This week’s new games

Max Payne 3 | Minecraft | Games news

Game on: DiRT Showdown

Rubbish at driving? Like to be given a second chance when you crash – or even a fifth? Then get behind the wheel of DiRT Showdown, writes Tom Meltzer

Max Payne 3 and the problem of narrative dissonance

Keith Stuart: Rockstar has turned its ex-cop anti-hero into a credible character. So does it matter that he's also a frenzied killer?

Diablo 3: Blizzard apologises and delays launch of Auction House feature

Keith Stuart: The developer of much-anticipated PC hit Diablo III has apologised for the technical problems that have plagued its launch, and is postponing a controversial feature

Ni No Kuni: Wrath of the White Witch – preview

Keith Stuart: Studio Ghibli and Level-5 collaborate on one of the most beautiful Japanese RPGs of the decade

Fifa 13 details revealed – smarter attackers, harder defenders

Keith Stuart: EA has started teasing details of this year's Fifa instalment with news on improved AI and greater physical competition

Diablo 3 – review

Mike Anderiesz: Server glitches aside, Diablo 3 is everything fans of the series would expect: an entertaining and gorgeous-looking dungeon hack

Apps Pitch: Build Cars with Edward and Arthur

Developer David Sjölander on his creative racing game for children. By Stuart Dredge

Diablo 3: gamers angry as servers collapse

Blizzard's servers crushed under the weight of global demand as long-awaited game Diablo 3 goes online. By Keith Stuart

Apple provides sneak peek at iOS apps for summer 2012

Sky Gamblers party mode, Infinity Blade Dungeons, Star Academy, Nike+ Training and more on the way to iPhone and iPad. By Stuart Dredge

Max Payne 3 – review

Keith Stuart: A breathless hair-trigger blast-'em-up that veers thrillingly between high-class clubs and low-life strip joints

Starhawk – review

Nick Cowen: If you're a shooter fan looking for a break from the norm, Starhawk is certainly worth picking up

Rebuild; iSlash – review

Rebuild brings a new twist to the zombie genre while the multiplayer option brings an element of Jenga to iSlash, writes Toby Moses

This week’s new games

Starhawk | Datura | Games news

Hitman Absolution Sniper Challenge DLC – review

Nick Cowen: Sniper Challenge is a slow-paced, tense affair that rewards those with nerves of steel and the patience of a saint

Game of Thrones – video game preview

Steve Boxer: Having hit the mainstream via HBO's TV treatment, the fantasy franchise of the moment is coming to game consoles. First impressions are promising …

Avengers game announced – but it’s not a movie tie-in

Keith Stuart: Ubisoft has revealed that its Quebec studio is working on a game based around the Avengers characters, with a story inspired by the comic books

Assassin’s Creed III – first gameplay trailer released

Ubisoft shows off the first in-game footage from its latest Assassin's Creed adventure, this time set during the American war of independence

Government to end dual ratings system for games

Keith Stuart: Age ratings will soon be decided solely by the Europe-wide PEGI system, with the 12+ rating becoming legally enforceable for the first time

Hitman: Sniper Challenge officially revealed as a pre-order bonus

Keith Stuart: Gamers who pre-order Hitman: Absolution will get this free mini-game to download and practise their sharp shooting skills

Facebook App Center to herald launch of first paid apps on social network

Cross-platform store will take user ratings into account when deciding whether to list apps. By Stuart Dredge

Wolfenstein 3D: 20 this year and free online

Keith Stuart: To celebrate two decades of zombie Nazi chaos, the Id classic is now a free browser game

Crowdfunding is the smart way to take ideas like the Pebble watch to market

Naomi Alderman: A new wristwatch got off the ground with Kickstarter – a site where you just need enough people to say 'I'd pay for that'

Mobile social game giants GREE and DeNA report sharp financial growth

Japanese publishers rack up £676m of combined revenues in first three months of 2012 alone. By Stuart Dredge

Minecraft: Xbox 360 edition – review

Keith Stuart: Even in its limited, outdated form, Mincraft: Xbox 360 Edition remains an essential purchase – but one that needs to grow from these solid foundations

Sick of Angry Birds? Then try these alternatives

Here are five alternatives to killing off pigs that will soon have you in their grip

Bank Holiday catch-up: EA, Wii-U and the $99 Xbox

Keith Stuart: Catch up on some of the stories that broke over the Bank Holiday break, including the announcement of Dead Space 3 and a new way to sell games consoles