We all know the deal on Facebook – you get people who use it for simple social networking, and those that click on just about any app or game and become hooked on the platform (much to the dismay of others who have to deal with constant invites). Now Google is also using this method of hooking people to the platform, although it does seem a lot more polished and organized.

Although it is not yet live for everyone (I checked this morning and I am not yet that lucky), Google+ Games will be placed in a fifth button on the top of the screen, and the current catalogue looks pretty great. Most significantly, these games are focussed on sharing your accomplishments within your circles, and the user can cleanly just from the games view to the other Google+ views. You can of course disable games invites in your circles – if you are not yet familiar with Circles, click here to get a proper explanation.  As Google puts it, the games are there when you want them, and gone when you dont. Take a look at this video to see how the games interface will work – very impressive actually.

Google+ Games will have quite a few titles on launch (currently around 16), and includes Angry Birds, Zynga Poker and Sudoko as well. Zynga is the gaming company that has made its fortunes on Facebook with games like Farmville, so its interesting to see them embrace this new platform as well. Google is also inviting developers to jump on board, so expect the platform to grow very quickly. If you happen to be lucky enough to have Google+ games already live on your account, give us your impressions in the comments, OK?

 Update: Looks like Google+ Games has made Facebook sit up and take notice – they have now announced updates to Facebook Games as well, including a new fullscreen view with a ticker screen on the right to monitor your friends and their gaming activity.

OK, so if you bought the Nintendo Wii (and apparently there are a lot of you), you might want to look out for the upcoming release of Wii Play: Motion. The original release of Wii Play only used the standard Wii Remote, but later Nintendo released the Motion Plus add on which greatly improved accuracy of the remote. A few games have supported the Motion Plus add on until now, but now Nintendo is releasing this bundle of mini-games which will specifically use this type of controller. However, this time Nintendo is building the Motion Plus component into the controller, renaming it Wii Remote Plus.

Wii Play: Motion will be bundled with this new controller, in an exclusive red colour. This red colour remote will only be available for separate sale in Japan, in Europe (and SA) it will only appear in red and white if purchased seperately. All the Wii Play: Motion games require the motion plus add on if used with the original remote.

Screen shots are still a bit scarce right now, but the popular original formula is followed again – users control a “Mii” character on screen, with relatively simple graphics, but it does result in a lot of fun. You only have to go watch a few kids play Wii Play in a mall to see what I am talking about.

The good news is that Wii Play: Motion will be launched in SA on 24 June 2011, in line with the European release. We will keep you posted once more details are released.

Find Press Release Below:

As you make your way through the 12 mini-games which have multiple game modes for added depth to gameplay, see every swing, tilt, hit and spin of your Wii Remote Plus come to life as it becomes faithfully replicated on your TV screen with exacting precision. From Treasure Twirl – where the Wii Remote Plus acts as a “winch” to collect deep-sea treasure, to Cone Zone – where you tilt the Wii Remote Plus in the correct position to balance ice cream within a giant waffle cone and stop it from falling, whilst extra scoops are being added –- there’s a minigame for everyone to enjoy.

Each of the 12 mini-games included can be played in single player mode, yet if you fancy a different experience and want to get your friends and family involved, then the multiple game modes of a selection of Wii Play: Motion mini-games allow for up to 3 other people to join in on the fun, ensuring your game play experience is always a truly unique one.  For example in the mini-game Skip Skimmer where you can skip stones along a lake, there is a Score Mode in which up to four players take it in turn to skip stones through a series of rings with the aim of getting to the target at the end. By strategically angling the Wii Remote Plus you can compete against your friends to get the highest score in order to win the game.

If you and your friends fancy becoming ghost hunters then Spooky Search will see you working with up to three of your friends to apprehend and collect wayward spirits that have escaped through your TV screen – and into your living room. Using the speaker on the Wii Remote Plus, you are up against the clock to try and locate the ghosts. By pointing your Wii Remote Plus off screen and anywhere around your living room – whether that be above or behind you, your goal is to snare as many ghosts as you can and ‘drag’ them one by one back into your TV screen.

