Eidos has released a demo for Hitman: Contracts, giving you a chance to try out the Syberia mission (Bjarkhov Bomb) from the recently released stealth/action game. Hitman: Contracts delivers more action-packed and suspenseful missions, with a greater variety of ways to make the perfect hit and an increased arsenal of firearms and close-combat weapons. Read more for download links ...

Medieval Lords takes aspiring city governors to the middle ages, combining rich city-building challenges with evolving military forces to defend against relentless attacks from neighboring enemies. A first for the genre, Medieval Lords features a full 3D engine that enables innovative new gameplay elements. The city building game genre will take on a whole new dimension when Monte Cristo Games ships "Medieval Lords: Build, Defend, Expand” in Fall 2004. 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 :

• Men Of Valor - Trailer
• Van Helsing - Trailer
• 
  
  We will update this throughout the day when new trailers become available. Read more for download links ...

Crave Entertainment announced today Strike Force Bowling has reached gold master status for the PlayStation2 and the Xbox.

American Technology Research analyst P.J. McNealy said the Xbox was likely to overtake the PS2 on a units-sold basis for the first time ever in the United States in April. He estimated Xbox sales of 275,000 units this month, versus about 200,000 units for the PS2. PS2 sales have been falling in the United States this year, and in the just-ended fiscal year Sony said PS2 unit shipments fell 37 percent in North America. Unless Sony cuts the price on its PS2 in order to spur sales, U.S. game software makers, many of whom track Sony's fiscal year, may find sales growth targets harder to reach, analysts said. Read the full story here...

While Piranha Bytes is hard at work on Gothic 3, not much has been heard about the Gothic II: Night of the Raven expansion, andhere is why : "Bad news concerning the addon. I've talked with Plex if there will be an english version of the addon (Nacht des Raben), and he said that's a very difficult question. Many political problems are here within and it's not sure if there will be ever an english addon. this is out of the hands of JoWooD and Atari doesn't respond. Seems that the addon is temporary on ice or it died long before." (thanks RPGDot)

With the nation currently going snooker loopy thanks to the World Championships culminating this week in Sheffield, Ignition Entertainment can confirm that the much-anticipated Game Cube version of Archer Maclean's Pool Paradise will be released on 7th May 2004, at the remarkably low suggested retail price of £19.99.

NCsoft has chosen SpeedTree for use in Auto Assault, a massively multiplayer game currently under development by Denver-based NetDevil, LTD. The animated, incredibly realistic and efficient foliage generated by SpeedTree will be visible in virtually every Auto Assault level, both in town and on the highways, promised NetDevil CEO Scott Brown.

Gamers who want to stake a claim to the mysterious monster hunter Van Helsing, can take a stab at the legendary hero with the announcement of the game’s pre-order campaign. Fans who choose to preorder the game at select retailers will receive an exclusive DVD featuring a “Making of the Game” featurette, the films theatrical trailer and a high definition game trailer.

Capcom today released the concluding chapter of the critically acclaimed Onimusha epic saga, Onimusha 3 Demon Siege for the PlayStation2. Onimusha 3 Demon Siege introduces newly designed 3D polygonal environments, more expansive settings to explore, a new dual hero fighting system, enhanced gameplay and motion picture quality cinematics that the series is known to deliver.

Today Russobit-M announced that theyare heading to E3 and unveiled their lineup. titles on display will be Kreed (and it's addon Battle for Savitar), Firestarter (Uh?), Goldenland (and its add-on Cold Heaven), Neuro, Phase: Exodus and Homeplanet: Playing with Fire (multiplayer addon). Read more for details on each title...

Eidos today announced it has secured the North American publishing rights for Singles: Flirt Up Your Life. Developed by the German company, Rotobee, Singles: Flirt Up Your Life is a life and reality simulation game, which brings the excitement and anticipation of new, budding relationships into play. Eidos, in partnership with Deep Silver, a company of the Koch Media Group, will release Singles: Flirt Up Your Life for PC "via online download" early this Summer 2004.

Metropolis Team is proud two announce two new titles in development: GORKY ZERO - Aurora Watching is the third episode of adventures of captain Cole Sullivan. DIABOLIQUE - License To Sin is a brand new game title in extremely unique settings. Read more for some additional details ...

EA announced today that The Lord of the Rings, The Third Age role-playing game is under development for release in late 2004. The epic quest, in which players will take on the roles of new characters choosing their own path through Middle-earth while interacting with the heroes and villains of the trilogy, will be available for the PS2, Xbox, GameCube, and GBA under the EA GAMES brand. Read more for details and the first 6 screens ...

Full Spectrum Warrior is based on a light infantry-training simulator designed by Pandemic Studios for the U.S. Army as a tool to reinforce Army doctrine and squad tactics amongst troops. Full Spectrum Warrior is a squad-based, tactical-action game that delivers the experience of squad level command in the heat of battle. Check out the new screens...

THQ Inc. today announced that it has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire leading PC development studio, Relic Entertainment. Previously, THQ had partnered with Vancouver-based Relic Entertainment through a two-property, multi-year publishing agreement including the upcoming real-time strategy (RTS) title, Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War, scheduled to release in fall 2004.

In the next generation of The Sims, The Sims 2, players control their Sims over an entire lifetime for the first time. Every choice that is made has a relevant and dramatic effect on the life of a Sim. More life-like Sims, all-new gameplay, and the ground-breaking addition of genetics, with the DNA of Sims passed down through generations gives players a more vivid, realistic, and in-depth Sims experience.

Vivendi today announced the development of Spyro: A Hero's Tail for the PlayStation2, Xboxand GameCube, scheduled to arrive at retail in Q4 2004. Developed by Eurocom and scripted by Emmy Award-winning writer J. Stewart Burns, this new 3D action platformer will feature five fully-playable characters and brand-new Spyro breath attacks, power-ups and moves. Read more for details & screens...

Expanding upon the distinctive features that were the hallmark of its predecessor - fast-paced acrobatic combat and supernatural powers - BloodRayne 2 includes new in-game dynamics such as pole combat, rail sliding and advanced melee fighting with fatality moves. Read more for some new screens ...

La Pucelle: Tactics is a tale of betrayal and double cross, monsters in human form and humans in monster form, set in an alternate medieval Europe. The unlikely hero is a smart mouthed and undisciplined sixteen year old who just passed her exorcism exams and her comrades in La Pucelle, a demon hunting squad.

Developed by Mad Doc Software and due for release in the first half of 2005, Empire Earth 2 will build upon the award-winning formula of its predecessor by adding features requested both by casual game players interested in a brief spin through history and by more hard core gamers who demand a real-time strategy game that will challenge them for dozens, if not hundreds, of hours.

Ascaron has released yet another new update patch for their RPG game Sacred. This update brings your retail game to v1.6.6, available for UK/US versions, addresses occasional game crashes in the Mystdale Castle area, as well as server side communication tweaks. Read more for download links ...

Alias is a third-person action adventure containing a unique blend of action and stealth that puts you under fire and under pressure. Whether you're up against the clock or being hunted by the enemy, fighting against the odds or fleeing for your life, the action is relentless. Utilize your incredible spyware and array of disguises to complete the most dangerous covert missions across the globe. Experience all the heart-stopping action and tension of the award winning TV series.

Game Factory Interactive has announced it's line up at the E3 Expo, they will be presenting the folllowingprojects from the game developing Companies: 3d RTS WWII game "Officers", "COPS 2170: Power of Law" and the tactical strategy game ALFA: Antiterror. Read more for details and each title...