Science Daily reports that a recent study published in the Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine suggests that playing a video game before bedtime has only a mild effect on the sleep of older male teens.

Results show that after playing a stimulating video game it took these adolescents a median of 7.5 minutes to fall asleep, which was only slightly longer than the three minutes it took them to fall asleep after passively watching a DVD documentary. Although no participants fell asleep while playing the video game, almost one-third of them fell asleep while watching the DVD. Subjective sleepiness after playing the video game was only slightly lower than after watching the DVD, and playing the video game was associated with a small increase in cognitive alertness. However, no significant differences in physiologic arousal or sleep architecture were found between testing conditions.

The authors concluded that the adage “everything in moderation” should guide parents as they set limits on bedtime video-game playing for adolescents.

Final Fight: Double Impact is available for download at the Xbox LIVE Arcade for the Xbox 360, and for the PS3 via the PlayStation Network. This action-packed digital double feature houses the Capcom classics Final Fight and Magic Sword.

In Final Fight, players follow the heart-pounding adventures of Cody, Guy, and Haggar as they fight their way across crime-ridden Metro City in the hopes of saving Haggar’s daughter from the evil clutches of Mad Gear. Everything depends upon the unique fighting techniques mastered by each character.

In Magic Sword you assume the role a brave warrior who bears the daunting responsibility of cleansing evil forces from an ancient tower. As a consequence of his actions, he will inevitably meet the source of this scourge upon humanity – the dark lord Drokmar. But fear not, the hero is accompanied by eight allies who will lend their assistance through-out the game.

Prince of Persia: The Forgotten Sands for Wii is the next installment in the popular Prince of Persia series and presents a new adventure within the Sands of Time universe. After leaving his father’s kingdom to prove his worth, the Prince is drawn toward a mysterious realm. He quickly discovers that he must harness his acrobatic abilities and powers over the environment to not only survive, but to save a mystic palace from unfathomable evil. Prince of Persia: The Forgotten Sands is scheduled to ship May 18.

Ubisoft just announced that free content for Tom Clancy’s Splinter Cell: Conviction will be made available every Thursday, beginning tomorrow April 15.

Owners of the game will be able to spice up their Splinter Cell experience with a ton of free content. New weapons, skins and even a brand new Deniable Ops map will be released every week. This week’s free content is a new gun, the MP7A1 Machine Pistol.

Games Industry Biz reports that German console and PC publisher CDV Software Entertainment has filed for insolvency in Frankfurt.

The company had only just won a long-running legal battle with Southpeak Interactive over payments from Gamecock Media Group, which Southpeak bought out in late 2008. Southpeak paid CDV $3.1 million in December when it was found in breach of contract, and had also been hit with a second ruling over copyright infringement. Southpeak, however, is also reported to be close to insolvency, which puts its ability to pay the remainder of the fines in question.

TikGames and Creat Studios will deliver another add-on pack for Magic Orbz. Since breaking apart pirates, witches and igloos just wasn’t enough, it’s now time to take your destructive tendencies into the jungle. Beginning tomorrow, you can download the Jungle Pack for just $2.99, and experience the wild beasts, ancient ruins, dense foliage, and harsh weather within.

For those unfamiliar with the title, Magic Orbz presents a fresh spin on classic brick-breaking gameplay, enabling players to bust apart bright, colorful 3D environments piece by piece. Using realistic physics and a high-tech system of object destruction, the game is presented in 1080p with online multiplayer and in-game live voice communications.

A couple of years ago, Anascape took Microsoft and Nintendo to court over its video game controller patents. Then in 2008 Nintendo was ordered to pay Anascape $21 million and faced the possibility that their WaveBird, GameCube and Wii Classic Controllers would be banned from sale. The fine and possible retail bans were immediately put on hold while Nintendo appealed the case to the Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit.

Joystiq reports that nearly two years later, the court has officially overturned the original verdict, nullifying the fine and bans. In a brief statement, Nintendo of America general council Rick Flamm said, “today the Federal Circuit’s ruling confirmed that none of Nintendo’s controllers infringe. We appreciate that our position has been vindicated.”

EA’s latest attempt to rejuvenate the Ultima franchise, the browser-based MMORTS Lord of Ultima, will exit open beta and go fully live on Tuesday, April 20. The game breaks from the franchise’s usual norm of medieval vigilante heroism, and places you in the fur-lined boots of an up-and-coming ruler, who must build his kingdom through trade, diplomacy and neighborly acts of sabotage.

If you’re curious about how the game operates, you could just hop into the beta yourself. Or you could just be patient — it’s coming out in a week. Can’t you wait a single week? Geez!

