To celebrate the 77th 24 hours of Le Mans, Microsoft and the Xbox 360 partnered with Peugeot Sport and will be holding a press event at the track to show off Forza Motorsport 3. This is also in conjuction with the tracks top driver, Stéphane Sarrazin. In light of the announcement, Microsoft has also stated that the Le Mans and Bugatti circuits will be headed to the new Forza. This also includes an all new multi-class racing mode.

In the true spirit of motorsport, no “Forza Motorsport 3” experience is complete without the inclusion of the finely tuned and highly engineered racing machines designed by the world’s most prestigious racing teams. To that end, Xbox 360 also announces at Le Mans the first set of more than 100 race cars that will be featured in the game. For the first time in Forza Motorsport history, fans will be able to get into the cockpit of some of the world’s most famous race cars including the Peugeot Sport 908, the Audi FSI Champion Racing R8 and the Ferrari MOMO Doran Racing F333 SP. With the best graphics and most realistically performing cars in gaming, “Forza Motorsport 3’ will let racing fans worldwide live out their love of motorsport like never before.

Forza Motorsport 3 will be headed exclusviely to the Xbox 360 this October. More info below...

In a sequel to one of the most evil games of 2007, Overlord 2 returns with even more evil up its sleeve. If you'd like a taste to what the press got their hands on with during E3 you can now download the demo.

In the Overlord II demo, players step into the big spiky boots of a new Overlord whose sights are firmly set on becoming the king of chaos, the bringer of evil and the master of Minions. As the demo opens the Overlord, aided and abetted by a team of brown fighter Minions, emerges from his underground lair into the ice caves only to discover a Yeti frozen in a block of ice. The Minions can, in their inimitably violent way, 'defrost' him and then give chase as he knuckles out into the snowy wastes of the Hunting Grounds, near the town of Nordberg.

Then it's time to put the Minions to work, harvesting valuable life-force from the indigenous fauna. Minions will happily lock onto anything in the vicinity - including fluffy seal pups ('Well,' argue the Minions, 'the smelly furballs are eating all the lovely fishies'). There are also Nordburgian Hunters and hippy, peace-loving elves to contend with but, as ever, the Minions aren't fussy who they attack for their master.

To speed their progress, Minions can befriend a pack of wolves and ride them through the snowy landscape like a Minion Cavalry. The wolf-mounted Minion is an altogether tougher force and more deadly - wolves have their own attack moves and will knock enemies off their feet through sheer force, biting and goring opponents into submission.

Check out the other screenshot below. Overlord II will be releasing on the Xbox 360, Playstation 3, and PC June 26th.

Just a reminder for those looking for info on 1 vs. 100. The beta will begin tonight at 10:30 pm EST. Prizes will be awarded to winners and here is some short info on the game.

[Via Xbox.com] The best part about this beta/game? It's free fro Gold members of Xbox Live.

While the console hasn't quite caught up to the Wii's area yet, this number certainly rains down some smiles on the MS faithful. The system has successfully passed the 30 million mark globally and has more then 20 million active Xbox Live members. The press release bodly claims that the system has had the highest precentage growth of any console in 2009 going up 29 percent over last year.

“We’ve always been confident that Xbox 360 offers more entertainment value than any other console on the market, and these latest numbers show that consumers agree,” said Don Mattrick, senior vice president of the Interactive Entertainment Business at Microsoft. “We expect our growth to continue to accelerate. Our news at E3 next week will underscore our commitment to bringing blockbuster entertainment experiences to everyone and to growing the Xbox entertainment brand globally.”

Most of this info of course is based on NPD research and info from Microsoft internal. Check out more from the press release below.

Much like Guitar Hero Smash Hits, Lips Number Hits is the newest title for the Lips brand. Microsoft announced that the game will feature an all new set list as wlel as new venues for families to enjoy.

Hitting store shelves in October 2009, “Lips: Number One Hits” features popular tracks spanning diverse genres and generations that have graced the No. 1 position on major global charts. These top tunes include:

• “Viva La Vida” by Coldplay
• “Disturbia” by Rihanna
• “U Can’t Touch This,” by MC Hammer
• “More Than Words,” by Extreme
• “Apologize” by Timbaland featuring OneRepublic
• “Karma Chameleon” by Culture Club
• “I Heard It Through the Grapevine” by Marvin Gaye
• “Oh, Pretty Woman” by Roy Orbison
• “Ready, Set, Go!” by Tokio Hotel
• And many more yet to be announced!

Combined with the power of the motion-sensitive LED wireless microphones, which are compatible with the top third-party music games releasing this fall, “Lips: Number One Hits” should let even the shiest closet singers grab a mic and strut their stuff with friends and family.

Using both Lips games, the library of songs continues to grow for Lips and I wouldn't be surprised to see DLC released soon for the game as well. Microsoft is surely taking advantage of its singing sensation. Check out a couple of screenshots below.

