The Leipzig Games Convention in Germany is considered to be the gaming event of the year. This year the event was filled with some amazing new announcements as well as some really cool videos. In this feature, I will try and list all the big news at GC, include my favorite videos and eagerly await your response (read, fanboy flame wars).

The Sony Extravaganza

Sony made some really big announcements this year, including the big daddy of 'em all -Heavy Rain. Yes, Heavy Rain was finally shown with some real-time in-game footage of this dark thriller exclusive PS3 title. The game developed by Quantic Dream will be releasing next year, but ever since the first trailer called The Casting was shown off at E3 2006, gamers world over have been eagerly awaiting some new footage.

The new footage showed some really interesting gameplay as well as good details on the characters. We are still waiting for the HD-footage, but until then check out the Cam footage below.

Sony also introduced a new 160GB PlayStation 3 that will come in a limited-edition bundle packaged with Uncharted: Drake's Fortune, a PlayStation Network download voucher, and a DualShock 3 wireless gamepad. The bundle will ship in November for $499, not a bad price, if you consider all the goodies involved.

Sony also introduced the PSP 3000, the new PSP will have a built-in microphone and an upgraded LCD screen, the screen will offer much better quality and anti-reflection technology, so that you can play with ease without those nosy reflections. A welcome addition is the built-in microphone, it will make communication services such as Skype and Go!Messenger available without the need of a separate headset.

The last important hardware announcement was the new wireless keypad for the PS3. This ingenious add-on doubles up as a touch-pad for web browsing, as per the official quote, "The Wireless Keypad snaps onto the top of a SIXAXIS or DUALSHOCK 3 wireless controller and comes with some cool features, including a mode that turns the main key area into a touch pad (similar to a touch pad on a Laptop computer).

Once in this mode, you can slide your finger on this area to move the cursor on the screen and tap to enter. There will be two shortcut buttons on the Keypad that will enable users to jump directly to the XMB's "Friends" icon and the "Message Box" during gameplay."

We have already mentioned the big software announcement a.k.a Heavy Rain, but there were some more really impressive games at display. Our favorites included the Multiplayer trailer for Killzone 2 and the new Sackzilla trailer for Little Big Planet. Check out both the trailers with a small description below.