Get your calendar out, get a pen, and mark the 20^th September 2011 as the day when Gears of War 3, one of this year’s biggest blockbuster titles, launches worldwide.

Gears of War 3 is the glorious conclusion to one of the most memorable sagas in video games’ history and this is a date you certainly don’t want to miss.

The story takes place eighteen months after the events of Gears of War 2 and the loss of the human stronghold of Jacinto.  Marcus, Baird, Dom and company continue their fight to save human civilization, as they battle the Locust and face new threats from within the planet throughout the campaign mode.

Here is what else you can expect from 2011’s most highly anticipated game:

• An enthralling cinematic story that captivates players in an intimately intense action game
• Five-on-five multiplayer experience as well as four player campaign co-op experience
• New Xbox Live multiplayer game modes including ‘Beast Mode’ – offering a new twist to the game where you take on the role of the locust horde and their assorted variations!
• New maps including: Trenches which features an impressive sand storm that reduces your visibility, as well as Overpass, Mercy, Checkout, and Thrashball.
• New weapons including: The Bayonet Charge, The Retro Lancer, The Sawed-off Shotgun, The OneShot – a heavy sniper rifle that shoots through shields or cover for a surprise one shot kill, The Incendiary Grenade, The Digger Launcher and a few subtle tweaks to old favourites Hammerburst and The Classic Lancer. And don’t forget that each weapon now has its own execution move!

Stay tuned for more updates, and keep your eyes peeled for more news on the Official Multiplayer Public Beta coming soon!

Follow South Africa’s local Xbox 360 Twitter page @Xbox360ZA and on the Facebook page Xbox 360 South Africa.

Guest Post: With many people getting their hands on the Kinect this past holiday, we decided it might be a good idea to get some hands-on experience with the device. Is it worth it? Is it kids only at this point? Hans Haupt will be helping out Bandwidth Blog in future with some gaming related reviews... Expect to see some more in future! You can follow Hans on Twitter at @hanshaupt .

The simple truth is that the Microsoft Kinect is a winner. It is also remarkably addictive. From the moment you turn the device on, you will not want to put it off. It usually performs so well that extended periods of use make other methods of controlling media feel instantly dated. In addition to offering you a new way to play games and interact with your television, the device is also a great showcase for the latest in facial recognition, voice interaction and motion tracking technology. That is, when it works.

Like most new products, Kinect is not perfect. It has its kinks and flaws but when it works it generally does so with aplomb. Considering the device is only a few weeks old and has already sold well over 3 million units, not to mention the strides those in the open source community have made with hacking Kinect, we can give Microsoft’s latest gaming peripheral the benefit of the doubt. Although the steep price may keep some people away at first, Kinect is hands down the best option for motiongaming. Bar none!

In addition to the innovation Kinect brings to gaming, the device also changes the way you can interact with the Xbox dashboard. From subtle voice commands like “Xbox Open Tray” to “Xbox Recommend Movies” within the Zune interface, to waving your hands about a la Tom Cruise in Minority Report to navigate around menus, dress your avatar or view achievements; what Kinect does it does supremely well. In fact, prolonged use of Kinect began to make handling an Xbox 360 controller feel alien and unnatural. This is a great sign, for it means that Microsoft is on the right track with Kinect.

Several launch games are currently available in SA for Microsoft’s latest peripheral. However, because Kinect is new, game developers have yet to harness the obviously untapped potential of this new device. Therefore, although Kinect’s launch line-up does a fair job of offering a taste of what Kinect is capable of, there are no mind blowing titles on offer. With that said, the games which are currently available for Kinect are fun, easy to play and can be enjoyed by many.

