Ubisoft has released the first patch for Bluebyte's 3D RTS Settlers 5: Heritage of Kings. This update patch brings your German retail version to v1.01 and adds a new multiplayer map, the usual bug and crash fixes, gameplay tweaks, and so forth. Read more for download links ...

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 :

• Champions : Return to Arms - Trailer #3
• Full Spectrum Warrior - PS2 Trailer
• Nanobreaker - Intro Movie
• Resident Evil: Outbreak File No.2 - Trailer #2
• Rainbow Six 4: Lockdown - Trailer

The furious battle of Pearl Harbor became the first in the sequence of gory sea combats. Now you can take part in all major Pacific battles of the World War II in the Pacific Storm game that is a mixture of RTS, war-game and simulator. All major and important sea battles of World War II, which took place in the Pacific Ocean, are included and you can play either for the USA or Japan. Mine the resources (money, iron and nickel ore, bauxites and oil), train various units and retaliate!

John Slaydon is the lead designer for Rainbow Six Lockdown PS2 at Red Storm Entertainment. Prior to his position with Red Storm, John worked as a game designer and producer at a variety of game companies including Random Games. His areas of expertise on Lockdown have included mission design and game accessibility. Read more to learn about RSL's sniper mode and check out some new screens ...

EA just informed us that EA SPORTS' NASCAR SimRacing has gone gold! NASCAR SimRacing was developed expressly for PC simulation fans and will ship to retail outlets nationwide on Tuesday, February 15th.

The latest and the greatest in the seminal WipEout series, 'Pure' distils the essence of anti-gravity racing and futuristic adrenaline-fuelled combat. Hi-tech weapons, hi-octane speed and a high-tempo dance soundtrack combine to deliver an explosive taste of the future directly into your hands.

Developed by Gust Co., Atelier Iris: Eternal Mana 2 is an SRPG like none other on the PS2. Create your own items and weapons each with unique powers, appearances and abilities. Experience an epic adventure filled with a powerful story and ominous intrigue. Battle vicious monsters where your mastery of weaponry and spells is the only thing between you and ferocious beasts.

Battlefront.com, Inc., and Sonalysts, Inc. announced today that the inaugural title of the Sonalysts Combat Simulations brand, named S.C.S. Dangerous Waters! has now officially gone “gold”. Production begins immediately, and pre-orders are opening today.

THQ and Nickelodeon today announced their 2005 video game lineup. Games based on Nickelodeon's highly rated television series "SpongeBob SquarePants," "The Fairly OddParents" and "Danny Phantom," as well as new installments of Nicktoons and Tak will ship across multiple game systems in 2005.

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.

EA predicts the results of this weekend's 'Super Bowl XXXLX' game between the Patriots and the Eagles. The New England Patriots defeat the Philadelphia Eagles 26-21 and we have the complete scoring breakdown and summary for you. Read more to check out a rundown of the game, including new screens ...

The Sims 2 University is the first expansion pack for the highly-acclaimed The Sims 2, giving players of The Sims 2 the ability to watch their Sims become young adults and put childhood behind them as they settle into an all-new college town to live out their ultimate college fantasy.

Operation Air Assault is a fast-paced 3D attack helicopter game that takes place in a conflict not unlike those presently faced around the world. Follow this unique storyline through many dangerous missions to victory - provided you have the skills and courage of an elite chopper pilot!

In Killer 7, players take on the role of Harman Smith an unlikely assassin who lives life at his own pace. Switching between seven different personalities, he employs each character’s abilities to terminate targets he deems "deserving to die." Read more to check out some screens ...

Moto GP 3 has taken the thrill of the first two titles and doubled it, taking the franchise beyond the realms of Grand Prix racing through the introduction of high-adrenaline street racing in Extreme Mode. Players can hone their skills on the streets, experiencing the carnival-like atmosphere that follows the Grand Prix Championship around the world.

Ubisoft today announced it will publish Puzzle Pirates, the first pirate-themed online game. In Puzzle Pirates, players play fun puzzle games to earn status and prestige. Developed by Three Rings Design, Puzzle Pirates is slated for release in April with a suggested retail price of $19.99, which includes a free month of playing time, exclusive in-game items, and special single-player, offline versions of the more popular puzzles in the game.

In an effort to block cheaters from entering its massively multiplayer online game, Lineage II, NCsoft integrated the anti-hacking software, nProtect GameGuard into the Lineage II client late last week.

The Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences (AIAS), the professional organization dedicated to the advancement and recognition of interactive arts, announced today that Trip Hawkins will be awarded the AIAS Hall of Fame Award, joining an elite group of interactive entertainment industry legends. Hawkins will be given the award at the 8th Annual Interactive Achievements Awards ceremony, being held at the Green Valley Ranch Resort in Las Vegas on February 1, the second evening of the 2005 D.I.C.E. Summit.

Nobilis today announced they have signed a distribution agreement with publisher Kando Games for its latest aerial combat arcade game Rebel Raiders : Operation Nighthawk. Featuring 16 missions, and multiple unlockable bonus missions, Rebel Raiders : Operation Nighthawk is under development for PS2 and PC and expected to hit retail in April. No details as to when, and by who, it will come to the rest of Europe, or North America. Read more to check out some screens...

Microsoft Game Studios today announced the release date for BioWare’s upcoming martial arts masterpiece, Jade Empire. The Xbox-exclusive, epic action-RPG game is set in a world inspired by the myths and legends of ancient China and will leap into stores across North America starting on April 14, with worldwide distribution occurring shortly thereafter.

G5 Software and publisher IDDK are plugging away on the helicopter arcade title "Red Shark 2" - a sequel to the thrilling forerunner "Red Shark". The game is going to be a worthy successor of the first part's traditions and proceed with the idea of time correction. Read more for details and first screens.

Freedom Force vs. the Third Reich is a comic book-inspired tactical role-playing game features a brand new league of heroes and villains, overhauled combat system, and spectacular graphic enhancements. Read more for new screens...

Magic Hat Software has announced its new MMORPG Irth Online is scheduled for commercial release in the second quarter of 2005, and that Beta test applications are now being accepted on the Irth Online web site.

Ubisoft has released a new patch for Crytek's Far Cry. This update patch brings your retail version to v1.31, and addresses a multiplayer exploit. Read more for download links ...

Ubisoft has released a second demo for its action/adventure Prince of Persia Warrior Within. Details are a bit limited but apparently, this new demo features two levels different than those in the first demo - mixing intensive action and platforming - with CG cinematics and a trailer at the end. Read more for download links ...

Further indications that Climax's RPG Sudeki might be coming to the PC have emerged today as Yiyas.de has noticed the German Ratings Board, similar to the UK's ELSPA and ESRB in the US, has given Sudeki PC a USK 12 rating. Publisher ZOO Digital has been accredited as distributor the PC version (thanks Blues). With more and more hints being revealed, isn't it time for an official statement?

Strategy First today announced an exclusive worldwide publishing partnership with Argentinean developer Evoluxion for their unique soccer management game, Football Deluxe. European release of Football Deluxe is scheduled for Q1 2005 with a North American release to follow.

Take2 announced today long-term, third-party exclusive licensing relationships with Major League Baseball Properties (MLBP), the Major League Baseball Players Association (MLBPA) and Major League Baseball Advanced Media (MLBAM) which provide Take-Two with sweeping video game rights. Under these exclusives, Take-Two will develop, publish and distribute a broad portfolio of interactive, officially licensed video games that are expected to drive the MLB video game business to new heights.

Teaming up once again with the original Desert Storm Delta Force - Bradley, Foley, Connors and Jones - your four men now form part of an elite anti-terrorist unit tasked with minimising the worldwide threat from active global terrorist groups. The game takes place across the world, in a number of different and hostile locations and against a merciless and corrupt enemy; this is your squad's greatest challenge to date.

After four years in the making, the game that creator Kazunori Yamauchi called, "More than a sequel but, in fact, a redefinition of what a video game can be," is complete. Polyphony Digital and Sony Computer Entertainment Europe today announced that Gran Turismo 4 will blast onto the shelves across PAL territories on March 9.

In Inago Rage, players leap into the air to take on and destroy swarms of mechanical enemies. The demo includes nine levels, challenging players to fight within city streets, on the rooftops of skyscrapers, and above platforms in deep space. A storyline illustrated in graphic novel format introduces players to new challenges as they come. Read more for download links ...

Castlevania for DS will continue the storyline that first emerged in the critically acclaimed Castlevania: Aria of Sorrow. Taking place a year after Aria of Sorrow ended, Castlevania for DS will take players on a harrowing and challenging journey of selflessness.

The stars of the hit Cartoon Network series Full Metal Alchemist finally make their North American video game debut in Square-Enix’s Full Metal Alchemist and the Broken Angel. Use alchemy to make the whole world into your weapon, and guide Edward and Alphonse Elric through swarms of deadly chimeras. Will they come one step closer to finding the legendary Philosopher’s Stone, or will this be their last adventure?