Ubisoft and CBS solve crimes together

Ubisoft and CBS Consumer Products announced the current development of CSI: Crime Scene Investigation: Hard Evidence today. This, the newest game in the CSI video game franchise, will feature forensic reconstructions and atmospheric crime scenes taken directly from the television show, including an all-new garage lab for analyzing large evidence such as cars and boats, improved evidence gathering, review and lab mini-games, and more areas to explore, resulting in longer play experiences. The game will be based, as closely as possible, to the original television series and should be available for PC in spring of 2007.

Microsoft green lights Age of Conan for 360

Funcom announced that its newest MMO, Age of Conan: Hyborian Adventures, has been approved for Xbox 360 development by Microsoft. “This is a groundbreaking leap forward for Funcom. The fact that we now get the chance to develop ‘Age of Conan’ for the Xbox 360 means access to a potentially whole new and large MMO market,” said Trond Arne Aas, CEO of Funcom. “The fast-paced and innovative combat system in Age of Conan will suit the demanding console audience perfectly. We believe the amazing online capabilities of Xbox 360 will be a great match for MMOs like ‘Age of Conan’, and as one of a handful of officially approved MMO games for the console we aim to create a unique, brutal and powerful online gaming experience.” The power of next gen consoles has allowed developers to create proper MMOs which are similar to their PC counterparts. This means that, as time goes on, it's likely we'll be seeing more sophisticated MMOs, and also real time strategy games, coming to consoles. Once Playstation 3 is fully functional online, we'll probably see much of the same, though we doubt Age of Conan will be one of those game (after all, it is a Vista Showcase title).

Best Buy to donate PS3s and Wiis to Clear Channel auctions

If you've been having trouble finding a way to get a Wii or a Playstation 3 this season and donate money to charity all in one shot, Best Buy and Clear Channel have some good news for you. The companies announced a partnership today, in which Best Buy will be donating a total of 814 units of Playstation 3s and Wiis for charity auction online and on air on more than 1,100 Clear Channel radio stations across the U.S. Beginning today and running for the next twelve days, the four highest bidders during each hour of the online auction’s operation will get to purchase a Playstation 3 or Nintendo Wii. The participating Clear Channel stations across the country will auction off two Playstation 3s and two Nintendo Wiis each hour for 12 hours a day, totaling 48 units per day. The online auction will run from 8:00 a.m. eastern time to 8:00 p.m. eastern time each day. In addition, 119 Clear Channel Radio stations will conduct live on-air auctions throughout the holiday season.

Bidding for the Playstation 3 will start at $599.99; $249.99 for the Nintendo Wiis and will increase in minimum increments of $25 for the Playstation 3 and $10 for the Nintendo Wii. At the end of every hour of the online auction, the winning bidders will receive an email with a URL directing them to a check-out site. Auction winners will then have 48 hours to make their purchase; after that, the second highest bidder will be offered the game console. Each winning bidder will receive a confirmation e-mail as proof of purchase, as well as tax donation information. Local distribution of game consoles will be handled by Best Buy. If you want to make a donation to Toys for Teens, BestBuy.com and registers at Best Buy stores will be taking. For more information on the auctions and the charity, log onto your local Clear Channel Radio station website and click on the online auction promo box or tune in to your favorite local Clear Channel Radio station for information on how to participate.

Today's game releases

Ubisoft's Star Wars Lethal Alliance for Nintendo DS - $34.99 USD/$39.99 CAD – A PSP version is also available

Konami & Disney's Dance Dance Revolution: Disney Mix plug and play game - $29.99 USD/$39.99 CAD

Tecmo's Super Swing Golf for Wii - $49.99USD/$59.99 CAD