Two months after owning every casino and poker house in the Americas, Chris "Jesus" Ferguson finally heads to Australia to look for a new apprentice. And mind you, he's not coming alone. He's bringing with him top caliber poker players such as Joseph Hachem, Phil "Unabomber" Laak, Jennifer Tilly, and lots of copies of World Series of Poker: Tournament of Champions (X360, PSP).

Err, actually, nobody is coming. It's just that the game is finally available in the Australian market. Like all the other versions elsewhere, the game features more than 20 top pros, extensive poker tools and of course, the very interesting DigiMask Technology for the console version. Also, the console version has an expanded Live and multi-table tournaments.

World Series of Poker: Tournament of Champions was developed by Activision. The company, above others, is very proud of the game's sensory experience that allows players feel like a real poker player.

Buy: [World Series of Poker: Tournament of Champions (X360)]
Buy: [World Series of Poker: Tournament of Champions (PSP)]

With the release of World Series of Poker: Tournament of Champions this week on the Xbox 360, PS2, PSP, and PC, the concept of online gambling crossing the path of the videogaming industry has once more resurfaced. In fact, it's been one of the major talking points in the Goldman Sachs Communacopia XV conference held just yesterday. In the conference, Activision CEO Robert Kotich underlined the possibilities of online wagering being tied to videogaming.

Exactly how far will online gambling go when it becomes a part of the future of networked games? Kotich says that there's a great opportunity for wagering, and how to develop prize play and cash play as a future growth opportunity is an inevitable consideration. But he also says, "you're going to need a big installed base, and a very different regulatory climate. And that's going to take some time."

What we're looking at, based on Kotich's answer, is that online gambling itself is a struggling as well as a thriving industry in the U.S. Struggling in a sense that it's considered illegal, but thriving inspite of the ongoing campaign against it. The booming online casino trend (e.g., bodog.com and goldenpalace.com) has enabled Activision to at least include an online gambling game (WSOP: ToC) in its roster of publications. But at the same time, the "big installed base" and the "different regulatory climate" are something Kotich isn't seeing very near in the future.

With all online casinos being based outside the US, and online poker ban news going through the broadsheets everyday, it's really a tough hurdle for America's videogames and online casinos to cross over.

Buy: [World Series of Poker: Tournament of Champions (X360)]
Buy: [World Series of Poker: Tournament of Champions (PSP)]

Activision's World Series of Poker: TOCwill be battling Texas Hold 'em on the Xbox 360 for poker supremacy pretty soon, and the team over at Achieve360Points has posted the achievement list for the game. The game features 35 achievements that add up to the usual retail amount of 100 gamer points. The achievements range from winning tournaments in different cities to getting all of the collectors chips.

The game features more than 20 top pros, gives players access to extensive poker tools that will help them improve their game, and includes DigiMask Technology that actually maps a player's face into the game thanks to the Xbox Live Vision Camera. Unlike the XBLA Hold 'Em, this game actually has a storyline. So if you're a big card shark, you better get your poker face ready as the full achievement list is as follows:

• (10) Casino Events - Finish the Home Game to unlock the Casino Events.
• (15) ITM at Tunica Casino - Finish In The Money in any event at Grand Casino Tunica.
• (20) FT at Tunica Casino - Reach the Final Table in any event at Grand Casino Tunica.
• (25) Tunica Event 1 Win - Win Event 1 at Grand Casino Tunica.

View the rest of the list after the Jump!

Jennifer Tilly was scary as heck when she was the bride of Chucky. Apparently, she can beat the "craps" out of you too. Oh wait... sorry, that's the wrong game. *ba-dum ching!*

Seriously though, Jennifer Tilly will be one of the many opponents you'll be playing against as you seek to dominate the World Series of Poker: Tournament of Champions circuit. The game does sport an impressive lineup of professional opponents, though we do hope that the actual enemy AI does justice to the always fashionably-dressed Scotty Nguyen (the Asian guy with glasses in the picture!).

For even more fun, you can add your own face for your character. Just use the Live Vision Camera, and you can sit beside Jennifer Tilly as often as you want. Lovely. Just don't peek at her cards, or she really will beat the literal "crap" out of you, gambling jokes notwithstanding.

Till then, enjoy this trailer we've picked up.

Download: [World Series of Poker: Tournament of Champions Trailer]

Buy: [World Series of Poker: Tournament of Champions]

With its immersive storyline and a cast of the world's foremost poker pros and celebrities, World Series of Poker: Tournament of Champions will most definitely make the poker phenomenon shine even brighter. With access to extensive poker tools that will help players improve their game without the risk of losing money, this follow-up to 2005's top-selling poker video game from Activision is perfect for preparing for poker night with your buddies.

"Just like our tournament continues to get bigger and better, Activision has radically raised the bar with this game" said Ty Stewart, Director of Sports and Entertainment Marketing for Harrah's Entertainment. "Poker has been in video format for some time, but never has there been a sensory experience like this that replicates what it is like to walk in the shoes of a professional poker player."

Take it from the pros and embark on your first steps to making your poker dreams come true. Grab your copy of World Series of Poker: Tournament of Champions now. The suggested retail price for the PSP version is $29.99 while the Xbox version goes for $39.99.

