Computer and video game publisher Gathering and renowned software developer Illusion Softworks, today announced that Hidden & Dangerous 2, the highly anticipated sequel to the successful World War II tactical strategy game, has shipped to stores in North America. The game will ship to stores in Europe on October 24, 2003.

SWAT: Global Strike Team, a squad-based FPS game for the PS2 and the Xbox has gone gold and will ship to retailers worldwide early November 2003. You play Mathias Kincaid, a former member of the U.S. Army’s elite Delta Force turned SWAT: GST element leader. Command your teammates, a veteran sniper and an expert technical specialist, through several diverse missions while maintaining the tactical upper hand over your opponent. To keep the peace there are certain fundamentals that you must utilize that will contribute mission success including; the environment, the latest gear and advanced weaponry, and the element of surprise.

The Battle for Middle-earth utilizes the Generals game engine, and in the game players can select from the different "good" or "evil" campaigns, where they will be given the freedom to command a variety of major armies from the films, each with their own distinct strengths and weaknesses. Prepare for war by creating offensive and defensive strategies set in the memorable battle locations taken straight from the big screen. The Battle for Middle-earth RTS game will utilize the digital assets created for the films and will feature exclusive voiceover from the real actors as well as actual movie footage from the three films.

"P2" (working title), being developed by creators of Project Earth, morphed it's genre to action space game. The new official name is "Project Freedom". Becomming pilot of latest space fighter your task is to infiltrate enemy moves and fuffill missions given by generals of your army in the second cold war crisis in late 21st century. The action take place in our solar system and promise to deliver realistic environment across Earth, Moon, Mars, Jupiter, Io - the Jupiter's moon and planetoid Ida. The game features never seen break through graphics and solid, 100% adrenaline pumping gameplay. "Project Freedom" is scheduled to be released in January 2004. Read more for details & screens ...

NDL announced today that its Gamebryo technology is being used in Mythic Entertainment's highly anticipated Dark Age of Camelot: Trials of Atlantis. The latest expansion pack for Dark Age of Camelot, which has been named "Online Game of the Year" by both Computer Games Magazine and Computer Gaming World, immerses players into the mysterious underwater city of Atlantis. NDL has been assisting Mythic with innovative 3D graphics software and tools since 1999.

Phase: Exodus is 3D RPG with strong strategy element, which takes the player to the possible future of the Earth, to the world which went through the catastrophe of the global scale. The game will be interesting both for the hardcore RPG fans and those who are new to this genre - the mix of step-to-step combat, non-linear solving of the problems, classic 3rd person view, day cycle and intuitive controls, interesting plot, good graphical appearance makes it gripping for most of the players.

As we draw closer to Halloween, Eidos felt it's time to divulge more information about their vampire/demon duo, Kain and Raziel, by updating the Legacy of Kain: Defiance website. You'll find a multitude of updates ranging from exciting new screens and concept drawings, to information about important characters and enemies. They also opened up a Fan Art section where fans of the series can submit their drawings of the Legacy of Kain universe. Head over to www.legacyofkain.com and seek out their updates.

Ryzom is a third-generation 3D game that features a highly original poetic universe designed for the general public. Online gaming aficionados will discover innovative game mechanisms, along with sumptuous graphics. Read more for new screens ...

Matrix Games is pleased to announce that Massive Assault by Wargaming.Net and Eric Young’s Squad Assault: West Front by Freedom Games have completed production, are shipping and will be available in the next few days through major software retailers and online stores. Read more for details ...

Syphon Filter: The Omega Strain is the next installment of the Syphon Filter storyline. Elsa Weissenger has come to Gabe Logan with evidence that a multinational corporation has been behind the Syphon Filter conspiracy from the beginning. Mara Aramov is connected to this consortium in some way that Gabe does not understand. But here is what Gabe does know: Mara has escaped custody, outbreaks of a deadly new mutation of the virus are appearing all over the globe, and Chechnyan rebels are selling the virus to other terrorists. Some new screens just infiltrated our offices ...

Gran Turismo 4 further demonstrates its mission to provide the most authentic driving simulation available in the marketplace. New features will extend above and beyond just pure automotive racing, providing a unique destination for automotive and PS2 enthusiasts to enjoy car culture in every dimension – extending that goal will be highlighted through the new "GT Photo Mode."

