MCV is reporting tonight that the ESA has confirmed next year's E3 will be a smaller affair than previous years. It's likely the event will retain it's May timeslot, although details of how the revamped show will work have not been announced.

Technorati Tags: E3, ESA

IN a not-entirely-enexpected move, Eidos has formally announced details of the upcoming Championship Manager 2007 for PC.

Championship Manager 2007 has a completely new look with new skins, menu shortcuts and a dynamic side bar, all ensuring that every gaming taste is catered for. The introduction of an International Management option enables players to manage their country and be a part of the biggest football tournament in the world.

We can all remember the Transformer cartoons of the early 1990's. Now you'll be pleased to know that there is indeed a feature length CGI movie now in the works and we've managed to nab some of the footage from the new movie:

Vivendi Games' Sierra Entertainment has announced Scarface: Money. Power. Respect. Tony Montana is due to make his PSP debut this October. The game is already in development for the Xbox, PS2 and PC. Get ready to make your mark and control Miami!

In the story-based single-player mode, gamers will complete a series of missions based on scenes from the original movie to conquer "turfs" in Miami. Players will need to direct large-scale citywide strategic commands to complete their conquest as well as direct street-level real-time combat. The game will challenge gamers to handle larger territory, additional adversaries and new profit-making opportunities through increased drug trafficking.

The wireless multi-player mode pits up-to-four gamers playing as criminal cartels in a race to make money and conquer turf. The multi-player battle begins with a "Land Grab," where each cartel lays claim to their share of Miami. Through turn-based strategy showdowns and real-time combat, each player will manage the production and distribution of drugs while building up enough cartel strength to overpower adversaries, take their turf and eventually, rule the Miami drug scene.

Reviews

• Chromehounds (Xbox 360) – Pro-G
• Wii Hands-On Feature (Wii) – Pro-G
• Dynasty Warriors 5 (Xbox 360) – Totally360.com

A report on NextGen.biz claims that due to some of the larger exhibitors pulling out of the event citing rising costs of attendance, the Entertainment Software Association has decided to cancel next year's event.

ESA president Doug Lowenstein will likely announce the news some time within the next 48 hours, possibly on Monday. It's possible that the ESA will seek to limit the damage by organizing some form of lesser event in May, but it's clear that the days of an industry event attended by all the major publishers, spending big money, are gone.

"Costs have been getting out of hand. We're talking double digit millions for some of us," said one senior industry insider. "But that's not just floorspace, of course - it's build, parties, hotels, flights. Security, particularly, has become a massive cost."

Last month Luke got a chance to have a play around with the multiplayer portion of Tom Clancy's Splinter Cell Double Agent. He's now written up his experiences.

The developers wanted to remain true to the previous Splinter Cell titles and gained as much feedback from the franchise's fans as possible before developing the multiplayer element. SCDA multiplayer features 3 vs. 3 online play via Xbox Live and in addition to this Ubisoft have redefined one of the game modes which is essentially capture the flag with a twist. In this mode you will need to work as a team to secure the objectives and in the mission shown to us the objective was to hack four computer terminals and escape with the information intact.

TechBlog has posted up an interesting piece information. Apparently, Nintendo DS users can now use a modified version of MSN Messenger on their DS. In the video below, it shows a DS user installing a homebrew application called Beup that allows instant communications via your touchy device. Check out the video below:

We've posted up a Q&A on Tom Clancy's Splinter Cell Double Agent multiplayer aspect. The game is now due for release in October 2006, which is delayed by one month for further development work.

What will the recruitment and progression add to the game experience?
It makes every game more real knowing that you're controlling your agent, with specific statistics, gear or team-mates. It provides great satisfaction to see your character improving and your ranking increasing. This feeling of pride makes the game even more addictive.

This also allows the team to offer different options to different player profiles: Do you want to achieve 100% of the objectives? Do you want to be on the top of the worldwide rankings with your team? Do you just want to give it a try? SCDA multiplayer lets you.

Head over to our articles section to read the interview in full, and stay tuned for a preview of Tom Clancy's Splinter Cell Double Agent multiplayer aspect!

There's been a lot of speculation recently on just what the new IP is that will be announced at Microsoft XBox event later this year. Spong think it's a new game from Bungie. Here's our vote.