GarageGames today announced that Zap! a team-based internet arcade action multiplayer game is now available by direct download the GarageGames website. Zap! is a fast-paced 2D vector graphics multiplayer team based action strategy game with the accessible controls of classic arcade games blended with cutting-edge multiplayer technology and gameplay.

Mercenaries is a revolutionary third-person combat-action game that delivers the next level of free-form gameplay in massive interactive environments. The game gives players the opportunity to take on the role of a soldier for hire in an open-ended world. Mercenaries has is scheduled to explode onto store shelves the week of January 10, 2005.

"Jade Empire" is set in a new fantastical world based on mythical China, where sinister events have upset the peaceful harmony of an isolated martial arts school. Featuring furious action previously found only in Hong Kong cinema, the game lets players master more than 30 fighting styles and a wide range of mystical powers.

At New York's Central Park Zoo, a lion, a zebra, a giraffe, and a hippo are best friends and stars of the show. But when one of the animals goes missing from their cage, the other three break free to look for him, only to find themselves reunited ... on a ship en route to the island of Madagascar. When their vessel capsizes off the coast, however, the friends, who have all been raised in captivity, learn first-hand what life can be like in the wild.

After Reuters reported yesterday that Infogrames CEO Bruno Bonnell might be willing to help out Ubisoft in its defense against a hostile take over from EA, todays rumour involves a possible merger between Vivendi and Ubisoft according to French newspaper L'Agefi. Either publisher had no comment but it is safe to say that a merger between Vivendi Universal Games and Ubisoft would create the largest video games group in Europe. Analysts said the tie-up would be encouraged by the French government which would be concerned about seeing French games technology fall in foreign hands.

UPDATE : "In view of the rumors reported in the press, Vivendi Universal denies that any negotiations are taking place concerning the takeover of Ubisoft."

DreamCatcher Games today announced it will publish Tesseraction Games has naval combat Enigma: Rising Tide -Gold Edition in North America, coming January 28 2005. Read more for details and new screens ...

Reuters France is reporting that the commercial court of Meaux announced on Monday that French publisher Titus and its subsidiary companies, Sofra Jeux (publisher) and Avalon France (previously known as Virgin Interactive) are bankrupt. Titus also held 62.25% of the Interplay shares, which is now also liquidated (thanks DuckforCover). Interplay recently signed a publishing deal with Majorem for its MMORTS Ballerium, so it is uncertain what will happen to the title now. Majorem had this to say : "We're still waiting for a confirmation of this item as posted by you, however in the meantime I can reassure that even in the case that Interplay liquidates as well, Ballerium is as safe as it was (or, as unsafe as it was, depending your point of view)."

Live fastballs, suicide squeezes, grass-staining dives, seventh-inning stretches, walk-off homeruns, peanuts and hotdogs… these are just some of the things that make the sport of baseball America’s favorite pastime. The victory of a baseball game can depend on the walk-off homerun in the ninth inning or a simple second base steal. Anything can make an impact in a baseball game because- as a wise man once said - “it ain’t over ‘til it’s over.” Coming this spring 2005.

Capcom today announced plans to release Darkstalkers Chronicle: The Chaos Tower for the PSP. This hard hitting fighting game summons the return of Capcom's greatest monster warriors to once again battle for control of the night. Read more for details and screens ...

Set in a virtual, persistent online universe in which millions of players around the globe can participate, The Matrix Online, developed by Monolith and EON Entertainment, will feature cutting-edge graphics, real-time martial arts combat and a rich storyline that picks up where The Matrix Revolutions, the third chapter in The Matrix film trilogy, leaves off.