This week, there has been a lot of talk about Project Natal and a rumored new Xbox gaming console. Before reading the news related to these subjects, bear in mind the fact that various Microsoft executives apparently cannot tell the difference between “a new console” and “a new launch.” And if you like videogames more than news, then check out our Prototype review. Briefly, chaotic destruction with no concern for morality never gets old.

Monday was all about big releases. Analysts estimated that Modern Warfare 2 might be the biggest release of the year, with more than 11 million units sold during 2009. Microsoft also talked about the launch of Project Natal, which is probably set for late 2010, as being as big as that of the Xbox 360.

Tuesday was all about the past, as Activision talked about the line up of Van Halen, not featuring Sammy Hagar, in the upcoming Guitar Hero title that would tackle its band and as Need for Speed makes a clear break with the past via the new Driver Profile system, set to be introduced in the new Shift release.

In the aftermath of E3, Brutal Legend from Activision and Uncharted 2: Among Thieves received the biggest number nominations for the Best of E3 Awards, while Microsoft returned to the subject of Project Natal with some sources saying that the company was preparing a whole new console version slated to be released alongside the motion tracking technology.

On Thursday, Microsoft encountered problems with the same console that it could be planning to relaunch, as scheduled downtime cobbled Xbox Live Marketplace so that customers could pay their Microsoft Points but the download did not work. Meanwhile, Madden NFL 10 was revealed to get two downloads, one of them short and unintriguing from Electronic Arts and one long and set to be a replay of the latest Super Bowl match up.

Let's not forget Friday, when Steve Ballmer, the head of Microsoft, appeared to be in disagreement with his own men about the exact nature of Project Natal and whether it constituted a new Xbox gaming console or not. Halo 3: ODST claimed the title of most wanted post E3 videogame, which is quite the feat considering that the content is more that of an expansion than a full title.

Oh, and if you are hungry for more gaming, take a look at our Weekend Reading, which debates how recent attention brought onto videogames by President Barack Obama might be taking them back to being considered as a fringe.