Nevrax, developer of the massively multiplayer online role-playing game The Saga of Ryzom, announced two new and convenient ways to experience Atys free for 14 days. Thousands have tried The Saga of Ryzom for free and joined in the fun. Now, newcomers may choose from two ways to sample the Ryzom difference.

Anito is a Single-Player Isometric Adventure RPG game set in 16th century Asia, in the land of Maroka. Filipino developer Anino has released the first patch for the English version of 'Anito: Defend A Land Enraged'. This patch brings your retail game to v1.03 and addresses a few crashes, bugs and tweaks. Read more for details and download links ...

Akella is making yet another pirate game, after Sea Dogs and Pirates of the Caribbean, it is now time for the Age of Pirates. Known in Russia under Corsairs 2, this AoP will be distriuted under that name in Europe and North America. No details or planned release date are known yet, but at least there are 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 :

• MLB 2006 - Trailer
• God of War - Trailer #3
• Splinter Cell: Chaos Theory - Multiplayer Trailer

Microids is working on an all new murder/adventure game "Still Life." Using an updated Syberia engine, "Still Life" lets you play the role of FBI agent Victoria McPherson. Situated in Chicago, you are on the heels of a serial killer, much like your grandfather did 60 years earlier in Prague (Microids' Post Mortem). By means of flashbacks and timewarps, you will travel to locations like Eastern Europe to interrogate suspects, or North America, to scrutinize dead bodies.

Online movie site Moviehole is claiming to have word from inside sources that Thomas Jane, who played Frank Castle in The Punisher, is in talks with Paramount to headline the recently announced film version of the game 'Splinter Cell.' To prepare for his role in The Punisher, Thomas Jane trained a few months with the Navy Seals, so a role as Sam Fisher would not be too much of a stretch. In the Splinter Cell movie, Fisher is sent into action when two CIA agents mysteriously disappear in Azerbaijan.

Scratches is a gripping first-person mystery adventure game that will keep the players glued to their monitors, with its story full of breathtaking twists and surprises, until the final shocking revelation. Its combination of inventory based and deductive style puzzles carefully integrated with the storyline, along with the possibility to freely roam the house, will immerse the players in the haunting atmosphere.

Keepsake, Wicked Studios' upcoming adventure game, will immerse you into a journey beyond compare. Assisted by a dragon afraid of heights, Lydia takes on to explore the Dragonvale Academy's empty structures in search for her best friend Celeste. But her curiosity turns to worry when she stumbles on something she has not seen in a very long time: an old doll, a keepsake she gave her best friend some 8 years ago. As she grabs it, strange images of Celeste's life begin to fill her mind...

In proximity of New Year's Eve Legend of Mir 3 is getting a new update that will enhance and add new features to the game. The update will contain among many things a whole new snowy mountain world area for players to explore. The new area will open up a whole new world of storylines and quests to immerse you in the icy plains of Mir 3. The new snowy field mountaintop area will play a large role in upcoming branches of the game's storyline.

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.

Microsoft Game Studios announced today that MechAssault 2: Lone Wolf, the sequel to one of the most popular Xbox action titles, has shipped to North American retail stores for an estimated retail price of $49.99 (U.S.). The perfect way to spend those well-earned holiday gift cards, MechAssault 2: Lone Wolf offers gamers a rich BattleMech experience, both offline and online via Xbox Live.

Silent Hill 4: The Room begins in the sleepy town of South Ashfield, only a few short miles from the infamous town of Silent Hill. When the game's new hero, Henry Townshend, awakens from a nightmare, he finds that he is trapped in his apartment, which is where this demo begins (thanks 3DGamers/PCGUK). Read more for download links ...

In 'Playboy: the Mansion' you step into the virtual slippers of world-famous Playboy Founder Hugh Hefner, building Playboy Magazine and the Playboy Mansion into dynamic cultural icons. Gamers also will live the lifestyle, rubbing elbows with stunning women and popular celebrities, and share the mystique of the Mansion by hosting extravagant, exciting parties.

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.

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 :

• S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Shadow Of Chernobyl - Trailer
• Star Wars: Republic Commando - Trailer

UEFA Champions League will offer followers of the game the opportunity to guide their chosen club from qualification anxiety through big night glory. It will add an element of the unexpected, allowing lower league teams into the glamorous world of European football. EA has launched the official 'UEFA Champions League 2004-2005' website.

In the third part of the zombie blasting series, PC gamers can expect an exciting new adventure plus an all-new shotgun weapon! Players will be able to mow down multiple enemies in a single blast as they plough their way through the most exhilarating House of the Dead yet.

Ubi Soft has yet again released new patches for 1C Maddox's WW2 flight sim Pacific Fighters. This update brings your retail game to v3.03 (for both the standalone and merged installations) and addresses compatibility issues amongst the various language editions, as well as model enhancements, gameplay tweaks, new static objects, and the usual bug and crash fixes. Read more for download links.

Crytek gives the fanbase a nice little Christmas present and released a new map pack for its FPS Far Cry, which includes 12 new maps (8 assault and 4 TDM). Read more for details and download links.

"Imperator" is Mythic Entertainment's next-generation Sci-Fi themed MMO currently in development, featuring a thrilling new interplanetary game world based on an alternate history in which Rome never fell.