Lawmakers voted Saturday to ban the sale of violent or sexually explicit video games to minors in Illinois, a move other states and cities have tried but federal courts have repeatedly struck down.

Students from eight universities in four countries are working together to design settings for Descent to the Underworld, which re-imagines the Orpheus myth.

Groove Games today announced Army Ranger: Mogadishu, where players take part in the events leading upto the historic firefight that took place in Mogadishu, Somalia on October 3, 1993. Army Ranger: Mogadishu immerses players in direct action operations that include protecting shipments, defending HQ from mortar attacks, arresting key officials, rescuing hostages and destroying enemy facilities.

After it earlier this year shut down Soldner developer Wings Simulations and Transport Giant's Ebensee studio, JoWood keeps trimming down its internal development studios. Aquanox developer Massive Development is the next casuality in JoWood's struggle to returning to profit. In a statement issued earlier today JoWood and Massive announced that current projects, such as the PS2 title AquaNox: The Angel's Tears, are not cancelled and will be finished, although timeframe was not provided. Rumours of an Aquanox 3, and whether it will also continue to be developed, could not be confirmed at this point.

While Activision and Infinity Ward have yet to release Call Of Duty 2 later this year, it seems that preparations are already underway for a third iteration in the WW2 FPS franchise. Developer Infinity Ward's jobs page has a listing looking to hire a "Senior Next-gen Programmer," for on an all-new IP, and Call Of Duty 3. No specific details are metioned, and somehow I think we will need to wait quite a few more for any official announcement or confirmation.

The Guild 2 will be a combination of unique sweeping role-play and a fascinating life-simulation, conjuring the medieval life anew on your PC. As in the successful predecessor Europa 1400: The Guild and the subsequent expansion pack, the newest development by 4HeadStudios awakes the 14th century to a new life. Check the freshly launched website, or read more for new screens & trailer

UbiSoft has seemingly released a new patch for the European version of its stealth third-person action game Splinter Cell. This update brings your European CD/DVD retail game to v1.3 and adds common files for 4 downloadable maps (althuog the content itself is not included), and addresses refelctions and night vision problem with Radeon based gfx cards (thanks 3DGamers). Read more for details and download links ...

Majesco has released a new patch for Double Fine's action/adventure Psychonauts. This update brings your retail game to v1.02 and addresses some camera issues, adds better error reporting, reordered shutdown sequence and the usual bug & game crash fixes. There is also a patch available for the demo, as well as a fully updated version. Read more for download links ...

In Quake 4, the Strogg are quickly regrouping. With the Strogg's planetary defenses still destroyed, Earth's forces can deliver a full and final assault. This time, you're not alone. You are Matthew Kane, an elite member of Rhino Squad, and part of Earth’s next invasion wave. An army of soldiers are fighting with you and an arsenal of weapons and vehicles are at your disposal in this heroic and epic battle between worlds. Activsion has launched a small Quake 4 teaser website, offering some brief info and email signup.

Check out the following new screens & trailers (converted to DivX for your convenience, still a few more coming later) from 1C Company's 2005 E3 lineup:

• 'Ascension to the Throne' - E3 2005 Trailer
• 'Adrenalin' - Screens & Trailer
• 'Borderzone' - Screens
• 'Brigade E3' - Screens
• 'Cuban Missile Crisis' - Screens
• 'Desert Law' - Screens & Trailer
• 'Outfront II' - Screens & Trailer
• 'Parkan II' - Screens & Trailer
• 'PT-Boats: Knights Of The Sea' - Screens
• 'Rig'n Roll' - Screens
• 'Sniper' - Screens & Trailer
• 'Space Rangers 2' - Screens
• 'Sphere' - Screens & Trailer
• 'Stalingrad' - Screens
• 'Star Wolves' - Screens
• 'Vivisector' - Screens
• 'Wartime Command' - Screens & Trailer
• 'Whirlwind of Vietnam' - Screens
• 'World War I' - Screens
• 'XIII Century: Death & Glory' - Screens & Trailer
• 'You are Empty' - Screens & Trailer

Hellgate: London, developed by Flagship Studios, is a role-playing game set in the immersive first-person perspective. With a completely randomized world that offers a unique experience every time you play, Hellgate: London introduces a demon-ridden place where the last survivors of the human race must meld science and magic to survive.

Devil Kings is a fast-paced action game set against a backdrop of a warring nation as feudal lords battle for land and power. Choose from a selection of heroic warriors and utilize their unique combat abilities to fight on the battlefields and unify the country. Devil Kings possesses compelling gameplay that will have gamers unleashing a variety of devastating attacks to triumph over every enemy.

Blizzard has released yet another new Warcraft III map, this time called "Everfrost"... Map info: "Hidden deep within the wintry crags of Everfrost is a realm of dark Nerubian horrors, protecting their frozen crypt from those that seek gold and wealth. Only when working together can these chilling nightmares be defeated and vanquished under ice forever." This is a medium sized map and the suggested no. of players is 2v2,3v3. It is based on the " Icecrown Glacier" tileset. Go download it here!

Black & White 2 includes other new elements, such as improved graphics and Miracle effects such as rivers of fire and earthquakes that yield mass destruction. The game also includes weather systems that impact gameplay; players will see the impact of a drought that scorches the arid plains of Egypt or the effect of a heavy snowfall on the Norse Mountains.

Pariah focuses on a robust immersive storyline that weaves survival elements into the traditional run-and-gun style of first-person action games. As promised, Digital Extremes has released a new patch for its FPS Pariah, bringing your retail game to v1.02 and fixes a few bugs, game crashes, map adjustments and various gameplay tweaks. 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 :

• The Godfather - Trailer #4
• The Warriors - E3 2005 Trailer
• Dawn of War: Winter Assault - Trailer
• Fable: The Lost Chapters - E3 2005 Trailer
• The Incredible Hulk: Ultimate Destruction - Trailer #2
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  We will update this throughout the day when new trailers become available. Read more for download links ...

EARTH 2160 is an RTS game based on the popular and successful EARTH series. Including single and multiplayer modes. The game uses the latest Earth III engine. Storing objects in a format based on the mathematical model of Bezier-curves instead of polygons. Giving an as yet unseen level of detail, only limited by the hardware used.

Check out the following new screens & trailers from Akella's 2005 E3 lineup:

• 'Age of Pirates' - Screens & Trailer
• 'Captain Blood' - Screens
• 'Dead Mountaineer Hotel' - Screens
• 'Enosta' - Screens & Trailer
• 'Hard to be a God' - Screens & Trailer
• 'Heavy Duty' - Screens & Trailer
• 'PT-boats: Knights Of The Sea' - Screens & Trailer
• 'Raiders of the Lost Casino' - Screens & Trailer
• 'Rage Rider' (PS2/PC) - Screens
• 'S.M.E.R.S.H.' - Screens & Trailer
• 'Swashbucklers: Blue & Grey' - Screens & Trailer

Check out the following new screens & trailers from Hip Interactive's 2005 E3 lineup:

• 'Call of Cthulhu: Destiny's End' - Screens & Trailer
• 'City of the Dead' (PS2/Xbox/PC) - Screens & Trailer
• 'Ghost Wars' - Screens
• 'Jackie Chan Adventures' (PS2) - Screens & Trailer

Coded Arms is a first person shooter in where you take the role of a computer hacker who infiltrates the abandoned virtual reality system. Gamers will use weapons and power-ups that they discover while exploring the expansive single player mode. Coded Arms will also utilize the PSP handheld system's wireless capabilities for multiplayer action for up to four people.