The Creampuff (5 poInts); Win the Amateur Circuit under the default settings.

The Graduate (5 points); Earn the highest score on every drill in Training mode.

The Noah (S points): Complete your first online match in any mode

The Spectator (5 points) Spectate an online match.

The Average Joe (10 points): Win the Rookie Circuit Under the default settings.

The Victor (10 points): Get your first win in any online game mode.

The Competitor (20 points): Win the Pro Circuit under the default settings.

The Natural (20 points): Use every character to win any of the Tournament Circuits.

The Tourist (20 points): Unlock all levels.

The Tailer (25 points): Unlock all outfits.

The All-Star (30 points); Win the All-star Circuit under the default settings.

The Owner (30 poInts): Unlock all characters.

The Collector (45 poInts): Unlock all Items.

The Net Veteran (60 points): Accumulate over 10 hours of online game play.

The Veteran (60 points): Accumulate over 10 hours of Offline game play.

The Savant (80 poInts); WIn the All-star Circuit wIth each character.

The Widowmaker (95 points): Shutout opponents in over live non-consecutIve games in Ranked online play.

The G.O.A.T. (100 points): Get the highest TrueSkill rating possIble in any Ranked online game mode.

The Hall of Famer (100 points): Win over 50 (non-consecutive) Ranked Tournaments.

Unlocked Juergen (S points)! Win the Amateur Circuit.

Unlocked Kumi (10 poInts); Win the Rookie Circuit.

Unlocked Carmen (15 points): Win the AllStar CircuIt.

Unlocked Solayman (15 points): WIn the Pro Circuit.

Unlocked Casslcly (20 poInts): Win the Rookie Circuit under the default settings in less than 14.5 minutes.

Unlocked Jung S00 (20 points): Win the Rookie Circuit under the default settings in less than 14 minutes.

Unlocked Mark (20 points): Win the Rookie Circuit under the default settings in less than 13.5 minutes.

3 Match Winning Streak (35 poInts); Win three Ranked Exhibition matches In a row.

4 Match WInning Streak (SO points): Win four Ranked Exhibition matches in a row.

5 Match Winning Streak (85 points): Win five Ranked Exhibition matches in a row.

Hint: Characters: Win the indicated number of times against the CPU in

tournament or exhibition mode to unlock the

corresponding character.

Carmen: 35 wins Cassidy: 40 wins

Juergen; 20 wIns

Jung S00: 45 wins

Kumi: 25 wins

Mark; 50 wins

Solayman: 30 wins

Shirts:

Complete the indicated task to Unlock the corresponding shirt.

Liu Ping’s fourth shirt: Use a Smash Shot to win a match.

Liii Ping Shift’s fifth shirt: Shutout the CPU In a game

Microsoft today unveiled its roadmap for PC and Xbox 360 cross-platform gaming, predicting that "the floodgates will open" for software playable across the two formats by 2008.

Speaking in a session at the Games Convention Developer Conference in Leipzig, Microsoft UK third-party account manager Steven Blackburn offered delegates an update on the firm's Xbox Live service. He also provided details of future plans for marketplace, Live Arcade and the Vista and 360-linking Live Anywhere service.

Blackburn confirmed that the first truly cross-platform playabletitle, Shadowrun, will launch in early 2007 - before revealing that Microsoft will incorporate a number of online-only gamer achievements to help deliver "first blood" in persuading gamers to try out the online functionality between PC and console. Blackburn added that the first third-party cross-platform content would arrive in autumn 2007, by which time the application and certification process will have been finalised, with the "flood gates to open for all titles" in 2008.

Just in from the Games Convention Microsoft press conference - Vista will have "more games in more genres than any other game platform out there," Rich Wickham (Games for Windows) claims. Flight Sim X, Halo 2, Age of Empires 3 expansion, Zoo Tycoon 2 expansion, Lego Star Wars II, Broken Sword, Lord of the Rings: Shadow of Angmar, Lord of the Rings Online, Rail Simulator, Alan Wake, Hellgate, Shadowrun, Crysis, Age of Conan, will be available on Vista.
That's a fair amount of games announced for the new Microsoft OS, Windows Vista, scheduled for release in early 2007. A reasonable amount of these games will be available before Vista's launch, and therefore won't just be Vista only games.

Alhambra:

Carcassonne:

Settlers of Catan (Two Images):

Madden NFL 07

UNLOCKABLES: Achievement List
Complete the following achievements to obtain the allotted gamerscore.