Ubisoft is glad to announce that a Live chat with Jordan Mechner, the creator of the Prince of Persia series, will take place on Thursday, October 23rd.

Seize this chance to ask your questions to a living legend, a man who has shaped video games history! Jordan Mechner was involved in the development of Prince of Persia the Sands of Time as a screenwriter and creative consultant and will be able to answer all questions on this highly anticipated masterpiece !

All participants in the chat will have access to an exclusive Prince of Persia the Sands of Time goody... Read more for details!

CDV send over some information today about the SCUTTERS (defence droids) that is included in Breed..

The "SCUTTERS" are small mobile plasma defence droids, when deployed in large numbers they can swifty overwhelm even the most trained U.S.C. units. They are tiny robots that have dark blue and green casings and a single blue eye that can fire a short range blast of concentrated plasma. They may appear comical in nature, but do not be fooled.

U.S.C. Veteran Arnold 'TinCan' Jones about the SCUTTERS:

"They came running down the corridor - there had to be hundreds of them. Some of the guys just laughed and laughed when they saw these things. It was when the dying started that the laughter turned to fear. Scutters they called them. Stupid name - deadly in large numbers."

Egosoft posted up some information on their forums that let us know X² - The Threat for Europe got a new releasedate set to Feb 6th, 2004. Here is the full clip:

The localisation process requires more additional time for testing and Q&A than was expected. Due to the importance of a simultaneous pan-European launch in all the major territories (UK, Germany, Austria, Switzerland, France and Italy). Egosoft and Koch have agreed to set a new street date of Feb 6th, 2004. This new street date will also allow the developers to enhance even further, key aspects of the game-play and graphics and make the European version of X2 worth waiting for.

To those that have pre-ordered via Egosoft’s website we can only apologise for this unforeseen delay. We therefore suggest that you either wait for the European release and your copy will be shipped, together with your complimentary pack of “X² - The Card Game”, as soon as we take delivery or of course, accept our deepest apology and cancel your order with us. All pre-orders will receive an email in the next few days detailing this.

It is not possible for us to ship other localised copies (for example, United States of America or Australian) via our European operation due to our contractual obligations.

Beware! Your Sims have Magic! In The Sims Makin’ Magic Expansion Pack, your Sims are granted magical powers to cast playful or mischievous spells. Venture to an all-new magical, carnival-themed destination, experience exciting new gameplay, gain over 175 new items, and encounter a whole new cast of quirky characters in this powerful pack of magical high jinx. See what happens when the fate of the Sims is challenged and magic spells are cast with good or bad intentions. In The Sims Makin’ Magic, expect the unexpected. Check the new magical screens ...

"Metalheart: Replicants Rampage" is a cyberpunk role-playing game in which you lead your team to success using smart tactics; explore a huge isometric world, experience unique cybernetic body implants and tactical, turn-based combat. Under development at Akella (Pirates Of The Carribean) it is scheduled for 1Q 2004, no publisher has been signed yet. Read more for details and screens ...

ClownKeep today announced the development of The Chronicles of Ny. This unique, multi-part, role-playing game will be released for the PC. An evil returns from the past, bound by a hatred that the grave could not kill. A dark shadow is falling on the frontier province of Racorr. Enter a land forged in the crossroad of many cultures and uncover the threat that binds them all. Can you uncover and defeat a sinister conspiracy that preys on weakness and despair? Welcome to Racorr, the easternmost frontier province of the Great Kingdom of Ny. Read more for details and some screens ...

The award winning tactical role-playing game La Pucelle: Tactics comes to North America on the PS2, courtesy of Mastiff LLC. La Pucelle: Tactics is the tactical RPG from Nippon Ichi, creators of Disgaea. La Pucelle: Tactics is a tale of betrayal and double cross, monsters in human form and humans in monster form, set in an alternate medieval Europe. The unlikely hero is a smart mouthed and undisciplined sixteen year old who just passed her exorcism exams and her comrades in La Pucelle, a demon hunting squad. Read more for details ...

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 :

• Ghost Recon: Jungle Storm - Trailer
• Hidden & Dangerous 2 - Intro Movie
• Rolling - Trailer
• Beyond Good & Evil - Trailer
• Pacific Assault - Trailer
• Rainbow Six 3: Athena Sword - Trailer
• 
  
  We will update this throughout the day when new trailers become available. Read more for download links ...