THQ Germany has confirmed that they will be having an open multiplayer beta test for GSC World's upcoming FPS 'S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Shadow Of Chernobyl.' As a "stalker" exploring the vast "Exclusion Zone" to procure artifacts for the black market, players must survive mutant creatures, dangerous anomalous areas, competing "stalkers" and a military charged with quarantining the 30 square kilometer area. A specific start date has not been announced although THQ does mention that it will be open up the MP beta to 5.000 people before its official Q1 2005 release date.

Enlight has released a new patch for Infinite Interactive's strategy game Warlords BattleCry 3. This update patch brings your retail game to v1.03 and brings several new features, bug fixes and game balancing. Read more for download links ...

Rockstar Games and Interscope Records proudly announce a joint venture for the soundtrack to Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas. The details surrounding the artists and track listings on the soundtrack will be kept tightly under wraps until the weeks leading up to the game's launch on October 19, 2004 for the PS2.

As King, it is your duty to lead your people in their struggle to raise your kingdom from its humble beginnings to a position of power and prestige. War, diplomacy and a burgeoning economy are the means by which you increase your power and expand your influence. May I present the weekly batch o' screens ...

Ostfront: Barbarossa offers a brand new singleplayer campaign for Nival Interactive's Blitzkrieg, depicting Germany’s invasion of Russia in 1941 along 11 historical battles and countless random missions. Starting as a Lieutenant in the German Panzer forces, the player will spearhead the offensive of Army Group Centre towards Smolensk.

In Telladar Chronicles: Decline the player will be thrown into the fantasy world of Miere in one of the most tragical moments in the history of the Telladarian Empire - the War of the Seven Nations. You will yourself in the middle of epic battles and tangled intrigues and will guide his heroes through love and hatred, friendship and betrayal, glorious victories and bitter defeats.

Codemasters has taken the decision to cancel further development of Dragon Empires, the company's massively multiplayer online role playing project. Dragon Empires received incredible support from its online community and won acclaim from PC and online media while in development. However, technical issues have resulted in the project's discontinuation. Read more for details ...

Head over to our dedicated EGN section to check out the following new screens from Hip Interactive's 2004 EGN lineup:

• CT Special Forces: Fire for Effect (PS2/Xbox/PC)
• Garfield (PS2/PC)
• Pariah (Xbox/PC)
• Stolen (PS2/Xbox/PC)
• The Mummy (PS2/Xbox/PC)

Midway today announced plans to open a new internal development studio in Austin, Texas. Midway is actively recruiting for the new studio which it plans to open in the near future. Midway will be at the upcoming Austin Game Conference on Sept. 9-10 at the Austin Convention Center. Midway currently has product development studios in Chicago, San Diego and Seattle.

Rally the Troops! Reinforcements Have Arrived! KOEI's award-winning internal studio, Omega Force, the creators of Dynasty Warriors and Samurai Warriors introduces its newest heroes in Samurai Warriors Xtreme Legends. Take on the role of four new legendary warriors, each in a unique story with branches and multiple endings. By your own hand, you will forge a new destiny for Japan!

After it was cancelled last minute a few weeks ago, EA lets us know that tomorrow (Friday Sept. 2nd) we can finally except to see it. The demo will weigh in at a massive 550mb, so not for the faint of heart or modem users, and will feature the battle for Henderson Field at Guadalcanal. Keep an eye on our fileserver network as we will surely have it available as soon as EA gives us the green light.

Alien Hominid is the debut console title from O~3 Entertainment and developer, The Behemoth. It is an evolution of classic 2D side-scrolling platform shooters, blending old school play mechanics with stunning hand drawn graphics (in other words, it looks pretty AND plays great).

S2Games has released a new patch for its online multiplayer FPS/RTS Savage: Battle for Newerth patch. This upgrade brings your retail game to v2.0e and includes authentication and server list fixes. The server browser and authentication systems have been completely rewritten. All game servers will now show up correctly.Read more for detailed fix list and download links ...

Sammy Studios has released new screen shots and information to introduce Robo Ky II Factory Mode, the exciting new customization mode in "Guilty Gear Isuka." Robo Ky II Factory Mode allows players to modify a new character called Robo Ky II by programming him with movesand combos taken from other Guilty Gear characters.

Bethesda Softworks today announced that its highly anticipated survival horror game, Call of Cthulhu: Dark Corners of the Earth, will be released in Q1 2005, thus pushing it back several months. Call of Cthulhu is a mix of horror, puzzle solving, exploration, and combat as you face the seemingly impossible task of battling an advanced race of evil aliens.

TimeGate announced today that it has opened up additional beta test slots for the highly anticipated Axis & Allies title. Inspired by the game of war, strategy, and economics found in the best-selling board game of the same name, the Axis & Allies PC title features unique elements that allow players to change the course of history in new ways. Read more for details ...

Atari and Firaxis have announced a beta test for the upcoming Sid Meier's Pirates! PC game. Open only to subscribers of AVAST, the official Pirates! newsletter, the beta test allows fans to join the crew to become one of the first to discover the legend and legacy of the classic Sid Meier adventure. Fans can go to the official Pirates! website, www.atari.com/pirates, to sign-up for AVAST.

Fireglow today revealed more information about its latest project "Stranger," a real-time strategy game, with elements of role playing games set in fantazy world. 'Stranger' will also feature multiplayer although details beyond "The players may play on their own, or unite in teams" are a bit sktechy. Read more for some new screens.

Activision is targeting virtual sportsmen with the newest release, "Cabela's Deer Hunt 2005 Season," for the Xbox, PS2 and PC, available in stores now.

LucasArts is excited to announce that the highly anticipated action/shooter, Star Wars Battlefront has officially GONE GOLD on PS2, Xbox and PC and is scheduled to blast its way onto store shelves on Tuesday, September 21, 2004 --- day and date with the Star Wars Trilogy, which marks the first time all three classic films will be available on DVD.