So which games should you get? Here is a quick overview of some of Kinect’s launch titles:

Kinect Adventures is the game which ships with every Kinect unit and serves as a fantastic introduction into the Kinect universe. The set of games which make up Kinect Adventures are bright, well-paced, fun, easy to play and are surprisingly well polished. It is the perfect way to become acquainted with controller free gaming, which can take some getting used to depending on your level of coordination or fitness levels. The game is loaded with a variety of unique activities, each with four difficulty settings, multiple levels and the ability to earn a variety of interesting and interactive achievements. Surprisingly, Kinect Adventures is the kind of game that you will end up playing again and again, especially with friends and family!

Kinect Sports:

Kinect Sports is very much like Wii Sports, only controller-less. The game offers a variety of sporting games to play, either alone, with friends or even via Xbox Live. Although not playing with a controller can be quite an odd sensation, it makes for interesting and intuitive gameplay. As fun and entertaining as this sporting game can be, and it is, it does suffer from the occasional motion tracking glitch. This is by no means a deal breaker but it is annoying none the less. However, the overall quality of the game does save it from the occasional glitches and, as a launch title, it is a worthy and enjoyable sports title to own.

There are no delusions that children were the intended audience for Kinectimals. Kids will love having their own cute panther cub to care for and literally play with, while they spend hours exploring all that the Kinectimal Island has to offer. With that said, the game does have plenty of extras to keep even the most seasoned of gamers entertained. It will mesmerise gamers of all ages and it will bring out the kid in pretty much anyone who plays. If nothing else, Kinectimals is a great showcase for all that is Kinect.

Kinect Joyride is a simple arcade racer at its core with the primary difference being that you use only your arms and upper body to play the game. Lean back for boost, push your arms out to activate boost, spin around or lean to your sides to perform tricks, and always remember to keep your arms out to hold the imaginary steering wheel. It is a simple game which offers only a few moments of pleasure throughout the games very short campaign. Sadly the game is a rather barebones racer and pales in comparison to the other much more accomplished launch titles on offer. If you are desperate for a Kinect inspired racer then give it a go, but it would be advisable to wait for future racing titles before ‘jumping in’.

Dance Central is probably one of the best and most polished games in the Kinect launch line up. Think of it like Rock Band, except you are the instrument. In addition to the game exuding graphical eye candy it also features one of the most intuitive and easy to use menu systems in a Kinect game. As good as the game is, however, it could have been so much better if the developers had just added a few additional modes, some extra features and more than just a handful of songs. Even so, the core mechanic of the game works flawlessly, making this a must have title for every Kinect owner or aspiring ‘So You Think You Can Dance’ competitor.

Your Shape: Fitness Evolved is basically your very own digital personal trainer. It aims to be your one stop home workout solution, which is able to track and audibly correct your movements as you progress through the various exercises and activities. The title is certainly innovative and offers a great showcase of the technology while implementing one of best interfaces for a Kinect game, but any fitness buff or regular gym goer will probably not really benefit from what this game has to offer. For everyone else, however, expect plenty of sweat and many sore muscles after each intense and fun workout or activity. The potential for a good home based video game gym solution is ingenious and is no doubt a sought after idea. Your Shape: Fitness Evolved is therefore a good indication of the future possibilities of the technology offered by Kinect.

iPhone developers Firemint have been demoing their new iPhone racing game, Real Racing, which could make an appearance on the Apple iPhone AppStore by Christmas. In the video below you can see the awesome graphics capabilities of the iPhone as a gaming platform, as well as Real Racing’s use of the iPhone accelerometer.  You can play the game one-player or multiplayer over either your cellphone network or via WiFi.

Real Racing ties their iPhone gaming up with online features, including the ability to automatically convert your most recent lap to a video and upload it to YouTube. Firemint plan applications for Facebook and other social networking sites that would allow racers to show off their lap times, as well as hosting mini-leagues on their own servers which adds a nice touch of social gaming to their products.

Real Racing iPhone game demo video