We know you're out there. That's why we're putting some great renders for the upcoming Virtua Tennis 3. While you ladies are eagerly awaiting this game as the men do, check out the renders of Ancic, Federer, Henman, Nalbandian, Blake, Ferrero, Hewitt, Roddick, Dent, Grosjean and Nadal, after the jump!

Look for the word "controversial" in the dictionary and you'll probably see Rockstar's logo right beside it. We really don't know if Table Tennis is another controversy magnet, but judging from the raves it's been getting from gamers who recently bought a copy of the said company's latest project, the infamous game developers might have another adjective attached to their name - extraordinary.

Now more people can get hooked on the latest buzz (or should I say ping?) Rockstar has created as the demo of the said indoor sport-themed game hits the Marketplace today at 13:00 (GMT). The press release puts it best with:

"Wield your bat with Zen-like focus and mastery in either one- or two-player modes to witness all the authentic, addictive, high speed thrills of the real thing. Compete as pro players Mark or Liu Ping in a three-game match in China’s National Table Tennis Auditorium to experience the lifelike graphics and hyper-realistic physics featured in the full game."

At least there are still some "bat wielding". Yep, Rockstar's making 'smashes' with this one, only it's not the type of 'smash' we've come to expect from their games. Garnering praises like “Simple, direct, expertly balanced and unpretentious, this is like a shot of concentrated Red Bull” (ZOO Weekly); “Rockstar has served up the best game on the 360 so far” (Observer Sport); and “…I can confirm that Rockstar has created another classic” (The Star on Sunday), looks like we've got another 'smash' hit within our grasp.

The Federal Trade Commission decided against imposing fines or taking other punitive actions against Take Two Interactive and Rockstar games after an exhaustive investigation into the "hot coffee" mod led to a settlement agreement between the FTC and Take Two instead of further charges.

The new agreement requires the two companies to "establish, implement and maintain a comprehensive system reasonably designed to ensure that all content in an electronic game is considered and reviewed in preparing submissions to a rating authority."

The agreement also states that Rockstar and Take Two must clearly disclose all pertinent ratings information about a game on the outside of the game's packaging. In the event that Rockstar or Take Two fails to meet the conditions they agreed to in the settlement with the FTC, they will be fined $11,000 per incident.

Maybe this situation has something to do with Rockstar Games' decision to release a ping- pong (or table tennis) game instead of yet another mega-popular violent shoot 'em up! All jokes aside, both sides seem to want to claim victory in the case and both sides seem ready to move on with their lives.

The ruling was followed by a 30 day period where politicians and the public alike voiced their disapproval about the agreement. Now that the debate is over and the settlement has been ratified, it is unlikely that Rockstar or Take Two will ever face any further prosecution over the hot coffee issue.

Rockstar's Table Tennis has been out for quite some time now. It may just be a ping-pong game but it's proving to be one worthwhile play - last week, it has made the top ten games played over XBL. If you're still apprehensive on jumping onto the group of Xbox 360 users who have been enjoying this game in the past months, here's something that just might lure you in: a demo.

Xbox Live's Major Nelson has been talking with the guys of Rockstar Games and they told him that a Table Tennis demo is on its way to the Marketplace. The demo will feature single and two-player modes but no Live play.

Asked about that perennial question on release dates, "Exactly when?", the Rockstar folks answered the dreaded "very very soon" - which, in release date languages, can mean tomorrow or in the coming weeks. Well, there's not much to do but wait. As soon as the Table Tennis demo is up in the Marketplace, we'll let you know.

Capcom released a new batch of screenshots for their upcoming Xbox 360 action/zombie game Dead Rising. The game is scheduled for release on August 8 in the US and September 8 in Europe. It is said that the Japanese version will be released this quarter but that's not entirely sure yet.

You play a guy named Frank West, the "overly zealous freelance photojournalist", and your task is to get out of a mall filled with walking dead people. The game is inspired by the movie Dawn of the Dead (the classic one, not the remake). You obviously have lots of weapons you can use, including CD's, chairs, plates, bowling balls, knives, tennis rackets, chainsaws, hockey sticks, plastic light sabers, safety cones, pies, plasma screen TVs, potted plants, fully deployed beach umbrellas, cellph... well you got the picture. Time to feast our eyes on these beauties:

   
 
  
 
  

Today Sega has released some new screenshots for their upcoming tennis simulator Virtua Tennis 3. With Virtua Tennis 3, the series returns with enhanced photo-realistic graphics and advanced player animations that perfectly match the behavior and mannerisms of individual professional players.  The next-generation systems allow gamers to see the most detailed expressions yet on the faces of their selected players as they battle to win heated tournaments around the world.

