The new Atari.com represents phase one of the company's internet re-launch, allows fans of the company's works to browse the latest Atari titles, buy games from the Atari Store, enter contests, and most importantly, play six classic Atari games for free as long as you;d like, unless your boss is watching. The six games currently on the site include Asteroids, Adventure, Battlezone, Crystal Castles, Lunar Lander and Yars Revenge, each retro-fitted with leaderboards so players can keep track of how much they suck at Crystal Castles and how many times they blame it on the lack of a trackball.

"Today commences the first stage in Atari's ongoing commitment to growing its online business with the re-launch of Atari.com," said Jim Wilson, President and CEO of Atari, Inc. "Our online roadmap contains a multitude of enhancements and exciting new features which over time will redefine how people play and connect with Atari."

Yes, yes Jim, whatever you say. More Yars Revenge please.

Tweet My Gaming is a site that provides a constant feed of video game tweets from everyone who tweets them. It tags video game names and then captures any Twitter activity containing those names, with updates appearing on the front page in real time. It's fascinating to watch it in motion, but that's only a small part of the site's functionality.

Tweet My Gaming not only feeds the tweets, it also tracks them and ranks games based on their Twitter popularity, giving us insight not only into the games themselves, but a good idea about what kinds of gamers use Twitter. For instance, The Sims 3 is currently on top of the list, with 54,069 tweets, compared to the next highest, World of Warcraft with 10,000. This leads me to speculate that the more casual player is more apt to talk about gaming on Twitter than the hardcore player, a fact mostly backed up by the next games on the list - The Beatles: Rock Band, Left 4 Dead 2 (the anomaly), and Wii Fit.

You can search for games by name, which gives you the number of tweets since the site launched on June 1st, as well as the number of players on sister site GamerDNA who list the game in their profiles.

In order to have your tweets counted, all you have to do is mention the name of a game. No tags; no special characters; just the game's name. I tweeted about The Sims 3, and within a minute I saw my tweet sliding down the front page of the website. Just be warned that watching the scroll is completely addictive.

The team behind the website actually sat down with me at E3 for a moment to show me the website, and by sitting down with me I mean sitting down in the hallway outside the press room. Unfortunately I didn't have much time to spare, so this is the first time I've actually gotten to sit down and explore the site a bit.

It really is a fascinating use of Twitter, and another fine example of alternative gaming statistics gathering from the folks who brought us GamerDNA. Go look for yourself!

Capcom is compiling all the pertinent information a player needs to get started in the wild world of Monster Hunter Freedom Unite. While it's a bit light on content at the moment, Capcom will be filling it with all sorts of helpful information leading up to the game's release in June. You'll find a handy beginner's guide; information on weapons and armor; a bestiary; and videos to help you get the most out of the game, unlike the video below, which simply introduces the website and hovers atop the link you'll need to follow to get there.

The Encyclopedia Gigantica [Capcom]

GameAnswers is essentially the video game version of Yahoo! Answers. After a quick and painless sign up process, users can ask questions or answer questions to their hearts' content, climbing the ranks as other community members rate their answers in terms of overall helpfulness. Simple community functions allow you to follow other members or gain followers yourself, perhaps one day becoming to most informative gamer the world has ever seen.

GameFly founder Sean Spector explained to Kotaku why exactly they've created the GameAnswers website.

"Gamers want feedback from other gamers, but don't want to spend hours combing through message boards to find what they need. GameAnswers lets gamers get answers on their time line and not others'.

Spector hopes that rank system will help encourage good answers, rather than a page full of "First answer!" posts, and if that doesn't work there is always the report abuse button.

While there are currently no plans to integrate GameAnswers with the GameFly video game rental-by-mail service, Spector didn't rule out some sort of shared features appearing in the future.

If reading the comments section on Kotaku is any indicator, gamers sure love to show other gamers how much they know. With that in mind, we should completely crash the website's servers in a matter of minutes. We can do it. I believe in us.

