Noticed on HomeLAN that Activision's Doug Pearson has posted up a note on the Ritualistic forums with an update on their plans for the Star Trek: Elite Force II (already available in Europe, coming later this week in North America). Specifically a beta fix will soon be tested and later released for dedicated servers to no longer require the game to be in the CD-Rom drive, as well as mod tools for the community.

TechRanch USA, a resource founded and funded by BizDev, Inc. announced today that TechRanch Roundup, a monthly column dedicated to delivering relevant, timely information and business strategies to independent game developers worldwide, is now available.

PanVision sent out word that they have launched the official website for IDOL FX's vampire-inspired FPS Nosferatu: The Wrath of Malachi. The site sports the usual story details, game features, screenshots (posted here last week), as well as a previously released trailer (local mirror here). Go check it out!

The Nintendo Fusion Tour, headlined by Evanescence, one of the hottest new bands in the country, brings fully immersive entertainment from the worlds of music and cutting-edge gaming to 25 cities across North America. The tour kicks off in Los Angeles on Aug. 4 and ends in the Pacific Northwest in late September. Read more for details ...

Thrustmaster has taken the pole position in the race to create multi-platform accessories and is thrilled to announce the upcoming release of its Universal 360 Modena Racing Wheel. Under official license from Ferrari, Universal 360 Modena is 100% compatible with all video game consoles on the market: PlayStation2, PS one, GameCube and Xbox.

Codemasters has confirmed that IndyCar Series, the official video game of the U.S. open-wheel Indy Racing League, has shipped for the Xbox. The Xbox version features enhanced graphics and allows for four player support, and is priced competitively at a $39.99 MSRP.

EA has released the first screens for the next installment in their Total Club Manager franchise. No game details as to what we can expect in TCM 2004 are available at this point, so these screens will have to do for now .. Read more and njoy!

Codemasters has released a new multiplayer map for their stealth/action game IGI2: Covert Strike. The new Area27 multiplayer map is set indoors at the Lab. Conspiracy are attacking the lab, their final objective to place and explode their bomb. IGI's job is to stop them at all costs. Use the multiple entry points, corridors and tunnels to gain access. That chinese bloke is counting on you. After an initial release and then removal

Simon & Schuster Interactive announced today that "Outlaw Volleyball" has gone gold and has been released to manufacturing (Rated "M" by the ESRB; Xbox Live; shipping: July 8). Developed by New Jersey-based Hypnotix Inc., OUTLAW VOLLEYBALL will deliver a spanking good time with hardcore gameplay, the hottest babes in any videogame, and the trademark humor that the 'Outlaw' series is known for.

Fox Int. & EA have launched the official website for their upcoming sci-fi console game Aliens versus Predator: Extinction. The site sports some new, but tiny, screens, game features, info, trailer and the usual other tidbits. small details about the game & features, several new (low res) screenshots, the first trailer, and more. Aliens versus Predator: Extinction (based loosely on the Aliens & Predator movies) is expected in stores for PS2/Xbox this summer. Go check it out!