Any gamer who enjoys going online to hunt for competition should be aware of GameBattles. The gaming site, as of now, is home to around 460,000 registered users who are members of more than 700,000 different teams. These clans compete in tournament ladders across 40 game titles. Platforms supported by the site include X-Box, Xbox 360, PlayStation 2, PC and several Nintendo formats.

GameBattles currently hosts 11 different ladders across six games for Microsoft's Xbox 360. We are quite thrilled to share with you that their site just expanded and added arenas for Tiger Woods PGA Tour 07 and Call of Duty 3 . "It is part of Gamebattles aim to increase friendly competition in games of all genres, commented Rich McManners, administrator to the Xbox 360 Platform. "People will always be able to find a ladder they wish in the genre that they prefer all in one place," the GameBattles official added.

Aside from the above mentioned, previously supported titles include:

• Gears of War
• Ghost Recon: Advanced Warfighter
• Saints Row
• Splinter Cell: Double Agent
• Sports (FIFA 07, PES6)

This nice video we found over at GameTrailers features side by side comparison of what you'll see on the PS3 and the Xbox 360 versions of Tiger Woods PGA Tour 07.

Okay, so maybe Tiger Woods PGA Tour 07 isn't the best game to use as a comparison tool between competing consoles. It's a given that both consoles still needs some time for the devs to truly take advantage of the power in their casing, so we ask that you guys go easy with this video ok?

Moreover, the image quality in this embed, (and even on the HD version of this vid), isn't exactly up to par with the HD requirements of both consoles.

Buy: [Tiger Woods PGA Tour 07 (PS3)]
Buy: [Tiger Woods PGA Tour 07 (Xbox 360)]

While accessing Tiger Woods PGA Tour 07's online functionality, is it taking too long to get into the lobby? Are you having problems entering ranked and unranked games? Does the screen begin flashing and you are forced to reset your X360? If not, then consider yourself lucky.

The problems mentioned above seem not so isolated as internet forums have been flooded by reports coming from irritated gamers. One even found its way to the official EA forum. It reads: "Please dont give me the generic 'it must be a router issue' because I dont use a router. I use a switch and before you say 'its a switch issue', Ive also straight connected to the modem and it doesn’t help." Apparently, the lobby has a just 50 person cap on the server.

It is worth mentioning that this problem probably goes deeper than a switch or server issue. It would be remembered for a long time, Electronic Arts together with other publishers, used to maintain that Microsoft's centralized online service is dictatorial. As a response, the company opened the Xbox Live Platform so publishers could host their own Xbox Live servers.

Buy: [Tiger Woods PGA Tour 07]

If you were reading up on our news yesterday, Electronic Arts was offering to unlock content on Tiger Woods PGA Tour 2007 for players at a price. We talked about the ideas and justifications behind paying for extra goods, from simple unlockables that don't destroy the gameplay to wholesale game-breakers. The only thing left is to know what EA is planning with all this, which Destructoid manages to find out by talking to EA rep David Tinson.

Regarding the "why?" of this micropayment plan they have for the golf game, Tinson said that it was to offer more options to players, especially those who want to "enjoy the full game immediately."

They aren't planning on making microtransactions applicable to all games and with all the content available for purchase, such as the PS3 Gran Turismo game, but they do intend to offer things that make playing a little bit easier, such as strategy videos and other sorts of aids, on a regular basis.

One thing they're bound to implement for the next-gen consoles is the ability to update rosters in their sports games through the online capabilities of the PS3 and Xbox 360. They mentioned offering additional content as well, but they haven't decided on how much additional content will cost, but they have said that roster updates, at least will be free.

One thing that makes us wonder though is what effect the "game aids" they're offering will have on fan-made walkthroughs of games and vice-versa. While it's doubtful that the art of the walkthrough will disappear, you never know what game companies will do when there's money to be had, right?