GameAnswers.com [Official Website]

It's more of a teaser website than anything else, with no sign of a logo and no information whatsoever. You've got your turntables situated in front of a cheering crowd, and should you touch said turntables the crowd cheers louder, making the whole thing a testament to the importance of having a sound off button on your website. Adding to the interactivity is a sign up box, where you can submit your information in order to be the first to know when new information is released about the game.

If you're interested, I would suggest turning down your speakers, hopping over to http://djhero.com/, submitting your information, and then fleeing as soon as humanly possible.

The official Warrior Epic website is now live, giving prospective players a deeper look at the world of the game, with new artwork, updated news, community forums, and of course, the chance to sign up for the upcoming closed beta test. While when the closed beta will start remains a bit of a mystery, True Games has plans on launching the open beta sometime in March, so it'll either be very soon or very short. Hit up the link for more details!

Warrior Epic [Official Website]

PlaySavvy.com will provide features such as Gaming 101, a comprehensive guide to ratings, parental controls, and online gaming, as well as reviews, pertinent gaming news, and information on how to access the tools essential to being a game-savvy parent.

"Playing video games is one of the top pastimes for children these days, almost more than watching TV. We created AOL PlaySavvy to help parents navigate through all the gaming information out there in order to decide what’s appropriate for their children," said Libe Goad, Editor-in-Chief, AOL PlaySavvy. "In addition, PlaySavvy provides advertisers the opportunity to reach this targeted user base by creating appealing campaigns around the content.”

See? The advertising emphasis wasn't ours. Hit the jump for the full press release, or just visit PlaySavvy.com to see for yourself how AOL plans to learn them parents.

AOL Launches PlaySavvy.com

New Site Serves as Gaming Resource for Parents

NEW YORK—(BUSINESS WIRE)—AOL announced the launch of AOL PlaySavvy.com, http://www.playsavvy.com, a new site that targets parents of children ages 5-17 and helps them decipher the world of games, both PC and console. PlaySavvy also helps parents stay aware of their kids’ entertainment choices including assisting them in making informed decisions about buying games for their children. The PlaySavvy.com launch is a continuation of AOL’s overall programming goal to offer consumers interactive and engaging experiences with relevant sites that target people’s passion points. This year, AOL launched several targeted sites including ParentDish.com, http://www.parentdish.com, Lemondrop.com, http://www.lemondrop.com, WalletPop.com, http://www.walletpop.com, and Holidash.com, http://www.holidash.com.

"Playing video games is one of the top pastimes for children these days, almost more than watching TV. We created AOL PlaySavvy to help parents navigate through all the gaming information out there in order to decide what’s appropriate for their children," said Libe Goad, Editor-in-Chief, AOL PlaySavvy. "In addition, PlaySavvy provides advertisers the opportunity to reach this targeted user base by creating appealing campaigns around the content.”

PlaySavvy will provide the following features:

Gaming 101 – PlaySavvy editors help parents understand game ratings and where to find them on a game box, how to use parental controls on the game systems, offer tips on what online games and web sites are safer for children, and provide advice for first time buyers on the differences between video game systems and which one is most appropriate for their family.

Parent Q&A – Consumers can ask questions about games and get real-time answers from a panel of real-life parents.

Reviews – Video game experts provide reviews ranging from how appropriate to how fun a game is for kids.

Relevant How-To Articles – PlaySavvy staff helps guide parents through the video game wasteland including common issues on hot-button topics such as content and safety.

AOL has long been a leader in the Parental Controls space, pioneering the idea of online safety for children when it began offering a robust set of tools designed to help parents keep their children safe online. In September, AOL launched SafetyClicks.com, http://www.safetyclicks.com, a new online safety education Web site, and introduced an improved version of its free, downloadable parental controls software, http://parentalcontrols.aol.com, that is designed to give parents the tools they need to help protect their children from inappropriate or dangerous online material.

