The awards ceremony for the Leipzig Games Convention 2008 has already taken place. And out of the dozens of games that were on the show floor, only nine were chosen to be the cream of the crop. Read the full article to see who made it to the list of awardees.

A few days ago, Microsoft announced that it will be going into a partnership with the British Telecom (BT Group) to provide Xbox 360 consoles with on-demand programming. While the service will not need the broadband TV service's set-top box, it seems that the setback is that the console will not be able to watch or record live TV. Details in the full article.

The field's set to go on fire as Sony's PlayStation Network is gearing up to go head to head with Microsoft's Xbox Live. Right now XBL has the upper hand, featuring online gaming as well as downloadable videos and movies, but Sony is preparing to take out the proverbial ace up its sleeve. Jack Tretton, SCEA President and CEO, recently discussed future plans for the PSN.

While he won't comment on the specifics, he does give a general idea of Sony's plans for the PSN. For one thing, it'll directly challenge XBL by not implementing a monthly fee for its services:

We're very committed to online gaming and downloadable content via the PlayStation Network, but we're going about it in a very unique way in that we're not charging a monthly fee.

Also, Tretton points out that Sony is in a position of advantage in offering video and movie downloads as well. Sony as a whole is already internally meshed to the music and movie industry. Plus, nothing's stopping them from getting content from outside the company to add to their already wide range of choices.

Once those sources are tapped and integrated into the PSN, Microsoft would definitely have to answer back. Michael Pachter, Wedbush Morgan analyst, predicts that if the PSN will not impose a monthly fee for its services, XBL would most likely drop theirs as well.

The hurdle Sony has to jump right now, as Pachter believes, is the timing of the PSN's planned services. He believes that it probably won't happen this year, but in "the near future." He also says that there is a reason for haste. " The longer that they delay building it out and making it something that's attractive, the farther behind they fall in terms of the development of Xbox Live," says the analyst.

Sony has already announced plans for their TiVo-like PlayTV function for Europe, so this might be their big chance to make it up to the PS3 gamers in the US by offering movie and video downloads. Microsoft, on the other hand, has recently announced a move to offer their Video download service in Europe. Updates as we get them.

Microsoft's looking to expand its the Video Marketplace in Europe, hot on the heels of Sony's new PlayTV function which will be released in the UK early next year. Microsoft's currently in talks with several European media companies, one of the largest being BBC.

Currently, the Xbox Video Marketplace is only available in the U.S. and offers downloads of television shows and movies. Microsoft is in partnership with Paramount Pictures, Fox MTV, NBC, Warner Bros., and other big names. They have already signed an agreement with BBC to explore new digital services.

Ross Honey, senior director for media at Microsoft explains that they approached BBC because of their vast library of content and HD programs, particularly the Planet Earth documentary series. We'll let you know when the service will be available as soon as we get the updates.