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. Earlier today we were invited over to EA's HQ in Redwood City to see the game in action and brought back some awesome screens. Expect a preview SOON.

Mech Arena: Beauty VS Machine is an action-packed, an awesome firepower and fast-paced battlefield action with incredible graphics, detailed environments, and sophisticated A.I. It features the most explosive one on one battle fare and complicated strategy of any PC RPG. Read more for details and screens ...

Reality Pump Studios and Atari have now released an English language version of their wacky cow-themed real-time strategy game, Once Upon A Knight. The rather huge demo includes first part of The Long Path to the Throne campaign, and one role-playing quick mission, entitled The Call. Read more for download links ...

Midway Sports announced today that NHL Hitz Pro will feature cover athlete Nicklas Lidstrom, star defenseman of the Detroit Red Wings, as well as coaching legend Scotty Bowman. NHL Hitz Pro, the reinvented version of the successful NHL Hitz videogame franchise, is in development and scheduled to ship September 25, 2003 for the PlayStation2, the Xbox and Nintendo GameCube.

Celtic Kings: The Punic Wars appeals to both RTS and RPG players searching for a new experience in already known genres. The multiplayer provides new strategic gameplay tuned towards the traditional RTS players. It is easy to start playing the game but there are a lot of new options to explore. Celtic Kings: The Punic Wars continues the traditions of the award winning Celtic Kings: Rage of War and will be exploring the three Punic wars between Rome and Carthage in the period 264BC – 146BC which includes the famous campaigns of Hannibal and Scipio Africanus. We got some new in-game images from Celtic Kings: The Punic Wars show aspects of the life which Carthaginians had those days. Their markets often shared space with the barracks - a combination best describing an expansionist nation of merchants. Their key to success was simple - strong economy fueling constantly campaigning imperial army of skilled and highly paid mercenaries.

Electronic Arts today announced the release of the first expansion pack for SimCity 4, SimCity 4 Rush Hour Expansion Pack. For the first time in SimCity history, players can take charge of vehicles in their cities to drive or solve missions that earn reward buildings and vehicles. Players have the ultimate level of control over their city's transportation network by completely taking charge of roads, rail, air, and even waterways. SimCity is on the move in SimCity 4 Rush Hour.

KOEI Corporation today announced that Dynasty TacticsT2 will be in stores on Wednesday, September 24, 2003. Consumers eager to purchase a copy of the game can still order the title now at gamestop.com, ebgames.com, amazon.com, bestbuy.com, and walmart.com. Dynasty Tactics 2 is a turn-based Tactical Simulation where players must annihilate enemy armies by forming high-intensity chain reactions of offensive and defensive maneuvers.

Vivendi has released a playable demo for their upcoming RTS LotR: War Of The Ring. The demo includes two single-player missions from the game - "The Siege of the Iron Hills" and the "Pursuit of Gollum." In both missions, players take the side of the forces of light in their attempt to destroy the One Ring. Read more for download links ...

Knights of Honor features two main game views, the World View and the Close View. Each of these views is closely bound to different aspects of the game’ s objectives. The two views have been designed to eliminate the need for further zooming and to provide the player with any important information they might need to successfully play and enjoy the game. Read more for details and screens ...