BFME 2 takes part in the North where a battle is raging between Sauron's forces vs. elves and dwarves. It will be possible to create/customize your own hero, apart from known figures such as Arwin, and become more powerful as you progress in the game. While BFME was all land based, the sequel will also take the action on the sea, naval battles included, courtesy of an updated engine.

In Awaken, you play the role of William Thane, a middle-aged man down on his luck. You, along with six others, are trapped in an abandoned prison, held captive by a psychotic killer. You have until 6:00 am to find a way out, or you will all die. But there's one small catch: one of you is the killer (thanks Blues).

Thousands of Xboxes will be yanked from home entertainment centers around the world this holiday to make space for the new Xbox 360. Dream Arcades LLC wants to give them a new home … nice and cozy, resting inside a shiny new arcade kit from Dream Arcades.

Last week it was revealed that Microsoft currently has over 200 Xbox titles that are compatible and working on its next-gen X360 console. This only being the case for North American versions of the console, the list for other territories was not yet available. Earlier this week Japanese gamers got a huge disappointment with only 12 titles, and today Europeans picking up an Xbox 360 will be able to play over 150 Xbox titles. Remember this only works with the harddrive enabled system, not the cheap Core System, unless you upgrade. The process is made possible by software emulation, games will be playable in High Def. with antialiasing, which will be freely downloadable, burn on cd and insert in the X360, or install automatically through Xbox Live.

EA today announced it has shipped its biggest launch line up of EA SPORTS titles to stores with four EA SPORTS branded games for the Xbox 360. FIFA 06: Road to FIFA World Cup, Madden NFL 06, NBA LIVE 06 and Tiger Woods PGA TOUR 06 are all available for the new game system.

Dolby Laboratories announced today that the new Xbox 360 will support Dolby Digital surround sound for both games and movies. This next-generation game console includes both interactive Dolby Digital 5.1 surround sound for game play, as well as Dolby Digital decoding for video playback.

Atlus U.S.A announced that Softmax's PS2 exclusive RPG Magna Carta: Tears of Blood is now available in North America. Magna Carta: Tears of Blood is a role-playing game, set in Efferia, a continent populated with five races. In this world, you can use seven different types of Carta and meet a host of characters.

Groove Games has released the first patch for Brainbox's horror/FPS Land of the Dead: Road to Fiddler's Green. This update brings your retail game to v1.1 and adding 3 new multiplayer maps, dedicated server, editor, plus a few other multiplayer optimizations. Read more for detailed fixlist and download links ..

German publisher Frogster Interactive announced today that it will publish Xbow Software's 3D space combat RPG Star Wolves 2 in Germany, scheduled for release Q1 2006. No further details are available, so read more to check the first screens...

Vivendi has released a new update patch for MadDoc's 3D RTS Empire Earth II. This update brings your US, German, French or UK retail game to v1.20, includes many new features, fixes including an updated lobby and bonus skirmish maps. Read more for download links ...

Paradox Interactive today announced a stand-alone expansion pack for their strategy title Hearts of Iron II. The expansion will include the original game and boasts a World War III scenario, a complete scenario editor as well as an extended time line.

Activision and DreamWorks announced today that the companies have agreed to a new long-term, broad-based strategic alliance. The companies signed a multi-year agreement which grants Activision the exclusive video game rights to upcoming feature films from DreamWorks Animation.

Even Balance has been contracted by Monolith to integrate PunkBuster into VUGames' FPS F.E.A.R. (First Encounter Assault Recon). PunkBuster will be available for F.E.A.R. in an upcoming downloadable game update patch (thanks FEARHQ). We will of course have the patch available on our fileserver network when its released.

AhnLab today introduced its powerful HackShield technology to U.S. developers and publishers of massively multiplayer server-based computer games. The competition for monthly fees from online gamers is fierce and gamers will not spend a penny in an insecure virtual world, no matter how good the game is. MMOG publishers risk their entire investment from a single lapse in security.

Bandai today announced that The Legend of Heroes: A Tear of Vermillion for the PSP has shipped to retail outlets. This role-playing game recounts the epic tale of Avin, a 17-year old boy in search of his sister who was taken by the disciples of Octum, the god of Darkness.

Introversion today announce that its action/strategy games Darwinia will be available to gamers worldwide on December 14, 2005 via Valve content delivery system Steam.

A few months back EA's Mark Skaggs took an extended leave of absence after completing Battle for Middle Earth, and now it seems he won't be coming back, at least not to EA. Together with EALA Vice President Rick Giolito (Medal of Honor) and VUGames' Michael Pole, Mark Skaggs has licensed the Unreal Engine 3 technology and got indie funding for its new Santa Monica, Calif. based development team Trilogy Studios.

Microsoft today announced that more than 400 pieces of downloadable Xbox Live Marketplace content, including free interactive demos for games like FIFA 06, Kameo, King Kong, NBA LIVE 06, NFS Speed Most Wanted, as well as new music videos, will be available to Xbox 360 fans starting November 22nd.

Sony announced today the release of the EyeToy: Operation Spy, exclusively for the PlayStation 2. EyeToy: Operation Spy presents players with an immersive spine tingling narrative, where they join the SIA (Strategic Intelligence Agency) in order to take down a sinister global network of master criminals.

Galactic Civilizations II takes place in the distant future, when mankind has become a space-faring civilization and must contend with other extraterrestrial powers for domination of the galaxy. The sequel is a true evolution for the series, with rethought fundamentals and exciting new changes.

The new season for multiplayer online baseball simulation, Sim Dynasty begins Wednesday, Nov. 16. Players can signup now at the official Sim Dynasty website. More than 3,000 players already control teams, but there is always room for more in this multiplayer online baseball simulation.

Dreamfall: The Longest Journey is an action-packed thriller set in a large and varied game world mixing gritty reality with imaginative fantasy. The game features three worlds, three distinctly different playable characters, and exciting action-adventure gameplay wrapped in a mature, exhilarating, and innovative storyline.

Area 51 is set in the U.S. government's most top-secret and secure facility located in the Nevada desert. Players take on the role of Specialist Ethan Cole, a hazardous biological waste specialist sent to investigate. Midway has released some new patches for the Euro, US and German editions of the game, addressing various graphical glitches, copy protection iussue and smooth sniper scope. zooming (thanks 3DGamers). Read more for download links ...

Already revealed during last weeks Battlefield 2: Special Forces announcement, today EA offiically took the wraps off its Steam like content delivery system.

Midway Games today announced that Earth 2160, the sequel in the EARTH series of real-time strategy (RTS) titles, has shipped to stores nationwide and is available for play on the PC.