Black Bean has released the features for Haemimont Games' latest RTS. Rising Kingdoms is a Real-Time Strategy game set in a fantasy world, which focuses on empire development and dynamic tactical battles. Read more for details ...

Publisher Strategy First Inc. and developer Cinemax Ltd. announced today that their classic action-adventure game, Necromania: Traps of Darkness has shipped to retail stores nationwide.

Vulcanus Online is a mech action game under development at Korea's Zeppeto. Scheduled for release later this year, Vulcanus Online will allow players to connect with other PSP systems since it will make use of the PSP's wi-fi capabilities for multiplayer, but no details whether this is coop or deatmatch. Read more to check out some new screens ...

Marie Sylla, Director of Government Relations & Counsel made a statement, "We are pleased that the California House Committee on Arts, Entertainment, Sports, Tourism and Internet Media did vote out A.B. 450, the Yee bill which prohibits the sale of certain types of video games. It is evident that most of the committee members recognized the obvious flaw with the legislation - that it is wholly unconstitutional. However by no means do we consider this vote against Yee's bill a win for the industry, as it is likely that Assemblyman Yee will push for reconsideration on his bill. Retailers are making their best efforts to ensure that their stores are complying with their policy of carding for 'Mature' rated games and would like to be given the same opportunity as the movie theater owners and music retailers."

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 :

• Singles 2: Triple Trouble - Trailer
• Delta Force: Black Hawk Down [Xbox] - Trailer (2)
• Loco-Mania - Trailer
• Pariah - Trailer (2)
• NBA 06 - Trailer

'Age of Empires III: Age of Discovery' is set in 1500 A.D. and chronicles the Age of Discovery that started around the time that Columbus "discovered" the new world. The single player campaign follows American history up through 1850, and in multiplayer mode, you'll be able to choose from among eight different civilizations, and there will include free-for-all and team-vs-team matches for up to eight players.

Fable: The Lost Chapters will feature a host of enhancements from its top-selling Xbox version, including new quests to conquer, areas to explore, creatures to slay and story elements to discover. Fable: The Lost Chapters is expected to reach store shelves this fall.

Codemasters has expanded its management team with the appointment of two world class executives to lead the company's growth strategy. Following the acquisition of 40% by Benchmark Capital Europe, the top tier venture capital firm, Codemasters has secured Rod Cousens as Chief Executive Officer and Tony Williams as Chief Operating Officer.

Video Games Live features music from some of the biggest video games performed by top orchestras and choirs across the country combined with video footage, lasers, lights and live action to create an explosive and unique entertainment experience. The national tour launches this summer at the world famous Hollywood Bowl in Los Angeles on July 6.

"Dungeon Siege II" promises to set a new standard in role-playing games by combining an intriguing story-line with intense real-time party combat and cutting edge 3D graphics. Read more for some spiffy new screens ...

Vanguard: Saga of Heroes will be the premier third generation massively multiplayer RPG. A vast, seamless, immersive virtual world filled with elements of familiar High Fantasy, including traditional themes and more, all depicted using cutting-edge graphics technology. Sigil’s expertise and experience in the field will bring groundbreaking static and dynamic content to the genre.

The series famous for relentless intensity is returning bigger, better looking and more frantic than ever before. Sam Stone is back to rescue the universe one bullet at a time against overwhelming hordes of time traveling enemies in Serious Sam 2. Built from the ground up with a completely new engine, Serious Sam 2 will be a shot of adrenaline to the hearts of first-person shooter fans across the world. This is serious!

Xfire and Planetwide Games have announced that starting today, they will be offering a free 14-day trial download of "RYL: Path of the Emperor" - the massively-multiplayer online role-playing game. This 14-day trial download offers new online game players the ability to experience "RYL: Path of the Emperor," which has the look and feel of an RPG and a FPS hybrid in a massively multiplayer online role playing game.

In KOTT2 players will join the ultimate battle of Paul de Raque, Grand Master of the Order of the Temple and hero of the first game, and the forces of Hell. Travelling the lands and kingdoms of 13th century Europe, Paul must unveil the secret of three mysterious ancient artefacts and fight the demon armies attacking our world.

From Software is bringing the Tenchu franchise to the PSP. Schedule for a July 28 release date in Japan, Tenchu: Shinobi Taizen is situated shortly after Tenchu 3 and revolves around the series' hero and heroine, Rikimaru and Ayame. Both characters will have their own missions in scenario mode, and there will be multiplayer head-to-head through PSP's Wi-Fi or USB connections. Tenchu: Shinobi Taizen will also include an editor to make your own missions, buildings and place enemies, all saveable on a Memory Stick Duo.

THQ today announced record sales and net income for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2005, with net sales climbing 18% to a record $756.7 million from $640.8 million a year ago.

In Gene Troopers you are in the heart of a unique, vibrant and living universe. Explore amazing new worlds, develop your character into a stealth or battle professional, control supernatural powers, make friends with powerful characters and lead them into battle against the forces of evil. Experience a captivating sci-fi story, high-paced action and thrilling game play in a setting never seen before.

Sony Online Entertainment today announced EverQuest II Desert of Flames and EverQuest II The Splitpaw Saga, the first expansion pack and second adventure pack, respectively, for its MMO EQ II. Desert of Flames will launch launch September 12th 2005 and retail for $29.99 and will be showcased at the upcoming E3 in Los Angeles. The Splitpaw Saga will be available only via digital download for just $7.99 starting June 28th 2005.

World Racing 2 enhances the technology of the game's fore-runner World Racing, which introduced an innovative 3D landscape technology and sophisticated driving physics. While World Racing focussed on the simulation aspect, World Racing 2 will put the fun of driving at centre stage and offer optimised arcade racing characteristics, rich and varied range of mission modes, lively scenarios, enhanced tuning options and a great variety of cars.

Aurora Watching is a third person perspective stealth game taking place in the Arctic. During the mission, Sullivan faces many opponents, not all of whom are human and each of which can be defeated in many ways, Mini-games, puzzles, and hi-tech gadgets keep players excited from the very beginning to the end.