AOL Games experienced 41% unique visitors growth, 62% page view growth and 54% engagement growth year-over-year, according to October 2008 comScore Media Metrix. AOL Games also runs GameDaily.com, http://www.gamedaily.com, and BigDownload.com, http://www.bigdownload.com.

Mirroring the status of the service itself, right now things are pretty bare at the PlayStation Home website, with a basic description of the service, a video of home in action, and a few screenshots, but one day it will be the social gathering place for the social gathering place, probably.

I got to spend some time hanging around Home this weekend dancing like an idiot, before giving up and logging on to Second Life, where I hung around dancing like an idiot some more. The future belongs to virtual dancing idiots.

PlayStation Home [Official Site via PS3center]

So this marks my first and last visit to MyBuzz, but don't let that stop you from heading over there, signing in with your PSN ID and getting a head start on the user-created quiz train. I'll just try to forget it exists until the pressure breaks me and I go on a three-day Mountain Dew-fueled multiple choice bender.

MyBuzz! [Official Website]

The site also supports stat tracking, though currently the only game that supports the feature is DDR Universe 2 for the Xbox 360, which I own and have played exactly three times in the past three months, displaying my powerful commitment to personal fitness. Hit the link to set up your own online DDR presence, or jump right over it for a press release guaranteed to make your body move, probably.

DDR Online Community Site [Konami]

KONAMI HELPS CELEBRATE 10TH ANNIVERSARY OF DANCEDANCEREVOLUTION BY LAUNCHING OFFICIAL DANCEDANCEREVOLUTION BRAND AND COMMUNITY PORTAL

Fans Of Best-Selling Dance Franchise Can Come Together At DDROnlineCommunity.com To Create Personal Profiles, Videos, & Blogs, Chat With Friends, Learn About Upcoming DDR Releases/Events, And More

EL SEGUNDO, Calif. - June 17, 2008 - As part of the year-long celebration of the 10th anniversary of its best-selling DanceDanceRevolution® franchise, Konami Digital Entertainment, Inc., today announced the launch of the official DanceDanceRevolution brand and community portal. Fans of DanceDanceRevolution can now go to www.ddronlinecommunity.com to join other DanceDanceRevolution enthusiasts as they enjoy a host of exciting features related to the DanceDanceRevolution craze. Included among the many features offered such as blog updates direct from the development team, the site offers opportunities for fans to create their own personal profiles, post videos, and write their own blogs. Additionally, they can chat with other DanceDanceRevolution fans around the globe and join special forums. Those who think they are among the DanceDanceRevolution elite will enjoy the live stats tracking feature that can be linked to profiles and scoreboards for DanceDanceRevolution Universe 2 for the Xbox 360® video game and entertainment system from Microsoft with a future iteration planned as well. Through the site, Konami will also keep fans updated on all DanceDanceRevolution related news including upcoming product releases, local and national events, and more.

"For 10 years, DanceDanceRevolution has evolved from a video game into a pop culture icon. Millions of versions of the game have been sold, fan clubs have been formed, and the people who count themselves as members of the DanceDanceRevolution community continue to grow exponentially each year," said Anthony Crouts, Vice President of Marketing at Konami Digital Entertainment, Inc "As we celebrate this special anniversary, the time was right to provide a fun place online where our fans can share their love for the DanceDanceRevolution brand and also enjoy a host of special features, promotions, and activities that are certain to add to the allure of this special franchise."

Originally debuting in arcades in 1998, DanceDanceRevolution has been available on most consoles including Xbox® video game and entertainment system from Microsoft, PlayStation®2 computer entertainment system, and Wii™. Revolutionizing the get-up-and move concept for video games, DanceDanceRevolution combines high energy music with fun-filled gameplay. The game has swept into the pop culture psyche as it has had its own television program on CBS, is regularly featured on primetime television, music videos and feature films, has its own fan club and fan sites, is part of the physical education program in many school districts, and is a featured workout in fitness clubs across the United States.

