British regulators on Monday banned a toned-down version of the violent video game ''Manhunt 2,'' saying the changes didn't go far enough to alter the game's ''bleakness and callousness of tone.''

News from the virtual world: -HUGE ''HALO'': Of course, ''Halo 3'' had the biggest first-day sales of any video game in history. The thing was practically unavoidable; you could even buy it at 7-Eleven. If ''Halo 3'' hadn't done boffo numbers. Microsoft executives would have been hung by their joystick thumbs and the Xbox 360 would be pretty much dead.

DUBLIN, Ireland (AP) - Ireland imposed its first ban Wednesday on a video game, citing what it called ''gross, unrelenting and gratuitous violence'' in the latest offering from Rockstar Games.

An upcoming video game from the maker of the ''Grand Theft Auto'' series came under fire Tuesday in United States and Britain, where the government's ratings board banned sales for what it called an ''unremitting bleakness and callousness of tone.''

News from the virtual world: -LEAP INTO THE VOID: In May, video gamers usually turn their attention toward Los Angeles, site of the industry's biggest annual trade show. But this year, the Electronic Entertainment Expo (E3) has been downsized and moved to July - and those of us who have gotten used to a pre-Memorial Day trip to California are left twiddling our thumbs.

One of the delights of a well-designed role-playing game is the feeling that you're exploring uncharted territory. The stories may be intriguing, the battles may be pulse-pounding, but the real thrill comes when you discover a new city, an abandoned ruin or even an unsettled planet.

Rockstar Games, the world-renowned publishing label of Take-Two Interactive Software, Inc., is pleased to announce that Grand Theft Auto: Vice City Stories for the PlayStation 2 is now available in North American retail stores. Developed by Rockstar Leeds in conjunction with series creator Rockstar North, Grand Theft Auto: Vice City Stories is available for the suggested retail price of $19.99 and is rated "M" for Mature. Grand Theft Auto: Vice City Stories for the PlayStation 2 system will be available in Europe on March 9.

For many sports fans, March and April mark one of the most exciting times of the year: The men's NCAA basketball tournament. Each year also brings another video game installation trying to emulate the passion and uncertainty of the 65-team field. This year’s College Hoops 2K7 is a good game, but is it enough of an improvement to warrant its price?

Rockstar Games, the world-renowned publishing label of Take-Two Interactive Software, Inc., is proud to announce Manhunt 2 for the PlayStation 2 system, PSP system, and Nintendo’s Wii. Manhunt 2 is the debut title from the newly formed Rockstar London studio, which is developing the game in conjunction with series creator Rockstar North. The Wii version is being developed by Rockstar Toronto. Manhunt 2 will be available this summer as the sequel to the hit Manhunt.

Square Enix, Inc., the publisher of Square Enix interactive entertainment products in North America, and Buena Vista Games, Inc. (BVG), the interactive entertainment affiliate of The Walt Disney Company announced today that their Kingdom Hearts series of action role-playing games has shipped more than 10 million units worldwide, making it one of the top game series in the world. Released to chart-topping sales in 2006, Kingdom Hearts II is the sequel to Kingdom Hearts, one of the top ten best-selling PlayStation 2 computer entertainment system titles of all time in North America (Source: The NPD Group, March 2006).