Continuing to innovate in the 3D television space, ESPN Research + Analytics unveiled today one of the most in-depth studies on 3D TV to date.  Compiling results from more than 1,000 testing sessions and 2,700 lab hours, ESPN has concluded that fans are comfortable with the medium and even enjoy it more than programming in HD.  The research was conducted by Dr. Duane Varan, professor of New Media at Murdoch University, during ESPN’s coverage of the 2010 FIFA World Cup at the Disney Media and Ad Lab in Austin, Texas.

Toy Story 3, the biggest animated movie of all time – with over $1 billion at the box office – is now on Blu-ray Disc and DVD. Families won’t want to miss adding the Blu-ray Combo Pack, 2 Disc Blu-ray or the DVD edition of Toy Story 3 to their home movie collections. Fans of all ages who have come to love and cherish these unique characters, can explore them in a whole new way as the Disney/Pixar team provides a more in-depth look into Pixar Animation Studios and the creation of its characters with hours of exclusive bonus features on the Blu-ray Disc version of the film including filmmaker commentary with Director Lee Unkrich and Producer Darla K. Anderson, amusing views of life at Pixar, analysis of favorite scenes, and the Toy Story Trivia Dash game. The filmmakers talk about the movie and the Disney videogames in this exclusive video interview.

ZeniMax Media, parent company of noted game publisher Bethesda Softworks, continues to expand with key gaming talent. The company has joined forces with acclaimed game designer and director, Shinji Mikami. ZeniMax has acquired Tango Gameworks, the development shop founded and run by Mikami. Best known as the creator of the Resident Evil series, Mikami is a 20-year veteran of the industry who has developed numerous award-winning titles. Tango Gameworks now joins creative developers like id Software and Bethesda Softworks.

Electronic Arts is offering gamers more Medal of Honor shooting action on November 2, 2010. The new mode called Hot Zone features “King of the Hill” gameplay where teams fight over a designated location on a map; the team who holds their position longest prevails. This adrenaline-fueled mode is playable across two all-new maps (Hindukush Pass and Korengal Outpost) as well as redesigned versions of the popular Shahikot Valley and Helmand Valley multiplayer maps. Hot Zone will be available via Xbox LIVE Marketplace for 800 MS points, on PlayStation Network for $9.99 and on PC exclusively via the EA Store for $9.99.

The ESA Foundation's 13th annual gala, "Nite to Unite – For Kids," raised $1 million for grants and scholarships that benefit America's youth. The sold-out event, which included a black-tie optional dinner, an auction and charity casino entertainment, supports the work of the ESA Foundation, the computer and video game industry's philanthropic arm.

LOS ANGELES -- The International 3D Society presented Panasonic Corporation and Chris Condon with awards for “breakthrough” innovation and 3D achievement at the first annual 3D Technology Awards at the Hollywood Mann Chinese Theatre. The 3D Technology Awards honored individuals and organizations whose contributions advance the stereoscopic medium. Eighteen different technologies were recognized.

Film and TV star Olivia Wilde and the actor who portrayed the original TRON character, Bruce Boxleitner, will headline the voice cast for the upcoming video game, TRON: Evolution, in addition to appearing in the highly anticipated December film, TRON: Legacy. The Hollywood voice cast will star in the upcoming TRON: Evolution video games that bridge the storyline gap between the original TRON film and the upcoming TRON: Legacy film. Wilde, who plays Quorra, Kevin Flynn’s confidant in the TRON: Legacy film, will also star as that character in the TRON: Evolution video games.

Move over, Zynga and PopCap. Offering a new solution to the problem of escalating educational costs, ScholarGamers.com takes a different approach to rewarding players for investing time in playing casual online videogames. The innovative platform channels teenagers’ enthusiasm for casual online games by inviting them to compete to win scholarship money in an arena that is free and fun, secure and social. Games range from arcade titles like Asteroids and Space Invaders to puzzle games like Gems Swap and Gardenball. This provides an alternative to popular casual games like BigPoint's upcoming Toon Racers seen in the video below.

Sony Online Entertainment (SOE) and LucasArts are serving up a new retail version of Star Wars: Clone Wars Adventures called the Galactic Passport. The all-new $20 retail package includes a 90-day premium Jedi Membership, 500 Station Cash, the exclusive Togruta playable character species, a Yoda bobblehead monitor topper, additional digital content and more.

NEW YORK CITY – When it comes to first-person shooters, THQ is setting up a very different world for gamers to explore next spring. Kaos Studios’ HomeFront is set in a near-future United States that’s been overthrown and occupied by North Korea. One of the key events that starts this chain reaction of political and military events is Jong Un’s taking control of the country after his father, Kim Jong II, dies in 2012. In real life, the recent military showcase parade in North Korea was painted as a global introduction to Un and it’s an eerie case of reality imitating fiction.

What started off as a very good year has slowed down, despite the release of great blockbuster games. According to the NPG Group,U.S. retail sales of game hardware, software and accessories fell 8 percent in September to $1.2 billion. The one bright spot was Microsoft’s Halo 3, which topped all game sales for the month and helped drive Xbox 360 hardware.