GUG Video Game Awards - Vote Now!

Forget all those other video games awards shows you may have seen - the official 2006 GUG Video Game Awards show is here - and we need you to help choose the winners.

Go here to vote on which games and systems you feel are good enough to win a coveted GUG Video Game Award.

Final results will be posted on January 1st, 2007 - so hurry and get your vote in now.

IGN's Best of 2006 Awards

It's that time of year again. Grab a snifter of your favorite brandy (or, for those of you not old enough, a glass of your favorite chocolaty drink -- we suggest warm Ovaltine), take a seat in that comfy recliner (yes, the one that seems to gently caress your supple buttocks in the way that makes you uncomfortably comfortable) and relax by the fire as we take you on a journey through the year that was 2006.

Like we say at IGN, "another 12 months, another 1,200 reviews." Yes, a lot of games, movies, CDs and comics have crossed our desks this year, and we've done our best to evaluate as many of them as we can to tell you what we think is worth your hard-earned buck. 2006 was a busy year with the release of two new gaming systems -- Sony's PS3 and Nintendo's Wii -- as well as the dawning of two new video platforms: HD-DVD and Blu-ray. Although this is a transition year both for videogames and the entertainment industry, we were certainly treated to some great games, movies, and CDs throughout 2006.

We're offering up all of our individual channel picks for Best of 2006 in gaming and entertainment before we go into hibernation for the rest of the year. Of course, we know you're aching to know what our overall picks from all platforms are as well. However, to give the IGN editors a chance to play every possible nominee over the holiday break, we're holding off on our final winners from all platforms until Friday, January 12th, so be sure to check back then. We'll also be posting your picks in mid-January, so look for the Readers' Choice ballots on the various IGN sites and tell us what you thought were the best titles of 2006.

Until then, enjoy reading our Best of 2006 channel awards, and remember to check back in January for our overall picks and to see what the IGN readers thought were the best of the year. While you wait for our overall picks, be sure to cast your own votes in the 2006 Readers' Choice polls on the various IGN channels.

http://bestof.ign.com/2006/

Microsoft Ups Xbox 360 Warranty to One Year

Microsoft said today it would extend Xbox 360’s 90-day warranty to one year, a retroactive move that takes into account those who have already purchased the console.
ImageThe Redmond, Washington-based software giant said that it wanted to bring the standard US and Canadian Xbox 360 warranty up to par with the one-year warranty that the system enjoys in most other regions.

The extension, effective today, covers those who will be buying an Xbox 360, as well as those who have bought an Xbox 360 up to a year ago. Those who have already paid for repairs on an Xbox 360 within their first year of ownership will automatically receive a reimbursement check in the mail in about 10 weeks.

No contact with Microsoft is necessary to receive the checks, the company said in a statement.

The deal misses the ultra-early-adopters by almost a month, as the system launched November 22, 2005 in North America, but the vast majority of owners will still be able to benefit.

Rival consoles PlayStation 3 and Wii also boast a one-year warranty against mechanical defects, although you can extend the Wii’s warranty by 90 days by registering the console with Nintendo.

Girl Gamerz win first pro gaming event

Ubisoft-sponsored all-female team takes first place at CPL finals in Rainbow Six Vegas tourney; win believed to be first for all-female team

Girl Gamerz win first pro gaming event

Next-Gen's Top 50 Games of the Year

Next Generation has picked and ranked the 50 games we believe made 2006 such a stand-out year in game quality. Click through for the definitive ‘Best of Year’ round-up….

Next-Gen's Top 50 Games of the Year