Champions: Return to Arms introduces two new playable races, a whole new non-linear storyline letting the playing chose to team both with the forces of Good or Evil, the ability to import characters from the original game, more character customization options with up to level 80 levelling, thousands of new items, weapons and spells, beautifully detailed environments, innovative medal system which unlocks secret gameplay modes, more online and multiplayer options and much more.

Red Ninja: End of Honor is an action-adventure title, developed by Tranji, which will feature a variety of innovative game-play features blending action, adventure, stealth, seduction and fighting. These elements have been placed in a historical Japanese environment with an event-driven story written by famed Japanese feature film director, Shinsuke Sato.

Blitzkrieg II is created with a new focus on fast-paced gameplay, a strategic layer and new tactical opportunities. A completely new engine takes WWII into full 3D where players can command famous aces and units, strategically plan battles in multiple theatres, choose their reinforcements and use a wide range of new unit types such as aircraft and ships.

Valve's SteamPowered website has been updated with details regarding yet another update for its Source SDK which adds SDK bot sample code, source files for HL2 SP maps, interface plugin to add bots to mods, bspzip tool, and fixed resource leak. Restart Steam to get the latest update. The HL2: DM level design contest is over, the winners maps will be included in the HL2: Deathmatch release, as well as two new weapons (Slam and Stunstick). Later this week there will be an update to the Half-Life SDK this week which most notably will include source files for six Half-Life 2 maps.

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 :

• Second Sight - Trailer [PC]
• Splinter Cell Chaos Theory - Trailer #9
• Blitzkrieg 2 - Trailer #3
• Close Combat: First to Fight - Trailer
• Iron Phoenix - Trailer #3
• LotR: Battle for Middle-Earth - Trailer #10

404 Gaming today released more info about its still quite mysterious hip-hop mmog. We already know DJ Pooh “a.k.a Mark Jordan,” who wrote the movie Friday and story for Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas, is involved but now 404 Gaming has released a list of hip-hop stars, such as RUM DMC's D.M.C., Public Enemy #1's Flava Flav and Chuck D, but also deceased stars like Jam Master Jay and Notorious B.I.G. More info is promised in May, in the meantime, read more for additional names...

Devil May Cry 3 unfolds an earlier chapter in Dante's history, before the original Devil May Cry, to the fateful clash between Sparda's twin sons, divided by the divergence of their chosen paths. Along the way, Dante encounters formidable foes and unusual characters including a mysterious man named Arkham and a female hunter named Lady whose mission is to take down all demons, including Dante. Capcom has launched the official Devil May Cry 3 website, so head on over there for the latest news, screens and updates.

Turbine's execute producer for D&D Online Judith Hoffman has revealed in her January producer letter that Turbine is about to move the project into beta stage. Judith goes on to explain that the beta will be split in four stages, with the first one (beta 0) being most likely internal, while two to four will be closed tests with participation from the community, but gradually openinig up to the public. "In the next month or two" signups will begin on the official Dungeons & Dragons Online website, so keep an eye out if you are interested in participating.

Jade Empire is set in a new fantastical world based on mythical China, where sinister events have upset the peaceful harmony of an isolated martial arts school. Featuring furious action previously found only in Hong Kong cinema, the game lets players master more than 30 fighting styles and a wide range of mystical powers.

Star Wars: Imperial Assault is a Star Wars mod for EA's RTS Command & Conquer: Generals - Zero Hour. Its intent is to bring the excitement of Star Wars ground battles, atmospheric air battles, and Jedi/Sith to the CnC Generals Zero Hour engine. This "demo" includes Imperial Assault menu screen and interface with shell map, and demo mission. Skirmish and Multiplayer play are disabled.

With Hidden Stroke II, the Allied Power Team created a rousing sequel of Hidden Stroke. The completely new designed damage system and many new features are waiting for the fan of strategy. Further new units are ready for action in new thrilling campaigns and missions. Cities and coasts aren't safe - The war has begun. Read more for details and screens ...

Oddworld Stranger's Wrath combines first and third-person gameplay with familiar Oddworld elements and an all-new engine to deliver a unique gameplay experience. Set to award-winning visuals, players will be moved by the complex and inspiring story as the Stranger comes to grips with his true nature in the hunt for the ultimate bounty. Check our previously posted Oddworld preview, or read more for screens ...

Project: Snowblind is a the first-person action shooter putting you in the role of an elite super soldier, fighting on the front lines of a near-future war using unique weapons, abilities and high-tech gadgetry that inject depth and variety to gameplay. Read more for new screens ...

Trash is a 3D RTS based in a post-apocalyptic future. The surviving humans, mutants, and intelligent machines are the three races battling for control of the primary resource: Trash. Read more for details & screens ...

Live fastballs, suicide squeezes, grass-staining dives, seventh-inning stretches, walk-off homeruns, peanuts and hotdogs… these are just some of the things that make the sport of baseball America’s favorite pastime. The victory of a baseball game can depend on the walk-off homerun in the ninth inning or a simple second base steal.