There's an interesting point being brought up on Ars Technica regarding the unlockables in Tiger Woods PGA Tour 07. It was earlier reported that the new golf game has a couple of unlockables you could earn through dedicated play, from getting new characters to owning everything in the pro shop.

Electronic Arts has made it a lot simpler for the gamer without a lot of time on his hands, as you can now pay through Xbox Live to unlock the special items in the game (even before the game is released, no less). This little tidbit brings up the issue of how we play certain games.

Unlockable content has been a staple of many different sorts of games. From gaining hidden powers or secret vehicles to acquiring the rare materials to make super-weapons for RPG games, it's the extras that often get you hooked. Not everyone likes this idea of paying for the cheat though, and you could safely say that QJ is on the fence on that matter.

Being able to see some nifty new content is great and all, even if there's a small price to get it, though maybe not at the cost of destroying gameplay mechanics (as in MMOs). In the same vein, there's that feeling of accomplishment you get from working your way to catching all 150 seven bajillion pokemon, but if the game starts to feel like work because of it then you've lost the reason for playing in the first place.

EA might be out to grab more cash from us (instead of offering actual cheat codes, sigh...), but you can be sure someone's going to be willing to plunk down some cash to get those last few extras. Under what circumstances does it feel alright for you to cheat past something, and would you ever be willing to actually pay for that chance? Do you think EA is showing good business sense, or just trying to grab extra cash from perfectionist players?

The wait is almost over for sports videogame enthusiasts as Tiger Woods PGA Tour 07 for the Xbox 360 swings to retail shops tomorrow. As an early treat, Xbox Live members can get their hands on some premium in-game content.
 
Here's the list of the downloadable content and their corresponding MS points:

• Unlock Golfer - 200 points
• Pro Shop - 300 points
• Maxed out Player - 200 points
• Sunday Tiger - 240 points
• Unlock Courses - 200 points

It's interesting that this premium content is made available this early when players haven't really explored the game. Some would say it's a form of "cheating" as the same content are unlockable if you just spend more time playing the game. But then again, if getting this premium content would make your game experience even more fun, it really doesn't matter if you get it the easy way or the hard way. Besides, you gotta unload some of your MS points some time.

If you're still on the fence about purchasing the game, you might want to check out QJ's review of the demo. It might help you decide if you want another Tiger Woods game in your sports videogame library.

Buy: [Tiger Woods PGA Tour 07]

What's hot and what's sizzling hot! That's what these charts from Amazon.com is all about. The list is updated every hour but this is how the charts looked at post time.

PC Games
The still to be released World of Warcraft: Burning Crusade is already smoking at the top of the PC games charts with pre-orders so we guess its one of those guaranteed hits just waiting to happen. Meanwhile, World of Warcraft is entrenched at No.4.

1. World of Warcraft: Burning Crusade (pre-order)—Vivendi Games
2. Microsoft Flight Simulator X Deluxe (pre-order)—Microsoft
3. The Sims 2: Pets exp. (pre-order)—EA
4. World of Warcraft—Vivendi Games
5. Battlefield 2142 (pre-order)—EA
6. Warhammer 40K: Dawn of War Dark Crusade exp.—THQ
7. Nancy Drew: The Creature of Kapu Cave (pre-order)—Her Interactive
8. Neverwinter Nights 2 Limited Ed. (pre-order)—Atari
9. The Sims 2—EA
10. Warcraft III Battle Chest—Vivendi Games

The top ten PSP and Xbox 360 games on Amazon.com after the jump.

If the gameplay in the Tiger Woods PGA Tour 07Marketplace demo carries on to the final game next month, then it should hit the sweet spot of every console golf player. It still is as close to golf simulation as EA Sports can get it in a console, but it's surprisingly pick-up-and-playable for the more casual golfer, too - like myself. (There's even a tutorial video for the inexperienced - but that's not the GameTrailers video we're playing right now).