Buy: [World Series of Poker: Tournament of Champions (X360)]
Buy: [World Series of Poker: Tournament of Champions (PSP)]

'Allo, mates! Ol' St. Nicky will be coming around in a few short months, and if you're reading us from Oz, then we here at QJ will be glad to help you with your Chrissie wish lists! We have this courtesy of your fellows over at PAL Gaming Network Australia who've compiled this list. After all, the Pacific should never be a barrier to people who share the passion for gaming.

All dates are subject to change if their respective game publishers decide to change them, though (it's happened before, right?). Stay tuned to QJ for any new updates to this list as we find them.

September 2006:
21: Just Cause, Test Drive Unlimited
22: Xbox 360 Joytech Control Center
28: Xbox Live Arcade Unplugged, Ninety-Nine Nights, Samurai Warriors 2
30: LMA Manager 2007

October 2006:
  5: Xbox 360 Genuine Wireless Entertainment Pack Bundle
  6: NHL 2K7
12: Import Tuner Challenge
13: Pro Evolution Soccer 6 (DVD ROM)
15: Crackdown
19: Tom Clancy's Splinter Cell: Double Agent, NBA Live 2007
20: NBA 2K7
26: Xbox 360 Genuine Xbox Live Vision
31: Sonic The Hedgehog, Phantasy Star Universe, Bomberman: Act Zero, Eragon

November 2006:
  2: World Series of Poker, Marvel: Ultimate Alliance, FIFA 2007, Tiger Woods PGA Tour 2007
  9: Tony Hawk's Project 8, Superman Returns
10: Championship Manager 2007, WWE Smackdown Vs Raw 2007
16: Need For Speed Carbon (and Collectors Edition), Call Of Duty 3, Rainbow Six: Vegas
22: Xbox 360 Genuine Wireless Headset
24: Viva Pi?, Gears of War
29: Xbox 360 Genuine Wireless Steering Wheel

January 2007:
31: Battlestations Midway

We're going all in and so should you. Today we're bombarding you with the latest assets for World Series of Poker Tournament of Champions that include new screenshots, a video trailer, and what everyone's so curious and excited about, screens of players vis-a-vis their virtual self using the DigiMask technology.

The DigiMask technology is one of the more interesting features we've mentioned the first time we gave assets away. It uses the Xbox Vision camera to put players' faces into the game, making you literally in the game. These screenshots show the uncanny results that can be achieved using this technology. After that, you can also check out the new screens.

 
 

In World Series of Poker Tournament of Champions, you're Chris "Jesus" Ferguson's (and after watching the trailer you'd know why he's called Jesus) underling. He teaches you the ropes of poker thoroughly, so you can get an invite for the winner-take-all Tournament of Champions at the Rio Resort in Las Vegas.

Like we told you, we're going all in. So should you.

Download: [World Series of Poker Tournament of Champions Game Trailer]

If your get-rich plan consists of chips, cards, and three other people with the same goals gathered around a table, then you need a secret weapon to win. World Series of Poker: Tournament of Champions is like a simulation of what you'd have to do in order to cash in the chips.

You take on the character of a newly turned poker pro who's under the wing of Chris “Jesus” Ferguson as his prot?. Your aim is to get an invite for the winner-take-all Tournament of Champions at the Rio Resort in Las Vegas. Here you'll take on the best of the best bluffers like Scotty Nguyen, Scott Fischman, Men “The Master” Nguyen, Clonie Gowen, T.J. Cloutier, Eric Seidel, Antonio Esfandiari, Joseph Hachem, the 2006 World Series of Poker Main Event Champion and Jennifer Tilly, the Academy Award nominated actress and World Series of Poker bracelet holder. All poker action will be covered by the hilariously creative commentator team of Norman Chad and Lon McEachern.

The full article awaits after the jump!

Activision's World Series of Poker series is coming to the Xbox 360 later this year in the form of World Series of Poker: Tournament of Champions and provides an immersive, unique and realistic poker experience that will do more than just give you the feeling of playing in a real poker tournament, it will also teach you a thing or two about playing the game well while you're having fun! From some of the screenshots it looks like the game will be compatible with the upcoming Xbox Live Camera. The game will be coming out sometime during the fourth quarter so until then go ahead and check out the thumbnails below.

  

Representatives from Activision Publishing Inc. announced today that they will debut their all new game World Series of Poker: Tournament of Champions at E3 on May 10. Building on the current poker craze, that seems to have the entire world interested in poker, Activision's game will include real poker pros, real strategy and a system of tools that will help novice players learn to compete with the pros.

Additionally, Activision has partnered with Microsoft to create the "play with the big boys sweepstakes," in which the winner will get the chance to fly out to the World Series of Poker event in Vegas and try his hand for a seat at the $10,000 main event! If you're like me and can't make it to E3 this year you can still enter, just point your browser at www.xboxpokersweeps.com for more details on the contest.

For those of us that lack the experience, or the bank account, to play with the big boys, Activision's World Series of Poker: Tournament of Champions provides an immersive, unique and realistic poker experience that will do more than just give you the feeling of playing in a real poker tournament, it will also teach you a thing or two about playing the game well while you're having fun!