"Recognizing games "as an important element in every culture around the globe," the Boy Scouts of America today announced plans to offer a merit badge in game design." Read more here.

"Should the sale of violent videogames be regulated? In the wake of Aurora, Columbine, Newtown, and far too many other episodes, attempts to prove or disprove a connection between violent gameplay and antisocial, aggressive and violent behavior are revisited. The findings, inconclusive at best, recently prompted the White House to call for more research on the issue." Read more here.

"Following last year’s surprise Worst Company In America victory by Electronic Arts, there was hope that the video game giant would get the message: Stop treating your customers like human piggy banks, and don’t put out so many incomplete and/or broken games with the intent of getting your customers to pay extra for what they should have received in the first place." Read more

"Valve has announced that they will be putting up Counter-Strike: Global Offensive for free this weekend and the offer is said to be running from now until Sunday 1PM. All you need to do is launch Steam (or download it if you haven’t), scroll down to the “free weekend” banner and you should be able to get your hands on the game then" Read more here.

"A lot of rumors have been going around the Internet about the potential launch date for the Steam Linux client, but nothing has been certain about the launch titles until now." Read more here.

"The bottom line: this is the center of a Tootsie Pop, guys. The sweet, sugary core of what it means to be a gamer – to hang out with your friends and play the night away. It is the pure joy of floaty, delicious, and streamlined gameplay." Read more here.

"Fans of the Syndicate franchise will recognize many weapons and environments in the game, but in a whole new way. Syndicate's blend of fast-paced, futuristic, action shooter settings and story, combined with innovative chip breach gameplay, instantly immerses players in a unique digital world.

"Blizzard Entertainment today announced that Diablo III will not be released this year and has set a new release target of early 2012." Read more here.

"BioWare and LucasArts are pleased to announce that Star Wars™: The Old Republic™ will launch on December 20, 2011 in North America and on December 22, 2011 in the European Launch Territories!" Read more here.

"It looks like fans of BioWare’s “upcoming” release Star Wars: The Old Republic may have to wait even longer to finally get their Wookiee paws on the game." Read more here.