Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer talks about Xbox (Credit: AP Photo/Damian Dovarganes)

By Derrick J. Lang, Associated Press

LOS ANGELES (AP) -- It's almost time for a new Xbox.

Eight years have passed since Microsoft unveiled the Xbox 360, double the amount of time between the original Xbox debut in 2001 and its high-definition successor's launch in 2005. With the next-generation Xbox expected to be revealed Tuesday, anticipation for the entertainment console's latest evolution is higher than Master Chief's spaceship.

Madden NFL 25 Anniversary Edition (Credit: EA)Madden, the go-to franchise for NFL fans, is upping its game.

EA has unveiled a limited ‘Anniversary Edition’ edition of the upcoming Madden NFL 25 that will come with a free Sunday Ticket subscription, letting owners not only play simulations of the entire NFL season, but watch it live, too, whether they're in-market or not.

The special version of the game, which is only available via Amazon, has been marked up to $100, but there is something of a caveat. The subscription included will only cover NFL Sunday Ticket on computers, tablets and mobile services.

(Credit: Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)Nintendo has seen its share of rough patches over the years, but the past 12 months have been a doozy.

After revolutionizing the video game industry with the Wii, the company's follow-up console has consistently failed to connect with core gamers, casual gamers and, perhaps most worrying of all, game creators themselves.

Anyone else have a hankering to build their own bridge? (Credit: Christopher MacManus/CNET)A cutesy Trekkie musical goes warp speed into awesomeness. "I'm giving her all she's got, Cap'n! Why is the power starting to dwindle? I'm not sure, but I've been charging my Kindle!"

by Christopher MacManus, CNET

For most of us, gone are the days of middle school -- that forgettable time of transition when we blossom from innocence into awkward young adults. Students who were confident enough at that age might have participated in student musical productions. But few impress like "Star Trek: The Middle School Musical" created by comedic duo Rhett McLaughlin and Link Neal.

Sonic Lost World (Credit: Sega)

By Derrick J. Lang, Associated Press

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Sonic the Hedgehog is rolling with Nintendo.

Sega says it will exclusively release the next three games starring the popular blue critter on Nintendo platforms. The first title will be called "Sonic Lost World" and is set for release on the Wii U and Nintendo 3DS later this year.

Even the DC universe's mightiest superheroes couldn't fight off yet another month of poor retail sales for the video game industry.

(Credit: Warner Bros. Interactive)

April was the latest in a long string of sales disappointments, with brick and mortar sales of video game software falling 17 percent as compared to the same period in 2012. Hardware sales, predictably, were drastically lower as consumers start to save their money for the looming next-generation systems.

Sales of game consoles, in fact, were down 42 percent to $109.5 million, while game sales dipped to $254.3 million. Overall, the industry was down 25 percent compared to a year ago.

Electronic Arts was the first company to institute the online pass. It was, at the time, a revolutionary idea that allowed the publisher to make money from used game sales.

Now, it's walking away from the practice -- and players are celebrating.

By Piya Sinha-Roy, Reuters

LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - The popular video game "Angry Birds" is jumping off smart phones and onto the big screen in a new animated 3D film due to be released in 2016, Sony Pictures Entertainment announced on Wednesday.

Credit: Rovio Entertainment

The film will be a joint venture between Sony Pictures Entertainment and Finnish game-maker Rovio, and follows the game's foray into television with an animated weekly series that began in March this year.

"Sony impressed us with their great attitude, determination, and professionalism. They convinced us that we have found the right partners and team to help us market and distribute our first motion picture," Rovio Entertainment CEO Mikael Hed said in a statement.