Eidos today announced that its highly-anticipated, action-stealth game Hitman: Contracts, developed by IO Interactive, has gone gold for the PlayStation2, the Xbox and the PC and will be available at retail beginning April 21, 2004 in North America. The release of Hitman: Contracts will be supported by a massive multi-million dollar marketing campaign ­ one of the largest to-date by Eidos North America.

Dragon Empires promises to be a groundbreaking MMORPG (Massively Multiplayer Online Role-Playing Game). The world will be filled with embattled clans, each striving to prove their superiority in head-to-head group combat, as they aim to take political and economic control of the game's 50 magnificent cities and, ultimately, 5 empires. Head on over to the newly revamped website, or read more for some new screens...

Ubisoft today reinforces its strategy to dominate the war games market by announcing a long-term deal with award-winning developer Gearbox Software to publish a new military franchise: Brothers in Arms. With its breakthrough squad-based combat mechanism and unprecedented realism, the first game in the series is poised to revolutionize the WWII genre when it ships on consoles and PC starting Holiday 2004. Read more for details and the first screens!

Legacy Interactive, the games publisher who is quickly making a name for itself by bringing television’s greatest dramas to life on the PC, announced today two new additions to its “Law & Order” PC game portfolio, Law & Order: Justice is Served and Law & Order: Criminal Intent. Vivendi Universal Games will distribute both titles in North America. Law & Order: Justice is Served will ship this fall, and Law & Order: Criminal Intent will be available in Q1 2005. Both titles will be showcased in Legacy Interactive’s meeting room at the 2004 E3 Expo in Los Angeles, May 12-14. Read more for details and screens ...

Namco Hometek Inc. announced today that the company is developing the second installment in its Smash Court series. Scheduled for release exclusively on the PlayStation2, Smash Court Tennis Pro Tournament 2 will ship in the summer of 2004. Read more for details & screens ...

Nevrax announced today that the Saga of Ryzom, its highly anticipated multi-genre massively multiplayer RPG, enters Open Beta beginning today, April 13th 2004. Community relations and customer support for the beta will be provided by the Themis Group in the United States, and hosting will be provided by Jolt Online Gaming. Read more for details ...

Codemasters announced today that its most comprehensive motor sport racing game ever, ToCA Race Driver 2: Ultimate Racing Simulator, has shipped to North American retail outlets for the Xbox. The PC DVD-ROM version will ship later this week. The title is available at a suggested retail price of $29.99.

The Blue Vault of the title refers to an organisation which spends its time hunting down pesky aliens and doing its best not to let other humans even know the extraterrestrial sons-of-bitches even exist. There are plans for six different alien species, with around thirty missions in the finished game. The Blue Vault is a strategy title, so expect such delightful elements as resource gathering, unit recruitment and skill advancement to make a decent fist of things, though we're promised a detail level on a par with RPGs. For more details, head on over to PCZone's coverage.

Turbine Entertainment Software Corp. today announced that fans of the award-winning 3D massively multiplayer online role playing game Asheron’s Call (AC) will receive a new expansion pack in early 2005. Available for the PC, the latest AC installment will offer fresh challenges to experienced players while welcoming new gamers to the colorful and exciting fantasy world of Dereth.

Exctinction is a tactical multiplayer shooter set in a future where mankind has been all but wiped out by alien invaders. After years of rebuilding their armies in secret, the remaining forces of man make one final, desperate attempt to rid the Earth of its unwelcome visitors. Expect multiple character classes with unique abilities, amazing firepower, and a fair share of pulse pounding, bone crunching vehicles as human and alien forces battle on derelict wastelands, hidden jungles and polar icecaps in the ultimate fight for survival! Blow the hell out of everything as up to 32 players battle on expansive interactive environments with surprises of their own. Exctinction is under development at Cinematic Games.

Thrones and Patriots adds a multitude of new features to Rise of Nations, introducing six new nations, a wide variety of new single player campaigns, more than 20 new units, new wonders and an innovative new Government feature. With the new Government feature, any nation, old or new, can choose exactly how to be governed, which has far-reaching effects on how units perform in various situations. All-new single player campaigns will allow gamers to control the course of history during historical events that changed the world. Read more for a batch of new screens ...

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 out some new screens ...

Auravision Inc. today announces the first products from the Fatal1ty line of professional gaming products, including the Fatal1ty/PWX system and a motherboard and graphics card created by ABIT Computer Corporation, a world leading manufacturer of award-winning motherboards, video cards, and server products. Fatal1ty will be at E3 in booth #6453 Kentia Hall answering challenges from 100 first-come-first-served attendees in four-minute Fatal1ty shoot outs. Challengers can win $1000 if they are able to beat Fatal1ty and other prizes can be won for scoring points against him.

ESPN Videogames is proud to announce the next chapter of its critically acclaimed, adrenaline-pumping football series - ESPN NFL 2005. The ESPN NFL series, known for its stalwart football realism exhibited in bold gameplay and stellar animations, will be unleashed in Fall 2004.

Stormregion, who have previously developed highly acclaimed S.W.I.N.E., made massive tanks a crucial element in this tactical combat action title set in World War II. Russian, German and Allied troops fight in three campaigns and more than 30 breath taking single player missions. Over a hundred authentic 3D vehicles are at disposal as well as a wide range of ground troops. Read more to check 30 new screens and also check our Panzers preview!

Warlords Battlecry III builds upon the unique features that have made this series renowned throughout the RTS genre. Further expanding on the Battlecry traditions, this next title will feature a new hero development system, 3 new spheres of magic that entails over 30 new spells, a new lair system, as well as 5 new races. Read more for details and some new screens ...

KumaWar, an online game service featuring accurate recreations of real world events in the war on terror, has launched its newest mission, Samarra Bank Heist Part 2. Read more for details & screens ...

NCsoft Corporation announces that City of Heroes has reached gold master status in North America and will soon be on its way to retailers in the United States and Canada. The company also announces that all customers who purchase the City of Heroes pre-order box and register their account will have a three-day head start in the game over customers who purchase the game on or after the launch date. The official launch date for City of Heroes is April 28.

NCsoft Corporation announces that Lineage II has reached gold master status in North America and will soon be on its way to retailers in the United States and Canada. The official launch date for Lineage II will be April 28.