The game, which purposefully gives you very little backstory starting out, follows a young man named Wander traveling in a forbidden land who has to save the life of a girl named mono by defeating the land’s only inhabitants, sixteen colossi.  As he ventures further in his quest, he starts to experience debilitating changes while Mono grows stronger, and a mysterious group of warriors begin pursuing him.

Justin Marks, who also wrote drafts for the upcoming films 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea: Captain Nemo and He Man and the Masters of the Universe, will write the screenplay.

Yes, you read that right: Harris is not simply writing a screenplay based on Dante’s Inferno, but is instead writing a screenplay based on a video game based on Dante’s Inferno.

In the game, from Electronic Arts, the player travels through the depths of Dante’s imagined version of Hell.

Warner Bros. is planning on bringing the Tomb Raider franchise back to the big screen.

The studio, which snatched up the rights after Paramount let them expire, is looking to start fresh with the new movie, ignoring the previous Tomb Raider movies and searching for a different leading lady.

That could go to Rhona Mitra (pictured right), who was actually one of the original models for the Lara Croft character and who just starred in Underworld: Rise of the Lycans.  If she’s still deemed not famous enough, the role might go to the much-rumored-about Megan Fox (pictured center).  But in reality, casting is a long ways off - no writer or director has been attached yet.

The video game series has seen a reboot of its own with 2006’s Tomb Raider: Legend and its follow-up, 2008’s Tomb Raider: Underworld.  The new games have garnered much better reviews than the older ones, so we can hope the new movie follows suit.

Wii Sports

Both games have benefitted by being bundled with their corresponding consoles.  The NES was an immediate success when it was released in 1985 and Super Mario Bros. (the sequel to the 1983 arcade hit Mario Bros.) greatly contributed to its success.  Likewise, the Nintendo Wii has been a huge success since its launch in 2006, unable to keep up with deman even two years after its release.  Like Super Mario Bros., Wii Sports has greatly helped the success of the Wii.

Though Wii Sports is currently bundled in most consoles sold around the world, units in Japan and South Korea do not include the game.  Despite this, the game continues to sell incredibly well in both countries.  In Japan, Wii Sports is purchased with 45% of the Wii’s sold, proving the desirability of the game and the success of Wii Sports for the Wii.

With the success of the Nintendo Wii, Wii Sports should continue to increase its dominance as the best selling game of all time.  A sequel to Wii Sports, titled Wii Sports Resort that includes swordfighting, dog frisbee and wave racing is do out this spring.

Products expected to ship in the range are as follows:

• Official Street Fighter IV Arcade FightStick - Xbox 360® and PLAYSTATION®3

Designed to offer authentic arcade style play, the Street Fighter IV Arcade FightStick offers gamers precision control and quality engineering complete with stunning official artwork. Dual-speed Turbo functionality for each button complete with LED Indicators allows gamers to execute moves with lightning speed while the eight-button Street Fighter IV arcade configuration means that those familiar with the arcade will feel instantly at home. An integrated D-Pad switch allows gamers to alternate between D-Pad and Analog Sticks for maximum control flexibility, while the ergonomic slanted top panel ensures maximum comfort during sustained play. Start and Select/Back Buttons have been moved to the rear of the FightStick thus minimizing the risk of accidental interruption during play and specially created ‘Character Cards’ ship with the Arcade FightStick which insert into the top panel and display a selection of special moves.

• Official Street Fighter IV FightPad - Xbox 360 and PLAYSTATION 3

Ideal for gamers favoring a traditional console controller without wishing to compromise on features, the Street Fighter IV FightPad features an enlarged circular eight-way floating D-Pad and arcade style six-button configuration. An integrated D-Pad switch allows gamers to alternate between D-Pad and Analog Sticks and combined with official artwork featuring an assortment of famous Street Fighter® characters, the Street Fighter IV FightPad is destined to be the controller of choice for discerning fans and those seeking a competitive advantage.

• Official Street Fighter IV Arcade FightStick: Tournament Edition - Xbox 360 and PLAYSTATION 3

Designed for the serious Street Fighter enthusiast, nothing brings the arcade experience closer to home than the Street Fighter IV Arcade FightStick: Tournament Edition. Overseen by Capcom and legendary producer Yoshinori Ono, the Tournament Edition features an unparalleled level of detail and uses arcade quality components. Sourced directly from arcade manufacturer Sanwa Denshi^TM, the FightStick: Tournament Edition uses the same Japanese style ball-handled joystick and 30mm Action Buttons found in the official Street Fighter IV Vewlix^TM arcade cabinet, marking the first time such components have been used for a commercial product outside of Japan. With the D-Pad control switch, dual Turbo functionality for each button, and exact button layout matching the Vewlix Street Fighter IV arcade panel, the FightStick: Tournament Edition delivers an experience unlike any other arcade styled controller. Complete with detailed touches such as screw on rubber feet for solid surface play, unobtrusive placement of the Start and Select/Back Buttons along with a locking mechanism preventing accidental activation of Turbo settings for tournament play, the FightStick: Tournament Edition represents the best possible choice for the hardcore and dedicated Street Fighter fan.
• Official Street Fighter IV Faceplate and Console Skinz^TM - Xbox 360

