Electronic Arts today announced the development of the next expansion pack for the massively multiplayer online game, Ultima Online. Expanding the world and advancing the franchise, the new title will give consumers considerable player vs. player capabilities, two additional professions and a vast new land to explore. The UO expansion pack is scheduled for release in Fall 2004. The game name has not been announced.

Restricted Area is an action-based roleplaying game with realtime combat, which combines a fascinating gameplay similar to Diablo 2 with innovative technology, tactic-shooter elements and a dark future scenario. Read more for a few new screens ...

The game will provide players with extremely dynamic gameplay of fast and tough combats, where players are to oppose dangerous and wise enemies, a large set of multifarious weaponry, possibility to control various machinery, incredible detailing and game world interactivity, story-driven single player with original team gameplay, a well-balanced multiplayer with numerous modes: DeathMatch, CTF, Cooperative, various team games and much more. Read more to check out 2 new screens...

Today Midway Games had their financial results conference call for the 4th quarter of 2003 and while we could dazzle you with meaningless numbers of net losses and revenue's the interesting part was where Midway looked ahead and revealed some new/upcoming titles. Their upcoming action/horror titles (check our Xbox preview) now also seems to be heading to the PC. The next, yet unnamed, Mortal Kombat 6 is scheduled for Fall 2004, will feature online multiplyer for both Xbox & PS2, same goes for Inevitable's (previously know for The Hobbit) Area 51. Overall the conference called revealed Midway has about 20 upcoming titles, including several PC titles. Stay tuned for more ...

Enlight has released the demo for EgoSoft's sci-fi shooter 'X²: The Threat'. Expanding on the original, X: Beyond the Frontier, X²: The Threat allows players to construct a massive fleet of ships to aid them along whatever path they choose within the open-ended X-Universe. This demo features 4 tutorials for trade, fight, build and think (each representing one of those themes), one additional tutorial for beginners and four sectors of the actual game, playable for 4 hours with a medium ship and 1 million credits (thanks Factornews). Read more for download links ...

Far Cry is set around 2020 on a set of tropical islands in the pacific. And has a strong tropical-paradise feel, scenic in its beauty, but, harbors a terrible threat. It is a mix of jungle / primal / and next-gen technology. As the player you find yourself drawn into a secretive plot involving secret research facilities with scientists involved in military genetic-research, a secret "security" force of mercenaries, and, advanced next-generation weaponry and equipment. Check these 4 new screens...

Budding Al Capone's across the world are set to play out their gangster dreams thanks to leading game publisher Whiptail Interactive's latest offering Gangland, developed by Danish gaming experts MediaMobsters, which is due to be released across the UK, Europe and North America in November 2003. In a new hybrid format that combines the best elements of real-time strategy, role-play and simulation gaming genres with a totally new style of in-game combat, Gangland delivers a menacingly fresh PC gaming experience.

Space Hack is a sci-fi RPG/action title with Diablo-inspired gameplay mechanics. The storyline puts you on board of a quite 'peculiar' spaceship, trapped inside a space warp. Being a tough guy, whose axe is almost as quick as his wit, it's not surprising that you promptly find yourself confronting angry monsters, one wave after another. Space Hack is scheduled to be released in first half of 2004.

Noticed on Gamespot that Ubisoft has announced they will no longer co-publishing The Matrix Online with Warner Brothers. "Ubisoft has been a great partner and we look forward to continuing our publishing relationship with them on several other projects," said Warner Senior Vice President Jason Hall. "Ubisoft will continue its strong and positive relationship with Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment now and in the future on other games" said Gilles Langourieux, Managing Director of Ubi.com.