Rockstar Games has announced the fall release of both the second episode of Grand Theft Auto: The Ballad of Gay Tony and Grand Theft Auto: Episodes from Liberty City, which will include both episode one The Lost and Damned, and episode two The Ballad of Gay Tony together on a single disc exclusively for the Xbox 360.

"Liberty City is the most vibrant game world we've created yet. The episodic structure has allowed us to interweave stories, gameplay and atmosphere in a whole new way," said Sam Houser, Founder of Rockstar Games. "The team at Rockstar North have yet again surpassed themselves, and made something that is both epic and very innovative. This episode's focus on high-end night life contrasts with the biker gangs portrayed in The Lost and Damned, whilst giving us a lot of new gameplay possibilities."

More info after the jump.

New downloadable content for anyone still playing Halo Wars is now available. Known as the Strategic Options pack, this will add-on three new multiplayer game modes.

Content: Halo Wars Strategic Options Add-on Pack
Price: 800 Microsoft Points
Availability: All Xbox LIVE regions
Dash Text: [ESRB: T (Teen) MILD BLOOD,MILD LANGUAGE,VIOLENCE] Experience Halo Wars in a whole new way with the Strategic Options Game Add-on. Three new game modes will require players to re-think their entire strategy and approach to the game. The modes include: Keepaway – capture the flag style game; Tug of War – who can field and maintain the strongest army; and Reinforcements – adapt your tactics as you are granted waves of troops.

Source [Major Nelson]

Microsoft while unfortunately making a small screw-up realized that this week's deal fo the week wasn't Bionic Commando Rearmed, but was a Marvel Ultimate Aliance DLC pack from 2 years ago. The Hero/Villain pack while normally 800 points has been discounted to 560 points a total discount of 240 points.

Play with 8 entirely new characters, 4 heroes and 4 villains. Free title update required to play. Do not download this pack if you have purchased Marvel™:Ultimate Alliance Gold Edition, due out in May 2007, as the new playable characters are already included in that version of the game. TM & © 2006 Marvel. There are no refunds for this item. For more information, see www.xbox.com/live/accounts.

Source [Major Nelson and Marketplace Page]

If you love Crackdown as much as you love the cake or anything to your hearts desire, then you might want to check out this premium theme for the Xbox 360. Microsoft just released this new Crackdown premium theme to the Marketplace today costing you only a small penny of 250($3) MS Points. Obviously you can have your own speculation as to whether or not this means Crackdown 2, but for now, you can soak in this premium goodness.

Check out more screenshots of the theme on it's Flikr set here...thanks to Major Nelson.

Source [Major Nelson]

Citing a new "deleted campaign", Epic Games is set to release entirely new content for Gears of War 2 and not just a new map pack. This new deleted campaign called "Down to Ruin" will have Marcus and Dom returning to the Locust horde apparently in an effort to kick some more Locust ass. In the screenshot above it looks like you'll be able to change costumes which is always a plus in my book. It's quite interesting to learn that Epic Games will actually be adding something to the main storyline campaign. They also haven't forgotten about multiplayer called Dark Corners, you'll be seeing 7 new maps added to the scene.

Allfathers Garden: Honor the sacred grounds of the Coalition founders in this explosive map, where powerful weapons catalyze fast and furious action at this COG landmark.

Memorial: Set near the Eternal Flame, which pays tribute to the fallen soldiers on the battlefield, a hard-fought battle ensues at the Tomb of Unknowns. Putting their flank formation and evasive skills to the test, players will fight to control the Boomshot.

Sanctuary: Once a peaceful ground for reflection and remembrance, all that remains of the Sanctuary is the chill of death. Feast your eyes on the arsenal of weapons available as you make your way through the tight paths and blind corners of the Locust-damaged temple corridors.

War Machine: In the abandoned train station that once served as a hub for travel, players will need to master the Longshot, Mulcher and Boomshot weapons to advance the fight while evading fire from the platforms above.

Highway: Take the fight deep into the Locust Hollow in the complex passages of this underground highway system brimming with enemy vermin. Stick together, separate the enemy and have an exit strategy ready or it’ll be a one-way trip.

Way Station:  Sitting in limbo between death and “processing” are Locust way stations filled with fallen COG soldiers. Tread lightly and practice patience as it’s better to sacrifice firepower for stealth while navigating this minefield of hidden grenades.

Nowhere: Set in the middle of what was once a destination for weary desert travellers, the land is now barren and devoid of life. Pick off your enemies with the Longshot sniper rifle and make your way to the stairwell with a well-fortified team during this intense firefight.

The entire DLC pack is called Gears of War 2: All Fronts with the multiplayer map-pack called "Dark Corners". The price point for the entire DLC is $19.99 and will also be sold as retail in stores. You'll be able to purchase an download the DLC on July 18th.

Check out Destructoid for an image gallery of a few screenshots for the new DLC.

Source [Destructoid]