Just remember to get your game up to speed, casual golfer, because while the demo doesn't feature any competition, the real game will. The demo allows you to play Tiger in four holes from courses worldwide, including Bandon and St. Andrews.

New to the Tiger series, True Aim uses the left stick to control your swing. It feels very natural - though it's kinda hard to gauge just how far "XX%" of the swing is with a stick, but that's the limit of all gamepad analogs. Just pull back for the backswing, then push forwards for the downswing. Easy for the beginner, isn't it?

True Aim also automatically selects the best club to get the ball to wherever you want it to land. For more experienced players, the system also allows you to select the type of shot - such as short chips to the green, or lobbing flops over the trees - and add loft and spin to your shot. It's all easily handled by the 360 controller. And if you screw up the shot, fret not - hit B after the shot (but before the ball stops rolling) to call a mulligan and retake the shot. A feature that won't be available when you play for score, I'll bet.

The hole's just a couple shots more for the par at the full article!

It looks as if golf fanatics that can't wait until October 17th for Tiger Woods PGA Tour 07 to hit the 360 can try their golf swing out as a demo for the game has hit the Marketplace. EA's latest Tiger Woods golf sim has 21 new courses as well as 50 golfers to pick from. When the game ships you'll also be able to play against your friends in game types such as match play, battle golf, 21, one ball, and more.

The demo weighs in at 920MB and should let you check out how the newest game in the series is coming along. So if you want to see how the new UCAP technology is working out for EA or just want to relax and play a round of golf before the game ships, go ahead and check out the demo on the Marketplace.

EA's next golf game in the Tiger Woods series, Tiger Woods PGA Tour 07, will be coming out on October 17th and the team over Achieve360Points has posted the achievements for the game. The game has 27 achievements that add up to the usual retail amount of 1000 gamer points. The achievements range from creating a golfer to beating Tiger Woods himself in a game. So if you're a golf fanatic or have been waiting for the new Tiger Woods game go, ahead and check below for the full achievement list.

• (5) Create a male golfer - Create a Male Gameface character.
• (5) Create a female golfer - Create a Female Gameface character.
• (10) Win a game of Seven - Win a game of Seven.
• (10) Win a game of 21 - Win a game of 21.
• (10) Win a game of T-I-G-E-R - Win a game of T-I-G-E-R.
• (15) Play a Tiger Challenge Event - Play a Tiger Challenge Event.
• (15) Play a Training Challenge - Play a Training Challenge.
• (10) Win a game of One Ball - Win a game of One Ball.
• (10) Win a game of Greensome - Win a game of Greensome.
• (10) Win a game of Bloodsome - Win a game of Bloodsome.
• (15) Getting the Hang of it - Win 5 online matches.
• (15) High Roller - Make 25 online wagers.
• (20) Play a PGA TOUR Season Event - Play a PGA TOUR® Season Event.
• (20) Too Easy? - Beat Par in an 18 hole round on TOUR difficulty.
• (20) Play in 5 online Tournaments - Play in 5 online Tournaments.
• (30) Beat Mike Weir - Defeat Mike Weir in the Tiger Challenge.
• (30) Beat Luke Donald - Defeat Luke Donald in the Tiger Challenge.
• (30) Beat Colin Montgomerie - Defeat Colin Montgomerie in the Tiger Challenge.
• (30) Beat Chris DiMarco - Defeat Chris DiMarco in the Tiger Challenge.
• (75) Win the Southern Major - Win the Southern Major.
• (75) Win the US Major - Win the US Major Championship.
• (75) Win the UK Major - Win the UK Major Championship.
• (75) Win the PGA TOUR Major - Win the PGA TOUR® Major Championship.
• (75) Collect the whole set! - Win every Trophy Ball.
• (80) Race for the cup - Win the Fed Ex Cup.
• (85) Beat Tiger - Defeat Tiger Woods in the Tiger Challenge.
• (150) Finish Everything - Attain 100% Game Completion.

Pre-Order: [Tiger Woods PGA Tour 07]