Things have been pretty busy since my return from GenCon, and I apologize for not finding the time to publish regular news updates here…

Today’s PC and Online game news:

• Matrix Games has posted quite a few updates since our last check, including new screenshots for, and the release of, Decisive Campaigns: The Blitzkrieg from Warsaw to Paris, a second video for Battlefield Academy, an update to Close Combat – Cross of Iron, and updates and “enrichment” for Battlefield Academy.
• Paradox Interactive has released Ship Simulator Extreme. It is available by retail and download.
• Racingspider Games’ blog says that they’ve added some new gameplay features to Expedition: Beyond the Walls that will be a bit more interactive at the destinations.
• 2K Games released Mafia II on August 24. This is “an epic crime-action tale” that is available for the PlayStation 3, XBox 360, and Windows PC.
• Acclaim apparently has gone under, or at least offline.
• Eidos announced the release of Lara Croft and the Guardian of Light on the XBox Live Arcade.
• Tecmo Koei Europe’s web site says that Nobunaga’s Ambition (a “standard-bearer in historical simulation gaming”) is now available on the iPod Touch, iPhone, and iPad.
• BradyGames has launched strategy guides for Mafia II, OSG Kane & Lynch 2: Dog Days, StarCraft II, Dragon Quest IX: Sentinels of the Starry Sky, Singularity, and Transformers: Cybertron.
• Guild Wars 2 has added the necromancer to its professions.
• BigPoint Games has added the web-based game Poisonville to their offerings. This game, currently in beta, has you playing the part of a criminal who broke out of jail and is getting even with those who framed him and got him locked up.
• Electronic Arts (EA Games) has released Shank: Thongs of Virtue, a “delightfully twisted and fiendishly addictive action RPG”. The game Create also appears in their web store for November 2010 release. Create says it “tracks your creativity and rewards you for it” by unlocking more of the game.
• Activision announced World of Warcraft: Cataclysm Collectors Edition, Guitar Hero: Warriors of Rock, and DJ Hero 2.
• Sega posted new screenshots and says a demo for Vanquish is coming. They’ve also posted information for Valkyria Chronicles II, Sonic Colors, Virtua Tennis, and Football Manager 2011.
• THQ announced new downloadable Red Faction: Battlegrounds, the uDraw Game Tablet for Wii, Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War II – Retribution, updates for WWI SmackDown vs. Raw 2011, Homefront, and the Wacky Adventures of the Penguins of Madagascar.
• Battlefront released the v1.03 patch for Strategy Command WW2 Global Conflict.
• GamersGate lists several new titles, including Sky Taxi 2, Smugglers 4, Lords of the Realm 3, Judge Dredd: Dredd vs. Death, Alter Ego, Lost Horizon, Hunting Unlimited 2011, Cities XL Standard Edition, Magic Encyclopedia Moon Light, King Arthur The RPG Wargame: The Saxons DLC, Arma 2: British Armed Forces, Free Running, Alien vs. Predators Classic 2000, Broken Sword: Shadow of the Templars Directors Cut, and Ship Simulator Extreme.
• Advanced Gaming has posted an “Updated Modeling/Community Position Statement” for Harpoon: Ultimate Edition.