Microsoft has shown off the new version of its best-selling Halo series of games on Xbox 360.

The long awaited Halo 3: ODST is set to be released on Tuesday (October 22nd) across the globe, allowing gamers to take control of human soldiers who are fighting an influx of alien invaders.

Piers Harding-Rolls, senior analyst with Screen Digest, told the BBC that on the back of previous success with the Halo titles, the new game was going to be “very big” for Microsoft.

He added: “We expect it to sell well and the chart track data, which looks at what gamers intend to purchase, has Halo 3: ODST pretty high up. The last version sold more than eight million copies, although it is difficult to say whether this one will be as big.”

Halo 3: ODST features new campaign content which sees gamers fending off aliens in New Mombasa.

The multiplayer options which made previous versions of the game stand out are still present, with users being able to communicate through headsets to take on the missions as a team.

Microsoft has confirmed that their new 250GB hard drive will not be sold separately.

Instead, gamers will be able to get the upgraded console in two special bundle packs, one for Forza Motorsport 3 and the other based around the new Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 game.

Each bundle will come with a copy of the game along with the new 250GB hard drive, two controllers, a headset for online gaming and a themed Xbox 360 console.

It is expected that the new bundles will cost about £250 in the UK, with the Forza bundle available from October 23rd. The Modern Warfare 2 bundle will follow in November after the game has been released.

Gamers can still buy the current 120GB Xbox 360 hard drive as a standalone purchase for around £120.

Forza Motorsport 3 allows users to drive modern-day road and racing cars around multiple circuits in the world, while Modern Warfare 2 is the latest game in the highly acclaimed Call of Duty series.

The biggest football rivalry in the world is set to recommence with the unveiling of the Pro Evolution Soccer (PES) 2010 demo.

Forget the Milan or Manchester derbies, this season’s most keenly awaited fixture on gaming consoles is the annual battle between Fifa and PES.

From September 17th, the new PES demo will be available through the PlayStation Network and the Xbox 360 Live Marketplace for gamers to put it through pre-season testing.

This year has seen a raft of new changes brought in by developer Konami, including taking the game back to its simulation roots. Strategic play and quick decisions are now needed to be able to break down the best defences in the world.

Master League has also received a revamp, with official currencies replacing the PES points system, to give users improved clarity when transferring players.

Other changes including artificial intelligence tweaking, new animations and improved visuals have all been put together to try to make this the most playable PES ever.

The full version of the game will be released on PC, PlayStation 3, Xbox 360 and Nintendo Wii on October 23rd.

Handheld platforms and gaming consoles have helped social networking site Facebook attract over 300 million users.

Originally starting out as a simple website for connecting people worldwide, the Facebook legacy has grown, aided in part by its portability across technological devices.

Mini mobile site versions are available on a number of phones, while the iPhone and iPod Touch have specially-designed applications which allow users to receive messages and view photos from their friends.

Gamers on the PlayStation 3 console can also access the service through the onboard internet browser.

Mark Zuckerberg, Facebook chief executive, said in his blog that they are working towards their goal of connecting everyone in the world.

"We are also succeeding at building Facebook in a sustainable way. Earlier this year, we said we expected to be cashflow positive sometime in 2010 and I am pleased to share that we achieved this milestone last quarter," he added.

Liverpool and Spain striker Fernando Torres has admitted using a games console to help him learn English since moving to England from Atletico Madrid.

El Nino, as he is known, revealed in his autobiography My Story that he spent hours on his Nintendo DS to help him learn the new language.

He also said that subtitles on a portable DVD player have also helped him get to grips.

The striker said: “One of the biggest problems I faced when I moved here was the language barrier. I always carried English Training on my Nintendo DS which had language games and exercises that helped me to develop.”

Games consoles have become important entertainment devices for professional sports teams, particularly when they are away from home for long periods of time.

England’s cricket side has been known to run gaming tournaments during some of their three-month long winter tours.

The world’s fastest man, Usain Bolt, recently told the BBC that he prefers to play video games such as Pro Evolution Soccer and Call of Duty instead of sightseeing.