This is intriguing math. Gfk-ChartTrack of UK has released the data for console sales in the region up to June 27, 2009 and it shows that there is a stellar 24 million installed base in the UK to date, with 8.4 million contributing to that number in the past 12 months.

After being confirmed for a 2009 release back in March, we've now narrowed down the waiting period for Sega's "Modern Day Spy-RPG", Alpha Protocol (Xbox 360, PS3, and PC). The release date: October 6th 2009 for North America.

If you wanna be the star of the party, then you gotta pony up some hard cash. That seems to be the message Activision is sending their European patrons awaiting the new DJ Hero (PS3, Xbox 360). UK retailer ShopTo has divulged to Eurogamer that the price point at which the game will release is at a cold GB£ 107.99 (US$ 177.70).

Another gaming week has gone, but one thing always remains: there's always something to learn in the gaming industry, and we'd all like to be there every step of the way. This week on the Microsoft blog, we've got rules, giveaway themes, huge opportunities, and giant gameplays worthy of a show at the Giants Stadium's LCD wall. Dig in.

Subscribers of the Official Xbox Magazine should be getting a Left 4 Dead treat right about now as they receive the latest issue, #49, of the mag. The treat is said to be an exclusive L4D Premium Theme, to be given away by OXM UK.

Whether or not you agree with Microsoft and Bungie's decision to turn Halo 3: ODST into a full-priced release, it's definitely resonating with a lot of Halo fans, as indicated by this earlier report. For those who want to make sure that they get a copy on day one, Microsoft has put together a promo that lets those who pre-order at participating retailers play as the tough-as-nails series stalwart Sgt. Avery Junior Johnson in the game's multiplayer Firefight mode.

 Following the government decision to uphold PEGI as the sole and official ratings board in UK, the BBFC has sent their well-wishes, albeit still with that restrained barb. BBFC Director David Cooke insisted that the BBFC would have been the better choice. Meanwhile, top industry heads are giving their praises for the government's pick. Read all about it after the jump.

In our earlier article about PEGI becoming the UK standard for game ratings, some of you expressed skepticism on how the monotone PEGI labels could fare better that the BBFC's brighter ones. Well, PEGI has the answer: they've added a splash of color to their rating labels.

The UK government has announced that it will be going with the PEGI ratings system as the standard form of videogame classification in the region. The PEGI system will be implemented for every game released in the UK. The BBFC, which used to handle games classification, will stick to classifying and rating films and DVDs.

Ubisoft has finally set a date for Ezio's arrival in Europe. Assassin's Creed 2 will be released in Europe on November 20, three days after the game hits US retail stores. Eurogamer also reports that the game's Black Edition will be available in the UK through Play. More details after the jump.