While Microsoft has publicly avoided discussing its next generation machine, it has been quietly conducting studies on the consumer appeal of a hybrid device that would play both PC and Xbox games. The B/R/S Group, a California-based market research company that lists Microsoft and the Xbox division specifically as clients, has been gathering consumer feedback on a device it refers to as Xbox Next PC – "a videogame console system with a hard drive and a built-in fully functional PC." Mention of the device came on one of several slides shown to focus groups. Read more of it over at CNN Money.

Another day, another batch of game trailers were released. Instead of giving them all their own posts, we grouped them, and so far there are trailers for :

• Guilty Gear Isuka - Trailer (2)
• The Urbz - Trailer
• The Red Star - Trailer
• Dark And Light - Trailer
• UT 2004 - Make It Unreal Trailer
• Combat Elite: World War II Paratroopers - Trailer

'The Fall: Last Days of Gaia' is an innovative Post-Apocalyptic Role Playing Game with tactical combat and a highly original, disturbing storyline. The game is scheduled for Q3, 2004. The Fall will be the first 3D-RPG set in an endtime scenario on the market. Read more for details and some new screens ...

Officially licensed by the Indy Racing League, IndyCar Series 2005 gets a boost with a host of new features to complement the action-packed oval track racing at speeds up to 235mph! The game's new online racing will see up to 12 players getting fiercely competitive out on the circuits on Xbox, with up to 8 players on PS2.

Rookie Detroit cop Lazarus Jones is thrust into the role of Ghosthunter after a routine patrol at a derelict high school goes awry. Lazarus and partner Anna Steele stumble upon the supernatural research center of Professor Peter Richmond where they unintentionally liberate a legion of poltergeists. A deadly spirit abducts Anna, while another ghost fuses with Lazarus, giving him the ability to see into the realm of the dead.

Microids is working on an all new murder/adventure game "Still Life". Using an updated Syberia engine, "Still Life" lets you play the role of FBI agent Victoria McPherson. Situated in Chicago, you are on the heels of a serial killer, much like your grandfather did 60 years earlier in Prague (Microids' Post Mortem). By means of flashbacks and timewarps, you will travel to locations like Eastern Europe to interrogate suspects, or North America, to scrutinize dead bodies. Read more for some new screens & teaser trailer...

Midway Games Inc. today announced that MLB SlugFest: Loaded is expected to be the first ever video game to implement Microsoft’s recently announced updates to Xbox Live 3.0 via customizable, online tournaments. MLB SlugFest: Loaded is scheduled for release on June 21, 2004, for the Xbox.

Deadlands is a 3rd person action horror title, which sees a murdered gunslinger, brought back to life through possession by an evil spirit. Known only as the Stranger, he seeks retribution against the Seven Sins, a merciless gang of criminals who have entered into a terrible pact with the Reckoners, an evil force from another plane of existence.

Ground Control 2 : Operation Exodus takes place during the year 2741 AD, roughly 300 years after the events in the original game. The democratic and freedom caring Northern Star Alliance (NSA) is being hard pressed by the warmongering Terran Empire. The war has recently entered a new stage; a brutal and deadly ground war, as the Empire has managed to land their first troopships on the last NSA controlled planet – Morningstar Prime...

The player will play as Sarge, now an army of one, against the whole of the Tan Army, under the leadership of Colonel Malice. All of the Heroes have been wiped out in a brutal Tan ambush and the Tan have found a new weapon of mass destruction that can reduce a platoon of soldiers into a mass of melted plastic. Sarge must go renegade and avenge the death of his fallen heroes, to take his revenge on the Tan Army and destroy Colonel Malice.

Everyone's favorite yellow cab is back! You might remember the original Space Taxi. It was a very popular Commodore 64 title back in 1984 when it was first released. This is the first official sequel. It was created by Twilight Games with the help of the original author John F. Kutcher.

Running With Scisscors has released the first patch for their recently released multiplayer addon Postal 2: Share The Pain. This upgrade brings your retail version to v1409 and adds a new multiplayer map (Red Light), various other game balacing/improvement and the usual fixes. Read more for detailed fix list and download links ...

Mistland (Paradise Cracked developers) have another project lined up for the near future, "Alfa: AntiTerror" (expected 2nd quarter 2004). The sad reality of life in many countries. The global problem of modern times. A war, which can neither be won nor lost. The unpromising forecasts of scientists and experts concerning further development of things. Terrorism is waiting for our answer. An answer we are about to deliver. Read more for details and new screens ...

Shockwave Productions announces today that it has officially changed the name of it’s upcoming PC title Air Power to Wings of Power: WW II Heavy Bombers and Jets for Microsoft Flight Simulator 2004. Shockwave chose Wings of Power because it is a better representation of the titles content and sim-play.

Larian Studios has released the first patch for their Divinie Divinity RPG sequel Beyond Divinity. This update patch brings your English retail game to v1.45 and fixes various settings, a savegame problem and several other small issues and other. Read more for detailed fix list and download links ...

In ‘Blood Magic’ the weapon of choice is magic. Graphically stunning, the game is set in a richly detailed medieval-style world, allowing the player a wide variety of choices both in individual quests and character development. There are a dozen different fields of magic, over 100 weapons in the game and nearly limitless spell possibilities.

Chaos League combines sports, fantasy and brutal, chaotic action on a playing field where the primary objectives are typical but the gameplay is anything but. Players must score points, win games, advance to championship rounds, and of course compete for the ultimate trophy, but Chaos League serves up some extra excitement with its absence of rules, corrupt referees and mythical, powerful opponents.

Taking place in a massive, free-roaming city featuring five distinct interconnected neighborhoods, Need for Speed Underground 2 delivers an immersive game world where the streets are your menus. As players explore the city, they’ll encounter rival racers who will school them in the ways of the underground and tip them off to the hottest racing spots in town. Read more for some new screens ...

Another day, another batch of game trailers were released. Instead of giving them all their own posts, we grouped them, and so far there are trailers for :

• Juiced - Trailer
• El Matador - E3 2004 Trailer
• Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles 2- Trailer
• The Saga Of Ryzom - Trailer

"Gates Of Troy" is a Trojan themed expansion pack for SPARTAN, the award winning turn-based strategy game from Slitherine Software. Slitherine have been secretly working on "Gates Of Troy" for months and are now finally ready to announce it to the strategy gaming world.