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.