Sony Online Entertainment Inc. (SOE) announced today that it is finalizing plans to create SOEGames.net , an online game matching service that will allow gamers to find each other and battle it out across the Internet. The first games to take advantage of SOEGames.net will be Lords of EverQuest and Champions of Norrath, two upcoming Sony Online Entertainment titles. SOEGames.net will also be the first game matching system designed to host both console and PC games.

Sony Online Entertainment Inc. today announced development agreements with Lodestone Games LLC and SolWorks to create original gaming content to be published by SOE. Lodestone and SolWorks will be creating two independent, as-yet unannounced games; further product information will be revealed at a later date.

Sony Online Entertainment Inc. announced that it has reached Beta status for EverQuest Online Adventures: Frontiers, with more than 20,000 excited testers being allowed a sneak peek into the changes to the online world. Developed exclusively for the PlayStation2, EverQuest Online Adventures: Frontiers is scheduled to ship to retail stores this November. Read more for details and we will be giving away 10 beta accounts later this week so stay tuned!

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 :

• Freedom Fighters (PS2) - Trailer
• Metal Arms: Glitch In The System - Variety Trailer
• Metal Arms: Glitch In The System - Hijack Trailer
• 
  
  We will update this throughout the day when new trailers become available. Read more for download links ...

Ubi Soft Entertainment today launched the XIII community Web site - the only destination for XIII information and assets. XIII is the stylish first-person shooter thriller featuring a government conspiracy and a unique combination of action and stealth gameplay. XIII will be available on all game consoles and the PC in October 2003. Go check out the official website.

Ritual send out notice that they have just finished the game development kit for Star Trek Elite Force II. The GDK contains UberRadiant (Ritual's customized level editor), plug-ins for 3D Studio MAX, example map and model files, extensive documentation andseveral other tools to assist in the creation of modifications and assets for the game. Read more for download links ...

Allessia is a cleric of Helm, the Watcher, the Vigilant One, deity of guardians and protectors. She adventures for the cause of good, in support of the church of Helm, and in defense of the Innocent, who she feels is her divine duty to protect. She heard of the troubles in Baldur's Gate when a letter from Huros, her old mentor, arrived at her home in Secomber. Allessia is powerful in melee combat and can learn many defensive and bolstering spells. She can wear any armor, but cannot wield great weapons or bows. Read more for some new screens and a brand new trailer ...

Encore today announced that it has signed an exclusive, worldwide agreement with Victory Simulations to publish Redline: Xtreme Air Racing 2, a unique combination of flight sim and combat air racing for PCs. Under this agreement, Encore is managing sales, distribution and marketing for the game, while Victory Simulations, a leading developer in flight simulation software for over a decade, is delivering the content.

Alienware announced today the launch of the Area-51m Sentia. Designed specifically for college students, the new Intel Centrino based system features a unique Alienware thin and light chassis design and extended battery life. The Area-51m Sentia is the ideal mobile system for any student, offering superior on-campus mobility as well as advanced capabilities in the classroom.

Noticed on Blues that Russian publisher Buka has released the official English demo for their military RTS title, The Entente: WWI BattleFields. Read more for details and download links ...

Not really a surprise but GSC Game World send out notice that they will be attention the upcoming Games Convention (Leipzig) and ECTS (London) shows. GSC Game World will demonstrate survival FPS/RPG S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Oblivion Lost (booth of THQ) and historical strategy Cossacks 2: Napoleonic Wars (booth of CDV). Read more to check out some new screens ...

Jaleco just send out word that their indoor driving title Micro Mayhem has been pushed back until Q1 2004. The decision was based largely on Jaleco's desire to continue developing the online component of the game which is going to take more time. It is still planned to appear on next-gen consoles and PC in a simultaneous release with North America and Europe, but a specific release date is yet to be set. To be Continued...

Electronic Arts today announced that it has signed three of the world’s leading football players (Henry, Del Piero AND Ronaldino) to showcase their Off The Ball skills into its forthcoming FIFA Football 2004 game. Read more for details ...

Entertainment software publishers NovaLogic Ltd. and HD Interactive today announced that the release of a performance fix for Devastation, a team based first person shooter built on the heavily modified, next-generation Unreal Engine technology. The fix increases the performance of the game and is 300k to download.. Grab it here!

Metro3D Europe proudly announce the much anticipated release of R-type Final on the Playstation 2 in January 2004.

Andy Law, General Manager, Metro3D Europe commented "We are delighted to confirm that we have secured this license with Irem and have rights to publish R-type Final throughout PAL territories. A product of this calibre is proof that we mean business as an 'up and coming' publisher to watch out for."

NovaLogic Ltd. today announced that it has teamed up with Krawall to host Europe's first play test of the brand new multiplayer based PC title Joint Operations at Games Convention in Leipzig, August 21st - 24th 2003.

Enlight announced today that it has acquired the North American rights to the highly anticipated space simulation game - X²: The Threat. A sequel to the 1999 award-winning X: Beyond the Frontier..

