So will Quantum of Solace be the next big Bond game after GoldenEye on the Nintendo 64? While everyone's still hoping for Rare's classic FPS to his online networks (XBL, VC, PSN?), this looks promising nonetheless. Here's a launch trailer that Activision's released in anticipation for the game's impending release. Yay for Dame Judi Dench! (They should get her to do more voice-over narrations in video games, I swear...)

There's more than a month to go before Quantum of Solace (Xbox 360, PS3, PS2, DS, Wii, PC) comes out, but Activision's 2009 game lineup has revealed that a new James Bond game is already slated for release next year along with three new IPs. More in the full article.

If you liked Call of Duty 4, chances are, you might like Quantum of Solace even better. In fact, the developers under Activision have taken their CoD4 engine and built on that to make this upcoming 007 title. In the full article, you get to see a  quick developer's diary that features the technical improvements the made to the CoD4 engine: AI and third-person combat!

Wanna get a Behind-the-Scenes look at the smoking hot double-OH-seven movie-turned-game, Quantum of Solace (Xbox 360, PS3, DS, Wii)? Not to worry, we have exactly that for you. Check out the video after the jump.

Activision is getting ready to launch its Quantum of Solace game in time for the James Bond movie of the same name's debut later this year. We're now being treated to some of the first gameplay footage in the title and we're getting some details on the gameplay mechanics. Watch the video after the jump and tell us what you think.

Tired of seeing ordinary looking, dirt-smudged heroes steal the limelight in your favorite video games? This short list of fashionable video game characters shows that it's possible to look snazzy while saving the day, and the girl too. Check out the full article!

Invisible in the shadows, prowling the streets of Gotham City is the Dark Knight, Batman. Lego Batman, that is, prowling the streets of Lego Gotham City. The game's been as mysterious as the character but now it's finally confirmed for a multi platform release! Some new details have also emerged and lie in wait (not prowling though, that's just silly) in the full article.

Remember all those McDonald's outlets that display how many people they have served over the years? Now, imagine putting that sort of computing into videogames, and see who comes out on top. With that said, we bring you this Top 20 published by the UK-based "The Independent."

From what we see, Japan seems to hold in this list, with Mario, Pokemon, and Final Fantasy making it to the top three. Then again, it looks like all the top gaming mascots are here. We advise the fans out there to cross-reference this with anything else they may have read, for accuracy's sake. Enjoy poring over it.

The best-selling games franchises

1. Mario: 193 million
2. Pokémon: 155 million
3. Final Fantasy: 68 million
4. Madden NFL: 56 million
5. The Sims: 54 million
6. Grand Theft Auto': 50 million
7. Donkey Kong: 48 million (centre)
8. The Legend of Zelda: 47 million
9. Sonic the Hedgehog: 44 million
10. Gran Turismo: 44 million
11. Lineage: 43 million
12. Dragon Quest: 41 million
13. Crash Bandicoot: 34 million
14. Resident Evil: 31 million
15. James Bond: 30 million
16. Tomb Raider: 30 million
17. Mega Man: 26 million
18. Command & Conquer: 25 million
19. Street Fighter:25 million
20. Mortal Kombat:20 million

On a last note, we did find it mortifying that our personal faves like MGS did not make it.

We know that there a lot of games out there who sport excellent storylines. But for now, whenever we talk of such, PSP title Gurumin: A Monstrous Adventure and MMO Vanguard: Saga of Heroes readily comes to mind. Sigil Games and Mastiff LLC have spoken recently about the scripts and voice acting for their respective titles.

But the point of the matter is that, every game for every genre on every platform should be concerned about scripts and voice acting. Andy Emery of audio specialist company, Side, pointed out the relationship between the two: "There are many factors that contribute to poor quality dialogue in games, but by far and away a poor script is the biggest single culprit."

While it is true that the graphics and the physics aspects of games nowadays have been superb, the above mentioned are lagging behind. "A professional script writer is an essential part of modern game development and the importance of good casting should not be underestimated," explained Emery.

The generally held practice across the industry today is you get one person, two at the most, then ask them to perform "the lead role in a gritty WWII game and then ask them to also play a couple of German soldiers, a French ally and a bartender, whilst keeping all performances naturalistic." This, according to Emery, should be changed.

Given this, don't get the idea that videogame producers aren't aspiring for higher standards. Actually, they are gunning to be at par with their movie-making equivalents. Emery pointed out that it's just they haven't fully recognized the power of audio in game making.

Andy Emery and his company are responsible for the audio of successful titles Tomb Raider, Dragon Quest, Total War and James Bond among many others.