Unlockable
How to Unlock

30 Years of Franchise (100)
Complete 30 years of Franchise mode.

All-Madden Shut Out (10)
Pitch a shut out on All-Madden difficulty.

Create-A-Player (5)
Successfully create a player.

Game Record - Interceptions (10)
Set the single game record for Interceptions.

Game Record - Pass Touchdowns (10)
Set the single game record for Passing Touchdowns.

Game Record - Pass Yards (10)
Set the single game record for Passing Yards.

Game Record - Receiving TD's (10)
Set the single game record for Receiving Touchdowns.

Game Record - Receiving Yards (10)
Set the single game record for Receiving Yards.

Game Record - Receptions (10)
Set the single game record for Receptions.

Game Record - Rush TD's (10)
Set the single game record for Rushing Touchdowns.

Game Record - Rushing Yards (10)
Set the single game record for Rushing Yards.

Game Record - Sacks (10)
Set the single game record for Sacks.

Import Draft Class (10)
Successfully import a Draft Class.

Live Opponent (5)
Play a Live Opponent game.

Madden Gamer Level 10 (20)
Reach a Madden Gamer Level of 10.

Madden Gamer Level 2 (10)
Reach a Madden Gamer Level of 2.

Madden Gamer Level 20 (40)
Reach a Madden Gamer Level of 20.

Madden Gamer Level 30 (70)
Reach a Madden Gamer Level of 30.

Madden Gamer Level 40 (85)
Reach a Madden Gamer Level of 40.

Madden Gamer Level 50 (100)
Reach a Madden Gamer Level of 50.

Mini-Games (5)
Enter the Mini-Games mode.

Perfect Season (30)
Successfully complete a Perfect Season.

Season Record - INT's (20)
Set the season record for Interceptions.

Season Record - Pass TD (20)
Set the season record for Passing Touchdowns.

Season Record - Pass Yards (20)
Set the season record for Pass Yards.

Season Record - Receive TD (20)
Set the season record for Receiving Touchdowns.

Season Record - Receiving Yards (20)
Set the season record for Receiving Yards.

Season Record - Receptions (20)
Set the season record for Receptions.

Season Record - Rush Touchdowns (20)
Set the season record for Rushing Touchdowns.

Season Record - Rush Yards (20)
Set the season record for Rushing Yards.

Season Record - Sacks (20)
Set the season record for Sacks.

SS Career - 100 Sacks (20)
SS Career - 100 Sacks.

SS Career - 10000 Rush Yards (20)
SS Career - 10000 Rush Yards.

SS Career - 20 Forced Fumbles (20)
SS Career - 20 Forced Fumbles.

SS Career - 200 Pass TD's (20)
SS Career - 200 Pass TD's.

SS Career - 25 Interceptions (20)
SS Career - 25 Interceptions.

SS Career - 500 Tackles (20)
SS Career - 500 Tackles.

SS Career - 60 Receiving TDs (20)
SS Career - 60 Receiving TDs.

SS Season - 10 Receiving TDs (10)
SS Season - 10 Receiving TDs.

SS Season - 140 Tackles (10)
SS Season - 140 Tackles.

SS Season - 1400 Rush Yards (10)
SS Season - 1400 Rush Yards.

SS Season - 16 Sacks (10)
SS Season - 16 Sacks.

SS Season - 30 Pass TDs (10)
SS Season - 30 Pass TDs.

SS Season - 7 Force Fumb (10)
SS Season - 7 Force Fumb.

SS Season - 7 INTs (10)
SS Season - 7 INTs.

Super Bowl Win (30)
Win the Super Bowl.

Additional features include these:

• Interchangeable Side Button Panels provide gamers with two options for different hand sizes or preferences.
• 2,000 DPI Laser Engine, Powered by Razer Precision, delivers super-fast response time.
• On-the-fly DPI lets players adjust DPI for controlled sensitivity.
• Always-On™ Mode Pioneered by Razer gives gamers virtually no latency.
• High-speed motion detection lets gamers get their speed on with movement of up to 45 inches per second and 20G acceleration.
• Seven programmable buttons with Hyperesponse allow gamers to program their button functions; Razer’s Hyperesponse technology reduces latency.
• On-board profile memory enables gamers to store up to five game control profiles on the mouse.
• Ultra-slick Teflon feet let gamers enjoy smooth and quiet gliding.
• Ergonomic design features GlowPipe™ side rails and large, rubber-coated buttons.
• Thin, flexible wire provides gamers with the speed of a wired mouse with the feel of a wireless device.  [...]

Pricing and Availability
Microsoft Habu will be widely available in October 2006 for an estimated retail price of $69.95 (U.S.).

