Ubisoft today announced that Chessmaster 10th Edition, the best-selling chess brand in history, will be available beginning August 10 for the PC at the manufacturer’s suggested retail price of $39.99. A demo is also available giving you the chance to play for 8 hours in singleplayer mode and multiplayer is enabled. Read more for details, screens and download links ...

Yesterday a rumor started going around that the Xbox 2 would not be backwards compatible, but today TeamXbox got an official statement from Microsoft : “Recent stories in the press about future Xbox products are nothing more than pulp fiction. Microsoft hasn’t made any announcements regarding the next generation, so it’s far too early to speculate about specifics, including backward compatibility. In fact, this media conjecture is irresponsible. The credibility of any publication willing to compromise fact in favor of a catchy headline must be questioned. Xbox fans are smart enough to distinguish truth from sensational reporting.”

In a conflict that lasted 11 years and killed over 3 million people, four men are going to have the longest 28 days of their lives. Cut off behind enemy lines during the 1968 Tet Offensive with no way to contact help, four young, barely trained soldiers realize their only hope for survival is to head into the heart of darkness. With few rations and dwindling ammunition, the only thing that separates them from freedom is 100 miles of ruthless terrain, crawling with unseen enemies and filled with hidden booby traps. Their goal isn’t to win the war. They just want to make it home alive.

Second Sight, developed by the creative force behind the acclaimed TimeSplitters series Free Radical Design, is an original property that redefines the standards for stealth action gameplay. Due later this year for PS2, Xbox and GameCube, check these new screens...

Packed with new features, Dragon Ball Z: Budokai 3 is the third in the successful PlayStation 2 series developed by DIMPS, and promises to be the ultimate DBZ fighting experience on next-generation consoles. Read more for the first screens ...

As we mentioned yesterday, UbiSoft has released a new patch for Splinter Cell: Pandora Tomorrow. This update brings your retail game to v1.3 and adds the aforementioned ranking management system but also some network optimizations and the usual bug fixes. Read more for download links

ESPN Videogames confirmed today that the critically acclaimed ESPN NFL 2K5 will be available at the attractive retail price of $19.99. This compelling price point is one part of an aggressive marketing strategy that has been implemented since the announcement of a sales and distribution relationship between Take-Two Interactive Software and Sega Corporation for ESPN Videogames.

Mythic Entertainment today announced that “Dark Age of Camelot: New Frontiers” has gone live. A free downloadable expansion for all current subscribers, “New Frontiers” reinvents the game’s Realm versus Realm (RvR) combat system, Mythic’s own unique take on player vs. player or PvP play. “New Frontiers” makes heroic battles accessible to subscribers of all levels and abilities, deepens the tactical options and strategies of battle, diversifies styles of warfare and establishes a new and expanded rewards system for Realm versus Realm combat.

Codemasters announced today that IndyCar Series 2005 has shipped to North American retail outlets for the Xbox. The game will be available at a suggested retail price of $19.99, offering incredible value to Xbox and Xbox Live gamers.

Dark Fall: Lights Out follows the story of Parker, a young cartographer sent to work in the Cornish harbor town of Trewarthen. Falling rocks have claimed the lives of many of the town’s fishermen, and Parker is sent to map the area. When the faithful light of Fetch Rock Lighthouse suddenly goes out, Parker discovers the Lighthouse hides an ancient and chilling secret..

Codemasters and MTV: Music Television announced today that the highly anticipated "MTV Music Generator 3: This Is The Remix" video game has shipped to retail outlets nationwide. The latest installment in the series offers the ability to create, remix and display personalized music creations and is now available for the PlayStation2 and the Xbox.

Immerse yourself in "Nexus - The Jupiter Incident", a real-time mission-based tactical space game featuring spectacular real time battles and breathtaking motion picture quality. Focus on tactics and action as you control up to a dozen battleships encountering aliens, unknown solar systems and astrophysical phenomena in your struggle to save Earth.

Join Astro, the robotic superhero with a human mind, in a jet-fueled adventure to reunite the robotic race with humans. Working with Tezuka Productions and Sony Pictures Television, SEGA's SONICTEAM studio has faithfully recreated the Astro Boy universe, lending authenticity to the franchise and paying homage to a classic icon of Japanese anime that is now a featured series on Cartoon Network.

Situated on planet Nova, The NovaLords need new "volunteers" for their brutal gladiatorial racing sport. Your character has been abducted by the aliens and taken to Nova. You are given a vehicle, and sent straight into combat. The game consists of a series of automotive battles in many, varied purpose-built arenas, pursuing your unwanted career as an alien race’s source of sick entertainment.

HomeLAN has gotten more information regarding Vivendi's announcement about the 'StarCraft: Ghost' delay. Blizzard's PR people had no comment but HomeLAN has gotten word from Nihilistic that they are no longer involved with 'StarCraft: Ghost'. "Nihilistic has completed its contribution on StarCraft: Ghost. They are contracted to begin work on another project in the months ahead. Due to the requirements of that obligation and the delay of StarCraft, it was mutually determined that now would be the best time for them to complete their work."

Ubisoft has announced that within the next couple of days, a new update to the PC version of Splinter Cell: Pandora Tomorrow will be available for download. Among other things, this update will add new ranking features (thanks Joe!). Read more for details ...

Spider-Man 2 is the first game to fully immerse players in the role of Spider-Man and propels them into a living city teeming with common criminals, super villains and pedestrians. Set in a massive free-roaming, do-anything, virtual city, players swing from buildings, sling webs on structures, dive from roof tops to sidewalks, jump across skyscrapers and scale tall heights as they patrol and protect the city from the nefarious Doc Ock. Based on the plot of the movie and extending beyond the film with other diabolical Marvel villains, additional missions and random events, Spider-Man 2 is the most in-depth Super Hero game to date.

Guilty Gear Isuka introduces revolutionary upgrades such as 4-player simultaneous fighting, allowing for 2-on-2, 3-on-1 and 2-player co-op battles. The title also adds new characters to a full roster of returning fighters, all-new fight arenas and multiple new modes of play, including an exciting side-scrolling action game called Boost Mode. Check the freshly launched offcial website, or read more for new screens....

Tend to your animals' health, happiness and nutrition by hiring employees, and adopt new animals as you unlock the numerous features hidden within the game. Attend to visitors by providing facilities for them to eat, drink and buy souvenirs from as they revel in your zoo.

Vivendi Universal Games today announced another step in its turnaround plan to improve operating effectiveness, reduce costs and position for growth. The changes include a significant staff reduction in its North American based operations (Papyrus & Impressions, as well as some PR people) resulting in the elimination of 350 staff positions. The Company's Blizzard Entertainment studio was not part of the staff reduction.