French videogame titan Ubisoft said Monday it plans to open a studio in Toronto, ramping up Canadian operations that have delivered blockbuster titles including "Assassin's Creed."

The Toronto videogame studio will be the fourth in Canada for Ubisoft, which has facilities in Montreal, Quebec City and Vancouver that employ more than 2,300 people.

"Today's announcement marks a strategic move for Ubisoft as we continue to expand our internal development force," said Ubisoft chief executive Yves G… Continue

You could call it a sign of things to come--or just one good PS3 bundle.

According to Kotaku, next Sunday (July 12) Best Buy will begin offering an 80GB PS3 with two of the best exclusives for the system--Metal Gear Solid 4 and Killzone 2--for the price of the PS3 ($400)… Continue

Because of the Fourth of July holiday, Gaymers will not be updated again until Monday.

On June 22, 2009, the day before trial began, the judge in this patent infringement case made a key decision by opting to use the special master’s construction of a disputed claim.

In 1991, Peter Hochstein and Jeffrey Tenenbaum came up with the idea of communicating live while playing the same video game in separate locations. They patented the technology for doing so in 1994. In 2002, Microsoft released Xbox Live, a gaming service that also allows users to communicate while playing the same ga… Continue

What's worse than paying $50 a year more than Games For Windows Live gamers, just to play Xbox 360 games online? How about paying that same fifty bucks plus having to eyeball banners that unfurl across your Xbox 360's interface like royal proclamations, flocks of leering emoticons that shout "hello!" (emphasis 'LO') like irritated eyeball-rolling tweens, or human silhouettes that groove in looping jukes as dangling ear buds flail like weird, pliable antennae?

Alright, probably not gonna happen.… Continue

Gamezine: As Sony's backwards compatibility patents make the rounds, a German website has supposedly gained comment from a Sony employee.

We were quick to point out that the unearthed Sony patents for the emulation of the PS2's CPU (Emotion Engine) on the PlayStation 3 did not imply full backwards compatibility. This was for the simple fact that… Continue

Microsoft announced that this week's Xbox Live deal is the Knothole Island game add-on for Fable II. Normally available for 800 Microsoft Points, this premium download for Fable II can now be purchased for 560 Microsoft Points. Below is the official description for this DLC:

Discover new quests, locations, characters and more in the premium Knothole Island download. Meet Gordon the submariner in the Bowerstone docks, where you'll be showered with unique gifts to entice you to the mysterious isl… Continue

Back in March, we told you about an accidental confirmation that a third Fable game was in the works. Jonathan Ross, a triple BAFTA Award-winning English film critic and presenter of radio and television, revealed on his Twitter page that he had been offered a voice part in Fable III.

This week, we got another supposed proof that Lionhead is working on Fable III. But the evidence came from the most unimaginable place: The New York Times weddings and celebrations section.… Continue

Uncharted 2 had so many things going right for it that it was just bound to make a mistake before release. Well, that error has been made. During talks with Sony on the official PlayStation blog, Evan Wells from Naughty Dog let loose a lot of information about the upcoming game. Nothing of major importance, mostly hinting at future announcements for the game, but one thing was mentioned that will sadden many of us.

Evan Wells: “We are only supporting online multiplayer. We didn't want to compro… Continue

Media Post has the scoop on the imminent arrival of Microsoft Silverlight to the Xbox 360 platform. This cross-platform technology is Microsoft's response to the popular Adobe Flash format. The arrival of Silverlight aims to boost campaigns on Xbox Live by turning ads into… Continue

For the most part, I think videogaming is in a very healthy place, commercially and creatively. It's easy to find stuff to gripe about -- in fact, I could argue that it's my job -- but as a guy who's been deeply into videogames for 20 years, I'm thrilled with the state of the industry.

So if I were pressed to come up with one issue that I find most troubling -- the #1 Worst Thing about Videogaming, if you will -- it would be the way we exclude women. And I'm not just saying that because I reall… Continue

Is your PlayStation 3 running firmware greater than 2.10? Chances are it is, but did you know that apparently it’s then already capable of running PS2 games then? “PS3 is capable of running PS2 games with 100 % software emulation but the performance and compatibility is really poor,” says lherre on GAF. “The emulator is present in every PS3 in the market (since 2.10 if I remember correctly) but is “deactivated”. “ He then goes on to suggest that the current PS3 firmware has some “interesting” fi… Continue

In Sony's on-again/off-again relationship with PS2 backwards compatibility on the PS3, we've had our hopes raised to the stars and dashed again more times than we imagined possible. Today,… Continue

The movie service Hulu ceased to work with the PlayStation 3 over the weekend in the United States. Could the reason be a new partnership with Microsoft?

Revolution magazine reports that, "Microsoft will provide consumers with personalised content and advertising across all media platforms within three years, claims a senior company executive."

The executive in question is Scott Howe, corporate vice president of advertiser and publisher solutions, who told the mag that Microsoft would be using… Continue

In a move to compete with Apple's iPhone and iPod, Sony may develop a hybrid cell phone-video game handheld with the PlayStation Portable device at its core.

The Nikkei business daily on Saturday reported that the Japanese electronics maker is looking for ways to regain its dominance in the portable electronics market. Sony introduced the Walkman 30 years ago, but Apple has overtaken the entertainment company since the rise of the MP3 format. A PSP phone may be a competitive solution.

Accordin… Continue

The Mole gives up the goods on Sony and Microsoft hardware plans this fall: price drops on both systems, with the 160GB PS3 model replacing the 80GB model before the PS3 Slim is released. Expect the Elite to replace the Pro models on the 360 side after Microsoft adjusts prices as well. New bundles are coming as well.

Our favorite inside source has given us a heads-up on what to expect from both Sony and Microsoft this year in hardware packages and pricing. The path to the holidays is a r… Continue

Being El Presidente of a South American country is an exclusive club. With that in mind, Kalypso Media is currently taking applications for players interested in Tropico 3's closed beta. Despite what you've been led to believe in recent years, a beta is not a demo, and your job is… Continue

Continuing its dedication to the long-running strategy/battle series, developer Team17 has announced that Worms 2: Armageddon--the sequel to the 2007 Xbox Live Arcade edition of Worms--will be available on July 1st, 2009.

"Worms" fans know that Worms 2 and Worms Argmageddon were two different titles on the PC, but for its Xbox Live Arcade remake, Team 17 has decided to bring the best of those two games together into a must-buy Worms title. Worms 2: Armageddon is a 2D turn-based strategy game in… Continue

Grapevine, TX - June 23, 2009 – GameStop today proclaimed summer Tuesdays as Family Night In to help families create fun and affordable in-home gatherings. The world’s largest video game and entertainment software retailer is rolling out special summer offers, discounts and chances to win free dinners while helping families strengthen their bond and extend their budgets.

This commitment recognizes that most families are looking for smart ways to stretch their entertainment dollars while increas… Continue

Microsoft announced today a new promo for the 1 vs. 100 beta on Xbox Live. From Friday, June 26 through Sunday, June 28, Silver Xbox Live members can enjoy the 1 vs. 100 premium entertainment experience reserved exclusively for Gold members. This offer is only available for one weekend. During the beta period no actual prizes will be awarded; so please, never take the cowards way out by accepting the "money".

1 vs. 100 on Xbox Live is a regularly-scheduled show that combines the best of TV show… Continue