Featuring custom Street Fighter IV artwork, the highly collectible Faceplate and Console Skinz allow gamers to customize their Xbox 360 console. Safe and totally removable, the Console Skinz wrap around the top and bottom of the console and when combined with the Faceplate, create a stunning Street Fighter IV backdrop. Available in a choice of two striking designs, the Street Fighter IV Faceplate and Console Skinz present an eye-catching addition to any gamer’s living room.
• Official Street Fighter IV Controller Faceplate and Console Skinz - PLAYSTATION®3

Featuring custom Street Fighter IV artwork, the highly collectible Controller Faceplate and Console Skinz allow gamers to customize their PLAYSTATION 3 consoles and official controllers. Safe and totally removable, the Console Skinz adhere to the top of the console and provide a stunning Street Fighter IV themed landscape. In addition, the Controller Faceplate attaches quickly and safely to the official PLAYSTATION 3 controller providing matching artwork to the console.

 
• Official Street Fighter IV Wall Scroll

A perfect finishing touch to any gaming environment, the Street Fighter IV Wall Scroll features a breathtaking intricate design utilizing official Street Fighter IV artwork. Highly collectible, the quality vinyl scroll provides a unique addition to any fan’s collection.

Darren Richardson, President and Chief Executive Officer of Mad Catz commented, “Street Fighter is the fighting franchise by which all others are judged. Mad Catz is excited about the opportunity to leverage our years of experience in designing and manufacturing controllers and extend our portfolio to include what we believe will be seen as market leading FightSticks and FightPads which include designs and unique feature sets, never before seen within a commercial product in the USA”

“Capcom is pleased to work with Mad Catz to provide the highest quality controllers possible to the Street Fighter community,” said Christian Svensson, vice president business development & strategic planning at Capcom Entertainment, Inc. “Capcom has a long history of supporting it’s fan base with quality content and Mad Catz Street Fighter IV peripheral controllers will astound the Street Fighter community.”

The Mad Catz range of licensed Street Fighter IV accessories is expected to be available across North America and key European territories from February 2009.

The Street Fighter® series makes a very welcome return with Street Fighter® IV, which comes to the Xbox 360 and Sony Computer Entertainment’s PLAYSTATION®3 computer entertainment system on February 17, 2009, followed by a Windows PC version set for release at a later date. The series which has amassed combined global sales of over 25 million units aims to put the fun back into the fighting genre and reignite the passion of the Street Fighter II era. Everything that made the legendary Street Fighter II a global hit is back in Street Fighter IV, with the addition of new characters (including fighters added just for the console version of the game), special moves and gameplay elements, providing challenges for even the most seasoned Street Fighter pro.

Infecting gamers and completing Capcom’s list of releases for February is Dead Rising^TM: Chop Till You Drop for the Wii, scheduled for release on February 27. Based on the smash Xbox 360 game (over one million copies sold to date), the humor and challenge that made the original a hit with gamers remains, while many core elements have been totally redesigned for the Wii platform and audience, taking zombie bashing to a whole new level. With the added functionality of the Wii Remote^TM, players will be able to shake off zombie attacks and swing and throw dozens of makeshift weapons (everything from chainsaws to baseball bats, soccer balls to café umbrellas) in order to survive.

Gamers around the globe have already written Friday the 13th, March 2009 on their calendars in blood red ink in order to mark the release of Resident Evil® 5. One of the industry’s most successful franchises brings the next generation of fear to Xbox 360 and PLAYSTATION 3 systems. Resident Evil 5 promises to set a new standard in action gaming with amazing graphics and both online and split-screen co-operative gameplay on a single console.

Also scheduled for release in March is MotoGP^TM for the Wii. Due to hit retail in the middle of March to coincide with the pre-season activity for the 2009 MotoGP^TM season, the title turns the Wii Remote into a set of virtual handlebars as players compete across the three race classes in single races, a full championship or a series of challenge stages. Different handling models and AI rider characteristics allow ease of entry for riders of all skills whether a seasoned bike racing fan or new to the genre.

Completing this impressive line up is Bionic Commando, the true sequel to the retro classic with an injection of next gen power, coming within the first half of the year. The title will be initially available for gamers on Xbox 360 and Sony Computer Entertainment’s PLAYSTATION®3 computer entertainment system, with the Windows PC version following shortly afterwards. Bionic Commando harnesses the power of the latest generation of hardware to fully exploit the swing mechanic that made the original title so unique. Using the powers of the bionic arm to swing between towering skyscrapers, punch cars, pummel opponents and grab distant enemies, players can gain a tactical advantage to progress through the compelling single player campaign and take on all comers in online multiplayer modes.

