With the 2007 Game Developers Conference in full swing, invites for the recently reorganized E3, now to take place this July 11-13, went out yesterday. As you might be aware, the event has been heavily scaled back, and is now an invite-only event, no doubt an effort to keep the number of attendees at a manageable number instead of the 70+ thousand that climbed the walls of the convention center in years past.

Also, the event has been moved to a set of hotels instead of iconic LA Convention Center, so no doubt the event will exude a much different atmosphere. I almost feel like I need to buy a suit. Regardless, invite in hand, look for us to bring you the latest from the event this summer.

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Last night’s Game Developers Choice Awards were very posh. Sitting right next to Rare’s table, it was a hoot earing them cheer each time Viva Pinata was nominated, even if it didn’t win anything. Okami and Wii Sports were big winners for the night, as was the ever popular Gears of War, which took home the award for Game of the Year.

Other event highlights include some hilarious commentary from event MC Tim Schaefer (Psychonauts), and a thought provoking speech by tabletop icon and Manifesto Games co-founder Greg Costikyan, who took home the Maverick award. Nintendo’s Shigeru Miyamoto even took the stage a few times, including for the Lifetime Achievement award, which was presented to him by none other than last year’s winner, Richard Garriott.

Guitar Hero II walked away with the award for Audio, Titan Quest’s Iron Lore Entertainment took the nod for Best New Studio, and The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess was recognized with the award for Best Writing.

Music composer George “The Fat Man” Sanger was awarded the Community Contribution for his efforts in the field of audio, and the year’s First Penguin award, given to those individuals who pioneer unproven territories, was given to Tetris originator Alexey Pajitnov.

Nintendo has released its upcoming lineup of first and third party releases for the Wii, Nintendo DS, and Game Boy Advance, as listed below:

Wii

– April 9 Super Paper Mario (Nintendo)
– April Prince of Persia Rival Swords (Ubisoft)
– April Bust-A-Move Bash (Majesco)
– April Bioncle Heroes (Eidos)
– May 15 Mortal Kombat: Armageddon (Midway)
– May 29 Mario Party 8 (Nintendo)
– May Tamagotchi Party On (Namco Bandai)
– May Pirates of the Caribbean at World’s End (Disney)
– May Escape from Bug Island (Eidos)
– May Spider-Man The Movie 3 (Activision)
– June 11 Big Brain Academy (Nintendo)
– June 25 Pokemon Battle Revolution (Nintendo)
– June Cosmic Family (Ubisoft)
– Spring Heatseeker (Codemasters)
– Q2 Legend of the Dragon (American Game Factory)
– Summer Shrek the Third (Activision)
– Summer Transformers the Game (Activision)

Nintendo DS

– April 22 Pokemon Diamond and Pokemon Pearl (Nintendo)
– May Pirates of the Caribbean 3 (Buena Vista)
– May Dragon Ball Z: Harukanaru Densetsu (Atari)
– May Pony Friends (Eidos)
– May Diner Dash (Eidos)
– May Touch the Dead (Eidos)
– June 4 Nintendo DS browser (Nintendo)
– June 4 Planet Puzzle League (Nintendo)
– June 11 Touchmaster DS (Midway)
– June Zendoku (Eidos)
– Spring Naruto Ninja Council 3 (Tomy)
– Spring Time Ace (Konami)
– Spring Death Jr. and the Science Fair of Doom (Konami)
– Q2 Rune Factory: A Fantasy Harvest Moon (Natsume)
– Summer Shrek the Third (Activision)
– Summer Transformers: Autobots (Activision)
– Summer Transformers: Decepticons (Activision)

Game Boy Advance

– Summer Shrek the Third (Activision)

At the Game Developers Conference, Nintendo has confirmed that the upcoming Wii release Pokemon Battle Revolution will count among its numerous features the ability to be played over Nintendo’s Wi-Fi Connection, making the game the first Wii title that is playable online. In addition, the game will also be the first to allow connectivity between the Wii and the Nintendo DS, and the first that can be controlled using Nintendo DS

When Wii and Nintendo DS are linked, players can use their Nintendo DS handhelds as controllers or import characters from the upcoming Nintendo DS games Pokemon Diamond or Pokemon Pearl. Pokemon Battle Revolution launches on June 25.

“With strong third-party support, Wii and Nintendo DS have games on the way for both casual and veteran gamers,” says Nintendo of America President Reggie Fils-Aime. “Our new ways to play have attracted millions of players around the world. This lineup demonstrates our commitment to leading the industry with the future of video gaming.”