Vivendi Universal Games has canceled the release of The Lord of the Rings: The Treason of Isengard for Xbox/PS2. Scheduled for release in Q4 2003, Treason of Isengard was dropped from the release schedule when it was determined that the game was not shaping up as strongly as anticipated and would likely not satisfy the expectations of Tolkien fans. Vivendi Universal Games remains committed to developing and releasing quality games based on the literary works of J.R.R. Tolkien and we look forward to the release The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings: War of the Ring this November, as well as Middle-Earth Online next year.

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 :

• XIII - Trailer
• C&C Generals: Zero Hour - Trailer
• Arx Fatalis (Xbox) - Trailer
• 
  
  We will update this throughout the day when new trailers become available. Read more for download links ...

Microsoft Game Studios today announced the upcoming release of Phantom Dust, an Xbox exclusive third-person action game in which players battle opponents in real-time combat with an ever-growing arsenal of over 300 skills. The title is being developed internally by Microsoft Game Studios Japan and is currently scheduled for a Japanese release in 2004.

The squad-based action war game Freedom Fighters has gone gold and will start to ship on Tuesday, September 23 for the PlayStation2, Xbox , the Nintendo GameCube, and PC.

The year is 1582 and Takeshi Kaneshiro as Samanosuke is the man who has just returned. The stage is set at the burning Honnoji Temple, as the famous Onimusha warrior Samanosuke Akechi fights. As he faces the demons in front of him, Samanosuke is compelled to move forward by hatred for his true enemy, the undying Nobunaga Oda, ever pursuing his crazed ambition. Samanosuke prepares for the long-awaited final battle against Nobunaga. Read more for a few new screens ...

Command & Conquer™ Generals Zero Hour has gone gold and will start to ship on Monday, September 22. The first expansion pack to one of the best-selling PC games of 2003, Command & Conquer Generals, gives players more weapons, more power, new battlefields, three new single-player campaigns, 15 new missions, and new game modes.

For Purge retail owners, the Purge Jihad Expansion Pack Beta 5 Build 1.8D is ready. This should finally fix the Drone crash bugs. This is the first Open Beta of Jihad. The more players, the better the balance. The beta only runs until end of September, so get in the action while you can. Read more for download links ...

Developed by the award-winning team at Auran - creators of the hugely successful Trainz – this is the ultimate standalone railway simulator that provides a complete experience for every train fan. Railway enthusiasts are often fiercely loyal to their native rolling stock and in Railway Simulator 2004 the trains included span the continents as well as the ages. We've all been kids, we all had train sets didnt we? Read more to check out some screens ..

For the first time ever, EA Games console titles including The Lord of the Rings; The Return of the King will feature online gameplay for the PS2, Electronic Arts announced today. Along with The Lord of the Rings, The Sims Bustin' Out, Need for Speed Underground, and Medal of Honor Rising Sun will allow gamers to connect and play online this holiday season. Read more for details ...

As U.S. Army Sergeant John Baker, players join the battle at Kasserine Pass in North Africa, race to capture Messina in Sicily, and finally repel the German army at the historic battle of Monte Battaglia in the heart of Italy. Armed with a new arsenal of weapons, players will fight alone and with squad mates as they rush to stop the Axis powers. Some more screens ...