A trailer for Resident Evil: Degeneration is now live, offering the general masses the first look at the upcoming CG film. Capcom is producing this in partnership with Sony Pictures; the movie is due out sometime next year.

GSC Game World recently revealed that they are “seriously considering” a MMOG based off the STALKER universe. This came out when they were asked about the possibility of an online STALKER title, though they ruled out the possibility of any cooperative multiplayer modes in the game.

“A cooperative mode is impossible, since Life Simulation would be different at each computer,” they said. “Synchronizing it would be practically not doable.”

The company noted that while Clear Sky, the upcoming prequel, will support DX10, the original game will not be patched with similar functionality. They also talked about the single-player SDK for STALKER, stating that it has been delayed due to the whole team working on the upcoming prequel.

Marking the end of the year, Activision announces that it was the #1 US console and handheld publisher for the first eleven months of the year, citing the NPD Group. The company claims Guitar Hero 3 and Call of Duty 4 to be the major proponents behind its success.

“We continue to see strong consumer response to our wholly owned and internally developed titles - Guitar Hero III: Legends of Rock and Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare,” said Robert Kotick, Chairman and CEO, Activision, Inc. “We are well positioned to continue our leadership position through the remainder of the year and are on track to delivering another record year of revenue growth and the most profitable year in our history.”

The latest issue of PLAY magazine offers the world exclusive first look at Tomb Raider Underworld, the first next-gen entry in the tomb raiding franchise. Being worked on under the care of Crystal Dynamics, the studio behind the critically well-received Tomb Raider Legend, the game will be a “thrill ride for anyone new to the franchise,” according to the article. “The emphasis is on bringing Lara’s world to life, a lush, vast interactive world that reacts and remembers.”

Some of the major aspects of the game are going to be persistent environments where footprints will be left in mud, dead bodies and destruction will remain and more. A new “hybrid lighting model” was also developed for the game, which will also feature a more fluid Lara Croft, who will have “proper weight and secondary motion”, among other things.

Underworld is expected to be released sometime next year on PC, PS3 and Xbox 360.

Take-Two Interactive has announced the formation of 2K Marin, a new development studio under its 2K publishing wing. Located in Novato, California, the studio is staffed by developers who worked on BioShock. The studio will develop original IP, as well as co-develop products with other 2K studios around the world.

“We’re focused on continuing to bring new brands and cutting-edge gameplay to market with the creation of the 2K Marin studio,” said Christoph Hartmann, President of 2K. “2K Marin will build upon our success in creating and leveraging AAA franchises.”

This week’s additions to the Virtual Console service are:

Cybernator (SNES, 1 player, rated E 10+ for Everyone 10 and Older - Mild Fantasy Violence, 800 Wii Points): It is the near future. Resources are dwindling, and the major powers of the world are in dispute over territory. Pilot the Cybernator G5-E for the 95th brigade of the mechanized marines and throw yourself into the war. Get briefed before each mission to confirm your targets, and then do your best to clear each of the seven stages, freely using the suit’s equipped tools and four types of weaponry. By collecting the “power chips” left by defeated enemies, it is also possible to reinforce each weapon up to a maximum of three levels. It is left to your judgment as to whether to reinforce a specific weapon or to power up all weapons simultaneously, adding a bit of strategy to the nonstop action. The powerful background music, military-like atmosphere (look for bullet marks on the walls and the strained communication during combat) and intense story development combine to give the world of Cybernator a gritty, sci-fi feel that you won’t soon forget.

Alien Storm (Sega Genesis, 1-2 players, rated E 10+ for Everyone 10 and Older - Mild Fantasy Violence, 800 Wii Points): Shape-shifting aliens have infiltrated the city, creating chaos and panic! Fortunately, a trio of heroes called the Alien Busters has agreed to wipe out the invading creatures. The members of the team wield their own special attacks, and they unload a world of hurt on the Martian menaces from the city streets to the mother ship. Gordon, a tough guy with a bazooka, has a special gunship attack, while Karla has a flamethrower for alien crisping, though she prefers to use her special ballistic-missile attack. Finally, Slammer the robot can self-destruct at will and attacks the intruders with an electric whip and other devices. Take the aliens by storm and save your city.

Monster Lair (TurboGrafx16 CD-ROM, 1-2 players, rated E for Everyone - Mild Cartoon Violence, 800 Wii Points): Join young Adam and Laura as they embark on a fantastic adventure in this comical action/shooting game. Featuring beautiful music brought to life by the power of the CD-ROM, the game consists of 14 rounds packed with cute monster enemies. Players can either play alone as Adam (or play with a friend controlling Laura) as they battle their way through round after round. The first half of each round is the action scene, where players must avoid obstacles and pits. Use your Power Boost weapons against enemies and restore your Life Force with food as you head for the gate at the end. The second half is the exhilarating shooting scene, where players must shoot down flying enemies. Take out the boss at the end to clear the round and move to the next one.

