On July 27th, we will release a robust Madden NFL 11 demo, featuring full 5 minute quarters, Indianapolis Colts vs. New York Jets (as voted by the fans), full GameFlow integration, the ability to create offensive and defensive game plans, and more.

Below are a few additional details on the demo:

• Release date: July 27th on both Xbox LIVE and PSN
• Teams: Colts vs. Jets
• Stadium: Jets Stadium, East Rutherford NJ – 1:00pm, clear
• Full 5 minute quarters
• All 4 skill levels selectable – Rookie, Pro, All-Pro, All-Madden
• The option to build both an offensive and defensive gameplans

o Unlock “Master Strategist” achievement/trophy in the retail game

• GameFlow or Conventional play call selectable
• CoachSpeak audio and text overlays
• Coaching Tips
• Audio presentation:

o Play-by-play (Gus Johnson), commentary (Cris Collinsworth)
o Stadium music
o Team specific chants – J-E-T-S, Jets! Jets! Jets!

• Share with friends and earn an exclusive Madden Ultimate Team card that is redeemed with full version

While I soaked up the sun at Myrtle Beach this week, the annual Electronic Entertainment Expo kicked off in Los Angeles, revealing lots of gaming goodies to the masses. You’re probably well aware of the big ones, but some announcements may have slipped through the cracks. Here’s a brief rundown of the E3 info that you may want—or even need—to know. (more…)

At the end of Microsoft’s E3 conference, a new Xbox 360 design was shown to attendees. The new model will feature built-in wi-fi and a 250GB hard drive. It also seems to be sporting extra vents, which is nice considering the 360′s ability to boil eggs after hours of gaming. Microsoft claims the console is slimmer than the traditional 360 design, but it doesn’t look to be by much.

If you’re interested in purchasing the new design, you won’t have to wait long–they’re en route to retailers as I type this. The new design should be available in a store near you this week. Crazy, eh?

You can see the usual Xbox 360 box art banner above. Say goodbye, dear readers, because Microsoft is preparing to replace it. With what? you ask.

Behold! This is the dawn of a new era, of a bold new direction, of oh let’s face it this is kind of lame. But there you have it, folks. If you check out the Amazon pages for Kane and Lynch 2 or Mafia II you can see the new banner in action (although the latter game only shows the new art on the Collector’s Edition for some strange reason). Let us know what you think.

In case you haven’t seen it on Xbox Live, check out the exciting new multiplayer trailer!

…Playstation Network Demo scheduled for February 4th.

The Battlefield: Bad Company 2 console demo and PC beta will feature Port Valdez, a new vehicle focused map where up to 24 players (32 on PC) will compete against each other as either the US or Russian armies in the game’s Rush multiplayer mode. Players will have access to five land and three air vehicles where the Russian side can use everything in their arsenal including Main Battle Tanks as well as the fast-moving Quad Bikes and Mobile Armored AA. The fight will also be packed with plenty of infantry combat fought alongside the waterline towards a great oil industrial landscape in the Alaskan mountains.
Have you played the demo?  What did you think about it?  Leave a comment.

According to the keyboard-clacking monkeys at Kotaku, the Dreamcast classic Sonic Adventure may be coming to Xbox Live Arcade in the near future. A port of the game that some consider to be the last decent Sonic title popped up on the gaming press incarnation of XBL on PartnerNet, but was promptly removed when word began to spread. Sega remains silent on the issue.

What say you? I’m not afraid to drag out my Dreamcast and fire up Sonic Adventure whenever I’m in the mood, so this news doesn’t light any fires in my mind. You readers, however, might be jumping for joy at this news for all I know. If so, looks like Microsoft and Sega are about to hook you up. If not, well, there’s always Modern Warfare 2 to keep you busy.

You folks will no doubt think that is Captain Obvious’ Article Title of the Day when you check out the latest gameplay trailer for the Xbox 360 exclusive, is-it-ever-coming-out mystery/thriller game Alan Wake.

Not much to see here, but at least developer Remedy Games isn’t holding out anymore. The use of light in particular is very well done, and I for one can’t wait to see more. The story is said to be of a Twin Peaks sort (i.e. creepy and weird), following a writer and many strange occurrences in a small town. I wish writers’ lives were really so intriguing.

I think we can all agree that the PlayStation  Home arcade is lame. Standing in line, waiting to play a game—that wasn’t much fun in the golden age of arcades, and it certainly isn’t fun doing so in a virtual space. So what can Microsoft do differently on Xbox Live that will attract people who are dissatisfied with Home’s lackluster arcade?

Enter Game Room, a free downloadable virtual arcade (say that three times fast) for Xbox 360 and PC. Players will be able to arrange arcade cabinets in their own personal space and show off their custom arcade to friends on Xbox Live or Games for Windows Live. Avatars will explore these spaces and tackle arcade classics like Centipede, Tempest, Gravitar, and many more. (more…)

When Nintendo Power announced the upcoming Mega Man 10 for WiiWare, they neglected to mention that the retro 8-bit sequel will also grace Xbox Live and PlayStation Network. Makes sense, given that it is a Nintendo publication.

Anyhoo, I just thought you XBL and PSN folks would like to know. If you’re hankering for more punishing old-school gameplay that makes Demon’s Souls look like a Disney game, but you don’t have a Wii, Capcom still has you covered. Capcom has plenty of Sheep Man to go around.