Ubisoft today announces the signing of an exclusive publishing and distribution agreement with Japanese video game producer Tecmo. This deal plans to release the game Project Zero 2 - Crimson Butterfly, on Playstation 2 during the second quarter 2004 in Europe and Australia. Tecmo, famous for Dead or Alive and Ninja Gaiden, made quite an entrance in the Survival/Horror genre in 2002 with Project Zero, which had an unforgettable oppressive atmosphere. The second opus is actually a prequel with a whole new story and new characters, featuring improved graphics and refined gameplay.

In Downhill Domination, the first extreme mountain biking game for the PlayStation2 , due out in February from Codemasters, getting the fastest time isn't everything: it pays to get mean! Hurtling down a chasm at break-neck speeds could win you the race, but press the right buttons and you could be busting super-styled 'No Handers' & 'Air Walks' to jack up your points tally. Read more for details & screens ...

Nyko blew away gamers last year with the introduction of the Air Flo controller, the world's first air-cooled video game accessory. This year the award-winning Air Flo goes wireless at the International Consumer Electronics Show. Nyko Technologies, manufacturer of innovative peripherals, introduces the Wireless Air Flo controller for Sony PlayStation 2, a cable-free unit that utilizes Nyko's patented Air Flo technology to provide gamers with a consistent flow of fresh air through the controller handgrips. Gamers can prevent problematic sweaty hands as well as employ increased mobility during competitive video games such as SOCOM 2 or Madden 2004.

Jowood has released the announced standalone server version for the latest version of Cauldron's sci-fi shooter Chaser v1.50. The package contains all files you need to run a standalone server. Please note that this standalone server version is windows based, there will be no linux standalone server versions. The file also contains the server launcher which is selfexplaining how to setup the configuration. Read more for download links ...

Play as one of three possible dragons, each with their own unique abilities. Use spells and brute force to hunt down and destroy the evil creatures that threaten the peaceful Nimoans. Build new towns or destroy them, create mountains or bring them crumbling to the ground. Summon creatures to fight for you or rely on your own powers. Use all means available to help in your quest to unmask the source of evil that plagues the land. Read more for some new screens ...

Volkswagen AG and TDK Mediactive Europe have entered into a worldwide cooperation agreement. The partnership will allow the masses worldwide to experience Volkswagen vehicles virtually, as part of a computer game. This racing game will be marketed as World Racing 2 and is being developed in the studios of racing software specialist Synetic to run on current next generation game consoles and PC. Read more for details ...

This evening during his keynote address at the 2004 International Consumer Electronics Show (CES), Microsoft Corp. Chairman and Chief Software Architect Bill Gates unveiled Windows Media Center Extender Technology. The software will power a new generation of products that will extend the Media Center Edition PC experience allowing consumers to access their favorite digital entertainment, such as live and recorded television, photos, movies, and music that reside on their Windows XP Media Center Edition PC, from any room in the home - regardless of where the PC is located. Media Center Extender Technology will not only provide access to rich content and services, but will enable devices throughout the home to utilize the full processing and storage capabilities of the PC creating new opportunities for services and providing unprecedented choice and access to content for consumers

Guild Wars takes place in a fantasy world, where guilds of characters of a wide range of professions can make a mark on history. The reason we chose the fantasy realm is that we wanted a place that was instantly familiar to gamers, and also one that offers us near-limitless opportunities for new and exciting types of friends and foes. Like the evolving worlds of Warcraft, StarCraft and Diablo that we helped to build over the years, we’re creating a new place that we believe you’ll want to visit over and over. Check some new screens ...

Smart Watches for MSN® Direct are now shipping for broad retail availability, as announced by Microsoft Corp. Chairman and Chief Software Architect Bill Gates during his keynote address at the 2004 International Consumer Electronics Show (CES).

The US Army has finally released the linux version of the latest patch for America's Army: Operations. This upgrade brings their team-based multiplayer game to v 2.0a and adds a various improvements and fixes as well as adding a totally new map 'Sandstorm". Read more for details and 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 :

• Blowout - Trailer
• NFL Street - Trailer
• 
  
  We will update this throughout the day when new trailers become available. Read more for download links ...

Blizzard has released new update patches for Warcraft III: Reign of Chaos as well as The Frozen Throne. This upgrade brings your retail game to v1.14 and fixes some bugs and addresses various game balancing issues. Read more for download links ...

After an unfortunate production delay due to the recent Christmas holidays Stormcloud Creation's fantasy gladiatorial management simulation, Coliseum, has begun to ship worldwide... Coliseum retails for $24.95 and is available for the Windows OS from Shrapnel Games' online store, the Gamers Front. A text-based simulation engine powers the experience, which sees players taking on the role of managing a team of gladiators in a bloodthirsty fantasy world.

Crashday is not yet near release at all, it is still heavily in development. Anyone who followed the development since our early days might know that Moon Byte has always been a very small development team and up to now it still is. That actually is the reason why all previous release dates given have always been rejected again. It has been impossible to afford the manpower required to finish a title like Crashday in that time constraints (set up by ourselves), therefor they are currently recruiting. Crashday will be shifted again, to the second quarter of 2004 and they also mention that "NO" publisher has been found yet (but not due to lack of interest).

Take-Two Interactive's Gathering publishing division has shipped Conflict: Desert Storm II: Back to Baghdad for the GameCube. GameCube owners will be able to storm the sands of Iraq in this intense, squad-based shooter alone or with up to three other friends in four-player cooperative multi-player mode for the ultimate in team-based combat.

Climax Portables, an integral studio of the pioneering Climax Group, today confirmed the forging of a new relationship with industry giant ATI. And, thanks to the chip manufacturer’s awesome Imageon 3D accelerator and Climax’s exceptional programming skills, the two companies have broken new ground in mobile gaming.

Activision, Inc. announced today the release of the Medieval: Total War Battle Collection, an all-new compilation of the Creative Assembly's critically acclaimed Medieval: Total War and the expansion pack Medieval: Total War Viking Invasion. The title is currently available at retail outlets nationwide for a suggested retail price of $29.95 and is rated "T" (Teen - with Blood and Violence descriptors) by the ESRB.

NFL STREET, the new arcade action football game from EA under the EA SPORTS BIG brand, has gone gold on all three console platforms - PlayStation 2, Xbox, and GameCube and the game is on track to ship nationwide to retailers on January 13th, 2004 In the meantime we got spiffy new screens for you to enjoy, so read more and check them out!

Midway Games Inc. announced today new appointments to its North American marketing and sales teams. Leading these new appointments is Steve Allison, who was named chief marketing officer, a new position at the Company. Midway also announced the marketing appointments of Mona Hamilton, vice president of marketing; Greg Mucha, director of channel marketing; and Reilly Brennan, director of media relations. Additionally, further bolstering the leadership of its North American sales team, Midway named Brad Wildes director of sales and Paul Flynn as regional sales manager of its operating subsidiary.