Metallica will be the second band to get its own game following the June release of Guitar Hero: Aerosmith.  Unlike Aerosmith, the game will not follow the band’s rise to stardom, but instead follow a new band as it tries to make it on the road with the legendary rockers.  “There’s a historical element involving some memorable gigs we have played, but it’s not something that follows a chronological timeline to a tee,” says drummer Lars Ulrich.  “We kind of wanted it to be a little bit more about who we are now than a who-we-were-in-1986 type of thing.”

In addition to playing from the large catalogue of Metallica songs, the game will include appearances by over twenty guest acts ranging from artists that inspired the band or have toured with them.  The list of artists include Queen, the Foo Fighters, Alice in Chains, Lynyrd Skynyrd and Bob Seger.

In addition to the new game controls introduced in World Tour, a second pedal will be available for those wanting the full Lars Ulrich experience.  There is no word yet if the game will be sold with any special edition guitars or drum packages, but odds are likely it will.  Guitar Hero: Metallica will be available on the Nintendo Wii, PlayStation 2, PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 systems.

In addition to great world premieres, the show will honor legendary game designer Will Wright with the first-ever Gamer God award for his achievements in the gaming industry.  Wright is behind such titles as Sim City, this year’s Spore and the upcoming The Sims 3.

Nominees for Game of the Year include Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots, Gears of War 2, Fallout 3, LittleBigPlanet and Grand Theft Auto IV.

Jack Black has had an incredible year with blockbusters Kung Fu Panda and Tropic Thunder.  “Jack is a huge gamer and a former performer and winner on the ‘VGAs’ having taken home Best Performance By A Human - Male in 2005,” said Casey Patterson, Spike TV’s senior vice president, event production and talent development. “We’re thrilled to have him as our host. With a record 10 world premieres including Brütal Legend starring Jack, it will be a big night and wild ride!”

The Caped Crusader returns in Batman: Arkham Asylum coming next year for the PlayStation 3, Xbox 360 and PC.

The story, which was penned by Emmy-winning Batman writer Paul Dini, begins with Batman escorting The Joker to the infamous Arkham Asylum.  There, a trap is set by the super-villain inhabitants.  Batman must use all his skills to survive and keep Gotham’s worst criminals from escaping.

Rapper 50 Cent returns in virtual form for 50 Cent: Blood on the Sand, a sequel to the 2006 release 50 Cent: Bulletproof.  50 Cent: Blood on the Sand puts gamers in the role of 50 Cent and features intense 3rd person action shooter gameplay, online drop-in and drop-out co-op multiplayer, brawler combat with interactive counter-kills, along with vehicle and helicopter combat. Developed by Swordfish Studios using the Unreal 3 game engine technology, 50 Cent: Blood on the Sand will also include eighteen exclusive new 50 Cent tracks, as well as previously released songs and music videos. The game will feature the voices and likenesses of 50 Cent and G-Unit’s Lloyd Banks, Tony Yayo and DJ Whoo Kid.

Microsoft’s has done something with its Xbox 360 that no other game console has ever done before.  They have done a complete overhaul of its operating system via a console update.  The first of the next-gen consoles to be released has been losing market share at a steady pace ever since the release of Sony’s PlayStation 3 and Nintendo’s Wii.  The Wii, in particular, has been the biggest thorn in Microsoft’s goal to dominate the gaming console market.

One of the Wii’s biggest advantages is its motion controlled remote.  Sony had little success trying to compete with Nintendo when it decided to forgo rumbling and added four axis motion control into its controllers.  Microsoft, having released the 360 a year ahead of its competition, was unable to add such technology into its system (which is probably a good thing seeing how the PlayStation 3 hasn’t benefited much from the inclusion).  So what does Microsoft do?  They decided to implement another success from the Wii - avatars.  Nintendo included the ability to create personal avatars they call “Mii’s” into their system to help make the console and games more approachable to non-gamers.  Allowing players to play as their alter-egos in many of their games.  Taking a page from Nintendo’s success, Microsoft implemented a massive overhaul of their system to allow players to create avatars to represent themselves, hopefully attracting non-hardcore gamers to their system.

The update, which is being dubbed the “New Xbox Experience” or “NXE” also includes the ability to share photos with friends and stream Netflix movies.  One feature that was not included at launch is what is being called “Xbox Live Primetime”.  Players will be able to take their doppelganger avatars online and compete against other players in game shows such as 1 vs. 100 for real world prizes.  Xbox Live Primetime is expected to hit 360 systems early next year.