2K Games has announced that XCOM is currently in development at 2K Marin for the Xbox 360 and PC. The title is the re-imagining of the classic tale of humanity’s struggle against an unknown enemy that puts players directly into the shoes of an FBI agent tasked with identifying and eliminating the growing threat. True to the roots of the franchise, players will be placed in charge of overcoming high-stake odds through risky strategic gambits coupled with heart-stopping combat experiences that pit human ingenuity – and frailty – against a foe beyond comprehension. By utilizing the first-person perspective, players will be able to feel the tension and fear that comes from combating a faceless enemy that is violently probing and plotting its way into our world.

Sync-Ball is a new puzzle experience for the iPhone, iPod touch and iPad for just $ .99. The concept and the mechanics are simple. Two to four balls move synchronously when the player taps or swipes the screen in any of four directions. The goal is to maneuver the balls from their starting positions on an orbital platform so that they fall into the level’s goals all at the same time. Achieving that result requires players to position the balls strategically, utilizing walls and the platform’s unique shape while avoiding dropping a ball off the edge and into deep space.

Sherlock Holmes DS and the Mystery of Osborne House is the famous detective’s first original investigation on the Nintendo DS. You play as Sherlock Holmes in this brand new adventure, and you will have to shed some light on curious events. When Queen Victoria’s genealogical records are stolen, the Royal Family decides to put you in charge of the case and asks you to solve the mystery.

As always, followed by your wise and faithful friend, Doctor Watson, you will have to use your logic and observation senses through dozens of riddles, puzzles and brain teasers of all sorts. You will travel through dozens of hand-drawn places, looking for clues and new mysteries. You will also meet many charismatic characters who will help you solve this strange case and finally discover the truth!

Dan Taylor Stevie’s Viennese tour guide from back in the day and former co-worker, co-hosts Episode #3 of Stevie FTW. Dan spends most of his time “mind mapping”, but took a break from it to talk about the latest must have gadget – the iPad, and the success (at least for now) of Zynga, and the wonderful world of micro transactions.

Speaking of micro transactions, this week’s guest is Dave Rohrl, an executive producer at Playdom. Dave shared some of the details of his career (Reader Rabbit) through the dot com bubble bust, and then over to EA with Pogo. He also took some time to explain and explore the growing phenomenon of social gaming, and how it differs from what has come before. Stevie FTW aims to improve the quality of your “tech life”, so tune in at www.stevieftw.com and find out what everyone else is talking about!

( listen now… )

Tor Books and EA’s Visceral Games have just announced the first novel based on the Dead Space franchise, Dead Space: Martyr. The book delves into the back story of the game, including the history of the Church of Unitology, the discovery of the enigmatic “Black Marker” and the mysteries behind an alien artifact of unknown power.

When geophysicist Michael Altman learns of a mysterious signal emitting from deep within the Chicxulub crater, he cannot resist the lure of an undiscovered artifact. He soon learns that being in close proximity to the artifact, however, causes strange visions of the dead, vivid dreams, and violent murders. Altman’s experience with the alien artifact leads to this crucial first chapter in the Dead Space saga.

Dead Space: Martyr will be available this July.

The Chicago Blackhawks will win the Stanley Cup for the first time since the 1960-61 season, according to the official EA Sports simulation of the 2010 NHL playoffs. The Blackhawks defeated the defending champion Pittsburgh Penguins in a seven game series to end a 49 year Stanley Cup drought.

Chicago all-star forward Jonathan Toews scored the series-clinching goal seven minutes into overtime of the seventh game, and Cristobal Huet stopped 43 of 44 shots to knock-off the defending Stanley Cup champions. Conn Smythe Trophy winner Duncan Keith was a force on the blue line both offensively and defensively, potting four goals and netting a +5 rating in the match up against the Penguins. He finished with 25 points in the playoffs, including 17 assists. Patrick Kane led the Hawks in playoff scoring with 27 points while Pittsburgh centers Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin tied for the lead in playoff scoring with 31 points apiece.

Namco Bandai Games has just released the second half of the two-part “behind the game” video series for Dead to Rights: Retribution. In part 2, Project Director Imre Jele provides insight into the game options available to a player as they take control of Jack Slate and Shadow. Get a peek at the combat system and action in motion with new gameplay footage!

Dead to Rights: Retribution thrusts players into a mature neo-noir crime drama as hard-boiled vice cop Jack Slate and his trusted canine ally Shadow. The title introduces new gameplay elements that meld the third person shooting and brawling genres for a new kind of action-driven experience.

Dead to Rights: Retribution is rated “M” and will be available April 27 for the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3.