More information about the Microsoft Habu here

Sure, graphics and games may be all that are important to you when it comes to next-generation videogame consoles, but your spouse / significant other is probably even more concerned with how the device(s) will fit in to your home decor. Luckily for him / her, Games Radar got its hands on an exact wooden replica of the upcoming PS3 (straight from Sony, so you know it's the real deal), and did a little comparative photo shoot with the Xbox 360 so all of us have some idea of what to expect. As you can see, Sony's machine is living a lot larger than Microsoft's offering, but with its all-black exterior, the PS3 might actually be less obtrusive sitting among the rest of the gear in your rack. As appreciative as we are to Games Radar for providing some perspective on the aesthetic merits / detriments of both systems, we still think they could have taken a page out of DocCRP's book, and photographed the mockup next to every single object ever produced in the history of mankind. Oh well, maybe Doc just set the bar a little too high; keep reading for another angle, and then head over to GR for the rest of the *shudder* "pr0n"...

For the first time in its five year history, the Madden Challenge -- EA's official, annual Madden tournament -- will include international representation. The Madden Challenge will occur in Mexico, Canada, United Kingdom, Germany and Hong Kong, in addition to 26 U.S. cities.

The Madden Challenge takes place on the Xbox and this year, will also introduce a new Xbox 360 division for the tournament. Here's the schedule for when the Madden Challenge comes to your area:

9/1/2006 Denver Invesco Field

9/3/2006 Minneapolis MetroDome

9/9/2006 Indianapolis RCA Dome

9/10/2006 Chicago Solider Field

9/16/2006 Green Bay Lambeau Atrium

9/17/2006 Detroit Ford Field

9/23/2006 Atlanta Lenox Mall

9/24/2006 New Orleans Superdome

9/25/2006 New Orleans - MNF Superdome

9/30/2006 Cincinnati Newport on the Levee

10/1/2006 Pittsburgh Heinz Field

10/7/2006 Boston Gillette Stadium

10/8/2006 Philadelphia King of Prussia Mall

10/14/2006 New Jersey Jersey Garden Mall

10/15/2006 New York Grand Central Station

10/21/2006 Baltimore M & T Bank Stadium

10/22/2006 Washington DC Fed Ex Field

10/28/2006 Charlotte Concord Mills

10/29/2006 Tampa Raymond James Stadium

11/4/2006 Houston Reliant Stadium Park

11/5/2006 Dallas Texas Stadium

11/11/2006 Phoenix Cardinal Stadium

11/12/2006 San Diego Qualcomm Stadium

11/18/2006 Los Angeles Hollywood & Highland

11/19/2006 Oakland McAfee Coliseum

11/24/2006 Seattle Qwest Field

11/26/2006 San Francisco Metreon

1/13/2007 Toronto, Canada TBD

1/20/2007 Hong Kong, China EA Experience

1/27/2007 Mexico City, Mexico TBD

2/4/2007 London, England Superbash

2/4/2007 Frankfurt, Germany Commerce Stadium

2/8/2007 Honolulu (Finals) Pro Bowl

15 new screenshots for Battlefield 2142, the futuristic multiplayer 3D action game being developed at Digital Illusions, are now available online. The game's team play features allow up to 64 players to enter the action on the front lines as part of a formal squad, or work behind the scenes in Commander Mode to direct the strategic assaults of their teammates. With in-game success, players increase their rank and unlock awards, including new weapons, medals and more, delivering the most comprehensive and flexible persistence in the Battlefield universe to date.

Earlier this week the Intel Core 2 Duo E6600 sold as high as $459 but the supply shortages seem to be easing. Buy.com now offers the E6600 at $339 which is only $23 above list price and promises to ship in one to two weeks. If Buy.com comes through and delivers the product at anywhere close to the list price, this will be very good news. Most of my friends that are in to high-performance computing are dying to get their hands on one for a reasonable price and this is certainly welcome news for them.

Today, August 14, 2006, 4 hours ago | Alijah Green

Microsoft announced today the availabilite at the end of the month of XNA Studio Express. This development suite, costing $100 a year, will allow anyone with a bit of programming knowledge to create his own games for PC and for Xbox 360. The Xbox Live distribution system isn't really well known yet, but I think we can count on Microsoft to really push this content. In the news you'll find images from demos done with XNA Express and/or with the Torque Engine it's shipped with. Update : One small but important information. The development environment itself seems to be free, the $99 a year subscription would only be necessary to be able to use the compiled code on the 360.

yesterday’s XNA announcements.