Development on Halo 3 is winding down. While there’s still a considerable amount of dudes here on site, playing through the game, testing the game, filing bugs and fixing bugs, the game is roughly 99.9% complete. That last .1% percent is pretty important, however. Right now, some testing is being done in a controlled retail environment via our Halo 3 Epsilon. You’ve probably seen reports online or even folks on your friends’ list playing it, so here’s the scoop:

The Epsilon is a closed, final phase testing for Halo 3. We won’t be making the Epsilon available for public consumption, so while that’s immensely disappointing for folks hoping that Friends and Family invites would be extended for the Epsilon, just know that each day you wait in agony is another day closer to September 25.

Those who are particularly sharp-eyed may get just a hint of what we're planning to show at this year's GC, but all of you who attend are invited to come to our public area for hands-on time with the game. Perhaps you'll be lucky enough to sit in Conan's throne and take pictures with our lovely Hyborian slave girl. For players who just can't get enough information, we're also going to be doing closed-door demonstrations with major press and fansites revealing even more about the game.

We're also going to be encouraging filming by everyone—press, players, fans, everyone—as we know videos and actual gameplay footage are what everybody wants to see. There's no NDA, no restrictions will be in place, so for the first time, players can not only get their hands on the game, they can share their experiences with the world.

We know you're going to love it, so fly, drive, or swim to Germany, come to Leipzig, and finally plunge into the world of Hyboria.

360

• BioShock - TeamXbox - 9.5/10
• BioShock - 360.IGN - 9.7/10
• BioShock - GameSpy - 5/5
• BioShock - 1Up - 10/10
• BioShock - Eurogamer - 10/10
• BioShock - GamePro - 5/5
• BioShock - ShackNews - No Score :(

Developers at Games Conference 2007 - Part 1
Friends and acquaintances from the development community share their plans for the huge German event next week

Age of Armor Media #1
From Snail Game, a robot-themed online offering pitting the Earth United Government against the Republic of Aesir - Four exclusive screenshots

IGN Entertainment’s GameSpy, a leader in multi-platform online gaming technology, today announced a licensing deal to incorporate GameSpy’s multiplayer online technology into Crytek’s upcoming sci-fi, first-person shooter game, Crysis. Under the terms of the agreement, Crytek will utilize a broad range of GameSpy technologies for online gaming and community integration in the upcoming release of Crysis. Additionally, Crytek will leverage GameSpy’s Beta testing program to expose the game to a worldwide network of gaming enthusiasts. [...]

GameSpy will also be hosting a beta test program for Crysis, giving Crytek the ability to test Crysis with gaming enthusiasts. To be available at FilePlanet, (http://www.fileplanet.com/), this beta program will allow Crytek to fine-tune Crysis and receive feedback on gameplay, while detecting any early problems within the game. The beta test program will provide invaluable feedback and generate buzz for the game leading up to its November release.

2K Games, a publishing label of Take-Two Interactive Software, Inc. (NASDAQ: TTWO), announced today that it will publish Borderlands, the latest release from acclaimed developer Gearbox Software, for the Xbox 360™ video game and entertainment system from Microsoft, PLAYSTATION3 computer entertainment system and Games for Windows. As the first title in an all-new sci-fi action franchise, Borderlands combines the best elements of Gearbox Software’s famed first-person action titles with player customization and vehicular combat to create an unprecedented gaming experience.

Gearbox Software has developed revolutionary new technology to create Borderlands’ incredible layers of gameplay depth. Borderlands features a groundbreaking content generation system allowing for near-endless variety in missions, environments, enemies, weapons, item drops and character customization.

"Borderlands represents an important evolutionary leap in game design and technology,” said Christoph Hartmann, President of 2K. “By utilizing revolutionary new technology to create thousands of unique, randomly generated missions, weapons and situations, Borderlands will raise the bar for next gen action games.”

Borderlands is an extraordinary cooperative experience, allowing for multiple players to share the same game experience simultaneously online. Players can freely join or leave each other’s games at anytime, or choose to play in the full single-player mode. Borderlands features life-like character animations, impressive real-time physics, and customizable vehicles.

“Borderlands creates a universe of gameplay that goes far beyond anything anyone would expect. We’re tapping into every bit of Gearbox Software’s experience with the biggest science fiction video game franchises, then taking everything way past the next level,” said Randy Pitchford, President of Gearbox Software. “The team at 2K Games shares our passion for pushing boundaries in gameplay and storytelling and are absolutely perfect partners for Borderlands.”

Borderlands will be available holiday 2008 for PLAYSTATION 3 system, Xbox 360 and Games for Windows. For more information, see the Borderlands cover story in the September issue of Game Informer Magazine.

Introversion Software and Ambrosia Software announced today its plans for a DEFCON freeplay long-weekend in conjunction with the Penny Arcade Expo. The event will take place on Friday, August 24th at 18:00 GMT and run until Monday, August 27th at 06:00 GMT. During this time, DEFCON will be free for all to play.

To take part in the DEFCON freeplay weekend, simply head to http://www.everybody-dies.com/downloads/ and download the free trial. For this limited period, the usual demo restrictions will be lifted and gamers will not be required to provide key codes to have access to the full game.

"DEFCON is a great game and this will be a fantastic opportunity for those who haven't yet played it to have a go," said Vicky Arundel, Head of Marketing at Introversion. "We're really looking forward to welcoming some newcomers to the DEFCON community and hope that this taster will leave you wanting to come back again."

DEFCON is an online, competitive, multiplayer strategy game simulating global thermonuclear war. The game, inspired by the 1983 cult-classic film, WarGames, superbly evokes the tension, paranoia and suspicion surrounding the Cold War era. DEFCON was an instantaneous success, receiving an average of 85%+ in game reviews and scores of praise. PC Gamer UK described it as 'pure, deep, utterly unconscionable fun', whilst IGN awarded DEFCON an Editors Choice Award and praised it as 'highly impressive'.