The closed beta testing for Eutechnyx up and coming online racing game, Auto Club Revolution, was announced today. Testing will officially begin on July 25th.

A closed beta version of Auto Club Revolution will be run through the paces with participating testers. According to Doug Wolff, Executive Producer for Auto Club Revolution, "We’ve produced a specific game set-up for this test phase in order to help us properly scale test features, assess content and see how the Auto Club Revolution platform is shaped and used in a live environment." So leveling will be compressed to put players on the fast-track to run through the levels and test the game from one end to the other. This will allow testers to experience the entire game in a fraction of the time that the final version will take, giving them access to the higher tiers of vehicles, rather than just testing the lower level equipment.

Auto Club Revolution features multiple levels of cars which can be customized through their "Workshop." The "Workshop" features detailed 3D renderings of their cars, freedom to customize the color and paint styles of the body, as well as being able to use various details and paint schemes, all of which will be accessible during the closed beta test.

If you are interested in being involved in the closed beta testing, you can sign up at www.autoclubrevolution.com

I've used Netflix on all sorts of devices and I love being able to bring Netflix wherever I go. Now that Nintendo and Netflix have brought Netflix to the 3DS there are even less reasons to have Netflix access wherever you go. Is it a good idea?

The controls are intuitive and very easy to use since they are all touched based.  Just like every other Netflix app you can start/stop and continue your movies from any device. Categories, Top Picks and New Releases are all prominently displayed like other renditions. If you can't find what you are looking for that way, there is always the ability to press Y for search.

Well if the controls and usability is great then the Netflix app must be a win/win for the Nintendo 3DS right?  Eh not exactly.

Firstly there is the most noticeably smaller screen size that most of the portable devices out there. While definitely still watchable, I would still pull out my smart phone to watch Netflix since the screen is considerably bigger. The other side of that coin is the screen resolution. While the 3DS screen is more advanced that it's predecessors it is stll lacking compared to some Android and Apple products since the 3DS screen is not as vibrant nor crisp.

If this is your only portable device than great! But if not and you have an iPhone or Android powered smartphone, you may be more inclined to pull out that device for a better visual experience.

Nintendo and Netflix have teamed up to bring a Netflix app to the Nintendo 3DS.  Great!  The bigger news is that buried in the press release was the fact that Nintendo had also announced that 3D movies via Netflix will be coming to 3DS soon.  Kotaku reached out to both Nintendo and Netflix for comment and Nintendo has since confirmed the news.

"Users will soon have access to an additional library of select movies that can be viewed in 3D without the need for special glasses."

Later in the day Kotaku made contact with Steve Swasey, Netflix VP of Communication and would not verify that 3D movies are coming to Netflix nor would he state that Nintendo was wrong in their announcement.  Kotaku has requested further comment from Nintendo and Netflix and so far both have been mum on the subject.

Whoops!

In the meantime head over to the Nintendo 3DS eShop channel and download the Netflix application.

Variety is reporting that Neil Burger has signed on to write and direct Sony's adaptation of Naughty Dog's video game "Uncharted: Drake's Fortune."  Hopefully this means that whatever they had planned before is completely out the window, because honestly, it sounded like absolute garbage.

Also, you can dump Mark Wahlberg from the project and just get Nathan Fillion as the role of Nathan Drake, since he is clearly the fan favorite and the guy who actually wants to do the movie.

Sony is very high on "Uncharted," eyeing a film adaptation as a po-tential launch of its own "Indiana Jones"-like franchise, which borrows heavily from 1930 serials, after the first two games have turned into a standout hit for the company's PlayStation division. A third game, exclusive to the PS3 console, hits store shelves Nov. 11.

First game, "Drake's Fortune," bowed in 2007, and introduced Nathan Drake, a descendant of explorer Sir Francis Drake, who goes on a quest to seek the lost treasure of El Dorado with the help of his friend Victor "Sully" Sullivan and a journalist. The sequel, "Among Thieves," was released in 2009, while "Drake's Deception" is upcoming.

The eShop channel has been out for a few weeks and is a much needed improvement over the older DSiWare Shop channel for the DSi. Thank you Nintendo. I do, however, have a few gripes with the current eShop set up.

Currently the eShop is lacking in content. While we are only a few weeks since launch, this is understandable but why are there 400 different ways to find the same 25 titles? Come to think of it, why is there only 25 titles? Sure we have DSiWare that we can all download but frankly who wants that stuff that isn't optimized for the 3DS and priced too high for sub-par graphics? Am I wrong in this logic? Nintendo and 3rd party developers need to create more 3DS exclusive content to make use of the 3DS 3D capabilities.

