Just released last June, Rise of Nations has received several nominations and awards for its innovative design and fiendishly addictive game play. Now, not even a year after its release, the game is poised to get the expansion pack it deserves. Rise of Nations: Thrones and Patriots adds six new nations, a wide variety of new single player campaigns, more than 20 new units, new wonders and an innovative new Government feature. In this preview, we take a hands on look at the marketing beta of Rise of Nations: Thrones and Patriots.

Ubisoft today announced the acquisition of Austin-based Wolfpack Studios, the developer of Shadowbane. The critically acclaimed massively multiplayer online (MMO) game for the PC and Mac platforms and its recently launched expansion pack, Shadowbane: The Rise of Chaos, are operated and supported by Ubisoft's online gaming division, ubi.com, which is among the top five gaming portals in the world.

Buka Entertainment is pleased to notify you today of the agreement with Pointsoft Gmbh, one of the prominent German games publishers. The agreement states that Pointsoft acquires the rights to publish Battle Mages in German-speaking countries. The release of the game is scheduled for April 2004. Battle Mages will be entirely localized.

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 :

• Solar - Trailer
• Rainbow Six 3 - Trailer
• Transformers: Armada
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  We will update this throughout the day when new trailers become available. Read more for download links ...

Can you save the world from the ICEWorm microchip? You are special agent Ethan Hunt — back to battle international espionage as the fate of the free world hangs in the balance! A microchip nicknamed ICEWorm is disabling the security systems of the world’s largest organizations, and providing free access to the highest bidder. Your mission – should you choose to accept it – is to destroy the chip and prevent its creators from bringing the free world to its knees.

Maintaining law and society order is veteran Headhunter Jack Wade, older, wiser and battle hardened. At his side is the reluctant new sidekick, the rebellious street kid Leeza X. Whether ripping up the highways of the silver metropolis on a super bike or stalking the criminal masterminds of the shadowy underworld, they are led into the greatest danger of their lives and must overcome something much more sinister than a simple human threat. Each must face their darkest fears. Together they must redeem a world facing chaos...

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 :

• Sacred - Trailer
• Area 51 - Trailer
• Mortal Kombat: Deception - Trailer
• Gangland - Trailer
• Xpand Rally - Trailer
• Shadow Ops - Trailer
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  We will update this throughout the day when new trailers become available. Read more for download links ...

Midway Games Inc. today announced that the official title for the new version of the world-renowned fighting game franchise will be Mortal Kombat: Deception. Mortal Kombat: Deception is currently in development and scheduled to ship fall 2004 for the PlayStation2 and the Xbox. Read more for details...

Vivendi Universal Games announced today a worldwide multiplayer test for the upcoming real-time strategy game, Ground Control II: Operation Exodus. Signups have already begun, and will continue through the Multiplayer Beta start date of March 8th. Read more for details...

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 :

• The Sims 2 - Trailer
• X-Files: Resist or Serve - Trailer
• Ghost Recon: Jungle Storm
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  We will update this throughout the day when new trailers become available. Read more for download links ...

Electronic Arts today announced the development of the next expansion pack for the massively multiplayer online game, Ultima Online. Expanding the world and advancing the franchise, the new title will give consumers considerable player vs. player capabilities, two additional professions and a vast new land to explore. The UO expansion pack is scheduled for release in Fall 2004. The game name has not been announced.

For years, the world record on NES' legendary Super Mario Bros. video game was stalled at 5 minutes and 20 seconds. In recent months, however, increased media publicity on classic gaming has re-ignited player enthusiasm for breaking long-standing records, with world titles falling on titles like Legend of Zelda and Metroid.

Vivendi Universal Games announced today that Counter-Strike: Condition Zero, the follow-up to the number-one on-line action game in the world, Counter-Strike will hit the streets worldwide March 26th, 2004. Co-developed by Valve and Turtle Rock Studios, Counter-Strike: Condition Zero introduces a brand-new single-player experience to the Counter-Strike series, along with special enhancements for on-line play.

