Microsoft Corp. is reorganizing its corporate structure and giving one of its newest executives broader powers in an effort to better compete against its rivals, such Google Inc. and Yahoo Inc, but also to reduce bureaucracy, which has lead to communication problems and product delays.

Bandai Games today announced Samurai Champloo for the PS2. Based on the hit television series running on Cartoon Network’s adult swim block, Samurai Champloo introduces a truly innovative fighting system that unleashes samurai hack-and-slash combos hinged on the hip hop soundtrack of the gamers’ choosing.

Blitzkrieg II is created with a new focus on fast-paced gameplay, a strategic layer and new tactical opportunities. A completely new engine takes WWII into full 3D where players can command famous aces and units, strategically plan battles in multiple theatres, choose their reinforcements and use a wide range of new unit types such as aircraft and ships.

Famed developer John Romero sort of vanished the past few month after his quiet departure from Midway, where he was working on Gauntlet: Seven Sorrows. Not until several weeks after the fact did it become known that he had left, and hasn't been heard from since. Today Romero posted a small update in his personal blog, stating that he is "co-founder of a new game company in the bay area and am much better off in many ways than I was at Midway." No name for the new development studio was given, nor for the new project that Romero is working on, except "When news of my new game somehow gets out, I think everyone will be a bit shocked." To be continued ...

Atari today announced that its suspense-filled adventure game Indigo Prophecy has shipped to retailers nationwide. Indigo Prophecy tells the story of a man whose destiny is irrevocably altered when he unwillingly commits a brutal murder. Through the use of branching storylines and multiple character perspectives, players embark on an immersive adventure on par with a Hollywood thriller.

Interactive events that affect game play: Unpredictability is the name of the game as you race across the world's most challenging terrains without knowing what's around the corner...a crash, a flood, a forest fire, tumbling mountain rocks...who knows? The 'events' change every time you play so get prepared to expect the unexpected just like the professionals...

SCEA announced today the release of its PS2 exclusive Genji: Dawn of the Samurai. Genji: Dawn of the Samurai is an intense 3D single-player samurai swordfighting action-adventure game set upon twelfth century feudal Japan. A dramatic samurai plot fused with mythology, Genji: Dawn of the Samurai delivers a story of two noble warriors engaged in a crusade against mythical forces controlling Japan.

The story of GTA: Liberty City Stories takes place 3 years before the events of Grand Theft Auto 3 and we find that our main character Toni Cipriani has returned from laying low for the past 4 years after taking out a rival mob boss for the Leone crime family. Having welcomed him back with open arms, the Don Salvatore Leone is putting Toni to back work under the watchful eye of Vincenzo Cilli, one of his most trusted capo’s.

Namco today announced that We Love Katamari has shipped to retail outlets throughout North America. This next installment Katamari Damacy continues the saga of the King of All Cosmos and his son, the Prince, with all-new gameplay objectives in amazing new locales around the world as well as original cooperative and competitive multiplayer modes.

Xplosiv announced today the signing of Jacked, a high speed, street bike race game, with a difference! Previously known as Torque, Jacked was initially signed by JoWood. Forget everything you thought you knew about motorbike racing games because Jacked revs up your adrenaline to 100% and delivers a powerful racing game with a punch.