I like where Microsoft is taking their Avatars. They're not just limited to your profile to put on a face and look all cool 24/7. We've seen them go for a Joy Ride, we've even seen them playing golf. This time, Microsoft and Activision have joined hands to integrate the Xbox 360 avatars into Guitar Hero 5 (PS3, Xbox 360, Wii), where we will be seeing ordinary avatars living out their rockstar dreams.

It doesn't seem to be like a very upbeat week for software as waves upon waves of delays crashed against our Xbox 360 doorstep. Not to worry though, these delays do not mean there's nothing to keep Microsoft's unit afloat. Find out what they are after the jump.

In a move that nobody saw coming, Microsoft is suddenly restructuring the pricing scheme for independently-developed games, prompting some concern from the indie devs. In an interview with Eurogamer, two of the more successful indie devs in the scene voiced their thoughts into the matter, which according to them "came from nowhere."

What we've got here today is supposedly a leaked video showing Xbox 360 Avatars playing golf. While that doesn't really sound like much, those with an Avatar may like the fact that their virtual incarnation will have more uses than smiling at strangers who see your profile.

What happens when you cross GTA and a Tiger Woods golf title? You get Ghetto Golf, a new golf title where you putt, drive, and break stuff all over the hood. If you thought that golf was only for rich, stiff, country club types, Ghetto Golf is out to challenge the stereotype.

Aspiring golfers will finally get to experience what it's like to be trained by Tiger Woods' own personal coach Hank Haney in EA Sports' latest game, Tiger Woods PGA Tour 09. Other new additions, mostly online gameplay improvements, are also thrown into the gaming franchise. More details in the full article!

Osaka-based publisher Capcom has released its financial report card for 2007's third fiscal quarter. While a lot of people expected a surge in correlation with the holiday rush, what we saw was a mixed bag at best. Devil May Cry 4 (PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, PC) and Resident Evil: Umbrella Chronicles enjoyed good sales, but other titles weren't so lucky. Full details after the jump.

Japan's Media Create group has recently posted their tallies for the region's software sales ending December 16. Aside from the usual collection of Nintendo Wii and DS games, one new arrival of note is Polyphony Digital's Gran Turismo 5 Prologue. More details are up ahead in the full article

Big movies sell games. They may not necessarily be good games, but they sell. Some have chosen to avoid the genre altogether, choosing to stop buying video games based on movies. It spares them of potential heartache, but there are always exceptions to the rule.

Which of course begs the question: What movies have come and gone without getting themselves a video game?

This week, Australia is going to have a lot of fun across the PC, Microsoft Xbox 360, and the Sony PSP. There's a handful of notable releases and they're led by Blazing Angels 2: Secret Missions (Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, and PC) and Tales of the World: Radiant Mythology for the Sony PSP.

Tales of the World: Radiant Mythology from Namco Bandai is a new spin-off of the Tales RPG series on PlayStation platforms. It tells the tale of a kingdom under siege from descenders who want to take over the domain. You can create customizable characters and use the Flex Range Linear Motion battle system taken from the video game's predecessors to beat the bad guys and save everyone in your land.

Blazing Angels 2: Secret Missions from Ubisoft is a retro-style aircraft combat game that allows you to visit the bloodiest war in history with covert missions in store for you and the elite squadron that you command. Own the skies over Europe and thwart Hitler's plans to create weapons of mass destruction.

Other releases this week for Australia include:

• Medieval II: Total War Kingdoms (PC)
• Two Worlds (Xbox 360, PC)
• Enemy Engaged 2 (PC)
• Pangya! Golf with Style (Wii)
• Surf's Up (Xbox 360)
• Stuntman Ignition (Xbox 360)

Buy: [Two Worlds (PC)]
Buy: [Blazing Angels 2: Secret Missions (PS3)]
Buy: [Blazing Angels 2: Secret Missions (Xbox 360)]
Buy: [Tales of the World: Radiant Mythology]