EA has released the first patch for its recent 3D RTS Lord of the Rings: The Battle for Middle Earth. This update brings your retail game (English & German) to v1.01 and adds 3 new MP maps, a communicator, balance changes, quick match tweaks and the usual bug/crash fixes. Read more for detailed fix list and download links ...

The development team of Star Wars Galaxies announced the launch of the Veteran Player Reward Program! Players of the game will be rewarded on their three month, six month and 12 month anniversaries with their choice of various very cool and impossible to get any other way in-game items. Starting next week, when a three month veteran player next logs in, they will have the opportunity to choose from a number of items, including a useful reward like a self-powered harvester or a fun item like a R2 droid miniature replica collectible.

Ubisoft announced today that Tom Clancy's Ghost Recon 2 for the Nintendo GameCube will be available in Spring 2005. Developed by Ubisoft's Shanghai studio, Tom Clancy's Ghost Recon 2 lets players embody Captain Scott Mitchell, leader of the elite Ghost Recon Special Forces team, in a crucial mission to defuse a dangerous situation in North Korea in 2007.

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 :

• Trackmania Sunrise - Trailer #3
• Timesplitters Future Perfect - Trailer #5
• Cold Fear - Trailer

Get behind the wheel and be ready to live numerous driving experiences in Los Angeles; choose your car to be fully customized: add loads of new tuning elements either on the body or in the mechanics of your car. Thus its behavior will change and evolve providing you with an always in-evolution sensation and appropriation feeling of your car. Once on the streets, drive freely wherever you want!

According to CGOnline Relic Entertainment founder Alex Garden has left the company. Relic was acquired by THQ last year, and a statement issued by the publisher said that Garden "wrapped up his projects for us, including facilitating the transition through the Relic acquisition, and is now focusing on projects apart from THQ."

CDV has released more info for Stormregion's Codename Panzers: Phase Two, which is expected spring 2005. Panzers: Phase Two sees the return of the Italian brothers Dario and Sergio, a deeper storyline, most of the Axis campaign will take place in Africa, with the Allies residing in Italy. Whoever finishes both campaigns gets to enjoy a bonus campaign in Yugoslavia. Read more for some new screens ...

GMX Media/Tri Synergy have released a demo for Gameyus' upcoming modern warfare tactical 3D RTS Will of Steel. This demo features three levels (as opposed to only 1 in the previous demo) giving you the chance to wage war. Read more for download links ...

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. Read more for 20+ new screens ...

NCSoft informed us that the next Guild Wars Beta Weekend Event will take place during the weekend of February 18-20. This special event will invite players to explore Ascalon before The Searing. Previous events have offered players a taste of the ruins of Ascalon, but the next event allows them to experience the beauty and grandeur of this magical place before the Charr decimated it. The event will begin at approximately 12:01 am PST on February 18 and access is restricted to players who have purchased the Guild Wars preorder box or have acquired a code through a contest or promotion.

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 ...

Cossacks: Napoleonic Wars returns one of the most successful strategy games of the past years to the real-time battlefield - with reinforcements: Meet Napoleon Bonaparte, Emperor of France and probably the most ingenious strategist in European history! Enter the battle on the side of one of 10 great European nations and rewrite European history in six exciting campaigns (thanks Tiscali).

UEFA Champions League will offer soccer fans the opportunity to guide their chosen club from qualification anxiety through to big night glory, adding an element of the unexpected allowing lower league teams into the glamour world of European football. Throughout the game, players need to negotiate 50 unique and challenging on- and off-field missions successfully to take control of their UEFA Champions League destiny.

Namco announced today that its PS2 exclusive RPG, Xenosaga Episode II: Jenseits von Gut und Boese, has gone gold and will ship to North American retail outlets in February. Developed by Monolith Software Inc. in Japan, Xenosaga Episode II is the latest addition to Xenosaga Episode I: Der Wille zur Macht, which sold a million units worldwide.

Vivisector: Beast Inside developed by Action Forms (creators of Chasm and Carnivores series) is a unique mixture of 3D Action/Horror. The game blends a thrilling interactive story with intense, high-adrenaline action and immerses players in a rich and fascinating storyline.

FIFA Street is a combination of arcade action blended with the culture of freestyle street football. By removing the rules from the simulation football experience, 'FIFA Street' exposes the heart of the world's beautiful game, on-the-ball flare and individual style.

In Advent Rising, a common legend pervades the galaxy - that of a powerful, ancient race that will one day unite the universe. Millions of cultures from vastly distant worlds revere and hallow these mythological beings known as humans. One race, the Seekers, know humans actually exist and are threatened by their potential power. Under the guise of benevolent explorers, the Seekers travel throughout the galaxy in a desperate attempt to eradicate any human society they unearth. Check these new screens...

The Matrix will become reality as gamers everywhere log into The Matrix Online on March 25, 2005, to continue the saga of The Matrix movie trilogy.

JoWooD has launched the official StarGate SG-1: The Alliance website. In late 2005, JoWooD Productions will release the official Stargate game based upon the highly successful TV show by MGM, watched by over 17 millions weekly viewers worldwide. Read more for some additional screens...