 In addition to the popular mini-games from previous titles used to sharpen players' skills, there will be a whole host of brand new mini-games to keep players in top form. The scheduled release date for the game is Spring 2007 so until then go ahead and check out the new screenshots by clicking in the thumbnails below.

     
     
  

If you still haven't tried Top Spin 2 yet or wanted to try out another demo of the game, now is your chance as a Top Spin 2 Wimbledon Demo has become available on the Marketplace. The $39.99 game came out on March 29th and has seen plenty of downloads on the Marketplace since - including this, the second demo. The demo weights in at 491. 09 MB so if you feel like checking out a little more Top Spin action go ahead and give the free demo a download.

The lovable alien gamers Derk, Gajit and Kendo, along with their friend Sploj, will take us on an intergalactic spin, whether it be on grass or clay, with tennis title, Top Spin 2 for the Xbox 360. With their own brand of lingo to trash talk their opponent like "!Flurberg!" which means "Bet you didn't see that coming, Losers!" and of course "Bingbing Diggit?" for "Everyone Ready?" A picture pack for these alien critters are available in all of Europe, for 60 points, except for Belgium and Netherlands. Meanwhile enjoy this little clip. So, bingbing diggit?

Sega Europe and Sega America ltd have released 7 brand new, spanking new screenshots for their upcoming release title Virtua Tennis 3. The title, destined for both the PS3 and Xbox 360, is being developed in-house by Sega and will give gamers a new uber-realistic Tennis experience from their home console with Sega's new 'enhanced photo-realistic graphics' and 'advanced player animation' systems.

These brand new systems should thrive on Sony and Microsoft's next-generation consoles offering in-depth detailed players with their expressions and mannerisms all modelled in the game. According to Matt Woodley, creative director at SEGA, the game will be worth buying for the graphics alone, with the quality being so high, "you can even see the veins on the players necks!". These screenshots were made to show off the graphical power of this game, and they do so in style - living up the claims of Matt Woodley. For graphics fans and Tennis fans alike, this game is a must have when it is released in Spring 2007.

   
  

While browsing CheapAssGamer, I came across the greatest Canadian sale since the Toys R Us pricing issue a few months ago. EB Games is having a "Game of the Day" sale for the rest of June and the first half of July. How good is this deal? $9.89 for games that aren't crap, that's how good. However, if you don't have a Nintendo system it might not be as great. Most of the "OMFG" games are on the GameCube with some gems on the GBA and DS. Here is a list I got from going through CheapAssGamer and RedFlagDeals.

June 12: Ape Escape 3 (PS2), Operation EyeToy (PS2)
June 13: Odama (GCN), Battalion Wars (GCN)
June 14: The Getaway Black Monday (PS2), Jak X Racing (PS2) for $20
June 15: Ape Escape Academy (PSP), Pariah (XBX) for $0.01 with purchase of Xbox title
June 16: The CON (PSP)
June 17: MLB 05 (PSP)
June 19: DK King of Swing (GBA), Mario Tennis (GBA)
June 20: Urban Reign (PS2), TimeSplitters (PS2)
June 21: Viewtiful Joe 2 (GCN)
June 22: Operation Eye Toy (PS2)
June 23: Without Warning (PS2)
June 26: Metroid Prime Pinball (NDS)
June 27: DK King of Swing (GBA), Mario Tennis (GBA)
June 29: Battalion Wars (GCN), Odama (GCN)
July 02: Viewtiful Joe 2 (GCN)
July 05: Donkey Konga w/ Bongo (GCN), DK Jungle Beat w/o Bongo (GCN)
July 06: Operation Shadow (NGAGE) for $.89
July 11: DK Jungle Beat w/ Bongo (GCN), Donkey Konga w/o Bongo (GCN)
July 18: SSX: Out of Bounds (NGAGE) for $.89
July 19: DK King of Swing (GBA), Mario Tennis (GBA)

This list should be for the most part correct. Some games may be added to it. Also, there are gaps so those should eventually be filled. I went to EB today and Pariah was indeed only $0.01 with the purchase of an Xbox game. I'm sad I missed Battalion Wars and Odama for $10, but I'll be sure to go by and pick those up the next time around. Same goes for Mario Tennis, Metroid Prime Pinball, and Donkey Kong Jungle Beat! Remember, this deal is good across Canada. Not in the US though, sorry neighbours.