Prince of Persia Official Website [Ubisoft - Thanks ES!]

Naruto: Ultimate Ninja Storm Website [Namco Bandai - Thanks LDjosh!]

Rayman Raving Rabbids 2 [Official Site]

Just recently emerging from private beta, SwitchPlanet is a brand new site dedicated to allowing users to trade games, movies, and CDs in a safe and money-free environment. Basically what happens is this: You list what you have to trade, if another user wants it they can 'buy' it from you using SwitchBucs, a sort of virtual currency. Once the user receives your item, you get the number of SwitchBucs you posted the item for in the first place, which you can then use to request your own items. The site's goal is to "establish SwitchPlanet.com as a premier online community that is committed to helping reduce the impact waste is having on the planet by trading the things we no longer use to get the things we want."

Basically it is a store without actual money changing hands. It looks rather nifty. SwitchPlanet actually guarantees every switch you make, refunding in full your fake money for lost or damaged items.

I've signed myself up, and right now they have a deal where you get 25 free SwitchBucs for signing up, which is enough for *looks in listings* NFL 2K1 for the Dreamcast. Yay. Michael Fahey

SwitchPlanet.com

Breaking into gaming is a real bitch. It's all about knowing the right people. For those without high-powered connections, there's Game Job, a specialty search engine that launches in October.

Apparently, it works pretty much like any other job site, but without the typical white-collar listings. Register, fill out personal info, and start looking for your dream job in the page's extensive database. This isn't just a site for folks that want to be programmers or designers, but anyone that wants to enter the industry. The first thousand people will even get an iPod nano.

There's a catch. Start boning up n that kanji, 'cause the whole damn page is in Japanese.

Teaser Site [Game Job] via ITMedia

Jane Pinckard, the founder of Game Girl Advance, was recently hired on as 1Up's new News Editor. Great call!

It's good to see that ZD Net is looking at buffing up their news section and I can't think of a better person to do what they have in mind. Congrats Jane.

Check out her blog for a run down on what 1Up expects of her and what she hopes to do.

a new news [1Up]

The Gamer's Quarter magazine is a collaborative project between dedicated gamers who do not just play games, but experience them. Rather than sitting in a lonely room plowing through a game just to attach a few numbers and witty quote for the box art, we play the games we want and write about how and why they attach themselves to our hearts and minds in a way that no other form of media is capable of. It is our intent to publish honest, provocative, and entertaining writing which reflects our belief that video games can be more than mere vehicles for entertainment, but also creative, meaningful works.

I love and hate NGJ as much as the next guy, but come on—what the hell's the difference between a vehicle of entertainment and a creative, meaningful work?

I suppose I'm gonna have to read through their stuff and figure out whether it rocks or sucks. So much fodder, so little time.

Gamer's Quarter [GQ, thanks GQ staff]

The bottom line? Let us put this one out of its misery quickly. Good graphics? Nope. Good audio? No way. Good gameplay? Gimme a break. Lots of fun? Sure, as long as you are NOT playing it, at least very long. Replay value? Nada. You add all of these facts together and what do you get? One "sucky" game. Hey, sometimes you just gotta tell it like it is. It earns one and a half GiN Gems, and believe me, that is being extremely nice. Sure, Japan might embrace this quirky title, but U.S. gamers are probably just going to call it extremely lame.

I could go on about the slipshod writing, the obnoxious just-between-you-and-me tone or the fact that Jenkins idiotically claims at one point that it is his duty as a reviewer to be UN-biased, but I won t. Instead I ll leave you with this gem of a tagline about Jenkins:

Jevon Jenkins enjoys all types of games, especially those where the programmer's imagination is evident. He can be reached at : jevon64@hotmail.com.

Lost in Translation [Game Industry News, thanks packratshow]

The Year in Games [Salon, as written by other people]

The Decline of the Video Game Mascot [Access Gamer]