Blue Orb Inc. announced the launch of its new line of text messaging products for consoles today. Blue Orb's Texter allows gamers to create text messages directly from their console's controller, without using an on screen keyboard. The Texter plugs into the console and, appearing, to the console, as a USB keyboard. Gamers use the left analog stick on the controller to select a colour code and then, using the right analog stick, select one of the letters in that colour code. The system is based on the company's orbiTouch Keyless Keyboard, which is meant as an alternative to the traditional keyboard, for people who have reduced motor skills or finger functionality. The Texter is currently available for Playstation 2 at Amazon.com and the Texter for Xbox 360 will be made available in early December. For full information, you can check out www.blueorb.com .

With online gaming becoming increasingly popular, and average gamers falling victim to malware attacks while playing games, anti-virus developer, ESET, and video game publishing company, Tri Synergy, have decided to form a “strategic alliance” against the growing threat. Through the partnership, ESET is offering consumers who purchase select Tri Synergy games a free 30-day trial to download ESET NOD32 anti-virus software, as well as a special 2-for-1 ESET licensing promotion, for the software. The idea behind the partnership is to offer a complete online protection solution that won't compromising computer performance. NOD32 is a high performance anti-virus software which works on any computer, but is also fully compatible with 64-bit systems, ensuring gamers using the most powerful machines have complete protection from viruses, spyware, keyloggers, Trojans, phishing attacks, rootkits and other criminally motivated online threats. The only funny part about this partnership is that the free 30-day trial of NOD32 is available to anyone who goes to ESET's website, the only difference being that the 2-for-1 offer is added. For more information, you can check out www.eset.com .

Gamestop Corp., owner of GameStop and EB Games retail outlets, officially announced that its U.S. stores will be running a midnight launch for the Playstation 3. Beginning at 12:01 am on November 17^th, the stores will open their doors to customers who have received confirmation of their pre-order delivery. All we can expect from this is pandemonium, but it's quite possible that things could be under control. Anything is possible.

The Adventure Company, one of the leading publisher of adventure games, began shipping it s newest PC game, Agatha Christie: Murder on the Orient Express, to retailers today. The game is a thrilling murder mystery for both long-time and new Agatha Christie fans that presents an ideal blend of classic Queen of Crime style lifted from the pages of her acclaimed novel of the same name with additional deceptive twists and turns, making the interactive mystery a challenge for detectives of all skill levels. The games takes place aboard a 1930's era train, following a cast of 25 distinct characters on their way from Istanbul to London. The luxurious rail trip quickly shifts gear when a heinous murder is committed, shocking everyone aboard and fueling a hunt for the killer. The game is sure to be a hit with adventure game fans, with plenty of puzzles and twists to keep players engrossed for hours. Agatha Christie: Murder on the Orient Express is available for $29.99 USD and CAD and is rated T for Teen. For full information on the game, and other Adventure Company games, you can check out http://www.adventurecompanygames.com/tac/.

EA's as busy as usual, and today it announced the shipment of its newest Dark Age of Camelot games, Labyrinth of the Minotaur and the 5^th Anniversary Collection. Labyrinth of the Minotaur is the MMORPG's seventh expansion and is specifically being release in conjunction with the game's fifth anniversary, in either physical or digital format. It is also included in the 5^th Anniversary Collection, which is a total compilation of the game and its expansions.. The expansion is now available to Dark Age of Camelot subscribers for $19.99 USD through an in-game menu option. Retail prices will vary by store. The 5^th Anniversary Collection's MSRP is $29.99 USD. Dark Age of Camelot is rated T for Teen. For more information on Dark Age of Camelot and its expansions, you can check out http://www.darkageofcamelot.com/.

Lucasarts announced today that, for the first time ever, five of the most popular Star Wars PC games will be available in one pack. The pack is called Star Was: The Best of PC, and it includes Empire at War, Knights of the Old Republic, Battlefront, Jedi Knight II: Jedi Outcast and Republic Commando. The pack will also include a free 14-day trial of Star Wars Galaxies. Star Wars: Best of PC will be available for a suggested price of $39.99 USD only for the 2006 holiday season.

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