For those who simply can't go through a game without showin' some Trophy (or Achievement) lovin', Infinity Ward has specified the badges you will be earning in Modern Warfare 2 (Xbox 360, PS3, and PC) to show off your prodigious skills (or that you have so much time on your hands).

Whether you're a PS3, Xbox 360, or PC gamer, Mad Catz has you covered when it comes to Modern Warfare 2 (Xbox 360, PS3, and PC). The third-party peripheral maker has unveiled the new fancy controllers and accessories they have in store for the game. Images and text walls after the jump.

We've got an even spread of game releases for this week's batch of On Shelves games, including a couple of downloadable ones. Big for handhelds this week would be Capcom's and Namco Bandai's brawler offerings on the PSP, Fate/Unlimited Codes (available via PSN) and Soul Calibur: Broken Destiny, respectively. Full list of game releases this week after the jump.

Here's something new. Russian developer BIART has officially announced their "ambitious next gen project" called U-Wars, a tactical sci-fi third-person shooter set to be released on Xbox 360, PC, and PSP in mid-2010. Check out some screens after the jump.

  

Some would've missed it, but it's a well known fact that South Korea embraces StarCraft like a national sport. By the looks of it, StarCraft 2 will also cater to the needs of hardcore elite pro-players. Associate producer Tony Hsu had a word with CVG to say just that.

"We have to appeal to the hardcore players, especially in Korea," said Hsu. There's no need to worry though, because you don't have to reach levels of 'kekeke' just to play a fun game. It's one of those "easy to play, hard to master" games, he added.

For fans of the original title who grew to love Terran grunts, zealous Protoss units, and the overwhelming Zerg, a lot of new goodies are in the bag. Those who've been keeping tabs would know that new elements have been added, such as warping and units with automatic special skills.

Even with all that jazz, StarCraft 2 will stay true to its roots of being both hardcore and noob-friendly. "A lot of RTS games you see on the market are watered down, they make it easier for gamers to play. But I think we can entertain everyone at the same time, that's what we're trying to do," Hsu continued.

It's time to rev up, racing fans. We've got a new video for you that gives you the skinny on everything you need to know about Electronic Arts' Need for Speed ProStreet (PC, PS3, Xbox 360, Wii, PS2, PSP, DS).

In the video, you'll find that Michael Mann, senior producer for the game, talking about what it means to be king of the streets. To earn that title, it seems, you've got to race against the best of the best in the different styles of racing, whether it be drift or drag racing. Not only that, but you have to race around the world against the elite in order to even have a shot against Ryo Watanabe, the Showdown King of Need for Speed ProStreet.

In any case, it's time to set your pulse racing. Do you have what it takes to bring down the kings of ProStreet? Find out in this video.

The Need for Speed ProStreet video after the jump!

If you enjoy detective and spy stories and games, then you might just enjoy this upcoming video game from Akella and Spline. It's called A Stroke of Fate, and guess whose fate you'll be smiting in this title: Adolf Hitler.

The game is set in Germany in the 1940s. You'll be playing as a spy-slash-detective with a mammoth mission on your shoulders. You'll have to arrange for Lieber Fuhrer's assassination (*insert collective gasp here*). To fulfill a goal like that, you'll have to be convincing in playing your role as a true patriot, especially when you're trying to get yourself into Hitler's most elite inner circle. One wrong slip and you won't want to know what the Gestapo will dish out on your sorry behind.

A Stroke of Fate is an adventure set in the genuine places and locations that were relevant back in 1940 to 1945. Players will also be able to meet the movers and shakers of the time: Hitler, Himmler, Muller, and Goebbels.

Here are the other features:

• Compelling pseudo-historical plot
• Ingenious brainteasers and quests to reflect German peculiarities of the 1940s
• Realistic graphics
• Authentic places and historically derived personalities: Muller, Goebbels, and Hitler
• You can walk along the Secret Police building and Hitler’s private study

Interested? Check out screenshots and tell us what you think. We'll keep an eye out for more info on A Stroke of Fate, so stay tuned. By the way, this PC game is scheduled for a Q4 release.

