Let's start this week early, shall we? Coming up on retail shelves starting July 27 all the way to the first few days of August is another hailstorm of PC games from the independent front, though you'd probably love this week for the release of Namco Bandai's SoulCalibur IV and its limited edition kits. But if there's anything more significant this time, it's the appearance of more Olympics-themed games as the week heralds the eve before the World Olympics in Beijing. We take them all at the full story.

Another type of athlete is coming to the Beijing Olympic Games to bear the torch: cyberathletes. Yes, professional gamers will be given the honor of carrying the torch in the coming games. Check out the full article for more info.

It's difficult to imagine how to pick athletes worthy of appearing on the official Olympics video game when dozens shine during competition, but Sega has done it. Results are satisfying, with four deserving personalities chosen to be on Beijing 2008: The Official Video Game of the Olympic Games's (Microsoft Xbox 360, Sony PlayStation 3, PC) cover. Check the full article for more details.

At least you don't have to bring your Visa to these Olympic Games. New screenshots have arrived for Beijing 2008: the Official Video Game of the Olympic Games. The screens show some of the sports that will be included in the game, such as swimming, the long jump, and the hundred-meter dash. Screenshots lie in the full article.

After Mario and Sonic at the Olympic Games (DS, Wii) comes another Olympic video game title from Sega. This time, it's Beijing 2008 - the Official Video Game of the Olympic Games, a more realistic rendering of the international multi-sport event. More in the full article.

We came across an interesting discussion at the Wii mailbag portion of IGN discussing how the remaining eight months of 2007 will play out in the game console arena. The discussion delved mostly on the prospect of big franchises coming up with new installments for all three systems and rumors of exclusives porting. At this point, the Wii seems to have the swagger.

 Leading the charge for Nintendo's wonder system are flag-bearers Mario Galaxy, Metroid, Super Smash Bros. Brawl, and NiGHTS, keeping fans busy hot off the heels of Super Paper Mario and Twilight Princess. As if that wasn't enough, hot prospects Wii Health Pack, Battalion Wars II, Mario Strikers Charged, Project H.A.M.M.E.R., Dragon Quest Swords, No More Heroes, Manhunt 2, Boogie, and Mario and Sonic at the Olympics are looming large.

That's not to say that the other consoles are without their share if big releases at this year's second half. The Xbox 360 will wreak some serious havoc once Halo 3, Too Human and Mass Effect hit the Microsoft console. With its ever-vibrant Xbox Live community, gamers will be kept occupied for months on end. Don't even get us started on Grand Theft Auto IV. It'll kick some serious thomps and outrage moral zealots everywhere. It's also a good reason to get a PlayStation 3 along with LittleBigPlanet.

Nintendo fans also seem to be eager to see more shooters in their turf. There's already a significant presence of the genre on the Wii, but fans are itching for games like Time Crisis to see how the Wiimote ups the fun factor. IGN, however, was quick to dismiss the idea, pointing to the title's exclusivity for the Xbox 360 and the PS3.

In-game advertising goes all-out in NBA Street: Homecourt (PS3, Xbox 360) as EA and Nike have teamed up to bring you ads which do more than just annoy the casual gamer.

In Homecourt, created players can now be draped in authentic Nike gear to provide more than just aesthetics. The shoes actually boost up the experience gained by your created baller so you can raise your stats faster and own the playgrounds faster than you can say "Air Jordan."

Included in the extensive list of footwear is the entire Jordan series, from the brightly colored Air Jordan I's, the VII's that His Airness wore in the Barcelona Olympics to the freshly-released Air Jordan XXII's.

Aside from the shoes, real-life courts which saw the likes of Rip Hamilton and Carmelo Anthony grow to stardom are unlockable, but the legendary Rucker Park in Harlem has got to be the crown jewel of the bunch, and you can download it for free. Here are some of the game's goodies:

• The GOAT - UNLOCKED
• Dirt Bowl - UNLOCKED
• Hometown Park - UNLOCKED
• Venice Beach - UNLOCKED
• Franklin Park - UNLOCKED
• Cloverdale - LOCKED (Unlocked in Homecourt Challenge)
• Rupert Bell Rec Center - LOCKED (Unlocked in Homecourt Challenge)
• Ash Park - LOCKED (Unlocked in Homecourt Challenge)
• Brand Jordan Gym - LOCKED (Unlocked in Homecourt Challenge)
• Hometown Gym - LOCKED (Unlocked in Homecourt Challenge)

All in all, the addition of the Nike gear, the deep customization options and the fast, arcade-style play should give Xbox 360 hoop fans a good fix of hardcourt action.

Yeah, by now, every person that has seriously embraced video gaming as part of his/her life is aware of the sudden changes that'll prompt him/her to bid farewell to the E3 as he/she knew it. The Halls of QJ has been ringing with dead silence every single time the matter is brought up (it's happening right now). But we all have to move on as E3, arguably gamers' own version of World Cup and Winter Olympics, undergoes some major tweaks that'll indirectly affect all of us.

Entertainment Software Association president Doug Lowenstein, in an interview with Wall Street Journal, has revealed what exactly those "major tweaks" will be - a new name, a new venue and a new date. According to him, the event will be dubbed as the E3 Media Festival starting next year, cementing thoughts that the affair will now only be joined by members of the press from various media.

From last E3's groundbreaking attendance of 60,000 visitors, next year's event will have a toned-down population of around 5000 people. In fact, Lowenstein has cited that the huge number of participants is primarily the reason why all the changes are being made, saying that "some companies were frustrated because E3 was such a huge, sweeping event it became increasingly difficult to get their messages out."

Instead of the traditional May affair, the next E3 (if we could still call it that) will be held on July to give publishers more time to develop their projects and to strategically bring it nearer to Christmas where most games are usually released. The event will also say goodbye to the Los Angeles Convention Center as the ESA divulged plans to use two hotels, holding press events and meetings in suites and conference rooms - there goes our booths and the booth babes along with it.

As much as we want to present this news as an objective one, it's really hard not to choke out some disappointments while tackling the matter. The gamer in us conquers the inner writer/reporter as it cry for the game demos open for civilians, promos for the attendees, E3 booth babes, lost opportunities for smaller developers, and the shed "people image" of the event we used to know as E3...

The Global Gaming League (GGL) is pushing for video gaming to be part of the 2008 Beijing games as a demonstration sport. Representatives of GGL are currently talking with the Chinese government to include competitive gaming in 2008.

GGL is arguing that not only will this move put a spotlight on video games and their players, it will also make the younger audience turn to the Olympics again. According to GGL, a non- traditional sports like video gaming is what the Olympics needs.

Video gaming appeals to a lot of people in this generation as it is something that younger viewers understand and are engaged in.

But GGL also understands that calling for video gaming to be included in the 2008 Beijing games is an uphill battle. The last time the Olympics has had a demonstration sport was back in 1992, and there's no movement to bring it back.