Why do we only have 4-5 old school titles in the Virtual Console? While I'd love to see Nintendo launch their entire old catalog right from day 1, I understand the reasons why they don't. But only giving us 1-2 titles a week is just too painstaking. Where are the NES games? Where are the great Gameboy games?!  However, I will say thank you again to Nintendo for re-releasing Super Mario Land. The problem is I have played SML about 40 times and beat it more times then I have beaten the other Mario titles. We need/want more!

Also why aren't their any demos? With all major consoles (Wii excluded of course) having demos for nearly everygame, how come the 3DS and even the DSi have no demos? I am sure that myself and others would spend much more hard earned money to buy games if they tried them.

Do you love/hate the eShop channel? Post your comments below.

Uncharted 3 beta is currently underway and you could be the next person to be in the beta. You must act fast as the beta ends on July 13th. Here is how to enter.

Simply put, Head over to our Facebook fan page and 'Like' our page. Once you like our page head over to this post and post a comment.  That's it!  Very easy to enter and easy to win. One comment per person, multiple comments do not mean multiple entries and could disqualify you from winning. Contest is open to US PlayStation Network customers only. Contest will be drawn July 6th at 11pm EST.  Users will be notified via facebook.

Any questions? Let me know!

A brand new update for Minecraft has been released, bringing the version of the game up to 1.7.  The big deal with this patch?  It adds pistons to the game.  Not the Pistons, but you know...pistons.  As seen in the trailer below:

Hellgate: London fans rejoice, Hellgate is now entering into open beta.  Here is the full press release:

T3 Entertainment will be launching the Open Beta for its online action-RPG Hellgate today in Europe and North America, starting at 7:30pm Eastern Time. Those who missed the closed Beta finally get a chance to experience Hellgate’s pulse-pounding fusion of action and role-playing as they take on the demons of Hell. Players can access the Beta on the T3Fun site at http://hellgate.t3fun.com/.

Hellgate will celebrate the Open Beta launch with four special events to reward and entertain the growing Hellgate community - the Guild Reservoir event, the Daily Supplies event, the To Level in Hell event and the Level and Be Rewarded event, each awarding top players with valuable prizes. Additionally, the Open Beta will feature two new game modes – the PvP Duel Area and the zombie-infested Cow Room. Finally, there is a special prize waiting for everyone upon entering the Hellgate Open Beta today.

I never got a really good chance to play Hellgate: London.  I want to say I played it a bit during a beta test or something.  Maybe it was a demo.  Either way, it wasn't really good enough for me to buy.  Hopefully this resurrection of the game will be better.

Might & Magic Heroes VI apparently is in beta right now and if you pre-order the game, you'll get access to said beta.  After being burned on the last couple of games...not sure I'm going to jump at this one.  Although...I would like to see them get this game series back on track.  Heroes of Might and Magic III is still the best in my mind.

All fans who pre-order Heroes 6 have access to the beta beginning on June 28th, and will be among the first to receive hands-on time with a collection of single-player and multiplayer maps.

Starting with two maps from the Tutorial Campaign, players will hear the story about the father of all the Campaign Heroes, and learn how to control the Haven and Orc units. From there, players will be introduced to Sanctuary faction in The Fury and the Mire campaign map. This is the first map in the Sanctuary campaign and gives players the opportunity to explore new environments, the land of the Nagas and discover useful units, powers and cultures.

The multiplayer map will feature a classic, Heroes Legacy map from Heroes II, Broken Alliance. In Broken Alliance, up to human players are fighting for dominance of the lands against three computer players in control of the richer territories. The multiplayer map is a test of strategy and speed, and allows players to control new factions such as Inferno, Necropolis and Stronghold.

Additionally, the Might and Magic Heroes 6 Beta will introduce the community to a few of the rewards available in ‘The Conflux,’ The Conflux is an online tool integrated into the game to extend players experience and allow the whole community to be part of the adventure. Players will be able to create online profiles to share and compare achievements and progress, build up a dynasty of heroes and customize them with special dynasty weapons and traits, and access the Altar of Wishes for exclusive bonuses. Might & Magic Heroes 6 will be fully accessible offline but Conflux will only be available when connected to the internet.

Kenshi is coming to Mortal Kombat on July 5th (as some paid DLC).  WB just released the trailer for him.

Activison and Treyarch have sent word that Black Ops Annihilation has been released on Xbox Live.  What does it include?  Well, it includes the following maps:

Hangar 18: located in the highly classified military base of Area 51, where gamers will fight through experimental weapons labs, the SR-71 test hangar and a mysterious autopsy room.

Drive-In: where players experience close-quarters combat through a 1960's American Drive-In theater, complete with a snack shack and a classic arcade.

Silo: where-in gamers can infiltrate a massive secret Soviet nuclear missile site under construction within a multi-level battleground.

Hazard: located on the cliff sides of Cuba, gamers can explore a coastal golf course fit for a Dictator, where stocked clubhouses and manicured fairways meet snipers hidden in sand traps.

