducted by Mr. Big to punish her father, Takuma, and her brother, Ryo. To rescue her, Ryo and Robert must take on numerous enemies around South Town, eventually reaching the mysterious Mr. Karate. The passion of the game’s creators is evident in the unique game-play elements introduced. These include an energy gauge that is depleted every time a fighter uses a special maneuver, Desperation Attacks that are usable only when a fighter’s health is low and camera zooming that adjusts on the fly as fighters move around the stage. All these features ensure that players use strategy and tactics, rather than simply mash buttons. Adding to the mix are little touches such as characters showing cuts when they are injured and voice-over samples during cut scenes. Can you perfect the art of fighting and save Yuri?

Upcoming young stars Dakota Blue Richards and Freddie Highmore will reprise their respective roles from The Golden Compass movie in the game. Here’s the scoop:

The Golden Compass follows Lyra, voiced by Dakota Blue Richards, as she travels through the frozen wastes of the North collecting items in order to explore, evade and deceive her way to rescue a friend kidnapped by a mysterious group known as The Gobblers. Speaking about voice acting for the videogame Dakota commented, “I do find it quite difficult, but I also find it fun, in the same way that I found doing the green screen stuff fun [on the film set].” The Golden Compass is Dakota’s first major acting role and she was picked from 1000’s of hopefuls who auditioned for the part of Lyra in the film.

Lyra can also use her daemon, Pantalaimon, to collaborate with in-game characters and to help her get through certain difficult situations. The role of Pantalaimon is voiced by Freddie Highmore, who starred as Charlie Bucket in the 2005 version of Charlie and The Chocolate Factory. However, this is not Freddie’s first voice-over role as he remarked, “I have performed voiceover work in the past. To convey the essence of a character you’ve got to believe in it and I think you have to get into the character, because if you don’t believe in it no one else will.”

Gamers can also play as Iorek Byrnison, a great armored ice bear who joins the quest, battling to protect Lyra during their journey using his special attacks to fend off enemies. Players will also be able to unlock secrets and mini-games using a mysterious truth-telling golden compass device called an Alethiometer.

The game will be released on PS2, PSP, PS3, Wii and Xbox 360 later this year.

The classic combat sports game Speedball II: Brutal Deluxe will be available on the Xbox 360 via Xbox Live Arcade starting October 17, according to a recent announcement by Empire Interactive. A remake of the Bitmap Brothers classic, the game will feature the content as the retro version, but will also include the addition of more teams, downloadable content and high-definition resolution.

It will be available for 400 points.

The open beta for Project Torque, an upcoming MMO racing game, has begun. Aeria Games, the developers, are hosting a $1000 cash contest to celebrate the event. They will choose 32 people from the highest level players from the game next month, having them compete in an all-out battle for the grand prize, which includes the cash, a Philips amBX system, Logitech equipment and more.