11 percent of gamers have unopened games

You'll have to chalk this news story up under 'matter of mild interest' rather than 'exclusive and amazing news story', but what the hell. According to recent survey figures, around 11 percent of gamers have games that they still haven't opened after six months.

The news comes from Gamasutra, who have reported that according to figures from the NPD sales-tracking group, around 11 percent of gamers have games that they haven't opened after six months.

Good Old Games goes to open beta

Good Old Games, the digital download service for classic PC games has finally reached open beta stage and is ready for business according to the latest announcement.

The Good Old Games service is similar to Valve's Steam platform in many regards in that it allows users to download and play old PC games on modern systems for a fraction of the usual prices. The service, which is backed by Polish developer CD Projekt, has won the adoration of many fans too for being completely free of DRM. Once you buy a game from Good Old Games, you own it forever and it's yours to take responsibility for.

Boris Johnson decides games are good

Boris Johnson, the semi-hilarious mayor of London, has had a change of opinion and decided that games are a good thing now.

While the much-ridiculed politician who has appeared on shows like Have I Got News For You may have previously said that games are to blame for "ignorance, underachivement " and "poverty", and turning children into "blinking lizards", it seems he's had a change of heart.

Sins of a Solar Empire: Entrenchment - Preview

Sins of a Solar Empire was one of the best strategy games on the market last year.  It took the strategy and civilization building of Galatic Civilizations and put it into a powerful RTS game.  If you liked the original, then I have some good news.  They’ve officially announced an expansion pack to be released around November 18th.  It will only cost $10 and add a lot of balancing features to the gameplay.  The main focus is on defensive options.  Minefields and extremely powerful star bases are now available alongside superweapons to lead your fleets and destroy said star bases.  It should really mix up the gameplay and make for a better, more challenging, game.

Prince of Persia Update

You may or may not know about this new addition to the Prince of Persia series.  Ubisoft released a hands on preview at the Tokyo Game Show to reveal a bit of the play style that the new game will feature.  The biggest change is that it seems to be a return to form.  The controls are simple and seem similar to the fluid controls of Assassin’s Creed.  There is a button for jumping, another for the sword, and another for his gauntlet.  There’s a little room for accidents, but it seems to work pretty well so far.  The fighting seems more stylish, but still boring though.  Another interesting focus is an attempt to make the new female lead, Elika, more involved.  The feel is reminiscent of a two-person game.  Elika will develop magical abilities that you can call on later and the early reports seem to show that they’re really building up her character.  If all goes well, this should be a nice boost for the struggling series.

Church of England: Games are a force for good

In a recent round table discussion between the Church of England and a collection of some of the leading charity groups in the UK, the Church of England came to the surprising conclusion that games can be a force for good in the modern world.

The discussion, which was organised by Entertainment and Leisure Software Publishers Association (ELSPA), included the experts from the computer and video games industry as well as those from the Church of England. ELSPA organised the talk to investigate why some groups fear that children can be negatively affected by videogames and to try and dispel the myths that all violent video games are bad.

Church of England: Games are a force for good

In a recent round table discussion between the Church of England and a collection of some of the leading charity groups in the UK, the Church of England came to the surprising conclusion that games can be a force for good in the modern world.

The discussion, which was organised by Entertainment and Leisure Software Publishers Association (ELSPA), included the experts from the computer and video games industry as well as those from the Church of England. ELSPA organised the talk to investigate why some groups fear that children can be negatively affected by videogames and to try and dispel the myths that all violent video games are bad.

YouTube to start selling games

Google has announced that it is to start selling games through YouTube soon thanks to a partnership with Amazon.com, as well as MP3s through a deal with Apple's iTunes store.

YouTube, which is owned by Google, is one of the most popular sites on the internet thanks to the plentiful amount of LOLcats, faceplants, sneezing pandas and other truly fantastic videos, but has so far not managed to turn a single penny of profit.

DSi games to be region locked

In a move that's sure to annoy many Nintendo fans, the company has just revealed that games for the new DSi will be region locked. While the standard DS games will not be, the DSi cartridge games and those which are to be made available through the DSi's new online functionality will be.

Nintendo announced the new DS a short while ago, revealing that the new model will have two cameras built into it, improved WiFi and online downloads and a new SD card slot. The GameBoy Advance cartridge slot however will be absent.

300 Director to make games with EA

In a move similar to the deal between Steven Spielberg and Electronic Arts, Zack Snyder has announced a three game deal with EA which will see the director of 300 and Watchmen teaming up to work on three new videogame IPs.

Previously, EA had announced a similar arrangement with Steven Spielberg which has so far resulted in the release of the hugely enjoyable Boom Blox, as well as two other unannounced titles.

300 Director to make games with EA

In a move similar to the deal between Steven Spielberg and Electronic Arts, Zack Snyder has announced a three game deal with EA which will see the director of 300 and Watchmen teaming up to work on three new videogame IPs.

Previously, EA had announced a similar arrangement with Steven Spielberg which has so far resulted in the release of the hugely enjoyable Boom Blox, as well as two other unannounced titles.

300 Director to make games with EA

In a move similar to the deal between Steven Spielberg and Electronic Arts, Zack Snyder has announced a three game deal with EA which will see the director of 300 and Watchmen teaming up to work on three new videogame IPs.

Previously, EA had announced a similar arrangement with Steven Spielberg which has so far resulted in the release of the hugely enjoyable Boom Blox, as well as two other unannounced titles.