Ninja Gaiden is on the cutting-edge of action as the player takes on the role of powerful ninja, Ryu Hayabusa, who seeks revenge after his clan is massacred by the Vigor Empire. Taking full advantage of three-dimensional space, you follow the story with only your wits, your ninja skills, and your deadly sword, cutting down opponents in the Vigor Empire as you attempt to beat the Holy Emperor and reclaim the magic sword "Ryuken". Realistic battle actions and acrobatic ninja actions add another dimension to the game, restoring Ninja Gaiden to its rightful place in the gaming pantheon.

Xicat Interactive, Inc., a publisher of computer games such as Jane's Attack Squadron and Iron Aces II, announced today that it has signed exclusive distribution agreements with Gauntlet Entertainment in the UK and Nobilis in France. The two companies will handle all aspects of sales and distribution of Xicat titles in their respective territories.

Empire Interactive are pleased to announce the release of DJ Mix Station 2 , featuring VirtualDJ in September 2003. From the developers of the original award-winning DJ Mix Station, this promises to be the most accessible and affordable DJ software to date!

Hothouse Creations today announces that it has signed a second development deal with international publisher Konami to produce an as yet un-named game for PlayStation 2, PC and X-Box. The deal will see Hothouse further its relationship with Konami, who recently published Casino, Inc. by the Bristol-based developer. The game is scheduled for release in the Summer of 2005, and Hothouse has recruited Pete O'Brien, former Producer at Sega Corporation, to lead the project. Further details about the game will be released in due course.

Radica - the company behind Gamester have unveiled plans for the launch of a six new innovative peripherals in October and a targeted consumer marketing push for Quarter Four, with all new products being supported by consumer press advertising, pr and online campaigns.

Whiptail showing off Gangland, multiplayer Postal 2, Postal Classic & Uncut, Blade and Sword and RC Cars... For its debut appearance at ECTS, game publisher Whiptail Interactive will be calling on the heavy mob for first looks at its new game Gangland, due to launch in November this year. Developed by Danish gaming experts MediaMobsters, Gangland combines the best elements of real-time strategy, role-play and simulation games to deliver a menacingly fresh PC gaming experience. Launched in time for Christmas, Gangland is set to be a massive hit...

Video games are no longer simply about getting the highest score or disgracing an opponent. They're also about immersing yourself in make-believe worlds you help fashion... No one understands that better than Electronic Arts Inc., the video game publisher that has evolved over two decades into an entertainment powerhouse as muscled as some of its game characters.

Kuju said Monday that it has reached a mutual and amicable agreement with Microsoft to transition its PC simulation technology and the ongoing development of Train Simulator 2 to Microsoft. As announced in the AGM statement, this is part of the restructuring and cost reduction exercise that Kuju is implementing which will have a negative impact on results for the current year however in the longer term will result in a lower cost base as Kuju focuses on its core Console and Wireless operations.

Oxygen Interactive, the UK based computer game publisher can today announce that they will be showcasing their 2003/2004 line up of titles at this years ECTS show from 27th August to 29th August 03... "March Offworld Recon, Midnight Nowhere, Paradise Cracked, Echelon Wind Warriors and Time of Defiance, with new PS2 and Xbox games to be unveiled too".

NVIDIA Corporation will be the talk of the show at this year's ECTS (Earls Court, London, August 27th to 29th) hosting some of the most highly anticipated PC games this year, including: STALKER, Breed (new multiplayer version), Worms 3D, Hidden and Dangerous II and Aquanox 2.

Star Wars Jedi Knight: Jedi Academy is a dynamic single and multiplayer action experience featuring an all-new epic story. Players are immersed in the role of apprentice at Luke Skywalker's Jedi Academy where they learn the power – and danger – of the Force. Amidst a multitude of complex and richly detailed Star Wars environments, including twice as many unique locales as those in Star Wars Jedi Outcast, players face a variety of powerful and insidious enemies. Read more to check them out ...

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 :

• Counter-strike: Condition Zero - Trailer
• Phantom Game Console - Trailer
• Ultima X Odyssey - Trailer
• 
  
  We will update this throughout the day when new trailers become available. Read more for download links ...

Although summer is in full sizzling swing, Nintendo is bundling up! Bundling up with one of its most popular and successful franchises that is ... Game Boy. For a limited time beginning Oct. 13, consumers who purchase an Indigo or Glacier Game Boy Advance for an MSRP of $79.99, will also receive an e-Reader with a Donkey Kong Jr.-e game and sample pack.

Colonies is an online first person shooter based in a cyberpunk flavoured sci-fi world. Colonies is a multiplayer FPS game with strategy and rpg features. Unlike other FPS games Colonies goal isn't always destroying your opponent. Colonies gives the player the opportunity to defeat his opponent with scores of technology or resource mining. Colonies is more likely a teamplay game where you have to co-operate with other players succeed. Check out the newest batch of screens!

World of Warcraft is an online role-playing experience set in the award-winning Warcraft universe. Players assume the roles of Warcraft heroes as they explore, adventure, and quest across a vast world. Being "Massively Multiplayer," World of Warcraft allows thousands of players to interact within the same world. Whether adventuring together or fighting against each other in epic battles, players will form friendships, forge alliances, and compete with enemies for power and glory. Check these 3 new screens ...