More screenshots after the jump!

 

When was the last time a game actually freaked you out? I couldn't name one game after Silent Hill. That's before MercurySteam and Codemasters' Clive Barker's Jericho came into the picture. After seeing the video clips of the game, you'll have trouble trying to sleep with the light on again.

If you haven't heard of the game, its not too late to get on board. The official website for Clive Barker's Jericho (Xbox360, PS3, and PC) is now up and it has a lot of little details that may catch your attention, whether you like it or not. Here's a complete feature list for the game that the site has to offer:

• Download the latest thrilling videos
• View stunning screen shots
• Navigate through a series of different chambers containing hidden features and heart stopping surprises
• There are puzzle-like challenges to complete in order to see secret, locked content and rooms

Themes that were explored in the game are also brought to light such as the reference to Jericho. It does not refer to the ancient lost city itself but a seven-man strike force that "protects government interests" from paranormal threats. This crack team of elite soldiers have been trained in both conventional warfare and can be considered an expert in different para-psychological disciplines such as clairvoyance, alchemy, blood magic and exorcism.

If you want to know more on this and the game, click on our read link to head to their website. We'd just like to throw a disclaimer that this site isn't for kids. If you're old enough though, head on over and find out more about Clive Barker's Jericho.

 

For every ground-breaking title out there, there exists an unsung hero. They – like soldiers and bad sitcoms of old – are the miserable underdogs who never receive the due credit they deserve for their work. We're not talking about the developers -  we're talking about specialists - the (fictional) guys who work behind the scenes to ensure that the elements in whatever genre you play will always remain in tip-top condition, whether its your resident androgynous antagonist 's script, or your unfriendly neighborhood mook's marksmanship scores.

These guys will be the topic of today's quick list - along with an explanation with that special thing they do just to make the game better for one special individual - you. On to the list!
 
1. Sephiroth's acting coach
Let's be honest - Sephiroth isn't that original. More than one anime, manga, and J-RPG can boast its own brew of silver-haired, bad-ass sword-wielding bishie hotness, with Sephie being just a part of this popular trend. What sets him apart, however, is execution (acting, not Aeris…).
 
Sephiroth's dark foreboding lines and steely glare will haunt many a gamer's dreams, and for this, we can thank the man's ever-capable acting coach. We're talking the drama-guru who made Sephiroth walk the walk, talk the talk - the dude who probably taught him captivatingly cheesy one-liners like "Shall I give you despair?"
 
I'm afraid you haven't, Mr. Sephiroth's Acting Coach. You did give plenty of fanboys/girls something to think about for their next few - err - dreams, though...
 
Special accreditation goes to Cloud's hairdresser.

The rest of the list is available in the Full Article

A recent NPD group report gave a detailed demograph of 11,638 gamers aged between 6 to 44. The reports have shown that hardcore gamers are the biggest spenders, which is exactly unexpedted. What will surprise most though is the percentage of purchases and population of each majority group that the company split the consumers into.

NPD decided to group each gamer into one of six categories: Avid PC Gamers, Secondary Gamers, Avid Console Gamers, Mass Market Gamers, Casual Kid Gamers, and Heavy Gamers.

The avid PC gamers are those who average at least 13.6 hours per week primarily on a PC or Macintosh. These guys are the biggest of the group and consists of 33% of the population. Their average purchases per quarter? A disappointing 1.4 games.

Next up we have the Secondary Gamers which clock in around 6.5 hours of gaming on mostly a PC or a Mac. A third of these people also own the PlayStation 2. They make-up 22 percent of the US gaming population, the second largest group, and yet buy an average of only 0.8 games each quarter.

Among the console gamers, the largest by far are the so called Avid Console Gamers with a population of 20%. These individuals log in about 10.7 hours a week of gaming time on one console. They possess an average of 1.6 consoles and 0.8 portables. They are also the second biggest spenders, buying an average of 1.9 games per quarter.

Want to read more on this, click on the full article for more!