World Tour Soccer 2006, developed exclusively for the PS2 by 989 Sports, features an unprecedented line-up of teams and players from around the globe in order to bring the excitement of the world's most popular sport to the forefront for gamers and soccer fans alike. The fourth World Tour Soccer iteration is scheduled for release this spring. Read more for the first screens ...

A few weeks ago Hip Interactive revealed that it signed an agreement to develop games based on cult horror director George A. Romero's work. Today Hip informs us that UK developer Kuju Entertainment has been tagged to work on the first, yet unnamed, game, which is scheduled for release next fiscal year ending March 31, 2006.

Offering over 40 fully-licensed and faithfully replicated club and national teams, players can tinker with tactics, formation, line-up and training before each match. During the game, Pro Rugby Manager 2 displays each bone-crunching tackle, each heart-in-mouth drop kick and every maddening pass and dash to the try-line in such glorious, motion-captured detail, it rivals anything TV coverage can offer.

God of War is a new action/adventure game developed by SCEA's Southern California studio previously known for developing Twisted Metal. You play as a yet unnamed hero, surrounded by Greek mythology. Hacking your way through hordes of enemies by means of swords and Spawn-like chains you are on a quest to kill the Greek "God Of War", Ares. Read more for a few new screens...

SWAT 4 allows players to take control of a squad of up to five police officers tasked with performing dangerous operations such as high-risk arrests, hostage rescue and counter-terrorism. Vivendi has just launched the official SWAT 4 website, Irrational Games' tactical shooter. Head on over there for news, game info, screenshots, or sign up for the SWAT 4 newsletter.

EBGames is now offering a Jade Empire Limited Edition which will feature an extra character and combat style w/ Foil Outer Wrap. Order and receive a Jade Empire demo and "Making of" DVD! Disc also includes demos of Forza, MechAssault 2, and Conkers. Jade Empire is set in a new fantastical world based on mythical China, where sinister events have upset the peaceful harmony of an isolated martial arts school. Featuring furious action previously found only in Hong Kong cinema, the game lets players master more than 30 fighting styles and a wide range of mystical powers.

GSC GameWorld sent out a newsletter with details on how the AI it has implemented in its FPS S.T.A.L.K.E.R: Shadow of Chernobyl will work, react to circumstances, and how the development team faced the necessity to invent new methods of game AI. Read more for the full newsletter...

PomPom Software, in conjunction with Oberon Software, today announced that Mutant Storm has now been released through Mircosoft's Xbox Live Arcade system. Read more for details ...

Stronghold 2 will bring the the castle-sim and siege-warfare RTS series to life in glorious 3D. Stronghold 2 will also offer players a "castle-life" campaign, enhanced multiplayer capability and a new, innovative and exciting single player campaign that will be revealed in the months ahead. Read more for details about the Stronghold 2 Kingmaker mode.

Area 51 is set in the U.S. government's most top-secret and secure facility located in the Nevada desert. Players take on the role of Lt. Nick Cross, a hazardous biological waste specialist sent to investigate.

Developed by Monolith Productions, F.E.A.R. (First Encounter Assault and Recon), is an intense first person close-quarters combat experience with rich atmosphere and an engaging storyline. Read more for some new screens ...

Build your own movie studio and make films to capture the world’s imagination. Start filming in the break-neck 1920s and rewrite history as you pioneer the great cinematic advances. Be the first to introduce talkies, colour, animation or computer-generated special effects. Pick the scripts you want to shoot, design and construct the sets and hire the director, the crew and the stars.

Alien Hominid originated as a Web based flash game, which went on to have over 9 million downloads from its host site Newgrounds.com. The game has built up a huge following globally and the news that ZOO is bringing Alien Hominid to Europe will delight many fans. Behemoth's Alien Hominid will be released in May 2005 for PS2 and Xbox throughout Europe.

Captured, conveniently forgotten, tortured, and left for dead, MI6 agent Andrew Sterling awaits execution in a Chinese prison. The story begins when a mysterious friend from his past rescues him, setting off a chain of events that could rock the very foundations of global security and wreak chaos on a worldwide level.

Based on Luo Guanzhong's historical novel Romance of the Three Kingdoms, the Dynasty Warriors series of action games takes players back in time and onto the battlefields of Ancient China. In the games, players experience the thrill of fighting single-handedly against nearly endless legions of enemy soldiers in historical battles that shaped an empire.

Hunted by Dahaka, an immortal incarnation of Fate seeking divine retribution, the Prince embarks upon a path of both carnage and mystery to defy his preordained death. His journey leads to the infernal core of a cursed island stronghold harboring mankind's greatest fears. Only through grim resolve, bitter defiance and the mastery of deadly new combat arts can the Prince rise to a new level of warriorship - and emerge from this ultimate trial with his life.