Originally founded in the early 80's Rare went through a few name changes, started off as a C-64/Spectrum, NES developer, scored a hit with GoldenEye on the N64, and went from being a Nintendo studio to being one of Microsoft's flagship developers. Now after more than 2 decades, two of its 3 founders, the Stamper brothers, decided to call it quits and pursue other opportunities. The parting is amicable and has nothing to do with disappointing sales of recent titles, according to Microsoft, which promoted Mark Betteridge and Gregg Mayles from withing to replace Tim & Chris.

FlatOut 2 crashes thru the 500,000 worldwide sales mark on the back of three months of sales in 2006. Featuring an enhanced version of the original’s lauded physics engine with even faster driving track designs, FlatOut 2 also boasts numerous improvements, enhancements and additions to make the title the definitive FlatOut experience.

A Ubisoft Europe release schedule reveals that it is making good on its promise to support the Wii, as four new titles are included for Q1 2007. Brothers In Arms: D-Day, Cosmic Family, Driver: Paralel Lines, Spelling Spree ae all confirmed in development as well as PoP: Rival Swords, Blazing angels, and TMNT. The schedule also includes 6 DS titles (Rayman, Mind Quizz, Dogz DS, Brothers in Arms D-Day, Settlers 2, and TMNT)

Another day, another batch of game trailers was released. Instead of giving them all their own posts, we grouped them, and so far there are trailers for:

• Galactic Command [X360/PC] - Trailer (2)
• Vanguard: Saga of Heroes - Trailer #15
• Arthur and the Invisibles [NDS] - Trailer
• Shining Force EXA [PS2] - Intro Movie
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  We will update this throughout the day when new trailers become available. Read more for download links ...

Research and Markets' latest survey "The Transforming Global Video Games Market: The Emergence of Next Generation Gaming," predicts that sony PS3 will win the console war in the long term with an install base of around 75 million globally by 2010.

Crackdown pushes the action-driving hybrid genre into the next generation with the introduction of the first-ever truly 3-dimensional persistent playground, highly innovative co-op gameplay and an extensive prop interaction system all while taking place in a massive and highly-stylized urban center.

The first Massive Multiplayer Online World Championships (MMOWC) concluded on December 15th in Miami Beach, Florida with former Swedish Counter Strike Champion Skalman beating U.S. Gamer Neomaven in a 90 minute head-to-head hunting event.

NBA Street series expands on the fast-paced and larger-than-life 3-on-3 basketball gameplay, creating a hyper-real world that merges legendary courts with the hometown courts of your favorite NBA stars into one seamless city of streetball moments.

Bullet Witch is an action adventure taking place in the exceedingly bleak near future of 2013. Civilization is on the brink of extinction after demons begin appearing on the earth, and the player wades into the fray as a witch named Alicia.

Helldorado: Conspiracy is a sequel of the Wild West tactical action strategy game Desperados 2: Cooper’s Revenge. It continues where Cooper’s Revenge left off and gives you the chance to answer some of the mysterious questions left open, as well as giving new players a well-balanced and self-contained story.