European gaming publication Develop reports that Codemasters Guildford is working on an original “character-driven action title” dubbed Project Strike Team.

Apparently, the game is still in its early stages and so the studio is still working out on how to transfer its concepts into gameplay. The title will use an advanced version of the company’s NEON technology, which was recently used to power DiRT.

Though no platforms were specifically mentioned, one can look forward to the game only on the PC, PS3 and Xbox 360.

A new trailer for Turning Point: Fall of Liberty is now out, showing off the in-game retaliation at the Nazis taking over post-WWII era USA. The game is due out on PC, PS3 and Xbox 360 early next year.

10tacle and Kalypso UK announce that the latter will publish Jack Keane, the upcoming point n’ click adventure game, in Europe. The game is being scheduled for release during March 2008 and will pit players against a mad scientist and his army of trained apes in the role of the daring titular adventurer.

Ignition Entertainment has announced that it has expanded its development capabilities by opening studios in both Japan and the USA. Simply dubbed Ignition Tokyo and Ignition Florida, the new studios will join Digi-Guys (WarDevil) in their bid to create original and unique IPs for next-gen consoles.

“This is an important time for us. With the addition of these new studios we will increase our capacity for producing original product,” said Vijay Chadha, Ignition Entertainment CEO and co-founder. “The opening of both Ignition Florida and Tokyo is a stepping stone to building a stronger and more focused development group. These studios are an important addition to the company and will be a solid foundation on which future plans will be built.”

Details of the projects they are working on will be announced in a couple of months.

A free downloadable feature for NBA LIVE 08 has been pushed out, adding online team play to the basketball game. This update enables 10 people on 10 different consoles anywhere in the world to connect online to play a single match. The new feature is automatically available to all PS3 users and will be released for the Xbox 360 later this month.

Removing the need to use artificial intelligence in online matches, the update allows the players to control the athletes on-screen. This mode can be enjoyed using fewer friends from one to five in which case the CPU takes control of any players not controlled by the users.

It appears that the BBFC does NOT want Manhunt 2 to be released in the UK. The ratings board has applied for a judicial review of the recent VAC decision that allowed the game to be classified. Here’s the deal:

The BBFC is contesting the VAC judgement because in the Board’s view, it is based on an approach to harm which is an incorrect interpretation of the Video Recordings Act. The VAC judgement, if allowed to stand, would have fundamental implications with regard to all the Board’s decisions, including those turning upon questions of unacceptable levels of violence. If the VAC’s decision is suspended, then the game will not be classified before the outcome of the Judicial Review.

SCEA boss Jack Tretton is one tough cookie. Following up on Activision overlord Bobby Kotick’s ultimatum that the PS3 and Xbox 360 needs to drop their prices to the magical price point of $199 to compete with the Wii, Tretton told him to shut it, or design a platform himself. Here’s the scoop:

Tretton:…you know, I’m surprised by it, because I would never venture to suggest what software publishers should price their software at. So I don’t think it’s appropriate for them to suggest what hardware should be priced at.

SJM: I guess what he’s calling for is maybe a more nimble reaction to the Wii’s success.

Tretton: I don’t know, maybe he should design a platform.

The rest of the lengthy interview talks about the future and the current market position of the PS3, among other things.

To ensure that they don’t lose gamers who want to get a Wii this Holiday, Nintendo and GameStop have teamed up to offer a “rain check” program to deliver the console in January to those dissatisfied shoppers.

Reggie Fils-Aime, the company’s president, told through a telephone news conference that shoppers who pay the full price of the $250 console will get a certificate from GameStop that entitles them to get the unit “sometime in January.” It is exclusive to gameStop and will only be available on December 20 and 21.

“We expect this to be a very strong program and… a great way for consumers who desperately want a Wii to be able to have something to put under the tree — a certificate that guarantees their family will be able to get a system in January,” he said.

The fifth annual charity dinner auction by Child’s Play has raised more than $225,000 over nearly 20 separate auctions, which will go to its network of some 45 worldwide hospitals.

The auction’s highlights were rare Halo merchandise, including a set of in-game armor normally available only for Bungie employees. Valve also joined in on the auction, giving out Orange Box merchandise and a tour of its offices to one gamer for $2,500.