Again more news that deserves the personalized touch, but instead is going to get buried in the mass grave that is a news roundup. Pass the lye...

• The BBC previews the next round of console wars that will pit the Xbox 2, codenamed "Xenon" against Sony's PlayStation 3 and Nintendo's Revolution. Microsoft looks to get out of the gate first, with their development kits already out, but this time Sony's machine will likely have the edge specs-wise.
• Lots of goings-on at Bungie.net: three new desktop wallpapers, including one reworked by Shishka based on art by Craig Mullins; a FAQ on cheating by Brian "SketchFactor" Jarrard; and an interview with new multiplayer designer Steve Cotton.
• The other end of the Bungie spectrum, HBO, also has some new goodies: two parts of a Halo 2 Legendary walkthrough (Intro, Cairo) by legendary Halo player Mike Miller; new stuff on the Halo story page, and more clips for the Dialogue Databank.