Shangri-La: the all-new Zombies experience, transports players into a mythical paradise overrun with the undead. Our Heroes will come face-to-face with new species of zombies and navigate through a treacherous labyrinth of underground caverns, all set within a legendary shrine lost in an exotic jungle.

So head on over to Xbox Live and spend 1200 MS points to get it.

The Crysis 2 patch v1.9 (and the DX11 Ultra Upgrade) have just been released. Here is the scoop:

The Crysis 2 PC 1.9 patch is also now available. Please ensure that you have the 1.9 patch installed before attempting to install the optional DX11 and Hi-Res Textures packages.

The following features will become available with the optional DX11 package installed:

- Tessellation + Displacement Mapping
- High Quality HDR Motion Blur
- Realistic Shadows with Variable Penumbra
- Sprite Based Bokeh Depth of Field
- Parallax Occlusion Mapping
- Particles Motion Blur, Shadows and Art Updates
- Water Rendering improvements and using Tessellation + Displacement Mapping
- Realtime Local Reflections (DX9)
- Contact Shadows (DX9)
- Improved Tone Mapping (DX9)

You can download it HERE.

I've always been more of a Mario fan than Sonic but Sonic definitely has a special place in my heart. While I am eagerly awaiting the next episode to Sonic the Hedgehog 4, SEGA is in the process of creating a 20th Anniversary game entitled Sonic Generations. In Sonic Generations, an unknown enemy causes Sonic and his friends back in time and band with their past selves to fight this unknown enemy.

The demo which was recently released on Xbox Marketplace is currently available for download and features the first level of the game: Green Hill Zone. Sonic Generations bits and pieces from older generation Sonic games. The first level, Green Hill Zone, is an obvious throw back to the first Sonic the Hedgehog with all of the twists and turns and loops.

The gameplay is exactly the same that we are all familiar with but the graphics are absolutely BANGING! These levels really come right out of the screen without the use of a 3D TV or glasses. I would say that this version is more 2D/3D then a 3D or a 2D version like Sonic 4. For those of you with 3D TVs out there, or crossed eyes, Sonic Generations also features a Stereoscopic 3D mode that really makes Sonic and levels pop out of the screen. While the 3D was very nice, there were many times things got a little too blurry for my taste but as the warning in the beginning of the game states. This demo does not represent the final product and surely the Sonic team has already made leaps and bounds in terms of progress and optimization.

Check out the demo which is available on Xbox Live Marketplace and keep your eyes peeled for a release later this year.

Well...you really can't be surprised with this news as it was bound to happen sooner or later with BioWare's Star Wars: The Old Republic coming out probably before the end of the year.  SOE has announced that they will be closing down Star Wars Galaxies on December 15th, 2011.

I haven't played SWG in forever, but I did play it when it first came out and I played it a significant amount.  I remember staying up until 3am on a work night because I needed to run out to a harvester or whatever they were called.  I had fun with my guild, Twin Suns, while I played, but honestly, the game just wasn't very good in the end.  If you still want to play SWG, you can always look for a SWG emulator.  A couple out there now in dev that are running pre-CU.

Here is the official word from SOE.

We are extremely grateful to all of the SWG fans. We have had the rare opportunity to host one of the most dedicated and passionate online gaming communities and we truly appreciate the support we've received from each and every one of you over the course of the past eight years.

In recognition of your incredible loyalty, we are extending special Fan Appreciation offers to the current SWG community. We also plan to go out with a bang with a galaxy-ending in-game event in December and hope to see you all there. The details relating to these offers and events as well as the timeline and specifics regarding the discontinuation of the service, are provided below.

Again, we want to extend our heartfelt thanks to our player community for making SWG one of the best online communities in gaming history.

For those holding off on playing Team Fortress 2 because you didn't want to pay for it.  Well....this news is for you:

Valve, creators of bestselling game franchises (such as Half-Life, Portal, Left 4 Dead, and Counter-Strike) and leading technologies (such as Steam and Source), announced today that after four years and over 200 updates, its popular and critically-acclaimed online action game Team Fortress 2 (TF2) is now Free To Play (F2P).

The F2P announcement comes as part of the "Uber Update". Released today, it is the largest content pack delivered to TF2 since it shipped in 2007.

New players interested in experiencing what PC Gamer calls "the most fun you can have online" will have access to training and offline practice modes, so they can hone their skills before jumping into the ever-expanding TF2 universe.

To celebrate the launch of the Uber Update, Valve has released "Meet the Medic," the latest in its series of TF2 animated shorts.

TF2 is now Free to Play for PC & Mac players via Steam.

For more information on Free to Play, please visit http://www.teamfortress.com/freetoplay.

For more information on the "�ber Update" and "Meet the Medic", please visit http://www.teamfortress.com/uberupdate.