LucasArts & Sony Online Entertainment today announced Dantooine as the tenth planetary environment for Star Wars Galaxies: An Empire Divided, the highly anticipated first installment of the upcoming massively multiplayer online game series. In addition, the fan community for the game continues to grow unabated and has now reached 475,000 registered members, nearly a 20 percent increase since December 2002.

You can now sign up for FINAL FANTASY XI Public Beta test @ Square Enix (thanks VE3D). The goal of this Public Beta process is to test connectivity to the PlayOnline network as well as give a few lucky players a sneak peek at the FINAL FANTASY XI and the PlayOnline network. To be considered for participation in the Public Beta test program, you must completely fill out and submit the online application form on their website!

Note: "The Public Beta Test Is Open Only To Legal U.S. And CANADIAN Residents"

Nintendo has cut the royalty rates on GameCube software in a move aimed at encouraging third-party publishers to bring key titles to the platform, and will focus more heavily on third-party software at E3. The company, which last week announced that it had missed its 2002 shipment targets for the Cube by a massive 44 per cent, selling only 5.6 million units, admitted that major third-party titles such as Grand Theft Auto were completely overshadowing its own major franchises such as Mario and Metroid.

Gamesradar reports that the current war in Iraq could soon be coming to a PlayStation 2 near you - if Sony have anything to do with it. According to a report in today's Guardian, the console giants have already taken out a patent on the phrase "Shock and Awe" for usage in videogames. The phrase was adopted by the White House to describe the US's heavy bombing of Baghdad.

Nintendo of Japan has announced that it will launch a new battery pack for the GBA SP in mid-May, which will apparently deliver 75 per cent more play time than the original pack. The new battery will go on sale on May 17, priced at 1980 Yen (just short of £10), and has a capacity of 1000mA - giving GBA SP owners 17.5 hours of backlit play time.

Titus Interactive announced today that Top Gun: Combat Zones, the next generation of flying action now brought to the PC, is hitting shelves this month in Europe. Based on the Playstation 2 smash hit, Top Gun: Combat Zones is developed by Digital Integration, its wholly owned development studios.

Atari adds to the success of the Dragon Ball Z franchise by introducing an all new role playing adventure game for the Game Boy Advance. Capitalizing on the success of Dragon Ball Z: The Legacy of Goku, the best-selling role playing game for the Game Boy Advance in 2002, Atari today announced Dragon Ball Z: The Legacy of Goku II. Slated to release in June 2003, Dragon Ball Z: The Legacy of Goku II adds a thrilling new chapter that invites players to experience even more of the Dragon Ball Z story.

GameCaptain.de send word about that JoWoods recently announced Railroiad-Strategy game "Railroad Giant: The Pioneer" has been renamed to the final worldwide title "Railroad Pioneer".

In "Vultures" the gamer lives the hard gladiator life: in different arenas and with classical or modern/futuristic weapons at his disposal the gladiator has to defeat his enemies in a duel in order to survive. The aim is to win to become undefeated champion of the "Vultures".. Read more for 3 new screens!

Microsoft wants to let people know that DVDs aren't just for viewing anymore. Users of Windows-based PCs can participate in movies in ways never before imagined by creating their own commentary or actually becoming movie characters. And everything necessary is likely included in the DVDs users probably already own.