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 :

• WWX Rumble Rose - Trailer
• Neo Contra - Trailer
• Van Helsing - Trailer
• Far Cry - 'Hammer' Trailer
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  We will update this throughout the day when new trailers become available. Read more for download links ...

Electronic Arts today announced that it has signed a North American distribution agreement with KOEI Corporation for the upcoming tactical action game, Samurai Warriors. Samurai Warriors is developed by Koei's internal development team Omega Force, the studio behind the award-winning Dynasty Warriors series, and is slated for release on the PlayStation 2 in May 2004.

Developer Stardock Entertainment has released Galactic Civilizations 1.2 today. Galactic Civilizations is a space-based strategy game set near the dawn of the 23rd century. Galactic Civilizations 1.2 fixes defects reported by users as well as adds new features such as Logistics, smarter diplomacy, Good/Evil technology handling in diplomacy, etc. Read more for details ...

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 :

• Vampire: the Masquerade - Bloodlines - (3) Trailer
• Bad Boys II - Trailer
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  We will update this throughout the day when new trailers become available. Read more for download links ...

Take an adventure as Pitfall Harry, the daring, risk-taking explorer who laughs in the face of danger. Featuring over 50 levels of fast-paced action and puzzle solving adventures, the game challenges players to swing, fight, climb and crawl through eight types of treacherous South American environments including lush jungles, dark tombs, ancient Aztec ruins and glacial mountains. Read more for the full review ...

An interesting tidbit appeared in Ascaron's official Sacred forum when forum member asked whether the US version of Sacred would have the same blood & gore level as the European edition. Ascaron's Ingo Mohr replied : "Our partner Encore wanted to get a 12+ rating for Sacred and they did. We will do nothing to endanger the rating or the distribution policy of Encore in the US. I think this is quite understandable" (thanks RPGDot). Very weak if you ask me, very weak ...

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 :

• Advent Rising - Trailer
• MTX Mototrax - Trailer
• 
  
  We will update this throughout the day when new trailers become available. Read more for download links ...

Eve of Destruction is a mod for EA's Battlefield 1942, and they have released a new & massive v0.3 update that includes 8 new vehicles, 6 new weapons, 5 new levels, and a huge number of tweaks and fixes. Eve Of Destruction will contain not only new skins, vehicles and new objects, it features 8 complete new custom maps. Each map is different in their own way (from realistic to fun maps) and partially adapted to the Indochina Vietnam Conflict. Head back to the jungles in this modification replicating the deadly and vicious Vietnam War. Read more for download links ...

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 :

• Dead Mans Hand - Intro Movie
• Zombies - Trailer
• Within Temptation 'Knights Of The Temple' - Music Video
• 
  
  We will update this throughout the day when new trailers become available. Read more for download links ...

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 :

• Battlefield: Vietnam - Trailer
• Ryzom - Trailer
• Driv3r - Trailer
• Syberia II - Trailer
• I Of The Dragon - Trailer
• KillZone - Trailer
• 
  
  We will update this throughout the day when new trailers become available. Read more for download links ...

It's time to swing into action as legendary explorer Pitfall Harry in Activision, Inc.'s Pitfall: The Lost Expedition, the latest installment in the company's flagship Pitfall franchise. Gamers will use Harry's wit, athleticism and a knapsack of adventure gear to conquer evil foes in more than 50 obstacle-filled levels set in the lush jungles, dark caverns, and ancient Incan ruins of the South American jungle. Pitfall: The Lost Expedition has been rated "E" (Everyone) by the ESRB and is available in North American retail stores for the PlayStation2, Xbox, and GameCube for a suggested retail price of $39.99 and on the Game Boy Advance for $29.99.

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 :

• Desert Rats vs. Afrika Korps - Trailer
• Onimusha 3 - Intro Movie
• All-Star Baseball 2005 - Trailer
• 
  
  We will update this throughout the day when new trailers become available. Read more for download links ...