Publishers are usually wary to release their games in the summer months, figuring it isn't the best time for them. Which is surprising, as I can't think of another time when the games-playing community has so much free time. See how the C-E staff are coping with the slow trickle of releases.

How are you managing through the slow gaming months of the summer?

Dominic: I'm actually managing pretty well this summer without games. I've bought a couple of new games for my systems but that's it really. I've just been playing old games I haven't had chance to complete or even start in some cases.

In a way I am happy the drought came as it gives me chance to catch up on games that I have bought in the year and not really had chance to play (because of other games I'm playing).

I do have some games coming in august, Silent Hill 3, Chaos Legion and P.N.03 so I look forward to some freshness at the end of the month.

Lamsh: I'm managing quite well. I still have a few titles here for reviewing so I'm busy playing them. Next week I have to watch my father's house when my family goes on a vacation. My little brother has a modded X-Box (ssssh, don't tell anyone), so I'll spend a lot of time playing SNES games too.

It's not a good time for playing many good new games though. Unless you're importing Viewtiful Joe from Japan (see video preview and upcoming review), there's a good chance you'll spend the warm days playing through old favorites again.

Thank God for Freeloader.

Gizmo: Simple, I just don't really play games in the summer. Sure there'll be the odd multiplayer sessions but new games aren't really needed for that - just a few old classics.

For me the summer is all about going out and making the most of the weather, I'd much rather be down the park playing frisbee than stuck in my room getting to grips with a new set of controls.

My next lot of games start coming at the end of August, until then its all days in the park, nights out in the pub and time with the girlfriend. If anything the annual gaming drought is the best time of the year.

Franklin: The summer is here again and as usual the games world comes to a slow down with next to nothing coming out till near September. I usually don't play games that much anyway during this time. I have bought a few games that I saw going cheap (Agent Under Fire for 20 Euro and Mario Party 4 for 30 euro) but haven't played them much either.

Summer to me is mostly about going to beach, watching the World 9ball Pool Championship (which is over now, damn) and just hanging out. The weather has been pretty decent lately so when I'm not working I'm just drawn to go for a spin on my bike. If I'm tired or the weather is bad I'll go see what game I'm in the mood for, which lately has been Wave Race Blue Storm (classic).

Link: The simple answer to that question is by buying a massive RPG. I recently bought Phantasy Star Online and that will probably tide me over for the rest of the summer. I won't be playing it online, but there is still plenty of quests to do aswell as some multi-player fun with my friends. Apart from that I will be revisiting Eternal Darkness, providing my friend gives it back to me and I might finish off all of the side quests in The Wind Waker. The rest of my free-time I'll spend online, with my friends at work or playing soccer/football (depending on where you're from).

Guranteed to suck your day away.

pdhq64: One word: Import.

Gizmo: Import what exactly? Theres not much coming out anywhere at the moment.

Tim: I agree with pdhq64 for a part. I imported F-Zero GX and Kirby Air Ride, which of course are loads fun to play! Though I spent a lot of my summer playing Hitman 2. I got that game in the week it was released, and the game simply rocks. So those games and a few other older games I got get me through the summer easy enough. Oh and there still is also Mario Party 4! Play that game with a few friends and you will be kept busy for hours and hours!

Conor: According to my parents, I'm supposed to be outside enjoying the good weather. Well, what little Ireland receives anyway. But if I'd rather play games than sports the rest of the year, I don't see why the summer should be an exception.

I've been using this time to finally complete some of the Gamecube games that I lost interest in or was too busy to complete earlier. That being Eternal Darkness, Zelda and even hard Mode on Metroid Prime. I also have Skies of Arcadia to review, so many, many hours of top RPG gaming are guaranteed there anyway. It's quite a big game apparently.

I recently bought Hitman 2 and agree with Tim and our recent review - IO Interactive have done a great job. The freeform gameplay means that there's great fun to be had in revisiting old levels to bag those elusive Silent Assassin ratings. I'm hoping to buy Advance Wars next week - my holidays are coming up and I'm not bringing Gamecube, so the GBA is the next best thing. Actually, I'm not playing games as much as I thought I would - C-E's features take up a lot of time and so does the obligatory lieing in. And then there's Sky One's unmissable Buffy reruns - which just beg to be watched.