As was expected, Sony today announced the third installment in the SOCOM series, SOCOM III: U.S. Navy SEALs. Under development at Zipper Interactive, SOCOM 3 is scheduled for Q3 2005 and will take place in all new locations such as Morocco, Poland, and Bangladesh, feature over 30 new weapons, larger maps, improved AI, allow you to drive/operate vehicles and you can now also go for a swim. Read more for details and the first batch of screens ...

Lethal fighting is all you know, and thank god you do! Entering the deadliest fighting tournament on the Shogun's island, your mission is to defeat hundreds of evil minions to reach the castle claiming victory over the other contestants in the tournament. Read more for new screens ...

Empire Interactive today announced that FlatOut will ship to retail outlets in the U.S. on June 14, 2005. Vivendi Universal Games will distribute the title in the U.S.

Sierra Entertainment announced today that its has launched the official Empire Earth II website, MadDoc's historical real-time strategy game. The site will thrill fans with the latest screenshots, news, and behind-the-scenes videos from this upcoming epic. Empire Earth 2 will build upon the award-winning formula of its predecessor by adding features requested both by casual game players interested in a brief spin through history and by more hard core gamers who demand a real-time strategy game that will challenge them for dozens, if not hundreds, of hours.

Nintendo Europe is set to release a strong software line up for the second quarter of 2005, with games such as Star Fox Assault for GameCube, WarioWare Twisted! for the GBA and Yoshi Touch and Go for the Nintendo DS among the selection of titles on offer. With all these games to choose from you won't want to leave the house until summer! Read more for details ...

The latest Settlers game takes the franchise and pushes it to the next level with fully animated 3D technology and enhanced gameplay features,. The game will take the player to a medieval setting, to re-conquer the kingdom currently under the domination of an evil tyrant. While Heritage of Kings is not released yet in English territories, Blue Byte is already working on a "The Fog Realm" addon with new maps, new heroes, and editor.

Matric Games has released the first update for its strategy game Tin Soldiers: Alexander the Great. This update brings your retail game to v1.01 fixes a problem with the AI exposing their rear flank when attacking and repaired a small bug that caused a menu hang in certain machines. Additionally a spelling error was found and fixed. Read more for details and download links ...

Blitz: The League will feature a powerful story mode that, for the first time ever in a football videogame, explores the realism, lifestyle and drama found in professional football. Players will take the helm of a downtrodden football franchise and retool the players and coaching staff in a quest to guide them to the league championship. Additional features include intense multiplayer action with head-to head online play and complete customization of players, teams, stadiums and more.

Day of Defeat: Source, Valve's World War II-themed multiplayer action game, is approaching beta and will be available early this spring via Steam. A team-based multiplayer game that cast players in the Axis vs. Allies battles of Western Europe circa 1944, Day of Defeat: Source leverages the power of the Source engine to introduce integrated physics simulation technology, all new audio, updated maps, enhanced effects and more. More information about Day of Defeat: Source will be released in the coming weeks.

Cold Fear is the first action-horror title to be published under the Ubisoft brand and combines the popular elements of both action and horror releases, delivering an action-packed, tension-filled gaming experience.

Live fastballs, suicide squeezes, grass-staining dives, seventh-inning stretches, walk-off homeruns, peanuts and hotdogs… these are just some of the things that make the sport of baseball America’s favorite pastime. The victory of a baseball game can depend on the walk-off homerun in the ninth inning or a simple second base steal.

Epic has released a new patch for its sci-fi FPS Unreal Tournament 2004. This patch brings your retail game to v3355 and addresses the usual slew of bug fixes, network enhancements, and gameplay tweaks. This new patch is compatible with the ECE Bonus Pack. Read more for detailed fix list and download links ...

Cenega Publishing is proud to announce its debut title release for the Xbox! The first great tile: Creature Conflict: The Clan Wars is at the final stage and is expected to be released simultaneously with its PC counterpart.

Midway Games today announced the official AREA 51 Web site is now live. Exploding with fresh content, FPS fans and conspiracy theorists alike can now access an extensive amount of screenshots, video featurettes, trailers, character bios and much more. AREA 51 is scheduled to ship for the PlayStation2, the Xbox and PC on April 25, 2005.

Combining his expertise in programming and mixing hit records with the highest production values, Tom Salta has written the modern, industrial-fused orchestral soundtrack for Cold Fear, the new action-horror title from Ubisoft under development by Darkworks Studio for PS2 and Xbox.

Atari Europe has finally released the first patch for its strategy game Chris Sawyer's Locomotion. This update brings your European retail game to v1.76 and addresses about a dozen game balance issues, crash fixes, as well as interface adjustments (thanks 3DGamers). Read more for detailed fix list and download links ...

Tecmo and Xbox Live announced the official schedule and rules for the highly anticipated first round of the US and Canadian regional online tournament, entitled "The Dead or Alive Ultimate Mystery Gamer Competition".

Twisted Metal: Head-On, developed Incognito Entertainment, hits the road this spring, allowing gamers to take destruction anywhere, anytime. Featuring new gameplay designs, multiplayer modes via wireless connectivity and Mini-Game bonus levels, Twisted Metal: Head-On provides a wide variety of gameplay options for gamers on the go.

Drive'n Kill is an arcade car shooter. The gamer is one of the new world explorers where you get the opportunity to earn money on the armed car. But danger and lots of enemies are waiting for him in the new world. The gameplay is divided into sequence of missions. During the missions the gamer gets credits for enemy kills and bonus catching. Between missions the car can be upgraded in the shop.

The Battle for Middle Earth utilizes the Generals game engine, and in the game, players can select from the different "good" or "evil" campaigns, where they will be given the freedom to command a variety of major armies from the films, each with their own distinct strengths and weaknesses.

With the latest addition to Midway's classic gaming vault, consumers will be given the option to either hone their racing skills in single player mode in games such as S.T.U.N. Runner, or fulfill their head-to-head appetite and leave friends in the dust with titles such as Hydro Thunder and Super Off Road. Midway Arcade Treasures 3 will also feature player rankings via Xbox Live to allow gamers to post and track personal scores against the best in the world.

Namco today announced that Tekken 5 will be launching in North American retail outlets on Friday, February 25, 2005. Read more for details about four more unlockable characters, bonus adventure game, and arcade history mode ...

SEGA today announced they will publish NHL: Eastside Hockey Manager 2005. Acclaimed management game master Sports Interactive – developer of the PC blockbuster Football Manager 2005, is developing the game, set to appear on both PC and Mac formats across Europe and North America in Summer 2005.

DC Studios today announced a major multi-format development agreement between DC Studios and Konami Europe for a yet un-announcement product, scheduled for Q4 2005.

KOEI today announced that Dynasty Warriors for the PSP will be available on the first day of the handheld system's North American launch. Dynasty Warriors transports players onto the virtual battlefields of Ancient China to experience the thrill of fighting legions of ruthless enemy soldiers. Gamers can choose up to 42 playable characters, each wielding powerful weapons and lethal fighting skills.