Matrix Games is proud to announce the signing of a publishing deal with famed Axis & Allies designer Larry Harris, who has been credited with over 200 published games. Specific titles and release plans will be announced in the near future.

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 latest BFME community update reveals that EA is working on a new v1.03 patch, a release date will be announced soon. The new patch prmises to have a significant impact on the game due to the large amount of balance changes. there will be generic balance tweaks, but also to the Isengard side, although most of the changes seem to have been made to Rohan. Read more for a detailed fix list ...

Absolutist today unveiled the details of a deal to produce multiple titles based on its highly competitive and proprietary sudoku puzzle technology for North American publisher Merscom

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.

While we already had the unveiling last week, Atari today unveiled first details of the Act of War expansion pack for its near-future, geopolitical techno-thriller RTS, Act of War: Direct Action. Loaded with new features, including modern-day naval combat and mercenaries, the Act of War expansion is set for release in March 2006 for the PC.

Valve lastest Steam Update has a few details on what to expect next now that it has released The Lost Coast map for Half-Life 2. Valve has been working on two new maps for CS:S, updated versions of de_nuke and cs_militia, along with a number of new player models for both sides. Its Zombie Movie has won Best Comedy Horror Short down at Screamfest L.A., so expect it over Steam soon, and its commentary system included in Lost Coast received positive responses so Valve is looking for ways to include it in future products.

Super Taxi Driver 2006 is the most aggressive taxi game so far. You have to use all of your driving skills, to survive these rides from hell.. Competitive taxi drivers will smash your car into pieces, meanwhile you are desperately trying to deliver your passenger safely to their destination.

Brothers In Arms: Earned In Blood builds upon the elements that have made Brothers in Arms Road to Hill 30 a runaway success by adding new features and game modes. Featuring a new single-player narrative, new multiplayer missions, an all-new cooperative-style game mode, and new weapons and vehicles.

Take command of the biggest teams in NASCAR by building a multi-car dynasty. In the first-ever Squad Based Racing experience, you are not alone. Radio to teammates for assistance, while managing on-track partnerships, or take the wheel of a teammate's car in the middle of a race to fend off rivals. As an owner, build your own racing empire or even buy top NASCAR Teams like Hendrick Motorsports.

Back at E3 2005 Sony showed the first glimpses of a new title in the Syphon Filter franchise, but did not disclose any details, up until today. Syphon Filter : Dark Mirror is scheduled to be released in North America spring 2006 and will not only see the return of Gabe Logan, but also Theresa, Lipan et Lian Xing. The PSP version will allow you to give commands to the rest of your team a la SOCOM, and a multiplayer wi-fi mode is also par of the new features. Sony promises near PS2 quality graphics due to the usage of streaming technology. More details soon ...

ZuxxeZ has released a new patch for its RTS Earth 2160. This upgrade brings your German/French/English retail game to v1.3.7, synchonizes your game with the upcoming US version, improves stability, fixes voice transmission problems, adds some UI changes and fixes a problem where enemy units sometimes visible in "fog of war". Read more for details fix list and download links ...

Atari revealed today revealed the first details of what is an expansion pack for Eugen Systems' RTS Act of War. While there is no official name for the addon just yet, Atari did disclose it will expand into naval warfare with over a dozen different vessels, such as AEGIS cruisers, frigates, aircraft carriers and submarines. Less scripting, better AI and camera handling. More details surely to come soon, but in the meantime, check the first four screens ...

Valve announced that Half-Life 2: Lost Coast, a single-player level custom-created to showcase High-Dynamic Range lighting (HDR) in the Source engine, is available now to all owners of HL2. As a technology showcase, Half-Life 2: Lost Coast's system requirements are very high. During installation, Steam will prompt you if your system does not meet the recommended configuration.

Dead or Alive 4 will redefine 3-D high definition graphics and sound, featuring online capabilities via Xbox Live, new interactive stages, an all star line-up of old and new favorite characters, and the most complex countering system yet. Yesterday Tecmo and Bungie revealed the Spartan-458 character and Halo-inspired environment, today we have the screen to prove it.

The Adventure Company today announced that the company mystery adventure game Agatha Christie: And Then There Were None has shipped into retail stores in North America.

Comic Book Creator's Self-Publishing software will allow a gamer or comic book enthusiast the opportunity to "Make Your Own Comic". You, as the artist will now be able to easily self-publish and share your own comic book adventure captured and created from your PC based video game play.

Valve's SteamPowered website has been updated with details regarding the latest Rag Doll Kung Fu update through its online delivery system Steam. This release addresses a camera issue, adds chat log, mouse sensitivity can now be saved, missing text bug fix, and online server list has many improvements, including search for friends, and various filters. Just restart Steam for the effects to take place.

Black Bean announced today it will expand its strategy lineup with Space Empires IV and Stary fury, to be released as a bundle pack by the end of 2005.

Today Ubisoft announced that Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six: Lockdown will ship worldwide in early 2006 for the PC. Team Rainbow is called into action and unfamiliar territory to battle a bioterrorist threat but are personally targeted by an evil terrorist organization. Read more for details, screens, as well as a short Q&A with Producer Stuart White regarding the PC version.

Tecmo and Bungie Studios announced today that they have teamed up to bring Halo's Spartan-458 as an unlockable playable character in the X360 launch title Dead or Alive 4. Along with the new character, the two development teams are also introducing a Halo-inspired environment as an unlockable fighting stage in Dead or Alive 4.

Currently working on CrackDown for X360, former GTA creative director David Jones' Real Time Worlds is set to expand its Dundee workforce by over 30%, and currently has openings for programming, art and design roles

Nintendo announced that its artistic musical experience Electroplankton will begin making beautiful music in the United States on Jan. 9. Electroplankton features 10 different musical modes that let the user create melodies using the microphone and touch screen.

Atari has released the first patch for the European edition of Quantic Dreams' action/adventure Indigo Prophecy, aka Fahrenheit. This update brings your retail game to v1.1, but currently there are no details available as to what it fixes. Read more for download links ...

SCEA announced today the launch of its PS2 exclusive Ratchet: Deadlocked, the continued evolution of the Ratchet & Clank series and introduces new elements to the franchise such as co-op gameplay through the entire story mode, squad-based functionality, an enhanced weapons modification system, and the ability of up to 10 players to compete online utilizing a broadband connection.